Merkia

Until 1057, the coastal region between the Kingdom of Westland and the Brytish Kingdoms was called Merkia. Heavily forested, it was believed to be lightly populated by warlike tribes led by wizards.

In 1034, the Merkia tribes began a series of invasions into the Kingdom of the Rornish People (later to be named the Kingdom of Weidany) seemingly aimed at claiming and holding land. Previous border skirmishes had been no more than short term cattle raids. Now, thousands of warriors swarm across the borders, overwhelming any that stand in their path.

It is the greatest threat to the new Kingdom since its inception. However, though much territory is intially lost, the discipline and greater organisation of the Kingdom's armies eventuall turns the tied, and in 1057, a truce is signed wherein the country of Merkia becomes part of the Kingdom. It is split into two shires - that of Merkia and Northwood.

In the years that follow, explorations into these lands find a region which is sparsely populated. Many empty villages are discovered, though all show signs of having been abandoned for several decades. Of the barbarian hordes which had returned to their homelands after the ending of the war, there is no sign.

The Priests of Ashek

Little was known of Merkia before the Merkian War. Those who travelled into its lands rarely returned. They were considered to be magical forests populated by all manner of fell beasts.

Sometime around the early 11th century, rumours started to come out of the region of a new power which was arising there, something which was capable of uniting the many warrior tribes. The name of this new power was Ashek, said to be the Mad God.

It was the priests of Ashek which led the war against Weidany, and it was they who agreed to the truce which ended it. After the war, a few temples to this mad god were built within the Kingdom. Within Merkia, his priests ruled the people, but none were of the power that were witnessed at the time of the war, when legions of undead were called up to fight along side the barbarians, and the elements themselves were harnessed as weapons of war.

It was said that the war between the two nations was lost by Weidany, that the Kingdom lost the final battle and that Queen Aelflaed agreed to the request to discuss surrender terms expecting it to be for her surrender. This story is generally denied however, and tales of great victories against insurmountable odds were common shortly after the war.

Of the powerful Priests of Ashek however, nothing was seen of them after the war. Both the war wizards, and their hordes of warriors seemingly vanished without a trace.