Traditional Recant of the Coming of Malek Ghodbane

Water is not the only rare resource in Esos. Sturdy wood, sculptable stone, workable metal, medicinal herbs, harvestable nuts and berries, and less formidable game are all heavily contested by neighboring nations, and even tribes within nations. No resources are contested as hotly as those necessary to open Life Ducts however, and those are often the causes of wars.   Nations have disproportionately large militaries already since it is so dangerous to hunt the game necessary to feed a reasonable number. Being a hunter is synonymous with being a talented warrior, trapper, or Channeler. The prevalence of martial skill among the peoples leads to long, bloody wars in which surrender or peace is a bitterly slow result.   Chief among nations in terms of pure military might is Kilderlund. Despite having no Channelers, their warriors are trained from an exceptionally young age and their commanders have historically easily outwitted their opponents. Ninety eight years ago, Kilderlund’s first recipient of Donum Duellum was born. A child of magical talent and might, Hamdi Ghodbane became the leader of a warband at age eight, the commander of his caravan at age ten, and by age twelve had gained the name Malek Ghodbane.  

Power in Names     The Kilder believe names to hold great power. It is tradition for a master of a craft or position in Kilderlund to adopt the name of the craft as their first name. The name of Malek, or ’King’ has only ever been granted this once.

  Malek lead a brutal and efficient campaign, using the Donum Duellum and his tactical genius to exert control over both the Rathi and Gredorans within a matter of months with minimal casualties on both sides. With three armies under his banner, Malek marched on Helix. But instead of attacking, he initiated negotiations.   The current Imperator of Helix, Fleur Mercator, a Channeller of Donum Silva met with him. He had two demands, which were not surrender nor material. The first demand was to found a peacekeeping force, Sulta ’Ankar, based in Helix in which any nation’s warriors could join, should they prove themselves strong enough. The second demand was to amend the Helix Accords to change how councilors were selected. Rather than the corrupt sham elections held in Helix, the new system would be one of merit. Stadius Ghodbane was constructed, where every two years, a tournament would be held. Each nation would field their finest warriors, hunters, and Channelers, and the results of the tournament would translate to seats on the council.   Fleur Mercator agreed to his demands, much to the rage of the current council. Shortly thereafter, Malek Ghodbane and his army left Helix and Malek released the Rathi and Gredorans from his service.   Civil war erupted in Helix. The Mercator family stood by the Imperator, Fleur, and her decision to abide by Malek’s demands. The two other great families of Helix, The Arbors of Donum Aquae and the Santoris of Donum Silex, fought for their traditions to return. The Mercators won the war, but victory was pyrrhic. Over the next hundred years, the Donum Silva would dwindle, almost dying out entirely.