A History of the SheldomarA History of the Sheldomar
By Kirt Wackford (wackford@biology.utah.edu )
Edited by Scott Rennie (scott.rennie@virgin.net) for 'Black Hart' campaign consistency, and
subject to revision.
CY 370 - 405
Reign of Tavish I [29], Annexation of the Yeomanry [74]
The Neheli youth who would assume the Keoish throne in CY 370
[29] had fought much during the occupation of Ket. His skill and
aggressive demeanour pleased the Great Council of nobles. The
current King, in the aftermath of the failed invasion, was in no
position to oppose their wishes, and the young Lord was, in fact,
a distant cousin of his. Thus when the King grew old the Council
named Tavish I as his successor. The coronation of Tavish I
ushered in a new age of Keoish thought which was openly and
unapologetically imperialistic.
The Keoish aristocracy, led by Tavish, rationalised their defeat
in the west by asserting that it was only a lack of men and
material, not a failure of purpose, which had undone them.
Keoland would conquer the western nomads; it had simply not been
ready for the vast numbers of them. These men believed Keoish
destiny to be a great and glorious empire, perhaps one that
rivalled their ancestors, the Suel. For now, the priority was to
build up Keoland, to carefully expand, develop, and gather
strength for the conquests to come.
After a decade of restoring the Royal Army, and with Bissel
secure, Tavish I chose the first annexation as one that would
give Keoland access to valuable resources and numerous
well-trained troops. In CY 383 [74] the lands of the Yeomanry
were invaded by an overwhelming force and quickly subdued
[77,78]. The Crown much appreciated the silver, gems, and
soldiers of this land. Careful not to overextend the Empire,
Tavish I followed this annexation with a long period of internal
development. The Yeoman were integrated into Keoish armies [75].
Roads, bridges, dams, and fortifications were built throughout
the Empire, particularly in Keoland proper.
Trade with other nations was promoted, even with the nascent Ket.
Peasants were encouraged to settle at the frontiers, among the
demi-humans, opening up new land to cultivation.
The Ulek states (with the exception of the County) and Celene,
which had been locally-ruled protectorates , saw ever greater
numbers of humans settling. While the demi-humans retained their
self-rule (and the still "independent" elves were
conveniently ignored), the lands around them were more and more
administered like internal provinces of the Kingdom. Demi-humans
were increasingly asked to formalise their relationships with
Keoland, to the point of defining what areas they had authority
over, how many troops they would supply for local patrols, and
what goods they would produce for human markets. While Keoish
representatives negotiated these agreements in a fair manner and
in good faith, they were in effect beginning to require the
regulation of relationships which had hitherto been free form, at
the will and whim of the demi-humans.