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| skyss:places:daelriata [24 Feb 2021 11:39] – Added a map, some headings, and links to the main families james | skyss:places:daelriata [22 Mar 2026 17:52] (current) – add a link for a placeholder on education james |
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| ====== Grand Duchy of Dael Riata ====== | ====== Grand Duchy of Dael Riata ====== |
| Dael Riata is a poor land sandwiched between mountains to its North and East, and the Sea on the West. To the south sits the related but way more prosperous [[:skyss:places:bernicia|Kingdom of Bernicia]]. Riven by centuries of internecine warfare between tribes with a culture of raiding and blood feuds the Daels are impoverished. Many of their towns (all of the successful ones) are fortified, and fortlets and castles abound between the hills and lakes. | Dael Riata is a poor land sandwiched between mountains to its North and East, and the Sea on the West. To the south sits the related but way more prosperous [[:skyss:places:bernicia|Kingdom of Bernicia]]. Riven by centuries of internecine warfare between tribes with a culture of raiding and blood feuds the Daels are impoverished. Many of their towns (all of the successful ones) are fortified, and fortlets and castles abound between the hills and lakes. The capital is [[:skyss:places:dalreoch]]. |
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| A seafaring people loosely linked to the Skyssians based on a collection of Islands and the nearby coastal lands to the East of Skyss. Unlike Skyss they're riven by factions and internecine warfare, which is why they haven't banded together to be a greater power in the world. Many Daels leave the area and seek their fortune elsewhere, and it is common to find little groups of Daels onboard a Skyssian ship, or in an enclave somewhere in a civilised town in another country. | A seafaring people loosely linked to the Skyssians based on a collection of Islands and the nearby coastal lands to the East of Skyss. Unlike Skyss they're riven by factions and internecine warfare, which is why they haven't banded together to be a greater power in the world. Many Daels leave the area and seek their fortune elsewhere, and it is common to find little groups of Daels onboard a Skyssian ship, or in an enclave somewhere in a civilised town in another country. One thing that helps Daelians stand out is their [[:skyss:chars:daels:education|culture of education]] which means thay are way more literate than most other peoples. |
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| ===== Geography ===== | ===== Geography ===== |
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| ===== People ===== | ===== People ===== |
| Dael Riata is ruled by a hereditary monarch, which has been in the hands of the [[:skyss:characters:daels:ranald|Ranald family]] for almost three hundred years, before that there was a two decade inter-regnum filled by a very bloody civil war and an intervention by the King of Bernicia which united the Dael Riatan's against the Bernicians. Originally the [[:skyss:characters:daels:riata|Riata dynasty]] founded the Kingdom, but the crown passed out of their hands to the Ruary dynasty, which died out (although one of their cadet branches, the [[:skyss:characters:daels:gilruary|Gilruary]], still exist). | Dael Riata is ruled by a hereditary monarch, which has been in the hands of the [[:skyss:chars:daels:ranald|Ranald family]] for almost three hundred years, before that there was a two decade inter-regnum filled by a very bloody civil war and an intervention by the King of Bernicia which united the Dael Riatan's against the Bernicians. Originally the [[:skyss:chars:daels:riata|Riata dynasty]] founded the Kingdom, but the crown passed out of their hands to the Ruary dynasty, which died out (although one of their cadet branches, the [[:skyss:chars:daels:gilruary|Gilruary]], still exist). |
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| The current monarch is [[:skyss:characters:daels:alasdair_ranald|Alasdair V, Grand Duke of Reoch]]. He succeeded to the throne as a baby when his mother, [[:skyss:characters:daels:caoimhe_ranald|Queen Caoimhe]], was forced to abdicate by a coalition of nobles. The main nobles of Dael Riata are: | The current monarch is [[:skyss:chars:daels:alasdair_ranald|Alasdair V, Grand Duke of Reoch]]. He succeeded to the throne as a baby when his mother, [[:skyss:chars:daels:caoimhe_ranald|Queen Caoimhe]], was forced to abdicate by a coalition of nobles. The [[:skyss:chars:daels:nobles|main nobles of Dael Riata]] are: |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:ranald|Ranalds]], Grand Dukes of Reoch & Kings of Dael Riata | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:alasdair_ranald|Ranald]], Grand Dukes of Reoch & Kings of Dael Riata |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:ahearn|Ahearns]], Earls of Suddal, known colloquially as the Horse Lords. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:ahearn|Ahearn]], Earls of Suddal, known colloquially as the Horse Lords. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:giluilleam|Giluilleams]], Earls of Dalry, and relative newcomers to Dal Riata. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:giluilleam|Giluilleam]], Earls of Dalry, and relative newcomers to Dal Riata. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:aohnghus|Aonghus]], Earls of Beatham. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:gilcinead|Gilcinead]], Earls of Craigmuir |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:riata|Riata]], Earls of Glasholm, the founders of the Kingdom of Dael Riata. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:aohnghus|Aonghus]], Earls of Beatham. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:gilriata|Gilriatas]], Earls of Dalcot, a cadet branch of Riata that now surpasses them. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:riata|Riata]], Dukes of Glasholm, the founders of the Kingdom of Dael Riata. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:Sithech|Sithechs]], Earls of Aifric, the Old Wolves. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:gilriata|Gilriata]], Earls of Dalcot, a cadet branch of Riata that now surpasses them. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:suibhne|Suibhnes]], Earls of Douglas, famed for their hospitality and generosity. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:Sithech|Sithech]], Earls of Aifric, the Old Wolves. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:sioltach|Sioltachs]], Earls of Duff, shipbuilding masters. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:suibhne|Suibhne]], Earls of Douglas, famed for their hospitality and generosity. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:gilruary|Gilruarys]], Earls of Dalmuir, the second port of Dael Riata. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:sioltach|Sioltach]], Earls of Duff, host to the [[:skyss:chars:daels:unicorn_troop|Unicorn Troop]]. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:muchadh|Murchadhs]], Earls of Uisdean, notorious raiders and self-proclaimed Sea Kings. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:gilruary|Gilruary]], Earls of Dalmuir, the second port of Dael Riata. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:gilranald|Gilranalds]], Earls of Norpen. A cadet branch of Ranald installed on the Northern most islands as a foil to the Muchardhs. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:murchadh|Murchadh]], Earls of Uisdean, notorious raiders and self-proclaimed Sea Kings. |
| * The [[:skyss:characters:daels:alpin|Alpins]], Earls of Ardmor. Guardians of the great forest in the North. | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:gilranald|Gilranald]], Earls of Norpen. A cadet branch of Ranald installed on the Northern most islands as a foil to the Muchardhs. |
| | * The [[:skyss:chars:daels:alpin|Alpins]], Earls of Ardmor. Guardians of the great forest in the North. |
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| . | ===== History of the Grand Duchy of Dael Riata ===== |
| | The history of the [[:skyss:places:daelriata|Grand Duchy of Dael Riata]] is a chronicle of a seafaring people defined by centuries of internecine warfare, tribal raiding, and blood feuds. Sandwiched between the eastern mountains and the western sea, the nation's past is marked by the struggle to maintain independence from the prosperous southern Kingdom of [[:skyss:places:bernicia|Bernicia]] and the internal rivalry of its noble houses. |
| | ==== Founding and Early Dynasties ==== |
| | The Kingdom was originally established by the [[:skyss:chars:daels:riata|Riata]] dynasty. Following the decline of the founders, the crown passed to the [[:skyss:chars:daels:ruary|Ruary]] dynasty. However, this lineage eventually died out, leading to a bloody two-decade inter-regnum characterized by civil war. This period of instability invited intervention from the King of [[places:bernicia|Bernicia]], a move that paradoxically united the disparate Dael tribes against a common southern foe. |
| | ==== The Rise of House Ranald ==== |
| | The current ruling [[:skyss:chars:daels:ranald|Ranald]] family has held the throne for nearly three hundred years. Their dominance began in earnest following the death of King [[:skyss:chars:daels:ruaraidh_x|Ruaraidh X]] (reigned 434–528). |
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| | Wars of Independence (529–544): Following Ruaraidh X's death, [[:skyss:chars:berenicia:edmund_i|Edmund I of Bernicia]] attempted to intercede in the succession. A coalition of nobles eventually chose [[:skyss:chars:daels:alasdair_ranald|Alasdair Ranald]] (the first) as King after he successfully defeated the Bernician forces in several battles. |
| | The Battle of Dalry (666): During a later invasion by [[:skyss:chars:berenicia:edmund_ii|Edmund II of Bernicia]], the Dael forces achieved a significant victory at [[:skyss:places:dalry|Dalry]]. [[:skyss:chars:daels:iain_murchadh|Iain Murchadh]], the 4th Earl of [[places:uisdean|Uisdean]], famously killed King Edmund II in hand-to-hand combat during the engagement. |
| | ==== Recent History and the Minority of Alasdair V ==== |
| | The 3rd century of the Ranald era has been particularly tumultuous: |
| | * **Alasdair IV and the Ambush (739)**: King [[:skyss:chars:daels:alasdair_iv|Alasdair IV]] attempted to claim the Bernician throne through his brother-in-law, [[:skyss:chars:berenicia:harold_viii|Harold VIII]]. His army was ambushed by Bernician nobles, resulting in the King's death and heavy losses among the Dael nobility. |
| | * **The Abdication of Queen Caoimhe**: [[:skyss:chars:daels:caoimhe_ranald|Queen Caoimhe]] succeeded her father as a child, governed by a regency council that included [[:skyss:chars:daels:sean_alpin|Sean Alpin]]. Later, her attempt to marry a Skyssian merchant and re-introduce Skyssian gods led to a noble coalition forcing her abdication after [[:skyss:chars:daels:queen_s_war]] in 756. |
| | * **The Minority of [[:skyss:chars:daels:alasdair_ranald5|Alasdair V]]**: Succeeding to the throne as an infant, the young King was raised through a series of four regents, most notably his cousin [[:skyss:chars:daels:bhaltair_gilranald|Bhaltair Gilranald]], the Earl of [[:skyss:places:norpen|Norpen]]. At age 15, Alasdair V asserted his adulthood and began a campaign to centralise control. |
| | ===== The Massacre at Caer Suibhne (774) ===== |
| | A defining moment of recent stability—or tyranny, depending on the perspective—occurred at [[:skyss:places:caer_suibhne|Caer Suibhne]]. Seeking to resolve the long-standing defiance of the [[:skyss:chars:daels:murchadh|Murchadh]] family, the King invited [[:skyss:chars:daels:domnhall_murchadh|Domnhall Murchadh]] (5th Earl of [[:skyss:places:uisdean|Uisdean]]) and his brother [[people:fearchar_murchadh|Fearchar]] to a private negotiation. |
| | Despite the laws of hospitality, both brothers were killed by the King's Steward, [[:skyss:chars:daels:iain_alpin|Iain Alpin]]. While the King officially claimed they attempted to assassinate him, many believe it was a calculated move to break the power of the "Sea Kings" of [[:skyss:places:uisdean|Uisdean]]. This event led to the current Earl, [[:skyss:chars:daels:diarmad_murchadh|Diarmad Murchadh]], swearing allegiance under threat of total extirpation. |
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| {{tag>fantasy world-building NaNoWriMo 2016 Noren Skyss Dael}} | {{tag>fantasy world-building places 2021 Skyss Daels}} |
