The Histories
"We cannot hope to learn about ourselves if we do not look to the past that defines us."
– Aleksander Kostka
The twin counties of Rogalin and Dalmor were not always united. In a time before the founding of Werïstarc or even the kingdom of Bordweall, before the Empire of Xeilias ran rampant and controlled the known lands, the people of these two settlements were quite different. Rogalin began as a small tribal settlement from a migrating clan; the lands clear waters, and bountiful resources proved too irresistible for the clan to continue its long march. Settling near a great oak tree for which the county is known. Generations passed and what was once a single settlement turned into a thriving city with farming and trade villages throughout what is now known as the county of Rogalin. The residents of Dalmor hail from the southern grasslands, accustomed to farming and trade they came looking for new opportunities. Settling near the river with the mountains and forest near at hand the county seat quickly turned into a bastion for trade and diversity its people seeking new ties and business.
As the Empire of Xeilias wreaked havoc throughout the land, local leaders did what they could for their people. The empire cared not for rank or station and slaughtered all it felt stood in their way. Such was the fate for two noble families thought killed to the last to cow the people and crush the growing resistance. The houses of Welinski of Rogalin and Kostka of Dalmor were sundered and their lands fell to the empire in turn. All was not lost however, as Kaeleron Welinski and Bronimir Kostka now the only remaining heirs of their lands had been sent to aid Lejan Fallskeeper the First Warden in his resistance.
The two heirs, on hearing of their family’s fate became unified in their anger against the empires treacheries; and as skirmishes turned to battles and the silent resistance transformed into the War of the Steadfast Shields the two men became friends. Caught by the unexpected might of the First Warden’s forces the Empire of Xeilias slowly crumbled. The heirs led their troops with honor and fought their enemies to the last eventually landing them on the soil of their homeland. The empire having known of their enemies’ movements fortified the city of Welinsk home of Kaeleron and the capital of Rogalin. A last stand stronghold in what is now the duchy of Werïstarc.
The battle was fierce and deadly. Kaeleron and Bronimir along with their men and the citizens of the city, bolstered by the sight of their lost lord, fought against the entrenched forces of the empire. Much of the cities infrastructure was damaged in the assault to reclaim her. Buildings burned, walls destroyed, but like the removal of a festering tick the empire was dislodged from its fortifications and the land was reclaimed. The battle proved hard, but the people proved harder still, and as the empire’s forces lay decimated, the will to forge on grew in everyone’s heart. The heirs, now brothers in arms, fought on; building the foundations for what would come.
The forces of the First Warden marched, routing the empire from their remaining strongholds. Xeilias’s influence was quickly undone and the people began to rebuild. With the end of the war, came a new beginning; from the remnants of the past a new kingdom was forged, and a new future of prosperity lie on the horizon. Realizing the need for unity the heirs helped unite the Great Houses of Werïstarc under House von Rügen and in turn joined the newly forged Kingdom of Bordweall. Having a shared border since their founding the counties of Rogalin and Dalmor became as one and prospered as never before as Kaeleron and Bronimir took up their family’s former titles.
Having forged trust in each other’s actions and a strong friendship during the war the two leaders helped each other rebuild. The independent counties flourished seeing new settlers and a growth in trade that had not been thought possible. Kaelerons mind for infrastructure saw the walls and the city of Welinsk restored to its former glory. New projects were undertaken, roads built, and towns established across Rogalin and Dalmor. Bronimir was resourceful in trade and a diplomat at heart. Through his efforts, trade with neighboring counties and duchies grew, and seeds of discord ended before they could take root. The counties benefited from their leaders’ strengths and from the support of each other.
Over the years the counties prospered having overcome great hardships. Bronimir found love in the form of Lady Kataryna sister to Nikoli Olesclaw, a prominent landholder within Rogalin and the city of Welinsk, and shortly thereafter had a son. Kaeleron being strong willed and a having a pension for distrusting formal contracts refused to marry. However all was not meant to last; at the age of 35 Kaeleron fell ill. The disease took him quickly, and without warning. Within a mere weeks time Kaeleron, was gone. Filled with grief at this sudden loss the communities of Rogalin and Dalmor came together and the bonds of friendship and shared grief were tightened. Count Bronimir especially affected by this loss swore to honor his memory.
With Kaeleron’s death and having no heir or blood due to the treachery of Xeilias, the county seat remained vacant. This became a time of turmoil for Rogalin as arguments were made for who should claim the title. Some claimed they should lead others demanded legitimacy and yet others rallied their forces to seize the title by force if necessary. Seeing a need to honor his friends memory and prevent all that they had accomplished from ruin Bronimir sought the advice of the Duke of Werïstarc. With the blessing of the Duke and the Council of Great Houses, Count Bronimir Kostka took up the title of Count of Rogalin & Dalmor formally uniting the two counties. In honor of their friendship Count Kostka ordered a monument be built at the border of the two joined counties so that all who would gaze upon it would know the man who, through friendship and war, helped unite the two forever. Kaeleron Welinski shall live on in our histories as a critical founder of the Twin Counties and the Duchy of Werïstarc without him none may have existed as we know them now.