Kingdom of Drassig

The Kingdom of Drassig (pronounced druh-SIG') was a short-lived kingdom, known for brutality and inequality, founded by Warren Drassig in western Tal'Dorei, at the time called Gwessar, some time shortly before 504 PD. It was dissolved at the end of the Scattered War and its lands became what is now the Republic of Tal'Dorei.

Founding
By the late-400s PD, the predominantly human city of Emon was a politically volatile collection of self-proclaimed noble houses fighting for power. A gifted if unscrupulous warrior and influential business leader named Warren Drassig was able to take advantage of the chaos and take over the city, naming himself king.

One of Warren's first actions was to cut all ties with Syngorn, choosing instead to ally with the wealthier dwarven city of Kraghammer. The human colonists in Tal'Dorei already had a strained relationship with the elves of Syngorn, who felt these colonists had damaged the forests of the Verdant Expanse in their rush to build their cities. Nevertheless, in approximately 504 PD, Syngorn sent the grandson of their founder and leader Yenlara to Emon in a diplomatic effort. The Kingdom of Drassig's agents instead tortured and killed him upon his arrival, beginning the long and brutal war that would be their downfall.

The Scattered War
The remainder of Warren's years were spent in battle. For over nine years, he expanded his kingdom rapidly; the scattered and isolated human colonies had no quick way to warn each other against Drassig's encroaching armies, and those same armies became skilled in infiltrating these settlements and spreading disinformation and distrust, quashing insurgency before it could happen. However, Warren, always a boastful man, met his downfall in the village of Torthil in approximately 513 PD. He and his troops had advanced upon the village in the belief that it was housing refugees. Finding none, the king began a victory speech in the town square, at which point he was killed by the arrows of Syngorn and their rebel allies.

Rule of the kingdom fell to Neminar Drassig, Warren's firstborn son. Neminar was a necromancer, and his tyrannical rule, spent entirely at war, was known for its dark and fiendish magic. Under his powers the army became twisted with blessings of Bane. While Neminar successfully avenged his father when he returned to Torthil, killed the rebels, and burnt the village to the ground, he too fell in battle, to forces led by Zan Tal'Dorei, when he attempted to attack Syngorn's Shifting Keep.

Neminar was succeeded by his younger brother Trist Drassig, who lacked both his father's military skill and his brother's arcane prowess, and inherited a war that the kingdom was no longer winning. In an attempt to secure victory, he entered into an infernal pact with Graz'zt, the Demon Prince of Indulgence. It was insufficient, and Zan Tal'Dorei herself killed Trist during the Battle of the Umbra Hills, ending the Drassig bloodline and the kingdom in approximately 536 PD.

Other events
While the war occupied most of the efforts of the Kingdom of Drassig, the Silvercut Roadway was established during its reign, connecting Emon to Westruun. Unfortunately, during the rule of Drassig the roadway was a frequent site for hangings of political dissidents or unfortunate innocent citizens.

The Drassigs also established the militaristic rule by margrave that remains in place throughout Tal'Dorei.

Aftermath
While the kingdom did not last long, the sociopolitical consequences it wrought are still felt across the continent. Kraghammer regretted trusting Drassig and became far more politically cautious and unwelcoming to outsiders. Syngorn similarly did not forget the betrayal of the Kingdom of Drassig, nor did they forgive Kraghammer for their role, and became far more isolationist in their outlook, though they also appreciate Zan Tal'Dorei's alliance and maintain a cordial relationship with the Council of Tal'Dorei. Additionally, many of the settlements in the Mornset Countryside were founded by those escaping the rule of the Kingdom of Drassig, and remote tribes such as the Orroyen are still wary of outsiders having heard stories of the long-ago war.

The Republic of Tal'Dorei itself bears elements of the Kingdom of Drassig's dubious legacy. The Brawler's League first began under the despotic and exploitative rule of Warren Drassig, and despite it being illegal throughout the realm, continues to operate. The Clasp, another illegal organization, was also founded in the days of the kingdom and many of their hidden tunnels built during that time. However, just as the brutal regime gave birth to enduring violent organizations, the rebellions that grew under its rule also continue. The Golden Grin began as a small group of entertainers who attempted to bring joy to an oppressed populace, and eventually grew into a secret organization against tyranny.

More subtle cultural influences also remain, including the dwarven oath of rudraz, a legacy of the Drassig alliance with Kraghammer that is still used, if casually, in Emon. And, unfortunately, prejudice against the so-called monstrous races was, if not born during the kingdom's time, at least condoned.