Among the early settlers of Kerofinela were Old Aran, a fierce fighter, and a great hero, who entered Dragon Pass in search of the freedom he had been denied in his homeland. After many adventures Aran settled in the Forloss Hills. He conquered the Bellowing Bastard, befriended the Highland Nymphs, discovered the Whitehoof Path, and taught his people how to live where weaker men would perish.
Soon, his reputation spread, and other clans joined. The Aranwyth tribe was founded.
When the Poljoni moved into No Man's March in 1420, the eastern clans were worried that the horsemen would try to steal their summer pastures, but the Pol Joni were preoccupied with the Praxian nomads, and there was no trouble.
In 1460, when the Telmori were on the warpath, the Aranwyth were troubled. Although they did not suffer like the northern tribes, they were subject to many raids by frenzied wolf-men.
The Coming of Sartar
In the late fifteenth century, a man called Sartar, well versed in secret magic, entered Kerofinela from the south.
At this time, the Aranwyth were coming under more persistent raids by the Praxian nomads. Two clans were so decimated by the constant raiding that they had to band together to survive. The new clan was called the Valensting, and they are still known for their intense hatred of the animal nomads.
Sartar the Peacemaker, as he was called, convinced the Aranwyth, Balkoth, Dundealos, Kheldon, and Poljoni tribes to collectively found the walled city of Swenstown, in defence of the bloodthirsty nomads.
The Kingdom of Sartar
In 1492 King Braggi of the Aranwyth were among those who founded the new kingdom by electing Sartar to be First of the Quivini.
The warlike Gwandor clan of the Culbrea, however, ignored the new-found unity and launched several attacks on the Toena clan of the Aranwyth. As a result Bundri Strongblood formed the Forloss Riders, to protect the clans from greedy aggressors.
When Sartar was apotheosized in 1520, his heirs succeeded him.
In 1539 the Dragonewts Dream began. A huge amount of phantom dragonewts began going about their mysterious tasks. Young Londri the Carpenter tried to stop them, but was driven mad by the experience. After that, everyone avoided them. And, after five years, they disappeared again.
When Prince Jarolar fought the Lunar Empire in Tarsh, the Forloss Riders joined him. They were among the cavalry that swept upon the Lunar army from behind and slaughtered them. The Riders were generously gifted for their actions.
When the corrupt Empire finally reaffirmed its control of Tarsh, the false king ordered many raids on Sartar, and the Aranwyth defended the honour of the kingdom by participating in many a counter-raid.
In 1602 the Lunar Empire invaded Sartar. Many Aranwyth warriors died at Runegate, eaten by the Crimson Bat. When Boldhome fell, most of the Aranwyth clans fled into the highlands. They spent three winters at their summer steads, before eventually returning to their normal lifestyle. These are known as the Years of Hunger.
The Occupation
In 1605 the tribe was haunted by kinstrife. When the Yaraldin clan turned upon itself chaos entered their tula, and the earth was poisoned with blood. To this day, everyone avoids the place where the last remnants of the clan were wiped out by the Predark.
When it was discovered that a clan of Uz had moved into Battle Valley, the Aranwyth sent warriors to check it out. An understanding was reached, and in return for not disturbing their settlement, the trolls have been paying tribute to the Aranwyth ever since.
In 1613 a major rebellion occurred under the leadership of Kallyr Starbrow. The Aranwyth had troubles with raiding Telmori, and chose not to participate in the hopeless uprising.
Because of their participation in the rebellion, the Culbrea were forced to relinquish three clans to the Cinsina and the Aranwyth.
If you want to learn more about the history of the Kingdom of Sartar, buy yourself a copy of Greg Stafford's excellent novel King of Sartar.
Contact me at petermnordstrand@swipnet.se.