Empire: Forged in the Frontier

The origins of Ostia lie not in myth but in the crucible of war. Roughly five centuries ago, Aethelgard was a fragmented land ruled by squabbling warlords. The region we now know as Ostia was a vast, windswept plain home to nomadic tribes known for their horsemanship and fierce independence. 

These tribes, collectively known as the Wind Riders, were constantly on the move, seeking fertile grazing land and evading the predations of rival warlords.

It was then that he appeared. A charismatic leader named Theobald had risen to prominence among the Wind Riders. Recognizing the dangers of disunity, he envisioned a unified kingdom on the plains, strong enough to protect its people. Theobald rallied various Wind Rider clans under his banner, forming a formidable cavalry force. With the unified forces of the wind riders, years of bloody conflict followed.

Theobald and his warriors systematically defeated rival warlords and brought order to the chaotic plains where the kingdom of Ostia now stood.

The nomadic tribes were no more, and the nation of horse lords was born. Years had passed, and the kingdom had stood for so long that even the history regarding the great founder was said to be lost due to time. The once free and wild-spirited wind riders were no more.

Noble houses emerged one after another, and it has been over a thousand years since the Great Plain War.

***

In the territory of Ostia, the knights served the nobles; they were the backbone of the kingdom, and any noble house capable of nurturing a higher-tier knight was quite renowned. One of these noble families was none other than the Noble house of Oakfall, which resided in the Duchy of Brighthelm.

They were a marquis family renowned for their cavalry and unorthodox tactics; their renown and influence are second to none beneath the grand duchies.

On the steps of this household, a man dressed in simple, plain clothes stood at the door. Behind him was his family. They stood and watched as Gresvin left the estate step by step.

Gresvin Oakfall was the eldest son of Lord Alberich, and Lady Elara. His only other family members were a distant cousin, an older sister, a younger brother, and his Uncle. 

They were the only ones to see him off, and Gresvin did not find this strange in any way since no one would publicly talk or accommodate a traitor of the kingdom.

The banquet was held in the capital of the kingdom of Ostia, where the whole kingdom was celebrating the king's 60th birthday. Of course, the Marquis of Oakfall and his family traveled to the capital for the banquet. 

The day should have been a joyous occasion, and in some ways, it was; it was only on the last day of the feast that, at the twilight hours, a sudden incident appeared.

There was an assassination attempt on the king's life. The whole kingdom was thrown into chaos. The attempt was a failure, and the king was saved, but a particular piece of news was brought to light. 

It contained information regarding specific individuals who had participated in the attempt, and one name on the list pointed to Gresvin Oakfall. 

The house of Oakfall found this information absurd. Gresvin had never come into contact with the king, nor did he have a reason to attempt such acts. But the king was far too enraged to hear the pleas of the Oakfall house, and thus, Gresvin was to be executed. 

The only reason he was still able to live to this day was because of his mentor and Uncle, Gareth Oakfall, who pleaded with the Duke of Brighthelm for mercy. 

After the duke intervened, Gresvin was to be exiled. 

He was saved from the clutches of death but banished to a fate that may be far worse. He was disowned by his father, and the nobles of Ostia labeled him a traitor. 

***

Gresvin was already outside the gates when he stopped. He turned to gaze at the place he had called home for the last 19 years. Images of his mother and younger brother's tears appeared as they watched him leave.

The thought made his heart ache; he did not want to see his mother cry as she did, but he knew there was nothing he could do.

Gresvin sighed mockingly; his mother and brother shed tears, while his father only showed a face full of anger and disdain. The coldness that radiated from his eyes was something Gresvin had never experienced before.

Gresvin grunted and threw the image into the back of his head; he did not want to think about it. He and his father had always had a strenuous relationship, but the recent events that occurred made it even more strenuous.

Gresvin spurred the horse onwards and whispered softly, "Farewell," his gaze lingering on the house for only a moment more. He knew that he did not have much time; by royal decree, he was ordered to leave the plains of Ostia to the land beyond the Howling Peaks, west of the kingdom.

The endless plains it was called. The land was fertile and full of life, yet no kingdom had been able to garner a foothold in the open plains due to the rampant barbarian tribes and nomadic raiders.

This was the land to which he was exiled. Gresvin had learned the history of the endless plains when he was a young boy. Learning the history of Ostia was a mandatory requirement for the nobles of Ostia. Throughout its long years of existence, the kingdom of Ostia has tried many times to venture into the Endless Plains in pursuit of its natural resources.

Yet no army was able to conquer the land, and they repeatedly returned in defeat, so much so that the 7th king of Ostia, King Theodric the Reformer, banned the expansion to the west in the year 780 AD.

It has been almost 200 years since their last attempt to conquer the Endless Plains. 

Gresvin travelled alone with nothing but a few pieces of Aurums—all of whom were from his personal savings. He rode on the horse for days on end, resting only when deemed necessary. 

The journey to the border city of Hammerfold would take him two weeks, and only then would he have to venture into the mountains.