The Northern Estates


The history of the northen territories goes far back before civilized man first
conquered the lands of Orkney.  At the time of the founding of Rennibister the
lands were in the hands of the barbarian tribes; who had first driven
out the goblin and orc hords.  The barbarians, afraid of the conquering
armies now encroaching on their lands, marched and laid siege upon the
southern cities.  Lord Harold Mercer of Phillipi was one of only a few left
outside of the great cities.  Though Mercer was a noble of small title and his
lands consisted only of his small estate within the city of Phillipi, he did
command a small number of veteran knights.  With these loyal men, he set
to free the southern cities from the barbarian siege.

In order to draw the tribes away and end the sieges, he launched an attack
upon their home lands.  The enraged barbarians, upon hearing of the attack,
quickly turned their backs upon the rich southern cities and rushed to
protect their lands in the north.  But their march was unplanned and
unorganized.  The tribes were decimated by repeated attacks from the now
unguarded cities.  Only a small remnant ever returned to the north and these
were easily dispatched by Mercer's men.  Grateful for the quick end to the
invasion and the subsequent end of the barbarian threat, the king granted most
of the now conquered northern territory to Lord Mercer. 

After the end of the sieges Lord Mercer returned to his estate in Phillipi.  The
conquered territories were unoccupied for the next five years.  However, he
did commission that a great keep be built so that he barbarian tribes would
never again be able to lay siege to the southern cities.  He granted his eldest
son, Nathan, rule over the keep and the surrounding lands.  Though only 16
years of age, the young lord was quick of mind.  Under the watch of the young
lord, the keep was transformed into a great bastion of magik and research.
With such magiks guarding the northern reaches, the barbarian tribes
were unable to ever threaten the southern cities.  

The younger son of Harold Mercer, named James, was given a part of the
territories upon his sixteenth birthday.  A castle estate was commissioned
to be built where James would rule.

The castle was to be a more luxurious counterpoint to the gloomy keep, so
that it could be a place that Lord Mercer might retire to and visit with
his sons.  The young Lord James was quick to make the castle his own.
During his paladin training in Collosse, James grew to appreciate the great
works of art that the churches would commisson and display.  He sought then
to make his new home a showplace for artists and admirers to visit.  Great
tapestries adorned the walls and the rooms were filled with the most
exquisite furniture.  The works of the greatest artists were on display for all
guests to admire.  The library was filled with the collected histories of a
dozen lands with tales of both heroes and legends.  Books of science and
magic filled the shelves to capacity.  The greatest musicians were invited
to play within the grand throne room of the castle and people filled the halls.

In his last years, Lord Harold Mercer called his sons to a meeting.  Knowing
that he would soon pass, he asked his sons to hold promise to watch over each
other, to each protect the other and to meet at least once each year in
order to strengthen their bonds to each other.  The brothers did promise and
each held to the promise following the death of Lord Harold Mercer.  The
anniversary of their meeting became a time of great celebration.

Some years later, the brothers met for the annual celebration of remembrance
for their father.  At this time Lord Nathan Mercer announced to his brother
his research into the magics of necromancy.  This new magic had
recently surfaced and had gained some popularity among the researchers at
the keep.  This was a different direction than James had expected, and
this announcement upset him greatly.  For a long time the two argued over the
benefits and dangers of such dark magics.  Though they were passionate in
their arguments, neither could convince the other to accept his viewpoint.

Nathan Mercer persisted in his research.  With each announcment of success
from Lord Nathan, Lord James would warn his brother of the dangers of his
research.  He would often both plead and threaten in his attempts to stop
what he saw as madness.  This magic, he thought, could only lead to life that
was tainted.  The old arguments continued until war broke out between
the brothers.  The promise that they had made to both their father, Harold
Mercer, and to each other had been broken.
 
The war abruptly ended a few years later when the armies of both lords
deserted.  The estates were badly damaged during the hostilities and
eventually abandoned.  Most of the northern territories now remain
unoccupied which leads many to fear of a return of the barbarian tribes.


