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Dorasar Founds New Pavis

Posted on April 17, 2022

In Dragon Pass, the great and wise King Sartar started a splendid dynasty renowned for wisdom and generosity.

A son of King Sartar, Eonistaran the Sage lived in Jonstown. His two sons were raised with their cousins, the princes of Sartar. Dorasar was the younger of Eonistaran’s sons, and he was close to Prince Sarotar, the heir to the throne. He and Sarotar practised at arms, poetry, law and the hunt, and Dorasar was the first to swear allegiance to the prince when he was of age to receive fealty.

Prince Sarotar fell in love with a woman of the Holy Country. Their love was deep and intense, but a terrible problem kept them apart. Sarotar, by virtue of his royal position, demanded wifely fidelity, while Arkilia, his love, would never take such vows. They had one child, a girl, but Sarotar was slain by her other lovers while attempting to secretly kidnap her.

Dorasar’s life was destroyed when his liege was killed. Dorasar had sworn to defend the man with his own life, and had only thought to sit at the hand of his lord. Dorasar felt guilty that his prince must depart without Dorasar’s sword in defence. Dorasar decided to make a place which would keep Sartar’s secrets and lifestyle pure and untainted by such inhuman traditions.Dorasar was a clever man, much travelled. After long scouting, he settled on the wilds of Pavis. He returned to his clan with treasure and tales of wonders in the legendary Rubble of Pavis. He found many who would commit their bodies or money to his first expedition, one of exploration and plunder. Many who went returned wealthy.

There was trouble in the land in those days, and many people wanted to withdraw before the encroaching Lunar menace. When Dorasar and his friends led a second expedition to settle in Pavis there were many volunteers.

Dorasar did not approach this new land as a stranger, without plans or friends. His wisdom was evident in his foresight. While upon the plains with his people, he travelled with Gorgar Bluecloak, a sable chieftain and friend. Together they drove off a large warband of impala people and reached the river.At the river, several others came to meet them. There was Ingilli the Fisher, who came with many people from the banks and mouth of the river to aid him. Too came Varthanis Brighthelm, a lord of the Yelmalio county which held lands down river, and sought allies against the Impala tribe. There was Olgkarth Arrow-eye, of the Zebra people who was made king of that tribe with Dorasar’s help. Finally came Ginkizzie, king of the dwarfs of Pavis, who spoke for the inhabitants of the Real City and the Flintnail cult.

All these folk sat down and counted their followers, added their wealth, boasted of their exploits, and determined what each would receive in the city to be built. During this time many folk came out of hiding from the valley and asked for refuge. A great troll attack was fended off. Finally, decisions were made and everyone agreed: oaths were sworn, pacts made, and promises spoken.

Dorasar staked out the limits of the city walls. Others performed parts in the rites as well. The council met in the centre, swore their oaths, and founded the city. The walls were begun, the streets laid out, and the buildings started.

Dorasar was chosen as King and became ruler of the city for life, but none of his heirs could take the title, nor could any other. After Dorasar’s death in 1579, the city was ruled by a council of its leaders, each aware of the others and of their part in the whole. The Pavis cult gave guidance.

New Pavis was founded in 1550. Dorasar lived as King until 1579. His body was burned, in Orlanthi fashion, though some say his spirit remains to protect the city in need.

During his life Dorasar ruled strongly and well. His city was not part of the kingdom of Sartar, though it swelled with refugees from that war torn land. His farmers went up and down the river, expanding their holdings and remaining friendly with the nomads. The nomad irritation with the civilized rules of Pavis exploded in 1572 when those within the city revolted and tried to open the gate to allies outside. The plot was poorly planned and defenders moved to prevent the attack before it began. There was savage bloodshed as the nomads were defeated. They lost many rights because of that fight, for they no longer have a member upon the council, nor may they ever camp on the south of the river within thirty kilometres of Pavis.The wearying troubles between the kingdom of Sartar and the expanding Lunar empire sent many refugees to distant Pavis. The city kept aloof and sent no warriors, though individuals certainly went on their own to fight the distant foe. Many Sartarites came just after Sartar fell, in 1602, when it seemed Pavis was safely out of the line of the Lunar advance.

But in 1610, after being turned back from the ports of the Holy Country, the Lunar army marched eastward towards Pavis. Valiant nomads gathered forces to resist the chaos foe, but were decisively defeated and slaughtered. The Lunar army marched against Pavis.The city resisted for a single day, then opened its gates to the besiegers. There was mutiny, but the ringleaders were caught and slain. Those who would resist were butchered systematically, or killed impromptu, depending upon your point of view. The conflict with the Yelmalio ruling family was a surprise to many: the purge of Dorasar’s kinsmen was less so.

For over a decade, the city remained in Lunar hands, though the original army went home long ago. At first, the Lunars maintained peace with the barbarians and the trolls, and kept the city’s coffers full. After 1621, the Lunar governor Sor-eel was recalled, and a new governor installed by the Provincial Overseer. The new governor, Halcyon var Enkorth, was famed for his venality and his contempt for the native population, but he was a loyal servant of the Provincial Overseer and could be trusted to carry out his commands. Argrath Whitebull unified the tribes of Prax and defeated the Lunar Army at the Second Battle of Moonbroth in 1624. Soon after, his nomad army successfully assaulted New Pavis, although the Lunar Governor escaped. Argrath was acclaimed King of Pavis by the city council and temples and he established his residence in the former Count’s Palace used as the Lunar Headquarters.

Artist, Simon Bray

 It is important to remember that Dorasar founded New Pavis and led it for the next 29 years. That’s more than twice as long as the Lunar Occupation, and he established the forms and expectations of the city’s institutions.

From 1572 until 1624, nomads were not allowed a member on the city council, nor allowed to camp on the New Pavis side of the Zola Fel river within 30 kilometres of the city. That changes in 1624 of course.

Sarotar and Dorasar sound unusually puritan about marriage relationships. yes. The Prince can be polygamist, but his consort cannot be. That’s not moralism, but political pragmatism. “wifely fidelity” is in the context of being the wife of the likely next Prince of Sartar.

Jeff Richard

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1550 ST, 1572 ST, 1579 ST, 1610 ST, 1621 ST, Battle of Moonbroth II 1624 ST, Dorasar, Eonistaran, Halcyon, New Pavis (small city), Sarotar, Simon Bray (artist), Sor-eel

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