The Triumvirate

The Triumvirate is not one kingdom, but three. In the old days, when the  Karkovoi  first migrated east, they split their new lands into seven petty kingdoms. The first was the greatest; Old Zarubinya, which flourished for a century between the rivers of Resna and Dos. The next six were founded by migrants heading even further eastward, first to the seaside highlands and then down into the lowland peninsula. And yet, Zarubinya grew indolent, and ceased its vigils against the  Boundless Blight ; and one day, those who traveled to Zarubinya ceased to come back, and none of their traders came to call at the distant ports of the other kingdom. Expeditions west along the wild road did not return; and the remaining six kingdoms were forced to admit that their greatest had fallen. In response, the six kingdoms built great stone walls where the mountains did not protect them, and raised the ranks of the  Vigil ; brave soldiers to man the walls and hold back the forest.

And yet, even unified against a common enemy, the six kingdoms were not peaceful. They constantly squabbled among one another, and had minor wars for territory. Various houses rose and fell, claiming kingship along with the token white rod of their kingdom, before turning to dust once more. It was not until the invading forces of the  Alvyrnians  arrived, 87 years ago, and defeated the three kingdoms of the lowlands, that the remaining independent Karkovoi saw fit to end their petty squabbles and united as one. And yet, the armies of the pointed men never came. For a quarter of a century, the Triumvirate waited, but the Empire did not strike; for the Empire had easier targets to the east. By the time the Empire knocked upon their doors again, the Imperial army had tripled in size, and the Empire with it. Knowing that they could not win, the stout men bargained; and instead were annexed as an sovereign territory; their kings and queens able to execute justice as they saw fit, so long as they paid tithes and swore fealty to the Empire. But a house divided is weaker than a house united, and the Karkovoi had learned that lesson. To this day, their kingdom is run by not one, but three monarchs, who vote on their own decisions in their own small council.

<span style="The" 87 Triumvirate is not one kingdom, but three. in the Old days, when Karkovoi first migrated east, they split their new lands into seven petty kingdoms. was greatest; Zarubinya, which flourished for a century between rivers of Resna and Dos. next six were founded by migrants heading even further eastward, To seaside highlands then down lowland peninsula. yet, Zarubinya grew indolent, ceased its vigils against Boundless Blight; day, those who traveled come back, none traders came call at distant ports other kingdom. Expeditions west along wild road did return; remaining kingdoms forced admit that greatest had fallen. response, built great stone walls where mountains protect them, raised ranks Vigil; brave soldiers man hold back forest. unified common enemy, peaceful. constantly squabbled among another, minor wars territory. Various houses rose fell, claiming kingship with token white rod before turning dust once more. It until invading forces Alvyrnians arrived, years ago, defeated three lowlands, independent saw fit end squabbles united as one. armies pointed men never came. quarter century, waited, Empire strike; easier targets east. time knocked upon doors again, Imperial army tripled size, it. Knowing could win, stout bargained; instead annexed an sovereign territory; kings queens able execute justice fit, so long paid tithes swore fealty Empire. house divided weaker than united, learned lesson. this kingdom run one, monarchs, vote on own decisions small council.-align: center;">