History of Caledon

Prehistory

Caledon’s region, all along the Eastern Coast, was covered in thick, dense forestry. The forests spread over mountains and into the Valley of the dragons, tapering out into concentrated clusters. Back when the continents were more together and bound by bridges of ice and thick rivers as opposed to the ocean, human life was said to be a gift from the Gods and nurtured in 3 separate places. As the world took form, settlers moved into Caledon’s region about 7000 years prior to the start of the story.

Clans

There were about 5 central clans that had formed within the forest, fracturing and becoming 12. Each clan served a leader and managed to get along somewhat peacefully after an initial rush for territory. These were very much hunter-gatherer clans that seemed to worship the stars. People lived in large huts that were largely communal and villages sprung up housing people of no more than 100. Historians are led to believe that the original clans came from the east, where dragons were based on geological accounts. The most notable were--The Ennics, a tribe that often committed itself to defense; legends say they had fought dragons out of the area, as well as two dwarven invasions. -- Gellghs ; a group known for adaptability, -- Roeshe -  a group known for diverse and swift governing.

It should be noted that the Clans traded with and lived among the elves, a group of different people who taught them how to survive and live communally initially. The groups shared language, culture, and food, though the elves lived deeper in the magic woods. Eventually, as settlers developed towns, they became separated from elves.

The clans had overall varying technology, but it was clear one clan stood above the rest; the MacIngreddegh; a religious clan who, rumored from the grace of the Gods, had gifted the clans the gift of magic. Revered as a symbol of strength, history has dubbed Fionnh -- A name that would serve as a universal unification symbol in the land. She was dubbed the first queen under a unified clan, and after defeating a war with enemies in the east, with a Religious Mandate on her head, declared Caledon her land, from ocean to mountain, by 3000 years prior to the birth of Astrid Kent.

The Monarchs

Monarchs came and went for about 1000 years. Infrastructure improved rapidly under the children of Fionnh as they cut the forest back enough to make Queen’s Crossing, finishing a castle Queen Fionnh had begun building and even lived briefly in until the end of her life. This was the first semblance of government in the region. A monarchy with a bustling city center on a hill. Writing, which had previously been written on tree bark, had started to write on paper after a traveling merchant set into town, who married into Roeshe Clan. Soon enough clans took over parts of the country as boons or lands as they settled into a feudal system.

Roeshe took to the sealand for trade and changed their names aptly to Row’lands. (Rowlands). The Ennics stayed as guards to the queen, committing themselves to the cause. Through marriage, the tribe adopted Finn, and went through several changes to become Finnigan. Gellghs took to the magical forest and very much studied the magic and science they were gifted, and it’s rumored they vanished. MacIngreddegh stayed in Queen’s Crossing and remained in the area as their former leaders became kings and queens.

Ava

About 1000 years prior to the start of the comic, Two young sisters were born on the moors out in the northern section of the country; Ava and (temporary name) Alice. Ava was an accomplished sorceress, who was always destined for greatness. Alice had equal talent, but lacked the ambition to go as far as her sister. Ava quickly grew favor with the current king and the next Future monarch. He was without magic and relied on her expertise with the magical forests and the people in them to further expand the kingdom. With a well-off salary, Ava was able to care for Alice, and provide the future for them that was so desperately needed.

Through the Western mountains, a traveling group of dignitaries and merchants ventured through the dangerous forests for a chance to meet the prospering king. By this time, Ava became such a trusted advisor, and met the nobleman who traveled with them, a tall thin man with dark hair and eyes. He called himself Nero, and they would take walks. He stopped by her home once and saw Alice, and knew he had to be with her. Ava could see how happy her sister was, and allowed them to marry.