Journal of Lord Montain, appointed ruler of the Domain of Darnay, former Steward of Darnay. Lord Montain’s journal was entered into the Imperial Archives against his wishes upon coronation.
17th Day of Hearthkeep, Year 701 CR
It feels like years ago when Lord Niven first proposed independence, and at the time it was inconceivable. Since then we’ve watched. We’ve counted. We’ve followed every Imperial request without deviation. I believe we’ve covered every possible outcome.
The Empire cares little for our Domain. It does not ask for tribute like many other Domains, and it does not seem intent on maintaining a permanent Legion garrison here. In fact, outside of occasional Imperial representatives that come to research the surrounding mountains, we see very little of the Empire’s people.
We just need to decide what to do with Prefect Baelyn. Tegan thinks we should let the Prefect know ahead of time and convince him to join us. I think Tegan is a bit naïve and his kindness is going to get him into trouble.
29th Day of Hearthkeep, Year 701 CR
This is it!
Lord Niven has decided and the council agreed – we shall begin the next year as a fully independent nation no longer subservient to the Empire. In two days we will inform Prefect Baelyn and order the Legion out.
All hail the Kingdom of Darnay!
1st Day of Frostbreak, Year 702 CR
The independent Kingdom of Darnay has been founded!
We worried much for so little. The Prefect barely contested our declaration, and simply asked if we were sure.
Yes Prefect, we are sure. We are sure and we are free!
8th Day of Frostbreak, Year 702 CR
The transition of power went as smoothly as any of us could have predicted. We did not need to raise arms, and there was no bloody conflict as the rumors suggested. King Niven secured more than 400 warriors to protect the village, but the Prefect simply… left. As did the other Legion soldiers. We expected more fight from the Empire. Perhaps it is weaker than we thought.
Our only challenge came from House Kittis. The Master of Coin warned about some vague calamity or such nonsense. I think he is just nervous and has never tasted true freedom.
There is a crispness to the air that feels invigorating, and long overdue.
16th of Meltwater, Year 702 CR
It has been several weeks now since our independence, and as I look around I must admit that not much has changed. The people still gather for warm drinks. They laugh and sing as they always have. The Nirashi still visit to entertain or provide trade services.
Even House Kittis has come to terms with our independence, and they have voiced no further complaint.
Perhaps it is due to the cold lingering on the ground, or that we are still adjusting to the new order. In any case, it feels like nothing is different, and everything is different. It’s an odd sensation and I could not point to the cause, or the outcome.
I’m rambling. Perhaps I am too happy with drink.
8th of Furrowdeep, Year 702 CR
Plowing and field preparation have resumed. King Niven has ordered a celebration for two weeks from now, and tasked me to secure enough ale to ensure the mugs never run dry. I must speak with House Kittis. The roads should be clear enough soon to bring in what we need.
Oddly, when we announced the celebration the villagers didn’t respond with the enthusiasm we expected. Some even seemed skeptical of a celebration. But King Niven insisted that such a monumental event should be celebrated, and I agree.
Tegan, ever the kind heart, volunteered to craft a crown wrought iron and precious stones for the new King.
The writing in the next passage has been marred, as if droplets had been spilled onto the page in places.
23rd of Furrowdeep, Year 702 CR
It is with heavy heart that I record this passage, and I do so only so that future generations will remember what happened and, perhaps, seek vengeance.
The King has been slain.
I still cannot believe it.
We had the village secured with more than 300 soldiers. Armed. Ready.
King Niven personally had six of the best warriors at his side.
It didn’t matter. The Legion is Legion.
I will explain as best I can.
It happened during the Celebration of Independence. The great hall was full of village elders, farmers, Darnay’s most important people. The King’s own mage, Cinnaren, sat at a large table to the side, using his skills to watch for threats to the King, suppressing other energies in the room. He made sure the King was safe.
Legion struck him first.
An assassin’s arrow came from a high alcove, entering his throat from the side and sinking into his chest. A moment later, I only heard a sickening crunch to my side. When I looked, a wooden stake had burst forth from King Niven’s chest. He tried to cry out, a scream drowned in blood. Seconds later, each of the elite guards had been dispatched, throats slit with obsidian blades. Behind me, a Legion mage had passed through the wall to stand behind the slain King.
I don’t mean he came through a door. He came through the fucking wall like a ghost!
Without Cinnaren’s protection, the Legion mage had reshaped the King’s chair into a spike driven through his heart!
It happened too fast. Less than the blink of an eye. None of us moved. The Legion had arrived in the way the rumors said it would. Not with a column of soldiers flying Imperial banners.
Like lightning.
Like vengeance.
Like a god offended.
By morning, Legion soldiers had established a presence in the village. We were too shocked by the suddenness, the brutality, to fight back. There was no violence beyond the initial strike. Legion soldiers offered no offenses, and our own soldiers simply accepted their presence. They didn’t patrol like an invading army, rather, they occupied specific locations with the claim of ensuring order.
Prefect Baelyn requested an audience in the center of the village. None declined.
He told us we had exactly seven days to select a new Lord, or to decide how we would rule ourselves in service of the Empire. The Kingdom of Darnay was no more. The Domain of Darnay reestablished.
28th of First Seed, Year 702 CR
I am scared. I feel the Empire’s blade at my throat, and cannot do anything to push it off.
No one can agree on how to move forward. Half of the village wants to fight for independence again, the other half wants to return to the old way. I believe if we can hold out longer, we can regain independence when the Legion leaves the Domain.
House Kittis says we need to decide soon or things will get worse. I asked how that could be the case if the Legion’s policy was to hold territory for a short time, then leave. He shook his head at me and didn’t answer.
To his credit, Prefect Baelyn has kept his word. Legion soldiers have ensured there has been no crime since the King’s demise. Farms are still peaceful farms. Shops are still serviceable.
I am living in a bizarre world where everything is the same, except we have eight fewer residents than a few days ago.
In retrospect, the Nirashi have also gone missing. I am not sure exactly when they left, but they are not here now.
29th of First Seed, Year 702 CR
We did it!
I was worried it was a lie, but the Prefect ordered Legion troops out of Darnay on this day. We are now free again and can rejoice!
All hail the Kingdom of Darnay!
4th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
I am proud of our people. We have proven that we do not need an Empire to cast judgement, to watch over us. We are perfectly capable of governance on our own.
With the Legion’s absence, our own warriors have volunteered to secure trade routes, and the people help each other freely. There have been some disagreements, but they are easily resolved through conversations.
6th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
The heat must be getting to people, they are starting to behave unreasonably. One villager tried to steal from the Kingdom’s food stores, and was caught by the blacksmith Tegan. Some want to remove his hand for the offense, some his feet. I have convinced them to allow the thief to work off the debt, but now some are looking at me differently.
House Kittis brought in additional guards, for which I am grateful. Their assistance will be helpful in keeping the village peaceful.
9th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
House Kittis has betrayed us!
We believed their guards were here to help. Instead, their guards were here to help House Kittis remove its networks from the village. Their warehouse and all their goods have disappeared virtually overnight. Along with them, other traders are now avoiding the Domain, and some things have become harder to obtain.
No matter, we do not need any outside help.
16th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
Supply shortages are starting to add pressure to the village. Some of the villagers are having difficulty finding clothes, and we’ve had to try to mine our own iron in the nearby mountains. It has proven difficult, but I am sure we will master the techniques soon.
Grain stores are dwindling as well – we have not had any new shipments into the village since the King’s assassination. This is a problem that must be resolved sooner rather than later.
25th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
Someone was murdered. I do not know her name, but the villagers are furious. She was a farmer’s wife, and the allegations claim she was murdered by a guard. The allegations further claim the guard murdered her because she refused his advances. I have been asked to provide a ruling. I wish it was not me.
I do not want to be crowned King.
I have seen what happens to Kings.
28th of High Sun, Year 702 CR
The village is on the verge of anarchy. The people no longer help each other. Brutes with enough force take what they want and leave nothing for others. Several factions are forming, some well-trained. We have rumors of some being funded or directed by Houses of ill-repute, or worse.
I have asked those of noble intent to stand with me to protect the peace. I have heard of no less than twelve assaults against women since the assassination, and witnessed several attempted personally.
Even Tegan, my friend, my council in dark times…
I cannot bear to write it.
2nd of Grainhead, Year 702 CR
The crops are failing. They are being raided faster than they can grow, even when they are not ready for harvest. We are incapable of defending our lands from raiders coming from other territories. We are incapable of feeding ourselves. Incapable of producing iron. Incapable of making cloth. We have been cut off from nearly all trade. The only visitor to our village now is death.
Still, I am proud of our people.
5th of Grainhead, Year 702 CR
I have seen enough suffering.
I have sent word to Prefect Baelyn.
All hail the Domain of Darnay!