Frontier Duchies

The Iadrian Frontier Duchies of Eaddovar, Baghramia and Midatham were formed by King Castor I Menestas during the early years of his Wars of Eastward Expansion. Purportedly acting on posthumous orders from King Jareche Asterion himself to reunite the lands of the ancient Anderian Empire, Castor marched his dukes' armies and the newly-formed Royal Legions east from Leogoth in a mission of conquest. The Iadrian armies quickly advanced through the nascent Kingdom of Baghram and the numerous Eaddovarian principalities, as well as much of the historic territory of the Medathan City-States. Forming colloquially-known 'Frontier Duchies' in his wake, intended to make up the first of many new Eastern lands in Iadria's fold, the offensive only ground to a true halt with Castor's death in 6A 68. Although Castor's successor Alastair I was unable to regain the offensive, his strong defensive leadership maintained the Iadrian front at its furthest previous extent and forced a peace with his Kingdom's battered enemies. This peace left the Iadrian border close to those of Midaria and Ibbathis, while the remaining Medathan city-states formed the Emirate of Medatha in opposition to the foreign occupiers. After 6A 74, the Iadrian focus turned inward, pouring troops and gold into the stabilization of the new Duchies. Although resistance continued, the stable Menestas dynasty, their powerful armies, and the memory of the godlike Jareche Asterion successfully contributed to the shaky status quo in newly-expanded Iadria. This favorable Iadrian situation would last for almost a century, until the sudden end of Menestas rule and the outbreak of the War of Succession. The long Iadrian civil war lead to the growth of preexisting separatist movements in the Duchies, culminating in the 6A 172 beginning of the Stehevar Secessionary Wars. The Frontier Duchies would continue to exist in theory as an integral part of Iadria until 6A 240 and the end of the Wars, but actual Iadrian military control of the territories varied greatly throughout the conflict. The eventual end of the Secessionary Wars in the total loss of Iadrian control in the Duchies resulted in King Alastair IV Silvane's deposition by the Clergy and the beginning of the First Navinian Dynasty.