Greetings, brave knights and curious readers! Welcome to the chronicle of our "Knights of the Kingdom of the Circle of Gold" campaign, as we embark on the Uther Pendragon era. The year is 481, and a new High King sits upon the throne of Logres, his ambitions casting long shadows across the fractured landscape of Britain.
Uther Pendragon has begun his reign with a clear display of power. Ignoring the growing Saxon threat in the east – where a new army under a leader named Aethelswith has landed, reinforcing the dreaded King Hengest – Uther's gaze is fixed westward. He demands tribute from the independent Kings of Cambria, a move met with defiance and bloodshed. The clash of armies resulted in the tragic death of King Bedegraine, a stark warning to any lord who values their autonomy.
This aggression has not gone unnoticed by the free kingdoms of the west. King Fallagantis of the enigmatic Kingdom of the Circle of Gold, nestled deep within the ancient Forest of Dean, views Uther's actions with deep suspicion. His realm, a place of both natural wonder and hidden dangers – where caged monsters whisper secrets and the Queen, Elisbeth, secretly protects the last herd of unicorns – values its hard-won independence above all else.
Sharing this apprehension is Duke Morvid of Gloucester. His strategically vital city, located at the foot of the Cambrian Mountains and guarding the southern entrance to the Forest of Dean (a natural shield for the KOG), stands as a bulwark against Logres. Gloucester itself lies within Cambria, forging a strong regional bond with the KOG and a shared interest in resisting Uther's encroaching power.
The initial response to Uther's forceful demands was swift and brutal. In a clear message to those who might defy him, Uther dispatched his forces to raid the territories of both Gloucester and the Kingdom of the Circle of Gold. While Gloucester's strong defenses and the KOG's wild forest heartland prevented a full-scale invasion, these raids served as a stark reminder of Uther's reach and his intolerance for independence.
Adding fuel to the fire, Uther held his Christmas court this year in Clarence, the seat of Duke Galegantis – Gloucester's bitter rival and a staunch ally of the Pendragon. The mood in Uther's court was far from festive, the lack of victory in Cambria casting a pall over the celebrations. Secret conferences were held, leaving the barons in ill spirits, hinting at demanding plans for the future.
Meanwhile, the Christmas court held by King Fallagantis in Gloucester was a stark contrast. The successful defense against any attempted crossing of the Severn River was celebrated as a victory, bolstering the morale of the Cambrian alliance. King Fallagantis and Duke Morvid, unified in their resistance, held their own secret conferences, their resolve hardening to strike back against Logres in the coming spring.
The stage is set for a year of escalating tensions. Uther's ambition clashes with the fiercely independent spirit of the western kingdoms. The alliance between the mystical Kingdom of the Circle of Gold and the strategically vital Gloucester is forged in the shadow of the Pendragon's aggression. As spring approaches, the question hangs heavy in the air: what will be the first move in this burgeoning conflict? How will the knights of the KOG play their part in the defense of their realm and the defiance of the High King?
Stay tuned, brave adventurers, as the saga unfolds! The year 482 promises to be one of action, intrigue, and perhaps even open war. The fate of the west hangs in the balance!
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