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second millennium.
The Isle of the Winds
GEOGRAPHY
The northwest-most of the twelve kingdoms, the Isle of the Winds is
a rocky, almost uninhabitable island to the west of Sendaria and
Cherek and to the north of Arendia. Perpetual, gale-force winds
sweep off the ocean to beat against the island's west coast. Because
of reefs and high cliffs, the island is totally unapproachable except at
Riva, the island's only city' A limited fishery exists at Riva, and there
appears to be some mining in the mountains of the island - mostly
in useful metals such as iron and copper, although there do appear
to be deposits of gold and silver which do not seem to be extensively
exploited.
THE PEOPLE
Although they call themselves Rivans (after their legendary first
king) the inhabitants of the island are basically Alorn and
descendants of a fairly substantial migration which appears to have
occurred at about the beginning of the third millennium. Curiously
enough, the migration to the island by the Rivans seems to have
occurred as one single expedition, significantly unlike the
customary migratory pattern of other peoples which is characterized by
succeeding waves and periods of consolidation. The Rivans are
markedly different from their Alorn cousins in Cherek, Drasnia and
Algaria. They are generally called the Grey-Cloaks (from their
national costume) by the common people of other kingdoms,
although until recently they were seldom seen off the island. The
Rivans are sober, even grim, and close-mouthed to the point of
rudeness. Reported to be savage warriors, they are fanatically loyal to
their ruler (called simply the Rivan Warder) and wholly committed
to the defense of their capital at Riva.
THE HISTORY OF THE RIVANS
As previously discussed, the Rivans migrated to the Isle sometime in
the early years of the third millennium. Amazingly, the line of Rivan
royalty appears to have descended in one unbroken line from the
legendary Riva Iron-grip to the last Rivan King, Corek the Wise, who
was assassinated in 4002 by agents of the Nyissan Queen. This
unbroken succession marks the longest dynasty in the history of all the
twelve kingdoms, apparently enduring for nearly two thousand years.
Perhaps in keeping with their national character, the Rivans have
formed no alliances with any of the other kingdoms, and have
steadfastly refused to sign even the most rudimentary trade agreement
with the representatives of the Tolnedran Emperor. This rigid
stubbornness was a source of unending frustration to whole generations
of Tolnedran diplomats and a continuous irritation to two complete
Tolnedran Dynasties.
Following the Accords of Val Alorn in 3097, efforts were made to
establish normal trade relations with the Rivans but without
success, and finally, in 3137, Ran Borune XXIV mounted the
disastrous expedition to the Isle to force the gates of Riva. The adventure,