Dear Frontier traveller,
Change is never easy.
Some people accept that inevitability. Others kick, scream and fight with every ounce of energy they have, desperate to preserve the status quo.
But on The Frontier, the status quo is never guaranteed.
Throughout history, there have been many events that have changed the world and the Reformation War is a key event to be aware of so you understand the land you’re travelling in.
The catalyst for the Reformation War
The Reformation War refers to the struggle between the old money elite dynasties who settled The Frontier and a new society of government law and democracy. For centuries, the Five Noble Families had ruled over the Frontier from the capital Crest City. Ancient, aristocratic families who held an iron grip on the economy.
They were the Taylors, Volkovas, Montgomeries, Bairds and Giodarnos. Each family had its own way of doing things and ruling area of interest. The Montgomeries were masters of the sea, while the Taylors were the richest of the families and had the greatest military might. Each family was ambitious and self-interested, as likely to ally with each other as fight with each other.
With their greed and machinations, the five families subjugated the rest of The Frontier, using the common people for their battles and expeditions. They puppeted the politicians who were figureheads for their agendas. They froze society in place, turned from the gods and worshipped only their avarice.
The change came through the hands of one man - Aloysius Greenlaw. The son of a minor politician and accomplished general, Greenlaw united The Frontier under his banner.
He won support among the disgruntled politico class who wanted more power for themselves. He convinced the rebellious kamuni people to throw off their chains and revolt against the Five Families in exchange for granting them a seat at the table. He earned the respect of the soldier class for his past service and strategic mind.
Greenlaw’s forces struck back against the Five Families and started a bloody war that lasted four years.
What was the outcome of the Reformation War?
After all the bloody battles and violence, Greenlaw’s armies marched on Crest City and neutralised the heads of the Five Families. In the aftermath, he installed the Administration - a council of nine governors from every Province across The Frontier.
As The Prime Marshal and head of The Administration, Greenlaw ushered in radical change with democratic principles across The Frontier. Each governor could hold their position for ten years and new people would be voted into those positions after the end of their terms through local elections. He would assume the Prime Marshal candidacy for twenty years to oversee all the necessary changes.
Once his term was up, he could be voted in to remain or challenged by the other governors for his seat.
Greenlaw advanced technology, took a hardline against monsters and magic and reemphasised the importance of worshipping the divinti. Of course, there was resistance to the new regime, but the system seems to be working for the most part.
That is until the next great change happens.
So, when you’re out there travelling through The Frontier, remember its history.
Otherwise, you might find yourself on the wrong side of it, like the Five Families.