The history of Brevoy is actually the history of two lands, Issia and Rostland, united into one by force. Issia, the northern half of the nation, has been sparsely settled for centuries; numerous small villages cluster on the southern shore of the Lake of Mists and Veils and in the foothills of the mountains to the east. Rostland, south of Lake Reykal and the Gronzi Forest, is quite different – a vast stretch of rolling hills and grasslands fed by the East Sellen River and its tributaries. Taldan colonists settled this area centuries ago under the leadership of Baron Sirian First, who became Sirian Aldori, first of the Aldori swordlords.

In 4499 AR, the Iobarian warlord Choral Rogarvia, known as “the Conqueror”, crossed the Lake of Mists and Veils with a considerable force under his command. Lord Nikos Surtova of Issia surrendered its land and people to the Conqueror without a struggle, while retaining their power and wealth; but the Aldori swordlords of Rostland, with their history of resisting bandit raiders, were not so wiling to bend their knees to a foreign conqueror. The fractious swordlords with their strongholds south of Lake Reykal were no match for the discipline and tactics of Choral’s forces, who were additionally supported by a pair of red dragons. Rostland pledged itself to Choral the Conqueror as a way to save its traditions from eradication.

For two centuries the Rogarvias held the Ruby Fortress and ruled from New Stetven; under their rule the nation came to be known as Brevoy and grew into a significant northern power. In the middle of winter in early 4699 AR, every member of House Rogarvia vanished without a trace. Conspiracy theories abounded, but there was no evidence of foul play or struggle within the royal palace or any of the Rogarvias’ villas; clearly what had occurred was something altogether stranger than a mere rebellion. A brief period of chaos followed, but the Surtovas, citing their age-old ties with the Conqueror’s line, were quick to seize power in New Stetven and extend their reach across Brevoy. With all of Issia seemingly backing the move, Rostland had little choice but to bend its knee again. Today, King Noleski Surtova holds the Ruby Fortress and the Dragonscale Throne, yet it remains to be seen how long he can maintain this rule over a kingdom growing increasingly fractious.