GoCorral

Gollard was the son of the partially divine hero, Darnard, and the half-elf sorceress, Khygantha. As an adult Gollard started a relationship with a Drow, Medrika. This romance spawned a war between Yuettencal and the Dark Elves. Gollard helped lead his people to victory, but after the war he set aside his Drow mistress for a nymph. When Gollard became king he organized a network of defenses for trade within Aractrash. This network provided the framework for the Aractrashan Kingdom that came into being under Gollard’s son, Willard.

Gollard was born in the growing city of Yuettencal to the city’s noble couple, Darnard and Khygantha. As Gollard grew into an adult he took an interest in the gold mines of Yuettencal. He learned the mining process and worked alongside the miners to understand their needs and desires. Gollard also practiced his swordsmanship against the threats of the Underdark. When he came of age he was declared captain of the guard.

Yuettencal’s gold mines are constantly under threat from raids by Drow, Svirfneblin, Duergar, and other Underdark races. The raiders spoke Undercommon during their raids to coordinate. Gollard learned the language by studying books and speaking with enslaved captives. He used his fluency to comprehend the attackers’ shouted commands during their incursions. Gollard turned back many attacks using information gained from his knowledge of Undercommom.

All of Gollard’s skills were put to the test when he met Medrika. She was a fearful Drow woman who surrendered to Gollard and asked for his help. She’d stolen a clutch of alchemically modified spiders from King Croshan of the Drow. If Gollard could protect her, she promised to give the spiders to him. The young man was smitten with Medrika’s beauty. He agreed to protect her. Gollard and his subordinates defeated the Drow that had stalked Medrika through the Underdark and then took her to the surface.

Medrika revealed that the spiders she’d stolen were redwire spiders, capable of spinning thread as strong as steel. She used these threads to weave redwire silk armor for Gollard. Gollard wore this armor into battle when King Croshan and his army attacked Yuettencal. Darnard, Khygantha, and Gollard led their people into the Underdark tunnels to drive the Drow back. With Medrika providing them information about Drow tactics, they were able to defeat the invaders.

After the victory Medrika became an out-of-place member of Yuettencal’s court. She cultivated the redwire spiders and taught others how to propagate them, but she remained friendless outside of Gollard. She and the lordling continued a romantic relationship that resulted in a daughter. Andima. Despite their love, Darnard forbade their marriage due to Medrika’s Drow lineage.

Gollard eventually moved on from Medrika. His father’s persistent influence won out in the end. Gollard set aside his Drow mistress and daughter in favor of Chatkal, a nymph of the Aractrash Jungle. Gollard still provided accommodations to his family within the palace, but he no longer saw them regularly.

In time Gollard’s parents died and he assumed leadership over Yuettencal. Gollard’s first act was to marry Chatkal. Zeus blessed the marriage by bestowing a golden crown upon Gollard. He became King of Yuettencal. Medrika and Andima left the kingdom, filled with furious jealousy at Gollard’s betrayal.

King Gollard’s rule focused on reforming the city and improving trade routes. The city had grown organically, but the natural system could no longer support itself under the population increase of the last few decades. Gollard reorganized Yuettencal’s administration and infrastructure to better fit its current needs. Trade along the Aractrash River was threatened by ogres and Drow. King Gollard placed guards on every transport and at key rest stops along the river. Mercantile goods flowed faster and freer due to his influence.

Chatkal soon gave birth to Gollard’s heir, a boy named Willard. As Prince Willard grew he formed a close friendship with the family’s silver dragon, Kinderax. The boy and the dragon often walked together through the city. Willard learned to fly on Kinderax’s back. The pair patrolled the Aractrash River, rendering aid as needed to the trade outposts established by King Gollard. When Gollard died, Willard succeeded him, but the succession would not be peaceful. Willard demanded that Lordodo, Satronwook, and Tetalya pay tribute to the greatest city in Aractrash. The other cities prepared for war.