Where Pietry Is King(ish)

The Eastern Territories Defined

The Eastern Territories are a set of highly contested lands that stretch down the border between Iyves and Khodar. They comprise Abedol, Vorbine, Upper Jier and Lower Jier. Khodar laid claim to these lands many generations ago. It is thought that they were originally part of Iyves (though no one can say for certain). There are some signs of cultural overlap between Iyves and Khodar in the Eastern Territories that would suggest a long-past Iyvrian history including the dialect spoken (this is shrinking-- most people there speak Iyvrian now as opposed to the Iyvrian-flavored Khohess they used to speak), a (now un-used for its original purpose) bell tower in Vorbine, and the abundance of Khodes with common Iyvrian names.

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

During the H'aim conflict, Iyves managed to confiscate the Eastern Territories piece by piece. This extension of the kingdom gave rise to a new Iyvrian nobility. Baron Trenn Corin, for example, was the fourth son of Viceroy Ritiff Corin of Emin (Ethuatrun, Titsuno/Braighdon, Black Emin, Russivet). When the Eastern Territories were formed (i.e. when the Khode lords of those lands had all either died, fled or sworn an oath to Gordon Regis), Trenn's eldest brother had died with no sons, which left Emin to his second to eldest brother. His third to eldest brother was poisoned by his wife over a domestic dispute about whether their eldest son would be sent to fight for his king and country. (Tangential, the point is that he died.) To everyone's mind, this then left Trenn as the natural inheritor of these shiny new Eastern Territories. His brother was, after all, the big shot next door. Enter Lord Pietry Korain, a frail and nervous Khode monk whose family had presided over the Seat of Vorbine in an unbroken line for over two centuries.

The country was mourning the death of Gordon Regis I (who died of natural causes). His throne passed to his eldest son, Gordon Regis II, who was and is much beloved by the Iyvrian people. He was also much beloved by his best friend, who was recently executed in Khodar-- Pietry's elder brother.

Pietry ran away from home to chase down Pirrun's regiment as they entered Lomombria. He did this because sitting around waiting for word of Pirrun's death was unbearable for him (and indeed, if Pirrun had died, he probably wouldn't have found out until long after the war was over). An unexpected battle broke out on the border near Lower Jier just after Pietry managed to sneak into the Iyvrian encampment wearing his monk's robes with the hood up and his hands tucked into his pockets. (Yup, it was that easy.) Pirrun found Pietry, hid him from the fighting just as the Khode forces were advancing and headed off to battle. Pietry left his hiding spot and sought Pirrun in the middle of the fighting. Pietry was recognized by a Khode officer when he was seen dragging an injured Pirrun into a medical tent. When word got back to Khodar, Pietry was charged with espionage (along with his father and brother who had long-standing ties to the Iyvrian nobility including, of course, Gordon II). Pirrun got Pietry passage to Udlan to lay low with the Irojah family. The good people of Vorbine snuck Pietry's sister and younger brother west to Udlan to be with Pietry. His father and brother were hanged in Khodar. (His mother had predeceased them all some time ago.)

This injustice (and a lack of other options) led Pietry and his siblings to swear fealty to Gordon. Gordon fell in love with Pietry's sister whom he had not seen in many years and who was, at the time, wildly attractive. Pietry requested to join the Tower as a Water Monk. Permission was granted. Once the East was ready for a leader, Gordon instated Pietry as viceroy for a number of reasons that I won't go into just yet, not the least of which being his ancestral right. Also, his sister was hot. Also, he wanted to do honor to Pietry's dead brother. Also, also, also, etc.

As for Trenn Corin, he got a consolation prize. Udlan's population was booming, and Gordon thought to split it into quarters. He made Trenn baron of West Quarter. One can imagine why Trenn might be munching on sour grapes to this day.

It should also be mentioned that despite this appointment, Gordon publicly hates Pietry. He does blame him for his brother's death.