King Ruger Gesselring

reigned 721-740 vS

Ruger was a strong warrior who had mastered strategy and tactics early in adolescence. He was also a devout druidic worshipper, and frequently asked for advice and guidance from the druidic hierarchy. Upon his ascension to the throne at the age of 37 he undertook negotiations with several dragons. Five dragons agreed to aid him by providing lore and magic to strengthen his army. He also provided a special endowment to Kyriabor to help found the War College in Elantra, and received a quota of students to be trained there each year as a gift.

His efforts were distracted for four years during an invasion by kzinti from the Patriarchies beginning in 728vS (LY 2087). The port cities of Mainhafen and Kästeldorf had to be rebuilt from ruins as a result of the kzin attacks. Eventually, the kzinti were repelled, but the southern kzinti and the elves had gained strength while the Smeisserander armies were fighting in the north. King Ruger had expected this, and made arrangements to have the druids hold the balance while he defeated the invaders. This strategy worked extremely well, much to the elves’ chagrin. In retaliation, the elves infiltrated through Wano Forest west of Contradina and destroyed the northern fortress of Highwall.

There are rumors that King Ruger commissioned the construction of an artifact of great magical power after the kzin war, or that he sent out adventurers and knights to quest for such an object. Surely, if it had been found or created, he would have used it against the kzinti to the south, but no signs of a finished artifact have ever been reported.

The king himself journeyed with a strong party of bodyguards, knights, and his court wizard into the Forbidden Lands in 739vS (LY 2098) seeking ancient magic to use against the Kzinti. Unfortunately, he and his party never returned. Diviners could find no trace of him. His son, Roland Gesselring, was crowned three months later in early 740vS (LY 2099) at the age of 30.

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