Ended: 742 A.R. The Night of Shadow Knives.

House Home: Vizrand

Dead House. Used to be the rulers of the country, which used to be called Bellsandhe, until the civil war where House Alsindre tried to stage a coup and lost. After the lost, Bellsandhe also died and was the end of his princely line.

• Emperor Bellsandhe
• Tormund
• Duvok I’lshandre, Emperor I’lshandre The First

• Ilshandre, formerly known as Bellsandhe

739 A.R. Insurrection started by House Alsindre. Civil war erupts across the Empire.

741 A.R. The Kingdom of Melistrande enters the war as an ally of House Alsindre. Imperial Forces are pushed from the borders and routed closer to the Imperial City of Vizrand. The city of Karast and territories around the city are seized from House Moringil.

741 A.R. The Battle of Altain. Emperor Bellsandhe is slain during this famous route of the Imperial army and his son Tormund is mortally wounded in battle. Although crowned as Emperor Bellsandhe the Eighth, the newly crowned Emperor never rises from his bed and within a few days of his crowning dies while his army is still marching in retreat. Duvok I’lshandre takes over military planning for the remainder of the war.

742 A.R. The Night of Shadow Knives. Assassins sneak into the capital city of Vizrand and into the Dawn’s Break palace and within one evening assassinate all family members of House Bellsandhe. Within the span of a few hours the Empire is dealt a resounding blow that cripples the moral of the Imperial armies.

742 A.R. King Aruc The Third of Melistrande is injured in the Battle of Torund’s Bridge. Major portions of his armies retreat to Karast. Secondary forces continue to help Alsindre in battle. It is seen as a major turning point in the war and the news of King Aruc’s injuries are quickly spread to the Imperial armies. It is thought by some historians that if this fateful event had not happened then the war would have been lost to the Empire in a Season or two.

742 A.R. The Imperial armies had been successful in pushing back Alsindre’s march on the capital of Vizrand. Both armies began maneuvering towards cities to make camp in early Cold Reach. It was in a small village that Merin Alsindre, secretly riding from his main army to a secondary force, was discovered by a small band of MoonBlades. This heroic group assaulted the guards travelling with Merin and was able to capture him after suffering severe losses. Then, traveling by night and sneaking across the countryside, this small band delivered Merin Alsindre to the Empire. With Alsindre’s greatest general in chains, his son, Toryllin Alsindre, would become the new leader of the armies that marched under their banner.

743 A.R. In early Dawn’s Break, with the snows heavy upon the land, a three pronged force of Imperial Warriors set upon the resting army of Toryllin Alsindre. It is said the battle raged from dawn until dusk on that bloody day. In the end, nearly two thirds of the Imperial forces were destroyed, yet they claimed victory on the field and Toryllin lie dead in battle.

743 A.R. The remaining forces under the Alsindre banner lay down their arms and the insurrection is officially over. The remaining forces of Melistrande retreat across the border and into the Conquered Territories around Karast.

743 A.R. After much debate, Duvok I’lshandre is crowned Emperor I’lshandre The First. By Imperial decree the Empire is renamed the Empire of Ilshandre. A peace treaty is signed with King Aruc The Third of Melistrande and the new Emperor quickly sets to establishing a firm power base for himself.