- Ardev is the ancestral seat of House ir’Blis, rulers of the Western Frontier since the founding of Galifar.
- Thavius ir’Blis is the current count, formally titled Shield of the Graywall for his duty over the Droaam border.
- In his youth, Thavius fought on the northern front, earning distinction as both soldier and commander.
- In 986 YK, his mother Countess Thalia ir’Blis was slain leading the Westwind Ridersagainst the forces that seized Stubborn (now Stonejaw).
- The Daughters of Sora Kell retaliated with a devastating attack on Orcbone, forcing Thavius to return home and assume the title of Count.
- King Boranel reinforced the frontier, but royal troops answered to the crown, not to Thavius — creating tension and divided command.
- Thavius resented poor decisions by eastern officers, especially Lord Veirner ir’Tajar, under whom Breggan Blackcrown originally served.
- Thavius blames ir’Tajar for Breggan’s wartime brutality and later brigandry, and despises him personally.
- With hostilities reduced, most royal troops have withdrawn, but ir’Tajar remains Viscount of Orcbone, and Argonth now patrols the region.
- The ir’Blis family has long ruled a vast, sparsely populated frontier, even before Droaam existed.
- Droaam’s rise was a major blow, claiming lands the ir’Blis line considered their domain.
- Orcbone was stripped from the county and given to an eastern noble, deepening Thavius’s resentment.
- Quickstone has transformed from a smuggler’s haven into a booming trade town, drawing dragonmarked interest.
- Thavius wants what’s best for his people, but struggles to define what that means in a changing frontier.
- He longs for vengeance against Droaam, yet knows a real war could devastate his people.
- He is quintessentially Brelish — proud, pragmatic, and guided by practical duty over emotion.
- He upholds the law but tolerates “honest smugglers”, knowingly allowing the Three Faces Coin to operate in Quickstone.
- He sheltered Cyran refugees, but placed them on the Droaam border — protecting his own people first.
- Thavius is a seasoned soldier and serious leader, but above all a practical man who prioritizes his people and family.
- Frontier folk generally respect him, seeing him as just and not heavy‑handed.
- However, the frontier is fiercely independent, and the Swords of Liberty are strong here.
- Some criticize him for not marching on Droaam, while others fear he cannot protect them from it.
- Both groups may be right.
Rumors About Count ir’Blis
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Count ir’Blis was killed by Sora Maenya, and the current “count” is a changeling impostor.
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He challenged Viscount ir’Tajar to a duel over the destruction of Bluewater; ir’Tajar refused.
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He is secretly Beggar Dane, plotting to overthrow the Brelish monarchy.
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He has sworn vengeance on the The Daughters of Sora Kell for his mother’s death.
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Has Pledged to help the Mourners
- Has given supplies and permission to live within the Tents
- Has granted some land and Farms to them, but is dragging his heals
- He is struggling to justify giving aid to former enemies when his own former soldiers are struggling
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Says he is honour bound to help Grizzlies before anyone else