American Gate

Chapter 13: The Battle of Rontak's Reach

Worldbuilding: History of Duremar

The Rontak Empire conquered the Kingdom of Duremar roughly 140 years ago. Prior to the Rontak Empire's raids on Mintauria, Minotaurs and humans lived together peacefully in the region. The King of Duremar had allied himself with a few tribes of minotaurs and put up fierce resistance.

After a few years of skirmishes and minor victories, the Rontak Empire eventually captured enough territory to reach the capital city of Duria. They laid siege to the city for nine months before finally capturing it.

When they captured Duria, they razed most of it to the ground. Later, after they conquered the rest of the Kingdom of Duremar, they made Duria the capital of the Duremar province and renamed it Rontak's Reach. They rebuilt and expanded the city in their own style, however, some of Duremar's traditional circular buildings still remain.

One notable building that was left untouched was the temple to Levon, the deity inhabiting the Duremar plains. The Rontak Empire did not dare destroy a deity's temple for fear of bringing about curses, droughts or famines.

Rontak's Reach was a major statement of the Empire's power. It said to all of Kraffnia that their power was so great that it 'reached' from east to west across the entire continent. At the time, it was considered the Rontak Empire's crowning achievement. However, more recent Emperors have had their eyes set on conquering Kraffnia in its entirety, an even more ambitious goal.

Map of Rontak's Reach

Model of the HV-43 Rhino Heavy Infantry Combat Transport