Barad Duin
a kingdom within the High Fantasy Society, located in Austin, Texas.
Heraldry
The device of the Grand Duchy of Barad Duin was a white banner adorned with a Black Tower with cresent moons and stars over a blue river.
History
One of the first Amtgard groups outside of El Paso, the Grand Duchy of Barad Duin was founded by Nithanalorn in late 1987. By 1990, Barad Duin reached a population that many felt they should be recognized as a separate kingdom from the Burning Lands. The Burning Lands refused to negotiate on the issue and maintained that Barad Duin could not advance past it's Grand Duchy status. Out of frustration, the population of Barad Duin voted to leave Amtgard and found its own group, the HFS, using a similar but distinctly different ruleset and creating a game where they could find greater freedom of self-rule. Read first hand accounts of the Barad Duin split here.
Though the vote was in the majority, many players wished to remain loyal to the game of Amtgard. They left Barad Duin, and formed the Brightlands and later Tori-Mar, which went on to be one of the main groups of the Celestial Kingdom. Together with two of other smaller amtgard groups in the area, Turris Lunae and Bifost they remained in Amtgard and went on to form the Celestial Kingdom.
Time Lines of Barad- Duin
Late 1987
Nithanlorn founds Amtgard in Central Texas. Acts as Legate until a monarchy can be elected.
March to September 1988 1st Reign
The first Reign of Barad Duin. The chapter was founded as a duchy under the Burning Lands, and it's Monarch Ahrmaand was called a "Duke". Slyaina of the green wood was Consort and Nithanalorn Served the first nine months of Chancellor.
September 1988 to March 1989 2nd Reign
When Sionnach stepped into office the Burning Lands had already granted Barad duin Grand Duchy status and so he was called a Grand Duke. Tanaide served as Consort for this reign, And Tholden was Chancellor.
March to September 1989 3rd Reign
Grand Duke Derydlus steps into office. Rufus Grimwulf who had also been running for the office of monarch was elected Regent instead. This apparently being the first use of the word 'Regent' to describe the position. Wizard Black here began serving the first of his two reigns as Chancellor.
During the later part of his reign Derydlus created the first an only Amtgard Knight of Barad Duin; Ahrmaand. This was considered by some of be a fax pas, because it occurred before BD secured Kingdom status. Ahrmaand was not named a knight of any on order, but recognized just as a "Knight" an example of all disciplines even though the knighting occurred after the belts had been split.
At the end of his reign Derydlus traveled to El Paso to the Coronation of Gilos Dawnhope. During this event Baraduin was granted Kingdom Status.
March 1989 to September 1990 4th Reign
Even though Kingdom Status had been granted by BL Barad Duin held an Althing to continue using the Grand Duchy name. They did this for what they considered role-play purposes. Nithanalorn stepped into the role of Monarch this reign but instead of Grand duke he called himself Pharaoh, and used the name Fean Cala Ra. Aganar, who would later become one of the chosen, served as Consort and Wizard Black served as Chancellor again.
The Midreing of Pharoh Fean Cala Ra was held at Camp Ben Mc Colloh in south Austin. It was called "The Night of the Pig". During the event any one could say anything they pleased to the monarch "With out fear of reprisals".
In September or November of 1990 The Emerald Hills invaded Barad Duin. The experience did not engender good will and was a sort of surprised of the BD folks. They had enjoyed previous EH Monarchy in the person of Queen Reyna. Soon after ward the vote to leave amtgard was held. there was a separate Althing to chose the name of the new game, the High Fantasy Society was chosen.
September 1990 to March 1991
Queen Syliana of the green wood steps into office. Sioonach serves as her regent. During her reign she knights Tholden. Again naming him a "Knight of everything". Tholden later came to amtgard claiming three of the four belts offered.
March 1991 to September 1992
Conner the Round is crowned king, Derydlus is knighted.
WORK IS STILL IN PROGESS!
People
Before Split
- Sir Nithanalorn Draconis Dignitatis brought Amtgard to central Texas, leaving with the Barad Duin split
- Sir Ahrmaand, first Duke of Barad Duin, first and only Amtgard knight of Barad Duin
- Slyaina, first Consort
- Sionnach, first Grand Duke
- Tanaide
- Tholden, first knight of HFS
- Derydlus
- Rufus Grimwulf, first Regent of Barad Duin
- Wizard Black
- Count Sir Aganar Ky'Slaron helped to write the first HFS rulebook
- Terras Ember was the first Grand Duchess and the first Queen of Barad Duin
- Warlord Sir Azar of Chaos, who crowned a fish at his stepping down as King of Barad Duin
- His Most Aquatic Majesty King Fish I, was the last true ruler of Barad Duin.
After Split
Contacts and Directions
Barad Duin's weekly battle games are held on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Pease Park, Austin, Texas.
