History: The Last High King

So in the time of the High King's Sword, there is no High King upon the throne of Peter. There is a reason for that (other then to make a great plot mover for my book). Sixty or so years before the High King's Sword there was the Mercenary Wars. This drawn out war was a fight between some of the northern Houses, southern Houses, and the Black Wizards. All sides, even Tridon, were using mercenaries to fill their ranks.

One such battle, near Stormvale, the High King actually was present for. Up until this time, the High King did not leave his castle in Stormvale and left decisions to his commanders. Few found him a competent leader, but he was the rightful High King so they followed him out of loyalty and their own gain. While at the camp they were attacked by the mercenary band hired by Black Wizards, which included the famous (or infamous, depending on who you talk to), Sebastion Blackthorne.

A young lad at the time, it was his first engagement and the band of mercenaries was overwhelmed so he ran. (Not that anyone who knows him knows this). Unfortunately he ran into the enemy camp. But he was so young they took him as a scared page or squire. As he ran through camp he came upon the High King and his retinue and accidentally ran into a spear rack as the men from his band made a last ditch effort to win. When he knocked over the rack, one of the spears ran straight through the High King, killing him.

The mercenary band took this as a planned attack and protected Sebastion on the way out, taking him as their leader even though for the most part they had lost the battle. These same men became his band of mercenaries he kept with until he got entangled with Noshi and the others. No one knew, at the time, that Sebastion was running for his dear life, or that battle scared him, since he became a great swordsman and leader. Noshi suspects, but says nothing. And Shadizar, the seer he is, knows, but tells no one.

No one was saddened by the loss of the idiot High king, but there are those who do not think Sebastion should be allowed to live, let alone be the consort of one of their House Leaders, since he is Lady Noshi's husband. You could use this conflict as a plot line, where the pcs have to protect Sebastion, uncover a plot to kill him, or stop a plot to kill him.
Tomorrow: Battle Axe of Runnel