A special "Thank you" to Brablo, who made this all quite possible. Many of the ideas to come in this chapter, and future chapters, were created, fixed, or polished by Brablo.
Bralthris I is regarded by the Dwarves of House Valantris as the second greatest figure in their ancestry.
The founder of the House, and Frithdal, he was born in 1993 of the Third Age as the only recorded-son of Valantris the Great. His mother’s name is controversial, with some scholars – such as Hoji the Old, whom wrote many chronicles of House Valantris, near one hundred years into the lordship of Bralthris – claiming her name was Gisi, and other claiming it was instead Kosi; the latter being sister to a Dwarven lord that Valantris the Great served, whose name was Dos.
Bralthris became lord of Frithdal, unofficially, at the age of 70 – a young age that would, in fact, become quite standard, when one considers the future generations of House Valantris, and the lords of Frithdal. He officially declared Frithdal, and his lordship over it, in 2064 of the Third Age, when he was aged 71 – later forming House Valantris as a dynasty during 2067 of the Third Age, aged 74.
These quick declarations led to much controversy during Bralthris’ own time, and rumours of his young – and sudden – lordship appeared as far East as the Lonely Mountain. While not entirely independent, whom exactly he was a vassal under is not known: though the most likely king he would have served would be the current king of the Dwarves in the Blue Mountain; his name has been lost in the records, for little is known of the Dwarven kings in the region, before the coming of Durin’s Folk much later.
Known to be a wise lord, Bralthris spent the entirety of his life rebuilding – or, arguably, building – Frithdal: he created many homes, issued the construction of the Great Hall of Valantris, built a memorial to his father, and had several banks and treasuries set up. Over the course of his 89 years as lord of Frithdal, he would allow it to become a minor trading hub, and a Dwarven hall worthy of a marker on maps.
During his time as lord, Bralthris founded a council – now known as The Frithdalian Council – which would consist, originally, of seven positions: Steward of Frithdal, Master of the Treasury, Master of the Garrison, Master of Scales, Master of Crafts, Master of the Embassy, and Master of Scrolls.
The Steward was responsible for all matters concerning management affairs, and would act in place of the current Frithdalian lord – whom was Bralthris, at the time – should they be elsewhere, and not present for meetings of the council.
The Master of the Treasury was charged with affairs concerning the finances of the city: taxation, trade, and the movement of wealth.
The Master of the Garrison would oversee the management – training, payment of, and likewise – of the city-guard, and would act as a captain-general during wartime.
The Master of Scales was, effectively, the judge, or leader, of the Supreme Court, under the Lord of Frithdal himself; responsible for all matters concerning judgment, prevention of crime, lawmaking and law-passing.
The Master of Crafts oversaw the maintenance of the city; the position would be responsible for all the stonework, and structural work, of the city.
The Master of the Embassy was a position given to a Dwarf of great diplomatic ability; the Dwarf would be responsible for matters concerning foreign relations – while at the time, only for Dwarves, the position would eventually be broadened, to foreign relations with Men and Elves.
The Master of Scrolls was responsible for the safekeeping, and creation, of all legal documents within Frithdal: taxation records, decrees, surveys, population records, and important letters.
Bralthris also passed many laws during his time, which would create the structural base required for later generations in their own lawmaking: he also passed primogeniture-succession laws, which officially meant that the eldest son of a lord would succeed, and inherit Frithdal.
While this form of succession would bring much stability, it would also cause internal strife during the rule of Valgalin I, Bralthris’ second son.
Bralthris appointed members to the council whom were close to him by relation, and, some argue, that the steward he appointed was his own brother.
Although there are no legal records of any sons of Valantris, other than Bralthris, some scholars argue that Valantris may have sired children prior to, or outside of, his marriage to Bralthris’ mother. Such is quite controversial, but the historical sources of evidence – chronicles under Kolbun – point to, by majority, the steward of Frithdal being Calgalin’s and Valgalin’s paternal uncle – and thus, the steward must be brother to Bralthris.
It was in the year 2116 of the Third Age that Bralthris married. Marrying into a minor house, for House Valantris had not yet earned the required prestige for higher marriages, he would later father his first son, Calgalin, in 2120. Later, in 2127, his second son, Valgalin – whom would later be known as The Mighty – was born.
The remainder of Bralthris’ life was quite simple: it was a time of prosperity in Frithdal, and there were no major incidents of note.
However, when Bralthris died in 2152, due to the natural decay of time, there was a great deal of controversy. During the same year, before he could ascend to lordship of Frithdal, Calgalin I, Bralthris’ first son, also died. Historical sources all state that such was a coincidence, although many contemporary scholars have argued that, perhaps, Valgalin, Calgalin’s brother – junior by seven years – had murdered him, in order to become lord of Frithdal. These scholars also argue that the historical records are purposefully incorrect, due to the great might in the lordship of Valgalin.
House Valantris, as a unit, more than a group of individuals, has regarded this incident as the former, although there are those whom believe the latter.
This strange incident, and the earlier-than-expected death of Bralthris, meant that Valgalin would become lord of Frithdal at the young age of 25: earning him the name, The Young.
Whatever the case may be, it is certain that Bralthris was a great ruler: as much is accepted by the great majority of Dwarves who know of his life. Wise, strong and brilliant at management, he created a dynasty, a world, and a name that has lived for a thousand years, and is certain to live longer. He was, in all senses of the word, the very Founding Father of House Valantris, and Frithdal.
