10 years ago, Baldur Falcon rebelled against King Kenneth Kensley due to a large increase in taxes in order to support the War of the Bare Rocks. Feeling that the taxes were already too high for his people, he rebelled and refused to have his people pay the tax increase. When Baldur refused to answer his summons to the capital, King Kenneth Kensley called the other houses to war and began to march north, led by his son and heir, Kellan Kensley.
Baldur called for Rylen Rolfe, the leader of Anfel at the time, to use the prisoners there to defend the Winterlands Valley while Baldur got his armies prepared, as Kensley’s army would have to pass through Anfel to get into the north. Rylen agreed, but when the time came, he let the King’s army pass without challenge. Rylen felt that using the prisoners would be wrong, as the prisoners hadn’t signed up to become traitors and fight against the crown in a rebellion. Rylen sent his son Rictor with the king's army as a sign of good faith that his act wasn’t some kind of trick.
Because Rolfe failed to slow down the king's army and they had Rictor as a guide to the north, they reached Winterhollow before Baldur could fully raise his army. Because the king’s army had no experience fighting in the snow, The Falcons were able to barely defeat the king's army in the Battle of Winterhollow, but the city's defenses were left in shambles. Knowing that reinforcements would eventually arrive and the city was in no shape to survive another siege, Baldur had his armies retreat north to Dragon’s Rest, picking up the men he previously didn’t have time to raise on the way. When Baldur’s army reached Dragon’s Rest, they reinforced the gigantic doors and prepared for battle.
King Kensley’s remaining men had to retreat back south to regroup, giving Baldur a lot of time to prepare at Dragon’s Rest. The king knew this was going to be a tough battle, and called upon almost everyone in the kingdoms to fight. Anybody that could wield a sword was drafted, leaving behind just enough people to barely keep the cities running.
When Kensley’s army arrived at Dragon’s Rest, they began a siege. They battered the doors of Dragon’s Rest for weeks as Baldur’s army shot at his army from their defenses. Eventually, the door was breached. Baldur had convinced the six remaining giants left at Dragon’s Rest to fight alongside him. As the doors of Dragon’s Rest were breached, the king's army looked in horror as six fully armored giants came charging out along with Baldur’s army. The king's army met the charge anyway.
The battle of Dragon’s Rest was a legendary battle, with many heroes emerging. Almost every well known or respected fighter in Valtoria was at the battle of Dragon’s Rest, many even earning their respect and infamy from the battle itself. The king’s soldiers that were part of the first wave that met Baldur’s army are known as Heroes of the First. Barely any soldiers from the first wave survived, but all who did are recognized as legendary warriors. Soldiers from the second wave are known as Heroes of the Second, not seen as heroic as Heroes of the first, but still highly respected. Many more soldiers from the second wave survived than those who were in the first wave. In total, 12 waves were sent, with each increasing wave gaining less glory. All the giants were slain after the fifth wave was sent in.
Once the doors of Dragon’s Rest were breached, the battle lasted another day before it was over. There were tens of thousands of casualties on both sides, with Baldur eventually falling in battle, dying at the hands of Catrina Cantell. The last of the giants were slain in battle. The remaining members of house Falcon were executed, except for the youngest member, Halvar, who was 13 at the time. He was given a choice, to swear loyalty to the king and they would let him live, although his house would lose their role as rulers of the north and their ancestral city of Winterhollow, or death. Halvar chose the first option, and swore loyalty to the king. As a gesture of good will, the king made him lord of Anfel, and made the previous lords of Anfel, House Rolfe, the new rulers of the north. House Rolfe was given Winterhollow as a reward for letting them pass at Anfel. All the Heroes of the First were knighted by King Kensley at the capital. King Kensley pardoned all the soldiers and noble families of the north that fought for Baldur, fearing that if he didn’t they would rise up against him again.
Many northerners still believe that Baldur was in the right, and they despise the king and the Rolfes. Those that fought in the Battle of Dragon’s Rest still talk about their grim experiences. No matter what side people fought on, there is a sort of brotherhood between soldiers who fought at Dragon’s Rest.