The Redmond family, among the oldest and most storied in Rivermond's history, established their domain in the north-eastern reaches of the land during the First Age. They claimed the region of open plains and rocky hills, including the formidable Riverhills, as their own. Through centuries of steadfast governance, the Redmonds maintained their status as a self-proclaimed barony, weathering the tumultuous events of Rivermond's early history.
During the Barony War that erupted after the assassination of King Alden Riven, the Redmond family swiftly aligned with the House of Thornhill from the region of Bellmond, forming a decisive alliance. Their combined forces launched a surprise attack that led to the downfall of Windelcrest, a significant faction in the conflict. This victory solidified the Redmond family's hold over their territory, and in 934 of the First Age, the Barony of Redmond was formally recognized under the rule of the Rivers dynasty.
As the Second Age unfolded, Rivermond fell under the dominion of the Silver Dominion, a foreign power that sought to subjugate the kingdom. The Redmond family, fiercely loyal to Rivermond's independence, despised this foreign rule from its inception. They became a symbol of quiet resistance alongside the barons of Greenfield and Bellmond, upholding the kingdom's values despite Dominion control.
In the early Third Age, tensions escalated within Redmond as Baroness Johanna Redmond emerged as a charismatic leader. She voiced the growing discontent among her people, calling for an independent Rivermond free from both the monarchy and the Dominion's grip. In the year 30 of the Third Age, Johanna declared independence, igniting the Redmond Rebellion. Under Johanna's leadership, Redmond waged a fierce and determined struggle against Dominion forces and loyalist factions. Her rebellion garnered widespread support among commoners, knights, and dissatisfied nobles alike. Strategic strikes and skirmishes characterized the ensuing conflict, marking Redmond as a battleground for the soul of Rivermond itself.
Despite initial successes, the combined might of the Silver Dominion and loyalist Rivermond forces eventually overwhelmed the rebellion. In the year 35, the Siege of Redmond Keep proved decisive. Baroness Johanna Redmond made a defiant last stand but was ultimately captured by Dominion forces. In a stark display of power and to quell any further dissent, the Silver Dominion ordered the execution of the entire Redmond family in the year 36. Baroness Johanna and her relatives were publicly executed by the Dominion Church, their deaths serving as a grim warning against defiance. With the Redmond lineage eradicated, the barony was placed under the control of the Rocks family, loyalists aligned with the Dominion's ideology.
The fall of the Redmond family marked a dark chapter in Rivermond's history, a testament to the perils of resistance and the ruthless consequences faced by those who dared challenge the Dominion's authority. Yet, the spirit of independence and resilience that Johanna Redmond embodied continued to flicker in the hearts of Rivermond's people, a beacon of hope for future generations striving to reclaim their freedom.