Ivan Perenolde I

King Ivan Perenolde I was the first King of Alterac. Remarked as a man of great courage but even greater wit, King Ivan Perenolde was secured both his kingdoms independence and his family as the monarchs of this new kingdom. Considered by many the Father of Alterac, he is one of the better of the Perenolde family name. His great-grandson, Nicholas Perenolde devoted much of his time to documenting the history of Alterac and made many inquiries regarding his great-grandfather. Fortunately, these records today allow scholars to know a great deal of King Ivan.

Childhood
Born the son of Lord Bertram Perenolde, Ivan was raised the son of the governor of Alterac. The appointment had become a hereditary one of his family and was held to the expectation that he would one day succeed his father. Ivan was raised an only child, he did quite well in his combat lessons and even better in his schooling.

As he was growing up, Ivan witnessed the decline of the Empire of Arathor. Lord Bertram was hesitant to take action to prevent this, fearing it would prove costly to Alterac. During his late adolescent years, Ivan grew wary of the expanding Lordaeronians, frustrated with his fathers refusal to act.

Adulthood
Ivan continued to urge his father to act till his fathers death in 1597 I.E. With his fathers demise, he was appointed Governor of Alterac. He then spent the three years of his appointment, preparing Alterac for independence. He ensured the kingdom would grow more self-sufficient and further exploited the trade routes of Alterac, bringing more wealth into the region.

In 1600 I.E, Lord Ivan Perenolde rode to Arathor where he demanded the independence of his kingdom. He expected retaliation or at least resistance from the Empire, but they granted it, aware of their downfall. When he returned home he was celebrated as a hero, Alterac grew wealthier and slightly expanded their borders to include more regions to exploit for trade.

Shortly after his return, however the Peerage of Alterac called a summit. Known as the Crown Convention, the purpose of this gathering was to determine the future governance of the Kingdom of Alterac. Shortly after the debate began, two distinct camps formed. One, composed of the more powerful nobility called for a monarchy, hopeful that they would be named king. Another, of the more lesser nobility called for Alterac to return to the Confederacy of old and become a republic. The former was led by nobles such as Ivan Perenolde, Lord Norbridge Arnwake and Lord Oliver Karlsburg. The latter was led by the five different Finger Barons but each gained support from other nobility as well. However, on the promise of being rewarded should they support a monarchy, the Convention swayed enough of the peerage to support the monarchy. The Finger Barons submitted and accepted a monarchy as the form of government.

Any notion of unity quickly fell apart once this was determined. Perenolde, Arnwake and Karlsburg each vying for the throne. Lord Oliver argued his family's long history of loyalty to Alterac, no matter the cost made him fit for the crown. Whereas, Lord Norbridge remarked that House of Arnwake was the wealthiest in Alterac and thus deserved to be the royal family. But, Ivan Perenolde reminded the convention that he not only acquired Alterac's independence, but also had the largest lands and the most soldiers. Debate persisted for a week until Ivan confronted Lord Oliver and Lord Norbridge. He promised Lord Oliver he would be named the Lord-Magistrate and Lord Norbridge he promised the appointment of Lord-Treasurer should they support him. They agreed, understanding that Ivan held the advantage but lacked enough support to be crowned.

Ivan Perenolde was coronated King of Alterac the following week in the Alterac City Cathedral, beginning the Perenolde Dynasty.

Reign
King Ivan Perenolde ruled over the Kingdom of Alterac for twenty-eight good years. His reign brought about prosperity and peace. His manipulation of the trade routes was his shield. Ivan betrothed to a daughter of Lord Karlsburg, together they had multiple children. The eldest being a son, who would later become King Charles Perenolde. The nature of King Ivan Perenolde's demise is reported to have been of old age, despite him only being fifties. Some scholars speculate the winter cold took him in his aged state as it has many throughout Alterac's history.