The Age Of Blood
7999 BGC - 6000 BGC
The Age of Blood was marked by the first human kingdoms, as well as the rise of the Low God’s armies in the east of Alea. From the ground sprang all manner of twisted folk, as well as races new to Aeris. Evil Orcs, Goblins, Tieflings, Drow, and many other corrupted masses came from those accursed lands. The Crimson Lord Moraphan began growing his power in the Ashland wastes of Alea. Mustering his dark armies to turn upon Aeris. But the free folk of Aeris were unaware. The War of the Steel Fists, a conflict that lasted from 7780 to 7770. The Dwarves and Elves went to war once more over territory. This time the battles raged across Aeris, the Sarasadi and Tarisians joined the conflict on different sides, erupting the continent into war. The Norsean tribes were the first caught in the conflict. Elves and Sarasadi invaded Kaldrland in the third year of the war. The humans of the land had been working with Dwarves on the island, and the Elvish Alliance sought to take the land’s natural resources. When they first touched down they raided the human villages in search of supplies, these attacks sent the humans into a collective panic. The humans came together, and in the fist Norsea Moot in 7777, the distant tribes of Norsea founded the High Kingdom of Norsea. These men sided with the Dwarves, facing the Elves and Sarasadi on their shores. The ferocity and tactics of the men shocked the Elves, sending them back to their boats. When news of this first human kingdom reached Val’Kara, the clans and tribes joined together. Some fought the Elves, others the Dwarves. In Sarasada, the humans founded city states. This event was also known as Humanity’s Spring. 7770 saw the end of the war. The Dwarves shrank back into the mountains, though some stayed amongst the kingdoms of man. Some Elves too, Half Elves began appearing more and more. Wars became more and more frequent, as old tribal conflicts were fueled by imperialist, technological, and nationalist advancements.
The Rise of Moraphan
With the power of the Elves diminished, and the realms of human folk warring constantly; the Crimson Lord continued building his power in Alea. First invading the island of Kari in 6131, where the dark armies swept through the island quickly. The dynasties of Kari were so easily defeated due to their lack of unity, and Moraphan knew this. From there he targeted Sarasarada. He invaded the Khanate, fully revealing his power to the world. Armies of Hobgoblins and other monstrous races set upon the continent. Burning through Tarisia, and crushing the city states of mankind. Only the Sultanate stood longest against Moraphan, having buffer zones and a bit more time to prepare for war. But by the year 6100 the Sultanate had shrunk into their capital, barely holding out. The Kingdom of Bengala retreated from the mainland to an island in the middle of the bay. At this point Val’Kara and Kaldrland braced for invasion. It came in the year 6099 when Moraphan landed in Kaldrland and Val’Kara simultaneously. Kaldrland gave a spirited defense before fully retreating from their land entirely in 6094. They sailed to Novoton, where they were greeted by the Novoto with open arms. The Val’Kari also defended as long as they could against the hordes of twisted folk, but soon enough they too were pushed out of their lands to Tol Anor in 6087. The Elves were less inviting. And there was much debate over whether to allow the humans entry. Finally the Elven king Renavel granted the humans entry, along with the Dwarven king Fafnir who had also escaped. The Praeton Queen Alyssara enchanted the king of Elves as soon as they met. As Moraphan attacked Tol Anor’s shores nonstop, a romance was sparked between Renavel and Alyssara. They had a long courtship, as marriage between human and Elf was taboo at the time. Both leaders kept it a secret before 6080 when Alyssara gave birth to a Half Elven son, clearly the child of the King and the Queen. He was named Sylra Vereth. The new royal family name which united Elf and mankind with royal blood. Within the next 20 years the last holdouts of free peoples fell. All but Aera city and Tol Anor fell. Finally in the year 6060 Sylra Vereth was crowned King of Elves and Man. He aimed to form a mighty host to oppose the dark armies swelling on his coasts. He saw to the uniting of the Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Giving this historic speech:
“Today we set forth. Forth from our home, onwards to our stolen home. The coasts of Val’Kara calling us, the mountains where still our Dwarven brothers fight on and on. And we have allies. In Novoto where the Norsea itch to fight, and Aera where the Bengala hold out. Even the Sultanate stands firm, protecting their archives from the evil hordes that threaten them. And now is OUR time. The Crimson Lord Moraphan intends to see our light snuffed out, but we will not back down. We cannot. It is the responsibility of us, the children of the High Gods, to fight back against such reckless evil! Arise now! For Aeris!” - Sylra Vereth 6060 BGC
So the Golden Alliance was formed. Sylra’s first goal was to free the Bengali from their siege. He and his fleet sailed East to Aera where they surprised Moraphan’s siege fleet. The Bengali were thankful, and agreed to join the Alliance and help by freeing the Sarasaradi Sultanate. Meanwhile Sylra sailed North to Novoto where he had a harder time convincing the Norsea and Novoto that such a cause was worth it. In the end they agreed to join the Alliance, and from there they sailed to Val’Kara. For the next 20 years a bloody liberation war was waged. The Halflings and Dwarves were liberated, other folk joined as well as inch by inch was taken.
Battle of the Red Fields
But Moraphan did not simply lose ground. He saw that he was fighting a war on too many fronts. Because of this he pulled his forces back under the guise of weakness. He baited the Golden Alliance into a final battle with a seemingly crippled dark army. When the full force of the Alliance marched upon Moraphan’s fortress, Moraphan summoned a group of powerful chromatic dragons to descend upon the Allied forces, now caught in a trap he unleashed the rest of his armies. The battle began to sway in favor of Moraphan. And all seemed lost for Sylra, till over the horizon marched an army of Triton and Minotaurs. These new allies punched into the enemy’s flank. As groups of winged Dragonborn accosted the dragons, and the Minotaurs blew their great battle horns the battle raged. Days passed, weeks, two months of siege and attack, defense and contention. Finally Moraphan himself sallied forth from his fortress. Cutting through swaths of soldiers. Meeting Dwarf King Fafnir on the field, Fafnir revealed himself as an adult copper dragon. The two engaged in ferocious battle, but Moraphan used his dark magic to banish Fafnir from the plane. Seeing this, King Sylra leapt into battle against Moraphan himself. The two dueled till Moraphan was incapacitated. The battle was won, and Moraphan was brought by the Alliance’s strongest wizards to the middle of the sea. They attempted to seal him at the bottom of the ocean, but so strong was Moraphan that the sheer volume of arcane power created an unnatural maelstrom in the sea. If the powerful magic users had not contained the maelstrom it could have devastated the entire world. The sealing took place in 6033.
The Age Closes
Over the next thirty-three years Sylra began to lay the foundations for a grand kingdom. Sylra was an idealist. He felt emboldened by his Golden Alliance, and brought together a council of leaders from each seated kingdom and city-state alike, of all races and creeds. He proposed to them the formation of a republic. One founded on the principles of freedom, and self determination. He would rule as an emperor, with an elected council below him. They voted on it and most voted in favor. The Minotaurs and Tritons didn’t partake, they returned to their realms and were left in peace. Finally after much organization the Aerean Empire was founded in 6005.Sarasaradi City States
These hundreds of city states rose up after Humanity’s Spring, it was too much for the Sarasarad Sultanate to keep down. They took half the Sultanate's land till by 7730 there were hundreds of human city states dotting the land. They built huge monuments and temples to Odeus, in a land mostly dominated by worshippers of Fel-Cathar. These city states built wonders in the vast deserts of their land. While often warring, they developed their own techniques of war. These folk would become known as East Sarasaradis
Kingdom of Bengala
Bengala is a kingdom ruled by a Raja. More centralized than the city-states, the Kingdom of Bengala fought a bloody war for independence. Suddenly the balance of power shifted from beastfolk to humans. The Bengali armies were feared and respected across Aeris. Tales of entire Tabaxi armies being trampled by massive elephants ridden by men who could breathe fire. These folk would become known as South Saradaradi, though Bengali would also be attributed to them.
Tarisian Khanate
The Tarisia region had formerly been dominated by Dwarves who made the steppes their home. But The humans of this realm drove them deep into the mountains. The Tarisians became known for their skill on horseback, making great hordes of riders, executing massive charges to annihilate their enemies. Tarisian architecture incorporates horses in all aspects. These folk would become known as Western Sarasaradi or Tarisians.
Kari island
The island of Kari was isolated, and thus didn’t have the same pressure to rise up as the other realms of mankind. So the Kari people continued their lives in their dynastic tribes. However they did experience a great leap forward in technology given to them by the Elves. This would set the stage for their eventual importance in military and world affairs.
High Kingdom of Norsea
Norsea’s first Moot was held in the year 7777. This marked the formation of the High Kingdom. Many Jarldoms coming together to form a single government with an elected High Kings. These huge people were as intimidating as they came. Massive builds, and a mind for navigation, these people became masters of the seas. Building longships to challenge even the Elves, whose navy had been the strongest in the world. These folk would be known as the Norseans.
Novoto
The Novoto were an isolated, hardy people. Without the greenery and tundras of Kaldrland, Novoto is a harsh icy landscape with blistering winds. The Novoto people defend the world from the frigid terrors which come from the north.
Northern Val’Kara
The people of Northern Val’Kara are also hardy people. Wise statescrafters, and fantastic bowmen there are many cultures who make up the North of Val’Kara, and the east is very different from the west with the Shyrland in between. These were noble kingdoms. Anglica and Kyra in the East, and Krazkow and Polza in the West. The Easterners were heavily influenced by the midlanders, but their own identity is very much unique. The Westerners were known for their longbowmen, as well as druids employed by the army. These folk would become known as the Northlanders.
Middle Val’Kara
Middle Val’Kara is a gorgeous, idyllic land of rolling valleys and hills. At the center stands a mighty mountain range. The Midlanders are a traditional, proud people. Their kingdoms are lavish, and their fields bountiful. They are pioneers in the arts and sciences of Aeris. And their mage schools are amongst the most highly renowned. These folk are known as Midlanders.
South Val’Kara
The people of South Val’Kara enjoy the warmer environment than their Northern counterparts. They established trading posts across the coast, and would even later expand their trade empire to other lands. It would be the Southern Val’Kari who would found an empire that would stretch across the world, beginning with their trade superiority. These people would become known as the Southern Val’Kari.
