History of Lankia

Pre-Imperial

Before the coming of the empire the humans of Lankia lived in relative harmony with the Salyr (wood elves) of the Golden Bough forest and the Natyrn (dwarves) of the Basse and the Etru mountain ranges. The Natyrn acted as eastern wardens keeping the Jotun (giant races) from pillaging the rest of Lankia as the humans fought the orc tribes to the west under the shadow of the Colm Mountains and guarded the banks of the river Rahn all the while the Salyr kept watch over the roads and the wild forests hunting the great boars.

the Settlements of Man

Of the many villages and hamlets of man in Lankia the most prominent was Par. Here men came to trade along the Rahn River traveling north the Vael where the Centaur tribes and other tribes of men lived, or going south long the Sahn river to do business with the Natyrn Caverns of the Etrucian Mountains and the human settlement Versa

The men of Lankia would often join their Salyr neighbors on hunts either in the Basse Mountains or in the thick forests surrounding them all while favoring a long hunting spear. It was and still is considered a rite of passage for the men of Lankia that when they are ready they go into the forest with three spears and come back with their kill. So common is this practice that walking sticks are nearly unheard of in Lankia as most Lankish simply carry their favored spear with them.

The Salyr of the Golden Bough

The Salyr made their homes in the trees of the Golden Bough, weaving the still living branches into shelter with their sylvan magic. From here the Salyr would travel the roads and by-ways making sure they were safe for other travelers.

The Natyrn Caverns

The Natyrn made their home in the Etrucian mountains at the southern tip of the Basse mountain range. From there they traded with the humans of Versa and Par at their cavern hold Gev as well as the humans of Etrucium. Gev itself has a very rich iron mine and traded most of its ore to Etrucium, Versa, and Dharve. Gevs true wealth though lay in its adamantine mine deep within the mountains, one of two known locations for this rare ore. Further east into the Etrucian mountains was the Natyrn cavern of Dharve. From there master smiths plied their trade using the Dharve Rhein to power their bellows and hammers and to trade with the few friendly Schtadt. Many a blade of legend bears the mark of a Dharve craftsman.

The Viridian Torch

In the time of Emperor Torias Rog d'Or the Viridian Torch came from the east laying waste to the countryside and burning a path to the Natyrn fortress of Gev. the hero Rolind sought the counsel of the Salyr and was told to find a magic sword at the top of a mountain and slay the griffin guarding it as the sword was able to cut through any material. After successfully retrieving the sword Rolind sped to break the seige of Gev. It was at the slopes of the mountain fortress Rolind wielding the Unnamed Sword one of the very Glorys of Tara met Rog d'Or and did battle for three days and nights. As the dawn rose on the third day Rolind thrust the Unnamed Sword into Rog d'Ors breast slaying the beast and turning the beast to stone. Rolind succumbing to his wounds and exhaustion died later that day and was buried a hero of the Natyrn. His victory immortalized by the Natyrn.

The Ogre Prince

When King Gwyn was unifying the Svers Inner Kingdom the ogre Klag came through the Griffins Pass and seized control of the orc and goblin tribes. On the eastern slopes of the Colm Mountains, Klag raided the centaur tribe Spotted-Hoof and the nearby Lankish homesteads. Klag took women, children and foals as slaves and killed anyone who would dare try to stop him. It wasn't until Wiglaf Falcon-Eye slew Klag in battle that his reign of terror was over. A few of the Lankish survivors joined Wiglafs riders and set a watch on the Griffins Pass to ensure that never again would such an evil come from there unchallenged. In time they were met by Elban bowmen and became to be known as Daemons of the Pass.

the Skittering plague

None can truly say what brought the centipedes to Gev. Whether it was Natyrn mining too deep, or some cursed laid on the stone corpse of Rog d'Or that brought Skittering Plague from the deeps. All that's told is that one fell day centipedes of monstrous size poured from the deepest mines of Gev devouring Natyrn as they went. It was only through the Natyrns knowledge of stone and their stalwart constitution were they able to stem the tide and seal off the centipedes from the rest of Gev. Gev having lost access to their mines of adamantine and iron as well as many of its people was much diminished. This is how the Legate Claudius found the Natyrn

The Coming of the Empire

When Emperor Niko called for the Imperial Legions to unify the tribes of man he sent Legate Claudius and the ten thousand Myrmidons of the V Legion west through the Etru mountains to Gev and beyond. Legate Claudius met the Natyrn at the gates of Gev and offered terms to the dwarves. The Natyrn of Gev were to lay down their arms and hand over control of Gev to the Empire, they were to serve as slaves to the Imperial Legion, and above all were to surrender unconditionally to the might of the Empire. The Natyrn spurned these terms as tyranny and barred the gates of Gev settling in for what they thought would be a long siege. It would not be the case.

The Assault on Gev

Legate Claudius having been given his answer by the Natyrn called up his legions Librarians. With their knowledge and arcane might they cracked the very stone of Gev and broke through the gates. Claudius led his legion through into Gev and systematically fought the Natyrn slaughtering all who stood in their way. Room by room and hall by hall the once mighty fortress of Gev fell the Empire. the few that survived fled to the nearby human settlements and from there to Dharve. As they fled they told stories of the cold and methodical Myrmidons.

The March of the Myrmidons

Legate Claudius having successfully conquered Gev renamed the fortress in the imperial style Gevaudan. From there he set about rebuilding the fortifications and establishing contact with the neighboring human settlements. Claudius sent scouts and messengers to the Lankish demanding that they swear fealty to Aenia, to be taxed by the empire, and to join in its legions. In return the Lankish would be imperial citizens protected by its laws and armies while being afforded access to Aenias arcane libraries. Many Lankish settlements having heard of the assault on Gev and the slaughtering of the Natyrn rebelled at these terms and were subjugated by the Third Legion.

The visions of Chief Marix

With the Aenian Empire invading from the east Marix Chief of Versa sought the counsel of his wisest prophet who bade him to eat sacred lichen and speak of the visions they gave. Following the prophets advice Marix saw many things. he saw hundreds of thousands of soldiers carrying the imperial crest and Lankish spears. He saw himself in imperial armor warring against the riders of the Vael. his final vision was the leaders of men joined at a round sun table drinking and feasting as brothers. When the visions passed Marix received word that the V Legion marched on Versa. Gathering his warriors Marix donned his armor and prepared to meet Legate Claudius in the fields outside Versa.

Marix and Claudius

When Legate Claudius marched on Versa he thought it would be just another small hamlet he would have to conquer. the previous settlements had been obstinate in their refusal to kneel before the might of the empire and the subjugated Lankish spoke well of Marix and his warriors. It was to his surprise that he found Marix sitting at a table in the middle of a field with his warriors standing at attention behind him. It was at this table Claudius and Marix discussed terms. Claudius explained that the Emperor had sent him to unify all humanity under one banner to put an end to infighting between the tribes of man. He explain that all the Emperor required was fealty. Marix accepted these terms and cautioned that since Claudius had decided to wage war on the Natyrn his "diplomatic mission" was now in jeopardy. Marix advised that Claudius take no more hostile actions while Marix called for an assembly of all the other Lankish chiefs. Claudius agreed on the condition that he board his legion at Versa until a meeting place could be agreed to which Marix accepted.

The Assembly at Mount Palant

As the V Legion made camp around Versa it became apparent to Marix that while the legate would stay true to his word, Versa was under siege in all but name. Marix wrote to chiefs Monix, Corcaz, and Merov appraising them of the situation. It was through this correspondence that they would agree to assemble upon the high peak of Palant in the Basse mountains to discuss terms. Rumored to have been carved by noble giants in ancient times Palant was deserted and own by no one making it perfect neutral ground. The winding and rocky path to the mountain peak also made it so the V Legion could not follow Legate Claudius up the mountain path.

Imperial Lankia

Out of many, One

At Palant Claudius stated his case. The Aenian Empire would build roads, towns, and bring imperial law. They would treat the Lankish as citizens and protect them with the Myrmidons. Holy shrines and libraries would be built to educating the Lankish people with the wealth of knowledge acquired by the Aenian Empire. In return for these promises of prosperity all the Lankish people had to do was swear fealty to Aenia, pay the imperial tax, and join its armies as it sought to unify, by force if necessary, the remaining tribes of man. a full month passed as conditions were argued and discussed until finally they reached an agreement. The men of Lankia would join the Empire on the condition that the Empire attempt to repay the Natyrn for the damage they caused, reopen trade between lthe Lankish and the Natyrn caverns, and that the chiefs would remain in power to rule their own people.

Claudius agreed on behalf of the empire and made the chiefs the first Consuls of Lankia. A position not unlike imperial senator. From there Claudius set about building new roads between the varied human settlements. It was during this time that Camlann, Chamonix, and the mountain fortress Palant, named after the mountain top, were built.

Soothing Old Wounds

It was during this time of construction that the Empire sent envoys to the Natyrn. At first the Natyrn were wary of the envoys. They still vividly remembered Claudius' "diplomacy". In time though they accepted the Empires help in building new homesteads, but they never forgot or forgave. Denied their old home Gev, they stayed away from the Empire and made sure to hide whenever they saw Man. It was through this, that their bonds with the Salyr became stronger and soon they became more than just allies but fast friends.

Through the Daemons Pass

Having pacified and settled Lankia, Claudius raised and new legion from the Lankish. Calling them the VI Legion, or as they came to call themselves "the Guerres", Claudius took the VI Legion and what remained of the V reinforce by the Nedean Winged Cataphractii to Daemons Pass hoping to pacify Elba. The Daemons of the pass seeing an invading army used the high cliffs and narrow passage as a natural choke point as they rained down arrows from above. Had it not been for the Lankish spears and the flying Cataphractii, Claudius would have been forced to retreat in shame. His victory costed him nearly a third of his forces. When he finally reached the other side of the Colm mountains Claudius warred against the Elban Daemons until finally Elba became an imperial province.

The Invasion of The Vael

While Claudius marched across Elba, Chief Marix now Consul Marix prepared to bring the riders of the Vael into the imperial fold. He sent envoys to King Roquaad bearing messages of peace and brotherly love. Such overtures were summarily dismissed. King Roquaad wrote back saying the Lankish were toadies and lick-boots, little more than raiders swayed by a show of strength. With this response Consol Marix began to raise a new legion. Composed of imperial settlers and native Lankish, Marix was able to raise, train, and rally at Par, three thousand Guerres for the new VII Legion. With his army ready Marix sent one last message to Roquaad, asking for his fealty. Roquaads response was "Sod off."

Marix having gathered his army then marched north across the Rahn River to the town of South Bede. Here it was that the Riders of the Vael first met the Lankish Guerre on the field of battle. Three times the Riders charged the spear wall and three times the Riders broke. it was through this use of the spear wall Marix was able to win the day and go on to conquer South Bede, Myrce and even the capitol Lind. When King Roquaad returned to Lind he saw an Imperial flag flying from the battlements and flew into a rage. Roquaad immediately sounded the horn for battle and shouted orders to his five hundred Riders. Marix hearing the horn readied his men to meet Roquaad on the open field. As the VII Legion got into formation they grew confident that Roquaad like others before him would break himself on the spear wall. They were completely unprepared when Roquaad instead flanked their formation from both sides. The shock of the cavalry charge shattered the legions ranks and sent them into a rout. Fleeing for their lives the now diminished VII Legion rallied at Myrce. The Massacre at Lind as it became to be known marked a turning point in the Vaelon campaign. A slow grind alternating between broken charges and fleeing Guerres.

Emperor Solars' Decree

It had been thirty years since the V Legion came to Lankia and war still raged to the north against the Riders of the Vael. The new Emperor Solar sent word to Lankia. The rumors were true. The sun god Sol had taken corporeal form and would guide humanity to its destiny. It was under Sols guidance that the Emperor decreed that the truest enemies of the Empire and humanity as a whole were the Fey. With his decree Emperor Solar painted elves, goblins and all the peoples in between as treacherous obstacles in humanities path. He commanded that the people of imperial provinces purge the taint of the Fey from their land. In Lankia, Legate Bors son of Claudius, read this decree and immediately began preparing the VI Legion and enacted a conscription. These actions were carried out with the greatest of secrecy for Bors knew if the Salyr and the remaining Natyrn were to learn of this decree they would take swift action against the empire.

Betrayal under the Golden Bough

It was at Fort Marix in Chamonix the Bors rallied his army. Positioned high in the Basse Mountains, Fort Marix was near a Natyrn cavern built by the empire and were the closest allies to the Salyr of the Golden Bough. Under cover of darkness imperial engineers sealed off the cavern entrance while librarians cast arcane fire iinto the air vents leading out. With no where to run and no air to breathe the Natyrn burned in their homes.

Having dealt with the nearby Natyrn Legate Bors marched his legion to the through the Golden Bough. Starting each battle with fire, the VI Legion cut down the Salyr as they ran. Once the area was clear they would put out the fires and set to work rebuilding in the imperil style. Soon the Golden Bough was firmly in imperial control

A Cry for Help

The Salyr fleeing the Golden Bough their nearest Natyrn allies. Using hidden and unknown paths the Salyr found the Natyrn explained their plight. The Natyrn cared for the Salyr refugees and convened a war counsel. Having so soon broken their treaty, the Empire was deemed too dangerous to be allowed to remain in Lankia. The Salyr with their knowledge of the roads and byways suggested attacking Palant, the imperial seat for all of Lankia. They knew of a secret way to the top of the mountain and where the fortress would be weakest. It took much convincing but eventually the Natyrn agreed to this course of action and made ready to march.

Massacre at Mount Palant

With the Golden Bough cleared of the Salyr, Legate Bors turned his attention to finding the remaining Salyr and Natyrn. He commanded his Legions Acolyte of Sol to find them through the divine sight of Sol. The visions of the Acolyte revealed a great battle was to be fought at Palant. Heeding the Acolyte, Bors went to the mountain fortress and prepared its defenses by calling up Palants ballistae and resident Librarians. It was during this preparation that Bors found the hidden path to Palant and against his advisors wishes he set an ambush of two hundred Myrmidons and three ballista crews. Three days later the bulk of the Natyrn/Salyr forces met the imperial ambush. So successful was this ambush that only one in five lived to run down the mountain side. The Salyr and Natyrn were now broken and scattered. Those that lived did so by travelling the hidden paths of Lankia, never stopping for long.

the Flight of the Fey

For years imperial patrols combed the countryside searching for signs of the Natyrn and Salyr. Some times they were successful in finding a Fey hideout. Most often though they were able to find the Salyr and the Natyrn as they skulked outside human settlements, stealing livestock out of desperation. Most nursemaid tales speak of how they would even steal little children at night and ritually eat them to appease dark gods. This went on for many years as the imperial legion eventually from killing the Salyr and Natyrn by the hundreds to one by one.

Cavae Victoria

The day the imperial sages cast the Cataclysm started as an auspicious day. Much revelry was had by the common folk, as it was heralded as a permanent answer against the boogeymen that came to steal children in the night. Working with the Imperial Sages, the Acolytes of Sol and the Librarians stood in the morning light chanting their spell. They gave all their power to Sol, and as the sun rose in the east it grew brighter and brighter. As the sun rose to its zenith its light became blinding and a great scream was let loose from every chanter. Arcane fire engulfed the Acolytes of Sol and the Librarians, destroying them. When the screams stopped the sun was snuffed out. as people fumbled to light torches the earth shook. Many homes were reduced to rubble in the aftermath and when the torches were finally lit the Lankish saw what their victory had cost them. Every Acolyte and librarian lay dead in the streets. only the novices, deemed too weak to provide aid in the spell remained.

The Bale Night

On that first dark day the people came to each others aid. With torches, spades, and bandages they saw to the injured and broken who were crushed by the rubble of fallen buildings. On the second the Consuls of Lankia enacted martial law to keep the Lankish people from revolting against imperial rule. It wasn't until the third day that the dead rose from their graves. at first it was a few decaying bodies shambling and attacking people on the outer edges of town. As the days past with no sunrise they became bolder. Many town sequestered themselves in temples. Soon every town in Lankia was under siege by the undead. As the last of the torches were lit the people prayed to Sol one last time and the sun rose on the seventh day.

The Shattered Dawn

Embolden by the sun rising, the people of Lankia fought back with new strength against the undead. It was a full month of fighting before the renamed Holy Empire of Illium sent Myrmidons and envoys to Lankia. Once they saw the situation the imperials joined with the Lankish and worked to finish off the undead. Aid from the empire could not have come at a better time. depleted of resources by the fighting against the Vaelon to the north, the hunt for the Fey, and the recent death of so many users of magic, it wouldn't have been long before Lankia completely fractured. the Imperial Myrmidons then set about reestablishing order throughout Lankia and rebuilding what damage remained. They also brought news that the sun avatar Sol did indeed die, but he was reborn and took his place in the cosmos satisfied that there were no more enemies of mankind

Divine Retribution

As the Empire slowly reestablished control over its provinces, an epidemic began to take hold of the people. They called it Spongepox after the blistered holes it left in the afflicted. It spread across the Vael and into Lankia. Much of the Vael became blighted creating the Broken Heath to the east and the streets of Par, Chamonix, and Palant filled with the wails of the dying. The Acolytes of Sol tried to stem the disease but only managed to slow its progress. Because of this the Lankish began to think of it as the divine punishment for allying with the empire and Sol many years ago. With resources thinning, the empire was forced to withdraw from Elba to reinforce Lankia and the Vael.

The Empire Withdraws

As the Empire fought the Vaelon Riders and Svers Haussad to the north, the Schtadt marched through the Dharve mountain trails and attacked Pompillium. Beset by enemies on all sides the Empire withdrew from Lankia through the Gevaudan pass and blocked every known mountain pass in the Etru range. Before leaving, Praetor Deicimus told the Consuls of Lankia that they would have to look to their own defense. Stunned, the people of Lankia could only watch in silence as the last legion sealed of the Gevaudan Pass with a man made rock slide.

The Broken Remains

The Second Assembly at Mount Palant

As the five Consuls joined the meeting each had their own worries and ambitions. Consul Gaius wished to be Praetor and start construction of a fleet of ships so that Lankia could rejoin the Empire by sea. He had the support of Consul Pepin but was opposed by Pillius and Alaric. Pilius and Alaric having been disillusioned by the empire abandoning Lankia wanted Lankia to stand as an independent country. The last vote went to Consul Merov. Knowing the weight of his choice he called for a recess to the proceedings to pray to Sol for guidance.

A Sundered Spear

When Merov returned he voted for and independent Lankia. He called Pillius and Alaric witless for having no formal plan for how to rule Lankia. Merov then went on to insulting Pepin and Gaius, claiming they were spineless children trying to hide behind the Empire. Nearly coming to blows the consuls then departed to their own estates and contemplated their next moves.

Consul Pillius returned to Par to keep watch for any riders of the Vael that would cross the Ames river.
Consul Gaius went to Camlann. Never fully giving up his ambition as Praetor he continued to send messages to the other Consuls and debated the merits of imperial rule.
Merov, once he returned to Chamonix, raised an army and tightened his hold on the Basse mountains eventually laying claim to Mount Palant.
Alaric arrived in time to defend Versa from the Schtadt. He spent the end of his days reclaiming the surrounding countryside for the Lankish until routing the Schtadt across the Sahn river.
Consul Pepin strengthened his hold on the Golden Bough and clashed with Merov. While Merov was seizing Palant, Pepin gain control of the towns on the southern coast.

Sword and Spear

A decade after the second assembly at Palant, Consul Pilius sallied to the defense of North Bede. His scouts reported that Sversans were marching on the Vael with the intent to capture North Bede. Knowing that if the Sversans ever captured North Bede they'd be able to sail south and attack Lankia, Pillius sailed up the Rahn River with fifteen hundred Guerres. When he arrived Sversans were still crossing the Rahn by ferry and were beginning to siege North Bede. Pilius donned his armor and ordered the helmsmen to ram the ferries. Caught completely surprised, the Sversan ferries broke and sankinto the river. What followed was a vicious battle that lasted into the night. Pilius landed his troops on both sides of the Rahn and turned his ships and anchored his ships to act as a makeshift bridge.

When the sun rose the next day, the Vaelon commander came out onto an empty field of battle. The only thing Pilius left was the Sversan generals head on a Lankish longspear with a diagram nailed to his tongue. It was a diagram of the simple imperial formation, a spearman cradling his spear over the shoulder of a swordsman. Pilius knew that in the Vael only two things really mattered, horses and swords. He hoped his message, that the spear would protect the sword and the sword would protect the spear, would be seen and understood by the Vaelon. This strange diplomacy seemed to have worked. Every rider that has crossed the Ames or the Rahn has always came in peace since the Battle on the Rahn.

the Palantine Accord

After several harsh winters Consul Lucas, grandson of Consul Pepin smelled opportunity. He knew that Marus son of Merov was arrogant of his position in the Basse mountains but had few farms to feed his people. With this in mind Lucas called for a diplomatic meeting with Marus to discuss a trade. Intrigued Marus accepted and invited Lucas to Palant. Lucas offered that he would give Marus one third of all the grain sown in the fields along the southern coast, if Marus would give Lucas one tenth of all the ore mined in the Basse mountains. Lucas also asked that as part of the agreement he'd be given Palant so that he and Marus could be "close" friends and allies. Marus laughed and agreed to this deal thinking Lucas was a young and naive fool. Marus would openly cheat Lucas and if the Consul objected Marus would take Palant back by force. What he didn't know until after the ink was dried, was that as part of the agreement Lucas could levy taxes on what was traded and soon Marus was paying twice as much as he originally agreed to. In retaliation Marus marched on Palant heading off Lucas' reinforcements and when he got there he saw his wife Jayne with Lucas on top of the ramparts. Lucas called down that Jayne was to be his "guest" until Marus saw fit to calm down. With Lucas' army closing in on Palant and his wife captured, Marus left with his army. One week later she was returned to Marus and he and his descendants have been paying Palant ever since.

Wolves Across the Sahn

When Consul Rege grandfather of Theuderic was sixteen the Schtadt once again crossed the Sahn in force. First they burned the river hamlet of Sahnmare then made their way northwest to Cardise. There they met and fought Reges father Carles and his warriors. Legend says under the full moon the Schtadt transformed into wolves and attacked Carles as he camped outside Cardise. With the Schtadt victorious and Carles ripped to shreds the Schtadt then turned south towards Gracony. When news reached Versa of Carles death, Rege rode out to meet the Schtadt, gathering his fathers scattered forces along the way. When they reached Gracony it was already burning. Rege, wearing the ceremonial armor his father left behind in Versa, rode out and challenged the Schtadt commander to single combat. The Schtadt commander accepted, thinking this child would be easily killed. using his greater speed and smaller size Rege was able to outmaneuver the hulking Schtadt until Rege was able to behead him. With their commanders head rolling away and Rege sounding a battlecry the Schtadt morale broke and they were routed until they were finally chased back across the Sahn. For his bravery and skill the people began to call Rege "Barrone Rege". Such a name became widely known throughout Lankia. Eventually every Consul began to call themselves "Baron" in imitation of this young noble warrior.