The first precursors to the modern Arkosi state date back approximately 2600 years before the
Treaty of Passaran, though far from their current location. Archeological evidence indicates that these birdfolk once inhabited the eastern coast of
Alvana, hundreds of horizons away. Not much is known about these civilizations, besides some of the relics they created and the stories passed down for centuries, but it is believed that the city-states and empires in the region were very artistic and xenophobic (Which may be justified, given the constant predation they faced from
Altowood).
This changed approximately 743 BT. For unknown reasons, the largest and most influential kingdom in the region inexplicably collapsed, setting off a cascading destabilization in the states immediately surrounding it. Bloody civil unrest uprooted the existing power structures of their society and civilians fled major population centers en-masse. Though it is not clear what promped this exodus, thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands) of Arkosi precursors began to migrate westward.
Most of this period immediately following the migration is shrouded in mystery; the only traces of it are in artifacts left behind and in myths warped after centuries of retellings. Over the course of about a century, Arkosi refugees gradually moved across the continent. They would settle in a location, sometimes for over a decade or more in hopes of establishing a permanent home, only for unlucky circumstances or external threats to prompt them to continue their migration. This continued for almost 90 years. Over time, the Arkosi people got closer and closer to their current homeland, though even to this day there are pockets of offshoot Arkosi cultures scattered throughout the continent.
At some point in 623 BT, the Arkosi refugees eventually stumbled upon the Andaras River Valley and the birdfolk that lived there, the
Cyanni. In this period the Cyanni were in the middle of a golden age; flourishing societies, growing economies, and peaceful relations between the various city-states. At first the two nationalities had an amicable relationship. The Cyanni may have even voluntarily gifted territory for the Arkosi refugees to settle.
However, things quickly spiralled out of control. The Arkosi peoples were determined to grow and finally bring an end to their exodus, while the Cyanni were skeptical of the newcomer's intentions and their obsession with rebuilding a long-gone society. Ideological and religious differences also quickly exasperbated tensions: Cyanni culture at the time emphasized mercantilism, civic duty, and citizen governance, while the Arkosi looked down on commerce, valued artisan nobility, and believed in more rigid social hierarchies.
After some time, as more and more refugees began pouring into the region, these tensions escalated to armed conflict. Though the Cyanni had established cities and superior soldiers, they were quickly driven off the continent by sheer numbers and failures to adequately coordinate a military response. Ever since this invasion, the Cyanni have been relegated to the island
Cya and tensions between the two nations have been extreme.
Since this conflict, the Arkosi people have settled down and grown in the territory they now view as their own, and power eventually concentrated under a single king as the modern nation of Arkos was formed. The new government rapidly gained legitimacy and power based on a few simple promises: one, to focus on rebuilding their cultural identity through the arts (a fairly innocuous goal), and two, to invade the Cyan islands and put an end to Cyanni power in the region. However, neither of these promises were really fulfilled due to frivolous spending by the generations of monarchs that followed. Eventually the kingdom's military power was completely eclipsed by rising empires to their east. A series of invasions and annexations effectively ended their hopes of ever retaliating against the Cyanni.
The Arkosi people, now under occupation by foreigners or trapped in the few remaining cities still controlled by the Arkos kingdom, may have never anticipated how much the events in their country would impact the world. Only a few years before the signing of the treaty, a massive drought and famine struck the region. In this uncertain climate a spree of horrifying criminal acts now called
The Culling struck Arkos, followed by a number of nearby nations. This event directly led to the creation of the
Treaty of Passaran, for which Arkos became a signing member.
In the post treaty world Arkos suddenly found themselves as a major power in a region rapidly heading towards a new era: the era of nation-states. The great empires of the past rapidly receded into obscurity, and Arkos alongside the Cyanni benefitted immensely from this power vaccumn. However, even though it had been centuries since their last conflict and they were now allies in the same defensive pact, things began to escalate between these two old foes. Over time they made allies, drew battle lines, and built up militaries. This eventually escalated into the
Cyanni War.
After the war, Arkos was left devastated. As one of the principle combatants in the war, they faced the full force of the devastation. Even though they were now one of the most influential members of the reformed treaty, it took a long time for them to rebuild their kingdom to its former glory and gain actual power. However, they recieved a second blow to their power with the formation of the
Jasani. The creation of this new country that opposed the treaty, and the failure of the major treaty nations to stop it, has begun to erode much of the foreign influence that Arkos had. On the world stage they may be in decline once again. That said, for now they do remain a fairly important nation.
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