Ishtaria - Continent
Based in the North-Western part of the world, Ishtaria is possibly the largest landmass in Illyah at approximately 130 million Square Kilometres in size. Making up a third of the landmass of Illyah’s north-western region, its size is only second to the eastern supercontinent, Andromeda. Though the eastern region is well known for its count of various counties spread over its massive expanse of archipelagos and islands that make up the continental plate, so its landmass is only drawn in comparison to that rather than the actual size of the land itself, making Ishtaria closer to its real size in that regard.
A little-known fact about Ishtaria, being just north-east of Agrovia – and its main rival and longstanding enemy – Ishtaria and Agrovia are part of the same continent. However, the latter country had separated itself from the mainland some five thousand years prior to current day, so it is considered to be its own separate continent. This was done by nonother than Shidare, who felt it necessary to separate the two countries in hopes to deter any invasions as the northern country was one that constantly harassed the holy land.
They believed it was their God-given right to lay claim to the Great Tree, and Shidare knew the danger they posed should they launch an all-out invasion. So, she had used her power to submerge a large stretch of land between the countries and separated the continental plates, and in doing so she created a barrier that Agrovia remained in for another three thousand or so years. Regardless of her having the power of the newly formed Saints by her side at the time, she knew that they would pose no match to the northern gladiator nation, so sealed her country off until the time was right. This would be during Elaine’s rule, who decided that Ishtaria did not pose the threat it once did, and though they did try to invade their neighbour, Elaine pushed them back and essentially pacified them up until her death some decade ago.
Ishtaria has a long history with Agrovia, and it is thought that the two have been at war for over thirty-thousand years. Their conflict is said to stretch even before the worlds collapsed, constantly fighting for dominion over the tree and its powers. It is important to note why this is, as modern Ishtarian’s are direct descendants of the now extinct race of gods, the Aeonian’s, who it is said that once mated with another of the Qabal and created the lesser races. Their god-mothers name is often referred to as “Titania”, but it is considered that the person in question may actually be Shidare herself, having conceived a child with the Aeonian Prince, Aeacus.
But mythology aside, the country itself is a rich land of gold and beautiful gems and minerals. Despite its size, much of Ishtaria is covered in harsh deserts and arid climates, as well as countless mountain ranges and rocky terrain that has made it nearly impossible for much of anything to grow there. Because of this, Ishtaria’s population is only twice that of Agrovia’s, despite the amount of land it has, most of it being lost to unforgiving sands or the towering alps to the north. These alps are usually referenced when speaking of the ancient city of Aeonian, Mekubal – as it is said that such remains can be found in these mountains, but reaching it is nigh impossible.
The culture and architecture throughout this continent are much like that of ancient Egypt and Sumeria, having great pyramids that litter the landscape and sandstone buildings with ivory towers. Much of the cities are carved out of the sandstone and rockfaces throughout the land, however its capital – Falaan is situated near the mouth of the great river, Inanna. This river is divided into three major arteries, to which Falaan is situated at its fork. The city itself is said to have been made in the image of the ancient Aeonian city of Mekubal, and the three arteries of the Inanna are known as Sargon, Uruk, and Babal.
The country is known to have conquered countless nations and has essentially subjugated the entire continent it is named after. It is a militaristic country that is saturated in cultures of gladiators and warriors, headed by the great military of the Emuna Elish, under the empire of the Kurus and with its current head, Empress Mu’Pheles Achaemenes Kurus and military generals, the Annunaki, the “Emuna Elish” and their councils, the “Sukkal”.
Until a few decades ago, much of Ishtaria was under an unstable empire, consisting of several states that oft posed a threat to each other and were only held back by the threat of mutual destruction. But once the current Empress, Mu’Pheles came into power after usurping the throne from her now deceased predecessor, Queen Charon Akkad, that all changed. Through cunning and force, Mu had united much of the conflicting states and placed them under the banner of the Ishtarian empire, ushering the country into what most consider to be its golden age. Or at least, the revival of the great age that had ended some few millennia prior to her reign.
The Kurus Familia came into power with Mu, having taken an outright eradication of her political foes and created a campaign of public executions to seed her power further. Having already been from one of the noble houses of the Southern River of Babylon, the Familia already had a large presence and great political power in the region, rivalling the other two now defunct noble houses of Akkad and Assyr.
Taking the reins of her clan from a young age, the young Mu’Pheles used her sharp wits and strong militaristic cunning to make several moves to remove rivalling powers, eventually conducting a nation-wide coup d'état that cemented her power and allowed her to take the throne as Empress. Though she was met with much outrage, she quickly snuffed out any opposition and swiftly made leaps and bounds to fix the growing concerns in the nation.
Despite her war-mongering nature, Mu’Pheles has done wonders for helping the nation's economy and trade, though is still working on fixing the constant problem of famines and plagues that has decimated much of the lands. One of the main reasons why Ishtaria is such a wealthy country is due to its strong exports of gold, rare gems and minerals, as well as its abundance of oil and other resources that it has long since taken the hold of and essentially controlled the world's economy for such resources. A tactic that Mu’Pheles had picked up from her time as a councillor.
A little-known fact about Ishtaria, being just north-east of Agrovia – and its main rival and longstanding enemy – Ishtaria and Agrovia are part of the same continent. However, the latter country had separated itself from the mainland some five thousand years prior to current day, so it is considered to be its own separate continent. This was done by nonother than Shidare, who felt it necessary to separate the two countries in hopes to deter any invasions as the northern country was one that constantly harassed the holy land.
They believed it was their God-given right to lay claim to the Great Tree, and Shidare knew the danger they posed should they launch an all-out invasion. So, she had used her power to submerge a large stretch of land between the countries and separated the continental plates, and in doing so she created a barrier that Agrovia remained in for another three thousand or so years. Regardless of her having the power of the newly formed Saints by her side at the time, she knew that they would pose no match to the northern gladiator nation, so sealed her country off until the time was right. This would be during Elaine’s rule, who decided that Ishtaria did not pose the threat it once did, and though they did try to invade their neighbour, Elaine pushed them back and essentially pacified them up until her death some decade ago.
Ishtaria has a long history with Agrovia, and it is thought that the two have been at war for over thirty-thousand years. Their conflict is said to stretch even before the worlds collapsed, constantly fighting for dominion over the tree and its powers. It is important to note why this is, as modern Ishtarian’s are direct descendants of the now extinct race of gods, the Aeonian’s, who it is said that once mated with another of the Qabal and created the lesser races. Their god-mothers name is often referred to as “Titania”, but it is considered that the person in question may actually be Shidare herself, having conceived a child with the Aeonian Prince, Aeacus.
But mythology aside, the country itself is a rich land of gold and beautiful gems and minerals. Despite its size, much of Ishtaria is covered in harsh deserts and arid climates, as well as countless mountain ranges and rocky terrain that has made it nearly impossible for much of anything to grow there. Because of this, Ishtaria’s population is only twice that of Agrovia’s, despite the amount of land it has, most of it being lost to unforgiving sands or the towering alps to the north. These alps are usually referenced when speaking of the ancient city of Aeonian, Mekubal – as it is said that such remains can be found in these mountains, but reaching it is nigh impossible.
The culture and architecture throughout this continent are much like that of ancient Egypt and Sumeria, having great pyramids that litter the landscape and sandstone buildings with ivory towers. Much of the cities are carved out of the sandstone and rockfaces throughout the land, however its capital – Falaan is situated near the mouth of the great river, Inanna. This river is divided into three major arteries, to which Falaan is situated at its fork. The city itself is said to have been made in the image of the ancient Aeonian city of Mekubal, and the three arteries of the Inanna are known as Sargon, Uruk, and Babal.
The country is known to have conquered countless nations and has essentially subjugated the entire continent it is named after. It is a militaristic country that is saturated in cultures of gladiators and warriors, headed by the great military of the Emuna Elish, under the empire of the Kurus and with its current head, Empress Mu’Pheles Achaemenes Kurus and military generals, the Annunaki, the “Emuna Elish” and their councils, the “Sukkal”.
Until a few decades ago, much of Ishtaria was under an unstable empire, consisting of several states that oft posed a threat to each other and were only held back by the threat of mutual destruction. But once the current Empress, Mu’Pheles came into power after usurping the throne from her now deceased predecessor, Queen Charon Akkad, that all changed. Through cunning and force, Mu had united much of the conflicting states and placed them under the banner of the Ishtarian empire, ushering the country into what most consider to be its golden age. Or at least, the revival of the great age that had ended some few millennia prior to her reign.
The Kurus Familia came into power with Mu, having taken an outright eradication of her political foes and created a campaign of public executions to seed her power further. Having already been from one of the noble houses of the Southern River of Babylon, the Familia already had a large presence and great political power in the region, rivalling the other two now defunct noble houses of Akkad and Assyr.
Taking the reins of her clan from a young age, the young Mu’Pheles used her sharp wits and strong militaristic cunning to make several moves to remove rivalling powers, eventually conducting a nation-wide coup d'état that cemented her power and allowed her to take the throne as Empress. Though she was met with much outrage, she quickly snuffed out any opposition and swiftly made leaps and bounds to fix the growing concerns in the nation.
Despite her war-mongering nature, Mu’Pheles has done wonders for helping the nation's economy and trade, though is still working on fixing the constant problem of famines and plagues that has decimated much of the lands. One of the main reasons why Ishtaria is such a wealthy country is due to its strong exports of gold, rare gems and minerals, as well as its abundance of oil and other resources that it has long since taken the hold of and essentially controlled the world's economy for such resources. A tactic that Mu’Pheles had picked up from her time as a councillor.
Type
Continent
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