Seers: The Astraea Diaspora
All seers can trace their lineage back to one place: Iananosia
(/Ianˌanˌosiˍiə/). Hailing from northeast Barakon, the native Iananosians were a culture deeply connected to their environment and attuned to the varied perceptions of reality. It was here that those with the gift of foresight, the Astraea, first emerged. These women formed an exclusive class within society and became the envy of rulers far and wide. Kings, chiefs, and lords of Iananosia jealously guarded the Astraea like treasure. By the 800s AR, however, several notable Astraea broke free from the last remaining Iananosian state, Cana. For the past century, Cana had been in decline, an imprisoned patch of land blunted by the relentless Daakhen Dresnid invasion. The small nation-state only survived because of its proximity to Akrainus, the fortress city that proved to be the Daakhen's undoing. Those Dresnids who failed to break through Akrainus instead settled in the surrounding regions, forming the tribe and khanate known as Aklaha. Despite its precarious position, Cana endured, largely due to its monopoly on Astraea power. The Lords of Cana relied on the Astraea for every function of governance. One would think Cana could conquer the world with such gifts, but even foresight could not create loyal followers or manpower. The first Astraea to abandon her post was Mestra, a senior member who had grown bitter with her lot in life. After losing several friends and relatives to untold tragedies, she staged her escape and vanished. She later resurfaced, aiding a rebellion against the Alexian Empire, only to be captured and taken to the capital, Alexia, for judgment. While in transit, however, a rogue detachment of the Aklahan Khanate ambushed her captors and freed her. The price of Mestra's freedom was misguided service to Aklahan Khan Kete Reemin II. The second Astraea to escape Cana was Mithoneila. Her story was one of tragedy, love, and loss. She endured more suffering than most could bear, and it led her to similarly leave the order behind. Mithoneila journeyed across eastern Barakon, where she played a key role in defeating the very rebellion Mestra had aided. Cana, lacking the resources to retrieve these lost Astraea, could do little but watch as their influence waned. When Mithoneila eventually returned, however, she was welcomed with open arms. Her extensive travels and knowledge of the Dresnids made her instrumental in the later defeat of an Aklahan invasion. Mithoneila's return left a lasting impact on Cana and its ruler, Lord Hector Yllian. When Cana repelled the Aklahan Khanate in 866 AR, Lord Hector relented to growing pressures and relinquished the Astraea to the world. He issued an edict of free reign, allowing Astraea to travel freely with the sole condition of returning to Cana biannually. But these promises soon rang hollow, and the Astraea fled in droves. The edict did not last. Lord Hector's successor, Hector Yllian II, reinstated restrictions on Astraea movement in 876 AR. Those who had already left found themselves without a homeland, forced to settle in foreign lands. Over time, the descendants of these exiled Astraea became known as Seers, and unlike their ancestors, they consisted of both male and female heirs.
(/Ianˌanˌosiˍiə/). Hailing from northeast Barakon, the native Iananosians were a culture deeply connected to their environment and attuned to the varied perceptions of reality. It was here that those with the gift of foresight, the Astraea, first emerged. These women formed an exclusive class within society and became the envy of rulers far and wide. Kings, chiefs, and lords of Iananosia jealously guarded the Astraea like treasure. By the 800s AR, however, several notable Astraea broke free from the last remaining Iananosian state, Cana. For the past century, Cana had been in decline, an imprisoned patch of land blunted by the relentless Daakhen Dresnid invasion. The small nation-state only survived because of its proximity to Akrainus, the fortress city that proved to be the Daakhen's undoing. Those Dresnids who failed to break through Akrainus instead settled in the surrounding regions, forming the tribe and khanate known as Aklaha. Despite its precarious position, Cana endured, largely due to its monopoly on Astraea power. The Lords of Cana relied on the Astraea for every function of governance. One would think Cana could conquer the world with such gifts, but even foresight could not create loyal followers or manpower. The first Astraea to abandon her post was Mestra, a senior member who had grown bitter with her lot in life. After losing several friends and relatives to untold tragedies, she staged her escape and vanished. She later resurfaced, aiding a rebellion against the Alexian Empire, only to be captured and taken to the capital, Alexia, for judgment. While in transit, however, a rogue detachment of the Aklahan Khanate ambushed her captors and freed her. The price of Mestra's freedom was misguided service to Aklahan Khan Kete Reemin II. The second Astraea to escape Cana was Mithoneila. Her story was one of tragedy, love, and loss. She endured more suffering than most could bear, and it led her to similarly leave the order behind. Mithoneila journeyed across eastern Barakon, where she played a key role in defeating the very rebellion Mestra had aided. Cana, lacking the resources to retrieve these lost Astraea, could do little but watch as their influence waned. When Mithoneila eventually returned, however, she was welcomed with open arms. Her extensive travels and knowledge of the Dresnids made her instrumental in the later defeat of an Aklahan invasion. Mithoneila's return left a lasting impact on Cana and its ruler, Lord Hector Yllian. When Cana repelled the Aklahan Khanate in 866 AR, Lord Hector relented to growing pressures and relinquished the Astraea to the world. He issued an edict of free reign, allowing Astraea to travel freely with the sole condition of returning to Cana biannually. But these promises soon rang hollow, and the Astraea fled in droves. The edict did not last. Lord Hector's successor, Hector Yllian II, reinstated restrictions on Astraea movement in 876 AR. Those who had already left found themselves without a homeland, forced to settle in foreign lands. Over time, the descendants of these exiled Astraea became known as Seers, and unlike their ancestors, they consisted of both male and female heirs.
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