The Uvan Empire

Rough date for the widespread institution of Uvandar Humanology across the subjects of the Uvan Empire.

With Hex backing, Vupir Aperrah enters the political spotlight.  His father's high-born connections provide him a voice at court, but his lack of noble blood bars him from positions of rulership.

Envoys from Shuri and Tifwa Akn, warring nations, ask the Minore ruler to support their land claims. In exchange, each vows to open trade with their nation and, more crucially, to provide free passage to L'ai Alaq. Concerns of the ministers of Qildab about the fighting bleeding over onto their streets stay the Minores' involvement.

Archaeological research reveals commonalities between Qildabic and south Tyrilan cultures.  Fascination with all things Qildab spreads across Minore territory and beyond.  The figure of Death from ancient Qildabic religion revives interest in the Tyrilan cult of the dead, and underground groups meet to practice a reconstructed version of the old faith.

Vupir Aperrah, young son of one of the diplomats brokering the trade deal with Qildab, is secretly taken under the wing of Hex wizards and gains their tutelage while overseas. Vupir has the Gift; only his father's influence has kept others from finding out. Under Minore law, even latent magical ability is criminalized. Tales of when his kind ruled the world ring in his ears as the Hex grooms him to be their proxy in Tyril. He is 11 at the time.

Now that the borders of the Minore's territory extend to the sea, the ruling family of the Uvan Empire strikes up trade relations with the nearby continent of Pendahar. Its largest nations, Sassam and Najamur, hold exclusive contracts with the Southern Federation, so the Minores set their sights on Qildab.

The Minores inherit a swathe of southern territories from the Pivoyats, but break from tradition in refusing to marry into the tribes they now rule over. The relationship is very much one of Conqueror and Conquered, and the population is governed with an iron hand.   Though they deny mages full rights of citizenship, the Minores seek to exploit magical talent more where their predecessors did not. Prison camps for mages are opened in new lands below the Fourth Meridian, and experiments are occasionally conducted here.

The Sons of the Serpent at long last oust the Hex from Enk' Ishr, and indeed, from the continent of Gnosit. Half of the dark mages flee to nearby Pendahar, half to Tyril, site of the vast empire they once ruled.  This divide evidences a schism within the Hex between the former group, whose members remain single-mindedly dedicated to returning Khajuro to this plane through magical mastery, and the latter, which believes that regaining political power is the best means to this goal.  

Several southern tribes band into a trading federation, raising the price within the Principalities of the valuable spice, Riangh. The Pivoyat go to war hoping to break the alliance, and, in so doing, extend the boundaries of their territories further south and also eastwards to the sea.  

by Midjourney

The Peacock was the first ruler since the Silence of Magic to try to incorporate those with the Gift back into normal society.  Despite the unqualified success of his state projects and overwhelming popularity with the common people, these proposals put a target on his back.  Local lords labelled the Peacock a "mage lover" in smear campaigns which ultimately caused his downfall. "The Peacock's Blunder" remains a key metaphor to this day in Uvan culture. Its moral: good intentions are less important than vigilance.

After years of Princely infighting, an outsider known as the Stone Peacock assumes leadership of the south.  Under his reign, rationality, peace, and a focus on community building are given pride of place.  He is widely loved, and works to expand the cultural domain of his people.   Duration: 33 years

The excesses of the Jailohms fall under scrutiny as their hold over the people tightens into a crushing grip. Their need for worship leads to widespread abuses of power, drawing comparisons to the Grave Gods. In the end they are violently overthrown by the mob, the royal family drawn and quartered.

Magic is fully outlawed, and anyone shown to possess the Gift, exiled. To compensate for the harsh new restrictions, the Jailohms introduce unprecedented pageantry into their ruling style. Religion is once again made central to everyday life via institutional worship of the royal family. The old god of Death continues to be a banned image.   Duration: 106 years

Using Council techniques for detecting those with the Gift, the Majoholts institute measures to control the magical population. A statewide purge of anything associated with the "Old Gods" begins.   Duration: 111 years

The Circle of Tyril is broken, but its members run amok, scrambling for power and inciting a century of chaos. The Council attempts to bring the situation under control but is ousted by mundane rulers convinced - wrongly - that they themselves can handle the sorcerors. Territories are won, then lost, then won again, until Majohalt forces secure a decisive victory for mundanes.   Duration: 101 years

The Empire of Death is finally crushed by warlords in Eherel and Kahrilo.

The Crusades draw to a close after Drakoyan nomads defeat the northern lords bankrolling the Crusades, the Cativenes.

Mages from Rela, aided by the new knowledge of magical healing, assist their southern cousins in retaking territories in Tyril, unaware of the true depravity of those they help.    Duration: 185 years

Exploiting the Black Tiger Tribes' faith, the followers of Khajuro establish a sizable realm with themselves at the head as God-Kings. Unspeakable evils designed to further their mastery of dark magic are visited upon the populace in the form of "religious rites".   Duration: 185 years