Divinity of Bēlqūašdu
The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu is the preeminent human power in western Ærellion. The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu was formed out of the collapse of the previous Divinity of Ashēryku in 1815 S.C., and constituted more of a dynastic shift than a truly new kingdom. According to historical accounts, the dynasty originated in the years following the Great Death of Ærellion, a massive plague that devastated the Divinity of Ashēryku (and much of the continent), killing almost 50% of its population. However, the region of the Ulzukur remained relatively untouched by the plague, mainly due to the advice of Sarjur the Wise, who advised the regional Duke Nedrachenza of Bēlqūašdu to quarantine cities in contrast to the imperial policy. While considered incorrect treatment by many high scholars, in the end the wisdom of this course was proven to all, something that would help Nedrachenza in the future.
Near the end of the Great Death, the Divine Emperor of Ashēryku died of the plague, something seen by all as foreboding and a sign that the gods were displeased. The Imperial family of Ashēryku had been disliked by many due to their abundance of cruelties starting in the reign of Dakyung II who ruled about 150 years prior. Indeed, a string of bad luck had seemed to befall the Divinity following the start of this policy of ruling; the Coalition War against the Tögsgölgüi Ord, the 13-Year War, the Great Kinstrife, the Gold panic of 1788, the plague itself, and finally the death of the ruling Emperor of the same plague. This environment created an air ripe for revolt, and so the nobility began clamoring for Nedrachenza to take the throne. Nedrachenza would accept this honor in 1815 S.C. and declared himself the rightful emperor of a new country: The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu. After 2 years of fighting, the new emperor, himself only in his teens, was deposed and Nedrachenza installed in his place. Under Nedrachenza, the country's demographics began to recover, and so the country could have been considered well on the road to recovery by the 1848 SC.
However, in this time the Tögsgölgüi Ord had grown stronger, and when a message from the Wanyun of Syeoban was sent calling for aid the armies of the Bēlqūašdu would march. Eager to attack their hated rival, which was busy in the east, the armies of Bēlqūašdu stomped the various raiding parties sent back to harass them and won a decisive battle in the Ordian Capital in 1852. Though the war lasted for seven years, until 1855 S.C., in reality the Tögsgölgüi armies were routed by the time their capital had fallen and the remaining three were spent attempting to pacify the many successor states, something that would end in failure. However, due to the violence which erupted across the plains as a result of their efforts, the Bēlqūašdu victory laid the groundwork for the exodus of the steppe orcs into the west
The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu would spend the next hundred years expanding power, but the third rise of the Tögsgölgüi Ord would again force them to take the field. This time, however, the Tögsgölgüi Ord would prove victorious, and while the borders of the Empire didn't shrink much it nonetheless shook the confidence of the country, prompting revolts. Orcish slave tribes would once again hold the passes into the steppe, a critical chink in Bēlqūašdu's armor. In the twenty-six years since, a number of new kingdoms now stand independently from the Divinity of Bēlqūašdu, which, while still strong, is less so than at its peak. Many of its formerly loyal tributaries have also abandoned the Empire, no longer paying tribute, excluding those who still rely on it for protection. Luckily for Bēlqūašdu, the rise of the Great Maw caused great damage to the Ord, much as the rebellions in their own homeland, which prevented the Teltars from taking advantage of the collapsing order in Bēlqūašdu. Nonetheless, with the Great Maw conquering west and leaving the steppes, the full might of the Ord could once more be trained on Bēlqūašdu, which has hamstrung it and prevented sending military units south.
The people's confidence in Nedrachenza's dynasty is at an all time low and many reforms will need to be enacted in order to regain their trust. And with the passes into the steppe once more outside of Divine control, it may be difficult for Bēlqūašdu to survive at all.
Near the end of the Great Death, the Divine Emperor of Ashēryku died of the plague, something seen by all as foreboding and a sign that the gods were displeased. The Imperial family of Ashēryku had been disliked by many due to their abundance of cruelties starting in the reign of Dakyung II who ruled about 150 years prior. Indeed, a string of bad luck had seemed to befall the Divinity following the start of this policy of ruling; the Coalition War against the Tögsgölgüi Ord, the 13-Year War, the Great Kinstrife, the Gold panic of 1788, the plague itself, and finally the death of the ruling Emperor of the same plague. This environment created an air ripe for revolt, and so the nobility began clamoring for Nedrachenza to take the throne. Nedrachenza would accept this honor in 1815 S.C. and declared himself the rightful emperor of a new country: The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu. After 2 years of fighting, the new emperor, himself only in his teens, was deposed and Nedrachenza installed in his place. Under Nedrachenza, the country's demographics began to recover, and so the country could have been considered well on the road to recovery by the 1848 SC.
However, in this time the Tögsgölgüi Ord had grown stronger, and when a message from the Wanyun of Syeoban was sent calling for aid the armies of the Bēlqūašdu would march. Eager to attack their hated rival, which was busy in the east, the armies of Bēlqūašdu stomped the various raiding parties sent back to harass them and won a decisive battle in the Ordian Capital in 1852. Though the war lasted for seven years, until 1855 S.C., in reality the Tögsgölgüi armies were routed by the time their capital had fallen and the remaining three were spent attempting to pacify the many successor states, something that would end in failure. However, due to the violence which erupted across the plains as a result of their efforts, the Bēlqūašdu victory laid the groundwork for the exodus of the steppe orcs into the west
The Divinity of Bēlqūašdu would spend the next hundred years expanding power, but the third rise of the Tögsgölgüi Ord would again force them to take the field. This time, however, the Tögsgölgüi Ord would prove victorious, and while the borders of the Empire didn't shrink much it nonetheless shook the confidence of the country, prompting revolts. Orcish slave tribes would once again hold the passes into the steppe, a critical chink in Bēlqūašdu's armor. In the twenty-six years since, a number of new kingdoms now stand independently from the Divinity of Bēlqūašdu, which, while still strong, is less so than at its peak. Many of its formerly loyal tributaries have also abandoned the Empire, no longer paying tribute, excluding those who still rely on it for protection. Luckily for Bēlqūašdu, the rise of the Great Maw caused great damage to the Ord, much as the rebellions in their own homeland, which prevented the Teltars from taking advantage of the collapsing order in Bēlqūašdu. Nonetheless, with the Great Maw conquering west and leaving the steppes, the full might of the Ord could once more be trained on Bēlqūašdu, which has hamstrung it and prevented sending military units south.
The people's confidence in Nedrachenza's dynasty is at an all time low and many reforms will need to be enacted in order to regain their trust. And with the passes into the steppe once more outside of Divine control, it may be difficult for Bēlqūašdu to survive at all.
Founding Date
1815 S.C.
Alternative Names
Bēlqūašdu Empire
Predecessor Organization
Leader Title
Neighboring Nations
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