"a new dawn"
The Backstory of Mortal Online II
INTRODUCTION
They are three feet long, with legs and thighs that when they have been dried can be used as saws. This plague is interpreted as a sign of the wrath of the gods ; for they are seen of exceptional size, and also they fly with such a noise of wings that they are believed to be birds, and they obscure the sun, making the nation gaze upward in anxiety lest they should settle all over their land. In fact their strength does not fail, and as though it were not enough to have crossed the seas, they pass over immense tracts of land and cover them with a cloud disastrous for the crops, scorching up many things with their touch and gnawing away everything with their bite, even the doors of houses as well. They are a horrible plague, poisonous like snakes, except that they inflict a worse torture by despatching the victim with a lingering death lasting three days.
Queros Plinius Inominalis, “Natura Myro Lanarius”, Liber XI, XXXV
Over one hundred years have passed, the sound of rattling grasshoppers and dragonflies still haunts the memories of those below. The Tagmaton Irruption was the worst epidemic Myrland had ever experienced. Etched into recorded history with the blood of those whom the moment took with it. The giant insectoids first disembarked in the southern part of the continent, secretly nesting in the Stairs of Echidna and the Sunken Isles before making their clattering advance over the steppes. First came the Fleshbiters, black clouds of footlong locusts devouring crops and cattle alike. Following in the devastating wake of the Fleshbiters came six legged slayers of varying castes. Towering above men, bearing scythes, burrowing below ground and releasing venomous projectiles, nothing could stand in their way. Caught in a sudden moment with no possibility of retaliation, the tribes of Myrland and further more, the legacy of the human races was facing its end. However when all seemed lost a number of great earthquakes shook the ground and then, for whatever inscrutable reason, the numberless Tagmatons suddenly dispersed even faster than they had once appeared. From whence they came no one is sure – where they went, no one knows.
The damage was far beyond the destruction to the physical. The land had become desolate and barren leaving the tribes in a perilous situation. Many of the inhabitants of Tindrem had sought refuge in the city sewers, some Khurites had managed to shelter in the Sheevran colony of Toxai, and the Huérgar most likely remained sequestered in their caves – yet it is estimated that more than two thirds of the humanoid population in Myrland succumbed to the slaughter, or perished in the years of starvation to come. The newly reconstructed Bridge of Tecton lay in ruins, effectively severing the land link between Myrland and the western continents.
Myrland Steppe today is blossoming with life. Standing above the scars are flourishing wildlife, billowing grass and a breeze that brings warmth to all those that feel it. The Fauna bears an abundance of game for all hunters of the realm. Synchronously with the rejuvenation of life outside their shelters, the human races slowly began rebuilding their societies and reconnecting with their neighboring dwellings. As the Steppe continues to portray life the scars and the memories of the event still swell deep within the inhabitants and seeping into the essence of Myrland that extends beyond the artificial surface presence.
tINDREM AFTER THE IRRUPTION
The first steps
Two very different groups warily entered the streets of Tindrem after the first few years of hiding. Climbing out of the sewers were the Eeta, Slaves, and lower Plebeians, who had survived on goodness knows what down in the dark. Out of Arx Primoris came a procession of the remaining Tricapita, formally dressed in Sarducaan Papyrus, and a few of the Theurgy and Nobilitas who had been allowed protection in the great fortress. Very soon it stood clear that the higher castes had no way of ordering or controlling the lower without the help of a city guard or an army, of which there were none left, and complete civil disorder ensued. That the enormous city gates were locked didn’t help the fact as the only way to escape the city was by sea, and for a few years the gated community of Tindrem was probably the most dangerous place in the whole of Myrland.
The chaos only lasted for a period as most of the fighting reflected a king of the hill race for the best villas in Vica Despectus. The highest and finest district of the city. However as fortune would bestow, there were plenty of villas and fewer people. One would have thought that this juxtaposition of the various castes might have resulted in the abolishment of the old caste system and giving rise to a new social order, but in fact the opposite happened as the temporary disorganization somehow strengthened it further. These new Nobilitas rather quickly assimilated into their new roles and a plethora of new caste marks saw the light of day, each one larger and more elaborate than the other. When the storm inside of the city walls had finally settled, the Tricapita yet again emerged from Arx Primoris on their palanquins, only this time to be met by posh clapping and courteous fawning by a new upper class, and that was that.
What wasn’t back to normal was the city itself. In the earthquakes an even bigger part of it had sunk into the sea, the academy Clerus Magica had tumbled into the waves together with many of the pillars in the rest of Vica Levita, and the proud lighthouse Pharos Maximus lay in ruins. All of the Huérgar-built structures on firm ground had withstood the tremors though, including the city walls and its grand entrance Porto Majora. This in particular constituted a problem however as none of the surviving citizens could figure out how to open its gates. Futile attempts were made to knock down the doors of metal-infused gabore, and finally the Emperor decided they would be blown up with alchemy in a grand spectacle culminating in a triumphant exodus. In the ensuing festivities something went wrong and most of the procession, including the Emperor, was blasted to pieces. It took many months of hard work to instead break down the surrounding tower and dig out the ground, so that the doors could be toppled over and dragged to Forum Tindrem, until people could exit the city by land in approximately 44 A:eD.
The Tindremic Provinces
The reunion with the other towns and villages in the Tindremic Provinces of Myrland, most importantly Fabernum, Meduli and Kranesh, should have been jubilant but instead became quite problematic for the remaining Tricapita. It was now without an emperor and headed by just the two Ephors from the Theurgy and Nobilitas. The almost desolate but stubborn village of Kranesh chased the emissaries away with pitchforks. The other provinces were more talkative, but first condemned how little help they had received both during the Irruption and afterwards, as several years had now passed. Secondly, they were critical of the demands to now themselves send help, including new citizens, to the capital. Thirdly, they had managed to get on their feet on their own accord and had no desire to welcome interfering Procurators, tax collectors or political intrigue into their presently self-sustaining communities. Various attempts were made to come to terms with the provincial leaders, including both cajolery and empty threats – there was after all, at this time, no army to make real threats. As a final resort, the Tricapita hatched the idea to entice the leaders of the provinces with the tantalizing chance at becoming the new Emperor.
The stratagem worked and in effect led to nearly half a century of drawn-out discussions where an Emperor-less temporary constitution was formed, the Dicapita, consisting of only the two cunning Ephors. During this time the Constitutio Mundanus Tindrem was promulgated, granting Tindremic citizenship to all free people living in Myrland who migrated into the mostly empty city, instituting various rewards for for instance childbearing, and set in operation a complicated reverse tax for importing and exporting goods. Slowly but surely during the endless bickering the Dicapita tightened its grip on the provinces, mobilised a new army and city guard, and secured the sovereignty of the capital. The new soldiers were sent on hunting missions to the steppe and came back with both meat and valuable trinkets to the great joy of the citizens. Among the Nobilitas, now strengthened by the growing population, a new bloodline of particularly sharp talents in political chicanery grew, and as is customary in Tindrem this era ended with gamesmanship and backstabbing. One day the two Ephors were found without their heads and from the shadows stepped Livi Avitus Decollator to take the throne as Imperator in 3 A:eD. The reinstated Tricapita tore up the Constitutio Mundanus Tindrem and dispatched the rule of the Dicapita into the history books – henceforth jocularly called the “Decapita” in popular parlance.
Counting the days
As the government came together and the wheels of bureaucracy started spinning, it became more and more apparent that there was plenty of confusion regarding chronology and time. The years in the annals from just before the Irruption didn’t make sense, and neither did the documents written after it had happened. The current Novo Tindrem (NT) calendar year was supposed to be around 400 NT, but the scholars arrived at anything within fifty years from that date in their calculations when trying to pinpoint the precise year. This predicament brought the whole Theurgy to a deadlock that lasted for way too long until the Tricapita finally stepped in and ordered the slate wiped clean by starting a new epoch. The new calendar era would use Anno Decollator (A:oD or simply AD) in honour of the new Emperor, and all previous years would use Ante Decollator (A:eD) and be approximations. The royal Auspices foresaw bad omens in starting the count at zero, or even having a year zero, but voted in favor for continuing the tradition of turning the year at the winter solstice. All said and done, when the start of winter came the year went from Unknown to One and the government could finally move on, but for any historian or scholar in need of a sensible chronology this was a nightmare. The previous Novo Tindrem calendar had once been put in place under similar circumstances – the confusion surrounding the Conflux – and there were now three arbitrary calendars and six different labels to keep track of, not counting the alternative calendars in circulation.
THE NEW AGE IN MYRLAND
Máttârää’jj mis lie tuu’l
Vuäitám verrušeijee badjel
Vuástálistup, viiljah, miige
Siđhesvuođáin suäʹrddeejeem
Our forefathers withstood
Unjust assailants of yore
Brothers, let us likewise fight
Stalwartly against the tyranny
Excerpt from Bakti dialect Magtaal “Khurs Laull” – “Khurite people’s song”, author unknown
The Khurites & the Alvarin
Some of the Khurites in Morin Khur survived the Irruption by seeking shelter in the Sheevran colony of Toxai. Tribes on the steppe. After the Irruption, what remained of the Myrlandic Khurite tribes was supposed to meet on the steppe for a traditional quadrennial gathering. As with the Tindremenes, this involved some confusion at first as each tribe apparently had a different concept of what year it was. However, after riders had been dispatched to summon the stragglers, the gathering took place with what would become a pivotal meeting among the Moguls. As all tribes were heavily decimated and struggled with propagation and resources, it was decided that an interim confederation would be set up to better aid all Khurens until the world was back to normal. The coalition was to be ruled by a Tribunal consisting of the tribe Moguls, in turn led by a provisional chief of state, the Deed Mogul, with a permanent head office in Morin Khur. This unorthodox arrangement was met with surprisingly few protests, even among the most backwoods and freethinking tribesfolk, but times were desperate and the extant stockpiles of Morin Khur enticing. Thus the first Deed Mogul, Ulagan khy Ulagan, took command of the new alliance.
Part of the Tribunal were also the Sheevran and Veelan emissaries from Toxai where both races have small colonies. When the caches of Morin Khur started to dwindle, Alvarin shipments with supplies started to arrive from their home continent Urmothar, which didn’t seem to have been as grievously afflicted by the Irruption as Myrland. It didn’t take many years for the tribes to grow strong again, but the confederation stayed. In true Khurite spirit the tribe gatherings were still held on the steppe and the Tribunal stayed away from bureaucracy and interfering with the individual Khurens, mostly handling communications and making sure the common stockpiles were properly supplied and distributed. The Tribunal rallied a few warriors from time to time to scare off the occasional Tindremic poachers, but for the Khurens and the individual Khurites the sense of autonomy hadn’t been affected. Although being part of a confederation the concept of belonging to a “nation” was still a remote notion for most.
Not long after the Tindremic poachers soon grew to bands of plunderers, which upon investigation revealed their true nature to be imperial soldiers on ‘hunting missions’. It didn’t take long until the raiders came undisguised in contubers and full centurias and for a few years the tension between the two nations escalated. Everything culminated in 9 AD when a small group of Tindremic Draconigena knights managed to skulk their way into Morin Khur and massacre the entire Khurite Tribunal, all heavily drunk on airag and bathing in a sweat ger. After this exemplary Tindremic stratagemma the gates to the capital were swung open, letting in a cohort led by a triumphant Livi Decollator himself. This so-called battle went down in the Tindremic history books as the Heroic Conquest of Morin Khur, and to this day the city has been occupied, currently under the Procurator Gnaeus Avitus Tesqua. Khurites still living in the city are allegedly treated with partial respect, although control is strict and there is much suspicion from the Tindremenes in regards to outsiders.
Contrary to disrupting the Khurite tribes, the taking of Morin Khur united them and cemented their alliance, commonly known as the Khurite United Tribes. For the past 30 years the new Tribunal, currently led by Toroi Bandi – “Toroi the Outlaw” – has waged guerrilla warfare against anything Tindremic on the steppes with the ultimate goal of recapturing the former capital. Rumor has it that this rebellion has ties reaching as far as Kranesh, although this may just be Tindremic propaganda as the village remains a thorn in Tindrem’s side for its continued refusal to rejoin the Provinces.
Myrlandic Alvarin emissaries from the Veela and Sheevra are still part of the Tribunal although the Anam Sith (the “Alvarin Nation”) is not participating in the war. From the Anam Sith perspective the Tindremic crime was properly avenged and done with when two Alvarin assassins allegedly took the life of Livi Decollator in 11 AD. The Alvarin colonies in Toxai remain but have seen a dwindling population for the last few decades due to the Myrlandic conflict and unrest.
The Tindremenes
The imperial Tindremic idea was not extinguished with the Irruption. It lived in the heart of the generations, and the great spirits testify to its existence. From Tindrem, restored capital of the united Empire, colonial expansion was initiated and achieved the glory of the Heroic Conquest of Morin Khur with the destruction of the forces that had opposed the unification of Myrland. With Tindremic Rule, by the will of the Emperor, every ideal, every institution, every Tindremic work returns to shine in the new Empire, and after the soldiers’ epic enterprise in the inland steppe, the Tindremic Empire rises again on the ruins of a barbaric nation.
Benedictus Lanarius, Exhibition “Mostra Augustea de la Tindremicá”, Opus CDXXXIV
Ever since the capturing of Morin Khur the Tricapita has argued on the next steps to expand the empire. Following the unfortunate death of Livi Avitus Decollator, who reportedly died of heart failure, his son Isaios Avitus ascended the throne in 12 AD at the modest age of 13. Although quite popular among the Tindremic citizens during his first decades as emperor, very little happened on the national or political fronts as his areas of interest during the time seemingly revolved around spectacles, music and games. While this led to a slightly increased autonomy for the provincial towns, the situation with Morin Khur and the Khurites remained turbulent. Later events involving the Kallards from Nordveld have turned the tides and rumor has it that these days Isaios – aside from still putting a lot of effort into extravagant festivities – seems focused on building a new war fleet. Whether for conquests into the northwestern continent of Nordveld or as a defence against the rearming Sarducaan Empire is not known. Meanwhile, his brother the Procurator Gnaeus Tesqua continues to call for troops to break the pesky Khurens of the steppe and keep the unruly Morin Khur under control, which has grown more difficult year by year.
Tindrem is steadily increasing in population, especially as some of the boating commerce and migration from Sarducaa and Nordveld have returned, despite the lack of a proper lighthouse. Meanwhile, the other Tindremic Provinces are also thriving. The Spica fish is back in the Western Inner Sea and proper fisheries are starting to re-emerge in Meduli, while Fabernum has an abundance of game and is reopening several of its old mines in the Talus Mountains. Obrig has seen an influx of settlers who are just starting organized irrigation to rebuild its great farms and vineyards, and construction of decent roads between the towns are on the way.
However, in Tindrem a recent outbreak of a contagious and particularly lingering illness has led the authorities to close off certain districts and isolate the harbor, a quarantine which has lasted more than a year and made trade, migration, and fleet construction cumbersome and slow. The sickness is called Diádima from the spots forming around the heads of the infected, and although the mortality is low the symptoms include a severe fatigue rendering the afflicted almost helpless.
The Huérgar & the Blainn
It seems very few purely intellectual or theological matters are considered ikkubu in the Húergar society, unless they have to do with Dāmu, such as the Suluhhu or Surpu rituals, or the mysteries of Āsipūtu. Regarding practical matters though, needless to say I have never encountered a culture so dispositioned to secrecy.
Tarmachan-dé, “The Grounds Beneath Us”, Chapter III, II – Revisiting the Urigallu
If encounters with the true cave dwelling Huérgar were infrequent after the Conflux, they have been extremely scarce since the Irruption. The gates of Gal Barag have remained closed and it seems only a handful of expeditions have ventured out of the caves, although allegedly a few especially vibrant “redheads” – an indication of the heavy Ichor use customary to those living underground – have been spotted in Tindrem and Toxai. There do exist a few scrolls and books in circulation from non-Huérgar authors asserting they have visited the underground complexes in the last century, but as with all such stories it’s hard to know their validity. Any communication or potential exchange between the Oghmir races living above ground and their cave-dwelling kin is a well-kept secret. All in all, how the Irruption affected the cave dwellers, if at all, is not commonly known.
The Temple of Oghma in Tindrem, perched high on the cliffs above the pillars of Vica Levita, used to be accessible from the city by a small winding path etched into the face of the rock. The secluded Huérgar Stone-Listeners who lived there would sometimes act as emissaries and bring messages from Gal Barag, but as the path collapsed during the Irruption it’s been impossible to access the edifice ever since. Whilst the temple stands tall, the spectres and shadows portray an illusion of inhabitance that cannot be confirmed.
The small Blainn population of Hyllspêia in the Talus Mountains disappeared completely in the event however, with not so much as ruins left among the snow-covered peaks. Some speculate they took shelter with the Huérgar, but there has been no sign of efforts to rebuild the village. With the recently reestablished trade routes to Nordveld the Blainn population in Myrland has seen a small increase. Although there’s never been any hostility between the races to speak of, the Huérgar and Blainn in other Myrlandic societies seem to have tightened their bonds during the last decades, intermarriage is now more common and the offspring isn’t viewed askance. Often valid citizens in those nations, the Oghmir people tend to keep somewhat to themselves, not getting too involved in politics unless it’s about craft or trade.
The Kallards
Kinsman, thy journey to the king ended otherwise than I would have chosen. I urged much thy coming hither; now, I entreat thee, go home with all speed, and come not in the way of king Isaios, unless there be better agreement between you than now seems likely, and keep thee well from the king and from his men.
Ölvir Högg, “Bárd Laglegur’s Saga”, Chapter 25
The hordes of the Irruption never reached the northern parts of Nordveld. It is believed the icy winds stopped the flying Fleshbiters, and that the prolonged exposure to cold weakened the larger insectoids and prevented them from venturing into the mountainous regions. Many of the Varborgians had time to flee up north and eventually reached Branth, which remained completely unscathed during the invasion. Other regions in the south weren’t as fortunate as they were farther away or had to circle around the great Fensalir Mire, meaning they met with the same faith as Myrland.
Three official expeditions from Nordveld have reached the shores of Myrland in the last two decades. The first was a failed attack on Meduli where the currents of the Inner Sea seem to have been underestimated, leading to most of the fleet disappearing down the Fault of Tecton never to be heard of again. A few late coming ships managed to go on shore around Meduli and the haggard crew immediately surrendered in favor of a few years worth of penal servitude, as long as food was included. It so turned out that the ravening gang was the sole surviving population of a small coastal village east of Fensalir Mire, which had simply abandoned their territory and set sail for a better future. The population has survived to this day with most working in the fishing trade; some as new citizens of the Empire, others still considering themselves Kallards.
The second expedition was a carefully planned attack on Tindrem’s harbor in 29 AD by a fleet from Branth led by Ingunna the Drummer, Noaid of Skadi. At this time the capital had a burgeoning trade with Sarducaa via an expanding port in Khwar Migdal, the western end of the now ruined Tecton’s Bridge. When the Tindremic ships had anchored, the crew disembarked and the port hands were about to unload the brimming hulls, Ingunna’s infiltrators set fire to the surrounding harbor. In the ensuing chaos and under cover of night, her fast rowing ships swept in with small crews to man the trade fleet and quickly sail it out to sea, carried by a southern wind people would swear was as unnatural as the profound drumming from the accompanying ships. The audacious move took the Tindremenes by complete surprise and if it hadn’t been for the strange wind blowing the flames towards the sea, the fires would have surely spelled disaster for several districts. Evil rumors circulated that Imperator Isaios Avitus would not be disturbed during all this bedlam as he was preoccupied with enjoying a particularly well-composed suite on lyre and hornucopian dronepipe.
The rumors surrounding Isaios Avitus, coupled with the degradation of having an entire trade fleet including its goods stolen from right under his nose, were probably some of the reasons for why the third encounter with a Kallardian expedition unfolded the way it did. For the first time in 400 years an official delegation from Varborg arrived in Tindrem in 32 AD to seek an audience with the Tricapita. The delegation was led by none other than Bárd Laglegur, the current Länshövding of Varborg, who claimed direct descendance from the famous Tindremic general Cassian Andel Bellus, the original conqueror of the city. The Varborgian ruler sought a treaty with the old Empire, possibly even a reunion, and had brought valuable gifts and a boatload of famous Varborgian ale. Isaios Avitus dismissed the tribute with the now famous dictum “Wine smells like nectar, beer smells like goat”, and went on to accuse Bárd for the Branthian attack, demanding Ingunna’s head on a plate before any negotiations would take place. Efforts were made to explain the somewhat complex governmental system of Nordveld with Läns, Tings and Hövdings, and the fact that there’s no sovereign ruler – meaning Bárd had nothing to do with the attack, and no power over neither Branth nor Ingunna. “I am not king. The people is king.” said Bárd finally in broken Tindremic, but Isaios Avitus would hear nothing of it. He replied that if Bárd was not the king he was just an entertainer, a mere jester at the imperial court, and it seems a deeply affronted Bárd and delegation barely managed to hastily set sail back to Nordveld before swords were crossed.
For the past few years this is where the political situation has been left hanging, as there’s been no official talks since. Trade is continuing as usual albeit with a high tax on Nordveldian commerce in Tindrem, which coupled with the Diádima outbreak have led to an increasing amount of traffic to Meduli.
The Sarducaans
chazaki labbah quarachath
yarmaki yashan sharsherah
zarachi radah memshalah
adamantly the flaming bare-head
severs the chains of old
the rise of a new ascendancy
Predominant Yequedah interpretation of stanza V from the Kor “Sheni Mayim”
In Sarducaa, just like in Myrland the Tagmatons emanated from the jungles. Starting from deep within the lush morass forests of Erets Roba they spread southeast over the Yar Harika ridge towards the central deserts, and northeast over the Gecit Yarad canyon towards Nordveld. The Sarducaan continent didn’t suffer from the Irruption the same way Myrland did though. Perhaps the deserts were enough of an obstacle for the larger insectoids, but other factors weighed in as well. Although Beth Jeddah suffered huge casualties and the idyllic northern village of Aur perished completely, Pash and many other small desert settlements allegedly found refuge below the ground in hitherto unknown caves. All in all many people survived, but the stories surrounding the finding of these underground shelters, as well as their origins, are full of inconsistencies.
Whether by magical or physical defence, the Magi temple complex of Yesil acted as an impregnable bastion against the invading hordes. The secretive settlement managed to shelter a number of citizens from Beth Jeddah, and judging by the rumors the Yequedah may have been the only humanoid coalition seemingly prepared for the onslaught. Among the survivors from the capital was the Padishahbanu – the assumedly immortal Sarducaan Empress known as Labbah Madar – along with most of her court and personal bodyguard, and apparently the rebuilding of Beth Jeddah started rather swiftly once the Irruption had passed.
For the past century the capital has seen a drastic increase in population and the imperial army is growing together with the troops of the Sepats. Officially this is by decree of the Padishahbanu for protection against another Tagmaton outbreak, although other forces may be at play as the leaches of the Yequedah in Yesil are reportedly stronger than ever. Commerce with other nations is rather well developed and with the Bridge of Tecton in ruins, the small coastal village of Kwar Migdal has become an important port with trade routes to both Nordveld and Myrland.
The Sidoians & the Thursar
Rihisto Šâr-Keš A-mah-ur Šin’ar Karāš Šin’arin
Ki-zi-ga Šid’ia Elû Šid’iain Zalisha Šâr-Keš
Transliteration of ancient Sidoian paean
Once the Irruption had passed, the Sidoian and Thursar people in Tindrem experienced a radical change. Many of the former casteless, slaves, or lower plebeians quickly gained access to the higher echelons of Tindremic life once the Irruption had passed and the competition for high-ranking villas had begun. Some jumped at the opportunity, however most seem to have shunned the city and took the opportunity to get away once the gates opened. What remained of the small autonomous village of Kranesh soon flourished thanks to the influx of people seeking refuge from the Tindremic social order.
Those who stayed in Tindrem enjoyed a lifetime of previously unreachable social conditions, although for the vast majority of Thursar this lasted for just a single generation due to the incapacity for having children. The few families who could are easily numbered, and today their ancestors would be difficult to identify based on looks alone. In the long run not much has changed, and the social conditions for Thursars coming to Tindrem are now virtually the same as before the Irruption. The Sidoians on the other hand have a few influential families among the Nobilitas, which is perhaps one of the reasons for why it’s not entirely uncommon to encounter Sidoians in all sections of the caste ladder. Outsiders who are new to the city still encounter the conventional prejudices and treacherous mindset of the Tindremenes however, and in the case of native Sidoians brought up in morally and logically strict communities this makes it especially hard to establish a proper living without a mentor.
Aside from a few probing assaults and small roaming bands not many Risar have ventured far into the Myrlandic domains since the Irruption, and due to this the Thursar population has seen a decrease. Most Thursar are born in the Gaul’Kor area close to the Herabalter border in the northeast. The former mining town remains a hideout for a small population of outcasts, criminals, and freethinkers due to its seclusion and scant but valuable resources, but its location is exposed to scavenging Risar from the east.
Recently the Sidoians of Myrland have dramatically increased the frequency of expeditions and pilgrimages to the Coral Sea. Since the Irruption, likely as a result of the earthquakes that marked the end of it, some of the ancient Sidoian islands rose from the ocean to expose hitherto unexplored regions. This has led to the establishment of a small harbor and semi-permanent Sidoian outpost in the Sunken Isles, sometimes frequented by Alvarin explorers and curious scholars.
ON THE HORIZON
G|k’qaãzz! !qāhezz! !n̥aãzzss!
|àh’ni kâ |ù̱hāzzss!
Ostensible “transcription” of Sator chant, author unknown
“Natura Myro Lanarius”, Liber XI, XXXV
Just like the fragile humanoid civilizations of Myrland are now returning to conditions somewhat similar to those before the Irruption, so have their seemingly endless squabbles and struggles recurred. Meanwhile the less familiar races at the fringes of civilization are awaiting their next move, and tensions are mounting between the various actors of Nave as the gods are getting ready to watch another session play out.
Ever since the conquest of Morin Khur, Tindremic scouts have reported on the strange fortifications along the Herabalter border. At some point in time the old wooden palisade was replaced by imposing stonework, which has mystified scholars ever since as Risar aren’t known to work stone in this fashion. It’s impossible to say what’s going on behind the great wall but recent raids into Gaul’Kor by the Risar suggests they are increasing in both number and animosity.
The jungles in southern Myrland have been quiet for a long time, and if any of the Cold Broods survived they have remained hidden. While there have been mysterious disappearances of Sidoian explorers looking for ancient structures deep in the jungle, danger comes in many forms in the region and there may be many explanations. What’s more concerning are the alleged findings of crude weapons crafted from Tagmaton raptorial appendages.
Finally, the questions regarding the nature and origin of the Irruption itself linger. Where did it come from? Where did it go? Could it happen again? Yet, such tiresome rumination is best relegated to the crepitated scholars, as kings and populaces are easily distracted by more mundane matters. In this new dawn, the future for Myrland is as uncertain as ever.
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