The Exodus

The Exodus refers to the long journey undertaken by the citizens of the old UCR to their new home on the island of Lakkos. The people of the UCR were evicted from their refuge under the waves by overzealous Yimmu-Audal nationalists in the year 695BF. The journey should have only taken three weeks but instead ended up lasted an unbearable two and a half months due to the poor health of some of the migrants. The refugees were attacked by Yimmu-Audal loyalists not long after passing the capital and were chased by pirates around the island city of Kordania. Despite suffering almost 100 casualties throughout the dangerous expedition, the weary people of UCR made it to Lakkos and began the laborious task of building a new home for themselves.

## UCR Eviction Crisis

In the year 695BF, UCR's current leader, Senator Grossmanius, was arrested by the military forces of Yimmu-Audal. The city fell into turmoil as the citizens nervously awaited what they feared most, an invasion from the massive empire. Though this invasion never came, an envoy from the Yimmu-Audal delivered an ultimatum to the frightened people of the underwater city. This declaration stated that the UCR had lost any claims it had on its territory and would have to vacate the waters surrounding Yimmu-Audal. It is unknown why this action was taken, but some historians theorize that increasing UCR trade may have caused merchants in Yimmu-Audal to seek a military solution to this new competitor.

The UCR sent an ambassador to the metropolis of Urnu-Arrak, the capitol of Yimmu-Audal, in order to petition their emperor for the release of Grossmanius. Though they brought gifts and were ready to make concessions, they weren't even allowed within the walls. Another envoy arrived at the UCR to tell the people that they had 2 weeks to leave or else the military would march on the city. With no other recourse, UCR's diplomatic corps immediately began negotiations to find a new land for them to settle in.

## Abandonment of the UCR

After a tense week of frustrating diplomatic maneuvering, the UCR finally had found a nation willing to give them land to settle. The kind and industrious people of Karkaros, a kingdom within the Dominion of the Pirates of Tortuga, graciously offered up an island close to their capitol. Relief washed over the citizens as they finally had a new home, but sadly this happiness was short lived. This island was far to the south and would require a monumental expedition in order to reach. Food, medicine and anything valuable that wasn't nailed down was loaded up onto shoddy wooden boats and prepared for a long, treacherous journey.

Two days before the deadline, the people of the UCR prepared to set off. Before leaving their home, the people took a moment to remember their beloved city. Deacon Pitman held a vigil at the bottom of THE PIT and the route was shown to all at a meeting in the counsel room. The wooden ships were loaded at the fishing platform and they all set off to the great unknown. After going through the calm waters alongside the Anoshphey coast, looming ahead of them was the first hurdle for their journey: the overland route skirting around Urnu-Arrak.

## Skirmish with Yimmu-Audal Loyalists

Once the refugees made landfall, they converted their boats into wagons and prepared to set off on foot. They passed just outside of the capitol of Yimmu-Audal, which only angered the UCR travelers further than they already were about their situation. A militia of nationalists from Yimmu-Audal had come to heckle and carefully watch the migrants; these brutes seemed to be greatly enjoying the suffering of the refugees. One UCR citizen was so incensed by the militia's classlessness that he lost his temper and laid out one of the hecklers with a massive left hook. A fierce battle broke out in a flash with the gleaming of unsheathed weapons catching the midday sunlight. Soon the grassy plain was running red with blood and it looked like both groups would annihilate each other.

The battle ended when Yimmu-Audal military police got the militiamen under control and the travelers gained control of their more violent members. 42 refugees were killed and over a hundred were injured, while an unknown number of militiamen were casualties of this short scuffle. After licking their wounds, the UCR travelers continued their long march. Once they reached the coast, they once more converted their wagons into boats and loaded them up for the next journey over the Sea of Astyllea.

## Flight From Tálorian Pirates

The first week of sailing was peaceful and gave the refugees time to rest their feet. Unfortunately for the weary travelers, their problems were just beginning. As they approached Kordania, the capitol of the kingdom of Tálor, they were detected by two pirate ships who began to give chase. Though the pirate ships were much larger, the wooden boats of the UCR migrants were weighed down with their belongings and struggled to keep ahead of the steadily-gaining pirates.

With great sadness, many citizens decided to begin dumping their prized possessions off the back of the boats in order to gain some speed. The refugees watched with seething anger as some of the flotsam was hauled in by the pirates as they passed. Just when it seemed as though the pirates were going to catch the slower wooden craft, ships from the Tálorian Royal Navy showed up just in the nick of time. After thanking the Tálorians, the refugees continued and eventually crossed the strait east of the Duchy of Loria.

## Journey's End and Arrival at Lakkos

With the coast stretching out before them, the weary citizens of the UCR once again put out to sea for the final leg of their journey. Now that they were in Tortuga territory, the going was much better and considerably safer. An air of anticipation had descended over them as the end of their trek was quickly approaching. After skirting around the massive structure of Punpunia, they could finally see the island of Lakkos in all its glory.

Lakkos sat there completely flattened with no trees or any discernable life to speak of. Though it looked like it was didn't have many resources, the UCR citizens were jubilant to have a place to call home. A meeting was held, and all agreed that the UCR moniker should be retired along with their city under the waves, so they decided to begin calling themselves Lakkosians in honor of their new homeland.

An annual memorial was set up to remember those who perished during The Exodus, and in honor of the courage and determination of those who made the long, dangerous expedition. The Exodus would come to shape many of the political and cultural beliefs of the people of Lakkos. Many citizens still, over 700 years later, harbor anger and resentment for the Empire of Yimmu-Audal for forcing such a brutal and unnecessary tragedy to occur.