On Ilonia

***By Tambus Cornolius***

Ilonia, a land of mystery. On a foggy island filled with dense wet forests, choruses of frogs chirp and sing into the night. These are not the simple croaks of a common Imperium Toad, they are the chants of a hidden and primitive civilization! First written accounts of Ilonia come from the famed elven explorer Torval who wrote:

*“Ilonia appears to be a vast [continent] opposite of Lhorn. It is covered in a blanket of impenetrable greens and tall ancient trees. It’s natives are a race of beasts with an incomprehensible and primitive language. At each settlement encountered there appeared to be no permanent dwellings, instead the inhabitants wandered and migrated on tents or in some cases down river on gigantic lily pads that housed their entire family clan.*

*After some exploration it has become known that these tribals are subjects which pay tribute to a great power called “Jujia”, these boons often take the form of fish, beads, pearls, slaves and gathered seaweeds (which they harvest but do not sow). Following one such group to Jujia Ilmbassor was quite awestruck as the rest of us were. Ancient stone structures of a lost and more civilized age still stand in fair condition, and large populations of these indigienous dwell in cluttered mud and stone abodes. They are lead by an elite class among them who can speak to their Gods, who live inside specific sacred trees.”*

Torvals account stood alone for several centuries, until the arrival of merchants from the Empire of the Vervan, Although few written accords of their early days are known to us, from what we know the elves created several centres of trade on the islands coasts. From the natives they acquired gold, gemstones, exotic fruits and spices mostly while the Ilonians were given technologies that improved their agriculture, weapons, food and for the wealthy among them luxury goods from the isle of Skymeria.

The relationship between the Vervan and the Ilonians appeared to be reciprocal and friendly, with very few instances of violence between them save for one infamous instance referred to by elven historians as “The Terror of Tielle”. The trade city in question, Tielle began as a seasonal trade post where merchants and missionaries would inhabit for the winter months (the dry season) but it became the most populated elven settlement in northern Ilonia by the late 900’s.

A tribe of Ilonians in the area called by the elves “Pewobi” (Likely the historic tribe of Pwbble) migrated near Tielle, and began warring with the original inhabitants of the region the Hrumi. The Hrumi demanded the Lord-Governor of Tielle Aywel come to their defence, as according to his peoples customs, to engage in trade bonded two peoples as allies. Aywel however was no warrior, nor did he seem to understand this custom…

The Hrumi defeated the Pewobi at a great cost, despite being outnumbered they won partially thanks to weaponry traded to them by Tielle. Now, with their enemy dealt with the Hrumi turned to Tielle and massacred the city and all its inhabitants…

*“By the time the Ayrn of Pelator could muster a militia and respond to Tielle’s archmage’s message for help it was too late. The cities bridge had been destroyed by a controlled flood, the island was beset on all sides by ruthless Hrumi archers and spearmen, making use of poisons on their weapons. Those who tried to swim to safety were pulled under and captured, dragged away into the swamps and used as slaves in mines. Those who stayed and fought were outnumbered and overtaken. The bodies of the inhabitants appeared to be mutilated, the stores of the once beautiful marble city were emptied and after that no Vervan city would trade with the Hrumi again. This is what lead to them to eventually be supplanted by the Pewobi”*

This massacre occurred at the untimely decade of the 1340’s, when mainland Vervania was facing it’s great collapse. With the collapse of that Empire things in Ilonia changed as well. Trade in the area declined and the elves slowly withdrew, leaving behind many ruins which still dot the coasts of the island today.

In the south though, out of what may have been the realm of “Jujia” referred to by Tolvar emerged two powerful rival cities.

Zulek and Jureim (and their tributaries) had become very wealthy, in the fall of elven influence in the region these two cities became the centers of trade and influence. At times overpowering one or the other and uniting but always breaking free again in time. It is in these cities that a more advanced writing system begins to circulate among the coastal tribes.

Although earlier writing systems rose and fell across the island, Zulek & Jureim created the most accessible. Although many tribes spoke different dialects and languages, a unified writing system allowed easier trade and communication, especially for the subject tribes of the two cities.