The Liberation

The Liberation is the name that the Erigi Peoples give to the events that led up to their unification and eventual victory over the Meshkarian sea elves, at the mouth of the main river in the Erĭgarash.

The events of the liberation are heavily mythologised and many different variations exist on as a cultural tradition and folk tale.

### Prelude

#### The Elves

It is said that in the days of the ancient Erĭgarash, the elves developed a grand kingdom at the mouth of the river. Not content with their prosperity, the elves of Meshkar would also regularly venture out, take slaves from the surrounding desert dwellers and exact tribute. For hundreds of years, the history of the Erĭgĭ is said to have been an impoverished one, scuttling around the sand dunes and forbidden from entering the fertile lands of the Elves.

Regularly, it is claimed that one or warlord or another would unite the tribes of the Erĭgĭ and threaten the Elven hegemony, only to swiftly face the wrath of the elves. Aghast at the suffering and plight of his peoples, legends claim that Erûsdû, the golden bull and lord of the universe, would demand the fellow gods of the Erĭaz pantheon intervene.

### The Coming of Ishĭ Ĭnû-ur

Hearing the demands the creator god, Rashab-ur, the god of Humanity, Trickery & Messaging devised a plan. First, he approached Shulgĭ the god of shepherding and protection, and demanded he provide some of his essence, so that Humanity may be saved and protected and learn how to build massive defensive structures. Next, Ûliğĭrdû was approached. The God of Death & Destruction was the first whom was told of the plan in full. In return for allowing a hero of mankind to stave off death and live for centuries, Ûliğĭrdû at first declined. However, the promise of Ishĭ Ĭnû-ur was made - and Ûliğĭrdû was promised the total destruction of the elves to satiate his hunger.

#### The War of Liberation

Many more gods were either tricked or convinced to aid in the creation of Ishĭ Ĭnû-ur, and when he awoke, he wandered the earth for many years, learning of all in the universe. Eventually, it would come to pass that the demi-god would lead humanity against their elven oppressors, throwing off their chains and pushing them out of the deep deserts.

At a climactic battle, it is said that swathes of Elven kind were crushed beneath the boot of the hero, and the stones within the surrounding region ran red with the blood of the fallen. The settlement itself, stained by victory, would claim the mantle of Urûdik - and many in the region would claim that is how the city gained her famous red walls.

### The First Kingdom

Once freed from the oppression of Elf-kind, legends state that Ishĭ Ĭnû-ur, the almighty hero, demi-god and liberator of the Erĭgĭ would take up the mantle of "King of Kings" and rule over the Erĭgĭ for thousands of years. Eventually, once it was clear his people were saved and his oath was fulfilled, Ishĭ Ĭnû-ur would decided to retire to heaven and leave his kin to their own fate.

Unfortunately, not long after, it is clear that the Kingdom would not continue to exist. Tribal divisions between the clans of the Erĭgĭ would re-emerge, despite their unified struggles, and many city-states would instead try to vie for their own local hegemony. The age of the city-states had begun.