History

Ásaterra was originally a monarchy, until just over a hundred years ago, at which point the king’s councillor’s led a rebellion. Overthrown and imprisoned, King Carlos II later died of ‘natural causes’ in his cell. The rest of his family, supposedly exiled, were in fact, disposed of in a similar fashion. The council then installed themselves as a democratic ruling force, and controlled the country for the next fifteen years. However, they began to fear the proficiency of magic users running wild in the country, as well as the large number of mercenaries and sellswords.  After the failure of the Sorcery Registration Act and the Military Conscription Decree, uprisings and protests dissolved into civil war. After years of futile bloodshed, a truce was reached and a compromise was made. The council spilt into two separate parties, whilst the mercenaries and the sorcerers each formed their own factions.

## The Age of Darkness (Pre-2500 BU)

Very little is known about this period of time, as there appear to be little to no records from any nation. There are a handful of written texts from this time, but they are not only extremely fragile, but are written in runes, which few can translate. The one exception to this rule is Treth, the oldest nation on the continent, which prides itself on its long, prosperous, and often bloody history. Despite many negotiations, Treth has always refused to share their knowledge of this time, even with their own people, and the recordings are kept in the Archives of the Paragon under close guard. There are, however, many legends and stories which have been passed on orally, which speak of a great terror across the land. The specifics unfortunately have been lost to time, but many of the darker traditional tales of Ásaterra may have their roots in this era.

## The Age of Magic (circa 2500 BU - 250 BU)

During this era, the north of what would one day become Ásaterra was part of the Dominion of Treth. They discovered ancient ruins, presumed to be from before the Age of Darkness, and were able to harness ancient magics present in them for their own use. However, their foothold in these lands only lasted until 2000 BU. A group of Supplicantem rebelled against Treth’s ancient status quo, aided by allies across the sea in Huángjīn Xīwàng. They succeeded in pushing the Dominata back behind the Ortun Mountains, and established themselves in the North West. This has led to Treth’s centuries old claim that the North of Asaterra ‘rightly’ belongs to them.

The former supplicantem and their allies spread out across the north and formed enlightened city states, led by elected leaders. With the technology of Huángjīn Xīwàng combined with a multitude of cultures, the city states were said to be a site to behold. Magic was at its all time zenith, and the city states prospered, ushering in a new age of mathematics, physics, theology, literature, arts and many more areas of study. It is said that at one point, the cities ran almost solely on magic, with people of all species and nations finding a home there and coexisting peacefully. It was not to last.

## The Age of Ruin (250BU-1BA)

Up until this point, the city states had had small skirmishes with Treth over the years, but never full out war. However, around 250 BU, Paragon Decimabella, embodiment of Brutus, came to the golden throne, and declared that it was the will of her God that Treth’s ancient land be reclaimed. The cities were completely taken by surprise when the full force of Treth’s army descended on them with religious zeal and the full might of the magic of the Dominata. It is unclear whether Treth intended to destroy the cities, or whether it was an unfortunate accident. Some theorise that the Trethian’s were experimenting with the magical structures; others that they were trying to steal their power. Whatever happened, the results were catastrophic. The ancient structures were destroyed, and a blast of magic wiped out all life in the area surrounding them. Those who had not escaped Treth’s invasion perished, along with the majority of Treth’s troops. The remainder limped back across the border, leaving nothing but a wasteland where the once great cities had stood. This area today has become the Atesli Desert.

The survivors of Treth’s assault formed largely nomadic tribes, which grew accustomed to the difficult life in the wasteland, and who often formed trade caravans from the more southern countries to Treth. They were highly religious, and the only buildings which really endured were the sanctuaries and pilgrimage points to the gods, often located near water sources, and which acted as waystops. Gifts to the gods were often left in these temples, and many different tribes collaborated to make them beautiful buildings, with rich carvings, gold leaf, and mosaics involving precious stones. In 8BU, Chieftain Nasir Aishur of the Saladin Tribe saw the beauty and wealth of these temples as a resource he could use for his own gain. Expanding his tribe, he began attacking the temples, and stripping them of their riches, using them to buy the allegiance of some of the other tribes, planning to bring all Atelsi under his rule. However, his plan was foiled by none other than his second in command; Ása. Uniting the opposing tribes against him, she defeated Nasir and the tribes proclaimed her Queen. The area that they inhabited became known as Ásaterra.

### Timeline

  c.25BU
  c.8BU
  c.1BA

## The Age of Conquest (1BA - 240BA)

As the people of Ásaterra began to establish permanent settlements, the neighbouring country of Monmoth began to grow concerned. As the former nomads began to expand out of the desert, concern grew to hostility. When some of the settlements were built close to the border, the citizens of Monmoth took action. The villages were burnt down, the farms raided. Seeing this as a coordinated attack on her new nation, Ása struck back, hard. In the ensuing fight, many Monmothian citizens were killed. The Queens of Monmoth, seeing this as an attack on their people, officially attacked. Ása’s response was extreme. She led a sneak attack on the capital, crushed their forces at the Battle of Eagle Hill, and managed to capture the queens. Monmouth was officially under Ásaterran control.

After civil unrest in Monmoth, Ása formed an alliance with the neighbouring country of Ulaidh through a political marriage with Prince Haldin. With the reinforcements, Ása is able to quell the rebellions. After the King of Ulaidh’s death, Haldin becomes king in his own right. Their children inherit both kingdoms. The ensuing generations begin to expand south, eventually encompassing the homelands of the Orcs, Ogres, nomadic Elven clans, and small independent human kingdoms.

## The Ásaterran Empire (445- 1076BA)

Queen Adlanniel completed the expansion of Ásaterra by annexing the Southern lands. Throughout this time, Ásaterra entered an age of enlightenment; the arts and sciences flourished and trade with neighbouring countries boomed. This is often viewed as the golden age of Ásaterra, and was the country's pinnacle. Many of the most beautiful structures in the land were built during this period, such as opera houses, museums, galleries and schools. The one major disturbance during this era was the First Ásaterran Civil War, a four year conflict between Hassan III and Queen Safae. Conversely, this actually helped to solidify the formed Southern kingdoms into the country, as Safae was extremely popular in the Southern regions and made it her base during the conflict. She later went on to marry a southern thane, helping to integrate the south further. Safae died in childbirth, leaving her infant daughter, Elodie, queen. The Royal Council, a board of advisors from noble families, stepped in to act as regents; however, many felt they were taking advantage of the situation. Elodie's father especially stepped in to help his daughter regain control when she turned eighteen, as did the former Queen Adlanniel who had abdicated several hundred years earlier. Two individuals in particular, Al'iah and Findal, were later expelled from the council by Theod Melchor, which helped restore the monarch to power.

### Timeline

  650BA
 654BA
 726BA
 840BA

## The Age of Decline (1076BA - 1194BA)

This age is named thus as it was the beginning of the end of the Ásaterran Empire. During this period, the monarchs of Ásaterra began to rely more heavily on the Royal Council. The concept behind the Council was that nobles from all over Ásaterra would be able to offer council and support to their monarch. In practise, however, several prominent figures took advantage of the instability of the ruling monarchs to control the council. Nepotism and corruption was rife. In 1156BA, Al'iah and Findal both resumed their positions on the council. In 1184BA, the council discovered that King Carlos II was making moves to dissolve them, and in early 1185B, they lead a coup. Carlos and his family were executed, and the Royal Council, lead by Al'liah, took control of Ásaterra.

### Timeline

  1148BA
  1160BA
  1184BA
  1185BA

## The First Ásaterran Republic (1185BA - 1209BA)

The years after the end of Carlos' reign were full of tension. His death was met with mixed reception; some were horrified that a crowned king had been killed by his own advisors; others had seen the effects of Carlos' temper. However, the Royal Council did prove that they could run a country. Expanding, they established the Ásaterran Assembly, which was formed of elected officials from each territory of the land. The current Ásaterran Assembly is actually based on this structure to this day. They also employed the aid of the Legion of the Maor Dli, a lawkeeping force which helped them maintain the stability of Ásaterra. Although there was initially resistance, there were no major uprisings and for the majority of Ásaterrans, life continued as usual until 1194BA. With an attack on the council by a group of powerful mages, backing a man claiming to be the rightful heir to the throne, the Council's grip on the land was threatened. Many concerns had been raised about the mages practising magic with no checks or controls, and this incident only served to raise this suspicion.

In 1195BA, the Grand Archives, the ancient magical building known as Lyverva, were destroyed in an unexplained explosion. Due to the rare magics of the building, the result was cataclysmic, claiming the lives of the over 2000 people in the building, as well as causing an estimated 10,000 deaths in the surrounding area. Many believed that this was the work of the Council in retribution for the attack of 1194, and their popularity plummeted. To this day, the remaining members of the Royal Council deny all responsibility. Indeed, at the time many of them believed this was an tragic accident caused by uncontrolled mages. Their response was the Sorcery Registration Act the following year, an attempt to register all magic users in the land as they believed that magic needed more monitoring. This was followed by the Mercenary Conscription Act in 1202, attempting to unite the many disparate armies under one banner.

Many citizens disliked these Acts, and in 1203 there was an uprising in the South as the former southern kingdoms tried to reclaim their independence. This was swiftly and brutally put down by the 'northern forces', as the council's soldiers were become known due to their base in Hynafoltre. Several more rebellions and increased pressure on mages leads to the Magical Resistance and the illusive religious cult known as 'The Children of the Dark Sun' joining forces to lead an assault on the North.

### Timeline

 1195BA
 1196BA
 1202BA
 1203BA
 1204BA
 1205BA
 1206BA
 1208BA
 1209BA

## The Second Ásaterran Civil War (1210BA - 1243BA)

The Civil War raged across the lands, with the forces of the North battling mages and southern warriors. The battles were long and hard, the mobility of the combined mages and warriors posing a problem for the armoured bulwark of the North. Assassinations were a common tactic of the Dark Sun, destabilising the Northern political structure. However, the Northern forces also outnumbered their opponents, leaving both sides locked in a bitter deadlock for years. During this time, the territory of Ishall (revealed in 1204BA to be a bustling city rather than the uninhabited swampland previously assumed) became the trading hub of Ásaterra. Opening it's doors to refugees fleeing the war, many of them skill craftsfolk, Ishall became a centre of trade. This was aided by it's numerous connections all corners of Ásaterra via the rivers and waterways, meaning that this neutral territory profited off of the war.

However, the stalemate between the warring factions could not continue. The infighting had dramatically weakened Ásaterra, and in 1242BA neighbouring countries sought to profit from the turmoil. The Dominion of Treth launched two calculated strikes on Ásaterra; one in the North, through the Atelsi desert, the other across the eastern boarder near Drumhold. The armies of Treth sought to pick off the divided armies of Ásaterra; however, this backfired on them spectacularly. Faced with a common foe, the people of Ásaterra united, and all factions stood side by side to fight back the armies of Treth. Although the battle ended in victory, many were concerned by the increasing hostilities with Treth and Ásaterra's vulnerable position. Faced with hundreds of thousands dead, a crumbling economy, no central government, the vultures had begun to circle. Encourages by the Ishallians, envoys from each faction arranged a peace summit in the city of Frithstede. There, in 1243BA, peace accords were finally signed. One of the Southern terms was that those responsible for the death of the royal family were punished. Al'iah, who had headed the coup against Carlos, took full responsibility and offered herself up for execution.

 1214BA
 1237BA
 1243BA

## The Second Ásaterran Republic (1243BA - Present)

Bringing peace to Ásaterra was not an easy task, and the new republic struggled, especially during it's early years. The most notable occurrence was the creation of the Guild of Croesus, a splinter group who left the Legion in 1251 BA to form an 'economic cooporative' based in the Western Province. This caused a lot of tension in this area, as many people native to the Western area (primarily known as 'Ishallian's') objected to the newly formed Guild taking over governance of their lands, which had been largely independent before the civil war.

One of the most stabilising events was believed to be the creation of the 'Expeditionary Force'; a task force made up of representatives from all four factions working together. While some bitterly claimed their creation was nothing but a PR stunt, they proved to be very popular with the common folk of Ásaterra, and could be seen prominently helping deal with Ásaterra's problems. Many saw their cooperation as a sign that the factions were working together in harmony.