History of Eomef

One of the major landmasses in the realm of Il'K'Vin, **Eomef** is a fertile land known for its vast, unforgiving wilderness and deep roots of strange magic. Initially populated by diverse humanoid types in a pre-historic time, Eomef was ruled by an extensive orc empire for centuries until entering its current age in which all that remain are overgrown ruins and budding local or regional communities.

During the brutal rule of the Old Kingdom a tremendously large amount of bridges were constructed of widely varying degrees of quality, size, durability, and usefulness. This is probably because of the runaway popularity of a cultural belief involving the construction of bridges being linked to virulence, filial destiny, and dominance. It is the near incessant occurrence of these structures that earned Eomef the colloquial name *The Kingdom of Bridges.*

## Pre-History

Extremely few extant clues exist from the period before near ubiquitous orc rule. This time is subject to high amounts of folkloric speculation and historical guess-work. The following events are generally believed to have occurred during this period:

* Eomef was 'discovered' by deities, extraplanar lords and intelligent material beings at nearly the same time
* Most if not all communities were nomadic
* The rare permanent structures were visited seasonally or occasionally
* The rivers were all born, perhaps created by an intelligent will
* The first lich came into being and passed the wretched knowledge of his transformation to his students
* Unknown wielders of magic sowed primal apotropaic wards into the land
* Certain experts know that fossils and fossilized imprints exist from this age

## The Age of Orcs

The Age of Orcs, also referred to as the Age of Blood, the Iron Age, or the Middle Age, is the notorious period in which Orcs appeared on Eomef and began claiming land, ultimately resulting an an expansive network of Orc chiefdoms which exercised absolute subjugation over nearly the entire continent.

Prolific slave trading, theft and destruction of entire civilizations, grave blasphemy towards the most solemn and sacrosanct foundations of the cosmos -- these things were commonplace in the Age of Blood. Grand events that are believed to have occurred during this period in rough chronological order:

* Orcs, coming from obscure origin as a small, rare race, rose quickly to power through military action and fervent procreation in an explosive period of conquest
* A flourishing cultural period built on the backs of countless slaves of all races existed for many years
* Bridges, considered both a utility in strategy as well as a symbol of penetrative subjugation, began to dot the land
* At some point, an extremely powerful Chief from the Brokendagger clan constructed a canal from east to west coast

### The Fall

Historians note that during the Age of Orcs, events were significantly more likely to be recorded and turned to legend if they were a successful battle, the lustful bacchanal of a prominent chief, or a poem detailing the anatomical intricacies of improvised dismemberment. In short, it appears orc lorekeepers and scribes were, for some reason, reluctant or unable to document in full detail the critical failings. Even those Old Houses, the orc clan lines who can trace their lineage to this age, seem to have incomplete knowledge of this time. The events of the Fall are shrouded in the fog of chaos and panic. It is impossible to pin down 'one reason' the empire faltered; here are a few that are generally considered valid:

* Mismanagement of hunting grounds
* Cracks forming in the complex web of tribes and territorial claimings
* Livestock failures
* Greedy chief leaders
* Slave uprisings
* The emergence of powerful, intelligent half-orcs, humans, and other 'mongrel' races
* Incest and irrational procreative activities
* Ill-fated attempts to conquer extremely hazardous territory
* Wasting resources on things like huge useless bridges
* At some point during the fall, geographical changes of large scale may have occurred, paired with natural disasters

## The Unclaimed Age

The Unclaimed Age, also known as the Age of Infancy, the Wild Age, and the Modern Age, is the era in which Eomef currently resides. The Old Empire no longer exists, but reminders of its hold over the land are inescapable. Ruins, descendant communities, lingering magics, echoes of the horrors and struggles of bygone days.

No major governmental structures are currently practicing dominion anywhere beyond a regional level. Prominent city states or agricultural tracts are sometimes ruled by councils or familial lords. Examples of this are the Mason Family, who rule in West Adder and make claims to the surrounding Serpent Delta region; the Archmerchant Lord Cort Obin, who holds the highest position of honor in the city of Gul'Amant; and the Hacklemoon Clan, who command considerable respect in Hacklemoon Bay.

Even those regions 'ruled' by local power holders are separated by and can even include vast and hazardous wilderness.

The unclaimed age receives its name from the conventional belief that this era, unlike the previous one, belongs to no one.