Tor Kalash

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Tor Kalash is a major city of the Aurian Empire.It is the true heart of the mighty Aurian military. Here is the central military academy through which all recruits must pass if they wish to join the prestigious Protectorans.

## History

3000BE: The dwarvern fortifications apparently date from this era. It is possible the dwarvern city of Jornhald was here even before this date.

900-800BE: During this time Jornhald became a fortification against human aggressors. It held for many years and many of the surrounding dwarvern towns that fell flooded to it as refugees due to its extensive underground defenses.

600-598BE: The city of Jornhald is abandoned and the dwarves retreat to the lower levels. Many make the trek north or west to the mountains. Some dwarves stay on the surface and forge an alliance of sorts with the powerful human warrior called Klash. Klash was true to his allies including those dwarves which sided with him and he founded a warrior based society and made the hilltop city his capital calling it Tor Kalash in 598BE.

597BE: The warrior nation of Kanlan is founded.

402BE: Following the example of Auria, there are some records of Kanlan calling itself a 'city-state' from this date onward.

376-372BE: The Warlord Stormguard leads his people to claim the undercity of Tor Kalash. The fighting is bloody but many of the dwarves had already left over a century ago. Blood runs in the tunnels and some on the streets of Tor Kalash as there are Hill Dwarves who cannot stomach the attacks.

370-350BE: Aurians develop as tradesmen and negotiators. They use these talents to stave off interest from Kalan whose leader the Warlord Stormguard considered an aggressive war of occupation against them. wars against dwarves and elves continue. Some survivors flee to the last elven outpost nearby at Golden Lake some to the states of Wrennost and High Grange in the far noth and some to the west to Weatherdark, others through the underdark to the north and some to the mountains in the west.

120BE: Warlord Hamma leads the Kanlan military campaign to drive elven and dwarvern survivors from the ruins at Golden Lake.

55BE: Auria rises beyond its neighbouring city-states. It is financially and organisationally superior to most of its cousins. It creates alliances with Tor Armakan and other local states such as the River folk and Helman. This puts a lot of pressure on Kalan making a war with Auria is no longer desirable.

10BE: Jomark begins the treaties and campaigns that will forge the Aurian Empire.

10-8BE: Kalan conquers its neighboring state of Turik in part to strengthen its population and give further experience to its army.

7-4BE: The First Commerce Wars – Tor Honarik invades Kanlan. It uses overwhelming numbers, treachery, a network of allies and surprise to take Tor Kalash and then offers excellent terms to the Kanlans for joining their growing prosperous country. As there were already plenty of pro-Aurian dissidents in the city the decision goes through without serious dispute after the military defeat. Jomark assigns a great Kanlan war hero as leader of all Aurian armies and recognises the Kanalan ruling class as Aurian nobles. Quickly, Tor Kalash begins to see itself as the second city of a growing very prosperous Empire rather than as a defeated rival.

5BE Jomark approaches the archmages of Tor Armakan who join the Empire and become the rival to Tor Kalash for the title of the second city of the Aurian Monetary Union, which preempted the announcement of the Aurian Empire.

0BE: Aurian Empire officially announced by Jomark. Tor Honarik is established as the capital but in an unprecedented move at the time he decentralises other key cultural and political assets to other cities. Tor Armakan to represent arcania and research, Tor Celer to represent religion culture and the church and Tor Kalash to represent the military. This creates a bond between these four cities that has lasted millennia.

2-22PE: Unification Wars: Many cities are added to Tor Honarik's growing Empire and Tor Kalash as the centre of the military becomes incredibly prosperous and important. Its defenses are added to and the first imperial military academy is built.

2-3PE: Tor Kalash helps put military pressure on the remaining members of the Aurian Monetary Union who did not originally opt into the Empire at its founding. Some of their involvement is still not fully understood and the records have been altered.

4-10PE: **Tor Kalash** is now formally training all of Auria's armies. With these, the new empire conquers states in the eastern Protectorates gaining land for farming and building. Unfortunately for the warriors of Tor Kalash these wars prove that in modern warfare wizards are particularly useful. In the taking of the city-state of Leyroch for example they are vital. A powerful wizard, the Viperlord Enerest, lived there and resisted the occupation. So it was only with magical support the legions were able to be successful. Leyroch falls in 4PE.

6PE: The War of Thorns begins with the 'Bold Offensive'. The war is partially provoked by Tor Armakan as the archmages feared Torash's growth and military power. Yet it is Tor Kalash in the east that leads the offensive and the war.

12-16PE: The Northern Campaign, Tor Kalash generals lead the armies in taking Wrennost (12-14PE) and the Oakreach Conglomerate (14-16PE).

20-22PE The Mountain Campaign to take the dwarvern state of High Grange requires intense magical support. The archmage Infernal Blade agrees to leave Tor Armakan and personally support an army in the field. He is the first archmage to agree to do so. This becomes important as he establishes that wizards of a certain level have to be beyond regular military officer's control. When he is told to level the town of Cullstone he simply refuses. Unfortunately for the officer in charge he was then threatened. His reply, "If you think I can destroy that town with a wave of my hand, what do you think I could do to your army?"

Jomark personally negotiated the incident and set down rules that wizards above the rank of Sarrif (the title now used to show a Tor Armakan qualified wizard) could not be ordered to do anything by his generals. The wizards also agreed that they would not use magic in the field without informing the generals and seeking their agreement. This agreement is called the Cullstone Policy. It is seen by some historians as the true starting point for the Kalash/Armakan rivalry.

34PE: End of the War of Thorns, negotiated by Jomark personally. It is the longest war in which the Empire engages, the most bloody and, of all the wars fought in this period, the least successful. It is expensive politically, financially and in life. The hatred of Torans is most virulent in Tor Kalash as in many ways the military see this as a thorn in their side.

39-86PE: Reign of Nicholas-Mark I

43-48PE: The Second Commerce Wars. During these wars the use of wizards in the armies of the Empire as a balance between Tor Kalash and Tor Armakan is introduced. This is an era of heightened tension between the two great 'second cities' of the Empire. There is a lot of back room politics as each vie for the Emperor's ear. These wars also mark the first use of the clerics or Tor Celer in large numbers in a campaign. They will grow to be the Kalash's second rival after the Tor Armakan.

50PE: The failed Forked Offensive into Alkan and Saracan. This defeat by the Alkar led the Tor Kalash generals to respond by proposing the idea of cavalry only units which would eventually restult in the Black Companies the forerunners of the Black Protectoran.

64PE: The trade agreement between Auria and Yewdon gives Auria a controlled position on the coast. Tor Kalash is directed to plan for a navy for the first time. This is the forerunner of the Blue Protectoran.

121-123PE: Border war with Torash. Toran armies cross the border and make it far enough to attack Tor Kalash. The attack is decisively defeated the moment the element of surprise fails to get the army inside the walls. This defeat brings the war to a close rapidly.

137PE: Emperor Solemnus creates the position of Imperial Vizier.

147-159PE: The reign of Cartazian, sometimes called the Blue Emperor. He is disliked in Tor Kalash because he favours the Sarrifs.

155PE: After a lot of preparation Cartazian and Whitefire formalise the Sarrifs into a single guild: the Sapphire Wizards' Guild. Having created the guild they also create a leader for the guild called the Saffier. This leads the legion generraals to want their own unified leader. This will eventually result in the appointment of one general to the role of Marshal of the Empire.

258-264PE: Reign of Jonah III.

260-263PE: The Split Walls Secession War. Rak Danning and Wrennost go into revolt and attempt to secede from the Empire. Tor Honarik is forced to reply heavily on Tor Kalash and Tor Armakan to resolve these rebellions. In the end, the Imperial Vizier persuades the Emperor he must treat the secessionists as invading enemy states. After this declaration, the army move to crush Wrennost and two powerful wizards Tremorfist and Crimsonsky are instrumental in doing so as they bring down Wrennosts walls with an awesome display of arcane might. This enhances the role of Tor Armakan as a military force encroaching on Kalash's area of power and heightens tensions there. However the Sarrifs' reputation in the army is significantly improved.

315-347PE: Reign of Garath the Warrior. A time of Tor Kalash's primacy and development.

318PE: The city state of Yewdon is finally taken formally into the Empire, Garath uses the Auriran Blue Guard ships, who prtoected Aurian trade interests at sea, and founds the Imperial Navy, the predecessor to the Blue Protectoran.

325-329PE: Emperor Garath attempts to take the great woodland of Quintox. During theBattle of Immortal Blood, Prince Garth, his elite rangers and a band of Sarrifs scored a great victory over the elves. The campaign is named for the victory. However when Auria pressed further north into the renamed Oakland Forest the elves proved more challenging yet and the campaign had to be abandoned. Prince Garth's elite forest units become the essential centre of what will become the Ranger Corps and eventually the Green Protectoran.

345-347PE: The failed invasion of Alkan. This was an unpopular war and turned into a disaster. It damaged the prestige of Tor Kalash.

362-366PE: Reign of Wilhelm the Negotiator. Auria makes military alliances with Kolaran and Yewdon in addition to its previous trade alliances. Wilhelm is also credited with masterminding the Northport Agreement and the Torash 'Cessation of Hostilities' clause.

438-450PE: Reign of Thomas-Yulis. He oversees the Third Commerce Wars and taking the state of Tatrak. This leads the Imerial Navy to become entrenched in the west and means it is less and less controlled from Tor Kalash.

493-512PE: Reign of Aluap the Organiser.

505-507PE: The Wargak Invasion is turned back by Aurian Forces. Thanks to Aluap's organisational reforms the Sapphire Wizards' Guild working in combination with the legions and the first full battle mobilisation of the church turn the tide. It is a golden moment for the Empire under a powerful, but wise leader. As a reward, Aluap organises the planning of the Blue Crystal Palace as a fitting guild house for the Sarrifs and organises the creation of the Cellestine Cathedral in Tor Celer to balance it. Tor Kalash already has the formal military academies but they are expended upon and rebuilt.

512-530PE: Reign of Peter I covers several successful wars taking the city state Zeric, the Duchy of Tholis Mesa and the state of Cthol Tatrak. The building of monuments is a focus of his reign. Including the Wandering Warrior a momument depicing an assortment of weapons in stone constructed outside of Tor Zeric. This was a direct tribute to the military legions and its creation signified the spreading of Tor Kalash's influence into the southern reaches of the Empire. It is considered the memorial to all soldiers who are lost and not remembered or named.

515: The Dome of Debate is completed for the Imperial Senate to meet in. The Senate are given over time increased powers to influence and even exert control over the Empire's forces including the generals of Tor Kalash. The Emperor uses this to write laws that govern the organisation and governance of the military in a codified way that had previously been absent.

515PE: The Emperor organises the legions into the modern Protectorans. Official numbers are given for Sarrifs with each legion. This is determined at usually one a cohort (1:100). This brought Sarrifs into the military command structure in a way that had not been previously formalised. Though the Cullstone Policy was still in effect.

650PE: The Protectoran Mutiny erupts into deadly killings and hostage situations all across the capital. The creation of the Knight Stalkers (there were unofficial assassins supporting the Emperors previously but the Emperor make this official, though without fanfare. This group are used to control internal threats in the Empire from this era onward.

687PE: Emperor Horus' failed attempt to invade Saracan. This is mainly fought without the Red Protectoran of Tor Kalash and features generals not only or Tor Kalash origin. It's failure results in establishing a clear northern border.

753-761PE: The Conclave Dispute a group from within the eight archmages that make up the conclave attempt to remove the current Saffier. This is resisted and internally the guild has a cold civil war. This runs on for years with multiple factions vying for supremacy. In the end Tor Kalash military and the clerics of Tor Celer as well as the Senate all increase their influence to fill the power gap left by the wizards as they are palayzed by their internal conflict.

763-781PE: Reign of Renis the Pious. With the Sapphire Wizards' Guild weak from the Conclave Dispute these years see the rise of the Church of Celer. The Imperial Vizier 'chosen' by Renis is a powerful Cleric of Knowledge, one of the Theonists of Tor Celer. The church puts a lot of pressure and uses a weak emperor to allow them to form the Vormach as an independent state. The Marshal of the Empire wants to attack and stop the independent country from being able to be established. His vocal opposition is not enough however and he dies soon after the state is ratified by the Senate and the Emperor. Some think he was murdered by the Knight Stalkers.

1184-1193PE: Carlson The Waymaker.

1187PE: Under the reign of Carlson the Waymaker the Oakland Trail is planned and commissioned. It is the first high road of the new imperial road network. This road links the vital central cities of Tor Honarik, Tor Kalash and Tor Armakan with Oakland, Yewdon and the Vormach.

1486-1495PE: Kavad The Bleeder.

1486-1491PE: The War of Vengeance causes a sharp decline in the male population of Tor Honarik, which has a distinct impact on the city. It creates what became known as the Bachelors' Summer and the War Babies Era.

1495-1529PE: Spencer The Prince of War reigns. A time of Primacy for Tor Kalash.

1512-1514PE: First Dragon Army Invasion is turned back in great part due to the Aurian Empire. The now largest city in the world, Tor Honarik, contributed the most men of any city to the war effort. The babies born in what was called the War Babies Era have now matured and form the core of the units. The prisons are emptied into the military as the so called Hanged Legion.

1656-1678PE: Reign of Royan II.

1643-1677PE: New roads are built enhancing the Empire's trade links and specifically bringing into Tor Armakan goods from all over the world that previously had been unavailable. This also allows the military to move around the Empire much more quickly.

1761-1779PE: Viktor The Elfslayer.

1761-1779PE: The War of Ears leads to the founding of the Blood Coin Bounty Hunters' guild in Tor Honarik. The military specifically disapproved of the Blood Coin and that remains a bias in Tor Kalash ever after.

1893PE: The Reign of Anaius Venthron.

1898PE: Second Dragon Army Invasion

## Geography

Tor Kalash is built on a wide highland in the east of Auria facing the land of Torash. The city inports a lot of wood now that the fir forests that were nearby have been mainly cut down. Yet there are still quarries of stone rich with iron ore near to Tor Kalash which feed its forges. There is a nearby mountain stream which is the head of a small river but it is now heavily pouted as Tor Kalash has gorwn but the water has not expanded.

## Economy

Tor Kalash's economy is based heavily off the economy of Tor Honarik as the Oakland Trail high road connects them both. It has constant overwhelming amounts of trade moving through the city. It is so large it needs to importat a lot of foodstuffs and other raw materials some like iron are available close by others like spices and gemstones have to be imported from a significant distance. In Tor Kalash are many forges and it is in many ways the greatest armoury of the Empire. Raw materials are brought in and paid for in massive quantities and armour, horseshoes, weapons ammunition and uniforms go out. People move to Tor Kalash from around the Empire especially to be part of the overwhelming organisation that is the Imperial Protectorans. Though it is techically the centre only of the Red Protectoran it is also the locus for all five. The Crossed Swords Academy of Tor Kalash is the largest military establishment in the world. That generates an economy all of its own. Tor Kalash is also developed enough that even the common people use bank markers to represent gold.

## Demographics

Tor Kalash is a massive and populous city. Built on high ground with high walls that splits up its populations. The citadel stands on the grounds of the original dwarven settlement. The inner city is delineated by the Hill Wall, which was the original boundary of Tor Kalash in the time surrounding the founding of the Empire. Though still a very populous area there are now far more people within the so called Wider Wall.

The population is dominated by humans but as with any particularly large city there are pockets of elves, dwarves halflings and half breeds. Also because this is Auria there are also a significant number of visk slaves in Tor Kalash too.

Tor Kalash includes many monuments mostly to Emperors and military leaders. Though a lot of trade happens in Tor Kalash of all kinds it specialises in the ore, metal and weapons trades. There is a much smaller gap between the rich and poor in Tor Kalash than in comparable cities like Tor Honarik or Tor Armakan. This is partially because a lot of the more menial trades such as fighting and mining are what have brough the cities its renown and wealth. Indeed in Tor Kalash if you can fight or train others to fight you will find a place regardless of your birth.

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### Religion

Tor \_\_\_\_\_and the Aurian tribe that has inhabited it for centuries has always been faithful to the church of the Avatar of Knowledge, specifically his aspect as god of money, trade and innovation.

Today the capital includes many churches and shrines and some to each Avatar of the six. Yet the Temple of Knowledge is clearly the most visible and impressive.

## Politics and Government

This is the centre of government and leadership for all of Auria and every decision made here by its Senate or its imperial ruler affects all of Karandia. It is the centre of everything, commerce, the military, the magic, the law making, the Knighthood, the industry, the population etc. Or at least it likes to think so. But then again its residents have a reputation for unbelievable arrogance.

## Military

The Red Protectoran occupy Tor Honarik in force.

## People of Note

* Emperor

This is where the Marix and Lexions meet to discuss plans of campaign and hold court marshals.

It is also the location of the headquarters of the secret organisation known as the Knight Stalkers.

It has a Knight of the Empire Chapter House second only to that at Tor Honarik.