The Whispering Woods Empire

In the year 1408 CE, the united tribes of the Atakapa forged in the Great Council, the transformation that had been brewing for decades finally reached its crescendo, and the Whispering Woods Empire was born.

### Succeded by

Spanish Empire

The Empire also called "The united tribes of the Atakapa" by many, or "Empire of the Summer Moon" had borders almost mutual with the borders of the United States in modern times (2023)

Guided by a council of elders, this expansive region found equilibrium through diplomacy and shared governance, fostering an era of peace and cooperation among the diverse communities.

The council of elders, entrusted with maintaining harmony within the empire's vast expanse, played a pivotal role in ensuring that conflicts were resolved through dialogue rather than violence. Their wisdom and leadership allowed the people to coexist, drawing strength from their differences and shared history.

# The Spanish Invasion

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus, arrived in the Bahamian islands, news of these distant events reached the council with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Whispers carried on the wind spoke of gods who arrived with mighty ships.

Within the council, the elders deliberated over the significance of these gods' arrival. Some hoped that peaceful exchange and mutual learning might define their interactions, while others cautioned against misplaced trust, invoking stories of neighboring tribes whose harmonious lands had been irrevocably changed by contact with outsiders.

Many, remembering the lessons of their ancestors, voiced concerns about the potential consequences of these encounters.

As time went on, the empire witnessed the newcomers' insatiable desire for land, resources, and power. Small groups of gods began to establish settlements along the coasts, their exploration and expansion into the interior lands intensified. The council of elders within the Whispering Woods Empire increasingly saw their way of life threatened by these evil gods as they named them.

Tribes within the empire, sensing the urgency of the situation, united in resistance against the strangers' incursions. The council of elders called upon their allies to remain peaceful.

However, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado led an expedition through the southwestern Empire, searching for the mythical "Seven Cities of Gold." killing many thousands of people and destroying many cities.

The council of elders was called upon in 1539 and the Crow Nation left the empire who had no desire to defend the lands.

In 1539-1542, Hernando de Soto explored parts of the southeastern Empire, including present-day Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. His expedition encountered various indigenous tribes, where his army raped the women and killed the men. the women were taken as sexual slaves in Florida and were sold for a sack of coins each.

Juan Ponce de León explored Florida in a search of the mythical Fountain of Youth. where he established the first European settlement in 1513.

In the following decades, Spanish missionaries established missions in present-day Texas, Ohio, and California, giving death and suffering to indigenous populations.

In 1586 the elders summoned the last council of the Empire where the need for a war was recognized, however despite the proposals of many it was decided that each nation and tribe should defend on its own the invaders rather fighting a civil war among the chaos to choose a leader.

And So the "Indian" Wars began.