Itanea

**Itanea** is the main continent in Voxeqar. It spans from dry and barren regions in the southwest, to snow-covered lands in the northeast. Itanea can trace its history thousands of years back, consists of many nations, and is inhabited by a wide variety of races.

## Nations

*See more: List of nations*
The continent of Itanea is home to 37 independent nations, varying quite a bit in size and power:

* Kingdom of Afale
* Kingdom of Ascuva
* Grand Duchy of Borim
* Republic of Bratan
* Republic of Cavora
* Order of Cirakon
* Kingdom of Culdarohm
* Empire of Dostani
* Kingdom of Elvark
* Kingdom of Erania
* Kingdom of Etilac
* Republic of Galhri
* Dominion of Gozzun
* Kingdom of Horbihr
* Chiefdom of Irodh
* Kingdom of Jaithia
* Kingdom of Khunbohr
* Kingdom of Loduhr
* Principality of Lorihn
* Duchy of Lurton
* Kingdom of Medoran
* Kingdom of Minturm
* Kingdom of Naporia
* Republic of Ocetan
* Kingdom of Qerbro
* Kingdom of Rehnia
* Kingdom of Rhedrijan
* Kingdom of Ryfhant
* Sheikhdom of Silera
* Kingdom of Terache
* Sultanate of Thikor
* Empire of Valrin
* Kingdom of Varghan
* Kingdom of Xath
* Kingdom of Y'elshar
* Realm of Yetary
* Kingdom of Yvati

### Interactive map

*You can explore the different nations with this clickable map below.*

## History

*This section is a work in progress. While the current text is relevant, it might not contain the full context.*

### Age of Giants

Before Itanea was inhabited by humanoids, giants resided in the continent. The oldest written records of Itanean history dates back to 7483 BH, more than 10000 years ago, and is a stone slab describing the life of the legendary giant warrior Galotan of Uvac. This proves that the continent was inhabited thousands of years before the humanoids appeared. At which time the giants themselves populated the continent, however, have been subject to much debate between scholars, and some even suggest that Itanea have been inhabited for at least 25000 years.

### Age of Conquest

It is unknown why and exactly when the humanoids emerged on the continent, but the earliest written records mentioning humans dates back to 5134 BH, again a stone slab made by the giants. Stone slabs from respectively 5098 BH and 5091 BH mentions dwarves and elves, and halflings, gnomes, orcs, and goblins are all mentioned in giant runes before 5000 BH. The earliest non-giant scripts dates back to 4812 BH, and are dwarven runes, still visible today deep below the city of Kholum.

The humanoids fought the giants for centuries, conquering more and more territory. By 3000 BH, Itanea had been cleared of most giants, and those left were isolated in clusters in the western part of the continent. These clusters were primarily found on the Melvag Head, the Afalen Peninsula, and the Irodh Islands. Within another century, only two giant nations were left: Irodh and Qerbro, respectively on the Irodh Islands and on the southern part of Melvag Head. Both nations exist to this day, but they would probably have shared the same fortune as the other giants, if it had not been for the growing deputes between the humanoids.

### Age of Conflict

As the giants were driven towards the western coast of Itanea, the humanoids slowly began establishing settlements and organizing themselves in factions. These factions were initially unified by the cause to conquer the continent and eradicate the giants, but as the threat of the giants was diminished, the humanoids were quick to learn about their differences. The earliest records of internal conflicts between the humanoids dates back to 3215 BH, where dwarves and elves fought in the lands now belonging to Terache.

These conflicts grew in size, and borders changed almost every year. The desire for power was present in every corner of the continent, but especially the orcs were thirsty for conquest. The orcs had initially settled on the peninsula of Melvag Head, but by 1837 BH, High Chief Ushnar Mughzol of Durzuban had united several orcish tribes and begun conquering the southwestern part of Itanea. This conquest continued for many centuries, and Durzuban eventually occupied almost a third of the continent. As the orcs conquered more and more territory, the resistance against them grew. In 12 BH, a powerful coalition of almost every other nation on Itanea was at long last formed. This coalition of primarily humans and elves, but also dwarves and halflings, fought the orcs for several years, until the Battle of Heclan finally ended the orcish dominance in Itanea. The liberated territories were given back to their former owners, and the orcish dominion was obliterated.

### Age of Prosperity

In the centuries following the Battle of Heclan, peace was retained on the continent. Although small conflicts occurred, the nations mainly clung to the diplomatic ties formed during the war against Durzuban. This allowed the nations of Itanea to prosper, and traces of this prosperity can still be experienced today in the rich culture, art, and architecture which remains from this period. The peace did however not last forever, as the Itaneans eventually remembered each other's differences. The diplomatic landscape was once again dominated by rivalries and wars, although in a more civilized way than previously.