Founding of Lassara

Founding

Seafarers in huge generational ships and their support fleet land on Carylla Island, send an expedition to the mainland and through tragedy and triumph, end up with the seedling of a kingdom that would last for more than a thousand years.

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Landfall

  Not much is known about the Lassaran's ancestors before they arrived on Carylla Island and discovered the remains of an imposing dwarven fortress, partially built right into the rock of the mountains, partially protruding from them. It is said that many generations ago they had a home on land like this one but none of the seafolk remembered that time. They only remembered the sea. Still Arlen Blye, leader of the fleet and his people decided it was time to settle. His wife had died at sea and he wanted something else, a different life, for his two children Colyn and Lassa.   Naming the island in honour of his wife Carylla, Arlen and his people took refuge in the dwarven fortress, which they called Cliff's Keep and began to settle the lands around and southeast of it. The island didn't offer much in the way of land, being mostly mountains and high cliffs dropping down into the sea but together with his most trusted advisors Arlen began to cultivate the land, expand on Cliff's Keep and give his people a new home.  

The Expedition

His son Colyn however was convinced that their people needed more space to live. The mainland was visible in the distance when standing atop one of the towers of Cliff's Keep and he was sure that they would find suitable land there. Arlen was against sending anyone over to the mainland at first, thinking it too dangerous but his brother Rouad and Olton Dayne, captain of another of one the huge generational ships, advised to heed the young boys wishes, give him a ship and some men to explore the mainland.   Reluctantly Arlen gave in and only days later his son set sail towards the mainland, aiming for the mouth of a large river the islanders had seen scouting from the top of Cliff's Keep. He didn't take a large crew, only enough to do the work that was needed. If they encountered native life they were to report back and watch only. They couldn't risk hostilities with a small party like theirs and Arlen was worried about his son. Soon a first letter arrived, carried by a dove and it bore good news:  

Dear Father,   we have set foot on the mainland near the river's mouth and explored the immediate surroundings. This land is plentiful and fertile, ready to be settled. We have founded a first small settlement and I named it after my sister, Lassa. The most beautiful land I know should bear the name of the most beautiful treasure our family ever held. Please send settlers and more ressources so we can start building a real town here. This place was made for us! Our next step is to explore upriver and I will write again, when I have more to tell.   May the gods bless you, father, Your loyal son, Colyn

  A few weeks later another letter arrived, detailing the expedition up north, following the river until reaching a large lake. The land seemed to be even bettter with every new step the exploration party took and by the time the third letter arrived, settlers had begun to migrate to Lassa and colonize the mainland but Arlen remained wary. The old leader could not shake the feeling that something was amiss. His son's third letter foreshadowed what the man feared:  

Father,   Lassa is flourishing. As I am writing this letter they are erecting a town hall and more and more settlers arrive almost every day. I am grateful for the confidence you have shown in me and I will not disappoint you. You will not believe what we discovered on our first expedition further south along the coast. We are not alone here! There are people who have lived here for a long time and they are friendly, inviting us to see their city and form an alliance. I have decided to accept their offer. We will need friends here and their leader Damored is an honorable man whose people know the land. I hope you will visit us on the mainland soon so I can show you all that I have built for you here.   Love, Colyn

  The father's heart grew weary after reading this letter. He did not know why or how but he knew that this Damored was not to be trusted and that his son, naive and blinded by his thirst for glory, was putting his life in the hands of a dangerous stranger.