The Ziyan Remnants
Long before the rise and collapse of the Tierysian Empire, the Dry Barrens were the home of Lexodros, the Ruiner, and his horde of orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins. During the Age of Strife, Lexodros led his armies in holy crusade against the Silver Knight and the clans of the Fenhelm Plains. While the stalemated conflict lasted thousands of years, war between the two peoples eventually dissipated as the gods faded into slumber. With war behind them, the people of the Dry Barrens began to flourish, using ancient shamanistic and natural magics to survive in the arid climate. United in their distrust of both the Dark Ones and the Prime Deities and wary of the Arcane Web, which had manifested during the Age of Strife, and its usage, the people of this region founded the Empire of Ziyan.
Without wars, the Empire of Ziyan spread from its seat of power, Iskawr, at the base of the Aket Mountains, eastwards to the tapering of the Morinfell Mountains. Though distrust lingered between the Empire of Ziyan, and their southerly neighbors, The Kingdom of Silverlight, far beyond their days of conflict, the arrival of the Tierysian Empire well into the False Age forced allies of old enemies. Though the Empire of Ziyan contributed much to the Alliance of Elix, the force ultimately lost, and the Empire came under the subjugation of the arcane juggernauts that were the Tierysians. During this time, the people of Ziyan were the source of many revolts and rebellions, all of which were summarily crushed. With the reawakening of the gods and the beginning of the Trial for Existence, the people of Ziyan mounted one final rebellion, crushing their fragmented occupiers. Celebrations in the Kingdom would not last long, as, at the end of the Trail for Existence, as the gods disappeared once more from Elix, the Great Sink opened, swallowing a vast majority of the kingdom and its people.
The Ziyan Remnants are the only tragic remains of the once great Empire of Ziyan. Believing the Great Sink and destruction wrought by the awakening of the gods was tied to the arcane perversions of the Tierysian Empire, the Ziyan Royalty and its shaman leaders have totally outlawed the practice of the arcane arts within their borders. These beliefs have caused immense conflict with their neighbors, particularly the artificing inventors of the Valgrad Republic to the north. Despite international protests over the Remnant’s policies, many of which impact trade and the free movement of people, most know they cannot afford to lose them as even a distant ally, for it is the Remnant’s sole responsibility to guard the networked system of watchtowers and forts that line the edge of the Great Sink. Though nothing has truly ever emerged from such a deep and dark pit, the sightings of skittering shadows and distant torch fires are on the rise.
Cities & Locations
Marafar: Set within an alcove of the branching Morinfell Mountains, Marafar was once a massive citadel used to host the eastern legions of Lexodros’ horde during the Age of Strife. While it eventually supported a large city after the gods fell into slumber, it wasn’t until the loss of most of the Ziyan Empire to the Great Sink that Marafar would burgeon from an influx of refugees. The seat of power for the Ziyan Remnants and their shamanistic caretakers, Marafar is home to a massive temple complex once dedicated to the harsh teachings of Lexodros. Since the False Age, it has been transformed into a place of contemplation and meditation by the city’s many rangers, druids, and shamans. Ironically, the gardens within this enclave are the exclusive home to many dangerous and poisonous plants like Iona’s Embrace, White Clutch, and the Ruiner’s Revenge. While this capital city is outwardly accepting of strangers and travelers, its strange customs and harsh outlaw of arcane magics have warded many outsiders from overstaying their welcome.
Ikset: On the eastern reaches of the Ziyan Remnants' borders, Ikset sees a majority of land travel and trade heading to and coming from the eastern coasts of Elix. Because of the nation's ban on arcane magic, thorough and severe checkpoints have been set up within the city to inspect travelers and trade. For those that seek entrance, they must relinquish their magical items that are arcane in origin for immediate disenchantment and subsequent destruction. Arcane-users that seek valid entry through Ikset are also registered and likely closely monitored during their time within the country's lands. Despite such aggressive customs, Ikset is home to an expansive and ultimately friendly druidic order that, despite outside the nation's official borders, oversees the caretaking of the Emermar Grove just south of the city. Because of this, Ikset produces a number of useful plant and animal products that provides the fading nation with a source of sustenance and income.
Risab: Set within the rocky and sandy steppes of the central Dry Barrens, Risab is a small town whose permanent occupants are hardened by the unforgiving landscapes. The town is centered around a massive watering hole, which is carefully tended to by local shamans and druids. While the immediate area around such an oasis is fertile, it doesn't produce enough sustenance to support the population of the town, let alone the many travelers making their way through central Elix. Fortunately, given its strategic location between northern and southern Elix, it sees a lot of trade traversing the tall continent, especially the foodstuffs arriving from the Kingdom of Silverlight. In fact, most trade and travelers that would pass through the Ziyan Remnant's territories, pass through Risab, which, for now, enjoys slightly more relaxed customs compared to Ikset.
Kamarasi & Kafatina: The twin citadels, Kamarasi and Kafatina exist as the central hubs for their respective networks of watchtowers and garrisons that line the Great Sink. Built out of an abundance of caution at the beginning of the Age of Rebirth, Kamarasi, Kafatina, and all the watchtowers along the Great Sink are manned year-round. While there have been no concrete incursions from whatever dwells within the sink, reports of movement, noises, and torch fires are on the rise. Because of this, small detachments of the Ecclesial Order, headquartered in the Verdant Council , have sought outposts within these locations, primarily the two twin citadels. Though the Ziyan Remnants and their shaman leaders were initially hesitant about outside interference in their duties of overseeing the Great Sink, as fear grew over time about what stirs in the darkness, they submitted to the order, allowing their limited presence and activity along the sink's edges.
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