History of Hale & The Fairelands
Hale occupies the western shore of the region once conquered by the Fairen people. In ancient times, the Fairen Empire extended through Hale, across the Glass Sea into Otherwhere, and throughout the rest of the Faraway (the Halen word for countries in the northern region). This made it hte most widespread and wealthy empire in this period of history. Like many countries that share a common ancestry, peoples' food, language, and culture have traveled through communities, regardless of modern borders.
The ancient city of Farria is often referred to as the earliest major civilization within the Fairelands, dating back to -1474 CE (Common Era). This city, and its people, fell to the Ancient Fairens and transformed into the place now known as Oldfaire around -915 CE. Oldfaire reigned as a wildly prosperous and technologically advanced civilization, and became the hub of both trade and technology within the Fairen Empire. This city-state expanded in power and influence, most notably during the reign of Empress Iomene (she/her), until its mysterious destruction under the brief rule of Emperor Calinus (he/him). The turn of the Common Era (0 CE) is the signifier of this great fall -- a time when the massive rift known as the Vastchasm split the Glass Sea. This flooded the city of Oldfaire, burying it beneath sediment for over one thousand years.
Hale's modern history and culture are shaped by three wars: the War of Embers, the Halen Civil War, and the Second Great War -- later rebranded as The Last Great War by Premier Remedy Mallingson (she/her). While the specter of war has passed, present-day competition for resources and technological advancement across the northern region threaten to invoke the horrors of conflict once more.
To understand the full historical context of The Fairelands valley and its place within Hale, it is important to examine the historical events leading up to its admission as the twelfth region of the nation.
The history of the modern-day Fairelands region began in 1219 CE, over a millennium after the fall of the Ancient Fairen Empire, and during the violent War of Embers. This religious war, also known as "The Ascendant Inquisition," had the public goal of driving heresy from Hale, but served the dual purpose of consolidating political power for Hale and many countries of the Faraway. This war forced thousands of refugees from many nations and cultures to seek shelter within the secluded valley of The Fairelands.
At the time of this conflict, legends from the fall of Oldfaire described The Fairelands as a desolate wasteland: cursed by the gods, flooded by the sea, and devoid of life. While this was true for a relatively short period after the splitting of the Glass Sea, this widely accepted belief allowed the refugees to remain hidden and safe while they established the city of Newfaire.
Following the War of Embers, Newfaire benefited from the diveristy created by refugees from all corners of the continent pursuing a common goal: to establish and accepting and prosperous community for themselves and their children. The vibrant city of Newfaire exploded into a kaleidoscope of culture and served as the catalyst for the larger Halen Renaissance. As newfaire grew, so did its needs, and thus The Triumvirate was born -- the first central government of The Fairelands.
The fierce independence of the modern Fairen people was challenged in 1822 CE, when the corrupt and power-hungry President of the neighboring nation of Hale, Conrad Harcroft (he/him), led a violent insurrection against his own government in an effort to seize total power and control and spurred The Fairelands into action -- they entered the Halen Civil war on behalf of the rightful Halen government, fighting to defeat the President and his forces. Together, The Fairelands and the legitmate government of Hale defeated the corrupt President and his loyalists.
To prevent such a heinous act from happening again, the Halen government permanently stripped the Presidency of its broad executive powers and offered the Fairelands admission into their nation-state. The citizens of the valley accepted this offer, contingent upon the guarantee that The Triumvirate was granted vast legal autonomy to continue to govern The Fairelands region.
Unbeknownst to citizens, the peace following the Halen Civil War was only a brief reprieve before the unimaginable horrors brought to their shores by Otherwhere during The Last Great War beginning in 1898 CE.
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