Anoixte

On a terrible night and day, the guardians of the city rose as the armadas grew close. Fire fell from the heavens, and magic clashed above the walls of our fair city. Though we were strong, in the end we fell, and our people scattered to the wind.

Anoixte is the ancient capital of the isle of Meos Soaer. It has a long history, one that was peaceful until the fall of the island and the Massacre of Meos. Today, Anoixte is a provincial city within the Kingdom of Naeus, scattered with the ruins of its history.

History

Anoixte was founded by the Aeondra people around 500 RC. It was the culmination of the slow urbanisation of the Aeondra people as hunter-gatherer life styles were supplanted by agriculture and fishing. The city, set on the coast of Meos in a small port known for its pristine waters, had great success in fishing.
For centuries, the city sustained itself on bountiful catches and farming. The Aeondra, naturally peaceful as a people, gathered under the protection of Anoixte's wealth. Cities and villages slowly aligning with the lords of Anoixte in return for food in times of famine, protection from the wild beasts, and to build roads and expand trade.
Anoixte, in this manner, might be called the most peaceful city in history. It united the island of Meos under its wings not by force, but simply by peace and prosperity.
In the early 10th century YSB, the lords of Anoixte - wishing to proclaim the wealth and success of their city, on its 1500th anniversary, commissioned the great Statues of Anoixte. Golemancy had long been established among the Aeondra, imbuing stone with souls, and teaching it work for you. But the inefficient nature and free will of these golems meant they were never adopted en-masse.

The Walls of Anoixte

The Stonecarver's Guild erected a forty foot high wall around the city of Anoixte, guarded by thirty colossal stone statues. In these statues, they created souls, and gave them life, to protect the city should strife ever befall it. It became one of the 18 Wonders of Macalgra when travelers from abroad first witnessed this sight, the animal-headed statues standing tall and the city walls - built of golden stone - shining.
Anoixte would prosper for another thousand years before its fall. The slow colonisation of Pascent, and the demise of the Ysefin people were the first flags of trouble. The lords of Anoixte however were sure that if they simply traded with the foreigners, they would be content to leave Meos alone.
On an evening in the early weeks of 2601 YSB an armada from the Kingdom of Naeus, funded by the Javius family - wealthy Suran merchantmen - was sighted off the coast of Meos. The Aeondra sent a small ship to meet them, but the crew of this diplomatic vessel were promptly captured and imprisoned.
It was then that the Statues of Anoixte rose in defence of the city, sensing the danger that approached their home. The armada, equipped with mages and catapults, opened fire on the city as the states waded into the conflict. They tore apart boats and sunk many, but slowly, one by one, they fell before the onslaught.
Their valiant fight gave the Aeondra of Meos time to flee, and though many refused to abandon their homes and livelihoods tens of thousands escaped into the country. The soldiers of Naeus tore through the ancient city, burning the palaces, ransacking its treasuries, temples and museums. They stole many items of Aeondran art and craftsmanship, to taken back to Naeus, and killed every Aeondran who resisted.
The city fell that night, and though the Aeondran would fight back against the invasion for years to come, eventually the whole island would be subjugated and their people scattered to the winds.

Type

City

Population

100,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Anoixten

Location under

Meos Soaer

Owning Organization

Naeus