Long were the terrors of the Weeping Era. Blackness and evil reigned free without the guidance of the Eshan to preserve Olûllosia. Aebaster was weakened, Corgastor was infantile and unprepared for rule while Atûn’s realm and legacy were destroyed! Yet, disorder enjoys a life no longer than order, for they are both conditions rendered upon the world. When there is order, that order will one time die and be replaced with disorder. In turn, disorder must too die and be replaced with order.
The Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor was officially founded in 1150 by Ghet Horst the Blessed. The previous millennium had seen Everos divided into multiple Kingdoms, all vying for control and power of their local regions. Ghet Horst, another ruler among the petty kingdoms, was given a divine vision from Corgastor, bidding him to unite the realms of men into one Empire. The next few years saw Ghet Horst go on a campaign of preaching and conquering. Those nobles and warlords who believed in his vision joined him and were given power and position. Those who resisted or claimed that Ghet Horst was a false prophet were conquered, and their lands given to his faithful followers. He managed to secure a large portion of Northern Everos before his death in 1173. His son Horst II ascended to the throne and continued this expansion, using the pretext of religion to justify his conquests, and so was cemented the foremost position that Corgastor's faith held in the realms of men. In the following decades, many lords bent the knee to the growing realm, not always for the Ghetunbast’s sake, but often for homage to Corgastor.
The vassalage of these lesser Ghetun gave the Corgastodmar Empire the much-needed strength to contend with threats ranging from Nemgarotirs and their ferocious cults to resurgences of Etayen power. Until the rule of the Goldheart dynasty, the Empire steadily grew and stabilized. Within his reign as Ghet of Corgastor's realm, it dominated Valgorod, Erehem, and the western reaches of Loryne. Trade was established with the powerful Daorhu kingdom of Banthoram, and fortifications were built to repel incursions by the violence and equally opportunistic Karthuuzar. Finally, the rudimentary beginnings of the Nerod began to form during this era. Lorod Galdyn Goldheart, third son of Ghet Horst, who was previously mentioned, did a great deal to stem the tides of darkness in this early stage of Empire. These early steps ensured that the kingdom would survived to be passed onto his son, Horst II, brother of Galdyn.
Once Ghet Horst II died the throne passed down to his son, and from that son to the next generation, and so forth. The Kingdom of Valgorod, blessed by Corgastor, continued to grow until the reign of Ghet Elgast Goldheart in 1248. It was then that the Norgost invaded under Chief Gurmak, pitting Valgorod and neighboring Loryne against the Karthuuzar. Their alliance was victorious, and the result was the union of Valgorod and Loryne into the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor, officially titled during the reign of Ghetunbast Larich I in 1317. That brought on a golden age for the men of Everos, who for the first time in history could claim an Empire of their own, without the iron grip of the Etayen Etayen at their throats. The economy grew, culture flourished, and smaller principalities and states were brought into the fold through diplomacy and annexation. This continued under Larich's son Darhes, who was well loved until his death to an outbreak of the Wrath that swept through the Corgastodmar Empire in the 1350s. He in turn was succeeded by Larich II, who was named after his illustrious grandfather, and was known for his piety. Under his ruled the Nerod was founded, which was his response to the threat of Nemgarotirs that plagued the olûndari realm both within his borders and abroad. His noble reign lasted until 1379, when he tragically died in a sparring accident. His daughter Corinne then ascended to the throne, becoming the last of the Goldheart line to hold that title. That being said, her reign was no less successful than her predecessors. She oversaw the Empire's endeavor to defeat Tyrphos in the Judge’s Rebellion, as well as appease an array of ambitious nobles. Her years were the last of the Empire's early Golden Age.
After the Judge’s Rebellion, the Corgastodmar Empire shuttered from a Series of internal and external conflicts that strained it to the point of breaking. Whilst in itself the victory over Tyrphos was extraordinary and worthy of praise, the expenditure of Imperial troops in that campaign weakened the realm at large. The lords of the north were anxious and highly irritable, for the Karthuuzar were pressing onto their borders while the main army was on another continent. To that end, they demanded concessions on their taxes and recruitment of levy soldiers from Ghetunbast Corinne Goldheart, which she refused to allow. The response from the nobility was venomous, and they plotted to depose of her whilst the army was abroad. This in turn was exacerbated by the heavy cost that the war put onto the Empire, which had not yet developed itself to successfully maintain a large army on the field. Fighting broke out, and the loyalists won, securing peace and the Corgastodmar Empire's continued existence.
In Othos, the old order of petty kingdoms and divided tribal groups was purged in the fires of the Judge’s Rebellion. Tyrphos's bid for deityhood had failed and left the southern reaches of Othos in ruins. The north, the ancestral homeland of the Eurobasar, had survived with only minor destruction, as Tyrphos was defeated before he was able to reach those areas. In that regard, the lords of that place were lucky, and they were quick to take advantage of their sudden position of superiority.
In distant Nevan, immense changes were bursting forth into reality. A new race crossed forth into Qadal from Voryndal after decades adrift upon the sea. The called themselves the Axodraharik and were children of the Eshan Orduza and Syhlshei. Their homeland was devastated and utterly depopulated after a vicious civil war, and now the greater half of Esha seemed their best respite. This created a significant crisis for the Alor’eshan who reigned. What should be done? Individual Ebal’eshan had crossed in Qadal in the past, but their influence was meager and their cults ephemeral. Expending the energy to combat them was pointless and bloody. This new threat was a whole race, thousands upon thousands of olûndi following an established Eshanic cult. Inaction was impossible. Mesian, who was often disinterested in petty conflict, came into communication with Aebaster, Corgastor, and the Ezontach, being those who remained in Qadal. Ácolitus was pointedly omitted from the debate. The seven spoke at length about the Axodraharik menace and whether warfare was necessary to maintain the Mandates and prevent a swarm of unclean immigrants from Voryndal.
“In somber voices the greatest beings of Esha spoke through Vussalas, mind to mind. Corgastor recalled to me how a great fear burdened them, for this occurance was something planned for in theory but never expected in reality. Whisperings of a Second Feud, now between Qadal and Voryndal, were commonplace between them. It was with these fears that the Alor’eshan and Corgastor deliberated on their next move. The younger of the Ezontach and Corgastor desired brutal and swift action against the Axodraharik. Allowing any intruders from Voryndal to settle in Qadal violated the Mandates and invited terrible chaos. Mesian, Aebaster, and the elder Ezontach were more cautious and calculating. They perceived an opportunity in the arrival of the Axodraharik. In that time the Qazunari yet reigned in Nevan, sowing destruction and anger among the surrounding tribes. None among the Alor’eshan possessed the means nor will to muster olûndari armies against them, and thus contended themselves with their relative containment to prevent universal chaos. Syhlshei and the Axodraharik could be that force which destroyed the Qazunari. They should do it, and everyone would benefit. In time, Corgastor admitted the rashness of his opinion and relented to his elders.Corgastor then explained to me in his anxious, quick tone that Mesian was delegated to speak with Orduza and Syhlshei. The imagery quite confused me but remember that these conversations are had through vast distant of olûndari space rather than in person. Mesian spoke with them and offered the terms which the Alor’eshan were willing to accept- Axodraharik settlers could dwell in Qadal if the Qazunari were destroyed and that no attempt yet be made to settle anywhere but Nevan. It was a simple deal, and the Axokari were likely intending to pursue that end without the intervention of the Alor’eshan. Orduza in Voryndal and Syhlshei in Qadal accepted without amendment.From that time to decades after, the Alor’eshan watched Nevan with feverish interest. As promised, the Axokari and their people flooded across the virgin terrain of the western continent. War raged there for some 40 years, but the Qazunari were driven away, back to Voryndal. The Axodraharik settled in their place. Corgastor lamented to me how such territory would be best suited by Aemarda, but none among the Alor’eshan were willing to aid him in war against the Axodraharik."Rhelentha of Nossen Recounts Corgastor’s AccountBrokerage of the Eshan - 1643
The accord struck between the surviving Alor’eshan and Syhlshei changed Qadal forever. Axokari and their Axodraharik peoples were allowed to settle in Nevan, should they endeavor to conquer it. The sole requirement was the destruction of the Qazunari, to which the Axokari eagerly agreed. With this pragmatic concession, the saliency of Kovûnkal was called into question. It was negotiable- a deal rather than law. Ebal’eshan in distant reaches watched this arrangement with emotions of anger, wonder, and sorrow. Beyond this celestial imbalance, the futile war against the vengeful Qazunari was escalated to wholesale slaughter. Hundreds of thousands of corpses polluted the region, more among the Qazunari’s accursed ilk than the Axodraharik, but no less a tragedy for all parties. The details of this legendary campaign are written elsewhere but suffice to say that the war continued for 40 years before the Qazunari retreated in shame to Voryndal. Once there, they caused further chaos which resulted in their annihilation, but Nevan was freed to Syhlshei.
The dual realms of Yor’shagon and Yor’nuwan brought Nevan from a state of shadowed irrelevance into the light of modern existence. Cities were raised from where nothing, but jungle once stood. The nests of terrible beasts were destroyed with brilliant flames.
It was now the 1700s. Back in Everos, the eastern reaches of the continent were consumed by the wars waged between the Eurobasar Tresivar, now grown enough to fight, and the elder Corgastodmar realm.
Centuries of decline led to bitter anger among the Nathrovayen population. The regions masters were perceived as indolent and greedy while mercenaries committed atrocities in their names.
The defining event of the Twilight era was the Great Conflict, or Karundar among the Etayen. It was a war in two dimensions. One dimension was political- between the master of Nathrovas, Bal’gorod Nathrobal, and his Etayen rivals in southern Everos, Jequasghal under Vulred. Their competing realms were caught in a hideous morass of confused intrigue which accompanied the rise of the Corgastodmar Ghetunbalastod. Worse yet was the turmoil caused by Bal’gorod conquest of the other Etayen Ghalûn in Everos, making him a common enemy in all eyes. Second was Eshanic, as the worse bloodsheds tend to originate. Acolitus sowed his machinations years in advance by delivering an Eshanic relic unto the ancient Ghalûn of Nathrovas and Jequasghal by way of his Judges. It was promised to each of them in secret that their relic was a seed to return Atûn to life. Indeed, the Judges wove a tale wherein Acolitus was withholding the esseythu of Atûn until a proper moment, and it was fast coming. The Ghalûn in Everos accepted with eagerness, but after many following years of silence stored these things away.
Bal’gorod came upon Nathrovas’ seed after his destruction of Aeyet’norn. He withdrew it from the depths of Etumrassus, and demanded its origins. The aged Etayen of Etumrassus recalled how during their fathers’ or grandfathers’ time an agent of the Creator arrived with a strange item. It was brief news, but swiftly silenced to amnesia. Yet, rumor told that a twin seed dwelled in Drakar, untouched for centuries.
All Esha was shocked to sickness by the sudden annihilation wrought by Atûn’s seed. Hundreds of thousands to millions were dead, killed in battle, diseased, starved, or erased from existence. How could the Eshan allow such calamity? Worse, how could they facilitate it? Disillusionment with the ancient religious hierarchies prevailed, such that olundi removed themselves from the temples and shrines. Prayers to the deities of their own apparent destruction ceased. A steadfast minority held-true to the elder faiths. Most became apathetic and worshipped nothing. A few curious thinkers began to worship strange idols and follow corrupt philosophies. At the same time, overtures for peace became popular among the olundari races, particularly those in Everos who suffered the worst. The new direction of olullusia was articulated Ekeyit Ureyasghal, being among the few noteworthy survivors of Bal’gorod’s service. Ghetunbast Dothen the Sword gave tacit agreement, all the while reforming the Corgastodmar warhost for future engagments. Others were more genuine, such as the Daorhu and Etayen of Etal, who themselves cared little more for fighting in those days. Whatever the direction, a profound fear gripped the Eshan who witnessed their supreme authority, so carefully built since the Etayen Enlightenment, undermined to shame.
The Eshan were terrified to witness this Great Peace arise among olundi races. For too long were the divisions of Eshanic creation profitable; now too deep were the divisions between the Eshan themselves. Returning to the peace of Olûn would bind the Eshan to Acolitus’ will, just as before the First Feud. Corgastor and Aebaster were opposed to such peace, for their peoples were on the ascendant after the Great Conflict. Embracing people now would allow other olundari races to reorganize. The Ezontach were classically divided on the matter, with the elder pair desiring a conservative peace while the younger pair disdained the concept of a silent Esha. Mesian was a firm proponent of peace, for she above all other Eshan carried some measure of reason. It was obvious that the next disaster would be worse than the great conflict if Eshanic competition remained. Acolitus was against the peace, contrary to the Eshans’ own worries, since such stagnation would undermine his own machinations to power. Each Eshan took their side and a new conflict brewed.
Mesian called forth the most faithful to receive her Eshanic power. These were Elivas and Aemar, along with some Etayen impressed with her desire for peace. She granted them extraordinary powers of strength and endurance, such that they might cast spears a thousand strides or loose an arrow beyond the horizon. These abilities were capable for any Eshan to impart, but it was Mesian who was cleverest in exploring physical boons rather than boons of energy alone. She ennobled them the Mesayari, a simple continuation of Eshanic tradition. These Mesayari were dispatched against the enemies of this prospective Great Peace- Corgastodmar, Sekras’kolura, Aebastadmars, and others. The most vicious fights were in the ruined cities of Nathrovas, wherein all factions were interested to discover if Atûn’s seed survived the detontation. Mesian wished to discover it and hide it away, whereas other Eshan desired its power unto themselves. It was the closest the Eshan had come to a Second Feud.
Acolitus brought the contest to an end with a great display of his power. It began with Eshabal. He withheld its rotations, such that it remained day or night for eight days. Second, he cast forth the tendrils of Eshabal upon Esha. Those places which were night were made day, whereas the tendrils were so bright in day as to shine as luminescent legions marching in columns. This power surround the whole world, such that all olundari and Eshan could at once witness the immeasurable power of Acolitus. He then said unto them with a voice which resounded in every mind- the world is the realm of your masters; if the masters are undone the world is undone. The precise meaning of these words was unknown to the olundi. Yet, the Eshan knew that these words were a threats. If the olundi continued to resist the supremacy of the Eshan, their existence would be erased, for all the universe is the esseythu of Acolitus.