Qalyndras Vyndal - The Awakening Era (-6000 to -3000)

Whilst the prior Gathering era was defined by the infantile buddings of olûndari existence in Qadal, the Awakening was their first standing steps. Tribes were beginning to cease their endless cycles of migration and constant warfare as populations increased and demands for sustainability grew more prominent. Villages were growing larger in size.

The precise origins of agriculture in Qadal are uncertain. Perhaps there was no specific birthplace at all. The most likely narrative is that agriculture was the outcome of natural observations which olûndari beings noticed during their years of tribal wandering. Trees and bushes produced food and seeds. Olûndi plucked the food but ignored the seeds. In time, the seeds which were left behind grew into new trees and bushes which were thereafter plucked for food. Certain tribes would favor regions based on their natural boons. The Rolemehen people of Everos were particularly disposed to flourishing brushes and undergrowth in the eastern tributaries of the Lornesse river. A unique variety of berry was naturally grown thereabouts which was near pink to later estimations, and thus they earned their name- Rolemehen means the ‘Red Brush’ people in the Evosmar dialect. In Othos, the Kerrizar peoples wandered along the hinterlands of the Golbesh, which was then quite uninhabitable save for the most bold and hardy people. From its boon, Aemar tribesmen gathered valuable resources and returned every year. It must be assumed that in time olûndi connected the source of their prosperity to its origin. Once that connection was made, the next logical step would be means to harness it for continued growth. Now, some might believe that the Eshan themselves taught Olûllosia about agriculture. The author refutes that point. Contrary to what olûndi might believe, the Eshan are ignorant to many things, including the workings of natural forces which they themselves created.   Whatever the truth, agriculture spread throughout the settled world during the early centuries of the era.   Morality’s permanent settlement into agricultural cities and hamlets promoted the development of something beyond the realm of stark survivalism- culture.   In Everos, Aemarda evolved from a series of borderless herding tribes into small kingdoms ruled by warlords or religious figureheads, Aebastadmar or otherwise. The first and most enduring among them was the Otemelod.   At the same time as the Otemelod were growing, the Daorhu came south over the Balendorn mountains and found prosperous lands in their shadow. Their distant ancestors had traversed similar trails during the Gathering era but found more stiff resistance among the Aemar who then struggled over vast swathes of territory for hunting or herding. Now matters were changed. Land was still more important than wealth or prestige, but the adoption of agriculture prompted a physical contraction of peoples.   The expansion and success of the Otemelod inspired others to follow their example. However, the pursuit of temporal prosperity and power caused certain populations to wander in their loyalty. The Idherost peoples of south-central Everos were famous for such dissent.   While the native tribes of Qadal were forming into coherent entities, there arose conflicts regarding the religions of these established realms. The physical distances and irregularity of communication between olûndi and Eshan caused a rift to form between the two domains of life. Why should the common peoples of olûndari existence offer themselves beyond strange entities from above with whom they shared no explicit connection? A small cadre of holy figures bid them to act, but their authority was derived from the same sources which were under scrutiny.   The Eshan watched these developments with a slew of emotions. Aebaster was furious, for it was his rebellious race which was most vigorous in their blasphemy. The Ezontach noticed a dispersal of their faithful, but their influence and powers were sufficient to keep the Daorhu in check. Atûn scoffed, for he spoke directly with his people and commanded their complete loyalty. Mesian carried no significant stake in the matter, for her race was ruined at birth. As the fragmentation grew worse, the Eshanic response radicalized. Aebaster commanded that his religious figureheads sow terror among the non-believers and when circumstances were right, he would unleash death through them. Through him the reputation of all the Eshan was tarnished and thousands were slaughtered. When olûndi continued to resist, now more vigorously than ever, Aebaster considered yet greater harms. Ácolitus recognized that it was necessary to intervene to preserve Eshanic peace.   Ácolitus communicated with the Alor’eshan who reigned over Qadal, attempting to discern from them a proper manner of addressing the dilemma. Aebaster was of the decided opinion that the Eshan should possess the right to punish those olûndi of their own creation who exhibited rebellious tendencies. The Ezontach were divided on their stance on this poignant issue. Duboartu and Nahu aligned themselves with Ácolitus, just as during the First Feud, for they recognized the necessity of Eshanic boundaries. Otaoradu and Yada aligned with Aebaster, asserting that Ácolitus was no better positioned to make decisions, no matter the pretensions toward wisdom. The four agreed to vote as different factions so long as war did not break from it. Atûn was swift to align to Ácolitus, despite the obvious precedent for treason to which the Youngest proved himself capable. He perceived no benefit nor disaster from the outcome. If nothing more, siding with Ácolitus meant the weakening of Aebaster whose race was foremost in the debate. Qazun was dead.   As the battlelines were drawn much alike the First Feud, Mesian alone was left to decide. Should the Eshan be allowed the first to force their religions upon olûndari races? She deliberated for days under great distress. For one, side with Aebaster, whose desire to increase Eshanic rights over Olûllosia stood to benefit all? Lingering personal animosities yet remained painful, which stayed her hand. On the other, side with Ácolitus, whose intention was to limit Eshanic rights for the protection of all? Mesian and he shared bad blood ever since the dreaded curse which ruined her creations. In truth, neither side deserved her loyalty. Circumstances demanded she decide all the same. One or the other. Former lover or creator? Mesian chose the latter, unexpected shifting the Eshanic balance of power in favor of Ácolitus and deciding the matter. Aebaster was thunderstruck, furious, betrayed by his former ally against the same array of enemies. Mesian made no apologies but asserted her whim before departing from the discussion altogether.   With the concensus against the expansion of Eshanic rights over Esha, Ácolitus pursued his own method of recourse. He called forth his immense reserves of power and manipulated magnificent plumes of luminescence with practiced mastery. Each strand of Eshanic power manifested was as brilliant as the Eshor, so that the whole Void shone with the sparks of his craftswork. On and forward this creation stretched, combining such extraordinary constellations of power that the Eshan believed it some disasterous means to destroy the celestial race. Nothing ill befell them. Instead, this power was risen into Vussalas which spanned infinite distances around Esha. Ácolitus established this raw energy in that place and it became sufficient light to diminish the beauty of the Eshan who were supposedly chiefest in all places. He called it ‘Xhamenullas’ or Resting Sea in his own tongue which was later inherited by the olûndi of Koluthollas. Upon creation, it was unoccupied and nothing more than Eshanic power.   “Nothing in the history of Esha rivaled the intensity of light in those moments. It was day during the night. The eyes of the unwary were seared. Eshan and olundi alike were silenced in their labors which were made insignificant in that moment. Something incredible was happening, and it was the duty of a curious sentience to observe every moment of it, whether or not it could be understood.   Those in Voryndal spoke among one another to determine its meaning, without success. No greater expense of Eshara was witnessed for so little visible gain. Those lights lingered, but none were destroyed, made, or changed by them. It was only much later that its true purpose became known.”   Tellas Remembers the Birth of Xhamenullas   Gatherings of the Zolrassal – 3472   The genius of Ácolitus’ creation was not appreciated in those awesome flashes of time, but much later. It was such that the Eshanic constellation he created was intended as a dwelling for olûndari esseythu, being chosen from those who sought their ancestors over the Eshan themselves. As generations of these dissidents died, the Xhamenullas grew in strength, and that strength could be manifested by those who essence occupied it, though in limited capacity divided among the whole. The more who were of the same mind, the more potent.   Come the -3000s, Qadal was a changed world. The suggestive trends of civilizations had coalesced into sprawling kingdoms which patchworked the major continents of the world.