Hârn Kèthîra

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Kèthîra v.2.0

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Contents

Kèthîra

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Cover

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Credits

Being an Atlas of the World with Explanatory Texts

By N. Robin Crossby

Art & Cartography

Joel Bisaillon, N. Robin Crossby, Eric Hotz, Robert B. Schmunk

Contributing Developers

Jeremy Baker & Robert B. Schmunk

Kèthîra version 2.0. © 1977–2005, N. Robin Crossby (Keléstia Productions), All rights reserved.

The purchaser of the electronic version of this publication is entitled to make two (2) printed copies for personal use.

Introduction

Preface

Pronunciation & Accents

Ideally, when one desires to learn the correct pronunciation of a word, one asks a well-educated local. With the cost of transportation being what it is, visiting the more remote parts of Kèthîra is not always practicable. This being the case, we provide accents on local words to assist the reader in his quest for linguistic veracity. A reader who does not wish to participate in such a quest may, of course, ignore the accents.

In general, accents indicate syllabic stress:

An acute accent (á) indicates primary stress.

A grave accent (à) indicates secondary stress

A circumflex accent (â) indicates that the vowel should be pronounced as if it were followed by an r, and may replace the acute or grave to indicate primary or secondary stress. If a circumflex accented vowel is followed by an ‘r’, it should be read as a ‘double r’ and ‘rolled’ slightly. Sometimes it should be rolled even if there is no following r.

Ø appears in Phâric languages (including Chelémbian). It is usually pronounced as a long ‘o’ as in tone, or as an ‘oa’ sound as in boat or Moab, or as an ‘ou’ sounds as in about.

æ is usually sounded as y with which it is interchangeable. If a and e appear as separate letters, they are each sounded.

Dating

The dating system in used this and other (official) Keléstia Publications. is named for its creator, the scholar Túzyn. The dates are measured from the founding of the Kingdom of Mèlderýn (the Year 1), although it has been suggested that Túzyn might have been looking to some other event or events.

Dates using Túzyn Reckoning include the prefix TR.* Hence, the year TR1 is the year in which the Kingdom of Mèlderýn was founded.

Dates prior to the founding of Mèlderýn are prefixed by BT which stands for Before Túzyn Reckoning.

If no prefix is included in the date, it is assumed to be TR.

* Some people use the tr or bt abbreviations as a suffix instead of a prefix, but this is considered a mark of under-education by the over-educated.

Page Orientation

Please note: Most of this publication is arranged in landscape mode. This is to facilitate looking at the maps and reading the relevant text at the same time, without having to keep rotating the module.

Kèthîra The Maps

This module puts in one place all significant maps of the world of Kèthîra as a whole, together with explanatory notes and an extensive historical chronology.

The Maps

ADD Page Links

  • General Map of Kèthîra
  • Climatic Zones
  • Annual Precipitation
  • Natural Vegetation
  • Oceanic Currents
  • Winds
  • Tectonics
  • Earliest Cultures
  • Ancient Cultures
  • Major Polities
    • Major Polities TR1
    • Major Polities TR474
    • Major Polities TR720
  • Languages
  • The Night Skies
  • Kéthrian Family of Worlds
  • Venârivè: Distribution of Regions

Kèthîra Continents & Regions

General Map of Kèthîra

MAP: Continents & Regions

General Map of Kèthîra


Kèthîra is the second of five planets of the star Nólomàr; it is slightly smaller than Terra and has a large moon called Yaél. Kèthîra is a ‘water planet’; oceans and seas cover seventy-eight percent of the surface, including two large polar ice packs. There are three continents, in order of size: Lýthia, Mêrnat, and Kámerand.

Areas of Continents
Continent Square Leagues Square Kilometres Square Miles
Lýthia 3,375,000 54,000,000 21,000,000
Mêrnat 1,250,000 20,000,000 8,000,000
Kámerand 1,125,000 18,000,000 7,000,000
Lýthia

The continent of Lýthia is, by far, the largest of the three. With a surface area of 3.375 million square leagues and ranging from sixty degrees north to forty degrees south, Lýthia has every type of climate and vegetation. The variety of peoples, cultures, and languages is vast.

Mêrnat

The continent of Mêrnat is entirely located in the southern hemisphere, roughly 1,200 leagues southeast of Lýthia at the end of the Molkûran archipelago. Mêrnat has an area of 1.25 million square leagues. Climate and vegetation vary, but the continent can be characterised as dry, with extensive grasslands and the world’s largest desert. Mêrnat is sparsely populated; the fertile coastlands are peopled with a variety of pre-agrarian cultures and steppe nomads range throughout the grasslands. Molnásian seafarers have visited Mêrnat; they call it Kitóh.

Kámerand

Kámerand lays some 2,400 leagues west of Lýthia across the Haónic Ocean. With an area of 1.125 million square leagues, Kámerand is roughly a-third the size of Lýthia The continent has a narrow east-west axis, but its north-south extent exceeds that of Lýthia. Hence, the ranges of climate and vegetation are almost as diverse. Kámerand has a broad range of peoples and cultures. With the exception of a few brave seafarers Lýthians do not know of Kámerand; no visits have been recorded in the other direction.

Map Projection

Most of the maps in this atlas employ a variation of the Interrupted Sinusoidal Projection with Azimuthal Equidistant Polar Regions. This is a reasonably equal area projection, meaning that areas on the map are closely proportional (relative sizes are quite accurate). Lines of latitude are parallel and run east-west. The only distortion in this projection is the meridians: at the edges of segments the meridians are not straight lines. The prime meridian is arbitrarily set as running roughly between Ázeryàn and Tríerzòn. Along this line, north-south are truly represented. This is also the case in the other segment baseline meridians at 90° West and at 180°, and (in the southern hemisphere) at 90° East. Kèthîra has a 21°axial tilt. This places the tropics 21° north and south of the equator, and the Arctic and Antarctic circles 21° from the poles. The tropics of Fenéri and Tai bound the region in which the sun can be directly overhead. Between the tropics, days and nights are always 12 hours long.

Kèthîra Map Projection

The basic map identifies the continents, the oceans, and a few significant geographical/political features/regions by name.


Index to the Map of Kèthîra

Áltôr

Across the top of Northwest Lýthia, Áltôr is a land of tundra, mountains, dense forests and cold woodlands. Many rivers drain the region into the Sea of Ítikîr. Most of the indigenous Alts (a Járind people) are hunter-gatherers, and the region is sparsely inhabited. There are, however, several significant settled areas, some of which have been inhabited for centuries.

Anzelôria

The south-western subcontinent of Lýthia spans the equator. It has a broad variety of climate and vegetation including rainforest, woodland scrub savannah and savannah woodland. The interiors and much of the coast are sparsely settled. With few exceptions, Anzelôrian states have tended to be isolationist with relatively little influence outside Anzelôria. The interior especially is an enigma to the rest of Lýthia; rumours persist of lost cities and civilisations, fabulously wealthy mines and outlandish beasts and folk.

Coat of Arms
Argóla

A region of northeastern Lýthia named for its semi-nomadic peoples. Parts of Argóla were provinces of the Empire of Ch’mísa.

Ázeryàn

The great central peninsula of Venârivè, Ázeryàn lies at the heart of the Venârian Sea. In the north, the Tonátris Mountains divide Ázeryàn from its northern neighbours. The drylands of southwest Ázeryàn are inhospitable, but the rest of the peninsula is productive and densely inhabited. The peninsula is the surviving heartland of the great Empire of Ázeryàn, which once dominated the Venârian Sea. The Empire lost most of her territories to war and rebellion, but is now again on the rise.

Býria

A tropical and sub-tropical region on the north-central coast of the Anzelôrian subcontinent on the southern coast of the Venârian Sea. The region was once a province of the Àzeryáni Empire. Býria is now the world’s most powerful matriarchal empire.

Dádenârtra

The vast desert, scrub and semi-desert region of northwestern Mêrnat. Despite its aridity, nomadic peoples make this region home, walking vast distances across the open plains.

Dalkésh

A region to the southeast of the Venârian Sea centred on and around the Târga River. Placed across several trade routes, the Târga River has nurtured a succession of civilisations. The Empire of Dalkésh stood against Ázeryàn at her zenith.

Diramóa

The region of eastern Lýthia between Ketârh and the Sea of Lashói, centred on the Ch’mísa River. The region is the great eastern cradle of civilisation and has fostered great empires; the most recent is called Diramóa.

Èndrakômas

The southern reaches of Kámerand, an area of warm temperate and sub-tropical climate, with a mixture of evergreen hardwood and mixed woodland cover. The northern part of this region is savannah woodland.

Gáridh

Gáridh is a cold archipelago in the Sea of Ítikîr; it was the northern extent of Áltish settlement. It is now home to a few Alts and ‘exiled’ Ivínians.

Góthmîr

The coasts and margins of Góthmîr are lightly forested, while the interiors are lightly wooded grasslands. Until recently Góthmîr was part of the Empire of Ázeryàn, but is now the range of Reksýni horse tribes. Conflict continues between the Empire and the nomads.

Harazákas

The north-central region of Kámerand, its landscape varies from tropical scrubland in the south, to grasslands in the north. Coastal regions have mixed (summergreen) woodland.

Hârn

Hârn is the largest of the Hârnic Isles, a misty, forested, barbaric land west of Lýthia, off the coasts of Emélrenè and Shôrkýnè. Lake Benáth dominates its centre. Hârn is a land of mystery and myth — strange elder peoples and fell beasts are said to dwell there, its kingdoms and realms are small and fractious, and outsiders generally avoid the place.

Hépeker

A large island subcontinent separated from Anzelôria/Lýthia by the straights known as the Elánas. Hépeker is mostly desert and semi-desert populated by fiercely independent tribes but there are grasslands and evergreen hardwood forests and woodlands along the coasts where most of the large settlements are located.

Homôra

A mountainous region of coastal southwestern Molkûr dominated by tropical rainforest. The people of the region are generally isolated, but have contact with the peoples of Molnásya and the Shéntu Sea.

Hôrótra

The equatorial rainforest region of Kámerand, around the Gulf of Hôrah on the Tropic of Fenéri, Hôrótra is hot and wet. Its cultures have adapted to the prolific vegetation and teeming wildlife.

Iváe

A large island off the northwest coast of Lýthia, surrounded by thousands of smaller islands, Iváe’s highly glaciated landscape, fjords, and mountains were the home of ancient folk. Several competing Ivínian kingdoms now vie for control of the region. Ivínians have colonised many parts of Venârivè in the last two centuries.

Jánkor

A peninsula of northeast Lýthia, north of Diramóa and Shóju, Jánkor is a mountainous region, with most of the population on the southern coast. Jánkor was part of the great empire of Ch'mísa, but is now an independent state.

Kámerand

The third continent of Kèthîra, Kámerand has the greatest north-south extent, and consequently highly varied climate and vegetation.

Káneum

A region of northern Molkûr, south of Diramóa and the Sea of Lashói, Káneum is blessed by considerable sub-tropical forest. There is ongoing conflict between the peoples of Káneum and Diramóa over the Chomsún and Lashói regions.

Karéjia

Karéjia is the name given to the islands of the eastern Venârian Sea and to the league of minor states located there. Much of the region is volcanic in origin, with rich if dry soils. Karéjia has fostered a number of cultures; it is currently home to numerous allied trading states.

Ketârh

The heart of Lýthia is a great high plateau, comprised primarily of desert, semi-desert, steppe and prairie grasslands. The nomadic Ketârh peoples have had a significant, and often violent, effect on the history of both eastern and western Lýthia.

Lýthia

Lýthia is Kèthîra’s largest continent. It can be divided into a number of subcontinents and regions; the largest of these are Venârivè, Anzelôria, the Ketârh Plateau, Hépeker, the Great East and the vast Molkûr Peninsula.

Mafán

Millennia ago, the coasts and hinterlands of south central Lýthia, around the Shéntu Sea (the Gulf of Mafán), were the site of one of Lýthia’s great empires. The region is now peppered with small trading states.

Melûria

Melûria is a region on the southern coast of central Molkûr, bounding the Melûrian Sea. It lies south of Káneum and west of Molkûra, and has had a difficult and contentious history.

Melûrian Sea

The body of water between the Lýthian mainland (Molkûr) and the continent of Mêrnat south of the Molkûran Archipelago. The south-western extent of the Melûrian Sea is uncertain.

Mêrnat

The second continent of Kèthîra, Mêrnat is thinly populated, and dominated by desert, semi-desert and grasslands. Significant regions include Dádenârtra, Rúa and Yoréa; only the latter two have had any contact with outsiders. The peoples of Mêrnat might seem primitive to outsiders, but live in near perfect harmony with their environment.

Molkûr

The great southeastern region of Lýthia, Molkûr is dominated by rainforests. Molkûr includes Káneum, Pélechâr, Homôra, Melûria and Molkûra. The civilisations are ancient and mysterious.

Molkûra

The easternmost peninsula of Lýthia, Molkûra is in the main a mountainous wilderness of tropical rainforest. Most of the population dwell in the southern lowlands. Molkûra is an imperial state, but central authority is difficult to maintain due to the rugged terrain, poor communications and endemic tropical diseases. Consequently, local magnates hold most of the power. The many ancient ruins are largely unknown to the inhabitants.

Molkûran Archipelago

A chain of islands running east from Molkûr to Mêrnat, the Molkûran Archipelago divides the Thiánic Ocean from the Melûrian Sea and ‘connects’ Lýthia to Mêrnat (in a geographical sense). The islands are lightly inhabited. Many have ruins similar to those found on the mainland.

Molnásya

An archipelago south of the Melûrian Sea; these islands are populated by a relatively ‘civilised’ people, but there are few urban centres. Several islands have ruins similar to those found in Molkûra. The people practice a mixture of hunting, fishing, and agriculture, as well as trade. They are generally peaceful, but fiercely independent.

Neránadh

A group of islands off the northeast of Kámerand, Neránadh is the only cool temperate area of Kámerand, dominated by mixed woodland. The very northern parts of the archipelago are near the artic circle in the Sea of Ítikîr. The tribes of the region live in a civilised federation dominated by a ‘royal’ tribal group. Neránadh is the closest part of Kámerand to Lýthia and has been visited by Ivínian explorers.

Pélechâr

Pélechâr is an inland region of central Molkûr, with mixed woodland and tropical scrublands. Its peoples have long been under pressure from their stronger neighbours.

Quârphor

A vast region north of the Tonátris and Nadámi Mountains, much of Quârphor is drained by the mighty Tîrga river. The Tîrga pours into the Gulf of Shôrkýnè through the region of Huriséa and the Ántiag Marshes. To the northwest lies Hârbáal and to the north Áltôr. The Quârph are a Phâric people. Some of them have settled in places like Huriséa, but most still roam their wide plains and forests.

Rúa

Rúa is the westernmost part of Mêrnat. It is inhabited by indigenous peoples of Mêrnat, who have had contact with the peoples of the Molkûran Archipelago. There are also a few enclaves of assimilated Molkûran colonists. The north-western parts of Rúa are covered in tropical rainforest, and home to fabulous creatures unknown elsewhere on Mêrnat.

Sea of Ítikîr

Kèthîra’s northern sea surrounds the northern polar ice cap. High winds, low temperatures and sea-ice make the Sea of Ítikîr one of the least hospitable parts of Kèthîra. Legend suggests the Sea of Ítikîr is the realm of some very angry gods; only a few Járind settlers and Ivínian exiles and ‘heroes’ have ventured this far north.

Shéntu Sea

The body of water separating Anzelôria from southeast Lýthia is called the Shéntu Sea. It is subject to monsoons and tropical storms.

Shóju

An archipelago and feudal–imperial state off the coasts of Diramóa and Jánkor, Shóju was colonised by people from Jánkor millennia ago. The Shóji Empire is militaristic, fiercely independent and habitually at war with her neighbours. The region is largely sub-tropical and prone to earthquakes.

Thiánic Ocean

The vast Thiánic Ocean lies east of Lýthia, north of Mêrnat, and west of Kámerand. Tropical summer cyclones make sailing extremely hazardous. The Thiánic Ocean has been little travelled by seafarers.

Tían

The largest of many islands in the Thiánic Ocean is north of Mêrnat, and northeast of the Molkûran Archipelago. Its inhabitants are a mixture of people who may have migrated from Mêrnat and Molkûra. Tían and her accompanying isles are home to a combination of peaceful and warlike tribal federations. Abundant vegetation and wildlife make Tían something of a paradise on Kèthîra.

Tríerzòn

A feudal region to the west of Ázeryàn, Tríerzòn incorporates the Degéla and Gadén watersheds, and the Kôrgin and Cherýka peninsulas. In the west the Luíndè and Jerinála mountains separate Tríerzòn from Thánema and Emélrenè, while the Nadámi Mountains divide Tríerzòn from the Shôrkýnè region. The Tríerzòn region is dominated by four feudal states: Tríerzòn, Shôrkýnè, Palíthanè and Emélrenè.

Úlmer

The northeastern coastal lands of the Venârian Sea are bounded by the Yaél Mountains to the east and the wide plains of Reksýna to the north. Beyond the mountains lie the Ketârh Plateau. The trading states of Úlmer compete with those of Karéjia. West of Úlmer lies the troubled Reksýni tribal lands, and contested Imperial Àzeryáni provinces of Góthmîr.

Venârian Sea

A sea with countless islands almost surrounded by western Lýthia. Its warm and sheltered waters have fostered seafaring cultures for millennia. The Járind called it the Émel Vâdivè or ‘Middle Sea’.

Venârivè

Venârivè is that area of Lýthia around the Venârian Sea and the Sea of Iváe. Including the north coast of the Anzelôrian subcontinent and the whole of Hépeker. It's climate ranges from tropical to sub-polar, but much of the region is temperate.

Yérazhen

Yérazhen is roughly that part of Kámerand lying west of the 120th Meridian West. It is divided from the rest of the continent by the Malpátachampè Mountains. Its lowland regions are rainforest, giving way to subtropical rainforest at higher elevations. Parts of Yérazhen are less than a hundred leagues east of Yoréa in Mêrnat.

Yoréa

The easternmost region of Mêrnat is also one of its wettest. Like Rúa, the northern tip of Yoréa is covered in rainforest; further south verdant grasslands are home to herds of strange beasts. The people of Yérazhen have attempted to colonise Yoréa, but have not been particularly successful.

Coat of Arms

Climate Zones

Climatic Zones Map

Climate Zones Map

The notion of climatic zones often seems to gainsay empirical observation. Locations such as Venârivè (northwest Lýthia) are often said to have plenty of weather, but to lack climate entirely. The creation of a broad picture is not helped by the fact that climates run in cycles, their most extreme manifestation being the occasional ‘ice age’.

Even so, it is sometimes helpful to draw broad distinctions of climate that may be said to apply as of TR720.

There are numerous sub-classes within each zone type; the most fundamental subdivision is between maritime and continental climates. The latter is simply land that is sufficiently isolated by distance or geography from the moderating effect of the oceans.

Continental climates are either far inland, or sheltered from the sea by highlands (rain shadow) or offshore winds. They are typically drier.

The onset of seasons is typically delayed by thirty to sixty days in maritime climates. In a continental climate the winter solstice is close to mid winter. In a maritime zone, winter might be said to start at the solstice.

PIC


Tropical Zone

In general, the Tropical Zone is that region within twenty-one degrees (north and south) of the equator. This is the hottest and, typically the most humid climatic zone, although the region also contains some of the world’s largest deserts. Within the tropics days and nights are twelve hours in length and there are no seasons. However, the ‘tropical’ zone is not quite coextensive with the tropics.

Subtropical Zone

The subtropics lie between the tropical and warm temperate zones and can be confused with either. They are distinguished from the tropics in that they have seasons, although they might be difficult to notice. Most subtropical regions are warm (or cool) in the winter and hot in the summer.

Warm Temperate Zone

Warm temperate zones are characterised by hot or warm summers and mild winters. Most humans live in the temperate zones and most civilisations have been born there.

Cool Temperate Zone

Cool temperate regions typically experience mild summers and cold winters. Most humans live in the temperate zones. Cool temperate cultures are sometimes more dynamic than tropical or warm temperate civilisations.

Sub-Polar Zone

Sub-polar regions are characterised by short, warm (or even hot) summers and by harsh winters. On Kèthîra the sub-polar zones are all ocean and, therefore, uninhabited. Coincidentally, winds in the sub-polar zones are dangerously high; seafarers typically avoid the regions.

Polar Zone

Polar zones are frozen wastes. They have short summers and long winters. On Kèthîra, the temperatures at the poles are somewhat moderated by the lack of land at high latitudes. These are nevertheless the coldest places of the world.

Annual Precipitation

Annual Precipitation

It is difficult to estimate the amount of precipitation that falls in a region. The maps estimates mean annual amounts based a hundred-year period from TR601 to TR700. The divisions are, of course, very crude.

Few environmental factors have a greater effect on the development of cultures than the amount of rain and snow that falls in a given region. Temperature and available moisture determine the types of plant that will grow and the kinds of animals that will settle or migrate. If there is no water, there will be no trees, and no crops.1

It is easy to see the effect that precipitation has on vegetation by comparing this map with the natural vegetation map. Regions with less than ten inches of rain per annum, for example, almost exactly coincide with the deserts and semi-deserts. (Of course, the definition of ‘desert’ is an environ that receives less than ten inches of rain yearly.)

The monthly distribution of rainfall cannot be determined from the map. The equatorial rainforests and the temperate zones tend to receive their precipitation more or less evenly throughout the year. The deserts usually get theirs in short, heavy storms once or twice annually, but they sometimes go without rain for years at a time. When it does rain in the desert, it tends to rain heavily for a short period. High winds in sandy desert regions can produce what might be considered the opposite of precipitation: dust storms.

Regions in the paths of tropical summer cyclones tend to receive most of their rain in the summer as successions of cyclones produce what are often called ‘monsoon’ conditions.

The Polar Regions are dry. They receive most of their precipitation as show, but it is so cold that the snow does not melt.


1 Although, human cultures sometimes invest unthinkable amounts of time and energy to irrigate desert and semi-desert regions (we’re not quite sure why they do that instead of moving to moister regions).

Natural Vegetation

Map of Natural Vegetation

Map of Natural Vegetation

Vegetation classes do not change in clean lines. It may be presumed that there is gradation between any two classes. In several cases, two or more classes have been combined. The vegetation shown is what would exist in the absence of civilisation.

Arctic/Alpine Tundra

Includes arctic and alpine tundra as well as ice, snow and/or rock field at high elevation or high latitude.. Plants in the tundra tend to be short and stunted, flowering briefly in early summer. Permafrost, in some areas can produce boggy conditions in spring. Tundra also includes some ‘cold woodland’ where conifers grow in small clumps or as scattered individuals.

Needleleaf Forest

Evergreen forests of tall, straight, conical trees, with small needle-like leaves and seed cones. The 50%+ canopy prevents significant undergrowth. Needleleaf forest occur at high elevations grading between deciduous forests and alpine tundra. Large needleleaf forests are also found in high latitudes (>45°).

Mixed Forest & Woodland (Summergreen Forest)

Forest containing needleleaf-deciduous and summergreen (broadleaf) deciduous trees. Needleleaf deciduous trees are similar to their evergreen cousins, but shed their needles in winter. Broadleaf trees tend to have short trunks, long branches and a generous canopy of large leaves that shed in winter.

Evergreen Hardwood Forest

This type of vegetation occurs in subtropical regions with dry summers,. The class includes a large proportion of woodland with twenty five to sixty percent canopy. Trees are short, often gnarled, low-branched and thick-barked, with small, evergreen, leathery leaves. There may also be large areas of scrub (Chaparral, Maquis, etc.), which are also evergreen.

Steppe & Prairie Grasslands

Prairies are found in continental, mid-latitude, sub-humid climates, where annual precipitation is approximately in balance with evaporation. There will be a continuous sward of tall, deep-rooted grasses, broken by occasional trees and shrubs in depressions, river valleys, and other topographical anomalies. Steppe, also called short-grass prairie, is a sparser version of prairie, grading into prairie, semi-desert or woodland. It occurs in semi-arid regions, where evaporation tends to exceed annual precipitation.

Desert & Semi-Desert

Deserts occur where there is little precipitation, and may be hot or cold depending on latitude. Plants are dispersed and tend to be small, hard-leaved or spiny shrubs, succulent plants (cacti, etc.) and hardy grasses. A proliferation of small annuals may flower after a heavy rain saturates the soil. Desert also includes regions of no vegetation, shifting sand dunes, and sterile salt flats. Desert grades into semidesert. Semi-desert may also be found in tropical highland areas.

Savannah, Savannah Woodland & Tropical Scrub

Savannah is tropical grassland with scattered trees. The climate is too arid to allow the development of more than a few trees of medium height, with flattened (umbrella shaped) crowns and thick, rough bark. Regions with porous soils and less than average precipitation may promote a sub-class called Thornwood (tall, dense, thorny, woody shrubs) or Tropical Scrub, (stunted version of Thornwood). Where the precipitation is higher than average, Savannah often becomes Monsoon Forest, where the denser trees reach 100 feet in height and the undergrowth contains shrubs, bamboo, etc. Monsoon forest is generally inland from tropical rainforest, notably in south-eastern Lýthia.

Temperate/Subtropical Rainforest

Temperate Rainforest occurs where the temperature range is moderate, but there is abundant precipitation in every month. These conditions may occur at higher elevations in equatorial regions, or on eastern coastlines between 15 & 30 degrees latitude. Temperate rainforest has fewer species of tree than its tropical equivalent. Trees are shorter, leaves tend to be smaller and more leathery, and the canopy more open. Undergrowth will be denser and include tree ferns, small palms, bamboos, shrubs and vines.

Tropical & Equatorial Rainforest

Tropical and equatorial Rainforest occurs in continuously warm, humid, frostfree regions, near the equator, on all three continents. Vegetation consists of tall, closely set, broadleaf, evergreen trees whose canopies form a continuous layer. Trees average 75 feet in height, but taller species up to 130 feet often thrust through the canopy at scattered intervals. Lianas (woody vines) commonly wrap themselves around tree trunks; these parasites often have their own parasites, such as orchids, ferns, mosses, and lichens. Thousands of different species can be found in close proximity. The dense canopy provides deep shade on the ground that stunts the development of undergrowth, making the mature forest floor easy to traverse. However, where the trees are removed, for one reason or another, the returning vegetation will initially be "jungle", an impenetrable layer of low shrubs, lianas, bamboo, scrub and thorny palms. In coastal regions, tree species are specialised, including mangroves, pines, and palms.

Ocean Currents

Map of Ocean Currents

Map of Ocean Currents

Oceans distribute and equalise heat over the planetary surface, cooling the land in the tropics, warming it in high latitudes.

The configuration of Kèthîran oceanic currents is determined by the coriolis (rotational) force of the planet, and by the shapes of landmasses. In general, currents moving away from the equator are warm; those moving away from the poles are cold. Where hot and cold currents meet, fogs and mists are common. The Ocean Current Map, shows only surface currents. It may be assumed that there are additional deep currents.

Ocean currents have two main effects on the inhabitants of Kèthîra. Mariners who wish to make good time can greatly benefit from knowledge of currents. They average one to three leagues per watch (up to eight leagues per watch in narrow waterways). This can be the difference between life and death on a long voyage. It may be noted, however, that experience with ocean currents as an aid to navigation is extremely limited in most cultures. The age of trans-oceanic voyages lies in the future. Most shipping still tends to hug the coasts, both because of a lack of accurate navigational technique and for want of knowledge of oceanic conditions in general. It is not uncommon for the peoples of Kèthîra, the landlubbers at least, to presume that the world’s edge lies just beyond the horizon.

Ocean currents also have profound effects on climate. A warm current moderates the weather all year round. Northwestern Lýthia would be far less pleasant, and much colder, were it not for the North Haónic Current that runs from tropical Kámerand to Hârn.

Local and/or intermittent conditions are not shown on the Oceanic Currents map. Such conditions arise where major rivers have outflows, or where currents collide, usually near land, sometimes causing turbulence or even maelstroms. While they may not be ‘major’ or consistent phenomena, local conditions may can pose significant hazard to mariners, especially when the waters are unknown or when the conditions are intermittent. The volume of river outflow often depends on weather conditions, such as rain or spring thaw.

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Wind

Winds

Map of Winds

Winds are driven by the same forces as ocean currents, but air is far more fluid and volatile than water. The effects of wind are even more important than ocean currents to mariners and to the climate. It is the wind which allows heat exchange between the surfaces of ocean and land. Prevailing winds carry moisture inland, feeding rivers and vegetation. However, by the time winds reach deep into continental interiors, or cross mountain ranges, they have lost all or part of their moisture content and speed. As a consequence, the continental interiors are arid and subject to temperature extremes. The movement of air masses is complex, especially over land where the topography interferes. Winds and currents work as a team, their effects are greatest where they are close together. Hence, prevailing winds are less meaningful inland; they still follow the same basic patterns, but their effects are lessened.

Prevailing Winds

Prevailing winds are those that blow consistently for much of the time. Some prevailing winds are more prevalent than others. At the poles, there is hardly any variation, high winds blow nearly all the time. In the absence of land, winds would blow in predictable directions according to latitude.

Summer (Tropical) Cyclones

Also displayed on the map are some typical tracks for summer storms. The Summer Tropical Cyclone Season varies from year to year. It might last two months, it might last five or six. Typically, most major storms happen from Nólus to Ágrazhâr in the northern hemisphere and from Ilvín to Morgát in the southern. Tropical summer cyclones are driven by sea temperature and usually form between ten and twenty degrees (north or south). Once formed, they follow a path that takes them westward and away from the equator. Tropical cyclones vary in intensity. They are not always violent storms, but they can be devastating. They carry a lot of precipitation and often generate very high winds. Summer Cyclones have profound effects on climate and vegetation. Were it not for the ‘monsoons’ there would be a lot less raingreen forest.

Storms in the northern hemisphere are technically anticyclones because they rotate in an anticlockwise direction (due to the Coriolis effect)

Among the most devastating are the Haónic hurricanes that form in the mid Haónic Ocean and work their ways west to buffet the coasts of Kámerand. The Summer storms of the Gulf of Mafán are responsible for extensive raingreen forests, and indirectly, enabled the rise of the ancient civilisations of the region. Shóji Typhoons form in the Thiánic Ocean and punish the coasts of Shóju, Diramóa and surrounding countries with high winds, heavy rainfall and flooding.

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Tectonics

Map of Tectonics

Map of Tectonics

Kèthîra has a nickel-iron core kept solid by immense pressure. Around this is an outer core of the same composition, but liquid. The bulk of the planet is a mantle of various compressed iron-magnesium silicates that are rigid to a depth of about 180 leagues. The outermost layer of the mantle is a crust, rocks formed from gradual cooling, which is fractured into large plates.

The fact that the surface plates are floating on a semi-liquid mantle does not make for a particularly stable situation. The plates tend to drift slowly across the surface. Where they chafe against each other the friction causes earthquakes. Where they are moving apart, the molten rocks of the interior exude in volcanic eruptions. Where an oceanic plate slides under a continental plate (subduction), the upheaval creates a mountain range along the discontinuity, a deep oceanic trench offshore, and severe earthquakes.

The picture is more complicated than this, however. The plates are not of uniform thickness or consistency. Isolated hotspots exist where plates are thin and perforated, resulting in isolated volcanic activity. Some hotspots move across the surface to produce lines of volcanic islands.

Some plates are "softer" than others. The Ázeryàn-Karéjia plate, for example, is in the process of being broken apart by the larger and firmer plates to the east and west. Complex warping dictates that this part of the planet has more than its share of natural disasters. The eastern part of the East Lýthia plate is also soft and will eventually be crushed.

Most of these motions are very slow. The residents of Ázeryàn, Karéjia or Shóju can hardly notice the drift of continents. All they can perceive is that from time to time, the local mountain will erupt, or the earth beneath their feet will shake violently.

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Earliest Cultures

Earliest Cultures

Earliest Cultures (Earthmasters, Elves, Yêrazai, Khúzdul, Chostôri and Humans)

The most ‘ancient’ civilisations of Kèthîra were those of the ‘Earthmasters’, and the ‘elder folk’, including the Sindârin (elves), Khúzdul (dwarves), and Yêrazai (golden-people).

Earthmasters

Very little is known about the ‘Earthmasters’ other than what has been learned from the ruins and artefacts they left behind; scholars do not even know what they looked like. From the limited art they have left, they might have been a ‘federation’ of several vastly different species. Earthmaster ‘civilisation’ is believed to have flourished from around BT20000 to BT15000, at which point they seem to have ‘disappeared’. This may have involved an attack from another enigmatic species (or alliance of entities) called the Airmasters. There are indications of great destruction toward the end of the Earthmasters’ presence. An era called the Lost Years followed.

One of the curious things about the earthmasters is that they do not seem to have built recognisable settlements. Rumours of a ‘city’ of the Ancients abound, it even has a name Lahr-Dárin, but no one has ever found it. Earthmaster artefacts confound scholars to the present day. Not simply by the relatively large number of them that still survive and function after fifteen millennia, but also because their purposes are obscure. The most dramatic of Earthmaster artefacts are the godstones, portals of varied design; people who step into them disappear.

A few organisations, such as the Shèk-Pvâr (the guild of mages) privately claim to own and understand the ‘legacy’ of the Earthmasters. After fifteen thousand years, whether this is true or simply a manifestation of pride might never be known.

The extent of the Earthmaster ‘empire’ is unknown, but they clearly emerged on other worlds of the Kéthrian Family. It may be coincidence that human culture seems to have grown up in proximity to earthmaster ‘presences’, and that there is no evidence of intelligent life on Kèthîra prior to the Earthmasters.

The Sindârin & the Sidhé

The Sindârin are likely Kèthîra’s most ancient ‘people’. They are said to have ‘arrived’ on Kèthîra around BT10000, led by their God Siém. Nevertheless, their influence has been limited many departed with Siém around BT7000. Scholars do not always consider the Sidhé a ‘separate’ folk from the sindârin. They are certainly much rarer, but they are physically indistinguishable from their sindârin cousins. It is thought that the Sidhé are a purer ‘strain’, or what the sindârin should have been were they not corrupted in some way. There are other types of elf, most of them are corrupted or varied from the sindârin or the Sidhé.

The Khúzdul & the Chostôri

The Khúzdul are said to have ‘emerged’ on Kèthîra around BT7200. The city of Mêrdáin in Mafán, and the cities of Êrdar and Lârhakul in Ketârh were founded before BT7000. Subsequently cities on Hârn, Ivínia and Kámerand were founded before BT6500. The Khúzdul appear to have exerted more influence on humans than do the Sindârin, particularly on the development of mining, metallurgy and masonry. They seem to have been particularly influential in the development of the Narmâr River Culture. However as time passes, the Khúzdul become increasingly guarded in their dealings with ‘flighty humans’.

Chostôri are more reclusive and mysterious than their Khúzan cousins. From earliest times, the two races were foes competing for resources. While Chostôri seem more powerful individually, they have always been vastly outnumbered by the khúzdul who drove them deeper and deeper underground, until they vanished from sight and even from lore.

The Codominium

Until about BT683, the Sindârin and Khúzdul dwelt peacefully with their Human Járin ‘allies’ in the Hârnic Isles under the Sindârin King Daélda.

The Yêrazai

The ‘Golden People’ are the third ancient race of Kèthîra. They apparently ‘emerged’ on the continent of Kámerand and have never numbered more than a few thousand. The Yêrazai dominate the human culture of Yêrazh on the west coast of Kámerand. They have considerable personal power and position themselves as Yêrazh deities.

Ancient Civilisations

Map of Ancient Civilisations

Map of Ancient Civilisations

By the strictest definition a civilisation is a culture in which the people live in cities. The opposite of civilisation is typically taken to be ‘barbarism’, which is not strictly speaking true. Uncivilised peoples can certainly be ‘cultured’. Tribal peoples often have very rich cultures indeed, but they are not ‘civilised’ and they tend to leave less of a mark on their environments, and certainly on recorded history.

Scholars consider the most ancient civilisations of Kèthîra to be those of the Earthmasters the Khúzdul (dwarves) and Sindârin (elves). There is considerable debate about the influence these most ancient cultures might have had on human culture. It may be argued that even the Sindârin are not ‘civilised’ since they tend to dwell in the wild woods, building as few permanent structures as possible. However, the elder folk seem to have had significant linguistic and cultural influence on human cultures with which they have had extended contact.

Whatever the impetus, human cultures based on animal husbandry and agriculture developed on Kèthîra around BT8000, in several discrete locations. Over time local crop or livestock surpluses based on local advantages of climate and terrain encouraged trade. Eventually, the growth of food stocks allowed the development of urban centres; villages grew into towns, then city-states, kingdoms and empires. A growing demand for luxury goods by social elites permitted specialisation among craftsmen, fostered by local surpluses of skills and natural resources.

Complex civilisations emerged in ‘cradles’ across Kèthîra. Except for the possible exception of Mèlderýn, the civilisations of eastern Lýthia seem to predate those of the West, while those of Kámerand are comparatively recent.

No civilisation has ever developed on Mêrnat, although it can be said that the humans of the continent are in perfect balance with their environment and have never needed, wanted nor developed what others would call a ‘civilised’ culture. The same can be said of other peoples here and there across Kèthîra.

Molkûr (Ziggurat Culture) BT6700-BT3000

As early as BT 6700, a highly advanced, but mysterious culture developed in the region now known as Molkûra. Called the ‘Ziggurat’ culture by some scholars, the Molkûri built magnificent step-pyramids throughout southeast Lýthia including on many of the islands. Scholars differ on the purpose of these structures; some presume them to be temples, others presume them somehow linked to the remnants of the Earthmasters. It is true that Southeast Lýthia has more Earthmaster remnants than most other parts of the continent.

Ziggurat Culture ruins are scattered all over southeast Lýthia and the islands beyond. There are even a few on Mêrnat (known as Kitóh to the Molnásians). By BT3000 the ‘Empire’ of Molkûr was hopelessly fragmented.

Narmâr River Culture (Mafán) (BT5300-1500)

Much later, around BT5300, another civilisation arose along the banks of the Narmâr River that flows south into the Gulf of Mafán. It is likely that the Khúzdul of Mêrdáin had some influence on Narmâr Culture. The Narmâr culture grew into the Empire of Mafán that lasted until around BT1500.

Some scholars hold that the Mafán Empire was the greatest in history. Certainly, it had many advantages. Its central location astride trade routes connecting north, east and west made Mafán a political, cultural and economic crossroads. Imperial power depended on a large navy. When the navy was allowed to deteriorate, the empire soon followed as provincial governors decided they could manage their affairs better than the central government. Of course, this cannot by itself account for the fragmentation of such a centralised polity. Runs of incompetent emperors, plagues, rebellions and foreign wars also weakened central authority.

Kolôra Lake Culture (BT2830)

It is thought the ‘empire’ of Molkûr was largely defunct, or at least hopelessly fragmented, when the Kolôra Lake Civilisation of Káneum and Melûria rose to prominence around BT 2830. The unity of the culture was always questionable, but several large states rose and fell in the region. Eventually the Kolôra Lake Culture would give birth to the Empire of Káneum, and influence other polities throughout southeast Lýthia.

Ch’mísa River Culture (BT3500-BT530)

The last major eastern civilisation was the Ch’mísa River Culture of northern and central Diramóa, which emerged around BT3500. This civilisation developed into numerous warring states which rose and fell and which were finally united in BT2940 under the great Warrior Emperor Súnta, into the Ch’mísa Empire (BT2940-530).

By BT1500 the Ch’mísa Empire under the Súnta dynasty, had reached its greatest extent, including Argóla, Jánkor, Chomsún, Káneum and Lashói. At this point, the Empire began a period of isolation, stagnation and decline. Certainly there was some trade, and no few reversals of policy, but the Empire was mostly involved with the multitude of border wars and endemic revolts in many of its provinces. Political corruption and near religious adherence to ‘old ways’ did not help.

The culture has always been characterised by a strong central government attributing divine or semi-divine authority to its leaders. It has also had a tendency to jingoism, perceiving other cultures as inferior. There has been no consistent foreign policy; Ch’mísa shifted unpredictably between expansionism and isolationism.

By BT530, the Empire was rotten to the core and ripe for conquest. It fell to the Ketâri chieftain Házhan to deal the final blow. In a lightning campaign, he crushed the armies of Ch’mísa and annihilated the ruling class. The rebellious outer provinces rose up as one, and the Empire was in ruins. Upon taking the capital, Házhan declared the Empire of Diramóa, and spent the rest of his life consolidating his conquests.

Târgan River Culture (BT3100-)

The oldest civilisation of ‘western’ Lýthia appears to have been the Târgan River Culture, which was probably influenced (or ‘inspired’) by the Empire of Mafán, and may even have been influenced by the Ch’mísa culture.

Dozens of states have prospered along the Târga River over the centuries. The last of them (the Târgan Empire) would be destroyed (in the Târgan genocide) by nomads in TR7 opening the way for the creation of present-day Dalkésh.

Vénic Island Culture (BT2800-1500)

The Târgan River Culture in turn influenced the development of Vénic Island Culture, although it is likely that there was also some degree of Yârhin influence.

The cradle of ‘Venârian’ culture spread from the eastern coast of the Venârian Sea around BT2800. Vénic Island cultures established ‘colonies’ all around the Venârian Sea, including the Ázeryàn peninsula. These would later grow into the Ázeryàn Empire.

Vénic Islands culture suffered decline from BT1500 onwards, leaving room for the later rise of Kàruía culture on the islands and Azéri civilisation on the mainland.

Yârhin or Henge Culture (BT3000-1000)

The Henge Culture of Western Lýthia emerged around the same time of the Vénic Island culture, although its antecedents may have developed on and around the isle of Mèlderýn much earlier. This culture was spread throughout northwest Lýthia by the Járind (Yârhin) peoples.

Yârhin culture had three distinct phases; a megalithic phase from around BT3000 to 1900; a ‘linear’ phase from around BT1900 to 1400; and a final ‘oceanic’ phase lasting until BT1000. The Henge culture was signif–icantly influenced and finally undermined by migrations of Ketâri and Phâric peoples.

The Yârhin were individualistic folk with a love of poetry and battle. They rarely formed monolithic states, preferring hundreds or even thousands of minor polities. Their linguistic, cultural and spiritual influence is still felt throughout the region, to the extent that Venârivè is sometimes called the Járind (or Yârhin) legacy.


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Yêrazh (BT3000)

Yêrazh culture is the oldest on the continent of Kámerand. Yêrazh scholars date the establishment of their civilisation from the ‘divine’ foundation of the Empire of Yêrazh by the ‘Ten Thousand Golden Ones’ (or Yêrazai). The Yêrazai ‘elder race’ revealed themselves to the relatively primitive peoples of western Kámerand and came to form the ‘deity’ caste of a complex caste-based culture, the cradle of civilisation on Kámerand.

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Most of the Yêrazai dwell in their mountain stronghold of Màtraképetaz (blessed city of the gods), but there are small groups overseeing the governance of each major city.

The Yêrazh Empire fostered the rise of dozens of petty states on its borders that borrowed from Imperial culture, but only weakly acknowledged the rule of the Yêrazai. These petty states often formed alliances to resist the spread of Yêrazh culture, and were sometimes successful, even defeating Yêrazh armies from time to time, but the Yêrazh were patient.

Each expansion in imperial history has been followed by a long period of consolidation as the Yêrazai build fortified temple-palaces in the newly conquered cities, expand their priesthood, and stamp out any residual opposition. Consolidation generates refugees who have contributed to other Kámerand civilisations.

Hârazai (BT1900)

Hârazai was long a destination for refugees from Yêrazh tyranny. The Hârazai tried several times to impose their culture on the peoples of northeast Kámerand, but always with limited success, although the Yêrazai did manage to gain control of much of the region by about BT2050 and declared the ‘Empire of Hârazai’ in BT1902. Resistance to Yêrazh tyranny has instilled fierce independent-mindedness, and revolutions against the Empire were ongoing for millennia. The Yêrazai were never able to secure the whole region. By the dawn of the seventh century BT, Yêrazai influence had been all but eliminated and the region became known as the ‘Thousand Principalities’.

Hôrezh (BT1600)

Hôrezh culture evolved in opposition to the dominance of the Yêrazai, founded by humans escaping from the oppressive caste-systems of Yêrazh and Hârazai, transmitting their superior knowledge and skills to a range of indigenous peoples. As a result the Hôrezh culture was both heavily influenced by its elder neighbours, but developed a much more politically independent and variable set of polities and cultures. City-states and republics came to dominate the region, and this continues to the present day.

Major Polities

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    • Major Polities TR1
    • Major Polities TR474
    • Major Polities TR720


Major Polities – TR1

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      • Western Lýthia
        • Elder Realms
        • Ivínian Realms
        • Járind Realms
        • Kingdom of Mèlderýn
        • Kingdom of Emélrenè
        • States of Zonâra
        • Azéri States
        • Kàruía States
        • Târgan Empire
        • Máfanese States
      • Eastern Lýthia
        • Diramóa
        • Khanate of Káneum
        • Jánkor
        • Empire of Shóju
        • Melûrian Empire
        • Molkûra
      • Kámerand
        • Golden Empire of Yêrazh
        • Hârazai
        • Neránadh Tribes and Petty States
        • Hôrezh & the Hôrótra Region

Major Polities TR474

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        • Antézia
        • Argóla
        • Ázeryàn
        • Býria
        • Dalkésh
        • Diramóa
        • Emélrenè
        • Harazákas
        • Hârnic States (including Coráni Empire)
        • Hépekerian Confederacy
        • Homôra
        • Hôrótra
        • Ivínian & Hârbáalése Kingdoms
        • Jánkor
        • Járind and Shôrka States
        • Káneum
        • Kryl
        • Mafán
        • Melûria
        • Molkûra
        • Neránadh
        • Pechósu
        • Penôra
        • Rakáma
        • Shóju
        • Tríerzi Petty-Kingdoms
        • Tzéngai
        • Yérazhen (Golden Empire of Yérazhen & the Yiâlai states)
        • Zhelôria


Major Polities & Regions TR720

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      • .
        • Áltôr
        • Antézia
        • Ázeryàn
        • Béshakan
        • Býria
        • Chélemby
        • Chogôro
        • Chomsún
        • Dalkésh
        • Diramóa
        • Emélrenè
        • Èndrakômas
        • Erèn
        • Falânia
        • Góthmîr (the 'Blight')
        • Hácherdad
        • Harazákas
        • Hârbáal
        • Hârn
        • Hèpekéria
        • Homôra
        • Hôrótra
        • Imdál
        • Ivínia
        • Jánkor
        • Káneum
        • Karéjia
        • Ketârh
        • Lánkor
        • Lóazen
        • Mafán
        • Melûria
        • Mêrnat
        • Molkûra
        • Molnásya
        • Neránadh
        • Palíthanè
        • Pechósu (Pachéan Empire)
        • Quârphor
        • Reksýna
        • Shóji
        • Shôrkýnè
        • Târkáin
        • Thónia
        • Thóta
        • Tían
        • Tríerzòn
        • Tuvâra
        • Tzéngai
        • Ûmélria
        • Yérazhen
        • Zârh
        • Zhelôria

Languages

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        • Járind Family
        • Phâric Family
        • Azéri (or Venârian) Family
        • Anzélan Family
        • Mafáni Family
        • Molkûran Family
        • Reshéni Family
        • Ketâric Family
        • Númec Family
        • Kámadh Family
        • Mêrnáti Family


The Night Skies

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        • The Nólomàr System & Planets
          • Épeòn
          • Kèthîra
          • Álaran
          • Kenôr
          • Mêrgus
      • The Constellations
        • Northern Sky
        • Southern Sky
        • Zodiac

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Kèthîrian Family of Worlds

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        • Aýderi
        • Blessed Realm
        • Dûrathrhor
        • Gâsh
        • Hýdrae
        • Julûga
        • Kèthîra
        • Lósenor
        • Mâraku
        • Midgaad
      • Sherém
        • Sphýnxa
        • Tekú
        • Terra
        • Varáxis
        • Yàsháin
        • Kèthîra and Yàsháin
      • Interworld Travel

Kèthîra Chronology

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See also: Chronology

Kèthîra Chronology
Era Period BT TR Description Region/Subregion
c 20,000 Earthmasters arrive on Kèthîra and build 'sites' in Venârivè, Southeast Lýthia and elsewhere.
c 15,000 Earthmasters depart (Lost Years begin).
c 10,000 Siém and the Sindârin (elves) arrive on Kèthîra.
7,190 Khúzdul (dwarves) appear on Kèthîra.
Khúzan city of Mêrdáin founded.
7,060 Khúzan city of Êrbar founded in Central Lýthia (Ketârh).
7,025 Khúzan city of Lârhakul founded in Ketârh.
c 7,000 Siém departs Hârn (many of the Sindârin go with Him).
Khúzan City of Kiráz founded on Hârn.
6,894 Khúzan city of Ázadmêre founded on Hârn.
c 6,880 Ziggurat Culture in Molkûra (possibly the world's most ancient human culture).
6,870 Chostôren emerge at Dínibôr.
6,700 Khúzan city of Kóndasgel founded in Ivínia.
c 5,500 Probable founding of Kotýn in Molkûra.
c 5,300 Civilisation in Mafán.
4,290 City of Narmâr; Máfanese Empire founded.
c 4,000 Yârhin (Járind) settle Quârphor and Lánkor.
3,728 Khúzan city of Hârhakeim founded in Ivínia.
c 3,500 Ch'mísa Empire founded.
c 3,000 Foundation of the Empire of Yêrazh, Kámerand.
c 2,830 Kolôra Lake Civilisation in Káneum / Melûria.
c 2,800 Vénic Island Culture in Karéjia.
c 2,700 Henge Culture on Mèlderýn.
c 2,000 Probable founding of Ain Dao (Ch'mísa).
1,902 Empire of Hârazai declared in Kámerand.
c 1,900 Beginning of the 'Linear' phase of the Yârhin Henge Culture.
c 1,750 Rise of Ketâri Militarism.
c 1,700 Phâric peoples driven west by Ketâri.
c 1,650 Uphâri reach Shôrkýnè, clash with Járind peoples.
c 1,600 Foundation of Emélan Tribal Confederation.
Establishment of Hôrezh states, Kámerand.
Járind people colonise Hârbáal.
c 1,550 Máfanese Empire collapses.
1,532 Foundation of Járind settlement of Pólfwys (Bôrin), Hârbáal.
c 1,500 Ilpýlen delivers the word of Ágrik.
Decline of Vénic Island Culture.
c 1,500 Shátrah founded as a Yârhin refuge / stronghold.
c 1,400 Yaríli migrate to Ivínia.
1,388 First walls of Beréma, Emélrenè.
1,340 Eméla defeat Uphâri in Álagon, Closing of Emélrenè.
1,307 Uphâri defeat Shóna Alliance, take Plain of Káretan.
c 1,300 Járin migrate to Hârn.
Peak of Oceanic Henge Culture, including Gulf of Shôrkýnè sites at Gehódhivys, Dínibôr, Témian, and Calamísa.
1,286 Co-dominium established on Hârn.
1,198 First of several Phâric Tribal (Atáni) Confederations founded in Thánema Palíthanè.
c 1,100 Sólkin Empire founded (Melûria).
c 1,050 Foundation of Tîrkhadhy (Tîrgólis).
c 1,000 Rise of Kàruía city-states in the Eastern Venârian Sea.
Phâric people (Ivíni) reach Hârbáal, war with Járind begins.
973 Gehódhivys (Kôresten Anúz), Hârbáal, destroyed by 'sea dragon'.
922 Foundation of Lýthwys, Hârbáal.
c 900 Ivínians migrate to Ivínia.
Phâric barbarians begin raiding Hârn.
The Atáni Wars (BT 900-683) begin.
800 Foundation Wars begin Jánkor / Ch'mísa.
760 Jánkor achieves independence from Ch'mísa.
750 Church of Navéh founded.
734 Southeast Hârn ceded to Phâri.
c 700 Peak of Kingdom of Lýthwys, Hârbáal.
690 Jankôran colonisation of Shóju.
683 Battle of Sorrows on Hârn – fall of King Daélda Succession of Áranath.
680 The Great Abdication – Despite their victory at the Battle of Sorrows the elves withdraw to the Shâva Forest and establish the Kingdom of Évaèl.
End of the Co-dominium on Hârn.
c 675 Civil war in Lýthwys (Hârbáal). Break-away of southern regions.
670 Foundation of Kingdom of Emélrenè.
c 650 Beginning of the 'Eldritch' period of Mèlderýn, Hârn.
c 600 Thousand Principalities in Hârazai, Kámerand.
600 Church of Peóni founded.
c 580 Jâren Cêrethys defeats Ivínians at Bâjel (Ivínia).
530 Ketâri tribes conquer Ch'mísa Empire.
Diramóan Empire founded.
490 Shoji states gain independence from Jánkor.
481 Yârhlè-Sôrki battle of Kótrùn diverts the Sôrki to the south.
480 Sôrki overrun Tîrkhadhy, begin conquest of Shôrkýnè.
470 Khanate of Káneum founded.
c 450 Height of the Járind 'Sea Town' culture.
424 Martyrdom of Peónian St. Hârbraén (E. Shôrkýnè)
c 400 Sólkin Empire collapses.
Shôrka tribes in Álagon; Tríerzi tribes in north Tríerzòn.
Ivínians control most of Ivínia.
End of 'Eldritch' Period, Mèlderýn (Hârn).
c 370 Church of Laráni founded.
c 350 Thánemi culture in Palíthanè.
328 Foundation of the Shóju Empire.
277 Foundation of the Târgan Empire.
250 Church of Môrgath founded in Ázeryàn.
228 Five Kingdoms Era on Mèlderýn begins.
192 Foundation of Jankôran Empire.
173 Foundation of Melûrian Empire.
150 Church of Sárajìn founded in Ivínia.
61 Shóji Empire has acquired all Shoji states.
55 First Melûria-Káneum War (55-30).
c 50 Neránadh tribes of Kámerand acquire horses.
47 'Black Wind' destroys Yelástrys (Jéltrè), Hârbáal.
c 10 Neránadh destroy several Hârazai states.
TR TR TR TR TR TR
1 Kingdom of Mèlderýn founded. (Start date for Túzyn Reckoning).
7 Târgan Empire conquered by Bésha/Pèchalâri.
Târgan genocide.
10 Taugári cult established in Hèpekéria.
12 Council of Eleven established on Mèlderýn.
55 Khanate of Argóla founded.
66 Hôrótra Amâkamapa association founded.
100 Lóthôr - Tyranny of Lóthrim the Foulspawner - begins on Hârn.
106 Town of Fûhreling founded in Ivínia.
120 Lóthrim sacks Khúzan city of Kiráz.
Battle of Sírion; Gârgún on Hârn; Fall of Lóthôr.
128 Town of Tashál founded on Hârn.
130 Túzyn Reckoning (calendar) devised.
c 150 States established in Thánema (Palíthanè) and Zonâra.
Ivínians begin raiding Hârbáal.
157 Second Melûria-Káneum War (157-169).
160 Kingdom of Chybisa founded (Hârn).
188 Kingdom of Káldôr proclaimed (Hârn).
194 Meókolis / Azéri Kingdom founded.
215 Kingdom of Séldenbàal founded in Ivínia.
221 Azéri Kingdom becomes Ázeryàn Empire.
227 Establishment of the Laránian Pontificate, Zonâra.
235 Kingdom of Homôra founded.
242 Ázeryàn Empire conquers Ázeryàn peninsula.
247 Consolidation of the Shénoræ federation, Kámerand.
263 Ázeryàn Empire conquers Karéjian islands.
264 First Dalkésh-Ázeryàn War (264-270).
268 Laránian church creates Ethelánca (Holy Office).
270 Church of Haléa founded in Karéjia.
Formation of the Myískè federation, Kámerand.
Foundation of Avántis (later Vârkenheim), Hârbáal.
271 Ázeryàn Empire conquers eastern Venârian Shore.
288 Hôrótra Kalmârakapè association founded.
290 Kingdom of Járenmark founded (Ivínia).
292 Second Dalkésh-Ázeryàn War (292-399).
293 Establishment of the Peónian Pontificate, Zonâra.
294 Ázeryàn Empire achieves greatest extent in the east.
297 Ázeryàn Empire begins conquest of Zonâra.
301 Côranan / Coráni Empire founded on Hârn.
303 Ázeryàn Empire completes conquest of Zonâra.
Beréma Accord, Ázeryàn border to Es River.
305 Foundation of Kingdom of Géltheim, Hârbáal.
307 Conciliation of Xêradyn, Hârbáal.
312 Melûrian invasion of Molkûra.
316 Melûrian withdrawal from Molkûra.
Plague in Melûria.
319 Foundation of Antézian Empire (Anzelôria).
322 Fall of Lyth to Ivínians (Hârbáal).
337 Foundation of Lankôrium by Ázeryàn.
344 Kingdom of Menglána founded (Ivínia).
348 Foundation of Beldîra, Huriséa.
356 Róstei Cult movement founded in Melûria.
363 Capture of Ífanè by Clan Eléndy, foundation of Ávastran (Hârbáal).
382 Kingdom of Íbanvaal founded (Ivínia).
384 Foundation of Zhelôria (Anzelôria).
399 End of Second Dalkésh-Ázeryàn War.
401 'Makázapeh' Decree, Empire of Yérazhen, Kámerand.
410 Compilation of Codex Mithrýnas, basis of Ázeryàni law, begins.
428 Khúzan cities of Kóndasgel and Hârhakeim seal their gates to Ivínians.
435 Býrian Colony of Ínri founded by Ázeryàn.
457 First Tríerzi incursions into Zonâra and Thánema.
459 Foundation of Empire of Pechósu.
461 Chélemby founded as Ivínian wintering camp.
462 Býria declares independence from Ázeryàn.
472 Quârph-Lédenheim Wars (472-483).
474 Ázeryàn conquest of Dalánya (Hèpekéria).
Ázeryàn Empire reaches greatest extent.
484 Revolt by Tríerzi and Zonâra against Àzeryáni rule.
486 Third Dalkésh-Ázeryàn War (486-496).
487 Creation of Western Protectorate of Ázeryàn (Zonâra & Thánema).
488 Ázeryàn suppresses Tríerzi revolt.
490 Dodréna River War between Pechósu & Káneum.
Hârbáal: Ánvâl defeats and annexes Xêradyn.
492 Western Protectorate of Ázeryàn secedes.
War of Tríerzi Secession (492-502).
494 Silk Wars between Diramóa & Jánkor (494-530).
496 Destruction of Dínibôr by Ivínians (Chélemby).
498 Ivínians seize Gôris.
502 Kingdom of Tríerzòn founded.
507 Destruction of Shátrah and Trepûra (Shôrkýnè).
508 Tríerzòn begins conquest of Shôrkýnè.
512 Ánvâller Civil War, Hârbáal (512-515).
513 Ivínians invade western Tríerzòn (Thánema).
514 Róstei Tyranny in Melûria.
Foundation of Tónanby, Hârbáal, by clan Gulínè.
515 Ivínians seize Târkáin.
Defection of the Count of Áthamas to Ivínians.
516 First Tríerzòn-Ázeryàn War (Lánkor, 516-518)
518 Tríerzòn abandons Shôrkýnè.
519 Foundation of Kingdom of Palíthanè.
523 Ivínian conquest of Menêma (Hèpekéria).
524 Dalánya states independence from Ázeryàn.
Huriséans drive Járenmarkeren from Beldîra.
525 Róstei Tyranny of Melûria invades Mokôra.
527 Red Death Plague devastates Melûria.
Plague spreads across Lýthia (ends 561).
Batána Campaign (Tríerzòn-Palíthanè, 527-529).
536 Kingdom of Shôrkýnè founded.
Megrán attack fractures power of Ivínian Lýtheim (Hârbáal).
555 Red Death strikes Meókolis, Ázeryàn.
558 Bálshan Jihad on Hârn (558-565).
560 First Káretan War (Shôrkýnè-Tríerzòn, 560-567).
565 Fall of the Coráni Empire, Hârn.
Theocracy of Tekhós, western Hârn (565-588).
566 'Zárpaseh' Decree, Empire of Yérazhen, Kámerand.
Great Unification War, Yérazhen (566-702).
572 Second Tríerzòn-Ázeryàn War (Berónium, 572-575).
Agony of Aléath; Aléathian Odyssey (Hârn).
576 Mei-Nan Dynasty of Diramóa established.
580 Chélemby's first city walls completed.
589 Foundation of Kingdom of Kandáy, Hârn.
593 The Great Cleansing War (Káneum-Melûria).
598 Conquest of Sòwidh by Géltheim, Hârbáal.
Expansion of Gávrios (Hârbáal) halted by Sáliom secession.
603 Vâdrin Hârdin of Génja, Hârbáal, said to reach Kámerand.
605 Battle of Târkáin; Hârbáaler fleets clash off Târkáin.
612 Lókemheim civil war (Ivínia).
616 Laránian Tóbran Inquisition, Tríerzòn (616-620).
619 Second Káretan War (Shôrkýnè-Tríerzòn, 619-628).
620 Ánvâller War, Hârbáal (Géltheim-Ánvâl, 620-621).
622 Chélemby Strait blockade, Hârbáal (622-633).
632 Osékru Dynasty comes to power, Shóju.
633 Géltheim conquers Yelâben, Hârbáal.
635 Foundation of Kingdom of Réthem (Hârn).
643 Third Tríerzòn-Ázeryàn War (Lánkor / Berónium, 643-646).
647 Reksýni incursions into Ázeryàn Empire.
649 Ázeryàn begins construction of Shurâma.
652 Ivínian conquest of Jâra begins (652-676).
Unification of Greater Séldenbàal, Ivínia.
654 Járenmark / Séldenbàal alliance, Ivínia.
655 Battle of Hambârkas; Reksýni overrun Góthmîr.
657 The Great Secession; Ázeryàn's Karéjian provinces rebel.
Fourth Dalkésh-Ázeryàn War (657-662).
Ûmélrian League founded.
Third Káretan War (Shôrkýnè-Tríerzòn, 657-658).
658 Ûmélrian League makes peace with the Reksýni.
659 Ázeryàn completes construction of the Shurâma.
660 Ázeryàn abandons Góthmîr to Reksýni.
Second Tîrgólan War (Lédenheim-Aneóla, 660-662).
661 Íbanvaaler subversion of Lýtheim complete (Hârbáal).
Wars of Hârbáal Unification (661-673).
664 Karéjian League founded.
Palíthanè-Tríerzòn Sènedâlo border conflict (664-668).
668 Fourth Tríerzòn-Ázeryàn War (Berónium, 668-670).
Siege of Álsinon; 'Bishop's Truce' (Tríerzòn-Palíthanè).
671 Shóju conquest of eastern Lashói begins.
672 Salt War, Hârn (Thârda–Káldôr, 672-673).
673 Unification of Hârbáal.
674 First Hârbáaler invasion of Chélemby.
Thârdic Republic established (Hârn).
675 Treasure War, Hârn (Káldôr–Chybísa, 675-687).
Hârbáaler Civil War (675-679).
676 Foundation of the Theocracy of Zârh, Kámerand.
Lánkor secedes from Ázeryàn.
First Lánkor-Ázeryàn War (676-679).
682 Ézar's War, Western Hârn (Réthem–Thârda, 682-697).
683 Second Hârbáaler invasion of Chélemby.
Degéla War (Tríerzòn-Lánkor, 683-685).
685 Second Lánkor-Ázeryàn War (685-690).
686 Kingdom of Orbáal proclaimed (Hârn).
689 Diramóans colonise Kyâmu.
690 Alliance between Chélemby and Emélrenè.
691 Zârhist partisans seize three Harazákas towns.
695 Berónium Conflict between Tríerzòn & Ázeryàn (695-696)
699 Dalkéshi incursions on Tuvâra begin.
701 Járin Rebellion, Orbáal, Hârn (701-703).
702 Last Yiâlai state conquered by Golden Empire of Yérazhen.
703 Gadéi Valley War (Pechósu-Diramóa).
705 Rape of Thay, Hârn.
707 Cape Rénda Disaster, Hârn.
709 Third Lánkor-Ázeryàn War (709-714).
712 Tàmánias Campaign (Palíthanè-Tríerzòn, 712-714).
Kusémè War, Western Hârn (Thârda–Kandáy).
713 Ídepan campaign against Homôran pirates.
Zârh conquers Harazákas state of Chóluchè.
714 Reaver War (Shóju / Diramóa, 714-717).
Laránian Solôri Crusade begins, Hârn.
717 Silver Petal War, Zârh / Harazákas (717- ).
Tiké Conflict; Lánkor / Tríerzòn border raids (717-718).
718 Earthquake devastates Shiélem, Diramóa.
Fall of Fróyby, Ivínia.
Hàlachámpa Campaign (Harazákas-Neránadh).
718 Inkârium Campaign; Ázeryàn mounts punitive raids against the Reksýni in Góthmîr (718–)
719 Móspen Incident: Fighting on Plain of Káretan.
Àzeryáni generals begin rogue campaigns against Tríerzòn (719-).
Siege of Wáleden: Palíthanè attacks on Tríerzi frontier (719-).

Venârivè - Distribution of Regions (in NW Lýthia)

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    • Venârivè - Distribution of Regions (in NW Lýthia)
Distribution of Regions (in NW Lýthia)


  • Planet (Kèthîra) {second of five planets of the star Nólomàr, with a moon call Yaél}
    • Continent (Lýthia, Mêrnat, Kámerand)
      • SubContinent: Venârivè (Anzelôria, Ketârh Plateau, Hépeker)
        • Regional (Map): NW Lýthia
          • Region (MapCodes) (Smallcaps denotes partial area of Region)
            • NW: itke, HÂRN, edww, EDWN
            • NC: IVAE, ALTR, SHKN, QPHR, TRZN, AZNN
            • NE: mngw, RKSY, GTHM, ulmr
            • SW: kluw, KLUA, hpkw, flna, FLNW, FLNS
            • SC: MNMA, AZNS, ELNS, BYRI, THNA, TVRA
            • SE: KJYA, HCHR, DALK, BESH, PECH, CHOG
            • Subregion (Maps) of (HÂRN) ~ NW, NC, NE, SW, SC, SE
              • Atlas Map: [E8]
                • Hex Grid Ref (?) ~ ADD once Done.

Back Cover

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    • Back Cover


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Venârivè Eras and Periods

ADD Eras and Periods to the below tables, breaking them all into Eras & Periods subcategories. ~ Need to create a colour coded Epoch system.

Most historians of Venârivè divide the history of the region into a number of eras and periods. The simplest divisions are the ‘eras’:

  • Era Name
  • Period (Subcategory)
    • Timeline
Venârivè Eras
Era Period Timeline Notes
BT TR
From To From To
Ælder / Heroic Era Name - 1300
Ancient / Classical Era Name 1300 300
Middle Era Name 300 - - 500
Modern Era Name 500 -

A more detailed division is by ‘periods’, which overlap:

See also: Venârivè Chronology


Name & Dates List

Note: ADD a proper/seperate page for this all as a table. Once broken down into the Book Style like Kanday's split page style, can then add Category for each section part so that a complete list then gets made for all the pages for "said name". The once this is done, can then add this comprehensive list to "that" Index Section for "Category". In the end the aim is to create a complete "Name & Dates List/Index" so all the LINKS for names can then not only be categorised, but also interlinked between ALL articles and books, especially for DATES as this will be required to create a comprehensive Chronology Timeline and quick inter-referencing of the subject link(s).

Note: ADD links to each Name & Date within the Tabled Index, these should also include Eras & Periods for dates.

Note: INCLUDE all these into the Template (Sidebars & other data) Tables and so on.

Note: Example: Mercenary Companies would not only have a template for the Company, but be interlinked with that Type as a Category reflecting and showing Country, Shire, Hundred, Leader, Associated to/Sponsor, Location/Region and all other manner of data links within the design of the template and interact automatically with other templates, catergories, and index link lists.

Note: Example: A river would have a sidebar template that includes it's source length and so on, but also show not only the Catergories & Names, but be reflected within each of those Categories & Names Listed together. Basically internested Data, Links, Catergories, and so on to save redoing all links again with new pages or modifications, it automatically gets updated once interconnected correctly.


Notes

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