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Venârivè

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• Venârivè i

Notes

• Venârivè ii

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Pronunciation and Accents

Accents are included in the body of the text only for key locations and where the pronunciation of a word would otherwise be particularly unclear (for example where a circumflex accent is not followed by an r, or where the final 'e' should be sounded). The various lists in the Appendices, however, include full details of accents to guide pronunciation.

Because of the variety of languages and dialects across the region, not to mention the lack of regularised spellings in differing scripts, the accents provided, and the rules below, can only ever provide an 'average' or approximate pronunciation.

The acute accent (e.g. á) indicates primary stress on the syllable. A grave accent (e.g. è) indicates secondary stress.

A circumflex accent (e.g. â) indicates the vowel should be pronounced as if it were followed by an r. This accent may replace the accent indicating primary or secondary stress. If such an accented vowel is explicitly followed by an r, it should be read either as a 'double r' and rolled slightly, or indicates a compound word, where the previous ending r has been lost. Sometimes it should be rolled even if there is no following r.

An å sounds like the vowel in the English word law; ø is pronounced like the vowel in the English word boat, but more rounded.

A y, when used as a vowel, sounds like the vowel in the English word beet.

The dh digraph represents the voiced dental fricative edh, the consonant at the beginning of the English word them. The th digraph is the unvoiced dental fricative thorn, and is pronounced as at the start of the English word thin.

Dates

Unless otherwise indicated, all year numbers are given in the Tuzyn Reckoning (tr) or Before Tuzyn Reckoning (bt). This system was originally devised by the Melderyni astronomer Tuzyn during the second century TR, and is now the most widespread dating system across the region. The current date is the 1st of Nuzyael (tr)720.

Cross References

Words and phrases in Small Caps are references to material found elsewhere in this publication, e.g. 'See Folklore'.

References in Italic Small Caps indicate the titles of other publications, e.g., 'See Kingdom of Chélemby'.

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Introduction

• Venârivè 1

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Venârivè is the vast region of northwest Lýthia, the largest continent on the world of Kèthîra. Here, for thousands of years, great peoples, cultures, and nations have met, clashed, traded, and developed. The climate and geography, history and cultures, daily life and customs, societies and governments, legal systems and economies, military and religious practices form a mosaic so diverse as to baffle all but the most diligent scholar.

Underlying it all, however, are myths, legends, and beliefs that have sufficient in common to suggest a shared metaphysical background.

This publication presents an overview of the peoples and places of Venârivè. It includes maps and illustrations, as well extensive appendices and an index of all the locations noted on the accompanying map.

Extent of Venârivè

Venârivè lies around the Venârian Sea and can be defined as the area of Lýthia between 60˚ north and the Equator, and between 45˚ west and 45˚ east. The name derives from the Venârian Sea and the sea of Ivae.

The Venârian Lands

The Venârian Sea separates northwest Lýthia from northern Anzelôria and the great isles of Hepeker. In the east, the many islands of Karejia form a geographical as well as a cultural bridge to the Lýthian near east.

To the north-east lies the mountainous region of Ûmélria, and beyond, the Ketârh plateau, the continent’s arid heart. To the southeast is the great Beshakan desert. The Namardhez and Mafanilar mountains divide the desert from the Gulf of Mafan.

The Târga river valley is the Dalken heartland, but that empire also has extensive lands along the coast of the Venârian Sea.

Along the southern shore are the northern reaches of the subcontinent of Anzelôria, including Pechalar, Tuvara, Thonia and Byria. Byria is a mountainous region that projects north into the Venârian Sea. Across the sea from Byria is the great peninsula of Azeryan, with its hardwood forests, deserts, mountains and arable lands. In northern Azeryan are the monumental Tonatris Mountains, which protect Azeryan from the northern plains peoples.

The mouth of the Venârian Sea lies in the west. Beyond, are the Gulf of Eder and the mighty Haonic Ocean. South of the Venar mouth lie the desert islands of Hepeker. The isle of Hepeker itself is the world’s largest island, and its central regions are amongst the driest. Along the coasts of Hepeker are more fertile lands, such as Dalanya, whose mountains attract more rainfall. The treacherous waters of the Elanas separate Hepeker from Thonia and northern Anzelôria.

The Northern Lands

North of the Tonatris Mountains lie the wide plains regions of Quârphor and Reksyna. Further north are the dark forests and frozen tundra of Altor. The mighty river Tîrga cuts across this vast region from east to west, eventually flowing into the Gulf of Shôrkýnè. North of the gulf is Hârbáal, and beyond Hârbáal are the mountainous islands and fractious kingdoms of Ivinia. Beyond the sea of Ivae and the Gulf of Eder, are the Hârnic isles. Hârn itself is the world’s second largest island. It is a misty, mountainous place with a reputation for odd folk and strange creatures. The isle of Melderyn, second largest of the Hârnic archipelago, has an ominous reputation; it is called the Wizards’ Isle.

The regions south of the Gulf of Shôrkýnè and west of Azeryan include a number of mountain ranges (including the Nadami and Jerinalian ranges), but also the fertile valleys of the Benâmo, the Degela and the Gaden rivers. Here lie the feudal kingdoms of Trierzon, Shôrkýnè, Palíthanè and Emélrenè. The latter is the closest part of the mainland to the Hârn; it has a reputation almost as dubious as that of the Wizards’ Isle.

Fire in the Ground

The presence of the soft Azeryan plate in the centre of the region makes Venârivè one of the most seismically and volcanically active regions on Kèthîra. Subduction around the Azeryan plate has thrown up volcanically unstable mountain ranges, including the Tonatris range north of Azeryan and the Ûmélria region, where three tectonic plates meet. Four great fault-lines radiate from the Azeryan plate, and a fifth crosses the western Ivinian and sea of Ítikîr region. The entire eastern Venârian basin is prone to earthquakes, as are Thonia and western Ivinia.

Climate

The region of Venârivè includes virtually all climatic zones, from the subpolar forests and tundra to equatorial rainforests. Between the extremes are more moderate zones of temperate to subtropical climates. Maritime climates are moderated by the great oceanic currents, especially the north Haonic current which brings the warm waters of tropical Kámerand to northwest Lýthia. See page 222 for a map of the climate zones of Venârivè.

Natural Vegetation

Vegetation ranges from arctic and alpine tundra to vast needleleaf forests, temperate deciduous forests and woodlands, evergreen hardwood forests and woodlands, prairie and steppe grasslands, semideserts and hot, dry deserts. The deserts of Beshakan form a major barrier between Venârivè and the Lýthian middle and far east.

Winds and Precipitation

The prevailing winds in the region above 30˚ north are westerly, although there are local and intermittent northerlies in the interiors. Below 30˚ north, easterlies prevail, although there are significant, intermittent offshore winds blowing north from Anzelôria. The eastern Venârian Sea (Karejia) and the Gulf of Mafan are subject to summer cyclones (monsoons/storms). See page 222 for a map of the precipitation levels of Venârivè.

Venârivè Map

The map that accompanies this module covers the whole region of Venârivè. The region is 1,500 leagues^† north to south. At the equator the region of Venârivè is 2,250 leagues across; at 60˚ north it is only 1,125 leagues across.

The grid on the Venârivè map identifies the major regions of Venârivè. Each grid is 375 leagues by 250 leagues (or 1,500 kilometres by 1,000 kilometres; approximately 932 miles by 621 miles).

See Appendi x XVIII for further details of the Venârivè map, including a list of all the layers available.

^† One Venârian league is equivalent to approximately 4 km or approximately 2.48 miles.

Regional Maps covered by Venârivè

Each grid of Venârivè is identified by a four-letter code. These enable accurate referencing of regional maps. The regional maps covered by Venârivè are:

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History

• Venârivè 3

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There are a variety of systems for counting the years in Venârivè. These are discussed in detail in Daily Life. This section follows the most widely used system, the Tuzyn Reckoning. Tuzyn Reckoning uses the foundation of the Kingdom of Melderyn as its starting point. All dates after that point are identified by tr; all dates prior are identified as Before Tuzyn or bt. The current date in this system is tr720.

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

Ælder / Heroic Era – before bt1300

Ancient / Classical Era – bt1300 to bt300

Middle Era – bt300 to tr500

Modern Era – tr500 to present (tr720)

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

Legendary Period – pre bt3000

Megalith Period – bt3000 to bt1600

Migrations Period – bt1600 to bt680

Foundations Period – bt680 to tr1

Early States Period – tr1 to tr300

Imperial Period – tr200 to tr500

Viking Period – tr250 to tr550

Modern Kingdoms Period – tr500 to present

See Folk of Venârivè for a list of notable personalities from the history Venârivè.

Legendary Period (pre bt3000)

Historians, even those with access to the archives of the Church of Save-K’nor at Berema, know very little about the time before bt3000. Legend tells of an ‘Earthmaster’ empire flourishing across Lýthia 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. Their powers are said to have been miraculous: they could travel vast distances at a thought, control the weather and dominate the minds of lesser beings. These stories are so fanciful that the very existence of the Earthmasters would be dismissed if it were not for the sites and artefacts they left; scattered across the world are their ruins, daunting, ominous places where one can feel the age of the weary stones. The island of Hârn appears to have been a particularly strong centre of Earthmaster activity; major Earthmaster sites on the island are Anisha, Pesino, Elkall-Anuz and Telumar.

These Ancients appear to have vanished 150 centuries ago. No one knows why, where they went, or whether they might return. Some claim they never left, but faded into the background or withdrew to places of mystery such as the Wizards’ Isle, Melderyn.

A long period of chaos and darkness followed. These ‘lost years’ were ‘an age of dragons, noisome trolls, and fell beasts, that defy description and harm the eye’. Legendary realms with fantastic names are said to have risen and fallen. The most famous, Nandar-Tem was a ‘realm of great power, where wise beings valued art and learning above the skills of war and politics; a land of philosophers and adepts of the ennobling arts’. This land is said to have sunk beneath the waves in a great cataclysm. It was during this period that many of the non-human peoples of Kèthîra came to prominence. The Sinái of Hârn apparently arrived around 10,000 years ago, and dwelt on Hârn with their god, Siem. Siem apparently departed 3,000 years later for the Blessed Realm; most of the Sinái left with him. It was also during this time that the Kúzhai emerged to found their various realms – initially Merdain, Erdar, and Larhakul in central Lýthia; later Kiraz and Azadmere on Hârn; and finally Kondasgel and Harhakeim in Ivinia.

Towards the end of this period, a number of human civilisations began to emerge. These include the great Empire of Mafan and in the far east beyond Venârivè, the Ch’misa Empire. The Empire of Mafan coalesced around the semi-mythical city of Narmar, in the northern Gulf of Mafan, but spread all round the Gulf, including establishing colonies and settlements on the Chogori and Shentu coasts by at least bt3300. On the island of Hepeker, this period sees the earliest emergence of Numec culture, with rock art in the Durqudani region telling the earliest myths dating from around bt5000.

Megalith Period (bt3000 to bt1600)

From around bt3000, it appears that Venârivè saw the spread of agrarian cultures in a number of regions, often characterised by the building of major earthworks and megaliths (hence scholars’ name for this period). The most important of these were in the Târga River valley, on the islands of the Venârian Sea and in the far west of Venârivè. The Târga River culture appears to have been strongly influenced by the Empire of Mafan to the east, including by the spread of irrigation technology. In turn it appears to have influenced the Venic Island culture, which spread from the eastern Venârian shore across the islands of the Venârian Sea. Around bt3000, Jarind peoples reached the western shores of Lýthia, and from around bt2700 a henge culture began to emerge on the island of Melderyn. This culture spread widely, although not all Jarind peoples appear to have adopted it. Many enigmatic stone and earthwork henge monuments can still be found across western Venârivè. The henge culture appear to have been associated with the development of agriculture, and a higher level of social stratification.

In the Târga River region, a number of realms evolved during this period, most notably the ‘kingdom’ of Nalhaan, which emerged in the upper Târga valley around bt2900, and slowly spread to the Târga mouth by bt2300. The development of this culture appears to have been associated with the development of ‘quanats’, enabling long distance irrigation. Scholars believe that the ruins of Nalhathar (now in the Beshakan Desert) were central to this realm, suggesting that the course of the Târga River has shifted considerably in the intervening centuries. The very ancient Neri script of Anzelôria (ancestor of modern Neramic) is thought to have evolved within this culture.

The unification of the Târga River valley appears to have led to a cultural flourishing known to scholars as the Golden Empire, marked by a range of megalithic structures, which however appears to have lasted only a few short centuries before collapsing into a range of states. Some suggest a major catastrophe (possibly climatic) led to the end of this earliest Venârian ‘empire’.

Further west, the Venic Island culture continued to flourish throughout this period, developing at least two of its own scripts (Alanta and Tianta), found on inscriptions on stelæ erected across the region. Around bt2100, peoples of the Venic island culture (possibly escaping over-population) settled on the coast of Zerhanor, now called the Azeryan Peninsula. Here they came into contact with the Jarind Zeran people, with whom they traded. Significant cultural exchange also appears to have occurred, as there is the gradual development of a distinct Azeri group on the peninsula. It is possible that there were a number of other Venic settlements further afield, including contact with the henge culture to the west, and with the early peoples of Hepekeria. A number of stelæ of early Hepeka using the Tianta script appear to date from this period.

The henge culture itself apparently underwent a significant transformation around bt1900, as evidenced by a shift in the form of monuments to a more linear form, with more extensive use of causeways, long barrows and the like, and a consequential reduction in the prevalence of megalithic sites. Numec culture apparently went through a series of transitions, as evidenced by changes in the style of rock art across the island of Hepeker.

Migrations Period (bt1600 to bt680)

The hitherto steady phase of cultural evolution was sharply interrupted by an extended period of massive migratory dislocation. Around bt1750 the Ketari of central Lýthia began producing iron (possibly learned from the Kúzhai of the central plateau). Coupled with their ancestral command of horse-riding, this provided them with greater mobility and military superiority over their neighbours, who were subsequently pushed south, east, and west. These series of migrations had a devastating effect. The ancient Empire of Mafan fell, and the Venic Island culture went into decline. (Much later the great Ch’misan Empire of the far east also fell to Ketari nomads).

To the south, the states of the Târga River valley were subject first to raids and then more serious attacks by the Mafaketa nomads. First to fall was the state of Gorangul. The kingdom of Quaandehn formed an alliance with the nomads and conquered a number of other states, but around bt1430 the rulers of this realm were betrayed and destroyed. Chaos ensued along the river region.

The peoples pushed westward by the Ketari were collectively referred to as the Phari. They were pushed into Quârphor, northern Zerhanor, and Lankor, and reached the region known as Lowalys (now called Shôrkýnè) around bt1650. They crushed many Jarind tribes, prompting the formation of a number of Jarind confederations – the most prominent of these were the Shatrah, Shona, Lythwys and Emelan confederations. These managed to slow the advance of the Phari, who, in turn, formed their own inter-tribal alliances. The first of these emerged in the region then known as Tochema, now called Palíthanè.

Other Jarind sought to escape by migrating themselves. A people now known as the Yarili migrated to Ivinia in this period. They were followed later by a Pharic people known as the Ivini, ancestors of today’s Ivinians. Others escaped to small islands in the Gulf of Eder, leading to such short-lived realms as that on the Wynedhrhin islands, the kingdom of Wynedor.

Human migration to Hârn

Even larger groups of Jarind sought to migrate to the main island of Hârn. The island had long been a forbidden land for the Jarind, but the social dislocation caused by the invasions broke many ancient taboos. Those who migrated to the south of Hârn apparently did so with the agreement of the Sinái and Kúzhai; possibly this arrangement was brokered by the inhabitants of Melderyn. Others migrated to the northern regions of Hârn; for many of these people the rationale was religiously inspired – they claimed to have been ‘called’ to the island by the god Ilvir, who is said to dwell on the island itself.

To regulate the settlement of humans on the island, the Co-dominium of the Sinái and Kúzhai became more formalised, with the creation of a unified monarchy. The Sináin lord Daelda became the first King of Hârn for both humans and elder folk in bt1286.

For around four hundred years this arrangement appears to have worked; but from around bt900 the Pharic peoples sought to follow the Jarind to Hârn. Many of these raids were launched from Tochema (modern Palíthanè). Raids soon turned into invasion, when the Pharic confederations discovered the relative emptiness of Hârn. In bt734, King Daelda sought to resolve the issue by ceding southeast Hârn to the invaders; sadly this only provided a base for further incursions.

The climax of this period came in bt683 with the Battle of Sorrows. While the forces of the Co-dominium won the battle, King Daelda and many of his allies fell. His successor Aranath decided to abdicate as King of Hârn in bt680, dissolving the Co-dominium and withdrawing the few remaining Sinái to the forest of Shâva to rule a much diminished Kingdom of Evael. The rest of the island was now open to human colonisation, which rapidly occurred in subsequent centuries.

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Foundations Period (bt680 to tr1)

From bt680 or so it appears there was a time of consolidation and reformation following the dislocation of the migrations period. The Pharic and Jarind peoples across the region evolved new societies that blended aspects of both traditions, and developed new innovations in response to demographic growth and cultural exchange.

In bt670, the Kingdom of Emélrenè was founded; some say prompted by the end of the Co-dominium on Hârn. Emélrenè had been a stronghold of Jarind resistance to Pharic incursion for centuries; it is said that the first walls were built at Berema in bt1388. The region ‘between the Es’ has remained essentially closed to outsiders since this period; from the foundation of the kingdom, Emélrenè appears to have begun to take a more active interest in the regions around it.

During this period a number of important churches were founded. The many deities of Kèthîra had been worshipped, of course, long before; but it was during this period that organisation and structure in worship began to emerge, in response to both social change and other religions becoming more organised. The Church of Naveh emerged around bt750; that of Peoni around bt600; that of Larani around bt370; that of Morgath around bt250; and that of Sarajin by bt150. Agrikanism had been in existence since around bt1500; but in bt100 a more formalised church emerged.

The Emelan kingdom created a model of ‘sacral kingship’ which was adopted (over time) by other nearby peoples. The growth of the influence of the worship of Larani and Agrik both spurred this development. Further east, other models of kingship were inherited from the ancient Târga River culture and the Mafani, while the Azeri peoples exhibited a bewildering variety of forms of governance, from secular warlords to theocratic priest-kings.

This period saw the re-emergence of a number of civilisations and cultures from the ‘dark years’ following the social and cultural dislocation of the migration era. In the Târga River valley numerous petty states rose and fell from bt1400-bt1200. There was a brief revival under the Chuaanagurlla, but this kingdom collapsed under what inscriptions call the Argollur Uprising in bt970. Eventually this led to unification of the Arganaal Kingdoms’ Confederation, which lasted until around bt450.

Another early revival were the Karuia city-states of the Venârian Sea. Some of these were established by bt1000; but their strongest period was from around bt700. The Karuia established colonies and trading posts across a wide area, influencing much of the Venârian Sea and beyond even to Hepekeria. A related group who came to be known as the Azeryani emerged from the descendants of the Venic island settlers on the great peninsula of Zerhanor.

From around bt600 the Jarind sea-town culture developed around the Gulf of Shôrkýnè. Towns such as Lyth, Dinibor, Calamisa, Trepura and Shatrah traded all across the northwest, from Ivinia to Emélrenè and even Hepekeria. Across Zonara and around the coast of the Venârian Sea trading centres for the tribal hinterland emerged, influenced by both the Karuia and the Jarind sea-towns.

This period not only saw a flowering of trade, but also of literature and the arts in this region. The scholars of Berema developed a new script known as Lakise, which enabled easier writing on parchment than the older and more angular Khruni.

Far to the east, beyond Venârivè, the Diramoan Empire emerged from the ashes of the Ch’misan empire; later the eastern Empires of Shoju, Jankor and Melûria were formed. The development of these distant lands had an impact on Venârivè, principally by stimulating trade across Lýthia.

In bt277 a new power emerged on the southern coast of the Venârian Sea – the Târgan Empire. This empire claimed to be a re-foundation of the semilegendary Empire of Mafan; although the reality of this is dubious. The Târgan Empire was a caste-based, slave-keeping, highly centralised polity with theocratic overtones and a profound disdain for foreigners. These attitudes were manifested by frequent, and remarkably brutal, punitive expeditions into surrounding lands. A quarter of the population of the empire consisted of foreign slaves.

Around bt500 a populous people known as the Sorki began to migrate into Lowalys (which came to be known as Shôrkýnè following their conquest). By bt400 they had reached the coast of Alagon, and southern Sorki tribes had pushed south into what is now northern Trierzon. This invasion did not, however, appear to have resulted in the level of dislocation caused by the earlier migration period; some say that the missionary efforts of the Laranian and Peonian churches were key in this respect.

Another significant event was the fall of the Târgan Empire in tr7. Besha and Pechalari nomads, in alliance with other ‘oppressed’ peoples of the region, conquered the empire and slaughtered almost all of the ruling castes.

The Foundations Period was a dark age for much of the island of Hârn. While the Sinái and Kúzhai sheltered in their forest and mountain fortresses, there was ongoing warfare and confusion across the island. Tribal groupings predominated. Only on the island of Melderyn did ‘civilisation’ remain, and even here it was dislocated. From around bt650 to 400, Melderyn underwent what is known as the Eldritch period. It is said that the island was ‘ruled by wizards who openly displayed their power and held the common folk in awe and fear.’ A number of small realms emerged from this period, and by bt228 five of these formed a loose alliance – a time known as the Five Kingdoms Period. This ended in tr1 with the foundation of the Kingdom of Melderyn. A century or so later, this date was used by the scholar Tuzyn as the starting date for his calendar, which now bears his name.

Early States Period (tr1 to tr300)

The period after the foundation of the Kingdom of Melderyn saw the establishment of a considerable number of small states across all of Venârivè. Petty states emerged in Thanema and Zonara (now southern Trierzon), on the Azeryan peninsula, in southern Hârbáal, in Ivinia, and on the island of Hârn. It appears that these states emerged both as a result of local factors (a gradual aggregation of local power), supported by broader trends such as the influence of other cultures and states, and the continuing influence of organised religious groups. Steady growth in inter-regional trade also fostered the emergence of centres of power and influence, which drove further state formation.

As trade and elite status grew, so did greater hierarchy in social organisation. Tribal social structures gave way to more formalised arrangements, initially in tributary relations between tribes and rulers, eventually in yet more formalised ‘feudal’ relationships.

Along the Târga River, a number of kingdoms arose from the ashes of the Târgan Empire. The Kingdom of the Dalken was founded in (tr16, and by (tr47 had conquered most of the valley, establishing the Empire of Dalkesh. The Dalken went on to conquer the coastal regions and minor Karuia states of the south-eastern Venârian Sea over the next century, beginning with the ancient scholarly city of Zerula in (tr93, and eventually conquering the city-states of Chenosolis, Galamonia and Belonu.

On Hârn, the Empire of Lothrim emerged in (tr100. For twenty years this realm, created by a renegade wizard-lord from Melderyn, dominated central Hârn. His rule brought about the destruction of the Kúzhan realm of Kiraz and the unleashing of the Gârgún, but he was himself destroyed. In the wake of his fall a number of states were founded in eastern Hârn; Chybisa (in (tr160) and Kaldor (in (tr188) are two still in existence.

In another example of over-mighty wizardry, the apocalyptic War of the Princes engulfed Mafan from (tr117 to 129. This civil war between the ancient wizardprince rulers of Mokora dragged in most surrounding realms. The climatic Battle of Onira saw the deaths of the last surviving contenders – the Sun-Bright and Harmonic Princes – and led to the formation of the League of Boliâfra in (tr131.

The two centuries following (tr1 were a long period of conflict in the peninsula of Zerhanor/Azeryan known as the Azeri Wars, fuelled by ethnic, political and religious tensions amongst the Azeri petty-states and warlords and their Zeran and Pharic neighbours.

Notable incidents included the martyrdom of the Varanian warlord St Varenas at Meokara (later Meokolis) in (tr62, and the destruction of the great temple of Save-K’nor at Sharas in (tr94, which caused the removal of the Save-K’noran pontificate to Berema in (tr96.

Meanwhile, conflict between the Dalken and Karuia intensified. In (tr162 the Empire of Dalkesh conquered and sacked the ancient city-state of Livelis, destroying the ancient Chantry of Damokra el Abdera. Dalkesh went on to control much of eastern Karuia until the Karuian Rebellion of (tr178-180 liberated the region from the ‘Dalken Yoke’. After the ‘restful peace’, Dalkesh concentrated its efforts on the Bythiran river region, eventually recapturing Pelona and Gilech by (tr248.

Imperial Period (tr200 to tr500)

In tr194, a group of north-central Azeri states formed the Kingdom of the Azeri, a confederation designed to combat the growing power of a group of coastal Azeri / Karuia states. There had been ongoing conflict between the various small states of the great peninsula of Azeryan / Zerhanor for over two centuries, with the Azeri states increasingly pushing back their Zeran rivals. But in the late second century a coalition of coastal cities, led by the Republic of Skoraz, formed a strong block that threatened their inland neighbours.

From tr194 to tr221, the Kingdom of the Azeri developed a new form of military unit, the legion, and combined their forces under a military leader^†. Based on this military and political innovation, the inland Azeri allies overcame the richer coastal states, and in tr221, established the Empire of Azeryan. This empire was to become the most powerful single entity in all of the history of Venârivè.

By tr242 the empire had conquered or absorbed all of the Azeryan Peninsula, and a few short decades later all of the Venârian Sea lay within its orbit. In the last years of the third century, the Azeryan Empire secured control of the eastern seaboard of the Venârian Sea and turned its attention westward towards Zonara and Thanema. By tr303, it had conquered this entire region, wiping from history many small states. Only the ancient kingdom of Emélrenè was able to bring a halt to the Empire of Azeryan’s westward expansion with the Peace of Berema in tr303.

In the wake of conquest, the Azeryani moved to integrate the many peoples and cultures they had encompassed into their political and economic system. Through a process of incorporating local elites into the imperial system, and planting colonies of Azeri across the region, they built political and economic bonds that strengthened the empire.

The fourth century saw an explosion of economic activity. In tr321 the Empire of Azeryan granted an empire-wide charter to a Karejian institution, the Mangai of the Guilds. The Mangai evolved from the ancient civic government of the Karuia city-states, which was also strong amongst the Azeri. The Merchant Associations of Azeryan had played a key role in financing the growth of the empire, and in alliance with the Mangai of Karejia, they sought and obtained an empire-wide semi-monopoly on the oversight of trade. Through the sponsorship of the Mangai, Azeri and Karejian traders and explorers ranged far and wide beyond the empire’s borders, establishing a network that has extended farther than and outlasted the reach of the empire that created it.

By the mid fifth century, Azeryan had conquered the northern and eastern coastal regions of Hepekeria and founded the colony of Byrios on the southern shores of the Venârian Sea.

The rapid growth of the Empire of Azeryan inevitably brought it into direct conflict with the region’s other great imperial power, the Empire of Dalkesh. Thus began the Century War. The war lasted from tr292 to tr398, and occurred in three broad phases. In the first phase, Azeryan captured much of the eastern Venârian seaboard, but Dalkesh pushed back through a daring desert war, capturing Livelis in tr303 after a long siege, only to lose it to the Azeryani three years later. The second phase was fought largely at sea, and conflict moved back and forth for four decades. Finally, the last half-century saw the long, grinding defeat of Dalkesh as she was pushed back from her northern coastal possessions. The Azeryani southward advance was only halted in tr398 at the Battle of Aninis Hills.

Many other peoples and states in the region naturally sought to emulate the success of the Azeri. A particularly interesting example was the Corani Empire on the island of Hârn. Beginning as a confederation of Corani tribal peoples, this state came to dominate most of western Hârn by tr380. In that year its ruler Malian took the title emperor, clearly in imitation of the Azeri imperium.

The Azeryani empire influenced the societies around it in many other ways – socially, economically, and culturally. For example, many realms outside the empire adopted the Imperial style of architecture that evolved in the late fourth and early fifth century, even in regions where the open colonnades and interior gardens of this style might otherwise have been inappropriate. Similarly, Azeryani styles of dress, music, and performing arts were imitated in places far beyond the empire’s borders.

At its height, however, the Empire of Azeryan began to come under strains that would eventually cause it to fragment. Over the second half of the fifth century it would lose nearly half its conquests. The causes of decline were complex, but included: over-extended reach, corruption, internal dissent, and social change, including the breakdown of the ancient consensus between its matriarchal and patriarchal noble clans.

The first loss was its colonial province of Byria. The province of Byria was officially declared in tr443, but it was not long afterwards that the colony began to exhibit considerable independence. Factional infighting severely weakened the imperium around this time; there were nine emperors from tr441 to tr462. This appears to have allowed Byria to declared formal independence in tr462. It is believed that Emperor Zarkalendis I (tr462-475) allowed this to stand because he owed his accession to his relative, Arkalenda, first independent governor of Byria.

Further blows were to fall. From tr457, the western provinces of Thanema and Zonara were ravaged by incursions of Trierzi barbarians. Despite attempts to ‘manage’ these invaders by settling them in lands depopulated by the Yellow Plague, by tr480 there was considerable unrest in the western provinces. This broke out into full-scale revolt in tr484. Emperor Mithrynas V sought to address the growing demands for greater regional autonomy by the creation of the Western Protectorate in tr487. Unfortunately his successor, the infamous Barendanis IV (known as ‘the Mad’) eventually undermined this solution, and by tr492 the Trierzi War of Independence had begun.

The final years of this period saw a resurgent Dalkesh under the Emperor Khorlus I (‘the Magnificent’), first of a new dynasty. He conquered the upper reaches of the Târga River, and invaded the Mafani coastal states, laying siege to Mokora. He retired having extracted trade concessions from the Mafani.

^† Initially this leader was an elected year king, but eventually became a permanent emperor ostensibly responsible to the senate of the leaders of the various constituent states of the confederation.

Viking Period (tr250 to tr550)

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Venârivè, events unfolded that were to have equally wide-ranging impact. From the early third century, Ivinians began to raid and then conquer areas to the south, principally in the region known as Hârbáal. This process took decades; but slowly these invaders came to dominate this area. Initially they made use of fast oar-powered raiding vessels; later the addition of sails enabled them to raid further afield.

From Hârbáal they turned their attention to their greatest competitors; the Jarind sea-towns. This struggle was titanic; and the Ivinians were not always victorious. But the Ivinians’ new longships over time became more of a match for the Jarind vessels: one by one these ancient trading states were picked off and fell to the northerners. The last great Jarind realm on the Hârbáaler mainland, Lythwys (Lyth), fell in tr322, but others, such as Dinibor, Calamisa, Shatrah, and Trepura survived until the late fifth and early sixth century. The development of the dragonship around tr450 appears to have been instrumental in these final victories.

The removal or weakening of the Jarind sea-towns opened up opportunities even further south for the Ivinians. At the same time that the Trierzi began to harass the Azeryani on land, the Ivinians began to raid the empire’s western lands from the sea.

Modern Kingdoms Period (tr500-)

At the turn of the sixth century, the Empire of Azeryan was under considerable strain. It was losing the war with the Trierzi, and unable to hold back the Ivinian raiders. And although it managed to defeat the Dalken emperor-hero Khorlus the Magnificent (in tr496), this came at great cost. In tr502, the empire was powerless to respond as Taralandis al Ubaron (aka Torichane) declared himself King of Trierzon, a realm encompassing all of the western provinces.

Shortly after the foundation of Trierzon, the Trierzi invaded the northern lands of their cousins, the Shorka, seeking to expand their new-found power. The occupation from tr508 to tr518 was, however, something of a misadventure, and eventually the Trierzi were forced to retreat, leaving behind a more united set of Shorka petty-states.

One of the key reasons for the withdrawal was the invasion in tr513 of the western region of Trierzon by a disparate group of Ivinians led by Bjan Ledrin. The Ivinians took advantage of both the Trierzi preoccupation with Shôrkýnè and local dissention led by the Count of Athamas. By the end of tr518 ancient Thanema had fallen, and a year later the Kingdom of Palíthanè was proclaimed.

The period from tr518 to 536 saw the first phase of the unification of Shôrkýnè; at the end of this period most of western Shôrkýnè was a united kingdom, facing the Kingdom of Ensel to the east.

Meanwhile, the Empire of Azeryan continued to lose territories. Ivinian mercenaries seized control of the island province of Menêma in tr523; the lack of imperial response led to the collapse of the province of Dalanya a year later. Within a decade the northern region of Kymaria (Xeria) had also declared independence. Internal politics within the empire prevented a decisive response.

The conflict in Shôrkýnè took a number of twists, most significantly involving the intervention of a group of Hârbáalers led by clan Pelanby. Initially this group invaded the western reaches of the fledging kingdom of Shôrkýnè, taking the region known as Alagon but the invaders soon reached an accommodation with the Shorka king, and together brought the Kingdom of Ensel to heel.

It was soon after these events that a great disaster struck almost all of Venârivè. Beginning in tr553, and continuing until tr561, the terrible disease known as the Red Death swept across the region, in some places killing a third of the population – including the Emperor of Azeryan and wiping out the ruling house of Trierzon. A new Trierzi royal house was founded by Tarkosen al Artain, the husband of the sole surviving royal princess. He took the throne following her death with the regnal name of Taralandis II.

In the wake of the Red Death, Azeryan lost control of its last Hepekerian holding, Arlanto, in tr560. Despite this, the thirty-year reign of Emperor Zarkalendis III (tr559-589) stabilised the empire for a time, after the seven-year regency of Arzanbaredis, who continued to advise the new emperor for the first decade of his rule.

The Red Death had particularly serious consequences on Hârn, where a combination of the disease and an inappropriately harsh response to unrest and religious discontent (including the martyrdom of the Morgathan prophet Balsha in tr558) led to the Balshan Jihad. This culminated in the fall of the Corani Empire in tr565. A period of chaos was followed by the rise of the heretical Morgathan Theocracy of Tekhos, which ruled western Hârn with a hand of terror for two decades from tr568. The strongly Laranian kingdom of Kanday arose in southwest Hârn in the wake of the Theocracy, as did the Thardic Republic.

In Shôrkýnè, the Red Death led to the breakdown of social order and the opportunistic invasion of the Plain of Karetan by the Trierzi in tr560 only made matters worse. Shorkyni failure in the First Karetan War led to the deposition of King Raleth in tr566 (a pattern repeated with King Bursin in tr596). This began a process of the assertion of the rights and powers of the Shôrka nobility over the crown that eventually lead to the establishment of the Shôrkýnì Parliament in tr672.

Following their successes in the Karetan War, the Trierzi turned their attention to Azeryani Beronium, in a conflict known as the Second Trierzon-Azeryan War (tr572-575). King Mirgael II was able to push his forces as far as the Zonan River, but was unable to take Berónè or Gorium. Mirgael’s successes against Azeryan were marred, however, by the Southern Rebellion late in his reign. Led by the Duke of Korun, Dasyn al Orinwal, this local conflict erupted into a full-scale rebellion in tr597, and was not fully pacified until tr598.

Meanwhile in Palíthanè, the period known as the Troubles ran from tr589 to 593 during the reign of King Bjan II (‘the Bad’). Further trouble arose a generation later when conflict between two royal princes erupted into a civil war known as the War of the Princes (tr653-655), which led to the first regency of Queen-Regent Larena.

Warfare was increasingly prevalent amongst the states of Hârbáal during the early seventh century. The aggressive kingdom of Geltheim played a leading role in these conflicts, conquering Sowidh in tr598 and Yelaben in tr633. It unsuccessfully sought to take the Kingdom of Ánvâl in the Ánvâller War (tr620-621). Another notable event was the Battle of Tarkain, where two Hârbáaler fleets fought off the islands of Tarkain in tr605.

Religious tensions in northeastern Trierzon came to a head with the Laranian Tobran Inquisition (tr616-620), causing the flight and death of many accused of Agrikan worship. The longer-term effect, however, was a lessening of the respect for the Laranian Holy Office among more moderate Laranians.

On Hârn the ongoing confusion following the fall of the Theocracy of Tekhos enabled the conquest of western regions by the Kuboran leader Arlun in tr629. This led to the foundation of the Kingdom of Rethem in tr635, with repercussions that have continued to the present day.

Meanwhile, the growth of bulk trade in the Gulf of Shôrkýnè from around tr620 led to the development of the Shôrkýnè dak in Eilyria around tr650. The Kingdom of Chelemby rapidly adopted this vessel after the first Hârbáaler invasion of tr675.

The Third Trierzon-Azeryan War (tr643-646) was a disaster for the Trierzi, resulting in the deaths of two kings, one of whom ruled for only two months. The new King Polcharin ended the war and married the Menêman princess Amyva al Seranis. Queen Amyva was to play a dominant role as the ‘Iron Queen’ of Trierzi politics for many decades to come.

The Trierzi obtained respite from Azeryani attacks principally because of the rise of the Reksyni Confederation, which was formalised around tr645 by Khan (Khela) Gothan Rashena. The newly coordinated Reksyni began serious incursions into Azeryani territory around tr647. A prophesy of disaster led to the beginning of the construction of the Shurâma by Emperor Markoranelis II in tr649.

Unfortunately Markoranelis’s successors were lulled into a false sense of security, leading to the disaster of the Battle of Hambarkas (tr655), which saw the death of the Azeryani emperor Heremzator V and the Reksyni conquest of Gothmir.

The crushing defeat of the Azeryani, including the loss of a ruling emperor and several imperial legions, prompted an unprecedented massive rebellion by the Karejian and Ûmélrian provinces, which broke away in tr657, supported by the Empire of Dalkesh. The Fourth Azeryan-Dalkesh War or the Great Karejian War lasted until tr663. It claimed the life of yet another Azeryani emperor, Azenbaredan I, in tr659.

Following the completion of the Shurâma in the same year, Azeryan moved into a largely defensive position, abandoning Gothmir to the Reksyni (tr660) and further restricting the active role of the emperor. Modern Azeryani emperors rarely even leave the imperial palace.

Out of this conflict developed the two great city-state leagues of the Venârian Sea; first the Ûmélrian League of the northeast (tr657) and later the Karejian League (tr676). They have worked to maintain their independence by maintaining a balance between the Azeryani, on the one hand, and the Dalkeshi and Reksyni on the other. Both have emerged as major economic and political powers, especially Karejia.

The late seventh century saw a new artistic movement develop in Azeryan, in response to the crisis of that century. The Restorative movement in art, architecture, and music expressed longing for the early years of the empire and focused on a reassertion of old themes. In the current decade the fashion has tended towards a more bold and confident style, incorporating new ideas and techniques as the empire begins to rebuild.

To the north, the process of the unification of Hârbáal took place from tr661 to tr673, ending with the marriage of Lirel Ledensen to Tralis Elendy. The unification was followed by a failed invasion of Chelemby in tr674, which precipitated the Hârbáaler Civil War (tr675-679). Hârbáal again attempted to conquer Chelemby in tr683, but again was defeated by the much smaller realm.

Northern Hârn began to experience attacks and conquest by Ivinians from tr652. Over the next thirty years the independent Jarin principalities fell to the invaders, leading to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Orbaal in tr686. The Jarin Rebellion from tr701-703 revealed that the Jarin populace was not as passive as some believed, and tensions continue. The Orbaalers sought to extent their conquest further south, beginning with the Rape of Thay in tr705. These attacks were brought to a sudden halt by the Cape Renda Disaster in tr707 when an entire Ivinian fleet was destroyed in a freak storm.

On the Lýthian mainland, the Senedalo War (tr664-668) between Trierzon and Palíthanè brought down the ruling house of the Trierzi county of Senedalo, and culminated in the famous Siege of Alsinon. The war was only ended by the Bishop’s Truce in tr668. The victorious Pálithàner king Koris died in a freak jousting accident only a few years later, resulting in the second regency of Queen-Regent Larena (tr672-679).

The Fourth Azeryan-Trierzon War (tr668-670) saw Trierzon recapture much of the territory it had lost in the disastrous Third War.

Continued weakness in Azeryan (including four emperors from tr672 to 673) contributed to the Lankor secession in tr676. The empire has never accepted the lost of this key northern holding, with three vicious wars fought over the subsequent years: the First War (tr676-679); the Second War (tr685-690; and the Third War (tr709-714). Lankor only just retained its independence.

The period following the Fourth Azeryan-Trierzon War saw the rise of the Karejian League. Together with continuing Arlantan piracy (which first began in the Reaver Years from tr648), this constrained opportunities for Trierzi trade. Trierzi merchants began to seek new ways of reaching the key trade routes of the east. This led to development of the karúnè around tr690. This new caravel ship design has rapidly spread to Chelemby, Emélrenè and Palíthanè; it is likely that the network of Cheler trading-posts and alliances has contributed to this rapid transfer.

One recent conflict, the Tamanias Campaign of tr712-714, saw the Trierzi Duke of Stalfore invade the Tamanias march of Palíthanè. This led to the current siege of Waleden in Stalfore county, Trierzon.

Further north, the Ivinian kingdom of Ibanvaal invaded the neighbouring Kingdom of Menglana in tr718, crossing the Kejelrian Mountains in a daring and unexpected attack on Froyby. This war continues; other Ivinian realms may intervene to prevent the fall of Menglana.

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Chronology

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Ælder Era

Classic Era

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‘Middle’ Era

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Modern Era

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Culture and Language

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Societies and Government

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Law

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Military and Trade

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Economics and Trade

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Guilds

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Daily Life

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Folklore and Legends

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Religion

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The Arcane

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Regions and Realms

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Folk of Venârivè

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Appendices

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Appendix I: Lìa-Kaváir

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Appendix II: Chantries of Venârivè

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Appendix III: Titles of Venârivè

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Appendix IV: Colleges of Heraldry

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Appendix V: Religious Organisation

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Appendix VI: Languages and Scripts

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Appendix VII: Chéler Kántehusen

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Appendix VIII: Karéjian Larún

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Appendix IX: Tríerzi Duchies and Counties

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Appendix X: Àzeryáni Provinces

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Appendix XI: Regnal Lists

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Appendix XII: Venârivè Price List

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Appendix XIII: Venârivè Incomes

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Appendix XIV: Trade Goods

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Appendix XV: Ports and Markets of Venârivè

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Appendix XVI: Tide Tables

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Appendix XVII: Weather

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Appendix XVIII: Venârivè Map

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Appendix XIX: Locations Index

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Ancient Locations

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Maps and Illustrations

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Notes

• Venarive_102.pdf ~ Venârivè: Northwestern Lýthia (250 Pages)
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