Zhakar's History

The world of Brisesia consisted, at one time, of a supercontinent known as Pangea. As races were born, with the Giants being first, and Gods and mortals appearing as well, the land was claimed by differing groups that saw entire empires being founded. This led, however, to rising tensions, primarily between the Giants and Gods, the latter which allowed and encouraged their worshippers to take the land they wanted without regard. A war broke out that lasted a thousand years (8510 AoD), though an attempt was made to end it by splitting Pangea into smaller continents and islands (9460 AoD).   The isolated land of Zhakar would become known as the home of Dragons, as many followers of Dragon and Serpent Gods claimed it. Consisting of low-lying wetlands that were of little interest to the Giants, this was a largely uncontested, fertile region that many followers of different Gods were able to settle in. The warm marshlands, and easy access to water, attracted the more reptilian species, as well as a number of different types of Dragons. Inhabitants included Lizardfolk, Dragons, Yuan-ti, Half-dragons, Kobolds, and Dragonborn. While other humanoids were drawn to the land by Dragons, many were captured and enslaved by the races that thought them little better than beasts of burden.   The dynamics between the populace led to the development of enchantment magic, which was used to sway or protect oneself from stronger creatures. This was further enhanced by the psionic nature of the Gem Dragons and their half-dragon children. When the war between Gods and Giants broke out, these abilities were employed to great effect, able to stir the hearts of mortals to battle or turn opposing armies on themselves. Such large workings of the weave in the area forever left their mark, and the beings of Zhakar, perhaps even the land itself, now have a natural inclination towards enchantment abilities.   Near the end of The Thousand Year War (9507 AoD), which saw the rise and fall of many civilizations, the Yuan-ti formed the first empire of the Zhakaran continent. With their faster breeding, and more ruthless tactics than the other natives of the land, the Empire of Zhotziu quickly rose to power. Extending their reach toward the north-eastern portion of Zhakar, they made deals with the lizard-folk of the northern swamps, and used them as a form of defense. Any who dared to rise up against the empire were led into the morass, and fell prey to the tribes there.   Meanwhile, in the west, the Dragonborn were beginning to form clans. As these tribes grew in size and became more advanced, their individual leaders realized the benefit of an alliance between them, and established the Angkar Meritocracy (9511 AoD). Each clan sent their strongest and wisest to participate in a challenging competition designed to seek the absolute best among them. In this way, the individual who won was elected to lead the Dragonborn for the next cycle, remaining until bested in the contests that were held each year during the winter solstice. The first ruler to command the clans was Galrilus Frodorim of the Golden Scales.   For many years, the two societies co-existed in relative peace with minor scuffles and border disputes here and there. However, as the Yuan-ti king, Thekkih, rose to power, he felt it was their divine right to rule the entirety of the Zhakaran continent, seeing it all as land granted to them by his chosen deity, Sseth. He initiated a war of conquest against the Angkar that lasted 37 long years (67 AoM - 104 AoM). The conflict ended in failure for Thekkih, and his people were routed. This was, in-part, due to a large slave revolt orchestrated by Aldrel Arisaadi, a Dragonborn who had been captured early on in the war, and worked to undermine the Yuan-ti from within.   After the war, the Dragonborn clans met to discuss the fate of those they had freed from the Yuan-ti. It was eventually decided to crown the current leader of the Meritocracy, Klupes Worciar, as king, founding the Kingdom of Zhakar (107 AoM). Klupes was married to Darzira,the half-elf daughter of one the main rebel fighters, as a sign of unity between the clans and the refugees. What followed was a golden age of prosperity. For the next 710 years, Zhakar stood strong and unified, spreading out ever further over the Zhakaran Continent. However, in 817 AoM, a conflict broke out between the current king, Drembuk Zorseth, and several of his lords, which lasted 10 years and left a divide in the once-united kingdom.   It was during this turmoil that the young Silver Dragon, Zitadvandrodroth, decided to adopt the guise of an elf by the name of Enleth Queylda and roam the world seeking knowledge and adventure. This would serve her well in her future endeavors in Zhakar.   Meanwhile, King Zorseth was able to broker peace with his lords. An agreement was reached to divide the kingdom into four semi-autonomous duchies. Each duchy would have a duke or duchess who would oversee the land, ensure the prosperity of the people, settle disputes, and handle the day-to-day ruling of their territory. These leaders would then report to a chosen High King who maintains the unity of the clans, and who could be relied on to resolve conflicts between the duchies. In this way, war could hopefully be avoided, and conflicts between the regions could be settled diplomatically.   The four duchies of Zhakar became:

• Zhacavuth to the North East
• Santid to the North West
• Rerzihros to the South East
• Reshu to the South West

Egnid the Bright, an adult Gold Dragon who had helped to negotiate the resolution, became the High King of Zhakar. He made his lair in the center of the continent, in the ruins of an old castle, and an aura of law around it helped keep the peace.   As the years passed, agreements, merges, and intermarriage blurred the lines of division between the duchies in such a way that the people did not truly see those lines and borders as they once did. In the year 931 AoM, Egnid’s daughter, Ramohdra, became the Patron Dragon of the East, wandering among the people in a variety of guises and serving as a diplomat when needed. She eventually married the Duke of Zhacavuth, whom she shared many common ideals with. After his death, and with no heirs, she became the leader in his stead. Several years passed, and after a friendship turned more romantic, Ramohdra married the Duke of Rerzihros. This union brought together the Eastern halves of the kingdom, and the two duchies became the province of Everae.   In 1303 AoM, after a couple hundred years of travel, Enleth Queylda returned to Zhakar. With the blessing of Egnid the Bright, she founded the town of Myth Adofaer, as well as The Academy of Supri Arcanik Demak just a year later. Granted the title of Patron Dragon of the West, she made sure to keep the connection between the two separate, opting to perform all her duties as patron in her true form as Zitadvandrodroth. Turaceothim, an Amethyst Dragon whose territory was far to the south of the continent, helped to run the academy. In addition, his extensive knowledge and years of experience in the study of the movement of celestial bodies and their effects on patterns in the weave have made him a popular guest lecturer.   Serving as headmaster for about 300 years, Enleth Queylda retired from the position in 1617 AoM. The passage of time saw several others hold the position, though each one ensured that the founding principles established by Enleth Queylda were maintained to the highest degree. Currently, a half-elf by the name of Arhana Greycastle leads, having taken over the school just after The Convergence, and who has had the daunting task of keeping things running smoothly despite the chaos.   The Convergence wreaked havoc across the continent of Zhakar. A series of earthquakes violently shook the land for 30 days as a crystalline mountain range forced its way onto the plane. A dormant fault line fell to the stress of the tremors and split open, allowing the ocean to rush into the area. Countless lives were lost, families torn apart, towns eradicated, and a High King vanished. One of the areas destroyed by the fracturing of the fault line, now known as “The Dragon Scar,” was the castle home of Egnid the Bright, who has not been seen since The Convergence and is presumed dead.   With the appearance of the crystal mountains came a great many dragons of all colors. Most were young adults eager to grab new territory for themselves, but some were much older and more powerful. It didn’t take long for a war between the Chromatic and Metallic Dragons to break out as they fought for control over the portal that led into the realm. The Gem dragons, as a whole, did not side with one or the other, but some individuals chose to ally themselves with whomever they wished. That said, many eventually opted to put their weight behind the Metallic Dragons, as they were led by Ramohdra, who channeled her grief over the loss of the father, and her anger over the harm to her people, into a fierceness that few could replicate or withstand.   As The Convergence came to an end, and the planes began to separate, the portal into the realm became unstable and eventually closed, trapping the dragons who did not retreat. With no way back, and not wanting to face the wrath of Ramohdra without reinforcements, the Chromatic Dragons and their allies fled, scattering across the world to find new, unclaimed territory for themselves. Shortly after, the Metallic and Gem Dragons also dispersed, and found new places to settle.   The three ancient dragons of Zhakar, Zitadvandrodroth, Turaceothim, and Ramohdra, met with the surviving heads of the Zhakaran noble families and established a new High King, as well as three major provinces. These duchies each occupy the territory of one of the ancients who agreed to oversee and advise, but not rule the people therein directly. Within the regions, younger Metallic and Gem Dragons have settled, some openly and others in secret.   The three new duchies of Zhakar are:

• Arcaniss, in the West, is overseen by Zitadvandrodroth. Its capital is Myth Adofaer, and the duchess is Nalle Fuseglow.
• Buvogia, to the South where the mountains are, is overseen by Turaceothim. Its capital is Aurem, which is also the seat of High King Tamtoth Belciar.
• Everae, in the East, is overseen by Ramohdra. Its capital is Aicekicat, and the duke is Sylren Mistshine.

Ever since The Convergence, there has been something of a cultural divide between the people of Zhakar that seems to coincide with the halves torn apart by The Dragon Scar. In the West are those who believe that magic could have prevented, or at least lessened, the effects of The Convergence, and they seek to study it further in order to improve the lives of people in general. The East is perhaps a bit more conservative in thinking, as they believe that magic is too far-reaching and that it can only bring trouble, like The Convergence, and are returning to a more simpler way of life where they do not abandon magic entirely, but do not pursue it either.