History of Etoria

Many large islands acted as a slow down point before one could get a ship to the mainland and it was these islands that were first built upon. Captain Tophis claimed the most densely forested island after swearing he saw a Tiger stalking its trees. Her vision had been that of a Tiger and the sign could not be ignored. A decade of time passed as they cut down trees, grew farms and spread into the mainland. Stretching plainlands and daunting mountains took ownership of Etoria but this gave excitement and ambition to those looking to create something more than a few homes on a handful of islands. It was as if the land had been prepared for those wishing to remain, extremely fertile, rivers galore and a presence of divinity that brought incredible comfort to those of Everdawn. Almost as if one were in the home of a paternal presence.

Etoria was forged into the geography it is today because of this war. The radiant light brought down on one another was devastating and shattered mountains, cracked the very ground beneath their feet. They were the first of their people and their inherited power from Elysia was potent. The war raged for decades, some say a century but we put this down to bardic embellishment. We hope. Tieflings held the central mountains and were difficult to move, the Dawn Born held the islands around the mainland and the Dusk Born held the lowlands of the mainland. It became a stalemate but one that folk would not forget and always sort ways to gain advantage. This was until a city appeared on the western border of Etoria. Today known as Stelios, however at the time it was unknown, it was not built; it simply appeared one day from the passing of a heavy fog. Riders were sent from all three factions to seek knowledge of its presence and purpose. None of those riders ever returned.   The architecture mimicked that of Etoria but was much more polished and finished. Its people donned the robes and tunics akin to the Etorians and were a shining reflection. The city bore the high flying banners of a silvered mirror on a dark green backdrop. Without word or warning an army of riders charged from the city into the western borders of Etoria and the Dusk Born holding there were almost wiped out except for the incredible feats performed by Airiaus the captain of the Ram Ship. Wielding a massive hammer Airiaus stood and gathered those around them to hold. The riders from the city were turned back and reinforced. Infantry, cavalry, archers and siege weapons were rolled out of this new city.   Airiaus sent word to the Soul Scorched Tieflings requesting aid. If the Dusk Born could not hold then the mountains would be next. Aid was given and now they stood shoulder to shoulder while the Dawn Born sailed North and South coasts to bring forces from the flanks. For six years the city sent forth attacks trying to force the Etorians back from their borders and for six years they failed. But each failure from the city weakened the Etorians and a couple more years would see them break.   Stelios of the Horse gave a speech of unity and one Etoria, of a people blessed with the radiance of Elysia and responsible for the future of a unified nation. Well received by all and the potential glories they could achieve they all came together and as a single force took the fight to the city. Every strike imbued with divine smite, spiritual guardians surrounded the Etorians protecting them from their foes. The attack on the city showed them how massive it was. They fought in the streets, marketplaces and courtyards for days on end. Skirmishes were sometimes quick and smooth and other times bloody and brutal. The Etorians started to see reflections and echoes of their own existence in their enemy. Familiarity was everywhere. It was as if they had all been here before or were planning to be. This place of Echoes put them on edge and none wanted to face it.   Fear and doubt spread and came close to breaking the assault but Stelios rode among them crying to standfast, to hold Etoria in their hearts and push forwards. Rallied so they did. Reaching the center of the city they faced a force of hoplites donned in gold and bronze armour, the silver mirror embossed on their shields and helms, dark green plumes decorated the helmets of their military leaders. The forces clashed and a divine spark put radiant flame to the gargantuan temple at the city's heart. A great mirror rose from the ashes of the temple, the height of several humans and just as wide. Its silver trim decorating it with the imagery of twelve creatures floated above the city and shattered into dust, glittering in the sunlight drifting to the city grounds. When the mirror dust settled and the flames died out of the now ruined temple a small girl lay amongst the rubble. Jet black hair and amber coloured eyes. Stelios quickly dropped to her side, covering her nakedness with their cloak. Stelios then carried the child from the city and no one questioned it. The city of echoes was burnt to the ground and left with nothing more than a presence of rubble. The Etorians named the dead city Stelios as a reminder to those that crossed them this would be the reward.

Elysia was no longer focused on creating something divine in Etoria, instead they fed upon the twisting truths, political deceptions and the sweet nectar of lies. The skies became less blue and the clouds less fluffy. Their vision ignored the periphery and tunnel focused that which they desired. Etoria was falling apart under the control of these warlords. Elysia fell from the sky and existed among it all, absorbing it to quench a thirst they never knew they had. It sustained them like nothing ever had, or ever would. Elysia sat upon the Mountain called Ouránios. A shell of their former selves, their beautiful butterfly and moth wings sagging and lacking colour. The stars were too bright to behold and Elysia found themselves retreating to the darkness they had once craved for so long. Elysia could hear and feel every lie below the mountains and cross the plains. The towns and cities were flooded with lies, the promised glory of Etoria had been cut short. Elysia wept, streams of tears caused rivers to flow down from the mountain into the valleys and seas.   It was time for a change and Elysia stared at the river recently created flowing to the valley beneath. They shut out the lies and sounds of life they had created and lay on a plateau atop of Ouránios. Pain wracked them, neither darkness nor light was a comfort. Tossing and turning for an unfathomable amount of time. Elysia’s essence rolled from them down from the mountain and throughout Etoria.   As Elysia lay broken, shaking, begging for the release of nothing, their sight beheld the eight stars that gave them existence. The constellation of Calleth’Ulan the Soullight, Protector of the First Breath. Praying was an alien thing and there are legends that say this was the first. Elysia asked for help before falling into a void of darkness.

Folk from Etoria to the East and Sarrut in the South travelled here to find new homes and see more of the world. It took hold of their hearts and they settled in Tierra. At first it was wooden huts and canvas tents but the more folk that came brought more materials and more resources. There was something about the land that inspired the folk and such architectural masterpieces were built in and around the very land itself. The Musa made themselves known to those that were now settling the land. Each Musa was a fey creature that lived half in the Wilds and half in the material realm. They brought the greatest of music, art, dance, creativity, sculpting, storytelling and so the list goes on. Soon all were one people and the nation of Tierra was fully formed and neighbours to Etoria. It was a peaceful time of great joy and creativity. The cities built were incredible and a credit to the designers. Each city was led by a guild dedicated to an artform. The guilds referred to themselves as the Gremio, and led the country as a whole. They sent our word far and wide inviting folks to their land to enjoy its gifts. This set a seed of jealousy in the Etorians who claimed to be everything the Tierrains were and more. The Gremio sought an alliance with Etoria but were refused on several occasions. This is where the other side of Tierra was seen. An Archfey known by many names but to those of Tierra is called Broken Heart. It is they that are the true keeper of Tierra. Broken Heart could not bear the fact that Etoria had rejected them so many times and so took the audience with the Gremio. The outcome of said audience was to force Etoria into allegiance. It became apparent that those North of the River Talhulla were distracted by King Rhindharts invasion and so those of Tierra struck against Etoria. Inviting their high ranking to a great festival celebrating those that were no longer with us. At the Festival of Fallen Stars, at its peak of celebration, Broken Heart released creatures from the Wilds fully into the material realm. The city of Darim which had been chosen to hold the festival that year and was furthest away from Etoria was filled with fey beasts seeking blood. When the blood had been shed the hearts of the dead Etorians were gathered up and soaked in the tears of the Broken Heart before being sent back to the Empress of Etoria. War had been declared. Etoria’s military might was a thing of legend, they had built themselves up whilst being at war with one another until they settled as one nation. But all that knowledge and training remained and was practiced. They came into Tierra as a solid shield wall and marched through. The battles that took place were very aggressive and fueled by hatred from both sides. The disciplined forces of Etoria versus the Fey creatures and duelists of Tierra. Etoria raged through and took hold of the Tierra, and so it became part of the Etorian Empire. The Empress made it law that the Gremio is made up of majority Etorians. The Fey element sank back to the wilds to lick their wounds, but never forget. Broken Heart raged against their own emotions. They had been spurned then beaten. It was not something they could take. A cold vengeance grew. Etoria enjoyed the fruits of their victory for years until the War of Retreat began in the North. Broken Heart left the wilds, took their own heart and tore it in half. Both halves were buried as you would a seed and the Fey magic took hold. In the West half of Tierra the land went cold, icy tundras, glacial mountains, creatures with claws that froze a person. In the Eastern half fire and magma erupted and spread. Rivers of fire and forests of ashen death. Etorians by the thousand were killed by this devastating attack from Broken Heart. The Etorians had no choice but to also fight their own War of Retreat back to their mainland.