What would eventually be known as year 0, Her Year, was when the wayfaring travelers first landed on the shores of Retough. At first, the continent was simply called The Land, and we see this used in classical descriptions of the arrival for the first few hundred years after landing. It is debated where the name Retough came from. The landing was difficult, and for almost two decades after the initial landing, the explorers marooned on Retough struggled to survive. Harsh winters and scarce supplies meant every year was another chance to perish under the harsh circumstances. Luckily though, after 17 years, the first settlers seemed to finally get a foothold on the land. Here is where we first see expansion in the historical records, many different subgroups branching off to their own parts of the rift.
History of Retough
-
0 B.E.
17
The Landing
Population Migration / Travel -
188
195
The Launceen Split
RevolutionLaunce, the leading and only government on Retough, finds itself in the middle of rebellion after a string of economic and political failures. A civil war forced a rift between southern, eastern and central Launce, the break eventually culminating in two sovereign nations being cast from the Launce empire. These two nations, known as Thulidea and Bhaul, would become direct rivals to each other and their original parent state, Launce.
-
197
199
Camitrum Rebellion
Criminal ActivityTwo years after the Launceen Rift, a bannerlord native to Thulidea named Atrym Camitrum raised arms against his government and seized lands in modern-day Praetum. This rebellion, sparked by unrest in Thulidea's management, sought to overthrow the government and install Atrym as the monarch. Though the rebellion ended in failure, Atrym's rebellion pointed out key flaws in Thulidea's governmental design and forced change on a political and economical level. Ultimately, Camitrum's goals were reached as a result of his rebellion; Thulidea was headed by a competent ruler.
-
215
220
First Orcish-Human War
Military actionAfter a string of border disputes with previously existing Orcish tribes, the first Orcish-Human war began. A total of 13 clanites banded together and formed one of the first enclaves in centuries. Together, the Orcs halted human land-grabs and forced internationally recognized borders, containing all of modern-day Amkaor and almost the entirety of Ykrum.
-
220
221
Crean Flu Outbreak
Plague / EpidemicFamous sorcerer Naumense T'laum is the first recorded case to contract an unknown disease that would later be called the Crean Flu. Launce saw the destruction of one of the biggest cities in Retough, Crean, in large part due to the outbreak of this magic and proximity-borne pathogen. To this day, Crean remains a hive of putrid and unlivable ruins in the marshes of Launce.
-
226
230
The Nepoticide Conflict / The Sacking of Hau Minse
Military actionWith the death of beloved monarch King Aundraux Sines IV, Launce is plunged into revolt after revolt, after a bloody coup forced the crown from the head of Aundraux's brother, instead placing it on the mantle of the late King's uncle. King Renn would go on to quell over 13 rebellions in his 4 short years of leadership, narrowly surviving each one and keeping the state of Launce together, though barely. A peasant militia led by Aundraux's brother managed to breach the walls 4 years after his wrongful exile and the first major sacking began. Though the rebellion was eventually pushed back and quelled, King Renn had been assassinated during the sack and the younger Sines brother earned his rightful place.
-
226
Ykrumic Landing
Discovery, ExplorationThe first ships carrying future Ykrum ancestors lands on the shores of Retough, establishing a small but powerful city on the shore of the Crivess Gulf known as Syram. Many attempts from existing bandits in the area (Orcish, human, and Elven) are made to sack the city, but the newly arrived Ykrumic people hold out and their city thrives. Syram becomes a hub of trade and commerce in the Crivess Gulf.
-
234
Formation of the Fringe Collective
FoundingAfter the mistreatment of Elves, Dwarves and Orcs along the Grimm Mountains, a collective peacefully denounces Bhaul and a coalition is formed of a total of 8 different sects to combat growing concerns over human domain. By now, the human race that had landed less than 300 years ago was threatening the stability of the other races native to Retough. Though military action was taken, the oligarchy of Bhaul had more pressing matters than a small community breaking away to the north. War with Thulidea seemed imminent, and preparations needed to be made for a full scale war. The Fringe Collective resided peacefully in the mountains and swore to band together to ensure human domain could not penetrate their self-proclaimed area of tolerance for all.
-
240
262
The Hammer Wars
Military actionThe Hammer Wars was a conflict involving all major powers of Retough in the mid 3rd century, Her Years. The epoch was highlighted by a string of aggressive land-grabs, sieges, battles and genocides often regarded as one of the worst times in Retough history. Ultimately beginning as a small dispute over the island of Breakrock in the Crivess Gulf, it eventually scaled into all out warfare between Launce, Bhaul, Thulidea, the Fringe Collective, the Hardrada Dwarf Clan, the Garash Orc Clan, the Elven Coalition, as well as other smaller sects. The conflict would last over two decades and a reported 40% of those living in Retough died from a combination of war, genocide, famine, plague, and other factors. The wars saw no clear winner, and borders rarely moved. The largest result of the Hammer Wars was the dissolving of Bhaul and the introduction of a new democracy, Faulsin. In this time, the city state that would eventually become Ykrum would expand over time, silently grabbing land and power while most of the focus was on more large, direct threats.
-
257
The Formation of the Ariatic Syndicate
Gathering / ConferenceDuring the Hammer Wars, Thulidea faced grave threats of annihilation. Worse still, threats of a looming presence just outside of Retough became apparent, and the leaders of Thulidea formed the Ariatic Syndicate, a collection of various bands of skilled parties to seek out information, kill warmongering politicians (friend and foe to Thulidea alike), and find countermeasures to the coming threat. In total, 10 bands were formed secretly by the leaders of Thulidea and answered directly to the Senate. Their implementation worked well, ultimately helping to bring an end to the Hammer Wars and prepare for the coming invasion. When it eventually arrived just a few short years later, Thulidea was largely unaffected and was able to keep their bordered relatively unchanged.
-
268
274
The Arite Landings
Population Migration / TravelThe Arite Landing was a collection of conflicts regarding the ancestors of modern day Sazaki and Sashao. These two groups banded together on their exodus from their previous lands, becoming an economic powerhouse early in their landing. After seizing Faulsin lands upon their arrival, a small force was dispatched to deal with the invaders. Not only were they swiftly defeated, but Faulsin lost a series of pivotal battles ultimately ensuring that the new settlers were here to stay. Dispite the half decade of warfare, the end of the conflict saw Sashao create the Gin Dynasty, which promoted peaceful interactions with its neighbors and ultimately became a center of trade. The ancestors of modern day Sazaki would create elaborate and captivating art, poems, and song that enraptured the world and spread across Retough. Both Sazaki and the Gin Dynasty remained strong allies and often worked cooperatively in stately affairs for the next hundred years.
-
279
The Departed Regicide
Political eventWhen Queen Harra IX annexed a duchy once loyal to the crown, the Queen's favor with the populace of Launce quickly diminished. Despite being a popular ruler among plebeians and the elite alike, a simple and somewhat strange political move caused many across all classes to find Queen Harra would better be replaced by a less land-mongering leader. On the Dusk of the Fell Crown, a highly complex and extraordinary coup was undertaken by a small sect of hired mercenaries to infiltrate Queen Harra IX's near impenetrable castle in Hau Minse. Despite the extreme likelihood of failure, the cast managed to reach Harra and her death was swiftly met by their blades. The clattering of Harra's crown on the marble floor of her throne room was recorded by Faraum Enslen, who would go on to turn the event into a drama, which would soon become the most popular piece of media in Retough for centuries. The revolts following the chaos in the capital would go on to weaken the crown further, to the point that Launce was vulnerable to foreign powers. The following landgrabs by Launce's neighbors would bring the country to the smallest geographical size it'd ever reach.
-
280
The Dissolving of the Arite Syndicate
DisbandmentMany years after the Hammer wars and the Arite Landings, King Lomex I of Thulidea ultimately decided that the Ariatic syndicate was costly and no longer necessary to uphold the peace of Retough. Symbolically, a high ranking bishop of The Scepter brought the leading Ariatic party to a newly constructed temple, paid for by the royal treasury by the previous king. However, Lomex I believed the order to be obsolete. With a prideful but quiet ceremony, the party was disbanded officially and each member of the party was sent back home with a full year's pay to help them reintegrate into society. Other less famous Ariatic parties were sent messengers who informed them of the dissolving syndicate. Like the main party, they were sent home with smaller pays, but just as helpful for freelance fighters to return to civilian life.
-
280
17 /5
Assassination of Heiress Oka Tsukiko
Life, DeathHeiress to the Sazaki Empire Oka Tsukiko was beloved by not only the citizens of Sazaki, but most of the known world for her benevolent nature and direct involvement in ending a high-stakes cold war between many of the nations of Retough, that could've ended in another conflict similar to the Hammer Wars. Destined to rule when the Queen passed, Heiress Tsukiko was primed to inherit a budding empire, with some of the highest approval ratings in known history. Some even speculated she could end the prejudice against the Sazaki and Shashao peoples and replace longstanding grudges between countries with respect and sovereignty. Unfortunately, Oka Tsukiko would be the victim of an elaborate plot to ransom her for wealth by bandits. One of her loyal guards was one of these bandits, and when the opportunity arose, he kidnapped the heiress and the bandit clan petitioned a large sum for her safe return. When investigation revealed their hidden base of operation, the bandits panicked and Tsukiko was murdered in the process. After her death, she was deified by the empire and buried in the Sazaki royal crypt next to her family. Most of the bandits were caught and flayed alive, but none confessed to the direct murder of the heiress.
-
292
295
Thulidean Civil War / Founding of Carina
Military: WarShortly after the death of four kings in quick succession, Thulidea faced its most deadly conflict up until the state's dissolving in the early 500's. With governmental power becoming consolidated in the capital, many of the fringe provinces of Thulidea felt a vacuum in support and banditry became commonplace. Soldiers disbanded, political leaders were either killed or led deadly pogroms, and far to the south of modern day Carina, a civil war began when Ferhir Lironohr assassinated his local governor and raised a peasant militia against the crown. Through an intense and bloody conflict, Lironohr secured a hefty nation to the south nestled within the Umbral and Boar mountains. While Lironohr's rebellion could've fought for years, the reigning king grew tired of the conflict and wished to focus resources elsewhere. He offered Lironohr to keep his lands if peace could be secured between the nations, and Ferhir agreed. With Lironohr installed as king, the country of Carina was born, and with it, one of the most stable and economically viable states in Retough.
-
295
384
The Long Peace
MiscellaneousThe Long Peace was a nearly century long period of time in Retough's history encompassing most of the 300's where no major conflicts or even scandals emerged. Many historians contribute this peace to a unique abundance of competent, calm leaders of each major country, which kept economies booming and tensions at an all time low.
-
384
Tyion Pass Incident / 1st Launceen-Sazaki War
Military: SkirmishEnding The Long Peace was the Tyion Pass Incident, a series of military skirmishes between Sazaki and Launce in the highly disputed territory surrounding Pale Mountain. In it's time this conflict was seen as a cold war, but contemporary historians believe this was the spark that began a string of wars involving primarily Sazaki and Launce. This has led most to rebrand this conflict as the 1st Launceen-Sazaki War. The dispute was centered around land that had originally been owned by Launce, but had a handful of Sazaki towns located within the region. At first the dispute was amicable and Sazaki was apologetic at the incursion, but soon militaries on both sides began building up in anticipation of a potential annexation from either side. Ultimately, Sazaki ended up winning the short skirmishes, lasting only a week, with Launce forces evacuating the land for Sazaki to take. While this incident wasn't particularly eventful, it was the inciting incident in which a near full century of war began.
-
399
469
The First Continental War
Military: WarAfter the 1st Launceen-Sazaki war, both sides began building up allies throughout Retough. War was on the horizon and neither side wished to be unprepared for the coming crucible. Ultimately, Sazaki managed to gain Sashao, Ykrum and Carina as allies while Launce secured Thulidea and the Arsinian warclans. Amkaor and Valesky remained neutral. Battles and landgrabs occurred all over Retough, the first few years being the most deadly. Land was passed back and forth as hundreds of thousands died simply to capture the same few plots of land. Usually by the time one side managed to firmly secure the area, the location had been reduced to nothing but rubble and barren land. The early days of this conflict saw the highest rate of destruction in Retough history, even surpassing the Hammer Wars in history erasure. It took seven decades to end the conflict, though most of the fighting had ended well before then. Some contemporary historians even believe the war should be considered finished by 422, though this is highly debated. After the 430's, most activity exchanged between sides were blockades, tariffs, and political intrigue. Towards the end, the war ramped up once more and with it, the end of the Terasau royal lineage in Launce. A series of riots and sieges led to an overthrow of the reigning king in Launce, which brought about unconditional surrender from those who took leadership after the king's assassination. This conflict saw the biggest border exchanges in Retough history. Launce and Sazaki were relatively unchanged, while Thulidea had lost a large portion of land to Carina to the south and Ykrum to the north. Also, Arsinia had managed to take complete control over the island of Tamn. Sashao had fallen into complete disarray towards the end of the war, to the point where all Sashao forces were recalled to defend the capital from riots and rebellion. The Fringe Collective, which had no stake in these wars, had collapsed and most non-human races were forced to assimilate back into human society, in a time where racist, anti non-human pogroms raged across the continent.
-
460
469
The Continental Syndicate
FoundingCenturies after the disbandment of the Ariatic syndicate, Bishop Gerentain II formed the second Retough syndicate as a direct result of the pogroms springing up across the entire continent. This syndicate, primarily focused with halting racial tensions, were sent on daring missions to combat those who vied for chaos and disorder among the peasants and non-conscripted civilians during the First Continental War. Similar to the first, many political leaders were assassinated and replaced with more favorable puppets, including the king of Thulidea and the Emperor of Sazaki. Ultimately completing their goal, the Continental Syndicate halted racial tensions from completely devolving and even sabotaged a handful of passes to keep military engagements from being possible. While most Syndicates throughout history were devoted to peace, this syndicate was particularly dutiful in its mission to preserve lives and promote population stability. Once the First Continental War was finished, it wasn't long after that the second syndicate was disbanded as well. Similar to the first, the Continental Syndicate were decommissioned and sent home with a hefty pay, being hailed as anonymous heroes for centuries to come.
-
492
501
Merrick Pane Obtains the Asyritor
MiscellaneousMerrick Pane, a distant cousin of the Carina royal family and an acclaimed mage, discovers a lost artifact from the Ykrum landings in Ilme, an Eastern province of the Achaemisid throne. Named the Asyritor, this object was an especially efficient conduit for mana. Since magic did not exist in the lands before Retough, it is unsure what the true use of this object was, but Merrick Pane found himself bolstered with the artifact and quickly sought to claim Carina for himself. Using the Asyritor, Pane manages to convince a small band of rogues and cutthroats to his side with a show of his magical abilities. From here, his mercenary group quickly evolved into a private army in the East of Ykrum and soon planned to march on Carina. With his newly acquired army, Merrick marched through the lands south of Ykrum and into Thulidea. While many battles were fought, almost all of them were won by the power of Merrick's Asyritor. Merrick was already a famously powerful mage. The artifact only ensured he was unstoppable in open combat, especially with an army at his back. When he finally managed to march through Thulidea and reach Carina, the famous Battle of Vere River occurs on the 17th of Seren, 501 Her Years. The leader of Carina fronted his army at one end of the river and Merrick attempted a risky crossing. Emboldened by his magic and blinded from the light of his past historic wins, the veteran army of Carina quickly destroyed Merrick's army while a small detachment occupied the mage. Without his army, Merrick was still a threat, and a large portion of the Carina army was routed or killed in the attempt to subdue Pane. When he was finally killed with a volley of arrows, the leader of Carina personally sailed far into the Breathing Sea to throw the object away, refusing to let anyone wield the device again.