Thar'ziq
Demographics
Government
The houses
Industry & Trade
History
Thar'ziq is called the Capital of the Lizardfolk. However, it was founded by various elven refuges in 2222, following the destruction of Kyl Vestiál. They settled in the thick of the Veilshade Wilds, at the base of the Silver Peak. During the early years, two elven families now known as House Faldín and House Telvas were the first to inhabit Thar'ziq, and they took an imidiate interest in the peculiar mineral found in the caves close to the settlement: Ambesum. Through intense research and experimenting, they found that the mineral could harness and store magic. They built the first arcane batteries and used them to enhance their daily lives with magic. An intense search began for more of this priceless mineral, and the elves cultivated the innate magic of their people, which made their city flourish. In 2226, a government was established, consisting of the great houses and the first ruler of Thar'ziq was elected, through their expertise in magic. In 2234 House Laerkín became a major house of the city, and in 2240 House Caervión. They soon got included into the city counsil aswell. For many centuries Thar'ziq flourished, expanding in power and size, much due to the magic that fueled the civilization. House Faldín dominantly ruled the city with great success, until suddenly, it all changed.
In 2580, an event which specifics are only known by a select few, took place in the Ambesum mines. Killing hundreds of miners and collapsing the mines, the Ambesum mineral could not be so easily mined anymore. For years, the mining operations were shut down to avoid further casualties, and Ambesum became a rarity, guarded closely by the city rule. In 2690, Lady Vistaena was elected as ruler, and by many she is regarded as the greatest ruler to ever rule Thar'ziq. In 2755, some mages of the Arcane Collective came visiting Thar'ziq and quickly took an interest in the strange Ambesum crystals. Their visit ended abruptly and violently, as they got caught trying to steal one of the arcane batteries. This event is seen as one of the major reasons why the citizens of Thar'ziq wants to remain isolated from the outside world. Even though Ambesum was not as easily acquired anymore, the growth of the city hardly stagnated. Through the excellent craftmanship and precise planning, Thar'ziq grew to be an extraordinary, magnificent city.
The Incorporation of Lizardmen
In 3012, the Second Awakening took place, shaking the world and creating chaos. Historically, Thar'ziq were able to remain undisturbed during major events in the world, due to their remoteness. However, this time their location would not be to their favor. When animals ascended into half-races, places with diverse fauna got exceptionally affected. It seems like more of these creatures were awakened here, and such was the case of the Veilshade Wilds surrounding Thar'ziq. The most prominent half-race by far, emerging from the jungles, were the lizardmen. The Thar'ziq inhabitants were agitated and shocked, just as the rest of the world - but their response would be vastly different.
When the majority of nations sought to eradicate these new half-races, persecuting them to death, the elves of Thar'ziq instead welcomed these races. This became a major change in the Thar'ziq society, as the lizardmen became an integral part of their population. The rapid reproduction of the lizardmen compared to the elves meant that they would soon become the majority part of the people. This further led to the prominence of Thar'ziq, as the lizardmen made a great workforce that elevated the city.
In 3099, during the gods invasion of the material plane, Thar'ziq was finally dragged into the war. Through their remoteness and self-inflicted isolation they had managed to stay out of the fighting, but when their civilization was attacked, they were left no choice. Their great armies were gathered: Dino-riders and mages; lizardmen and elves; fierce footsoldiers, and the Great Beasts of Thar'ziq. They plunged into battle, destroying their foes, but in doing so, their great elven Lady Vistaena of House Faldín perished. In a time of mourning, their new leader Lord Zelphar of House Faldín was elected. Obsessed with power, Lord Zelphar tried to ascend to godhood by using vast amounts of Ambesum, without the knowledge of the city counsil. But in his experiments trying to become a god, he was chased down and killed publicly by the people of Thar'ziq. After his execution, the first ruler to ever be elected from a house other than House Faldín was chosen. And since then, no house has ruled as dominantly as House Faldín did ever again. The following period was one of the darkest periods of Thar'ziq history. The people of Thar'ziq were stunned by the sudden betrayal of one of their Lords, and the mistrust towards the noble elven houses meant that their first ever lizardmen ruler was elected. Because of the immense amount of Ambesum Lord Zelphar had stolen, the city was now in a shortage of the mineral. And as a result of this, the city counsil deemed it necessary to open the abandoned ambesum mines once again. Carefully and secretly the mining operations began. The miners willing to risk their lives were seen as unsung heroes, brave enough to dive into the flooded mines, desperatly looking for the priceless mineral. Even til this day these operations continue, with no shortage of lost lives, only to be concealed to the public. During the demon scourge, Thar'ziq was for the second time in history dragged into a war, when they spotted demons ravaging their jungle boarders. In 4116, they rallied their troops and marched against the the mistful crater, where they finally defeated the demon invasion.