The Story : History
Home
The Story
History
Chapter 1
Collaborative Story
Poetry Pages
Parody Pages
Contact Me
External Links:
(of interest to me)
User Friendly
The One Ring.net
The Force.net
(as recorded by Rath, the Imperial Historian
for Emperor Crypha IV)
I. In ancient days, many tribes roamed the land. War and famine were commonplace. At that time, Crypha rose to be the ruler of the Ithranians, a tribe who worshipped the goddess Zithri. Crypha was a mighty man in the strength of arms, and soon conquered many tribes. Seeing his might and power, many others flocked to his banner, seeking protection and alliance with him and his nation.
It came to pass that the Tirenes, ancestral enemies of the Ithranians, came to battle with Crypha. They also had gathered many allies one to another and had many men mighty in the field of combat. Crypha and his armies battled with the Orel and the Tirenes for many years.
In process of time, Crypha and Orel met on the field of battle. Orel prepared an ambush for Crypha; though they fought valiantly, Crypha�s guard was slain to a man, and Crypha was captured. Orel had him tortured, beheaded, drawn and quartered. Crypha�s head was delivered to Morland, Crypha�s only son and heir. Infuriated, Morland slew the messengers with his own sword.
After laying to rest the remains of his father, Morland vowed to avenge his father�s death. At the age of eighteen, he took command of the Ithranian armies. He divided his forces into fifths, giving his four greatest commanders each one of the five armies. He took command of the last himself.
Morland directed his commanders to encircle the armies of the Tirenes. Against the advice of his generals, he crept into the camp of Orel at night while all were asleep. Finding Orel�s tent, he took Orel�s own sword and slew him with it, pinning him to his bed. Orel died without waking. Morland snuck back out of the camp and returned to his army.
When the morning came, Orel�s forces were in disarray. Morland struck. Even his reduced force was sufficient to defeat the disorganized Tirenes. After several hours of battle, they surrendered. Morland had the entire Tirenean army slaughtered. The forces under the command of Morland�s generals had marched to the Tirenean borders. Acting upon Morland�s orders, the armies marched through the villages, slaughtering every Tirene they met. All the villages were burned to the ground. In a very few weeks, the Tirenean tribes ceased to exist. The entire nation was eradicated to sate Morland�s vengeance.
One of Morland�s forces encountered a mysterious race in the woods after the genocide of the Tirenes. The called themselves the Vashiri, and seemed willing to enter into a treaty with the Ithranians. In the meantime, Morland worked to consolidate his power over the other human tribes. In his thirtieth year, he laid the foundations of a new city in the center of his realm, and declared himself to be Emperor. This later became year one of the Ithranian Reckoning. In year five, Morland annexed the Vashiri homelands and made them a part of the Empire. He appointed the head of the Vashiri nation to be a member of his Imperial council. In the tenth year of the empire, Morland died, having spent most of his life in battle and bloodshed.
II. Morland�s only son, also called Morland, inherited the throne at the age of twenty-six. He reigned for fifteen years. His reign was a time of relative peace for the newly formed Empire. Morland II completed the city of Medro, which became the capital of the Empire. A large portion of the central city was designated a �forbidden zone� for the general populance. A great palace was erected on this site. Morland II died in the twenty-fifth year of the Empire after battling an illness for several months.
III. Morland II�s son, Cephas, inherited the imperial throne. He was crowned in the twenty-fifth year of the Empire at the age of twenty-five. He ruled in the Empire twenty-three years. Cephas spent many years increasing the hold his grandfather had placed over the various conquered peoples. During his reign, there were several minor rebellions, all of which were eventually quelled. To help cement ties with one of the larger nations under his control, Cephas married Eil, a woman from the Aldarian tribe. This was the first time that non-Ithranian blood was introduced into the Imperial bloodline.
Cephas designated the five armies into their color designations. He also implemented a series of contests for the armies� participation. The various tourneys have been a source of pride to the victors for many generations. In present day, each army�s color has come to be a symbol of pride for the soldiers, especially for the black army.
Cephas had come to hate Gwyth, the leader of the black army. Gwyth was a popular leader among the people; however, so Cephas feared a reaction from the people if he demoted Gwyth. Instead, he sent the black army to the most dangerous battles, and to the places of greatest rebellion. Such an apt military leader and strategist was Gwyth, that he won every battle that he fought. This increased his popularity with the people. As his popularity grew, so did Cephas� hatred of the man. Cephas was enough of a diplomat to realize the consequences of any display of ill will towards Gwyth, so he never openly attacked Gwyth, either with force or with propaganda.
Gwyth outlived Cephas, dying in the fifty-second year of the Empire at the age of forty-eight. He served loyally and faithfully for all his days. His successor to the Thanedom of the black army took upon him that name. In present times, the Black Thane is commonly known as the Gwyth, be of whatever name he (or she) may. Cephas died in the forty-eighth year of the empire, handing a more united realm to his son, Gier.
IV. Gier was twenty-one when he ascended the throne, and ruled the Empire eleven years. He was headstrong and willful. Although he enacted many policies for the benefit of the empire, he insisted on leading the Grey Army into battle. He was eventually slain by a stray arrow in an attack to quell a rebellion in the fifty-ninth year of the Empire. Among the many policies he started, he instituted a large quarrying site in the hills a few miles from Medro. In his days, the walls of the city were enlarged to a thickness of five meters. His son, Gethil, ruled in his stead.
V. Gethil was seventeen when he began to reign during the fifty-ninth year of the Empire. He reigned two years in the Empire. He had been sickly, and died before his twentieth year. His wife was with child at the time, and Sargon was born in the sixty-second year of the Empire.
VI. Durn was the brother of Gier. As Gier�s other children were still too young to rule, and Sargon had not yet been born, Durn ascended to the throne as regent in the sixty-first year at the age of twenty-nine. His regency lasted for sixteen years. Durn enacted no major policies during his regency, choosing to merely maintain the government until the rightful heir came of age. He spent many long hours instructing Sargon in all the ways of statesmanship. Durn remained a trusted advisor of the young emperor, until his death in the ninety-seventh year of the Empire.
VII. Sargon ascended the throne in the seventy-seventh year of the Empire at the age of fifteen. He sent the Green Army on explorations beyond the bounds of the Empire. He also founded the cities of Nigren and Elistarimal. He expanded his realm westward until the ocean was reached. At the mouth of a large river, he founded the city of Elistarimal. This later became the headquarters of the Blue Army, and a large and prosperous trade city. Sargon assigned the Blue Army the task of shipbuilding. Although all the armies of the present day have naval forces, the Blue�s are by far the best.
Nigren was established to the distant south of Medro in the foothills a large mountain range. It was initially intended as a border city to guard the interests of the Empire in that region. Towards the end of Sargon�s reign, exploration forces discovered the existence of an unusual race of creatures in these mountains. They called themselves Grutan. These creatures were initially uninterested in any ties to the Empire. The alliance adding Grutan lands came about by sheer coincidence. One of the members of a recent diplomatic mission had brought a large portion of dried beef as a part of his provisions. He offered some to the Grutan leaders. They immediately developed a strong appetite for beef. They were quite willing to enter into any agreement with the Empire as long as they could get a steady supply of the stuff. Many young Grutan serve in the Ithranian military as part of the alliance treaty. The Grutan taste for beef has become almost legendary throughout the boundaries of the empire, as has their fearsome fighting abilities.
Sargon also started a highway building procedure for the Empire at the advice of Durn. The roads of Sargon stretched from Medro in all directions. Many smaller towns as well as the new cities of Nigren and Elistarimal were helped to prosperity by the new roads. Merchants traveled the land more freely. The Red Army was set to the initial building of the roads, but the maintenance was later given over to local jurisdiction. Members of the district militias guard the roads, calling upon the assistance of the Imperial forces when need arises.
Sargon died in the one hundred twenty-first year of the Empire, having done much good for the realm in all his days. His son Morland reigned in his stead.
VIII. Morland III came to the throne at the age of thirty in the one hundred twenty-first year of the Empire. He reigned for twenty-nine years. In his time, the Keelites came to him with many grievances. Morland felt that most of these were unfounded. Still, he didn�t bring the substantial might of the military to bear. Morland was an excellent diplomat, and solved problems at the table, not on the battlefield. Morland�s wife died in childbirth, and he never remarried. Before his death, he altered the laws, so that his only child, a daughter, could ascend to the throne. Before his time, the oldest son was the ruler. He named her Paran, after her mother. Morland died in the one hundred fiftieth year of the Empire.
IX. Paran ascended the throne at the age of twenty-seven. She ruled the Empire for twenty-eight years. During her reign, the Keelites attempted revolt. Paran�s cousin, Durn, was the Grey Thane, and brought the substantial might of the Imperial Army to crush the rebellion. The Keelites were subdued, but a resentment for the Empire lasted long into the next several centuries. Paran ruled fairly and did much for the improvement of the major cities of the Empire. She died in the one hundred seventy-eight year of the empire. Her son Borla reigned in her stead.
X. Borla came to power at the age of thirty-one. He ruled the Empire for twelve years. Borla was a religion-minded man, and encouraged the worship of the various gods and goddesses. He started the construction of the Temple of All Gods, a large and stately structure that was not completed until the time of Crypha the Great. He sunk large amounts of money from the Imperial treasury into the building of it. Large shipments of marble and quartz were shipped from the mountains near Nigren. Nearly overnight, sculptors became a prized commodity in the Empire. The Temple of All Gods is considered one of the great wonders of the world. Borla was also a supporter of the magi, and granted them a large plot of land to build an academy in the city of Medro. Borla�s reign was mostly peaceful, despite some minor uprisings by the Keelites. Borla died in the one hundred ninetieth year of the empire. His daughter, Paran, ruled in his stead.
XI. Paran II came to power in the one hundred ninetieth year of the Empire at the age of twenty-eight. She ruled for twenty-three years as the second Empress of the realm. During her reign, the work of the Temple of All Gods continued. She enlisted the help of many of the magi, who were only too willing to help her (and to retain the lands donated to them by her father). During her reign, the Keelites again attempted rebellion. Despite all attempts by the Imperial army, the Keelite rebellion was never completely stamped out in her lifetime. Paran cemented ties with the non-human races of the Vashiri and the Grutan. The Vashiri offered tribute of rare woods and the skills of their craftsman. The Grutan continued to offer their services militarily, in exchange for rations of beef. Paran married late in life and had no children. At her death, her brother, Kidron was recalled from the Thaneship of the Grey Army to ascend the throne. Paran died in the two hundred thirteenth year of the Empire.
XII. Kidron ascended the throne at the age of fifty-one. He ruled the Empire for three years. He continued the work of his father and his sister on the Temple. Kidron increased the military support in the Keele district in an attempt to stamp out the flames of rebellion. He also spent time with some of the more powerful magi, trying to design more powerful weapons. His son, Omer was heavily involved in this work as well. Kidron left Omer to spearhead the design research while he dealt with the more tedious aspects of rule. Kidron was slain shortly after his third full year on the throne by Keelite assassins.
XIII. Omer came to power in the two hundred sixteenth year of the Empire at the age of thirty-three. He ruled for twenty-nine years. During his reign, the Keelite Rebellion was finally crushed. Nearly half the Keelite population was slain over the twenty-two years of rebellion. The rebellion was crushed in the two hundred and nineteenth year of the Empire. Omer failed to continue the work of the Temple of All Gods, despite threats from the various priests and priestesses of the Orders. Omer did continue the military research his father had started with the magi. The final plans were completed in his lifetime, but he died shortly before the prototype was unfinished. Thus, it was his son, Crypha who was credited for the work. Omer died in the two hundred forty-fifth year of the empire.
XIV. Crypha, known as the Great, ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five. He ruled the Empire for thirty-six years. Among his many achievements, was the completion of the Temple of All Gods. The building was even more magnificent than his great-grandfather had planned. Crypha had expanded the plans as well as the sheer wealth of materials that went into the structure. Acres of land in Medro were allocated to the grounds of the Temple as well. The Temple came to rival the Palace for grandeur, and for the richness of materials. Crypha decided that although the gods were important, he felt that the Palace Grounds should be unrivaled in beauty and wealth. With the help of the magi, and the now-unemployed builders, Crypha expanded the grounds of the palace. He also lifted the ban on all but the Imperial family entering the grounds, although the area immediately surrounding the palace was still restricted.
Crypha also unveiled the new military machine. These were large flying ships, larger even than the sailing vessels of the Blue Army. The ships were powered by magic, allowing them to travel at will through the air. The ships carried large numbers of troops, war animals, and supplies. The top surfaces were fairly level and boasted siege engines of all sorts. A few small flying machines were also introduced; these were solely observational vehicles. An �air force� was created for these vessels as well, composed almost entirely of magical constructs. Pegasi, Griffins, Drakes, and other flying creatures carry riders armed with missile weapons. Crypha�s mage researchers also created larger versions of eagles, hawks, falcons, and bats, as well as some entirely imagined constructs which carry no rider but are fierce attackers nonetheless. Each ship has a complement of over a hundred magi to keep the ships functional, and to keep the animals under control. Eventually, five of these ships were designed, one for each of the Armies. The initial prototype was given to the Black Army, while the final one, the flagship, was bequeathed to the Grey. The Gwyth was quite pleased to be the first to gain the airship.
With the invention of these ships, the military was able to do some larger exploration than was possible previously. The Green Army took its ship and flew over the Grutan Mountains at the southern border of the Empire. Eventually they reached the southern seas. The land appeared uninhabited, so they claimed it for the Empire. To the east of the Empire had long stood a large desert. Paran I had initially wanted to explore the uncharted desert, but the first Keelite uprising prevented her desires. The Red Army took the charge from Crypha. Eventually, inhabitants were discovered in the desert. At first, the Reds had hunted them, since they appeared to be nothing more than large rodents. Eventually, they discovered that the race was sentient. They referred to themselves as Hotreen. The Hotreen seemed to show little interest in politics of any sort, although they grew to dislike the humans for the slaughter of their people. Eventually, the Empire annexed the region. Crypha prohibited the slaying of these creatures, and over the centuries, this scavenger race spread through the Empire. Hostility still exists between the Hotreen and the other races. The Hotreen are viewed as an inferior species, and are generally treated poorly by the other races. For their part, the Hotreen scavenge, steal, and generally annoy the other races.
By the end of Crypha�s reign, the domain of the Empire spanned the entire known world. Though some of the races we now know to exist weren�t known before his death, the evidence indicates that they were there, merely hidden from view. The Marokal were eventually discovered to inhabit the lands beyond the Grutan Mountains. To this day, no one knows the location of the Ael�Mahrr�e homelands, but they have appeared among us from time to time. Crypha the Great died in the two hundred eighty-first year of the Empire. His son, Morland reigned in his stead.
XV. Morland IV ascended the throne at the age of thirty-eight. He reigned for eleven years. Morland�s reign was peaceful. The legacy of his father carried a lot of weight for the realm. Morland had two brothers, Oreb, and Gier. Gier received the Grey Thaneship, a position which Oreb felt he deserved. Oreb developed an arrogant and cruel nature as a child, and Morland felt it best that Oreb not serve in any sort of authority position. Oreb left the palace one day in anger. He returned two years later at the head of an army. He crept into the palace, and slew Morland, his sons and his wife. He also slew Gier, and all of his children he could find. Oreb overthrew the reign of Morland in the two hundred ninety-second year of the Empire.
XVI. Oreb claimed the throne at the age of forty-two. He reigned for about eighteen months. Oreb�s reign was a dark time for the Empire. His tyranny caused the slaughter of thousands. Nearly six months after the coup, Gier�s sole surviving son, Ziff, laid siege to Medro. At his command were the Black and the Grey Armies. Even with that might, the siege lasted a full year. Eventually, the people within the city rose in open revolt against the Tyrant. Ziff�s forces were able to storm the walls of the city and take the palace. Oreb was taken captive, tried for treason, and was hung, drawn, quartered, and beheaded. His body was left for scavengers outside the east gates of Medro. His only son, Dargh, managed to evade all attempts at capture. As the sole surviving son of Gier, (Morland�s son were all slain in the coup) Ziff ascended the throne in the two hundred ninety-second year of the empire.
XVII. Ziff took the name of Morland when he came to power at the age of twenty-two. He reigned for twenty years over the Empire. Morland V spent many years searching for the son of Oreb, to lay to rest any chance of another civil war within the Empire. Dargh was never found. Morland�s reign was devoted largely to undoing the damage of his uncle�s tyranny. Morland�s wife was of the Gershonite tribe. This was the second time that non-Ithranian blood had been introduced into the Imperial line. He was an extremely capable ruler. Many mourned his early passing. He died from infection due to injuries he received during a tourney. Morland V died in the three hundred seventeenth year of the Empire.
XVIII. Durn II came to the throne at the age of twenty. He ruled the Empire for forty-four years. During his reign, many deposits of gold and silver were discovered in the Gorod Mountains to the east of Medro. Large numbers of people flocked to the mountains. Small mining communities sprang up throughout the mountains. The population of Medro increased dramatically. Durn laid a tax upon the miners. The amount itself was small, but the large numbers of successful miners soon had the Imperial treasuries filled with money. Durn used much of this to complete the rebuilding of the walls of Medro. His father had started the work, but had not completed it before his death. Durn also started the work on a larger outer wall. Between these two walls, any two of the Imperial Armies could be garrisoned. The outer wall grew to a thickness of forty feet. It rose twenty-five feet in the air. The outer side was perfectly straight, while the inner side tapered in until the thickness at the top was only twenty feet across. Stairs were placed along the inner wall, to allow easier access for the soldiers to reach the battlements. He also laid plans for the three great gates. They were not completed in his time, although all the materials had been gathered and prepared for them. Durn died in the three hundred sixty-first year of the Empire. His daughter Eil reigned in his stead.
XIX. Eil ascended the throne at the age of thirty-seven. She ruled for twenty-eight years. Her reign was a time of relative peace for the Empire. Towards the end of her reign, dissent reappeared among the Keelites. The three great gates were completed during her reign. At this time, Vandrei, a Ship Captain in the Blue Army, set out to map the coastlines of the Ithranian continent. Despite a near disaster in the ice filled waters north of Keele and Vashiri lands, Vandrei accomplished his goal. It took nearly fifteen years, but much time was spent mapping, and taking notes of safe harbors and ports. Several cities were eventually founded at some of these sites. Vandrei�s voyage ended two years before Eil�s death. She bestowed lands and a title upon him for his deeds. Eil died late in the three hundred eighty-ninth year of the Empire. Her daughter Edrei reigned in her stead.
XX. Edrei came to the throne at the age of eighteen. Her older brother had been slain by bandits while he was travelling to Elistarimal only a year before her mother�s death. Many felt this sped the death of Eil. Edrei ruled for fifty-four years. The Keelites rebelled again during her reign in the four hundred first year of the Empire. The second Keelite Rebellion lasted ninety-three years. Edrei spent many years attempting to bring the rebel leaders to justice. She refused to allow the Armies to slaughter innocents, remembering stories of the atrocities of the first Keelite Rebellion in years past. Edrei was a competent ruler, and the Empire prospered during her reign, despite the ongoing rebellion of the Keelites. She died in the four hundred forty-fourth year of the Empire. Her eldest daughter Paran reigned in her place.
XXI. Paran III ascended the throne at the age of twenty-three, becoming the fifth Empress, and the third in direct succession. Paran also attempted to quell the Rebellion all the days of her reign, with as little success as her mother. Paran founded the great city of Perrow on the borders of the Keelite homelands. Initially, it served as a staging area for the Imperial forces. It�s position on the shores of Lake Edamei allowed supplies to be shipped from Medro without fear of raids from the Keelite rebels. Eventually, it became a great trading city, in large part due to its position. The Vashiri woodlands were also near at hand, and many fine timbers could be procured. Despite all her efforts, the rebellion continued. Paran III died in the four hundred eighty-third year of the Empire. Her son Sargon ruled after her death.
XXII. Sargon II ascended the throne at the age of thirty-two. He ruled for eighteen years. His betrothed was slain by Keelite assassins shortly before their wedding. In a rage, he ordered the slaughter of thousands of Keelites. The first two years of his reign were a virtual bloodbath in the north. He never remarried, despite many urgings from his councilors. Several years after the initial slaughter, Sargon parleyed with the Rebel leaders. He granted them independence. The Nation of Keele lasted for a mere three years. The conditions of that realm continued to deteriorate, first because of the destruction cause by eighty years of war on their lands, and second because of the flat refusal of Sargon to allow the Empire to carry out any trade with the newly formed Nation. The National government quickly collapsed, their leaders were executed, and the Keelites found themselves pleading to be readmitted into the Empire. Sargon did so, and laid a heavy tax on the Keelites for the crimes he felt they had committed. Sargon died in the five hundred first year of the Empire. His sister, Eil assumed the throne.
XXIII. Eil II came to power at the age of forty-eight. She ruled for two years. Eil was much more forgiving than her brother was, and lifted the heavy taxes that had been placed on the Keelites. She died in the five hundred third year of the Empire. Her son, Sarnon ruled in her stead.
XXIV. Sarnon ascended the throne at the age of twenty-one. He ruled the Empire for fifty-nine years. Sarnon was a great administrator. He reorganized the thirteen political districts of the Empire. Each district had it�s own governing body. This alleviated some of the pressure of ruling for the Emperor, and allowed the districts more say in what occurred in their lands. The cities of Medro, Perrow, Elistarimal, and Nigren each became a district by themselves, including the land for twenty miles from the city walls. The district of Ithra was still governed directly by the Emperor, and was also considered a privileged zone. Sarnon also instituted a mandatory eighteen months service in the local district militias. All young men when they reached the age of eighteen were required to serve. Three of the districts were designated as �homelands� the Grutan, The Hotreen, and the Vashiri all received a district for their race. Sarnon instituted the Imperial Council. Although it has expanded somewhat since his time, the Council operates under the format that Sarnon laid out. Sarnon�s administrative skills ended any ill feelings among the Keelites for many centuries. Having their own governmental structure resolved many of the grievances that the Keelites had held for many generations. Sarnon attempted to encourage migration to Vannir, a district that was sparsely populated in his day. Not many people were willing to move there, and it remained empty for many years to come. Sarnon eventually passed away in the five hundred sixty-second year of the Empire. His son Maath reigned in his stead.
XXV. Maath came to the throne at the age of twenty-three. He ruled the Empire for thirty-nine years. Maath was the son of Sarnon�s second wife. Sarnon�s first wife died childless. Maath carried some of his father�s administrative skills, but followed more his mother�s love of learning. He instituted a program of education for the youth of the Empire. Also, he started the building of a library for the collection of knowledge. The Great Library of Medro is peerless in its collection of history, science, and other topics of study. Maath�s reign was a time of peace for the Empire. The city of Perrow grew and prospered during his reign. More gold deposits were found in the Gorod Mountains as well. Maath died in the six hundred first year of the Empire. His son Maath ruled in his place.
XXVI. Maath II ascended the throne at the age of thirty. He ruled the Empire for five years. In Maath�s reign, a pestilence ravaged the districts of Sumateria, Ithra, Medro, and Aldar. Hundreds of thousands died from the plague. Many people believe it was started by followers of Mendar, but no evidence ever surfaced. Maath died of the plague in the six hundred sixth year of the Empire. His son Maath, became the next Emperor.
XXVII. Aeodor, the brother of Maath II became regent at the age of thirty-three. Maath III was ten years old at the time of his father�s death. Aeodor, like his father, was of a scholarly nature. He ruled reluctantly for the next six years. Aeodor encouraged Maath III to do likewise, but he never did take to it well. Aeodor remained a close advisor of the young Maath for the rest of his days. Aeodor relinquished his regency during the six hundred twelfth year of the Empire.
XXVIII. Maath III assumed full Imperial Authority at the age of sixteen. He ruled the Empire for sixty-eight years. Maath III enjoyed warfare, and participated in tourneys until his sixty-first year. Maath expanded the mandatory enlistment time from eighteen months to two years. He instituted a large training program for the Imperial armies, as well as for the district militias. He also started yearly war games to complement the tourneys. Maath founded the city of Ryga in Vannir. He encouraged many people to move there. It became a fairly large city. Maath also had a temple to Iryg built in Ryga. The Red Army soon stationed itself in Ryga, giving the Empire more influence in the outlying regions. Maath took a large portion of the Palace grounds and created a military academy on this site. Many of Crypha the Great�s architectural designs were removed, and placed further within the palace grounds at this time. The Imperial Academy soon became the center of military instruction, the site of the yearly tourneys, and the only place where officers were trained. Maath�s reign was unmarred by any serious conflicts. He died in the six hundred seventy-fourth year of the Empire. His daughter Eil reigned in his stead.
XXIX. Eil III ascended the throne at the age of thirty-eight. She ruled the Empire for twenty-six years. At the request of the magi, Eil allowed extended research to occur within their campus. Towards the end of her reign, the magi discovered the ability to create permanent portals to other parts of the world. Eil arranged for the magi to place transport portals in all the major cities of the Empire. The portals, once opened, could endure indefinitely. Eil died in the seven hundredth year of the Empire. Her son Morland ruled in her stead.
XXX. Morland VI came to the throne at the age of thirty. He ruled the Empire for twenty-three years. Magical research continued to be conducted under his reign. Morland expanded the grounds of the Temple, and included many of the palatial statuary in the new Temple grounds. He expanded and widened the road system instituted in ages past by Sargon I. Roads stretched from Ryga to Perrow, and at all points in between. In addition to the portal set in place by Eil III, Morland�s new roads helped to increase trade and travel. Communication improved throughout the Empire. Morland also removed the right of Imperial council members to send a delegate in their place, with the exception of the five Thanes. With the creation of the portals, council members could easily attend all meetings. Morland died in the seven hundred twenty-third year of the Empire. At his death, a civil war broke out over the succession.
XXXI. Morland�s eldest child, Paran, was the legal successor to the throne. She was twenty-nine at the time of her father�s death. Paran�s younger brother, Borla, felt that his sister shouldn�t rule, and that the rule of the Empire belonged to him. At Paran�s coronation, Borla demanded that she abdicate, and deliver the crown to him. Paran refused. Borla declared war, and the northern districts followed him. Keele, Perrow, and Elistarimal flocked to Borla�s banner. The rest of the Empire stayed loyal to Paran.
The civil war lasted for five years; Paran�s capital remained at Medro, while Borla�s became Perrow. Borla played on the latent ill will of the Keelites, and incited them to join his cause. The Aldarians soon fell under the force of his armies. Borla also claimed Vasheer as part of his realm, but the Vashiri remained neutral throughout the affair�as a whole, the Vashiri paid little attention to the politics of the Empire. Many thousands died in the war. Of the Imperial Armies, the Blue followed Borla�s banner. In the seven hundred twenty-eighth year of the Empire, Borla laid siege to Medro. The great outer wall of the city proved unassailable. None of the three great gates were breached. Borla was eventually slain in a sortie by the Black Army. Thus ended the great civil war of the Empire. Borla�s remains were divided, and portions were delivered to each of the capital cities in the districts under his control.
Paran had the leadership of the Blue Army all executed for treason. The district leadership of Keele, Perrow, and Elistarimal were also executed for treason. Paran spent many years repairing the damage her brother had caused to the Empire. Eventually all the ill feelings were laid to rest, but it did not occur until the reign of her son. Large portions of the treasury went to the rebuilding of Damaris, the capital city of Aldar. Borla had leveled the city, as punishment for the Aldarians refusal to secede from the Empire. The city was rebuilt shortly before Paran�s death. Paran died in the seven hundred thirty-eighth year of the Empire. Her son Quar reigned in her stead.
XXXII. Quar ascended the throne of the Empire at the age of thirty-one. He ruled for twelve years over the Empire. Quar repaired the political ties to the districts involved in the civil war. He reinstated the Blue Army�s status, and restored the rebel districts to the Council. Large deposits of iron were discovered in the Hotha Mountains and the great desert. Quar used the influx of iron to upgrade the weapons of the Empire. Bronze and copper weapons and armor became antique in the space of a couple years. Iron and steel became the standard for the Imperial forces. During Quar�s reign, the district militias still relied mostly on copper and bronze tools. The iron mining industry became very profitable. Many folk became very rich quickly. Large groups of people moved to the Hotha district, much to the distress of the Hotreen. Several minor skirmishes occurred between the Hotreen and the miners. Eventually, the Black Army was sent in to keep the peace. Quar managed to quell any serious fighting amongst the groups, but the Hotreen still stole outrageously from the mining communities. Quar died in the seven hundred fiftieth year of the Empire. His son Zerek reigned in his stead.
XXXIII. Zerek came to the throne at the age of twenty-seven. He ruled the Empire for thirty-two years. During Zerek�s reign, the district militias were also upgraded to iron weaponry. The Hotreen continued to irritate the local mining communities, but the Imperial forces kept hostilities to a minimum. Zerek also improved the airships of the Imperial armies. Zerek�s reign was largely uneventful. He died in the seven hundred eighty-second year of the Empire. His son Rosh reigned in his stead.
XXXIV. Rosh ascended the throne at the age of forty-one. He ruled the Empire for forty-eight years. He came to be known as Rosh the Old. Rosh settled the disputes between the Hotreen, and those of the mining communities during his reign. Rosh founded the University of Medro in the eight hundred first year of the Empire. Rosh also founded centers of higher learning in Perrow, Elistarimal, Damaris, Nigren, and Ryga. None ever rivaled the University of Medro. Many forms of learning soon became more popular. Advanced Alchemy, Astronomy, Mythology, History, Elementalism, among others. Rosh also granted the requests of one Cassio to build a theater in Medro. The Lord of Medro had refused Cassio�s requests, and he appealed to Rosh. Many great works of past artists as well as many of Cassio�s own plays were performed in this building. Although it has been renovated over the years, this same building still stands in the Empire today. In Rosh�s time, a large crime group reared its head within the city of Medro. Despite the efforts of the city watch, and those of the Grey Army, this group was never fully eradicated. The levels of crime peaked about ten years before Rosh�s death, and then went into a decline. Many felt that the crimelord had retired. However, the organization still existed, and does to this day. Rosh eventually passed away in the eight hundred thirtieth year of the Empire. His daughter, Khamil, had died three years before, and his grandson, Rosh, reigned in his stead.
XXXV. Rosh II ascended the throne at the age of fifty. He ruled the Empire for four years. Rosh�s reign was peaceful, and no serious conflicts arose. He died in the eight hundred thirty-fourth year of the Empire. His daughter, Paran, ruled in his stead.
XXXVI. Paran V came to the throne at the age of twenty-eight. She ruled the Empire for nineteen years as the ninth ruling Empress. Paran�s husband was of the Aldarian tribe, making the third time that non-Ithranian blood had been introduced into the Imperial line. During her reign, settlers attempted to settle in the woodlands and plains south of the Grutan Mountains. Of the three colonies, two vanished entirely. The third was decimated before help could arrive to evacuate them. Thus the Marokal were discovered. These beings feed off of the life force of others. After a time, the Marokal were brought into a semblance of submission. Paran and her descendents have always used them as assassins for the Empire. The Marokal are not truly loyal to the Empire, but after a brutal assault by the Black, Red, and Blue Armies, they maintain a semblance of loyalty. Paran died in the eight hundred fifty-fifth year of the Empire. Her son, Sarnon, ruled in her stead.
XXXVII. Sarnon II came to power at the age of twenty-two. He reigned over the Empire for sixteen years. During Sarnon�s reign, settlement was again attempted in the woodlands of the Marokal. Now that the creatures were known, and subdued, the settlements thrived. Although the people that lived in these regions were always an odd lot, and generally outcasts of society. Sarnon established a penal city in this region. The remoteness of the site, and the probability of death at the hands of the Marokal prevented many escapes. Those who did escape usually met the Marokal and their deaths at the same time. During Sarnon�s reign, the magi produced large feline creatures to complement the forces of the Imperial Armies. The creatures had superior intelligence, and made excellent scouts. Magical knowledge was at unprecedented levels, and the research continued to expand. The magi at this time also began to isolate themselves somewhat from the general populace of the Empire. They claimed that it was to prevent any mishaps among the citizenry if a magical experiment should go awry. Many of them built large estates in areas that were sparsely populated. The arm of the Grutan Mountains that extended into Vannir, the hill country between Medro and Nigren, and the islands off the coasts of Sumateria soon became the sites of large walled estates. Sarnon died in the eight hundred seventy first year of the Empire. His son Darius ruled after him.
XXXVIII. Darius ascended the throne at the age of twenty-nine. He ruled the Empire for seventeen years. Darius married a wife from one of the Keelite tribes. Since the reign of Darius, there have never been serious contentions among the Keelites. During Darius� reign, the magi began to be more secretive about their discoveries, and many of them seemed to extend their life span. Darius was a competent ruler, and ruled the land well. He died in the eight hundred eighty-eighth year of the Empire. His son, Quar reigned in his stead.
XXXIX. Quar II came to the throne at the age of twenty-five. He ruled the Empire for fourteen years. During Quar�s reign, the crime level of Medro rose again. After only a year, it subsided. Quar later discovered that two crime groups had evolved in Medro. They had developed serious rivalries, and much of their efforts were devoted to thwarting the other. Quar also managed to discover the leaders of these groups. Both were brought to Quar in secret. Quar made a deal with these crime lords; he used them as spies and information gatherers. Both groups had contacts in all the major cities of the Empire, and with the money Quar paid them for information, they soon became very rich. The deal worked out well for all parties, and with the income from Quar, the crime levels stayed low, although thieving was still the primary trade of these groups. Quar was more corrupt than any emperor or empress of his time, with the exception of Oreb the Oppressor, yet he ruled the Empire well. The land prospered under his reign. Quar died in the nine hundred second year of the Empire. His son, Durn, ruled after him.
XL. Durn III came to power at the age of twenty-three. He ruled over the Empire for twenty-one years. Durn�s reign was a time of relative peace, but he had some minor contentions with some of the magi. The details never did become known; there merely grew an antagonism between Durn and the magi of the academy. Durn was not a popular ruler, but he was tolerated. The Empire did prosper under his hands. He also maintained the connections with the underworld that his father had instituted. Durn died in the nine hundred twenty-third year of the Empire. His son, Morland ruled in his place.
XLI. Morland VII ascended the throne at the age of twenty-two. He ruled the Empire for twenty-three years. During Morland�s reign, the magi contacted beings of another plane. Apparently, they had always been here, but the other races of Bara�Shi had never known of their existence. They called themselves the Ael�Mahrr�e. These beings resemble the demons of mythic lore, and are inherently magical. While they acknowledge the rule of the Empire over this plane, they only loosely have dealings with it, considering their own powers far greater, and the concerns of the races somewhat petty. Morland attempted to form alliances with them for many years, all to no avail. Morland held many close councils with various magi, attempting to learn more about these beings. He almost had an obsession with the issue. Morland loosed many strictures placed upon the magi by his father. Morland died in the nine hundred forty-sixth year of the Empire. His son Crypha ruled in his stead.
XLII. Crypha II ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five. He ruled the Empire for forty-two years. During Crypha�s reign, the populance of Vannir was devastated by a plague. Crypha put forth much effort to alleviate this plague, and consequently, few people died of it. The plague left many of that land disfigured for life. The people blamed the plague on the work of the magi. Several estates of the magi in that district were assaulted and burned. The owners were taken prisoner and tortured by the mobs. Crypha had to send in Imperial troops to settle the matter. While the situation was resolved, neither side felt they received the full satisfaction they deserved. Tensions were high in the district of Vannir throughout Crypha�s reign. Many people migrated from Sumateria to the islands southwest of Elistarimal at this time. Small settlements were established on these islands. Crypha, ever the diplomat, strengthened ties with the Grutan, Vashiri, Hotreen, and even the Marokal. He essentially ignored the Ael�Mahrr�e, believing them to be nothing more than the constructs of the magi. Crypha ruled well during his reign. The contacts that the last several emperors had been maintaining with the crime lords became slightly more formalized under Crypha�s reign. The emperors had seen many advantages to retaining these ties, and the crime lords found their own reasons for continued association. Crypha II started the private council, for handling sensitive matters. Both of the crime lords of Crypha�s day had seats on this council. The spy network of the underworld rivaled that of the Imperial Armies. The Grey Thane and the Gwyth were both against any relations with the crime rings, and bluntly made their opinions known to Crypha. He managed to keep the loyalties of these two men, even though they disagreed with his policies. Crypha died in the nine hundred eighty-eighth year of the Empire. His son, Crypha, reigned in his stead.
XLIII. Crypha III ascended the throne at the age of thirty. He ruled the Empire for two years. Crypha was slain when he was thrown from a horse while riding with his family. His son, Morland, was five at the time; Crypha�s sister, Khamil became regent.
XLIV. Khamil became regent at the age of twenty-nine. She took the young Morland with her to anything involving affairs of state. Khamil ruled competently for ten years. She abdicated the regency in favor of Morland at the festival celebrating the one thousandth year of the Empire. The festival was three years in the preparing, and was a truly spectacular event. Magical displays of all kinds were prepared. All five Armies were there in full complement to display their skills. Medro�s population was nearly triple for that entire year. Many innkeepers became fabulously rich in that year. Khamil continued to advise Morland until her death in the one thousand twentieth year of the Empire.
XLV. Morland VIII was crowned Emperor at the age of fifteen. He ruled the Empire for fifty-nine years. While the festival was a time of great celebration for the Empire, it also aggravated many long-silenced grievances by the conquered peoples. Representatives of fragment groups from the Sumatrans, the Gershonites, and the Aldarians, all came to Morland with demands and requests for secession. Morland flatly refused these requests. The mainstream of Imperial society still remained loyal to the throne, and many of these factions were dealt with by local authorities. One or two fanned the flames of rebellion, but these were soon quelled. The might of the Imperial Armies had become unstoppable. Morland ruled well, but after the death of his mother in the one thousand sixteenth year of the Empire, he also ruled with an iron fist. Morland died in the one thousand fifty-ninth year of the Empire. His daughter Assir reigned in his stead.
XLVI. Assir ascended the throne at the age of thirty-three. She ruled the Empire for twenty-one years. During her reign, the magi discovered beings they termed the Shaolaan. These creatures were similar to the elementals that were raised by the magi, but they never faded away as elementals were wont to do, and they possessed intelligence. Many believed that these creatures were creations of the Ael�Mahrr�e. As the magi kept experimenting, they tried to duplicate these beings. Assir became infuriated with the experimentation of the magi. She managed to convince the high masters that things were getting out of control, and for a time, at least, magical experimentation was curbed. Assir�s reign was a time of peace for the Empire. She died in the one thousand eightieth year of the Empire. Her son, Arostion, ruled after her.
XLVII. Arostion ascended the throne at the age of thirty-one. He ruled the Empire for forty-three years. During Arostion�s reign, the magi resumed their heavy experimentation. By now, it was noticed that the lives of many of these wizards were prolonged. Many had been practicing magi since the days of Morland VIII. Arostion was unable to learn by what means these magi prolonged their lives. Arostion was a weak ruler, and never asserted the Imperial authority in regards to the magi, although he did not condone their practices. Many of the people of Vannir District recommenced hostilities with the magi. Arostion did little to prevent attacks on either side. He maintained the Empire, but did little to further its progress. Arostion died in the one thousand one hundred twenty-third year of the Empire. His son, Melego, reigned in his stead.
XLVIII. Melego ascended the throne at the age of thirty-six. He ruled the Empire for twenty-two years. Melego put a stop to all contentions between Vannir and the magi. He allowed the magi to continue their practices, with the warning that he would take action if any of the populance were harmed by their deeds. No further action seemed necessary. Melego claimed a large portion of the city of Medro, and designated it for parks and gardens. All manner of flora can still be seen in these gardens. Much of this land was by the riverside; many fountains were added to the area. Melego set the task of the Blue Army to explore west of the Ithranian Continent to see what lands may lie undiscovered past the bounds of the Empire. He had a desire to expand the glory of the realm. Lands were eventually discovered far in the west and in the south. Melego never achieved any goals of global domination, however. He died a few years after the discoveries were made, in the one thousand one hundred forty-fifth year of the Empire. His son, Morland, ruled after him.
XLIX. Morland IX ascended the throne at the age of twenty-one. He ruled the Empire for forty-seven years. Morland did much to relieve the tensions between the magi and the throne. He instituted the policy of placing the Imperial Mage on the council. He also included the Mage in his private council. Morland worked towards peace within the realm. He also managed to curb contentions between the Hotreen and the humans in the Hotha District. During Morland�s reign, the Ael�Mahrr�e became more active in the world. Prophecies began to circulate among the various religious factions of disasters on the horizon. Morland, never very religious, did little in regards to these prophecies. He felt that it was simply for the amusement of the masses, and never believed any of them would be fulfilled. Morland did much good for the realm. He died in the one thousand one hundred ninety-second year of the Empire. His son, Durn, ruled in his stead.
L. Durn ascended the throne at the age of thirty-eight. He ruled the Empire for twenty-two years. Durn�s reign started peaceful, but towards the end, there was great upheaval. Durn ruled much the same as his father, but he tended to be more religious, as were his sister, Paran, and his brother Armage. Paran had studied some in the magical fields, and had become quite adept. Although loyal to the magical profession, even she began to speak out against what many of the elder magi were doing. Many started to have personal armies, not nearly as numerous or well equipped as even the District Militias, yet still quite powerful. Sparks of rebellion were lit in the District of Vannir, because of Paran�s skills in the magical arts. Durn was a competent ruler, and held the Empire together through this time of discord. The Imperial Armies were constantly about, and several times had to bring their might to bear. None were ever sure what the Ael�Mahrr�e were up to, but they continued their activities. Durn revived the latent ties with the crime rings, and paid much for information. Many were executed for crimes of treason in the latter years of his reign. The prophecies continued to spread. Rumors abounded of a descendent of Dargh, the son of Oreb the Oppressor, gathering forces in the eastern arm of the Grutan Mountains. Many old grievances were brought to the front again, even the Keelites rising again, after many generations of peace. Durn managed to not only keep the Empire from collapsing, but to also regain in a large measure, the peace that existed in the early years of his reign. Durn died in the one thousand two hundred fourteenth year of the Empire, passing to his son, Crypha, a fragile realm.
LI. Crypha IV came to the throne at the age of twenty-three. So far in his reign, Crypha has place many restrictions on the practice of magic in the Empire. Not being very diplomatic, Crypha has made many enemies, but has also resolved many conflicts. He appears to be a capable ruler, one who can hold the Empire together through this difficult time.
Thus ends this history, being the one thousand two hundred and sixteenth year of the Ithranian Empire.