The Thearaddans were thankful to their gods for giving them Sacawisha—and the number of gods just kept growing. Eventually, the worship of the gods came to be concentrated in a few “cathedral” cities. Among these, the most important was Wastar, just to the east of the lower Elave. Here had been fought the last major battle of the conquest. And here, 1300 years ago (about 30 years after the battle), a woman named Garona had a revelation from the gods (especially Arsanin, goddess of childbirth and fertility). Garona informed her fellow priests that the site of the battle was especially sacred to the Thearaddan gods, and shrines built there would attract special favor therefrom. Garona had been given temporary power to perform miracles—her creation of a two-hundred-foot tower with the wave of a hand convinced most skeptics. The remaining unconverted came around when a new river appeared, flowing through the future site of the city.
In no time at all, three hundred shrines, small and large, had appeared. A large city took shape quickly, and acquired the name Wastar. There were tangible signs of the blessings of the gods:
With recommendations like these, the city quickly became the focus of religious practice for Thearaddans far and near. It thrived and grew, and the people became rich from the multitude of pilgrims who came in hope of gaining the gods' favor.
Unfortunately, the priests of Wastar let the whole thing go to their heads. They became convinced that they were the rightful arbiters of the fates of Sacawisha, and, driven on by the people of Wastar, who had become proud and willful, they embarked on an imperialistic expansion. 1140 years ago, the realm of Wastar covered a huge area. In modern-day terms, the empire included the Dry Towns, Lorsana, Quastaria, and the realm of Chelmarrond. The priests were not attending to their religious duties, but still demanded obedience in the name of the gods.
The gods showed their displeasure in subtle ways. A priest who had ascended to the rule of the city died young, mysteriously. The armies of Wastar were no longer blessed, and the toll of the endless wars mounted rapidly. Even the blessings which had previously been given to the pilgrims lessened.
As it turned out, Krollond, the god of evil, had subverted the priests of Wastar. Eventually, the ruler of the city, along with his council, turned to the worship of Krollond. When the main shrine of the city was re-consecrated to the evil god, the rest of the gods responded quickly—and forcefully.
On a spring day about 1100 years ago, many of the people of Wastar shared a vision. It was a terrible vision, of fire and death. The people who received the vision were given five days to leave the city. Those who followed the divine instructions escaped. The rest died.
Five days after the vision, Wastar was a scene from hell. Gelond, the god of war, had sent a sea of flame to cleanse the land from the evil of Krollond. The counterspells of the priests were about as useful as a thimble of water. In fact, the fires were put out only when a swamp mysteriously engulfed the city. The priests became heucuva, undead that haunt the swamp of Quastaria to this day.
While the gods were not angry enough with their own Thearaddan people to kill them all, they were not happy that such a nest of evil had flourished unopposed. The punishment of the gods was later termed the Forbidding:
“You who live in the east of the land, north of the evil city, you shall walk. You shall not stop your wandering until you have crossed the Elave. No man or woman of the Thearaddans shall live in that place again.”
And so it was. By magic, the people were forced west of the Elave. The only exception was the city of Elle-Ruustu, where lived the only remnant of the Wesstua. (For the next eight hundred years, priests argued about why this town had been spared. Most agreed that the Wesstua presence was the key.)
With amazing speed, a vast forest grew in the old places. It was named Lorsana—the forbidden realm. Wild wood elves, living further north, migrated in.
Finally, seven hundred years ago, the gods relented, and the Thearaddans were allowed to cross the Elave again. Any thought of resettling in force died quickly, though—as quickly as the would-be settlers died from the elven arrows in their throats.
It took the might of the Empire of Relarion, and the wisdom of its emperor, to re-open Lorsana—and then not for settlement. There was rather trade with the elves, very light forestry, and hunting along the bank of the Elave (which was a place the elves did not go—too close to the humans).
Recently, the Thearaddan presence in Lorsana has increased. For unknown reasons, the elves aren't opposing human expansion as resolutely as before. More half-elves are being born. Trade has increased—the forest has spell components unobtainable anywhere else, and the woodcraft of the wild elves is beyond compare. Maybe the gods are influencing the elves, as once they commanded the humans. Maybe it is destiny that Thearaddans occupy the land called (for now)“The Forbidden Realm”.