Thalan

Thalan is a land of past greatness, founded by Silos Apocalypse, the greatest of all heroes, as a bulwark against evil Sutech. It is now largely deserted but for a few bands of valorous knights and dedicated followers who guard against the return of evil. The lost realm of Thalan was eventually swept away by civil war and invasions from Khur, a fierce, barbaric land of vast plains, deserts, and badlands northeast of Thalan. Some tales say that Silos lives yet with his loyal retainers in a hidden fortress in the deep western wilds.

Thalan, a corrupted word of an ancient language, means 'bastion', and it is an apt name, for its was the staging area for the greatest conflict the world ever has ever known, a battle against the darkest evil, in which the Defiler, Ravanna, manifested himself on A'ta in the guise of his minion Sutech.

Gathering forces of humanoid tribes, terrible monsters, and evil men, Ravanna was well-nigh victorious in his conquest of the world. But in the most desperate hour, a hero was born.

Silos, a man of simple origins, rode from a remote village in the Drachenfels, rallying the disparate foes of Ravanna through indomitable courage, strategic and tactical genius, and shining example. In ten years, the man who became known as Silos Apocalypse because of his incredible skill in war, undid almost one hundred years of conquest and victory by Ravanna.

In the end, Silos, armed with the Sword of Sunset, slew Sutech on the battlements of the City of Souls, the dark capital of the land of evil. The result was a cataclysm that shook the earth.

The Straits of Gold which joined the Sea of Marmora to the Green Sea closed, and were renamed the Gate of Tears in remembrance of the loss of Silos Apocalypse. A portion of the remote north fell into the sea, creating the Maelstrom. Mountains in the Drachenfels rose and fell, and where the southern continent met the Sea of Marmora, titanic mountains rose up and erupted, and the Land of Fire was born.

Silos was never heard from again, but whenever victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat, Silos' spirit is said to be nearby. It is also said that if Ravanna ever rises again, Silos will return to fight him, again and again and again.

Of all the disputes that plague the world, the one thing that almost all people agree on is that Silos Apocalypse is the greatest hero ever known, and across the world most celebrate the Night of the Apocalypse in gratitude and remembrance of Silos' selfless deeds.

Of the Sword of Sunset, however, there have been reported sightings, including several intimating that it is possessed by Zohar, the Caliph of Sind. Most doubt that rumor, however.

Thalan is separated from Sind by the terrible desert of Gedrosa, which lies north and east of the Gate of Tears.

Of particular note in connection with Thalan are:

• This land was the staging front for the invasion and subsequent destruction of Sutech, masterminded and led by the greatest of heroes, Silos Apocalypse.

(see Rumors of Caragore for more information).

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