Council Lands

The Council Lands was a nation in central-western Noefra from about 25 AC until 227 AC. Founded by refugees fleeing from the after-effects of the Cataclysm, it centered around the mountain fortress-city of Kaelthia and the Granite-Flame Academy and Temple of the Four established there.

History

Early Years

Founded within a few years after the Cataclysm by refugees from the Flower Kingdom and other survivors, plus dwarves migrating from the Giant Spine Mountains in the wake of the devastation. The Refuge Seekers were instrumental in this foundation. Choosing a small Byssanthian noble's domain along the Outer Barrier Range who offered them shelter, they founded a city nearby, Kaelthia, with its Granite-Flame Academy (devoted to protecting the fragments of history left after the cataclysm) and the Temple of the Four (originally dedicated to the Old Gods, but gaining its new purpose once the new Congregation arose). The dwarven refuge of Fuar Uulan joined the nascent nation.

Unlike most of the nations before it, it renounced aristocracy and structured its society around communal agreement and consensus. It grew slowly, with Rauviz City being the first significant satellite city, followed by Baile Craan. But still most of the people cowered behind walls, afraid of the horrors that they were sure lurked outside. They were convinced that they and only they had survived the Cataclysm War and that only orcs, goblins, and other monsters roamed the wasteland beyond the walls.

Golden Age

Starting in about 150 AC, the fear of the outside started to recede. More and more villages were formed and the ihmisi of the southern forests of Kotimaa joined the nation. In about 200 AC, the town of Yuuras Zaali (now known as Crisial City) was founded. Adventurers (drawn involuntarily for the most part from convicted criminals) were dispatched to outlying areas to help stabilize the regions. In 205 AC, the Catalysts were sent to Yuuras Zaali...and the rest is history.

The Council Lands became the strongest, most populated nation and the core of the Federated Nations, with members of the Catalysts still residing at Hound's Rest outside Kaelthia. Soon after, Godsfall was restored and Shinevog and Zhapai Karmap were founded...with the CL acting as the gateway to all three. Massive amounts of wealth and foreigners poured through the nation.

Unrest

The cracks in the system of government, which had become quite corrupt and self-serving, became much more apparent with this flood of newcomers and money. The outlying regions began heavily distrusting the old, wealthy center. The deaths of Adrik and Bardryn Tsetseg in 217 AC (about the same time the Crystal Spire appeared) sparked an (unfounded, mostly) fear that the Southshore region was threatening to secede from the nation and had assassinated the dwarven exemplars as part of that plot. So a militia was rallied and dispatched to "investigate". The people of Yuuras Zaali and the surroundings, who had also become wealthy as the crossroads with the western nations, rallied a force in response. They met outside the Crystal Spire, but before battle could be joined, a team of adventurers under FNC command, aided by several dragons, stepped in and quelled it, forcing the two sides to a compromise. The nation was reformed along more republican, representative democratic lines. The rule of the Guildmasters was over.

Republic of Federated Free Peoples

The RFFP moved its new capital to Rauviz in an attempt at a fresh start. This lasted uneasily for a decade. During this time, Yuuras Zaali was renamed Crisial City and grew tremendously, as did Rauviz. The old guard in Kaelthia became bitter.

Coup, Civil War, and Breakup

Eventually, the Guildmasters' plot in 227 led to the "death" of the dragon Marcia to an assassin's cursed and enchanted crossbow (aimed at the Immortal Bard). This led to three years of civil war. Not hot civil war, but mostly raiding, skirmishes between various parties, and other low-level guerilla warfare.

In 230 AC, the Treaty of Rauviz was signed, formally dissolving the RFFP and the Council Lands, creating the Successor States in its place.

Successor States

Main Article: Successor States

Government

Main Article: Council Lands Government

Religion

Main Article: Council Lands Religion

Map and Regions

Main Article: Council Lands Map 211AC