2500-2450 BCE - Update 11
The Highland Adventure
The century began with the crowning of the Exalted King Domnaur, the brilliant, the just, the lazy pants. Communally known for his deep and powerful oration, Domnaur loved his comfortable life. Equally so, however, he wanted to spread the god Kitabs message, and further incorporate the Moserean villages into a tighter, nicer network.
One particularly cozy speaking day, Domnaur explained the need for the Etassians to spread the stricter, Aramyan Kitabalism outwards. Domnaur, witty and always willing to take on a fair fight, received a complaint from a Moserean trader whom had stopped to hear the talk. If the king couldnt be bothered to even visit the lands he desired to convert, then those lands shouldnt be expected to see any path to heaven such as the king speaks of, said the Moserean.
The king was baffled. He couldnt concoct a counter argument, for he knew he had ample leisure time, and therefore he ceded the Exalted King Domnaur would spend a year of his life travelling the valleys and hills to teach and to help the people of the Pantheons Highlands.
This promise pleased the crowd, and advisors and the court expectantly reminded the king every day of his promise. The whole city was both shocked and inspired; the fine people of Etass donated more than ever to the city temple of Kitab.
Domnaur feared the world outside Etass, but he loved the people, and he could never back down from a challenge to his ecclesiastical authority. For months he prepared the caravan for his trip, collected taxes and assembled his travelling court. He hired a small band of Forman mercenary-refugees to guard him, and took his most trusted diplomats and clerics.
Domnaur went on the first Highland Adventure, a ritual of festive connecting which, after the travels, Domnaur declared every king must undertake, to spend one year outside of Etass, travelling, without a palace.
Domnaur recorded his travels in the Library of Etass, recalling mountains he mounted, rivers he rode, forests he trekked, and the many people he met. To every town he entered, the elder leaders were gifted crafted items from Etass, or gold or silver, whatever they desired. The kings advisors helped him plan his route to maximize the number of local festivals he would be able to attend: He held the new born children of the Spring-Birth Christening of the Far Eastern Village; he lit the Sacred Tree of Ancestors in a town along the great river; he participated in some strange granary burning festival in the farthest northern town he reached, far far to the north. And at every town a loyal Aramyan (priest, blacksmith, historian, whatever the king thought best) was left with a wife of the towns choosing to enhance Kitabs glory, and to direct traders to Etass. These men themselves were required to complete a reverse Highland Adventure, and live in Etass for one year.