Chapter Nine: Shifting Sands (271-300 WhC)
The sands were shifting, notably in Southern Dalisam. The cradle region that, for so long, has been dominated by Gilguron exclusively. While still maintaining a great deal of power, Gilguron saw its neighbors rise to the canopy. Nunag Hagash had a serious population explosion, with the northern area by the border with Gilguron being effected the most. Ennoch revealed a disciplined and well-supplied army, and developed their position in the Pochar Hills. Negat proved its excellence by finishing off Epri. Keshbar began to develop pottery and saw their population increase, as well as trade improve to the point where they held the grip on the region's flow of trade. Numerous new states rose, with Karak and Zeah to the west of Tefez, and Urunach, Eku, and Dumurat in the deserted wastelands south of Ennoch.
Major conflict unfolded to the north of the cradle, in the Erochthian Mountains and the region between the Palesh and Trymos Rivers. Both Segashto and Nihamurat succumbed to aggressive neighbor expansion, with the latter having a more peaceful transition. Nihamurat, acknowledging the dominance of Paschim Ghati, joined their empire for protection from the nearby aggressors, one of which comically fell to ruins shortly after Nihamurat put their sovereignty on the table. Paschim Ghati now had a much easier time accessing the Trymos River, thus shipping greater quantities of lumber and stone out to Haredicumia. Segashto's leader was slaughtered on a trip to Imrad, and the state fell into utter chaos. The entirety of Northern Segashto submitted to Suppa, whos religion across the river appeared suitable for quite some time. The central area was plundered and razed by Imrad, who celebrated their new coastal territory. The south was almost entirely swallowed by Keshbarian traders who sought to gain coastal access and some more land to support their growing population.
The balance of power in Empreca, which had already shown signs of great change, began to become a bit clearer. Mephata emerged as the great force, by utterly dismantling Usir and gained their territory. Bouncing back from the conflict with Phoces, they began to become even more active in the trading scene, by sending Paschim Ghat lumber south to the rest of the region. Pyrem was enveloped in conflict with their long time rival, Quesha, who themselves were struggling with coastal raids from the Island tribes of Barbathar and the border disputes with their new southern neighbor, Matal. Khajal gave Pyrem a hand, who were looking to push Quesha further into the desert. A new state, Kusis, was founded to the east of Thorys. Further east was the scene of Alexaendros crushing Gerefar. Alexaendros was, for the most part, defeated in the first Phase of their Attack, but with a stable position set up, they were able to fan out and attack multiple villages at once, scattering the Gerefarian warriors until they were too isolated to put up much of a resistance. The entire state succumbed, and now Alexaendros held substantial territory on the north Empreca coast.
Rasire was not free of dramatic changes, either. Khay Lat was the center of everything, with Tsang Chiep radiating outwards, pacifying the once troublesome Utugians, and securing allies in Buk and Battai. Shosay itself became a part of Khay Lat, after overthrowing their leader who was opposed to the teachings involved in Tsang Chiep. With the rapid religious expansion, problem also arose. Tension began to mount between Tsang Chiep states and Metozoanist states, as it seemed each was trying to spread further than the other. Metozoanist teachings found their way across the river to Khaylatian cities, where local officials claimed that it was "corrupting the citizen's minds". A multitude of states were founded outside the reach of the Rasire religions, with Salong in the north, Bulatra and Golart to the west, and Ragaku to the south. Over on the Ushi Islands, Ok-Sai was collecting a noticeable amount of wealth, enough to begin to make their neighbor, Fipan, a bit jealous. Perhaps jealous enough for a future attack...
Phoces maintained their strong tradition of trade, but other than that, it was fairly quiet. Alexaendros, thwarted in their northern expansion by the mountain dwelling Ebonarch state, turned to continue their aforementioned invasion in Gerefar. Alexaendros seemed to begin to catch up to Phoces in trading power, and militarily, making the region's balance of power a bit more undecided. Ecta and Nactrabia began to cement their power, and gained power by assisting each other economically. To their north, two promising states with former Nactrabian leaders as their leaders, Psigon and Siphul, were founded on the north side of the Phianto. Phentia secured their position by slicing through the Lepri farmlands and severing their empire in two, taking the close half for themselves. A rumor circulated that Lepria contacted Terantia and Glypthus in order to conspire to take Phentia down, but it was not confirmed. Lycia dominated southeastern Oroca, by massacring Ribia to the point where the whole state surrendered to stop the bloodshed. Exile states, named Soterno, Izul, and Barco, were established out of reach of the fierce Lycian army. The massive victory was enough to take the population's attention away from the crumbling economy.
Extal was not as dormant as it had been in the past. Kanha launched an invasion on Tlaah, and managed to gain a bit of territory. Tlaah, too busy sacrificing weak children at wooden altars, didn't quite have an answer until one of their major villages had Kanhan warriors burning and pillaging districts. The army acted quick enough to save the village and send the Kanhans back, but a return was likely. Expansion north was the theme, with Paxtec, Coaxia, and Taxmatal coming into existence along the Tlamenixcal River.
Major changes occured all around, with Negat, Imrad, Alexaendros, Phentia, and Lycia emerging as powerful empires, each after making brave conquests of lesser states. Religion began to expand, particularly in Rasire, where it began to shape lifestyles and hold the reigns of community. Tsang Chiep saw great expansion, and the developing rivalry with Metozoanism guaranteed an interesting future.
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