Chapter Ten: Warfare and Worship (301-330 WhC)
Gilguron, free of war for many years, breaks the pattern of peace with an invasion of Tefez, a state which they often bickered with and bullied. Karak, Zeah, and Qeshbohal were there to help, each state making considerable territorial gains when the dust settled. The Gilgurs spread ferociously with their trade, until even faraway states were familiar with at least one Gilgur merchant. Competition between Gilguron and Keshbar grew, and religiously they began to drift apart when Keshbarians began to study the skies and create their own beliefs that didn't adhere to Gilgur tradition.
Negat began to see its coastal empire expand and become dominant, but foreign challenges beset them. Sulthar, a new state to their south began to block waterways and engage in piracy, attempting to take after the successful Barbathari. The Barbathari spread about the island chain to the south of Negat, and eventually began to plunder the poorly protected shores. With Negat swamped with external issues, Crodila stepped up in the flow of trade and began to make the profit that Negati traders would have made were it not for Barbathar and Sulthar.
The Trymos river was again the scene of a great conflict. Phoces, holding a solid position at where the river spilled into the Haredicumian Sea, launched an assault on Uldothar, an insubordinate state which situated itself right in the center of trade. Phoces stampeded Uldothar with its great army, and Holigra closed the back door to the west. Uldothar found itself wedged, and slowly they lost ground until they were forced to surrender to Phoces. Although the Trymos was freed up for trade, Paschim Ghati, one of the key participators, found itself steeped in war. From the north, Buk passed through Uaral to invade northern Paschim Ghati, burning several fishing towns and plundering the riches acquired from the lumber trade. Uaral contributed supplies and free passage through their territory to the Buku, fearing the implications of Buk summoning their Tsang Chiep brethren in Utugia to swoop down and engulf them.
Tsang Chiep largely dominated Rasire. Metozoanist states began to lose power and saw neighboring states convert in large numbers to Tsang Chiep. Besides playing a role in the Buku-Paschim Ghat conflict, Tsang Chiep was the accused root of Dah Djiom's attack on Meto. Meto, desperate for an excuse, painted Dah Djiom as being motivated by Tsang Chiep teachings to come attack them, even though Dah Djiom has one of the lowest numbers of followers in the region. Dah Djiom's attack was crippling to Metozoanists because now Meto and Zoa were separated on land, having to traverse the Zoan river, which was bustling with Khaylatian traders and missionaries traveling to outer bastions of Tsang Chiep to reinforce teachings. Battai, one state that was mostly filled with followers of Tsang Chiep, ceded their coastal territory to Khay Lat to provide an easily accessible land route to the southern parts of their empire. Down in that area, a state called Magan Kot was founded, bordering Khay Lat. In the extreme north, southern Salong became a part of Khay Lat, and another neighboring state, Bajang, was established. North of Ulaa, several small fishing towns combined to form Ubara.
The Ushi island saw their first conflict, although it was minor. Fipan, running out of room to expand, foolishly attack the Lao warriors of Ok-Sai. The great Yo-Shi was reportedly engaged in the conflict as well, and suffered a wound, one that kept him quartered in a medical hut for several days. Nevertheless, Ok-Sai emerged victorious, and Yo-Shi was honored for his efforts on the battlefield. Fipan was forced to agree to years of peace, sending them back to their lands empty handed.
Empreca saw its oldest empire crumble and fall apart. Pyrem, after years of conflict with Quesha, was deteriorated militarily and eventually pulled out of the south entirely. The mountainous region directly south of the Wisay was nearly captured and claimed by Quesha, but the leader of Quesha's force, Andoratis disregarded orders and took the region for himself, naming it Andorat. It was situated right in between Pyrem and Quesha, ending their endless border conflicts and leaving both states hungry for victory and helplessly watching their power diminish. Pyrem's role in the regional trade was usurped by Barbathari traders and greedy Ilixites, and Quesha was invaded from the south by Matal. The small desert state of Sarat was founded in the far west.
To the west of the Wisay, more war developed. Thorys and Alexaendros simultaneously invaded Kusis at once, putting a swift end to their despot's rule. Alexaendros also solidified their position once held by Gerefar. Alexaendros, however, was not prepared for what would emerge from the mountains in the northern part of their Orocan territory. Gaggan, Ebonarch, and Nactrabia ravaged the northern woodlands of Alexaendros, and conquered great tracts of land before the army could respond. The three empires offered to spare them, but no decisions were made for sure. In a similar case, Phoces was in a distant war at the Trymos River, and was caught off guard by another attempt by Mehpata to capture the Phocesian possessions in Empreca. Defenses were breached by a well-timed attack, and an improved Mephatan army achieved a narrow victory over Phoces, and the territory was surrendered as the remaining Phocesians sailed back to their central island to alert the leadership.
Nactrabia, a relatively peaceful empire, struggled to keep its people calm about their aggressive military actions. Part of the empire which was well acquainted with Alexaendrosi explorers eventually seceded from Nactrabia and started their own community named Garussa. Great numbers of exiles form northern Alexaendros settled in Garussa, which was very friendly to neighbors. Horribly upset by Garussa's doings, Nactrabia threatened the new state, but soon backed off, worried that more of their citizens would follow suit in deserting their empire. Ecta had a similar issue, but it was not motivated by any political reasons or military conflicts nearby. A region in southwestern Ecta, named Ithociny, sought independence after a large number of traders requested it and eventually won the hearts of the locals who in turn supported their plea for independence. Fearing a civil war, Ecta granted them independence, but watched the new state very carefully and regulated their trade with regional dominance of the waters.
Terantia and Lepria, both empires appearing to be in decline, turned things around with attacks on Elaria and Polyaresia, respectively. Polyaresia was particularly devastated, losing not only a solid bit of land to Lepria, but the western part of their territory broke off, calling itself Tampher. Filled with Lepri speaking traders, it didn't seem to fit with the linguistically and culturally different Polyaresians. In the southeast, there was an interesting battle between Concha and Phentia. Seemingly untouchable for years, Phentia was faring pretty well until Concha saw the value in a tract of shoreline. They attacked from land and sea, confusing and trapping Phential forces, and ultimately winning a bit of land. Lycia continued their pattern of aggression, now backed by a stronger economy. Lycia attempted to invade both Dromiera and Soterno at once, but it didn't turn out as it was pictured. The two states quickly recognized the invasion and allied together to hold Lycia to minimal territorial gains. Dromiera captured a bit of Lycian coastline for themselves, and settled on the northern tip of Empreca to have a watch post and possibly a base from which to invade Lycia from the south at a later point in time.
Extal was also beginning to become interesting, with Gumo tearing Chempe in half without any warning. Gumoans stormed the Chempe jungles from their mountians, pushing them all the way back to the river, where they tossed their clubs and axes into the mud to surrender. Gumoan warriors participated in cannibalism, something which the Gumo leader, Mugari-Dzek, came to deny. However, he did admit that many Chempe villages were burned to the ground and a great deal of plundering, raping, and pillaging took place, in effect, severing Chempe in two. Kanha and Razzar attacked Tlaah, from different points, and things were beginning to get serious, with Tlaah losing key coastal settlements and mountain forts. Also, three states, Zurca, Orchorcticuo, and Laicticde were founded along rivers and coastlines.
Conflict was everywhere and motivators such as religion, trade, and rivalry got the best of empires. Many fell to their death for the sake of a sacrifice or a trade route, a trend which was foretold to become prevalent as time stretched on.
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