Saltwave History - LY 2154-2158

The Third Five Years

History of Saltwave LY 2154 - 2158

2154 - A Year of Changes

Kal-then Khan sacks the towns of Lyborg and plunders the ruins of Aelizon. The Gurdish barbarian king avoids the organized military might of Lyborg and instead sacks the outlying fortified towns in lightning-quick raids. As the Lyborg generals react to this tactic, Kal-then Khan withdraws northward to gain what magic and loot are available from the ruins of the former Kyriaborean capitol.
The city of Catalina is rebuilt. Destroyed by a falling star, the city of Catalina on the western coast of Landers is largely rebuilt. Centered some five miles down the coast from the cratered wreckage of the old city, the new Catalina grew from the manors and working villages of Sand Cape, a mid-sized farming and fishing area. The Landish navy works with Zkydraksis' merchant companies to expand and improve the harbor to meet the growing shipping needs of commerce. Railcar lines link Catalina with Cherry End and the rest of Landers.
The worldwide druidic hierarchy is dismantled. Josephine Feagre, the Grand Druid of Saltwave, steps down from her post and declares the old hierarchy to be no more. She explains the act as one of growth and vitality, clearing away dead brush. There are still great areas of devastation from the War of Falling Stars that have not yet been restored. To do so will require more effort than the hierarchy of ranks and powers would permit. No longer does the hierarchy's purpose of fostering internal competition serve nature, but instead stunts it. To allow more freedom of growth, the Grand Druid releases the hold on power the position once had, opening the garden to other seeds.

2155 - Trouble in Jaastenland

The kenku city of Ankitchku disappears in a ball of green flame. In the middle of winter, the kenku city of Ankitchku vanishes in a huge fireball of green flame. Kenku throughout Jaastenland are distraught and withdraw to their nests for fear of further attacks. No one knows what happened to the city, but extremely strong traces of dimensional magic are discovered.
Kal-then Khan overruns and sacks Kantraal. The Gurdish barbarian king attacks and seizes the minor city-state of Kantraal in an early spring campaign. The Gurds loot the city and return to their homelands.
Benshannazar the great dragon crowns Phoenix Husyn Rashad Pasha of Qoolm. Putting the suspicions and doubts of many to rest, Benshannazar fulfills his promise to put Prince Phoenix Husayn on the Qoolmian throne. Benshannazar remains as Grand Vizier and advisor to the throne at the Pasha's request.
Harmonist monks train thousands in unarmed combat. The Harmonist Society sends hundreds of itinerant monks and druids out to the civilized nations to teach the discipline of self-defense and passive resistance. Many local rulers allow the Harmonists to establish monastaries. The Harmonist philosophy spreads peacefully throughout the Four Kingdoms, Lebensbrüke, Deeyam, and Ishan.

2156 - Across the Seas

Paladins of Ishan arise from all races. Humanity loses its exclusive claim to paladinhood as dozens of demihuman and felinoid paladins are recognized by the Prophet. Paladins of Ishan quest for good deeds and by their example sway more people to the banner of the religion.
Amazonian and Landish navies clash in the Gulf of Gilan. A small fleet of harriers flying the flag of Queen Sally of Amazonia order Landish corvettes to turn about and leave the Gulf of Giland, the wide body of water between the southern tip of the Patriarchies and eastern Deeyam. The Landish flotilla complies and rejoins the Western Fleet. Admiral Roland Requisty brings the Western Fleet into the Gulf to assert Landers' rights of sea passage. The Amazonian ships make good use of weather magic and slip in and out of the Landish formations for three days before being forced to withdraw with five fleet harriers sunk. The Western Fleet suffers one cruiser crippled and three corvettes sunk.
Prrexi from the Prreshtuwan Federation establish a colony on the Spierland Peninsula. Prrexi explorers expand their outpost on the Spierland Peninsula southwest of Brülhafen into a colony. The catlings establish hunting grounds and military barracks on the wooded highlands and a seaport on the Gulf of the Ancients. Kzin scouts from the Southern Patriarchy harass the effort, but are unable to dislodge the prrexi.

2157 - Military Actions and a Scandal

A half-elven woman claims that Sir Drake is the father of her baby. Merriasha Leafwhisper, a half-elven wizard from Tir Parivel, openly claims that her baby daughter is the child of Sir Drake Hedgerton. This creates a minor scandal for several weeks before it gets sorted out. Queen Anissette talks to the woman in private to hear her story. An investigation finds that Merriasha was made to believe that she was romantically involved with Sir Drake by telepathic influence. The true identity of the baby's father is unknown, and hidden by magic. Sir Drake states that he is able to determine the true parentage of the baby, but that he will not reveal this to anyone but the mother, to protect her dignity and privacy.
Landish and Amazonian fleets clash again in the Far East. In recent years, Amazonia has claimed control of the Aveelo Sea between Amazonia, Deeyam, and the Patriarchies. Amazonia refuses to allow free passage for ships owned by or allied with the great dragon, Zkydraksis, citing the dragon's near monopoly on shipping as harming the interests of Amazonian citizens. Landish doctrine holds that the seas are free for all shipping, and the Western Fleet provides escorts and patrols in waters claimed by Amazonia. In response to this Landish protection, a mighty Amazonian naval fleet strikes at Landish naval vessels in the Aveelo Sea from Antari Island. Landers loses twelve corvettes and eight steam cruisers, and withdraws from the Aveelo Sea. Amazonian losses are unknown.
Sir Drake establishes the War College of Lebensbrüke. Carrying on the military traditions of Smeisserand and Kyriabor, Sir Drake of the White Mantle establishes a military college in Voyreem for officers of proven loyalty and skill.
A mercenary general carves a domain out of northern Kyriabor. Lord Chan Shang, a mercanary commander of great renown, pacifies the former Elantra County and establishes order in the region. The isolated villages and towns are happy to have a strong protector. While goblinoids continue to raid from the Tablelands, their attacks are uncoordinated and are swiftly countered by Chan Shang's army. After much debate about their independence, the Circle of the Enchanting College of Castle Rock agrees to pay taxes to Lord Chan. The other communities in the area follow suit.

2158 - On Diplomacy, Raiding, and Changes of Government

The Highlands Confederation becomes the United Republic of the Highlands. Leaders of the Highlands hold a constitutional convention and formally draft a charter of government. This unites the separate human and Ishan areas into a single nation. The Ishan Patriarch, K'zar-Kiir, immediately recognizes the nation and vows to support it. The Prophet, Rrkia-Friday, gives her blessing to the nation, as well.
King Rupert of Landers declines to declare war on Amazonia. King Rupert Hedd of Landers refuses to bow to demands from the House of Noble and the House of Wealth to declare war on Amazonia for its naval affronts. The King reveals evidence that Zkydraksis has manipulated public sentiment against Amazonia to further his own mercantile interests in the Far East. While the great dragon denies the accusations, the zeal for a long-distance war quickly recedes.
Kal-then Khan raids the Southern Patriarchy. After training for three years, Kal-then Khan leads his barbarian horde through the passes into the Southern Patriarchies, raiding across several hundred miles of kzin territory. Many of the barbarians' losses are repalced by freed slaves. After suffering moderate losses and looting hundreds of kzin holdings, the Gurdish king withdraws from the Patriarchy. The great dragon Uvikfarnis places a 100,000 gp bounty on the head of the barbarian king.
King Rupert and Queen Celeste Hedd of Landers abdicate. King Rupert Hedd, monarch of Landers, abdicates the throne to his eldest daughter, Princess Olivia Armbruster. Olivia and her husband, Daniel Armbruster, become Queen and King of Landers. King Rupert and Queen Celeste retire.

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