History

Known history begins about 1100 years ago.

With the exception of archeological discoveries, all known history for the continent of Essealas begins approximately 1100 years ago. A smattering of oral and written accounts of those early decades suggests that most of the population were in fact refugees from another continent. Only Tenysia, predates this time period.

For most of the first 200 years the population would exist as simple nomadic, agricultural or feudal estates as the immigrants fought over undeveloped resources. It would be the rise of the Praetorian Empire, with its capital in Tiberia, that would establish the first and largest of the multi-cultural kingdoms. The Praetorian Empire would be significantly reduced in the 4th and 5th century by nomadic tribes from the east. The Hunnic Empire would become the second-largest empire seen to date on Essealas. During this time most of the city-states would begin to form, pulling their population behind high stone walls protected by highly trained armies.

In the 7th and 8th centuries, a kingdom in the north would form. The Kingdom of Brenna was comprised of Alfarians, Frem, Rus and Bretons. Due to new designs in shipbuilding, the Northmen would be able to reach all of the developing city-states from either sea coast or riverbank. They would plunder and trade, ending the Hunnic Emprie, and bringing mercantile and martial advancements to once-isolated communities. It would be during this period that the city-state of Telrae'dor, Arcovia, and Halberg would rapidly develop in the central forests.

In the 9th century, the céon bird would be discovered in the region of Arcovia. A merchant guild would be the first to understand that these birds were extremely intelligent and able to be trained via unknown techniques. The merchant guild would take over control of the growing Arcovia and become what is the Arcovian Citadel. The power of the Citadel would have a significant and long-term impact on the city-states. The Kingdom of Brenna would also fall, though it is still spoken of, and attempts to re-establish it have been tried.

It is now the beginning of 12th century, and while numerous small kingdoms and alliances have developed, no current kingdoms stand. Three serious attempts to gain control of Arcovia and the céon birds has been made. There are claims that the attempts failed because vital messages were interrupted. Others claim that the fall of the Citadel will bring about a terrible dark age -- as both advanced communication and medicine would be lost.

Yet, in the City of Whispers, it is said that the guild itself fields the best agents and spymasters.