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Time Line(The World of Comraich went live in year 5044. To get the current time type .time in game.) -2000 years ago - The war of the lesser gods is over. However, some hangover from that
period emerges to confront the Zuberi. [Without knowing any more about the war,
it is difficult to be more specific. Would this work as a theme?] -1935-33 years ago - 'The scourging of the herds'. A plague of unbelievable proportions spread through the Shaula tribes killing most of the livestock. A delegation of the surviving clans found the Priest King and petitioned him for a trade agreement with the Dyrlings so their families did not starve. (this can then be integrated with the Dyrlings so their history might have a trade agreement established with the Zuberi where cattle was traded for precious incense or something) -1780-1744 years ago - 'Reign of the two prophets'. For the first and only time in Zuberi history, two people came forward claiming to be the prophet who would become the Priest King. One came from the Jabbah, from the ranks of the nobility. His message was of the destiny of the Zuberi as followers of Acrab, the chief god, who called them to expand their lands for the greater glory of Acrab. The other came out of the deep desert, a Shaula preaching a message of self-searching and the need to purify oneself in order to be worthy of Acrab. Zuben was split over which was the true prophet, or whether there could be two simultaneously. Support divided mainly along sub-racial lines, Jabbah, and the Arjat area against Shaula in the deserts. Mainly quiet, but just occasionally this led to sporadic conflict. In the end, disillusionment set in amongst a significant section of Jabbah society, and the Shaula prophet was acclaimed as the true Priest King, removing the paralysis. However, to this day there is a small group within Jabbah society that treasure the words of this so-called 'false' prophet, and look for a chance to carry out his expansionist program. [This could be the basis of an ongoing storyline of sorts.] -1633 years ago - onwards: GOLD!! A nomadic tribe in the north of Zuben came across gold
in the Fists of Northern Light mountain range. This lead to a migration of some
of the larger semi-nomadic groups northwards to seek fortune in the mountains,
and raises some thorny questions of land rights and mineral wealth, previously
almost unknown amongst the Shaula tribes whose wealth was normally alive and
portable, and whose main concern was water. Such water as there was in the north
became even more over-stretched than normal, causing a breakdown of etiquette
and social norms. One especially large group had taken control of the nearby
oasis of Meissa, the largest in all Zuben. This gave them almost total control
over the main water supply. Other groups were forced to barter their hard earned
gold for water from the oasis. Such groups spoke of forcibly taking the oasis
back by force if necessary, deeming the SALE of water to be an atrocity. Finally
the Priest King was called on to intervene. He proclaimed that the gold, like
the water of the oasis and everything else, was ultimately the property of
Acrab. Thus the Meissan gold trade would be regulated, and the mining would be
controlled by his officials. However these officials were not to receive any of
the gold themselves, to avoid corruption. [A sort of franchise system with taxes
on it?] Anyone found stealing gold would be banished into the desert laden with
the gold, but with no water. This would teach him and others what was of true
value. The taxes from the gold trade would be used to build and maintain a great
library at the large oasis, which would contain all the writings and knowledge
of Zuben (currently stored unsystematically in Arjat.) -1588-80 years ago - 'The decade of Acrab's anger'. -1588 years ago - The yearly flood of the great river Thuban is more powerful than it has ever been. Large numbers of the surviving unhoused Jabbah, together with their frightened neighbors took refuge with the walls of Arjat to wait out the flood. However, Arjat did not have the capacity to cope with such numbers. Close proximity, lack of a sufficient sewerage system and other factors led to an outbreak of plague within the city, such that it was shunned by all outsiders. When the waters subsided, between those dead of drowning and plague, nearly a quarter of all the Jabbah had died. -1587-80 years ago - Sensing the weakness of the Jabbah, the barbarians (hostile
intelligent) launch an invasion against Arjat and its lands, envious of the lush
farming lands, and determined to take it for their own. The Jabbah, weakened by
the many deaths were unable to stop the invasion, and the city was occupied. The
Jabbah could not withstand the foe alone, and it was decided to call on their
estranged desert kin, the Shaula, for help. As the word went out into the
desert, the warriors of the Shaula tribes ceased their internal raiding and rode
against Arjat. Strengthening the Jabbah forces, they fell upon the invaders and
scattered them. From this campaign, the Jabbah warrior who summoned the Shaula
emerged as the next prophet. Moreover, some of the Shaula decided to stay in the
Arjat area, attracted by its fertility. The Jabbah were happy to welcome them to
fill the places of those lost through flood, plague and sword. -1470 years ago - 'The monastery' the prophet Haddas emerges from the people living at the Meissan oasis. He sat at the central oasis and foretells the departure and return of Acrab. People came from all over Zuben to hear his words, as he is very charismatic, even for a prophet. The effect is greatest among his own people, who dedicate themselves as a group to the service of Acrab. Eschewing their previous name, they call themselves simply Al Aqrab (thus was 'Acrab' spelt at the time). With their wealth from the gold trade, they began the construction of a large place of worship around him, to add to the library. Over his lifetime, this became the famous monastery of Meissa. Shortly after its construction Haddas died (1433), and a pagoda was built on the spot where he sat, to house his body. It is now a place of pilgrimage. -1333 years ago - One hundred years after the death of Haddas, a new constellation was
noted in the sky, in the shape of a scorpion. This appearance coincided with a
great earthquake across the land. Surprisingly Zuben suffered no permanent
damage or change (only short term destruction of some housing etc). However the
Valgarins were not so fortunate. -1310-1154 years ago - 'The quiet century' No prophet emerges during this time. As this follows the departure of Acrab, people start to wonder whether Acrab has withdrawn from the Zuberi completely. The Al Aqrab, now established as the permanent priesthood, travel the land reassuring people that Acrab still concerns himself with the Zuben. At this time, some of the Zuberi lose faith in Acrab and drift away to other countries, assimilating to some degree into their culture and following their gods. However, the vast majority stand behind their heritage. -1020-19 years ago - 'Slave revolt'. At this time there is no set custom for the treatment of slaves. However acquired, a slave is his or her master's property for life. One slave, who was savagely mutilated for a minor offence, led an uprising in Arjat. There had been a few minor revolts before but they had been quickly crushed. However, for whatever reason, this time the discontented slaves rose up en masse to follow him, and took over large parts of the city. Unlike in the barbarian invasion, the Shaula did not see fit to intervene in a purely intra-Jabbah affair. Moreover there was no Priest King at the time. After a few months, the tide started to turn against the slaves militarily. However Arjat society was unraveling without the slaves doing their duties. The slaves were led by the fiery Anamaron who called for total freedom. However, a young boy from their ranks started to speak a different message. Named Rasalgethi, he spoke of the need to serve one's time, to seek to better oneself, not to fight others. More and more slaves came to his side, and even some non-slaves who heard him speak. In the end, being recognized as the next prophet, he brokered a deal between the slaves and owners, leading to the system of slavery that exists today. -934 years ago - The tomb of the first Priest King was found laid open and sacked. Many sacred items laid to rest within the tomb are still sought to this day. No clue as to the thieves' identity was found. Many felt that it must be the work of outsiders, as no Zuberi would work such a desecration. The current Priest King decreed that anyone found in possession of any of the items would be given to the scorpions. -820 years ago - After a long period of fertility, even surpassing the normal fecundity
of the Thuban flood plain, the Jabbah seek new lands to cope with their numbers.
Choosing not to expand into the desert behind them, they seek to annex part of
the central plains which looks far more inviting. It transpires that one of the
chief proponents of this move is a follower of the 'false prophet' who seeks to
expand Zuben for the glory of Acrab. [Somehow they need to be repulsed/sent
back. I am not sure what the middle plain is, except that it has the mages'
tower. There needs to be some reason why their colonization is not successful.
Alternatively, if you prefer, they could try to pinch part of the Dyrling or
Jillhani lands]. -754 years ago - The first woman Priest King is appointed. This meets with some skepticism, especially amongst the Shaula. -699 years ago - In an attempt to further knowledge and understanding, the Al Aqrab at Meissa set up a gathering of scholars from all races at the monastery of Meissa. They invite others to bring their traditions and knowledge and offer them access to the fabled library. [I'm not sure how the other races would respond to this - there is a note somewhere about the Jillhani refusing access - but this was before the Jillhani went under review. Whatever the outcome, it could affect the way that the Zuberi see the other races?] -557 years ago - 'WAR!' [This is REALLY going out on a limb - but how about some kind of conflict with another race? There isn't anything in the history so I may be speaking out of place. However, I throw it in for comment...] -474 years ago - 'The flowering of the desert'. Due to unnaturally heavy rain and other freak weather conditions, the desert blooms with flowers and other plants for over a month. (These flowers/plants seldom bloom and usually for short periods.) Some see this as a prelude to the return of Acrab and religious fervor sweeps parts of the country for several years to come. -350 years ago - Several Shaula communities deep within the south-eastern desert simply
disappear without trace. When others go looking, they find that water is
available, and there are no signs of conflict. Some think to blame the Jillhani
for abducting them; others fear a return of the barbarian invaders; yet others
see them as being taken by Acrab to dwell with him. -212-10 years ago - 'The days of fire' A terrible drought sweeps through Zuben. Water levels recede. Even the Thuban flooding is slight, promising a virtual famine in the land. Merchants are sent to the Dyrling and Jillhani to barter for water. [How are they received? How does this affect Zuberi opinion of these races?] Many die of lack of water. After this, Arjat begins construction of giant water towers to hold emergency supplies in the event of another such terrible drought. -75 years ago - Murder of the Priest King - the first such outrage. Many different groups are suspected of the crime, (foreigners, intelligent hostiles, etc) This leads to worsening relations, even amongst different Zuberi for a short time, coupled with a sense of fear as to what Acrab might do to punish such a crime. |
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