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Orbis - Brief History Chapter 2

The Wargothian Mountains & The Blue Forest

By Dan ™Published 6 years ago 7 min read
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Wargothia:

Next on the regional list of Lilacia, we have Wargothia. Located to the immediate south of the Cursed Lands, and completely cuts off all routes to the northern region of Lilacia. The region of Wargothia, or the Wargothian Mountains, is home to some of the most prominent human ethnicities and some of the only mankind in Lilacia. The Wargothian, the Bloodmen, the Grecklosi, and the Eandic peoples are all are all genetic cousins — all originating from the Wargothian bloodline — but all have branched off into their own subspecies with small yet defining characteristics to each type.

The Eandic people are situated on the Western coast of the mountains. They’re often told apart from their in-land mountainous cousins by their short stature compared to the average height of their cousins. Despite this, they’re often the ones with most facial and body hair. This can be because of the harsh winds brought in from the sea. Their dialect can also be identified with a distinctive croaky accent similar to that of a pirate. Their culture is more barbaric than their cousins, but not as sinister as the Bloodmen.

The next along in the Mountain group bloodline is the Grecklosi. This subspecies of Wargothian are the most similar to their father blood. Their only distinctive features that can be commonly identified are slight changes in the facial features through interbreeding with the Eandic folk, such as nose shape, eye colour, and more often than not, longer hair. Over the ages, the Grecklosi people have often opposed Wargothian rulership as, despite their ethnic similarities, the Grecklosi people remain very adamant on maintaining an independent sovereign identity in Lilacia. The people retain very nationalistic beliefs and have even gone to such lengths as to declare war on their vastly superior neighbour, Wargoth.

The next along in the bloodline is the very peculiar Bloodmen. Out of all the four bloodlines, their culture is the most unique. Their tribal blood culture is derived from the Old Religion of Wargoth before the ten Spirits - the five Beasts of the Realm. They incorporate the ancient religion of Wargoth with the Dark practises of the Zanic from the east to grant them soldiers of sheer terror unlike that of any other man. They often find themselves under the Wargothian banner, but due to their major difference in cultures, are often given lots of autonomy to avoid bloody conflict.

Finally, the last group in the bloodline, the father, the Wargothian people. The Wargothian people have a culture very heavily based on the Ancient Greek societies. Their marble cities built hundreds of feet high in the mountains make a siege almost impossible. Even during the Dark War, they collectively gathered some very impressive victories against the Orcish Legions. The Wargothians are known to have some of the finest warriors; their Hoplite soldiers train harshly in the heights of the mountains, giving them a great advantage with their cardio.

Wargoth is surprisingly one of the only Republics in Orbis. The mountainous nation has been governed by a Senate, along with an elected Chancellor ever since their independence from the Emerald Empire. Despite this, they aren’t exempt from the common imperialist ambition to expand their borders. At their height, they ruled the entire mountain range. It was only during the later years of the Grand Wargothia’s existence did the branch off subspecies begin to appear - first the Eandic folk who had been breeding with the Oakmen and the Misan people, then the Bloodmen whom bred with the Stenraadi nomadic folk, and more and more. Wargoth has nonetheless remained a key player in the global community since its founding, and is known to by other continents as one of the two safe havens for mankind living on Lilacia; with the other being the Oakmen Kingdom.

The People of the Blue Forest:

Deep within the Blue Forest, in the western peninsula south of the Wargothian mountain range, lies the Grand Kingdom of the Oakmen. An ancient race of man who have lived in harmony for seemingly forever. This, however, wasn’t always the case. ‘The Tree Men’ as they were described by the Mystari, their history begins similar to other races of Lilacia as slave revolters. The Oakmen were considered to be some of the most rebellious slaves in the Mystari Empire. Their infamous “Blue Shadows,” a group of naked dagger-wielding barbarians coated all over in thick navy blue colours, caused many issues for the routes in and out of the Blue Forest.

Surprisingly, the Oakmen people were some of the last to join the war for freedom against the Mystari Empire. Even so, they never fully committed. The Oakmen weren’t interested in fighting a war that waged beyond the liberation of the Blue Forest. They were far from vindictive. Instead, they remained in their corner of the continent.

After the Mystari Liberation, they split their newly claimed land into five Clan territories - the Barkhall Clan, the Icecliff Clan, the Ironfinger Clan, the Redwynd Clan, and finally, the Misan Clan. The Misan Clan were originally the strongest Clan. This can explain why they stood out as an independent kingdom over the centuries. In modern day times, they’re now the fifth province of the Grand Oakmen Kingdom. But how did the Oakmen Kingdom come to be?

When the partition of the Blue Forest was settled, the five clans moved into their respective territories. With much of the Mystari infrastructure being on the outskirts of the forest, down at the base of the mountain range, the Misan Clan inherited the most urbanised territory. With castles, towns, mines and paved roadways, they were able to quickly establish order and a fully functional society. However, their position as the alpha didn’t last forever. As the decades past, the Barkhall Clan grew stronger through their rising population and their vastly more valuable land. They began a conquest that resulted in an almost unified Oakmen Kingdom entirely under the rule of the Barkhall Clan. But this was a lifetime ago. Today, the Oakmen Kingdom remains one of the most politically stable nations in Orbis.

Their fight to regional dominance wasn’t as simple as that. Their conquest for ultimate control of the Blue Forest came as a result for decades of war and brutality. The first clan to suffer at the might of the Barkhall Clan was the Icecliff Clan. A millennia of peace had been broken when the Barkhall Clan marched into the Icecliff city and proclaimed themselves rightful rulers of the forest. This sparked outrage amongst the Icecliff Clan, but following a swift execution of the Clan family leaders, their surrender was the ultimatum that they were forced to accept.

Over the course of the next 30 years, the Barkhall Clan would prove itself time and time again to be the rightful rulers of the Blue Forest. Peace often wagered by the other clans, but this came to no avail as the King of the Barkhall Clan saw the others as nothing more than adversaries opposing his grand vision. The King began to see himself as a God whom could not be defeated, and in time so did his army. This was not the case, and it was proven not to be when a Redwynd soldier pierced the Barkhall King’s heart in the height of the Battle for Redwynd City. The army was defeated shortly after the tragic death of their leader.

Redwynd Clan would go on to win over some territories after their decisive victory over the Barkhall Clan. The last opposing clan to the now renowned conquerors of the Blue Forest stood steadfast against their rival for many lifetimes until their unforeseen unification amidst the growing elven threat in the south around 475 BDW. At one point in history, the Barkhall and Redwynd Clan were sworn rivals for generation after generation, but they now rule the whole of the Blue Forest under one banner - the United Oakmen Banner, with both Clans being recognised under the Royal Family. Despite this, the capital remains to be the Barkhall city, as the trading port stands out as the wealthiest city in the region.

Aside from the Wargothian and the Oakmen, the last remaining species of man are the Stenraadi Nomadic Folk. More of them in chapter three.

fantasy
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About the Creator

Dan ™

A University Student studying Creative Writing in London.

The Author of a world called Orbis.

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