Chapter Text
Village Campona, Canton Marima, Halnia Republica
They say, once upon a time, the gods themselves lived on Ipor. Yes, my child, really! You look at me disbelievingly, but it’s true. No, don’t look at me like that - I know what you are thinking. How can the great gods live on Ipor, a land cursed with strife and terror? But it was not always this way. Once upon a time, farther back than you or your mother, or mother, or even her mother’s great-grandmother can remember - Ipor was at peace. It was not divided as it is now. Avigen and Aviren were united into one, and the Gods lived here.
The Gods were not originally from our great continent, but from a far-off land called Halnia. If you believe the old stories, Halnia was made up of a thousand small islands, each containing its own separate god. It was an archipelago of paradise - but even those in paradise grow bored and restless. Why else would anyone leave?
And so they made their way here, to Ipor, carrying their divine Magic and Wisdom with them. They spread out throughout the Avigen plains, carrying their language and tradition with them. If you look, perhaps, you can find them still. In the strange names of forgotten hills or in traditions that go back farther than human memory, it is said, one can find buried glimpses of the language and custom of the gods. But that is long gone, now. Ipor has been at war for a very long time. But that is neither here nor there.
The Gods birthed children, mortal children, mixed with the dirt of Ipor and the tears of the Gods. The Gods cared for them, loved them, taught their children all they knew. The Gods were able to give their loved children everything, all except for their Magic. But their children did not love the Gods back, for they were resentful that the Gods kept their Magic to themselves. They did not realize that the Gods gave us knowledge and skills, so that we could live without magic. Still they hungered for the Magic, and so slowly turned away from the Gods and their light.
The first that turned away from the Gods were the Niyula. Yes, even the Niyula, cursed be their name, once looked like us. They were also the children of Gods, and looked like you and me. But they were lured away by the promises of riches of power. They were not content with watching the Gods use Magic - they wanted it themselves. In search of Magic they fled Ipor, went to the Far West, to the Land Beyond Time. And what Magic they found! They drank the Souls of Animals, and from them gained Magic beyond belief, even stronger than the Gods. They were able to split the ground, fly across the sky, be at multiple places at once. But their Magic came at a price - with every use of Magic, they lost what made them Human. Desperate to regain themselves, they started to eat the Souls of Humans, but it was too late. The Gods, horrified at what they saw, drowned the land into the sea, and separated them from Ipor forevermore by building a mountain-wall; the Grandshall mountains. They became cursed by the Gods for their insolence: their faces became scarred forever, broad strokes of color across their skin. They became the Animals which they consumed - some grew horns, others grew teeth like monsters. They became Demons, or the Niyula.
The Niyula became warning signs to others - to not follow the path of Magic. To defend Ipor against the Niyula, the Gods sent a second group of their children, who were to live in the mountains and protect the others from all harm. But these children also strayed. They turned away from the Gods’ teachings, shunning their knowledge and replacing them with false deities. Some say that they even toyed with the Magic which is forbidden by intermingling with the Niyula - but no one knows for sure. The Gods were aghast, and with a heavy heart turned away from their children. But one God - the deity Gol, Saint of Fire - took pity on the children, and gave them her essence: fire-jewels and fire-rock. To this day, her spirit is everywhere in the mountains - one says that you cannot walk two feet without finding fire-jewels and fire-rock in the mountains. And here, a single fire-jewel costs two years’ salary! But you cannot eat fire-jewels and fire-rock, and so the children were doomed by their foolishness to live very difficult lives indeed. The children of the wayward guards remain in the mountains, calling themselves the Golleau. How we pity them! For they do not know the knowledge that we do, living without light or concrete or electricity, like you and me.
Thus we were the only ones left - us, the last remaining children of the Gods. We were the only ones who followed the path of the Gods. True, we did not gain the Magic of the Niyula or the fire-jewels of the Golleau. But the Gods rewarded us, rewarded our loyalty. They gave us their knowledge, taught us how to control fire, to control light, to build out of stone and make something out of nothing. We are the true children of the Gods - and so we call ourselves Halnia, named after our beloved Gods.
Do not think that these stories are irrelevant. We, the Halnia, are the heirs of the Gods. Our skills are better than Magic, because it is a Magic understandable to humans. The Golleau still exist in darkness and sin. And there are Niyula - the beasts of the night, those who eat misbehaving children like you if you don’t behave. But if you are good, you just need to send a prayer to the Vohi, the divine Warriors of the Gods, who will protect you in your sleep. They are the ones that will avenge the Gods, will clean the earth of all Niyula, and bring back all of Gods' children on the path of righteousness.
“Mother, you can’t be telling Cania stories like that before bedtime. She’ll be too excited to sleep.”
“Oh hush, a little adventure never hurt anyone. Besides, it’s good she knows about this.”
“Enough of your superstitions, mother. It’s all a children’s tale, anyways - the Niyula or the Vohi don’t exist. But enough of that - have you heard? They say that the war has ended, and the Aviren Confederation has surrendered on the banks of the Veton.”
“Good. Ipor is always better off remaining united with the Democratic Halnia Republic, as the Gods and Good Tiberius Elerius decreed. I’m not surprised we won over those backwards mountain illiterates. We are not called the Halnia - righteous - without reason; we are descended from the Gods, and it is the Gods that give us our fate.”
“But here’s the thing…”
Excerpt of Lebbulchasr Melinir [The Freedom of Lebbulchasr], Received 13th Julius 304. Edited by Tettia Musa Maelius, Assistant Librarian of Golleau Studies, Veton University, Halnica Republica
Lebbulchasr Melinir - Breaking News Edition
Peace Agreement brokered; Tragedy and Tears Welcome Heroes
The cheers of thousands of Glebullo could be heard across the Gonshul Mountains [Grandshall Mountains] and Gokhulr Plateau [Golleau Plateau] as the Benle announced a peace deal with Imperial Khalnialo [Halnia Republica] forces. Under the new peace deal, the Fourteen Tribes will be recognized as an independent entity of equal status with Imperial Khalnialo. Further, the treaty dictates that the remains of all Fuvullo Meline Glebullon (FMG) [ note: Glebullo Freedom Fighters, designated terrorists within Halnia Republica] will be returned in dignity. In exchange, the Benle have agreed to acknowledge Imperial Khalnialo as first among equals, and will enter into a mutually-organized Confederation of Peace and Unity in Ipor. The Freimen Alliance are also expected to join the confederation in the coming months. The People Beyond the Mountains [note: unknown who this refers to] are not expected to join.
The long-awaited peace deal follows seven years of fighting for independence, in which many Glebullo gave their lives for the noble cause of freedom. The timing could not have been better - last year marked a century of Imperial Khalnialo occupation [note: peaceful co-unification] , which saw Glebullo culture and language oppressed, the Holy Council of Eight [note: a false religion of Golleans, designated as an extremist cult by Halnia Republica] banned, and Glebullo lands exploited for Imperial gain.
FMG forces are expected to be welcomed back as heroes, and many are expected to take prominent positions across the Fourteen Clans. Sadly, not all heroes were able to be returned. As part of the peace agreement, Commander Ghirion Meeniyiea, previously captured by Imperial Khalnialo forces at the Battle of Veton River and detained for over seven months, has disappeared and is unable to be found. Commander Ghirion, who is widely praised throughout Glebullo for her brilliant strategies and victories across key battles in the lower Gokhulr Plateau, was a key figure in the battle for independence. The editors at Lebbulchasr Melinir are praying to the Holy Council of Eight for her swift return. FMG forces are working hard to locate and bring back Commander Ghirion; in the meantime, we are collecting tips on her whereabouts. Information can be sent to the Editor Office of Lebbulchasr Melinir, 76 B-Quadrant-C28-0DEBM, Lebbulchasr [note: Lebbulchasr does not have a mailing system - meaning of numbers unclear. May be connected to the cult of Council of Eight?] , Gokhulr Plateau. We are only accepting disappearing messages [note: unknown terminology] at this time.
What Jewels to Get at the Bazaar? Your Guide on the Newest Colors and Cuts
It’s Spring in Guurben, which means it’s time to update your jewels. This year, traders are expecting a sharp increase in demand, perhaps due to purchases in celebration of independence. This is leading some to worry that the price of jewels will skyrocket, up to potentially 25 gt a stone [note: roughly 3 medallions, equivalent to an hour’s wages]. No fear - we know the best places to source your jewels, what color to get, and how to haggle down the price if needed. Continued on pg. 2
Ask Numa: My Child Can’t Levitate
Help! My child isn’t able to levitate [note: Misprint of Lifting?] at all. She’s at 8 moons already, and still fails to levitate even the smallest pebble. We’re getting quite concerned, as everyone else in the family has exceptional levitating skills… Continued on pg. 3
Official Cable from House Uiquama
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Geenneme Lord Uiquama, 15th Divine Soul of the Monkey Clan. The mourning period will last 16 waves, which will come into effect immediately across all territories of the Monkey Clan. The wake will be at Castle Uiuun on the dawn of the 17th wave. We invite all Daarau to participate, regardless of Clan affilation. The crowning of the newest Holder of the Divine Soul of the Monkey Clan is expected to occur on the dusk of the 32nd wave.
Field Notes of Frontalis Vindex, House Lebu. Obtained by Raiia House Aaola, Servant of Meeniyiea Lord Uiquama
The wake of Greenneme Lord Uiquama is nothing short of obscene - I have never seen such grandiose displays of wealth. Cousin Naso reports that their coffers are basically empty, so I am not sure how they’re financing this. Even the smallfolk seem to be grumbling - really, I would have thought they’d complain earlier, with all the extreme taxes being levied - but any sort of dissent is good for us. House Lebu is fortunate in that the next Divine Soul of the Monkey Clan is still not chosen - no one in court has appeared (or has shown up at the castle gates, for that matter) with the trademark green face marks and fanged teeth. With the late Lord having no direct pureblood descendants save for Hiinene House Uiquama (her children are all mixed-blood), and knowing how much the Monkey Clan are obsessed with blood purity, it seems like chaos is on the horizon. This is our chance at removing the demon scum once and for all - House Lebu will not let another innocent human soul die. Our reputations as Vohi depend on it…