Origins of the Vallorn - Revision history

Twiggy at 17:14, 5 August 2025

2025-08-05T17:14:57Z

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	Born in [[Miaren#Holtford\|Holtford]] in Miaren in 243YE, he studied magic from a young age and was regarded as one of the foremost vates of his time. He was allegedly a driven man, so obsessed with the vallorn that it occupied his every waking moment - to the extent that people admired him more than liked him, and even his close friends were concerned that his obsession might consume him.		Born in [[Miaren#Holtford\|Holtford]] in Miaren in 243YE, he studied magic from a young age and was regarded as one of the foremost vates of his time. He was allegedly a driven man, so obsessed with the vallorn that it occupied his every waking moment - to the extent that people admired him more than liked him, and even his close friends were concerned that his obsession might consume him.

	Drustan was instrumental in several major battles against the ~~Vallorn~~, and was noted especially for his skills in turning Spring magic back on the creatures of the ~~Vallorn~~ to destroy them. There are tales that credit him with identifying the vallorn susceptibility to [[Calls#VENOM\|venom]], but historians take them with a pinch of salt it is unlikely that any one person achieved this feat alone, and it seems somewhat far-fetched that it was not already widely known by Drustan's time. What cannot be denied is that as a youth Drustan was regarded as the most brilliant warrior-magician of his age - possessed of an unerring instinct for picking the time to fight the vallorn he won battle after battle until his fall from grace.		Drustan was instrumental in several major battles against the vallorn, and was noted especially for his skills in turning Spring magic back on the creatures of the vallorn to destroy them. There are tales that credit him with identifying the vallorn susceptibility to [[Calls#VENOM\|venom]], but historians take them with a pinch of salt it is unlikely that any one person achieved this feat alone, and it seems somewhat far-fetched that it was not already widely known by Drustan's time. What cannot be denied is that as a youth Drustan was regarded as the most brilliant warrior-magician of his age - possessed of an unerring instinct for picking the time to fight the vallorn he won battle after battle until his fall from grace.

	After the great defeat in Brocéliande in 268YE, when over 6,000 Navarr lost their lives, Drustan swore off war against the vallorn claiming that the Navarr were pursuing the wrong approach. Thereafter his work became increasingly experimental - perhaps even eccentric. He made public speeches criticizing the Navarr leaders accusing them of trying to play the ~~Vallorn~~ at its own game. Not surprisingly such views were not well received and Drustan was soon increasingly isolated. While his genius with magic could not be denied, his political views were simply unacceptable.		After the great defeat in Brocéliande in 268YE, when over 6,000 Navarr lost their lives, Drustan swore off war against the vallorn claiming that the Navarr were pursuing the wrong approach. Thereafter his work became increasingly experimental - perhaps even eccentric. He made public speeches criticizing the Navarr leaders accusing them of trying to play the vallorn at its own game. Not surprisingly such views were not well received and Drustan was soon increasingly isolated. While his genius with magic could not be denied, his political views were simply unacceptable.

	An excellent example of this lack of political acumen is taken from the speech given by Drustan at a standing in Liathaven in 272YE. The meeting had been called to discuss the possible risks of the ~~Vallorn~~ in Liathaven spreading, a fear which apparently occupied the Navarr minds as much then as it does today. Drustan became increasingly agitated and when finally allowed he berated everyone present. There is a transcript, and the incredulity of the scribe is clear as Drustan makes the outlandish and unsupported claim that the Dance of Navarr and Thorn is designed to ''spread'' the vallorn. Needless to say, he faced extreme censure from his peers and there are no further records of Drustan speaking publicly after this occasion.		An excellent example of this lack of political acumen is taken from the speech given by Drustan at a standing in Liathaven in 272YE. The meeting had been called to discuss the possible risks of the vallorn in Liathaven spreading, a fear which apparently occupied the Navarr minds as much then as it does today. Drustan became increasingly agitated and when finally allowed he berated everyone present. There is a transcript, and the incredulity of the scribe is clear as Drustan makes the outlandish and unsupported claim that the Dance of Navarr and Thorn is designed to ''spread'' the vallorn. Needless to say, he faced extreme censure from his peers and there are no further records of Drustan speaking publicly after this occasion.

	If this were all there was to tell of Drustan, that would probably be the end of the matter: a brilliant, but misguided briar who descended into inevitable madness from the hours spent studying Spring magic. But his lifelong friend - Arrayne, a Dawnish troubadour - claimed that Drustan made some kind of break-through toward the end of his life. He met with Arrayne a final time, in Summer 278YE and told her that he had solved the ~~Vallorn~~ problem. Arrayne claims that Drustan explained everything to him, but unfortunately Arrayne lacked any real understanding of magic and all he could recall later was that Drustan was convinced he had worked out how to "fix" the vallorn and that it all sounded very convincing.		If this were all there was to tell of Drustan, that would probably be the end of the matter: a brilliant, but misguided briar who descended into inevitable madness from the hours spent studying Spring magic. But his lifelong friend - Arrayne, a Dawnish troubadour - claimed that Drustan made some kind of break-through toward the end of his life. He met with Arrayne a final time, in Summer 278YE and told her that he had solved the vallorn problem. Arrayne claims that Drustan explained everything to him, but unfortunately Arrayne lacked any real understanding of magic and all he could recall later was that Drustan was convinced he had worked out how to "fix" the vallorn and that it all sounded very convincing.

	Few people take this very seriously as Drustan immediately set off - alone - into the vallorn heart of Liathaven - apparently to prove his theory. Given that he was never seen again, it seems likely that it was his mind that had broken new ground and not his theories. Of course it is also technically possible he had solved the problem and he was simply eaten by an ettercap before he could prove it. Likely we will never know. His name briefly became a byword for brilliant minds with no friends and then eventually it was just forgotten altogether. Arguably, given how long the Navarr have dedicated themselves to the work of fighting the vallorn, it is actually rather strange that there aren't more figures like Drustan in their history.		Few people take this very seriously as Drustan immediately set off - alone - into the vallorn heart of Liathaven - apparently to prove his theory. Given that he was never seen again, it seems likely that it was his mind that had broken new ground and not his theories. Of course it is also technically possible he had solved the problem and he was simply eaten by an ettercap before he could prove it. Likely we will never know. His name briefly became a byword for brilliant minds with no friends and then eventually it was just forgotten altogether. Arguably, given how long the Navarr have dedicated themselves to the work of fighting the vallorn, it is actually rather strange that there aren't more figures like Drustan in their history.
	{{Vallorn links}}		{{Vallorn links}}

Twiggy at 21:31, 10 July 2025

2025-07-10T21:31:02Z

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	There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). Eilian Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.		There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). Eilian Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.

	It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about ~~Beantal~~ Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.		It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about Béantal Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.

	Those who did survive, and did try to fight were unified by “Navarr" and "Thorn” - legendary figures who may or may not have existed. It is unclear how much time passes between the fall of the cities and the sacrifice of these potentially-mythical figures, but the ritual that creates the [[trods]] is clearly performed for the first time within at most two or three decades of the disaster.		Those who did survive, and did try to fight were unified by “Navarr" and "Thorn” - legendary figures who may or may not have existed. It is unclear how much time passes between the fall of the cities and the sacrifice of these potentially-mythical figures, but the ritual that creates the [[trods]] is clearly performed for the first time within at most two or three decades of the disaster.

Dre: /* Disastrous Consequences */

2025-04-14T08:34:02Z

Disastrous Consequences

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:34, 14 April 2025
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	All the stories, all the anecdotal evidence, and indeed all the physical evidence, agree that the disaster happened roughly simultaneously in each Terunael city. At the very least, if the disaster had happened in one or some of the cities and not all, it is likely that the unaffected cities would have offered aid to their allies, or at the very least taken some precautions – and there is little sign that this happened.		All the stories, all the anecdotal evidence, and indeed all the physical evidence, agree that the disaster happened roughly simultaneously in each Terunael city. At the very least, if the disaster had happened in one or some of the cities and not all, it is likely that the unaffected cities would have offered aid to their allies, or at the very least taken some precautions – and there is little sign that this happened.

	There are some surviving descriptions of the actual fall of Terunael. The modern perception of this event is often of a wave of unstoppable magic exploding from the hearts of the city and washing over the land like a glowing green tidal wave. Fractured accounts suggest that the reality was somewhat different. The vallorn began in ~~the~~ a sick, infectious wave of life that cracked and crumbled stone, shot great trees up through streets and buildings, and warped, twisted and destroyed most of the inhabitants of those cities, scattering the others to the wind.		There are some surviving descriptions of the actual fall of Terunael. The modern perception of this event is often of a wave of unstoppable magic exploding from the hearts of the city and washing over the land like a glowing green tidal wave. Fractured accounts suggest that the reality was somewhat different. The vallorn began in a sick, infectious wave of life that cracked and crumbled stone, shot great trees up through streets and buildings, and warped, twisted and destroyed most of the inhabitants of those cities, scattering the others to the wind.

	While the hearts of the cities were consumed very quickly, the rate of growth appears to have slowed as it expanded rather than accelerated. The reports talk of “refugees attempting to claim back their lands” and of “warriors (who) fought the spread of the green hell” and perhaps most tellingly “their people attacked by monstrous insects and deadly plants, and though they tried everything to fight it, in the end they had no choice but to abandon their homes.“		While the hearts of the cities were consumed very quickly, the rate of growth appears to have slowed as it expanded rather than accelerated. The reports talk of “refugees attempting to claim back their lands” and of “warriors (who) fought the spread of the green hell” and perhaps most tellingly “their people attacked by monstrous insects and deadly plants, and though they tried everything to fight it, in the end they had no choice but to abandon their homes.“

Matt: /* Noble Magicians */

2024-09-06T17:29:49Z

Noble Magicians

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	===Noble Magicians===		===Noble Magicians===
	Navarr stories record that the cultured cities of Terunael were run by its magicians, but there is actually little concrete evidence to support this - or any claim about the politics of these ancient people. One theory is that the early Navarr described the cities as having been run by magicians because they were keen to find someone to blame someone for allowing the disaster to take place. They are generally characterised as having become wealthy, ~~decadent~~, authoritarian, irresponsible - and desperate. The contrast with the modern Navarr tradition of the [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates\|vates]] is obvious; vates are seen as servants of the people, and expected to commit themselves to helping others rather than seeking positions of leadership.		Navarr stories record that the cultured cities of Terunael were run by its magicians, but there is actually little concrete evidence to support this - or any claim about the politics of these ancient people. One theory is that the early Navarr described the cities as having been run by magicians because they were keen to find someone to blame someone for allowing the disaster to take place. They are generally characterised as having become wealthy, indulgent, authoritarian, irresponsible - and desperate. The contrast with the modern Navarr tradition of the [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates\|vates]] is obvious; vates are seen as servants of the people, and expected to commit themselves to helping others rather than seeking positions of leadership.

	There is also little evidence for how these magicians ruled, and many more questions than answers. Were the magicians in charge from the beginning or was it a later development? Were they organised into noble houses? Was there a council like our modern Conclave? Was there a single ruling magician in each city, similar to the [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarmish Magician-Prince]]? What was the status of people who were not magicians? None of these questions have been conclusively addressed by Imperial scholars.		There is also little evidence for how these magicians ruled, and many more questions than answers. Were the magicians in charge from the beginning or was it a later development? Were they organised into noble houses? Was there a council like our modern Conclave? Was there a single ruling magician in each city, similar to the [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarmish Magician-Prince]]? What was the status of people who were not magicians? None of these questions have been conclusively addressed by Imperial scholars.

Rafferty at 09:40, 19 April 2024

2024-04-19T09:40:54Z

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	~~[[Category:Vallorn]]~~[[Category:History]][[Category:Navarr]]		[[Category:History]][[Category:Navarr]]
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	There is no shortage of theories as to the origin of the [[vallorn]]. Some are more grounded in actual research than others, but a combination of the vallorn's changeable nature, the length of time since it began, and the purges of [[Emperor Nicovar]], make it very hard to say with any certainty where it came from. The most recent [[historical research]], commissioned by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]] in 379YE brought together as much as is generally known in the Empire about where the infestation came from, and forms the basis for the information presented here.		There is no shortage of theories as to the origin of the [[vallorn]]. Some are more grounded in actual research than others, but a combination of the vallorn's changeable nature, the length of time since it began, and the purges of [[Emperor Nicovar]], make it very hard to say with any certainty where it came from. The most recent [[historical research]], commissioned by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]] in 379YE brought together as much as is generally known in the Empire about where the infestation came from, and forms the basis for the information presented here.

Rafferty at 09:33, 19 April 2024

2024-04-19T09:33:51Z

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	Few people take this very seriously as Drustan immediately set off - alone - into the vallorn heart of Liathaven - apparently to prove his theory. Given that he was never seen again, it seems likely that it was his mind that had broken new ground and not his theories. Of course it is also technically possible he had solved the problem and he was simply eaten by an ettercap before he could prove it. Likely we will never know. His name briefly became a byword for brilliant minds with no friends and then eventually it was just forgotten altogether. Arguably, given how long the Navarr have dedicated themselves to the work of fighting the vallorn, it is actually rather strange that there aren't more figures like Drustan in their history.		Few people take this very seriously as Drustan immediately set off - alone - into the vallorn heart of Liathaven - apparently to prove his theory. Given that he was never seen again, it seems likely that it was his mind that had broken new ground and not his theories. Of course it is also technically possible he had solved the problem and he was simply eaten by an ettercap before he could prove it. Likely we will never know. His name briefly became a byword for brilliant minds with no friends and then eventually it was just forgotten altogether. Arguably, given how long the Navarr have dedicated themselves to the work of fighting the vallorn, it is actually rather strange that there aren't more figures like Drustan in their history.
			{{Vallorn links}}

Dre at 17:53, 29 December 2023

2023-12-29T17:53:50Z

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	The cities themselves were certainly large settlements, but not on the scale of the League cities of today. Exploration in Miaren has shown that the central “cities” were more likely closer to large towns, surrounded by a network of farms and villages. The largest of these towns is believed to have been Terunael itself, and its ruins are said to stand at the heart of Brocéliande.		The cities themselves were certainly large settlements, but not on the scale of the League cities of today. Exploration in Miaren has shown that the central “cities” were more likely closer to large towns, surrounded by a network of farms and villages. The largest of these towns is believed to have been Terunael itself, and its ruins are said to stand at the heart of Brocéliande.
	===Further Cities===		===Further Cities===
	There are persistent rumours of additional cities beyond the ones that are part of the Empire today, some of which have been confirmed in recent years. The stories of a city north of [[Varushka]], built in lands now dominated by the [[Thule]], have proved to be true. The city of ''Emrys'' stood in what is now south-western [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]], and the claim that the cold tundra around it was warmed and lit by an artificial sun appears to have been based partially on fact. Previously, the only evidence were claims from vales in Varushka about Ushkan records that speak of people coming from the north fleeing a disaster ~~lead~~ by a “brave woman marked by horror and pain, and her son.” Some of these refugees settled in Varushka with the woman, others followed her son and joined with “their cousins to the south”- the people who would become the Navarr. As the peace with the northern [[orc\|orcs]] continues, more facts begin to come to life that seem to confirm these ancient accounts.		There are persistent rumours of additional cities beyond the ones that are part of the Empire today, some of which have been confirmed in recent years. The stories of a city north of [[Varushka]], built in lands now dominated by the [[Thule]], have proved to be true. The city of ''Emrys'' stood in what is now south-western [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]], and the claim that the cold tundra around it was warmed and lit by an artificial sun appears to have been based partially on fact. Previously, the only evidence were claims from vales in Varushka about Ushkan records that speak of people coming from the north fleeing a disaster led by a “brave woman marked by horror and pain, and her son.” Some of these refugees settled in Varushka with the woman, others followed her son and joined with “their cousins to the south”- the people who would become the Navarr. As the peace with the northern [[orc\|orcs]] continues, more facts begin to come to life that seem to confirm these ancient accounts.

	For centuries there were unconfirmed reports that there is a vallorn in modern-day Axos. A recent expedition, funded by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]], and arranged with the aid of the [[Ambassador to Axos]] and their counterparts in the eastern nation, confirmed the existence of an immense vallorn in the centre of Axos. According to the [[Terunael_in_Axos\|first-hand account]] of Eilian Sweetwater, the civil servant who ~~lead~~ the expedition, the vallorn at Visokuma is the largest known to exist and surrounds the ruins of the city of ''Cavan''.		For centuries there were unconfirmed reports that there is a vallorn in modern-day Axos. A recent expedition, funded by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]], and arranged with the aid of the [[Ambassador to Axos]] and their counterparts in the eastern nation, confirmed the existence of an immense vallorn in the centre of Axos. According to the [[Terunael_in_Axos\|first-hand account]] of Eilian Sweetwater, the civil servant who led the expedition, the vallorn at Visokuma is the largest known to exist and surrounds the ruins of the city of ''Cavan''.

	Another rumour talks of a city east of [[Therunin]], somewhere in [[the Mallum]], built on the edge of a great marsh and referred to as ''Béantal Dol''. Again, there is a body of evidence that supports the existence of this city, including accounts of first-hand reports from a [[Druj]] [[Druj_lore#Ghulai\|Ghulai]] named Greenmask. Located as it is in the Druj homelands, however, the truth of any such claims are treated cautiously by Imperial scholars.		Another rumour talks of a city east of [[Therunin]], somewhere in [[the Mallum]], built on the edge of a great marsh and referred to as ''Béantal Dol''. Again, there is a body of evidence that supports the existence of this city, including accounts of first-hand reports from a [[Druj]] [[Druj_lore#Ghulai\|Ghulai]] named Greenmask. Located as it is in the Druj homelands, however, the truth of any such claims are treated cautiously by Imperial scholars.

Dre at 10:23, 1 June 2023

2023-06-01T10:23:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:23, 1 June 2023
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	There are persistent rumours of additional cities beyond the ones that are part of the Empire today, some of which have been confirmed in recent years. The stories of a city north of [[Varushka]], built in lands now dominated by the [[Thule]], have proved to be true. The city of ''Emrys'' stood in what is now south-western [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]], and the claim that the cold tundra around it was warmed and lit by an artificial sun appears to have been based partially on fact. Previously, the only evidence were claims from vales in Varushka about Ushkan records that speak of people coming from the north fleeing a disaster lead by a “brave woman marked by horror and pain, and her son.” Some of these refugees settled in Varushka with the woman, others followed her son and joined with “their cousins to the south”- the people who would become the Navarr. As the peace with the northern [[orc\|orcs]] continues, more facts begin to come to life that seem to confirm these ancient accounts.		There are persistent rumours of additional cities beyond the ones that are part of the Empire today, some of which have been confirmed in recent years. The stories of a city north of [[Varushka]], built in lands now dominated by the [[Thule]], have proved to be true. The city of ''Emrys'' stood in what is now south-western [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld\|Sküld]], and the claim that the cold tundra around it was warmed and lit by an artificial sun appears to have been based partially on fact. Previously, the only evidence were claims from vales in Varushka about Ushkan records that speak of people coming from the north fleeing a disaster lead by a “brave woman marked by horror and pain, and her son.” Some of these refugees settled in Varushka with the woman, others followed her son and joined with “their cousins to the south”- the people who would become the Navarr. As the peace with the northern [[orc\|orcs]] continues, more facts begin to come to life that seem to confirm these ancient accounts.

	For centuries there were unconfirmed reports that there is a vallorn in modern-day Axos. A recent expedition, funded by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]], and arranged with the aid of the [[Ambassador to Axos]] and their counterparts in the eastern nation, confirmed the existence of an immense vallorn in the centre of Axos. According to the [[Terunael_in_Axos\|first-hand account]] of ~~Eleri~~ Sweetwater, the civil servant who lead the expedition, the vallorn at Visokuma is the largest known to exist and surrounds the ruins of the city of ''Cavan''.		For centuries there were unconfirmed reports that there is a vallorn in modern-day Axos. A recent expedition, funded by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]], and arranged with the aid of the [[Ambassador to Axos]] and their counterparts in the eastern nation, confirmed the existence of an immense vallorn in the centre of Axos. According to the [[Terunael_in_Axos\|first-hand account]] of Eilian Sweetwater, the civil servant who lead the expedition, the vallorn at Visokuma is the largest known to exist and surrounds the ruins of the city of ''Cavan''.

	Another rumour talks of a city east of [[Therunin]], somewhere in [[the Mallum]], built on the edge of a great marsh and referred to as ''Béantal Dol''. Again, there is a body of evidence that supports the existence of this city, including accounts of first-hand reports from a [[Druj]] [[Druj_lore#Ghulai\|Ghulai]] named Greenmask. Located as it is in the Druj homelands, however, the truth of any such claims are treated cautiously by Imperial scholars.		Another rumour talks of a city east of [[Therunin]], somewhere in [[the Mallum]], built on the edge of a great marsh and referred to as ''Béantal Dol''. Again, there is a body of evidence that supports the existence of this city, including accounts of first-hand reports from a [[Druj]] [[Druj_lore#Ghulai\|Ghulai]] named Greenmask. Located as it is in the Druj homelands, however, the truth of any such claims are treated cautiously by Imperial scholars.
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	===Fight and Flight ===		===Fight and Flight ===
	There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). ~~Eleri~~ Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.		There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). Eilian Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.

	It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about Beantal Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.		It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about Beantal Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.

Hastur: /* Fight and Flight */

2021-04-22T18:45:56Z

Fight and Flight

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 22 April 2021
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	There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). Eleri Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.		There is no doubt that the Navarr fought the vallorn, before they were even called the Navarr. Not everyone fought however – the story of the “woman from the north” who fled south with her people has already been mentioned. There is some evidence that some of the Terunael survivors sought refuge with the Ushka, or among the Feni, and some very scattered mentions that some of those from Therunin might have ended up in the mountains with the Urizen (already in their high refuge by the time of the fall of the cities). Eleri Sweetwater's expedition, for example, brought numerous stories from Axos of Terunael refugees seeking sanctuary among the people of the citadels - albeit in most cases with tragic consequence.

	It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion ~~of human-controlled lands by the orc tribes~~. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about Beantal Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.		It must also be remembered that the vallorn disaster occurred in the middle of an invasion. It is likely that an unknown number of refugees were killed by the orc armies as they fled their now-inhospitable lands. Others no doubt were taken as slaves or thralls, or died due to the many other dangers that lie in wait in the wilderness. It is likely for example that the scarcity of records about Beantal Dol may mean that those people who survived the fall of the city ended up as slaves of the orcs, with no chance to reach their fellow survivors to the west.

	Those who did survive, and did try to fight were unified by “Navarr" and "Thorn” - legendary figures who may or may not have existed. It is unclear how much time passes between the fall of the cities and the sacrifice of these potentially-mythical figures, but the ritual that creates the [[trods]] is clearly performed for the first time within at most two or three decades of the disaster.		Those who did survive, and did try to fight were unified by “Navarr" and "Thorn” - legendary figures who may or may not have existed. It is unclear how much time passes between the fall of the cities and the sacrifice of these potentially-mythical figures, but the ritual that creates the [[trods]] is clearly performed for the first time within at most two or three decades of the disaster.

Hastur: /* War with the Orcs */

2021-04-22T18:45:19Z

War with the Orcs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 22 April 2021
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	===War with the Orcs===		===War with the Orcs===
	This is a common, recurring element in stories of the fall of Terunael and the birth of the vallorn. One or more orc ~~tribes~~ were making war against them. The forerunners of the Druj and the Thule in particular are believed to have been invading the territories claimed by the Terunael in the east and north.		This is a common, recurring element in stories of the fall of Terunael and the birth of the vallorn. One or more orc nations were making war against them. The forerunners of the Druj and the Thule in particular are believed to have been invading the territories claimed by the Terunael in the east and north.

	There is little evidence of unified attacks – as today, the orc ~~tribes~~ were separate and fractious. Colwyn of Boarsdell has presented the theory that a third major factor lies in ~~two tribes of orcs~~ who are no longer in existence today. These additional ~~tribes~~ occupied the lands now dominated by what is now [[Dawn]] and [[the Marches]]. One ~~tribe~~ would have been the ancestors of the orcs finally exterminated by the Dawnish in [[Semmerholm]] during their first wave of expansion. The other ~~tribe~~ most likely were the ancestors of the orcs driven out of the Marches, who later joined with the [[Jotun]] in the west. He further suggests that the bandit orcs of the Lasambrian hills are likely to be the descendants of the same orcs who attacked Liathaven during the fall of Terunael, before being driven west by the [[the Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] diaspora.		There is little evidence of unified attacks – as today, the orc nations were separate and fractious. Colwyn of Boarsdell has presented the theory that a third major factor lies in orc nations who are no longer in existence today. These additional nations occupied the lands now dominated by what is now [[Dawn]] and [[the Marches]]. One nation would have been the ancestors of the orcs finally exterminated by the Dawnish in [[Semmerholm]] during their first wave of expansion. The other nation most likely were the ancestors of the orcs driven out of the Marches, who later joined with the [[Jotun]] in the west. He further suggests that the bandit orcs of the Lasambrian hills are likely to be the descendants of the same orcs who attacked Liathaven during the fall of Terunael, before being driven west by the [[the Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] diaspora.

			Either way, the true victors of the fall of Terunael were certainly the orcs. There are plenty of references that the human settlers who would later help form the Empire (Highguard, Dawn, the Steinr and the Vard) encountered a land populated by prosperous, healthy orc nations who had spread across the lands between the vallorn forests.

	Either way, the true victors of the fall of Terunael were certainly the orcs. There are plenty of references that the human settlers who would later help form the Empire (Highguard, Dawn, the Steinr and the Vard) encountered a land populated by prosperous, healthy tribes of orcs who had spread across the lands between the vallorn forests.
	===Noble Magicians===		===Noble Magicians===
	Navarr stories record that the cultured cities of Terunael were run by its magicians, but there is actually little concrete evidence to support this - or any claim about the politics of these ancient people. One theory is that the early Navarr described the cities as having been run by magicians because they were keen to find someone to blame someone for allowing the disaster to take place. They are generally characterised as having become wealthy, decadent, authoritarian, irresponsible - and desperate. The contrast with the modern Navarr tradition of the [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates\|vates]] is obvious; vates are seen as servants of the people, and expected to commit themselves to helping others rather than seeking positions of leadership.		Navarr stories record that the cultured cities of Terunael were run by its magicians, but there is actually little concrete evidence to support this - or any claim about the politics of these ancient people. One theory is that the early Navarr described the cities as having been run by magicians because they were keen to find someone to blame someone for allowing the disaster to take place. They are generally characterised as having become wealthy, decadent, authoritarian, irresponsible - and desperate. The contrast with the modern Navarr tradition of the [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates\|vates]] is obvious; vates are seen as servants of the people, and expected to commit themselves to helping others rather than seeking positions of leadership.