Varushka history - Revision history

Twiggy at 13:49, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T13:49:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:49, 4 February 2026
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	With the wisdom of the Ushka and the prowess of the Vard, their ancestors defeated or bound many of the monstrous threats that lurked in the wilds. They spread slowly over the land, working together, until eventually the Vard and the Ushka were both gone, and in their place were the Varushkan people who partook of the strengths of both.		With the wisdom of the Ushka and the prowess of the Vard, their ancestors defeated or bound many of the monstrous threats that lurked in the wilds. They spread slowly over the land, working together, until eventually the Vard and the Ushka were both gone, and in their place were the Varushkan people who partook of the strengths of both.

	Not all the Ushka are gone, however. Early records say that many of the Ushka were assimilated but that the greatest of their sorcerers – who called themselves the “bargainers” – refused to bow their heads. When it became clear the Ushka were outmatched, these bargainers made terrible compacts with the Eternals of the Wasteland, the place Imperial scholars call the ~~Realm~~ of [[Winter]]. In return for dreadful sacrifices – and with the promise of more to come – these [[Volodny]] hid their hearts outside their bodies, becoming to all intents and purposes immortal. Kept alive by their hatred, and possessed of terrible hungers, they vowed collective vengeance against the Vard and those Ushka they now saw as collaborators.		Not all the Ushka are gone, however. Early records say that many of the Ushka were assimilated but that the greatest of their sorcerers – who called themselves the “bargainers” – refused to bow their heads. When it became clear the Ushka were outmatched, these bargainers made terrible compacts with the Eternals of the Wasteland, the place Imperial scholars call the realm of [[Winter]]. In return for dreadful sacrifices – and with the promise of more to come – these [[Volodny]] hid their hearts outside their bodies, becoming to all intents and purposes immortal. Kept alive by their hatred, and possessed of terrible hungers, they vowed collective vengeance against the Vard and those Ushka they now saw as collaborators.

	A more in-depth document discussing the history of the Vard and the Ushka, and of early Varushka, can be found [[People_of_the_North\|here]].		A more in-depth document discussing the history of the Vard and the Ushka, and of early Varushka, can be found [[People_of_the_North\|here]].

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Civil Service" to "[[Civil Service"

2026-01-15T22:22:03Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Civil Service" to "[[Civil Service"

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 15 January 2026
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	Even while the war still raged, the foundations for the Empire were being laid. The nations had agreed to a set of laws and seemed confident that they could be enforced but the cautious Varushkans thought otherwise. They argued that the powerful of each nation could not be trusted to collect the taxes and enforce the law with an even hand. They would find themselves constantly torn by their allegiances to their countryfolk.		Even while the war still raged, the foundations for the Empire were being laid. The nations had agreed to a set of laws and seemed confident that they could be enforced but the cautious Varushkans thought otherwise. They argued that the powerful of each nation could not be trusted to collect the taxes and enforce the law with an even hand. They would find themselves constantly torn by their allegiances to their countryfolk.

	This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[~~Imperial~~ Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.		This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.

	==The Orc Rebellion==		==The Orc Rebellion==

Rafferty: /* More Varushkan History */

2024-05-08T17:04:01Z

More Varushkan History

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 8 May 2024
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	==More Varushkan History==		==More Varushkan History==
	* [[People of the North]]		* [[People of the North]]
			* [[Steinr, Vard, and Jotun]]
	* [[Alderei the Fair]]		* [[Alderei the Fair]]
	{{Varushka Links}}		{{Varushka Links}}

Matt at 14:07, 19 April 2024

2024-04-19T14:07:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:07, 19 April 2024
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	This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.		This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.

			==The Orc Rebellion==
			Of all the Imperial nations, Varushka is the one most associated in the popular consciousness with the enslavement of the [[orc\|orcs]]. The [[The_Orc_Rebellion\|Orc Rebellion]] began in Varushka and the ringleader, Thrace, was a Varushkan slave. The Varushkans were the first people forced to confront the necessity of using their armies against the escaped orcs, and the last to accept the decision of [[Emperor Ahraz]] to recognise the orcs as people. Many Varushkans were ruined when the orcs were freed - barely two generations later the violence, and the sense of betrayal by their Imperial allies are still fresh in many minds.

			Some Varushkans find the attitude of the other Imperial nations a little hard to swallow - they are quick to remind them that ''every'' nation other than the [[The Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] kept orcs as slaves for centuries. The [[farm\|farms]] of [[the Marches]], the fighting pits of [[the League]], and the [[forest\|forests]] of [[Dawn]] were worked by orc slaves just as much as the Varushkan [[mine\|mines]] were. It is unjust, they argue, that Varushka is painted as the villain, the tyrant who oppressed the ancestors of the Imperial Orcs.

			For many years there were Varushkans who nursed an undercurrent of bigotry against Imperial Orcs - sometimes overt, more often bubbling away beneath the surface. There was an unspoken belief that Ahraz had made a mistake and that the Imperial Orcs would inevitably seek revenge and turn on the Empire. Those fears slowly receded as the Imperial Orcs more than proved their loyalty, but there is often little love lost between the two nations and many [[Imperial Orcs]] avoid Varushka, except to make pilgrimages to the places where certain key events of the rebellion took place.

	==More Varushkan History==		==More Varushkan History==
	* [[People of the North]]		* [[People of the North]]
	* [[Alderei the Fair]]		* [[Alderei the Fair]]
	{{Varushka Links}}		{{Varushka Links}}

Matt at 17:46, 1 April 2022

2022-04-01T17:46:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 1 April 2022
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	Not all the Ushka are gone, however. Early records say that many of the Ushka were assimilated but that the greatest of their sorcerers – who called themselves the “bargainers” – refused to bow their heads. When it became clear the Ushka were outmatched, these bargainers made terrible compacts with the Eternals of the Wasteland, the place Imperial scholars call the Realm of [[Winter]]. In return for dreadful sacrifices – and with the promise of more to come – these [[Volodny]] hid their hearts outside their bodies, becoming to all intents and purposes immortal. Kept alive by their hatred, and possessed of terrible hungers, they vowed collective vengeance against the Vard and those Ushka they now saw as collaborators.		Not all the Ushka are gone, however. Early records say that many of the Ushka were assimilated but that the greatest of their sorcerers – who called themselves the “bargainers” – refused to bow their heads. When it became clear the Ushka were outmatched, these bargainers made terrible compacts with the Eternals of the Wasteland, the place Imperial scholars call the Realm of [[Winter]]. In return for dreadful sacrifices – and with the promise of more to come – these [[Volodny]] hid their hearts outside their bodies, becoming to all intents and purposes immortal. Kept alive by their hatred, and possessed of terrible hungers, they vowed collective vengeance against the Vard and those Ushka they now saw as collaborators.

	A more in-depth document discussing the history of the Vard and the Ushka, and of early Varushka, can be found [[People_of_the_North\|here]].		A more in-depth document discussing the history of the Vard and the Ushka, and of early Varushka, can be found [[People_of_the_North\|here]].

	==Joining the Empire==		==Joining the Empire==

Matt at 17:46, 1 April 2022

2022-04-01T17:46:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 1 April 2022
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	==Origins of Varushka==		==Origins of Varushka==
	The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.		The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.

			The Vard were cousins to the Steinr, warlike and fierce; they came to Varushka meaning to claim the riches of the land for themselves. When the Ushka encountered the Vard, at first they tried to hide. When hiding failed they tried to make bargains with the Vard. When this too failed, they tried to fight the Vard. When the steel axes and steel shirts of the Vard meant they could not be defeated, they bowed their heads and were conquered. Rather than destroy them, the Vard offered the Ushka a place at their hearth and protection from the shadows beneath the trees. In return the Ushka shared their hard-won wisdom and helped them to survive the dangers that could not be defeated with steel alone.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Mourning_Hollow.jpg\|title=Mourning Hollow\|caption=At Mourning Hollow, heroes of the Empire recover ancient Ushkan artefacts\|align=right\|width=500}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Mourning_Hollow.jpg\|title=Mourning Hollow\|caption=At Mourning Hollow, heroes of the Empire recover ancient Ushkan artefacts\|align=right\|width=500}}
	The Vard were cousins to the Steinr, warlike and fierce; they came to Varushka meaning to claim the riches of the land for themselves. When the Ushka encountered the Vard, at first they tried to hide. When hiding failed they tried to make bargains with the Vard. When this too failed, they tried to fight the Vard. When the steel axes and steel shirts of the Vard meant they could not be defeated, they bowed their heads and were conquered. Rather than destroy them, the Vard offered the Ushka a place at their hearth and protection from the shadows beneath the trees. In return the Ushka shared their hard-won wisdom and helped them to survive the dangers that could not be defeated with steel alone.

	With the wisdom of the Ushka and the prowess of the Vard, their ancestors defeated or bound many of the monstrous threats that lurked in the wilds. They spread slowly over the land, working together, until eventually the Vard and the Ushka were both gone, and in their place were the Varushkan people who partook of the strengths of both.		With the wisdom of the Ushka and the prowess of the Vard, their ancestors defeated or bound many of the monstrous threats that lurked in the wilds. They spread slowly over the land, working together, until eventually the Vard and the Ushka were both gone, and in their place were the Varushkan people who partook of the strengths of both.

Rafferty at 13:54, 7 September 2021

2021-09-07T13:54:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 7 September 2021
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			[[Category:History]]
	==Origins of Varushka==		==Origins of Varushka==
	The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.		The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.

Matt at 10:06, 3 August 2020

2020-08-03T10:06:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:06, 3 August 2020
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			==Origins of Varushka==
	The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.		The Ushka were the first human inhabitants of this land; their legends claim that they were born, fully formed, from the soil and the shadows beneath the trees. Their villages clustered together in the wilderness, prey for wolves and worse, but they had an understanding of the cruel realities of life in the forest. They made bargains with stronger powers and thus survived, although they often paid a steep price for their survival.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Mourning_Hollow.jpg\|title=Mourning Hollow\|caption=At Mourning Hollow, heroes of the Empire recover ancient Ushkan artefacts\|align=right\|width=500}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Mourning_Hollow.jpg\|title=Mourning Hollow\|caption=At Mourning Hollow, heroes of the Empire recover ancient Ushkan artefacts\|align=right\|width=500}}

Rafferty at 17:25, 19 February 2020

2020-02-19T17:25:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:25, 19 February 2020
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	This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.		This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.
			==More Varushkan History==
			* [[People of the North]]
			* [[Alderei the Fair]]
	{{Varushka Links}}		{{Varushka Links}}

Rafferty at 17:24, 19 February 2020

2020-02-19T17:24:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:24, 19 February 2020
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	This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.		This caused outrage, but the Varushkans were adamant, and insisted that the Empire needed dedicated civil servants and judges, whose loyalty was to the Empire only and whose probity was above reproach. In the end each nation agreed to put forward a dozen individuals of good standing. The [[Imperial Civil Service]] was created and powerful enchantments were woven to ensure that the Magistrates and other civil servants would be loyal to the Empire and no other cause.

	~~[[Category:~~Varushka]]		{{Varushka Links}}
	~~[[Category:Nations]]~~