Atlas Elyden #130 - Valbar

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Valbar

• c. 900 - 1491 RM  - the boreal kingdom of Thythia is relentlessly attacked by Korachani over its resources, leading to its slow and painful demise. The kingdom is dissolved in 1491 RM, with its territories divided amongst Korachan, becoming an annex; and the nation of Almagest (itself a protectorate of Korachan).
• 1491 - c. 1800 RM - The region becomes known as Valbar. As Korachan begins mining meteore and establishes other industries in the ruin of old Thythia, native survivors come together and form the first generations of what later becomes known as the Keveran culture. These people live in the hinterlands between imperial-occupied lands, and though most make it a point to lie low and not draw attention to themselves, others become embittered, coming to prey on imperial convoys of supplies and raw materials, using their old boreal harbours to ship the goods east over the Sea of Polaris to free lands in Eastern Llachatul or northern Meniscea, growing rich as a result. These raiders become notorious amongst the imperial governors in Valbar and cause no small amount of disruption to the smooth operations of the annex.
• c. 1800 - 1847 RM - the so-called First Scouring of Kever takes place where natives are persecuted without distinction, where they are either slain or taken to Valbaran cities as slaves. The conflict, if such it can be called, ends with the effective eradication of Keveran culture from Valbar, though small pockets of survivors remain.
• c. 2000 - 2300 RM - the resources of Valbar begin to wane, and Almagest puts less resources into maintaining this northern annex. Meanwhile, the Keveran people slowly spread across the Valbaran peninsula. They know better than to advertise their survival and remain in areas of wilderness far from imperial interests, where they do not attract any attention. Over time they become skilled survivalists, spending most of their time along the coast where they become expert spear fishers, hunting whales and large fish.
• 2321 RM - after years of ratifications, Almagest officially absorbs the annex of Valbar, dividing its territories amongst Patricians and governors. Most of these territories bear little fruit and are kept simply to prevent the Keveran people from reclaiming their lands. The name of Valbar is largely forgotten after this as new territorial names come into use.
• 3014 RM - Almagest wins its independence after the hard-fought War of the Artifexes is won. It appropriates parts of northern Skaros and south western Durchaa as part of the peace treaty that ends the war.
• c. 3020 RM - confident from its newfound independence, Almagest flexes its muscles, expanding its northern territories to encompass the entirety of the Valbaran peninsula, beyond the heart of its boreal regions. Here its scouts and forward armies clash once with the peaceful folk of Kever, leading to the Second Scouring of Kever.
• c. 3020 - c. 3050 RM - the so-called Second Scouring of Kever takes place, during which hundreds of settlements are razed and thousands of people are systematically exterminated or taken as slaves to work what new industries are established in the north.
• c. 3050 - c. 3280 RM - the Valbaran peninsula is exploited for every resource possible - new reserves or meteore are found and dug up in huge open pits. Forests are cut down for timber. Granite is torn from the earth. Peat is dug up for use as fuel. By the end of this period many of these resources, particularly the meteore, begin to wane.
• c. 3300 - 3392 RM - industries and Patrician Houses begin to abandon Valbar as profits dwindle. Most head back to Almagest, taking their workforces with them, leaving their old territories deserted overnight. This brings not only a power vacuum to Valbar, but also a dearth of labourers. Some patricians see the long-term value in remaining behind and establish a Plutocratic Cabinet of Valbar to oversee the remnants of the colony. Almagest does not oppose this and in 3392 RM formally appoints the Cabinet to power over Valbar, reversing its original plans of abandoning the region completely, once more turning it into an annex.
• 3392 - c. 3440 RM - the need for new workers becomes dire and the Plutocratic Cabinet begins orchestrating raids west into eastern Raongen, attacking encampments of the Callow Hordes, taking slaves back to Valbar in their thousands. These slaves are technologically-ignorant, worshipping archaic machinery as idols, so are only of use as industrial labourers, though they are a belligerent people, and breaking them is difficult. These slave raids diminish during this time and become more defensive in nature, protecting garrisons, settlements and manufactories from attack.
• c. 3440 - 3461 RM - despite the best attempts of the Cabinet, worsening climate and waning resources sees Valbar becoming less and less viable, and industries begin to leave, with some slaves freed, forced to fend for themselves. This prompts a new exodus of people and slaves south into Almagest, leaving Valbar increasingly deserted. This in turn leads to increased crime, banditry and chaos within lands that remain populated. The Plutocratic Cabinet founds a force of wardens, known as the Saharli, who act as caretakers to the remaining people.
• 3468 RM - the colony of Valbar is formally abandoned by Almagest following the complete depletion of its meteore reserves. Over 95% of its previous population has departed by now and the land is effectively deserted. A few outlier manufactories or mines remain, though for all intents and purposes they are now self-sufficient and the maintenance of roads and other infrastructure becomes their own responsibility. The most renowned of these cities is Ablatia, though there are others, including Thazar, Atla, and Oldir.
• The Plutocratic Cabinet is formally disbanded, with most of the governors leaving for Almagest or remaining in Ablatia, which becomes a haven to expats. Despite this, the name continues to be used and is adopted as the official government of Valbar Dhai - New Valbar, as it became known by its people, who sought to make a distinction between Almagesti-ruled Valbar and this new independent entity.
• 3468 - 3483 RM - The settlements of Valbar Dhai slowly coalesce as the new Plutocratic Cabinet is accepted by most cities. The native Keveran population begins to reemerge, and new settlements are founded by a mix of Keveran and Almagesti people as well as freed slaves of varied heritage. This time comes to a culmination in 3483 RM when, after years of petition, Almagest recognises the independence of the region, and it becomes officially known as Valbar Dhai.
• 3468 - 3566 RM - the city of Ablatia becomes a haven to Almagesti expatriates, and remains as a vital link between the two nations. In 3566 RM it becomes the seat of power of the reformed Plutocratic Cabinet, with representatives of each of the major cities living there, serving in the Cabinet.
• 3566 - c. 3720 RM - given their relative isolation the people of Valbar Dhai become largely self-sufficient. Despite the best efforts of the reformed Plutocratic Cabinet, banditry and ambushes along ill-repaired roads linking distant cities is not uncommon.      Their remaining manufactories have foundries and presses that can be used for making everyday objects or repairing old ones. This includes the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, and over time most settlements are able to create their own firearms - pistols, rifles, and heavier arms in some cases. Valbar becomes renowned for the durability and reliability of its firearms and it begins exporting them east across the Sea of Polaris, where they become ubiquitous in certain lands, including Pergost, Thano, and Cehophelia. A handful of manufacturers - including House Izentar and Lucaenus Manufacturing - become renowned across the Inner Sea Region during this time.      This new economy reaches a crux in c. 3720 RM and becomes part of the cultural identity of Valbar Dhai. People travelling the hinterlands between settlements commonly travel with rifles and handguns, as to trappers, navigators, hunters, or indeed anyone - man or woman - leaving the safety of their hometown. This initially serves to detract from banditry but it eventually has the adverse effect, with bandits arming themselves more heavily.
• 3717 RM - the Cabinet reforms the Saharli, who now become rangers whose main role is to secure the roads linking distant settlements, hunting for hijackers and robbers, in a bid to secure both the passage of travellers and cargo. Over time they become a major policing force in the nation, responding to raids and border conflicts, particularly in the west, with sporadic incursions by the Callow Hordes.
• c. 3920 - 3936 RM - increased volcanic activity in the Eszala geothermal zone wreaks havoc on the interior of Valbar Dhai. In the winter of 3934 RM the city of Shurat - a hub of industry - rendered uninhabitable, with most of its population dying to noxious fumes. Major thoroughfares that link cities and regions together are rendered impassable, leading to chaos. Cities are cut off from one another, leading to strain on the capital in Ablatia. The Plutocratic Cabinet struggles over the next years, as eruptions increase and it collapses as an increasingly desperate public calls for action.
• 3936 - 3943 RM - Almagest comes to the aid of Valbar Dhai as the nation fractures into five distinct districts that struggle to regain control over their irrespective lands as the chaos caused from the eruptions of Eszala begin to diminish. Various attempts are made to rejoin the nation but these all falter leading to the consolidation of the five states. It is only through the humanitarian aid of Almagest that the nation is able to weather this period.
• 3941 RM - a new dreamscape is discovered in the permafrost of the Pil Aush region, and it is soon found to be rife with unadulterated seams of silver. This attracts prospectors in large numbers who soon find that the dreamscape is caustic to flora and fauna. Those working in the region must rely on reality suits if they are to spend any time in the region, making extraction of the silver costly, but the silver mined here soon gets a reputation as being amongst the purest most pristine silver found in all of Elyden.
• 3943 RM - an accord is reached during a historic conclave that ratifies a new constitution that sees the nation of Valbar Dhai dissolved, replaced with a coalition of five states that together bear the name of Valbar. The new government is ruled by six chairs - one representative from each of the states, and a sixth honorary representative from Almagest, in honour of the nation’s aid. To deter favouritism and corruption the capital will move to a different city across the five states every seven years, in elections chosen by the lawmakers, industrialists, religious leaders, merchants, and important freemen from each of the five states. In honour of the region’s past this ruling council is known as the Cabinet, and its rulers the Lords and Ladies of the Cabinet.
• 3943 - 3974 RM  - the city of Ablatia remains a home away from home to Almagesti diplomats and expatriates, and under its auspices the link with Almagest slowly grows after this time. Trade with Almagest increases during this time, with ambergris, silver, and firearms traded south, with food and advanced machinery traded north in return.
• 3974 RM - after years of informal alliance and trade, the Valbaran Defence Pact is signed, granting Almagesti troops freedom of movement across Valbar, whilst being formally obligated to come to its aid in the unlikely event of another nation declaring war on it. Normal alliance between Valbar and Almagest, allowing Almagest to have an observational military presence there (such as fort Chestus).
• 4006 RM - the latest election determines the new capital of Valbar to be Kigathal. It is to serve as the seat of the Cabinet until 4013 RM, though there are whispers of corruption less than half a year into the new term. Some claim that one of the Lords and Ladies is an Almagesti puppet, acting to fold Valbar back into Almagest.