History of Starblaydia

As a land, Starblaydia has always been populated in one form or another, from simple tribesmen through Medieval Warlords up to the high-tech present day, though it was only designated as 'Starblaydia' from the early 21st Century when it emerged as a World Power.

10,000 - 1,000 BC - Prehistoric Era

In the earliest days of its history, historians, scientists and archaeologists have gelaned that the simple 'Urjal' people were the most significant tribe, making simple but intricate pottery manipluating bronze for simple sword- and spear-type weapons. For thousands of years these people lived on the Starblaydi plains across the nation in various clans.

The Urjal tribes learned to tame and ride Horses, as well as construct burial mounds (known as 'Barrows') for their honoured dead.

Seaside Northern Tribes construct barges and ships, crewed vessels for fishing and transport up and down coastlines & lakes, Only simple coral-type boats were used previous to this.

The Wheel discovered and used to make pottery and chariots. Mounted Warriors known to have been used, primarily a status symbol. Religion seen to hold a power over the tribes. Spirituality, Gods of the Elements and the death-world are strong mystical beliefs.

Tribes living in and migrating to Starblaydia in this period include the Urjal, Yahn, Zauma and Nevehim

Circa 1000 BC

The wandering Starblaydi Tribes are finally shown to be ruled over by single Kings and Lords. The myriad of differing clans are merged and enveloped by the bigger, stronger and more influential ones. The more notable Rulers of the time include:

King Gar-Halad (first among the Halad) ruled over the foothills of the mountains. His fierce, warlike, fur-clad Halad people were the scourge of Southern Starblaydia, descending from their huts and caverns to rampage across the more fertile plains and lakeside.

King Tivoli of the Jhan; Ruling the South-Central valleys and plains, the Jhan had the mastery of the abundant Horse population and as such were probably the most powerful clan at the time because of their martial strength. They painted themselves for war, and dyed their hair a brilliant white with lime to call upon the powers of the gods in battle.

The Urjali people lived in the land to the north and east of the Mountains, their mostly agriculture-based lifestyle did not lend itself easily to war, but they were still the most numerous of the tribes in the land. Ruled by King Gorthar and his council of warriors and mystics, they held the most land. They tattooed themselves heavily in all aspects of life.

The Taa were a far simpler people than the other tribes, wishing to merely fish the Great Bekk Lake, as they called it, and live in Peace. Their Chieftain Shoriso was seemingly as powerful as a King, but used his influence to help his people.

Populated from many Phoenician traders and seafarers, the Phaena were the Northern-most tribe who lived by the sea. They plied the coastlines with trading ships and explored the seas and surrounding islands. Sea-Lord Hirthai ruled over a large fleet and well-defended group of towns in the northern-most tip of the land.

A Recognisable Feudal society had emerged, particularly among the Jhan, who had documentation of all aspects of life. The course of Starblaydi history can be said to have begun at around 1,000 BC.

It was at this time that the first recorded inter-tribe warfare took place. Tablets and scrolls point to historical conflicts, but it is in the conflicts of the South that the first stories of battle are recounted. The Halad clan were beginning to mount almost daily attacks on the Taa. Knowing they were unable to stop the slaughters, Taa Chieftain Shoriso sought out King Tivoli in an attempt to win protection from the Halad. A twenty-four-year-long conflict began as the Jhan defended the Taa’s lands, and then their own from King Gar-Halad’s raiders.

It was the supremacy of the Horsemen of Jhan that turned the tide. Even against the marauding ferociousness of an axe-wielding Halad, the speed, skill and devotion of the Jhani Cavalry broke them time and time again, forcing them back into the mountains.

Feature: Jhani Cavalry

Armed with a Bronze sword and heavy Bronze-tipped spear. Armoured with a circular wood, leather and metal shield, both horse and rider were covered in bronze-studded leather. The combination of mobility, armour and weaponry proved to be a winner, especially when added to the innate horsemanship and martial prowess of the Jhan.

The Halad were eventually destroyed by the Jhan in about 732 BC. A huge army of Cavalry and armoured Legions (some using newer, better-made iron weapons but mainly still with bronze arms) crushed the Halad and forced the few remaining Halad towns and villages to swear fealty to the Jhan. The ageing Taa Cheiftain Shoriso also pledged his people’s allegiance to King Tivoli of the Jhan, giving the Jhan control over the entire southern-half of the land. Tivoli was now the most powerful man in the land.

Migrating Celtic peoples began to settle in Starblaydia, bringing with them the knowledge of Iron-working. They were soon swallowed up into the culture and the new Iron tools and weapons made the tribes more powerful than ever before.

Circa 600BC

An estimated One Million people live within the borders of what is modern-day Starblaydia, the largest proportion of them being within the borders of Jhan.

It was also around this time that Chivalric Knights were first documented. Lords, Nobles and the other descendants of the victorious Jhani Cavalry had forged themselves a code of honour to govern their behaviour, known as the Fam’dai (Path of the Warrior). Over the next four-hundred years the Daii (Chivalric Warriors) would grow to become the most potent force in the land as they took up the highest positions in Jhani Government.

Circa 1AD

Around the time of the birth of Christ, the first full-scale conflict for nearly 1,000 years begins as the Romanics tried to conquer more land and expand their empire. Legions of Romanic soldiers and auxiliaries invade the lands of Jhan, Phaen and Urjal.

The well-trained and equipped Legions landed in the north and quickly defeated the Phaena and most of the Urjali, only being thrown back by the determined Daii, protecting their lands. The Phaena and Urjali were immediately ‘Romanicised’ and put under Romanic ‘protection’. The Romanics could not, however, spread south, barred by Mountains and fearsome Jhani Daii. Romanic civilisation slowly supplanted indigenous ways of life and flourished in new military and urban centres as well as in the wider countryside.

By the fourth century, the North of the country was a prosperous Romanic province. The South of the country, however, continued to be beyond the frontiers, and the control, of Romanica.

Circa 700 AD

Romanic styles begin to take hold in the southern province, and therefore the Government, as increasingly-integrated Romanic descendants from Sideria gain far higher places in society.

Circa 1000 AD

A partly post-Romanic, partly Jhani nation has to come to terms with itself in a greater sense as it attempts to create a sense of national identity. Large ships are built to carry men and materials across the seas to explore and discover more about the world for themselves.

1482 AD

Jhanna-Sideria is torn asunder in a brutal civil war, sparked by the increasing oppression of Jhani peoples by Romanic-descended rulers. The Daii noblemen rise up against the oppression and the nation is once more split in two, for the first time in almost a thousand years.

Feature: 15th Century Civil War

A thousand years of history had still not completely merged the Jhan and Siderian peoples. The Daii still had a Feudal and quite pagan iron grip on the South, while the North was more Christian and ‘civilised’. Both sides were arrogant and believed their path was the true one. As north fought south, the old characteristics came to the fore once more. Hard-hitting and skilful Daii Cavalry was the hallmark of the Jhannan armies, while the Siderians relied on well-drilled and solid infantry.

Both sides tried for outside assistance, but none was forthcoming for the Jhannans. The more ‘civilised’ Siderians received extra arms, funds and attaches to aid them in their cause. This aid balanced out the innate martial advantage of the Jhannans and insured a bitter and bloody war that claimed many lives, along with famine that nearly finished off the country as a whole.

1504 AD

The Civil War between the Jhannans and Siderians peters out into skirmishing, as the Siderians have been pushed northwards, out of what is modern-day Starblaydia and beyond. With the Daii controlling most of the country, and unofficial surrender is adopted, with the Daii taking most of the spoils.

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