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Dala`Varia

History of Dala`Varia

Dala`Varia was once a grand Independent Nation of the Threshold, located directly South of Chiaroscuro in the midst of Endless Deserts, where a small sandy valley descended into a sorcerously fertile plain dominated by a verdant oasis. In the chaotic period after the imprisonment of the Yozi, a group of refugees who had remained loyal to the Primordials settled around the verdant Oasis and began to build their city even as the Exalted began their rule over Humanity in the First City of Rathess. The city likely would have languished and fallen, if it were not for the nature of the men who founded it -- potent God-Blooded, descended from the Blood of Demons, they discovered for themselves the ways of demon summoning (not the methods used by the Exalted, but ways for mortal magicians to call into Malfaes). Together, Man and Demon worked side by side, Primordial Magic working to expand the fertile area of the Oasis and make the crops prosper. Even so, when the Exalted of the Old Realm first discovered Dala`Varia relations were mixed. The city was large, filled with prosperous merchants and farmers, with much to offer the Realm. On the other hand, the Demons had long since taken over control of the city and turned it to their own ends. The Religion of Dala`Varia was most perverse, involving human sacrifice and fell blood rituals.

In a pitched battle against the Demons who lurked within the society, the Solar Exalted and their allies purged the city of the taint of the infernal and returned it to the dominion of Humanity. Many of the Varians looked upon this with great pleasure, for they had begun to chafe under the boot of the Yozi and wished their freedom just as the Chosen of the Gods enjoyed. Others, however, felt that the Chosen of the Sun had no right to kill their leaders. Thus, when the Nascent Realm offered to let the people of Dala`Varia join with their strength, there was considerable debate about which to do. In the end, the Varians decided to remain independent -- offering the Realm trade, tribute, and lore but remaining separate from their government and the rule of their Chosen.

For Hundreds of years afterwards, Dala`Varia grew mightier. Well known as a friend of the Realm, the Kingdom enjoyed prosperity from its trade and from its independence as well. The Eclipse Caste benefited from the position of the rich Kingdom as well, using it as a trading buffer and a valve to help release the pressure of their carefully managed economy. In fact, during the Height of the Solar Rule, the two were so close that when Dala`Varia expanded its walls for the Third Time the Realm offered to sell them stone from the Imperial Mountain itself at bargain prices -- hewn by the Mountain Folk, and three times as durable as any other material. Yet, as with all things in Creation, Dala`Varia suffered from the gradual fall into Corruption of the Solar Exalted. Some 100 years before the Usurpation, a Twilight Caste Sorcerer named Jorush came to the city. He murdered its rulers with his magic’s, and crowned himself the Sorcerer-King of Dala`Varia. Exports to the Realm slowed, and then halted, as all the resources of the independent nation were harnessed toward strengthening its army and raising a host that most of the Deliberative believed was to be poised to strike out at the Southern Provinces.

War was inevitable, and the ultimate battle was terrible in it's blood-price. Sorcerous binding and charm-enhanced training turned most of the population into fierce and loyal soldiers, Demons were summoned and placed throughout the city, and sorcerous traps were threaded throughout the city to deter any invading force. Even so, the Armies of the Deliberative won through all these things and brought down the Sorcerer himself, who then unleashed a final act of Sorcerous Malice that ruined the city forever. Even today, for those few who can find it, the vast ruins of the fallen kingdom of Dala`Varia teem with ancient sorcery long left untended, Demons that were never released with death, and the Undead.

Interesting Sites in the Ruins

Just a few ideas. The fallen palace, the place where Michaes was sent -- filled with sorcerous traps, the old mines, etc.

Dwellers in the Ruins

Note; this city would make an awesome home-base for another Deathlord in the South, now that I think about it.

Other Information on Dala`Varia

The Fall of Dala`Varia, Part One A short story detailing the fall of the once great city.