Ancient Cier[]
>1300 BC
Long ago, many races populated Cier, ranging from humans to beastfolk to sea-dwellers: all presided over by a mythical race known as the Seraphs. Said to wield incredible power, the Seraphs declared themselves the guardians of Cier.
This changed with the arrival of the Somnians, an alien race whose advanced technology rivaled the power of the Seraphs. The presence of this new race greatly upset the balance established by the Seraphs. This upset quickly devolved into an all-out war between the Seraphs and the Somnians.
The Somnian-Seraphic War wreaked havoc across the entirety of Cier as the two ascendent races vied for control. The Cierans, for the most part, were caught in the crossfire, with both Somnians and Seraphs using the various races as expendable forces. Weapons of devastating power were created by both sides. Alongside it, the all powerful RICE was a renewable source of super-energy created to power their weapons. It’s usage forced the Somnians into a final stand on the far western coasts of Cier, where they would create their own super weapon to retaliate.
As part of a last ditch effort to end the war, the Somnians created an experimental superweapon with reality warping capabilities. At the same time, the Seraphs were preparing a superweapon of their own: a magic spell powerful enough to wipe the Somnians from existence. As the war reached a tipping point, an arms race began to complete these weapons before the other. The Seraphs, closing in on the Somnian stronghold, unleashed their powerful spell over Somnus; and in desperation, the Somnians activated their own weapon, launching it towards the Seraphic stronghold in East Cier. In the chaotic mix of magic and technology, a cataclysmic amount of energy was expelled, creating the imposing cloud of fog that would come to be known as The Veil, and causing both the Somnians and the Seraphs to mysteriously disappear. The Somnian projectile would then land in the Central mountain range of East Cier to later decay and form the Shadow Hold.
The repercussions of the Seraph-Somnian War devastated Cier. Whether fighting for Somnians or Seraphs, many Cierians perished in the chaos. In the aftermath, two religions were founded: Seraphism was founded by the Lumaurans who revered the Seraphs; and Systemism was founded by the Aetherians, an isolated race that had prospered technologically under Somnian influence. With the ascendant races gone and a lack of rule or leadership, a power vacuum formed in Cier and there was an opportunity for the people to come to power.
The Kaihon Empire[]
1300-754 BC
Attempting to uphold the legacy of the Seraphs by governing the world, Seadweller races from the Eastern Sea came to land at what would become present-day Kaihon and established an empire. Over the next 400 years, the empire expanded across East Cier, taking over the fields of Aegis, at-the-time semi-tropical Magmus, and what would become The Moche, except for Neira - a harsh land of ice and snow. The Kaihon Empire proceeded to establish trade overseas with West Cier, and Kaihonese culture reached and heavily influenced the Bahp Region.
While the Kaihon Empire prospered, a great evil was brewing within the Shadow Hold. By 850 BC, barely a hundred years into the Empire's reign, Shadow creatures were spawning from the Shadow Hold, toppling numerous holdings of The Empire in the south east. The expansive forests south of the Shadow Hold were corrupted, dark energies warping and twisting the benign woods into what became known as the Dead Forest. The Moche’s ecosystem was corrupted to a lesser extent, with the marsh and wetlands becoming extremely toxic.
The infrastructure of the Kaihon Empire began to fracture due to its inability to defend itself against such a widespread threat. Combined with a long-standing resentment of Seadweller rule, the Empire soon devolved into civil war. The Empire crumbled and many Seadwellers were forced back into the ocean depths. Some believe a clan of these Seadwellers disappeared altogether, in search of the lost city of Azurus. Former Empire provinces, such as Magmus and Aegis, became independent regions ruled by minor kingdoms. In the wake of the massive civil war, many former citizens of the Empire fled to the Bahp Region.
The Great Dojo Era[]
754-18 BC
In the wake of the civil war, many former citizens of the Empire fled to the Bahp Region. Over the next three centuries, numerous smaller powers within Bahp rose, clashed, and fell. During this time, one particular faction in Bahp discovered the RICE previously planted by the Seraphs. Basic methods of harnessing its powers were developed, with said methods kept a strict secret from the rest of Cier.
Using the power of RICE, the faction succeeded in unifying Bahp and rose to power. An alliance founded by Bahp formed, spanning across all of West Cier: this alliance reached from the Bahp Region to the northern regions of Navia and the Micfortress highlands, and the region of Blackgate south of Bahp, among other powers. The Beastfolk of Raitera and the nomadic tribes from the Coquo Desert remained separate but cooperative to The Alliance.
Combining their vast resources and knowledge, the Alliance founded the Great Dojo, an organization dedicated to unifying and educating the peoples of Cier. Under the watchful eyes of the 6 Dojo Elders who headed the organization, the Great Dojo flourished, bringing with it a golden age of prosperity and development. Countless innovations and discoveries were made during this time, with the cultivation of Rice being chief among them.
The Great Dojo Era also saw Aether’s first contact with the mainland since the Somnian-Seraphic War. Since the War, Aether had developed separately from the rest of the world, using leftover Somnian relics as a foundation for their technology, far surpassing that of the rest of the world despite being isolated. From the 2nd century BC onwards, Aether underwent a period of outward exploration, discovery, and establishment of trade and communications with other nations. However, mistrust and tension slowly grew over the following years between Aetherians and Foreigners, resulting in Aetherian extremists to begin lobbying for isolation.
For 400 years, almost all of Cier live in relative peace.
The Downfall[]
18-0 BC
In the year 18 BC, a warped entity seeped from the Shadow Hold infiltrated into the lands of the Great Dojo and possessed the Lumauran Elder. It twisted and corrupted him, eventually turning the Elder into an avatar of the most terrifying and powerful creature to devastate Cier: The Shadow. Shadow forces struck first in the Bahp region, striking the Bahpese down despite the aid of their allies. Powerless against the Shadow, the elders of the Dojo used the last of their power to scatter the Dojo’s RICE stockpiles across Cier.
The dispersion of RICE is thought to have caused cataclysmic events across both continents. In West Cier, great swathes of Navian territory rose to form the Navian Isles, the Raiteran Forests transformed into great jungles with regenerative properties, and anomalous storm systems flooded Raitera Valley; East Cier faced the spontaneous eruption of volcanoes in Magmus and the sudden cooling of weather in northern Neira. Whole regions were decimated by the Shadow creatures, causing many factions to fall during this time: the Shadow horde razed Blackgate Landing and besieged Micfortress, with a sizable population from Blackgate fleeing the region to form the settlement of Blackwatch further west. The Shadow also Kaihon was forced back to its capital, losing much of their territory in East Cier.
Facing overwhelming odds, the remaining factions united under the banner of The Alliance: with Micfortress and Blackgate leading in the West, and with Kaihon and Neira leading in the east. After establishing a base of operations on an island chain between the two continents, the Alliance launched a multi-pronged assault to repel the horde, dividing and obliterating pockets of the Shadow’s forces.
The final battle took place in winter of 3 BC in the Coquo Desert, lasting twenty-five days and culminating in the defeat of the Shadow. The Alliance spent the next three years purging Cier of remaining Shadow forces and allegiants. At last, Concord was declared by the Alliance.
Aftermath[]
0-60 AC
Despite Concord having been established, true peace existed only in name. Many nations were crippled by the Downfall. Nearly all Seadweller cities in the Eastern Sea were destroyed, with many of the survivors migrating to Kaihon. Northern Neira withdrew from the Alliance and began to close itself off from the rest of Cier.
Lumaurans, gravely ashamed by the corruption and destruction caused by one of their own, assumed a more neutral position in world conflicts. After the rising of their lands during the war, Navians discovered that they had gained a multitude of powers. Blackgate began to rebuild, fortifying their defences with high gates, eventually renaming themselves as Highgate Landing. Kaihon grows as a naval power in the East. After a coup, Aether adopted an isolationist policy and the leaders of the Systemist Ideology took power. Blackwatch officially declared itself independent of Highgate Landing, and tension grew between the Southwestern states.
The Alliance was never officially disbanded, but weakened and faded away in the wake of the Downfall. With the remaining factions unable to cultivate Rice, they were forced to compete over the finite Rice scattered by the Elders. As a result, a new profession was founded: Rice Hunting. Rice Hunters were often organized groups of scholars, warriors, mages, and the like who would travel across Cier in search for the Rice scattered by the Elders.
A weariness of magic in the Southwest started to form due to the magical nature of the Shadow horde, seeing it as dangerous and unpredictable. Blackwatch in turn believed technology to be superior, as it became a core value of their society and culture. This ideological divide and competition over Rice led to the period of conflict largely known as the Greed.
The Greed - Part One[]
60-350 AC
The Greed was as much a period of innovation as it was a time of war. Foremost among these innovations were the methods of refining and using Rice developed throughout Cier - Micfortress began to employ Rice in magic as an enhancer and magic source; Aether slowly integrated rice into their technology as energy sources and materials; Highgate experimented with using Rice in primitive alloys, making Rice-enhanced weapons, armour and equipment.
Mechanical technology also took hold in the Southwest during the Greed, starting in Blackwatch. From 100 AC onwards the city of Blackwatch started to develop a variety of clockwork and steam-powered machines, with artificers spreading as a profession across the region. The first industrial revolution later in the century, however, started in Aether: despite attempts by the isolationist government to contain this, Aetherian technology was gradually smuggled out to the mainland and reverse-engineered in the Southwest. By 200 AC Blackwatch underwent an industrial revolution of its own, mass-producing airships, firearms and automata that spread throughout the Southwest.
In 341 AC, Aether finally reopened to the rest of Cier after over three centuries of isolation. Soon after, Blackwatch declared itself the most technologically advanced nation in Cier, spreading propaganda that Aetherian technology was inferior. A disagreement with Systemist rule lead to civil war in Aether, and the Systemists were overthrown. Aether became a democracy, but Systemist beliefs persisted. Highgate then established trade routes with Aether in hopes of advancing their own technology. A treaty was then signed that established formal diplomatic relations between Highgate and Aether.
The Greed - Part Two[]
350-670 AC
As Southwestern technology spread north, states outside the Southwest began to develop magic-powered variants of Southwestern technology for ease of use in their societies. Though Navia stayed away from modernisation, considering it unnecessary due to their innate powers. Micfortress championed the development of what would come to be known as magetech (among other names). By 500 AC the West Cierian states were largely on par with each other in technology.
At around 350 AC, the constant conflicts within West Cier began to settle down. Commercial and scientific competition rose, and West Cierian powers began to colonise other Cieran nations, ushering in a colonial era. Highgate settled on parts of the Aegis coast and established extensive trading routes. Blackwatch claimed a southern portion of the Raiteran forests, parts of Magmus, and later the Magdurus Mountains. Micfortress, who initially intended to colonize Neira, decided instead to ally with them. Meanwhile, factions rose to power in the Bahp region, dividing the area into rivalling nations.
By 400 AC, Blackwatch, Highgate, and Micfortress had become the major powers of Cier. Blackwatch grew into the Blackwatch Confederacy: A single nation ruled by an authoritarian meritocracy and leading West Cier in mechanical technology. Highgate Landing became capital of the Highgate Union, an association of nations that was the leading power in trade and equaled the Confederacy in strength. The Micfortress Domains, a constitutional monarchy, became the main power in the northwest and leader in magical endeavors. Tensions between these three nations grow over the next centuries.
From 500 AC on to the mid 600s, much of Aetherian technology was developed via government projects and gradually commercialized. Among these was the creation of Cier’s first fully digitized computer in 586 alongside a primitive information network dubbed “Aethernet” in 598. At the same time, the first advanced AI was programmed in Aether, which would in turn, assist in the synthesization of Cierum Fibre in 654 AC.
The Era of Conflict[]
670-746 AC
In 670 AC, after nearly seven centuries, methods for Rice cultivation were re-discovered in Bahp. With this discovery, an internal divide between two groups grew within Bahp Town: Pro-Cultivists believed that the cultivation of Rice should continue for the sake of Cier as a whole. Anti-Cultivists believed that regrowing Rice would only bring conflict, and advocated against the continuation of Rice cultivation. With this struggle, the Pro-Cultivists reached out to their allies for help on the situation, specifically Micfortress. Soon after, rumors were leaked out that Bahp Town was keeping the Rice to themselves and only sharing it with Micfortress. These rumours led to the Pro-Cultivists and Anti-Cultivists fighting amongst themselves over rice. Over the years, the fighting and disagreement led to the Cierian War.
The Cieran War[]
The Cieran War began in 688 AC between nations in the Bahp region and spread to the rest of Cier. Primarily supporting the Pro-Cultivists were Micfortress and Highgate, with help from Aether, Neira and Aegis. Supporting the Anti-Cultivists were Blackwatch and its colonies in Magmus and Raitera, with Navia staying partially neutral.
The Blackwatch Confederacy, motivated by expansionism, nationalism, and a need for resources, attacked the Highgate Union. Aether provided weapons and supplies to aid Highgate despite Highgates’ request for military intervention. Navia abstained from fighting but unofficially sided with Anti-Cultivist ideology, while Micfortress helped their allies in Bahp.
In the Spring of 716 AC, Micfortress cast a magical barrier over the Rice fields of Bahp Town. Cut off from outside help, the Anti-Cultivists within Bahp Town lost power. Blackwatch found it impossible to pierce the barrier, and after almost a year of sieging the fields, they, their colonies, and the remaining Anti-Cultivists were forced to concede and pay reparations. This was known as the Treaty of Auxelles.
Interwar Period[]
With the signing of the Treaty of Auxelles, most of Cier had been appeased and the world experienced a temporary peace. Due to its lack of involvement in the fighting and its prolific war trade, Aether remained relatively unharmed and economically superior to the other nations that partook in Cierian War. Taking advantage of its booming economy, Aether began major construction and renovation of its capital, known as Aether 2.0. Meanwhile, the idea of a “New Cieran Alliance” began to circulate in Micfortress. The divides of the Cierian War still lingered and grew throughout the decade. Most notably, the Treaty was resented by the defeated factions, seen as being oppressive. In 730 AC, the Aetherian economy collapsed, causing other nations to suffer economically as well, setting the stage for conflicts in the Southwest.
Highgate Civil War[]
In 739 AC, Highgate Union’s leading nation overthrew its government and established a monarchy. This Monarchy swiftly captured many key nations of the remaining Union. By the end of 739 AC, with the Monarchy’s victory imminent, the Union requested for Blackwatch to assist them. With Blackwatch’s intervention, the Union was able to force the Monarchy’s surrender after a year of intense fighting. Aether, though, was unable to provide aid to either side due to their war with Blackwatch. After the war, the Union asked for the return of the territories captured by Blackwatch. Blackwatch returned most of it, but held onto a sizable portion as compensation for the war.
Aether-Blackwatch War[]
Blackwatch's invasion of Aether in 740 AC has mostly been attributed to a need for resources and historical animosity between Aether and Blackwatch. Using an overwhelming quantity of manpower and equipment, Blackwatch invaded by sea and quickly claimed large swathes of Aetherian territory. From the beginning, Aether was at a disadvantage: besides Blackwatch having the element of surprise, Aetherian forces were overwhelmingly outnumbered by those of Blackwatch, the best of Aetherian military technology was difficult to mass-produce, and the Aether 2.0 project, among others, had further taken a toll on Aetherian resources (such as RICE and Cierium Fiber). Aether had further been deprived of their main ally by the Highgate Civil War, leaving them to face the invasion on their own.
In 4 short years, Blackwatch had nearly taken over the entirety of the Aetherian Isles. Prompted by massive civilian losses and the advancement of enemy forces, Aether’s government prematurely launched Aether 2.0 in summer of 744 AC. Blackwatch attempted to lay siege to Aether 2.0 to no avail, as the attackers failed to damage or board the floating city. Once Aether 2.0 departed from the archipelago, Blackwatch began occupation of Aether. Due to the excessive destruction of Aether, the civilian population of Blackwatch and other nations condemned the military for its actions. After much deliberation, remnants of the Aetherian Military and other forces formed a resistance group within occupied Aether. Lasting no more than a month, the resistance was brutally quashed by Blackwatch’s forces.
By 744 AC, the Highgate Union had been threatening to retake the land that Blackwatch had previously claimed during the Highgate Civil War. With the aid of the newly-reformed Cierian Alliance, an ultimatum of all-out invasion from multiple fronts was made to Blackwatch. By winter of the same year, Alliance forces began pushing into the Blackwatch Confederacy. With the mounting pressure from the Alliance’s invasion, Blackwatch ordered their forces to pull out of Aether and ceased occupation. The last of the Blackwatch forces would leave by spring of next year, ending the war.
The New Alliance[]
746 AC-Present
In the spring of 746 AC, the New Cieran Alliance was officially founded, and membership was extended to most Cieran nations. Blackwatch initially rejected the invitation, but after a coup overthrew the war-centric government, they accepted. After the coup, most in Blackwatch were against war and the production of war machines, but the pro-war lobby believed that war would bring Blackwatch financial stability. This conflict in interests would continue for the next few years.
In order to promote international community and security, the Alliance greenlit the creation of the Cieran Protection Front or CPF; this military and peacekeeping force of the Alliance is composed of volunteers and various militaries across Cier. Shortly after the establishment of the CPF, an elite division of operators was formed to regulate the growing population of mages, super humans, and meta-entities, known as the Meta Regulation and Containment Initiative, or MRCI.
The New Dojo was founded in the winter of 746 AC by the Alliance in collaboration with the Bahp region. This was originally done to organize and plan for fair and peaceful rice distribution amongst all members of the Alliance. The Alliance would determine which nations needed the most Rice based on several factors, and the Dojo would distribute the Rice.
In 747 AC, the Highgate Peace Treaties were signed to address Blackwatch and the aftermath of the Aether-Blackwatch War. Blackwatch was obliged to several conditions: Reduce its military size and budget, pay reparations to the invaded nations, and commit a substantial part of its industrial output to the Alliance. Another main focus of the Treaties were to aid Aether in its recovery. Unfortunately, the Alliance faces the wastelands created by the intense bombardment, interference from rogue factions and looters, and corruption among members of the Aetherian factions who take repair funds for themselves would severely halt the recovery of Aether. Finally, the Treaties also granted independence for West Cieran colonies in Magmus, Raitera, and Aegis, among others.
The New Dojo[]
755 AC-Present
In 755 AC, the Duelist System was established by the Dojo as a way to promote friendly international competition, as a method for distributing Rice to every region, and promote economic circulation. It was agreed that an international Dojo Duel Tournament would take place every 5 years, and the first tournament was held. Over time, Dojo Duels as a concept began to be adopted by regions as a sport and form of entertainment. Many smaller Dojo-hosted and nonofficial Duelist Tournaments and individual fights began to be held regionally. In 759 AC, under the protection of the Alliance, Bahp Town resumed cultivation of Rice for the Dojo to distribute.
Despite the massive popularity of Dojo Duels, many felt uneasy of the strength of these duelists. However, the majority regarded incidents involving duelists to be uncommon and infrequent issues, and assumed that MRCI would deal with such threats. This opinion would change after the second official Dojo Duel Tournament, which took place in 760 AC. After a horrific accident in the final match of the tournament, a small, inhabited island of Navia was destroyed. Outraged, Navians rallied for stricter dueling rules and regulations. Many blamed the MRCI for its lack of ability to handle the situation, but realized that the organization was simply underfunded and needed to be bolstered in order to handle higher level threats.
Present Day: 765 AC[]
Despite the efforts of the Alliance, Aether has yet to be fully restored and still holds resentment against Blackwatch and Aether 2.0. Navia has recovered in the 5 years since the dueling incident, and has successfully advocated for better safety within the Dojo Duel Tournaments. As a result, dueling incidents have decreased, and the third Official Dojo Duels Tournament is held without incident. Recently, Magdurus has experienced increased seismic activity. No significant damage or injuries have been reported. The source of the seismic activity is yet to be known.