In the north, the Fuegonite wars with the Grimdon kept them busy for generations.  Slowly the Grimdon had relinquished ground.  The Rayla (called "Elves" by the Feugonites) gave ground as did the Trocs to keep out of the way of the ongoing conflict.  The Orog long ago were swallowed up into Feugon's territory.  Eventually, there was no land in DOM that was not spoken for by one culture or another - and each then sought to hold and defend it.

The Jasou were also expanding.  To keep others away rather than out of a desire for more land.  They knew of the Orb of Fire, and coveted it.  They themselves had unearthed gems of some Power in the Porthan mountains - or rather gems that could hold Power when it was placed into them.  By this time, the Jasou had become rather powerful Kineticists as well as Shaman, Tranamutationalists and Energeticists.  The Avatar of Alak, a Shaman named Jolaka, craved a stone to rival or exceed the Power of the Orb of Fire.  In this endeavor lasting years, many stones were found and rejected.  The great Shaman first took Etheric journeys then Astral journeys to gain a hint of the location of an orb of Power.  At one point during these journeys a powerful stone was felt.  This stone was ripe and amazingly already inbued with a great deal of power.

Jolaka stared into the inky abyss that surrounded him.  He had long ago left the faintly glowing path that led from Zenabesh into the pink etheric mist.  There was a trail here - he could feel it.  But he could not see it.  Dare he step into this Astral void?  "A lot riding on a feeling" he thought.  But his indecision was already calling him back.  "No!  Not again!" he hardened his intent.  "I must go on."  hurling himself into the darkness he willed consciousness.  Following no trail now, he cast Ringsight and Substantiation as he went to keep the reality from crumbling to nothing.  "I have crossed" he thought to himself as his body caught up with him at one point.
It had been an hour since Jolaka had started his journey.  His acolytes surrounding his body in the Great Hall of Alak.  They looked at each other with hope and fear.  They knew that their master had gone in with the determination of a Jasou-ne-dan, one who cared not if he returned if without the prize: the location of a sacred stone of Power.  It might be buried deep within Uranta, or in the mountain homes of their enemies.  They knew that he sought it as if possessed.  When Jolakas corporeal body disappeared after half an hour, they knew that it meant he had materialized somewhere.  But where?  Then, from the former location of his body they saw a faint glow appear.  Backing away quickly, the glow grew to a dazzling light.  Suddenly, and from nowhere a huge multicolored gem appeared - hovering in the center of the room.  Fearing for their lives, the acolytes ran outside of the room.  It was then that Jolaka leapt to the ground from within the stone as if it had a door in it.  "I have done it" he exclaimed triumphantly as he appeared before them. They gazed incredulously.  No one had predicted him returning at all much less with a physical stone.  Jolaka knew that the gem and its Power was not there by his doing alone.  He had perhaps stolen it.  But so easily?  No, it had to have been abandoned.

What Jolaka could not know is that an entire civilization had imploded and cast the stone physically and spiritually adrift.  At least for now.  But that is a tale of another dimension and for another day.

Next: When Gods Walked Uranta

Civilization would rise and fall during this Tumultuous period in world history.  This catastrophe occurred the world over - but we shall view it mostly from our Domish armchair.

When the Fuegonites arrived in DOM in -9,480 they were not welcome.  The original inhabitants had already seen men and thought them crafty, dishonest and weak.  Prone to illness and despair.  The men already there did not want them either, but as they were on the opposite side of of the continent, they did nothing to inhibit their arrival.  Surprised to find that the local Orog worshipped Earth gods rather than Fire, the Fuegonites nevertheless began to convert them.  "Better with us than against us" they said of their nearest neighbors.  Ultimately they did manage to convert the western Orog to their faith, though many also continued to worship their Earthen Gods as well. Those that did not convert, moved east and became enemies.  By -9,300 the Feugonites were well ensconced in the area now known as Fane.  The Grimdon Skafs (called "Dwarves" by the Fuegonites) still held dominion over most of the interior of the continent.  The Trocs held the southwest, the Portats drifting south from aggression by the northern (Zimurac) Trocs.  The Raylan expanded over much of the eastern interior (including present-day Blaad).  The eastern humans had city-states throughout all of the east as well and held many faiths.  They practiced Necromancy, but also Shamanism.  The Jasou (called "Gnomes" by the Fuegonites) had constructed many strongholds in the Porthan Mountains to the extreme south, and due to their proximity to the Khanizat, had adopted the Fire element into their faith.  They practiced Energetics as well as Kinesis, and also had Shaman among them.
By -9,300, the continent was primed and ready for an explosion.  Naturally it would be the Fuegonites that would light it.  By this time they had acquired some Transmutation from the Troc.  They had Orogs with a mild level of Kinesis.  The had Energeticists, and they also had access to a degree of Necromancy left within the Orb of Fire from Morbreth which they began to explore.  Each successive Fuegon Avatar longed to outdo the previous in Power and land acquisition.  Soon they were challenging the hegemony of the "Dwarves."  They would soon have a valuable aid in this.  For far away, nearly on the opposite side of the globe the Tixtlani had a purge a century earlier.  Living in that country were large winged lizards known as Roc.  That beasts pillaging of farm animals had caused the Tixtlanis to band together and drive them out of the country.  The roc had flown north, seeking roosts at the pole.  The harsh climate there eventually drove them over the northern pole and down the other side, reaching the north of DOM (Castan and Fane) c. -9270.  Instead of destroying them, the Fuegonites domesticated them, eventually using them as aerial mounts.  It was the edge they needed and the Fuegonites began their assault on Grimdon.

Korlan examined the reigns.  They were worn, but would hold.  The great beast turned head around to look at him, it's long neck bringing its maw within striking distance.  It shifted it's stance as Korlan swung his leg over.  But the beast allowed the rider.  Korlan slapped the beast and the roc shuddered in acceptance.  Lurching forward it's great wings spread forth and after a few short hops was airborne.  "Today we scout Grimdon" the captain shouted.  And the seven riders rode off into the day.

Next: Jasou and the Alak-Ans

The first meeting with Gottfel's wife Ronal and her shaman Mordecai had placed a rock in Corman's stomach.  They played their parts well, but did not bother hiding the occasional sly glances between them.  "Gottfel has fallen ill to malaise" the shaman said quietly, shaking back his mane of hair.  "His spirit is sallow."  "And what are you doing about it" demanded Corman trying to control his rising pique.  "We are applying Shamanic Healing."  Corman glanced at Ronal.  She had been watching her Shaman with a knowing look but turned away quickly realizing Corman's gaze.  Corman thought "She has never applied any kind of healing".  There was something in the manner of Mordecai that disturbed him.  Something hidden.  It took careful observation, but eventually he saw it.  The subtle gesture.  The practiced hand wave, used harmlessly now, but not lost on Corman.  This man was also a Necromancer.  A dull ache immediately rolled through his stomach; The Portal. 

He decided it best that he and his entourage keep their investigation into the Portal a secret from Ronal and Mordecai.  At least as long as they could.  He wanted to assure himself that nothing had been disturbed.  The Portal lie two miles from the capital, an easy walk - but they had not yet rested from their journey.  They arrived at the citadel built above the cavern entrance and knew right away that something was wrong.  The guard contingent there bristled at their arrival.  They obviously recognized Corman and Cedric.  "Let us pass" spoke Corman authoritatively.  "We cannot allow anyone to pass - by order of the King."  "Stand down soldier.  King Halifax had secured access to the Portal to all of his sons.  You do know who we are, I presume?" "Yes sir, I do.  But I cannot allow you in."  King Corman approached the nervous guard.  "These are the Queen's orders, yes?  You did not hear these directly from the King, did you?"  "Yes, sir, I did."  Corman eyed the man.  He seemed to be telling the truth.  For a moment Corman thought to pull his axe and express his acute disappointment at the state of things, but he realized that his small tired retinue did not match the number of guards at present. This thought was not shared by Cedric, who had his weapon out instantly and had already advanced on the soldier before them.  "We shall be back" Corman said loudly for Cedrick's benefit.  Cedrick turned to look at his brother and although vastly disappointed lowered his axe from the neck of the intimidated guard. 

As they walked away Tassin spoke quietly to Corman.  "There is something wrong here.  Necromantic Sense is telling me that some of the wards may have been breached."

Next: Ronal and Mordecai (cont.)

Ronal and Mordecai had been busy while the brothers were away.  When Corman and Cedric's retinue arrived at the capital they were ready for them.  Scores of guardsmen and their dogs quickly surrounded them.  "We arrest you in the Kings Name" their captain yelled aloud.  Cedric looked at Corman.  This time Corman beat him to the draw.  They both knew that the bronze instruments they held before them would quickly grow dull and forestall their capture only for so long.  It was Tassin that gave them the valuable time that they needed to escape.  Calling down first a Necromantic Barrier against enemy arrows, she then cast Call Monster.  This latter spell suddenly possessed the dogs with etheric entities.  "Kill" she yelled.  The beasts ferociously turned on their owners.  Corman's party headed north with no time to waste.

Had Mordecai accompanied the guardsmen to compete with Alexa, perhaps the outcome would have turned out differently.  But despite their extreme fatigue, the party eventually made it to Cedric's Kingdom in the north.  There they drew together their army, and sent word back to Corman City for Corman's army to meet them a days ride east of Gottfel at the foot of the Northern Fane Mountains. 

The Gottfel army fell quickly.  Ronal and Mordecai were too entranced by their own drama to react quickly.  They were not immediately captured however.  They sought refuge in the Citadel of the Portal.  Mordecai attempted to forestall the entrance of Cedric and Corman.  Alexa and Mordecai waged a necromantic battle against each other, while the others wielded axes and exchanged blows.  To make matters worse, the portal had indeed been breached and demonic entities were pouring out.  Finally entering the great hall of the citadel, Mordecai took a stand.  When his guards started falling and entities began to disappear in banishment at the hands of Alexa, Mordecai grabbed Ronal and placed a dagger at her throat.  This caused Corman to pause for a second, but not Cedric.  "This to your hostage" he cried as his axe swung into her.  Her final look was to Mordecai - but he did not bother looking back.  He had instead noticed a particularly large demon striding into the hall from the cave.  He immediately cast a Geas.  But he failed.  The entity strode over to him in a single step and leaning over, bit off his head in a single gulp.  Alexa took the opportunity to banish the entity.  They lost several more men before the Portal was sealed once more. 

Corman regretted the death of Ronal and felt pangs of guilt.  How much had she known?  Ronal had been used by the ambitious necromancer to access the Portal. Cedric, however, never felt anything but satisfaction over his deed. 

When discovered inflagrante by Gottfel the necromancer had placed a powerful hex on the King. Gottfel gave orders while possessed by Mordecai, then was left in a coma.  He never recovered.  He died of starvation.  Mordecai had not allowed him food.

Corman agreed to allow Cedric to run the kingdom while he lived, with the provision that it be relinquished to Corman and his family at Cedric's death.  Cedric, who had no children, agreed.  Upon the death of Cedric at a ripe old age, the entire kingdom was passed to Corman.  And despite a brief war with Morbreth over land rights, peace would reign in Halifax for many, many years.

Next: Fuegon in DOM

The following brief campaign took place sometime in the early 80's.  It was the first DOM Campaign, though no one knew it at the time.  The players were:  John Kraft [Corman of Halifax].  Andee Richards [High Cleric Tassin], Dave Tedhams [Conlif Warin - Captain of the Guard], Brian Berg [Krokus - Lieutenant of the Guard], Richard Cable [Malroc - Court Energeticist], Linda Durie [ Gestril - Acolyte to Cleric Tassin], Chris Spitler [Zanzibar - Acolyte to Malroc], Samson Hood [Bonnas Vox, a bard], Kevin Crowley [Paramis - Chief Scout].    This was a game with many players. 

Demonic and diabolic entities reigned over Halifax for over 10 years. Many men had left the continent.  Some to Khaniz, some to DOM.  The ones that stayed eventually were able to take advantage of the boredom and competitiveness of the entities and played them against each other.  Slowly and eventually the few remaining Morbrethi Necromancers were able to banish the entities who at this point were ready to move on from their containment on this now wasted land.  The portal created by the Fuegonites and Morbrethi remained indestructible, but was capped with a collection of wards.  Necromancy and other forms of spellcasting were rapidly marked as evil by the general population.  The prophet Halifax had been right.  Within 10 years, the continent was dominated by a single kingdom under his name.
King Bereal Karis of Halifax was a strong and just king.  During his reign his country had achieved peace and prosperity.  He had allowed the Morbreth to keep their own kingdom as long as their Necromancy was held in check.  The same was allowed of the original inhabitants of Zebron  The Fuegonites had previously left and joined their Avatar in DOM.  Halifax loved and doted upon his sons.  He had renamed the three main northern cities of Halifax in their honor, naming the capital Corman after the eldest son.  Wisdom was slow in coming to these three spoiled children.  The king could not bring himself to deny the wishes of the three boys to all be king.  So he divided the kingdom into three allied states.  This arrangement became the law upon the death of the King in -9420.
Corman, the eldest was the most level-headed of the three, and had been given the largest section which included the capital. Cedrick, the middle child was given the cold lands to the north which he resented, especially since the youngest child, Gottfel was given the fertile western lands.  The king had made this arrangement because of the frailty of Gottfel who had been a sickly child.  This said, the brothers did generally hold a measure of affection for each other.

Corman liked sitting in the great hall of the city bearing his name in the early morning.  He felt it gave him perspective on the day.  Today, it only brought him concern.  He had not heard from his brother Gottfel for three months.  He told himself that it was winter and that the passes were impassable, but no winged messengers had appeared.  And Gottfel was addicted to his pigeons.  Corman feared the worst.  He knew that Gottfel's wife would not act in his stead.  Corman had always acted coldly toward her, and she to him.  Gottfel knew that he had litle regard for her.  "She is joined to you for your position and holdings" Corman had told him.  She had been unfaithful to him, of that he was sure.  But Gottfel loved her recklessly.  He resolved to make the journey the minute the passes were open.  In the meantime he consulted with his advisors Tassin his cleric of Shamanism and Necromancy, Malroc his court Energeticist, and the Captain of the Guard, Conlif Warin.

When spring finally came Corman sent for his brother Cedric, who agreed to journey to Gottfel and meet up with him.  They finally arrived to find Gottfel in a comatose state, lying in his bed.   Attending him was a shaman that Gottfel's brothers did not recognize.  Suspicious, they inquired after him, but found little information.  He was good looking and a smooth talker, so they immediately suspected a liason with Ronal, Gottfel's meandering wife.  Perhaps the two of them decided that life would be more interesting without a meddling husband.

Next: Ronal and Mordecai

Three hundred years after the fall of Zebron the nature of the land now known as Halifax had dramatically changed.  Morbreth had merged with the Skaf colonies.  The result not only crossed bloodlines, for they interbred, but it also engendered worship of a pantheon of etheric entities and Earthern gods. This confusing mix sponsored deep fragmentation.
In Zebron the Fuegonites stil lived.  All remaining Ezmeri in Zebron hadlong ago been converted or killed.

There was an uneasy power balance but little affection between these two powerful cultures. The Troc were no more and the orog depended on the Fuegonites, there elemental brothers, for protection. 
Halifax was the name given at birth to a man born in -9,500 who was destined to change the nature of the continent.  A preacher and leader who felt that necromancy was wrong and thought it would only end in disaster.  It would prove prophetic.
Morbrethi Necromancy had flourished in competition with the Energetics of the Fuegonites.  Conjured entities began appearing as servants.  Soon it became unclear as to who was leading whom.  In many cases, the conjured entity would take over their master's domain.  Any central control that the Vatara of Morbreth had over his fragmenting country was rapidly disappearing.  Eventually the Fuegonites threatened war over the increasing threat of rampaging entities.  In a desperate attempt to wrest back control, the Vatara of Morbreth and the Avatar of Fuegon joined forces.  They  went to the region most controlled by the demonic entities and using the Power of the Orb of Fire and the craft of the powerful Necromancer, they attempted to cast a giant Containment to aid in Mass Banishment of the entities.  To say that they were unsuccessful would be stating it lightly.  They both mistrusted each other and were not completely honest about safeguards employed.  They succeeded only in opening a portal allowing even more powerful demonic and diabolic entities to pour in, but at least did contain them to the continent. Quickly realizing that the only power that could banish them lie in the Orb of Fire, the entities sought out that stone.  The Fuegonites quickly whisked it away, taking it off the continent.  Knowing that Skaflos would most likely separate them from their orb, they headed east and ended up on a small island off the west coast of DOM.  When their return to Zebron was eventually deemed a lost cause, the Fuegonites and their orb made the trip to mainland DOM (c.-9,480).

He did not relish another boat journey.  But the news from Zebron was not good.  The great hall of Humak had become a trans-planar demonic dance hall.  His remaining subjects were in hiding.  He would need to send for them.  Why had he trusted the Morbreth?  He vowed never again to involve his people outside of the faith.  He had let Fuegon down.  His orb still contained Necromantic elements that he did not understand, nor did he know how to remove them without removing the Power placed in the Orb by his forefathers.  He would instead place powerful dispels that would take effect if the Necromancy ever surfaced.  He turned to his acolytes.  "It is time to go.  There is no home for us here.  We shall seek the mountains of the mainland and we shall do again as we have done before.  We shall begin again.  And we shall prevail."  He could see the distant mountains on this cold clear morning.  They looked like a larger version of the familiar southern Humak range in Zebron.  "It looks like The Fane Mountains" he said.

Next: Corman, Cedrick and Gottfel.

Two hundred years after their arrival, the expatriated Ezmeri established their "Vatar" (country ruled by an Avatar/leader) in the southwest of Halifax.  Calling it "Zebron" after a similarly outcast relative of the Great God Ezmere, this loose collection of tribal groups was loosely led by Kulana, avatar of Zebron and great grandson of the cleric who first led the Ezmeri to Halifax.   The Zokesh did likewise in the southeast, naming their country "Morbreth" after a patron etheric entity they felt helped them to survive the hardships of establishing a new home.  These two countries were reluctant allies although they shared little in common beside language.  They did share the same lack of memory regarding their treatment at the hands of their home countries, for they eventually aped the same contempt for other religions and even more so with the godless.  The Feugonites, which had increased their numbers dramatically, soon was deemed a threat to Zebron and were eventually expelled.  Seeking refuge in altitude, the Fuegonites left and established a home near the caldera of the Great Hukak Volcano to the north of Zebron and adjacent to the orog lands.  There they remained for centuries.  During this time Avatar of Fuegon made an important discovery.  The Hukak volcano held power.  Being an energeticist as well as a avatar, Alcan discovered that he could place some of his power into the mountain, and retrieve it when he needed it.  This gave him a small reserve of power and enabled him to further explore and hone his spell tome library. 

Kulana of Zebron also being an energeticist, eventually made the same discovery.  Naturally he wanted the territory.  "For essential mining" he explained.  As the Feugonites were not about to relinquish the land, a war broke out. Zebron was unconcerned as they were by far the larger nation and viewed the Fuegonites as mere renegades.

Meanwhile, deep within the great mountain, another discovery even greater than the first was made.  Upon the opening of a new shaft in the mountain a child of earth and fire was unearthed.  The crystal progeny of some ancient magma imprisoned now in a blanket of hardened lava.

This moment took over a year to arrive.  Alcan ordered everyone out of the room. The great stone, now cut with precision and polished to a gleam sat on the deus in the center of the room that had been built just for it.  The torches that dimly lit the room refracted and gleamed upon the surface of the immense ruby that Alcan now slowly circled.  He stopped.  Suddenly he came to a realization.  This WAS the mountain.  This great stone had been the one all along.  The mountain had given Power - their Power - to this sacred offspring.  Generations of their Power.  He started at the stone, thoughts dancing through his brain as he finally spoke:  "Light".  Suddenly the stone blasted forth a glow that rivaled a glance at the sun.  A smile flashed across his face as he quickly turned away.  "This changes everything."

The war between Zebron and the Fuegonites was bloody.  The Zebron did not know that the Fuegonites had allied with the orog.  The orog leader had seen a demonstration of the power of Alcan and thought him a god.  Morbreth was not available to help Zebron.  Now allied with the Skaf colonies those two nations had joined to eradicate the troc threat and were very busy.  After only ten years of struggle, Zebron had a new leader whose name was Alcan, Avatar of Fuegon

Next: the second battle for Halifax.

Halifax dominions c. -9,800.  Note that the Skaf Colonies are represented here by the two main colonies, but there were many Skaf city-states.  Usually competitive and prone to skirmishes, they united against troc aggression.  Joining Morbreth they eventually drove the troc into the sea to a decidedly unfriendly reception by the Sahag.

Halifax c. -10,000 was a verdant land occupied by a mixed population of orogs and trocs who wandered in ten millenia before our story began.  The trocs from the ocean and the Sun-worshiping Hali orog across from DOM via the Niereia peninsula and the Strait of Morbreth.  Also ekeing out an existence were small colonies of forgotten Skaflan immigrants from only five millennia earlier. Long ago deserted by anyone in their homeland, the skaf lived a hard and isolated life.  Soon to be made harder still by the arrival of men.  Some of those men would begin a spiritual journey that would eventually take them to DOM and to the pinnacle of power in that land, and then lead them to destruction and anonymity.

"Fire inspired them, lead them to greatness, and then consumed them"  -Tirian (1851)

Far to the west of those bound for DOM another tide of men fled from Zorbesh.  An unlikely mix of cultures travelled together of necessity.  The Barrens were harsh.  Ezmeri men fleeing Zokesh who long ago had been declared outcast by their home country and thought to seek sanctuary with the other son of Zorbesh.  Now they were chased out again and declared unfit for either land.  Marching beside them were Zokeshi men similarly disposed under the opposite conditions.  Many were thieves and cutthroats thought too unclean to even mar JinKhan, the new prison built to house far worse criminals with better breeding.  Their blood could stain someone else's shores.  Men of various cults and sects belonging to no home country completed their number.  The dregs of Zorbesh.  Small ragtag hordes numbering in the contentious thousands spread out over a thousand miles.  Contending with organized Skaf defenses, the achievement of those previous immigrants occupying the western coastlands of the Great Barrens, the men were driven further and further north.  The cruel desert did not allow sieges and the bands were ill-provisioned.  When they could go no further north, they journeyed back to the east along the northern shore.  There they would seek refuge and begin to construct dwellings.  They would live their for almost a century enduring raids from desert brigands at their backs, Skaflan expatriate raids from their sides and Sahag incursions from the sea before them.  Not bad enough?  The land was not arable.  Only fishing (when the Sahag would let them) preserved them.  It was from a long fishing trip that men first saw Halifax.

And so, over the next century, the inhabitants of the margins once again migrated to a new home.  Long ago they had coalesced into two main groups: Ezmeri expatriots and Zokeshi expatriots.  Neither held any affection for their home countries and did not recognize ancestry as having any cultural importance.  Other sects and rif-raf were split pretty evenly between them.  One small sect that sided with the Ezmeri ex-pats would later make a good deal of history.  They worshipped a god of pure Fire that they called Fuegon.

"We shall travel with you" said Rakis.  "You are of Fire as we are.  Our gods mingle on the planes of Fire, it is right that we also share our lodges."  But Kulana knew in his heart that pure Fire without another tempering element could be dangerous.  Still, this ambitious young man had few converts to his cause.  And it was a new land with new dangers, and all hands were needed.  He turned to look at the eager young Avatar addressing him.  "We shall ride together."  "Then may the wind be at our back" was the excited reply.  "May you always find Water" said the older man.  And he meant it.

Next: The First Battle for Halifax

Map of the burgeoning Grimdun holdings, the Troc and Orog split dominions and the first human migrant settlements in DOM.  Note that the northern Raylan groves were split at this time - but remained in close association and alliance.

Click for a larger version of the map below in a new window.

Click for lg. map of DOM (c. - 14,800) (new window)

Click for lg. map of DOM (c. - 20,000) (new window)

Click for a lg. DOM relief map (new window)

Click for lg. Uranta relief map (new window)

"His Eminence Menzat-The-Anointed, as High Avatar of the Great Zokesh, eldest son of Zorban - the father and King of all of the Gods - declares as God incarnate that henceforth all men in Zorbesh shall be beholding to Zokesh and his Avatar.  Those else not of his favor shall seek refuge elsewhere or feel the just wrath of the faithful."  With these few words the Great Purge began. 

A century earlier the disparate tribes of Zorbeshi had begun to coalesce into religious factions that grew increasingly intolerant of each other.  Ruled by theocracies, the leaders established order through ruthlessness.
Starting with the remaining Jasou and other non-Zorbeshi faiths and then proceeding to followers of Zokesh's sister Khaniza, then his brother Ezmere, the ruler/avatar of Zokesh exacted a terrible price for being outside of the faith.  These heathen were banished from the kingdom, and if they refused, they were killed or sacrificed to dark necromantic entities.  Following suit, Ezmere expelled or murdered any not strictly declaring fealty to Zokesh's brother Ezmere, which they also declared to be the true "eldest son".   This began a bitter civil war between Zokesh and Ezmere that would eventually claim the lives of 10 percent of the population and expel twice that number.  They headed out of Zorbesh into the Great Barrens, stopping only when they found a safe haven.  After the Jasou, the Khaizat were next to leave.  They took up residence in the Khaniz barrens, establishing a home in the City of Neriz .  Other displaced travelers would end up as far away as the continent of Halifax to the northwest and Femeraz to the east.  Many travelled to due north, following the example of the Jasou. 

From the Ancient writings of Kalal Cootas describing his crossing into the DOM region of Gandus:

"We finally leave the Great Barrens.  The Khanizat can keep that land of death.  I am tired to the death of desert dwellers.  The Gods have not protected us.  We are outcast from the Gods.  We are they that have no life in the eyes of the Gods.  So be it.  We shall live Godless.  We shall seek the cold lands for they cannot be as cold as the hearts of men.  Rather I would see the ice at my feet than to succumb to ice in my heart unknowing. We shall live amongst and embrace the barbaric and inhuman races of the north rather than die by the hand of our brothers."

Thousands began the Great Exodus from Zorbesh, but few ultimately survived the trek to arrive in Petros and Isban in DOM.  It was a trail marked in blood at the hands of their countrymen of all denominations, of the cruel desert creatures of the barrens, the Jasou in the Porthan mountains, and finally the Trocs, Rayla and Skafs of DOM.  They arrived weak and defeated.  Cruel winters battered them, and northern diseases decimated them.  Still they would survive to live again in the sun.

Next: Halifax and the Fuegonites

Map of the northen migration of the jasou tribes of Zorbesh  c. - 10,200, followed by the mass exodus of Men c. -10,100

Click for lg. map of DOM (c. - 14,800) (new window)

Click for lg. map of DOM (c. - 20,000) (new window)

Click for a lg. DOM relief map (new window)

Click for lg. Uranta relief map (new window)

Across the Great Barrens to the south of DOM lie the Kingdoms of the great god Zorban and his followers, the Zorbeshi.  Legend states that the great god had two sons by The Goddess Yuala (Ezmere and Zokesh and one legitimate daughter Khaniza and one unrecognized illegitimate daughter Jousouka).  None of these sibling got along. The Zorbeshi followers of these children fought amongst themselves contantly.   In Zorbeshi, status and even existence is determined by whom you are born to and each faction asserted their deity to be the elder and therefore natural heir to Zorban , the father god. 

Living mostly in the western jungles the Ezmeri practice austerity and the rudiments of the discipline of Energetics.  In the deserts to the east the opulent and necromantic Zokesh share territory with the Khaniz who live and practice their Energetics and Shamanism in a frugal way on the fringes of the domain controlled mostly by the Zokesh. 

The poor followers of Jousouka were lumped with Jasou and other heathens as the lowest of the low.  The brother gods did not treat their sisters well.

The Jasou were not even regarded as men - being a distant cousin of the Skaf and Orog.  They shared some territory with men who increasingly saw their presence (and worship of the heathen earth god Alak) as an affront.  When the jasou started dying in great numbers at the hand of men, they decided to move.  Many headed south to the native lands of the jasou, but an equal number, now culturally converted to Zorbesh headed north into the Great Desert.  Preferring mountainous regions the northern bound Jasou headed for the Porthan Range at the south of DOM.  Finally settled there the Jasou began construction on The Great Halls of Zenabesh which became their new home.
"We are told that they practice Alaka (Kinesis) in the north.  And they are our brothers."  Said the one.  The other responded "But do they accept the will of Alak.  We have seen how siblings can unite only in war."  A rhetorical conversation at this point as the two elder Jasou, seated atop Hakawfi riding beasts were heading northward across the vast and forbidding desert already marching to an unknown future. They knew there was no going back.  Only death awaited them back there.  But they had seen death regardless.  In the form of Stribish, huge sand stars hiding beneath the sand ready for a hapless wanderer.  In hordes of merciless raca - desert rats driven to aggression in such a harsh climate.  Human brigands and other, worse creatures.  "Alak is watching us.  We must master the earth, and this is our trial" said the older of the two jasou.  His companion fell silent.  "We shall build a great temple to Alak - from nothing at all.  We will coax the earth to give up it's bounty and serve us as we serve Alak."

Next: The Great Exodus