The Erpheronians (ancient form "Aerpheronians") are the pre-dominating and most influential human tribe at the southern Sarvonian continent. They represent a proud and elegant, but often also interpreted as presumptuous kind of people, whose acts on the brink of arrogance are reflected in the name "Proudmen", which is used by other tribes to mark an Erpheronian's heritage. The initial name for the ancient kingdom of Erpheronia probably derives from the legendary brothers Aerth and Norpheron, princes and fierce warlords alike, who ruled with strong hand over seperate parts of the then still very young kingdom around 2.200 b.S. Erpheronians inhabit the large and fertile portions of the northernmost regions of the southern Sarvonian continent, just south of the Tandala Highlands, a territory that comprises mainly today's Santharian provinces of Nermeran and Vardýnn.

Picture description. Portrait of Karthach of Ishmarin, Warlord during SW II, in full Erpheronian armour. Picture drawn by Quellion.

Appearance. Today's Erpheronians - referring to people who live up north and still see themselves anchored in the Erpheronian tradition - come in a variety of shapes and sizes, drawing from a large pool of physical characteristics that spans the entire continent of Sarvonia. This of course is due to the fact that the Erpheronians spread over the southern part of the continent like no other tribe, but it was also mainly this tribe which established major trading relations with Northern Sarvonia over the past centuries and millenia. So it doesn't surprise that you will discover people with very different height, weight, hair and eye colour and varying skin tones, sometimes to extremes, which claim to be Erpheronian.

If we look back in the past, however, appearances of Erpheronian folk were not as diverse as they are now, nevertheless many customs of ancient Erpheronia are still practiced today. So you can say that the average Erpheronian is about 1.85 peds in height, while the women are about a palmspan and a half smaller, making them 1.70 peds in height. Common eye colours are brown, grey or green, and Erpheronian faces - male and female alike - are known for their remarkably clear profile and their strong expressive look, which some writers like to call "piercing" or even "unforgiving". Their bodies are often muscular and sinewy. A young man, who doesn't fit into the tight armour is considered unworthy for society and frowned upon - or even excluded from certain activities.

Very characteristic for Erpheronians of e.g. the first or second millenium b.S. is for one their light and pale skin tones and the common reddish or reddish-brown hair colour, which also reflects in nicknames of kings and queens like "Redbeard", "Firehair" or "Woodrosy" as the daughter of King Erdolomin was called. Slightly darker complexions existed already back then as well, probably due to occasional barbarian influences of northern tribes, though they were only very marginal. Aside from the very widespread red and brunette hair colours blonde is also encountered to a minimal extent in the original Erpheronian territories, however, raven haired people were practically non-existing initially, and if so, they were seen as bad omen and Coór-ridden due to superstitious beliefs. This superstition of course didn't survive the unification with Centorauria, where people with raven hair are pretty common, and so reservations soon were overcome when the tribes began to mix. - As for hairstyle: Men of higher classes in the Erpheronian tribe use to wear their hair at shoulder length, often also in a ponytail fashion, lower ranks are advised to keep their hair short. Longer beards are very rare, and seen as a sign of being bedraggled, especially among the lower classes, while to the contrary older and respected men of the nobility wear beards as a sign of experience and wisdom. Women’s hair is grown much longer than men's, falling deep into the back, then braided or coiled on top of their head to keep it out of the way for practical purposes. Maidens however have to distinguish themselves from married women by always wearing their hair open and uncovered on important occasions and festivities. Upper class women are known for their elaborately styled hairdos inlcuding various adornments and expensive materials as well as exclusively produced earrings.

What you won't find at Erpheronian warriors are tatoos for example (which are considered barbaric) or anything else which would stress the individuality of the single fighter. Erpheronians see themselves as a unit fighting for the same cause and wouldn't allow anyone amidst their ranks to stand out, except they prove themselves on the battleground.

Picture description. The Erpheronian Coat of Arms designed by Koldar.

Coat of Arms/Sign. Since the year of 1643 b.S., reflecting the incidents of the Vardýnnian Atonement, the Erpheronian coat of arms consists of a phoenix, placed above a star of fire.

The phoenix is a mythical, immortal bird, being mentioned in many a legend, a beast that can be destroyed, but which will arise again and again from its ashes to rise up once more to roam the skies and demonstrate the world its beauty and power. The Erpheronians also see themselves related strongly to the element of fire and thus the mythical aura of the phoenix. For one their red hair colour already seems to reflect an ardent temper, and the many wars the tribe fought shows their tendency towards violence, or their willingness to take necessary action themselves, as the Erpheronians might call it. Fire also finally had been part of their kingdom's fate when the tribe's king in the 17th century b.S., Maengolth, was burned as a sacrifice on an altar by his own son, Caein. He did it out of a feeling of justice as well as out of selfishness to end the terrible assaults of the so-called Dragonstorm, which had been caused by the Erpheronian hero Wengerim slewing the dragon Seargon the Eternal, one of the three mythical adamant-dragons. But Caein himself perished in the firey breath of the unforgiving dragon Ol'dem'brey. It is said that Foiros, he God of Fire, made the orb of the sun disappear to punish both sides, but finally heard the bidings of the Erpheronian priests and made it possible for the tribe to resinstate their former position.

This story is all told in symblic form in the Erpheronian coat of arms. The depicted phoenix stands for the people of Erpheronia and their unceasable will to power, never giving in to anything that opposes their determination on their way to glory in the world, overcoming all the hardships their path might entail by rising up again from the ashes of destruction. Other tribes however might interpret the coat of arms in a negative way, seeing it as a sign of the fiery catastrophe the Erpheronians have brought upon the world, and as a token for the necessary divine punishment for human arrogance.

Territory. The territories of the ancient Erpheronians contained large and fertile portions of the northernmost regions of the southern Sarvonian continent. Before 482 b.S. all the lands stretching from the Tandala Highlands until the Aurora Fields, the Heaths of Jernais and Salazar to the east belonged to the Erpheronians, including the Peninsular of Paragonj and the Isle of Churican in the west, Narvoss to the northwest and Isles of Ram to the northeast, the latter being extremely rich on mineral resources of various kinds.

Map of the ancient kingdoms of Santharia (482 b.S.). Click on any kingdom to read more details at other kingdom entries. Picture drawn by Artimidor Federkiel.

Due to their dominating nature, the Erpheronians were involved in many skirmishes on their borders and led many wars with their southern neighbours to expand their territories. For a long time the Erpheronians were secure from the northern borders, as the Tandala offered an ideal protection from attackers from the north until the orcish invasion of SW III. On the other hand clashes with other tribes and arguments about borders often lead to fierce open wars, e.g. with the Caltharians (846-822 b.S.) and the Centoraurians (668-626 b.S.), resulting in several smaller territorial changes.

In 482 b.S. King Thar - after having married the Centoraurian Queen Curogana in 501 b.S. already - formed the Grand Kingdom of Tharania, comprising Erpheronia plus all three southern former enemy kingdoms, Centorauria, Kyrania and Caltharia, expanding Erpheronian territory and influence to a degree no other Erpheronian king has ever managed to achieved through force alone. The first loose economocial association of the kingdoms strengthens over time as prejudices and reservations diminish, resulting in a strong political commitment. As a result Erpheronians more and more mingle with the southern tribes, and the formerly derogatorily used term "Proudmen" for the Erpheronians more and more gets another meaning, expressing respect and high esteem. Finally the great unification of the Sarvonian south to a large empire, the United Kingdom of Santharia, takes place under the Tharanian king Santhros the Wise. Erpheronian scholars often see the Santharian unification as a great achievement they'd like to attach exclusively to their own tribe, so that Santharia would basically just a Great-Erpheronia (e.g. as it also proven that the Stratanians also had Erpheronian ancestors), however, objective scholars cannot comply with that simplistic interpretation of history.

People. From the beginning of the recorded time the Erpheronians predominated the fertile regions south of the Tandala Highlands, which were also rich on mineral resources. From this lofty vantage point, they slowly took over all other existing tribes that lay south of their borders, either by subduing them by force or by convincing the other tribes to peacefully join the glory of the Erpheronian sovereignty. The fierce battles of the Sarvonian Wars, though they brought a lot of hardship over all tribes, often played directly into the hands of the most powerful human tribe. As without any doubt the Erpheronians played and still play the most important role of all existing tribes on the continent of Sarvonia. Due to the fact that they were the largest and most extensive tribe, the Erpheronians always wanted to live up to their extraordinary position and eventually succeeded in bringing together the tribes of Southern Sarvonia under the flag of Santharia. Nowadays Erpheronian influence is visible to a certain degree in nearly all Santharian provinces. At least it was also an Erpheronian who travelled south after the Vardýnnian Atonement in 1649 b.S. and founded Strata at the southernmost tip of the continent, so that in the reunion of the ancinent kingdoms many Erpheronians still see just a confirmation that their lost children have found their way back home.

Of the Erpheronian culture much can be said. Erpheronians in general are a key tribe of southern Sarvonia, this is for sure. As such they are an exceptionally interesting, yet diverse, in many ways ambiguous and difficult people. Well, admittedly, they were even more difficult in ancient times when their realm blossomed as their main intent was to conquer further territories to expand their dominance over the regions south of the Tandala. Militaristic education therefore was and still is very common and valued among these people and the combination of the training of the body but also the mind was seen as essential to succeed. Erpheronians aren't people who use their force without thinking first what consequences such actions would entail, and whenever there is a way to solve a conflict diplomatically, they will prefer the non-violent solution. Nevertheless, an Erpheronian is always prepared to strike whenever necessary. Knowing about their readiness to confront any arising situation with the weapons of mind and strength, they have an innate conviction of their superiority, which might often come across as unjustified pride and arrogance. Their temper may be described in general as calm, weighing advantages and disadvantages before deciding, they are considerate and understanding, but once an Erpheronian has taken position against a subject it might be nearly impossible to convince him that he is wrong. An attempt to change an Erpheronian's opinion might easily end in making him irate and his action unpredictable and dangerous. A Centoraurian saying goes: "Don't talk twice to a Proudmen (about the same thing)!", which reflects pretty well that it might not be the best idea to try to change the mind of an Erpheronian, once he has already made up his mind.

Law and order had always been central components of Erpheronian society and everyday life. Every citizen has to know his/her place in the class structure and live up to it. This is very much unlike their Centoraurian neighbours for example, which still mostly prefer the freedom of a nomadic life in the plains and put trust in clan based government rather than seeing the advantages the directives but also the restraints of a centralized political system provides. These major differences between the tribes were softened to a good deal on both sides after the unification of the former opposing realms after 492 b.S., but nevertheless the main outlines of the ancient tribal structures prevailed in many aspects of life. This includes the Erpheronian tendency towards maintaining a militaristically influenced accuracy and exactness. Erpheronians are said to be strict, precise, correct and just, following the example of the God of War, Armeros.

Erpheronian nobility is also are renown for its incredible wealth, which is attained through their extensive trading policies with very distant parts of the world like Northern Sarvonia, Nybelmar and even Cyhalloi and Yamalquain. If you take a look at the goods sold at the Voldarian market there's practically nothing you won't get there. On the other hand the large gap between the rich and the poor within society regularly leads to tensions and the crime rate in former Erpheronian territories is rather high compared to southern regions, the Santharian Thieves Underground currently even seems to experience a renaissance in the provinces of Vardýnn and Nermeran.

Finally it shouldn't be omitted here that Erpheronians are also famous for their documenting, researching and intellectual skills. There exist for example many guides written by very different people - philosophers, clerics, medics, captains or even poets - on nearly every aspect of daily life, dedicated to the training, healing and the improvement of the body's and the mind's energies, guides to make life endurable and/or as enjoyable as possible. Such educational guides are also often written in form of novels or impressive poems, meant to reach also the common folk and thus help to better the tribe as a whole. Therefore you will find many descriptions and depictions of various herbal remedies, medicinal texts from the Order of the White Knights, guides for swordsmen of prominent Erpheronian authors, mingling with educational novels, but also satirical literature written for the royal court in the days of Katya the Just on the dusty shelves of the Royal Santharian Archives. Erpheronia - a rare cultural combination of might and intellect.

Housing. Representation is everything - this could be the motto of Erpheronian housing. The intention of Proudman architecture is to marry might and beauty and leave an unforgetable impression on the guests. Especially the nobility is eager to show off its wealth and social affiliation in every aspect of their buildings. Merchants for example often build solid houses made completely of stone of deliberate fortress-like composition with coat of arms placed over the front door or painted at the outside walls. Turrets often adorn noblemen's houses as well as decorative battlements, imitating the representative dominance of the towers nearly every Erpheronian city calls its own. On the other hand nobles might favour the esthetical side of the Erpheronian spirit instead of demonstrating sheer might to visitors: The wealthier, the more pompuous ornaments you'll find in gardens for example, ranging from statuetes over excessive flowerbeds to complicated fountain constructions. In the interior wooden floors can often be found as well as carpets, tapestries and decorative weapons and shields, meant to make a good impression.

Picture description. A proud example of Erpheronian architecture, the tower of Astran, also called the "Guardian" by the inhabitants. Image drawn by Koldar Mondrakken.

The huge majority of people live in the cities. There the streets are made of cobblestone, huge walls with high watch towers on strategical positions surround the inhabited area, trenches are dug around the confines and prominent keeps often dominate the whole area - apparently, Erpheronian cities have a long history plagued with many wars. The people who inhabit the cities, the workers of the middle class, live usually in two to four storey high buildings, where the living conditions might be different than at the peasant homes, but not necessarily for the better. Space is dear in the larger cities and comfort is rare, but mostly there exists at least one room in each home with wooden floor, representing a place for community, serving also as sleeping room for larger families. Windows are only small holes that are be kept shuttered for the night or during cold weather. The wealthier might have latticed windows covered with resin and oil-soaked linen. These homes might not seem very attractive, though they are practical. Nevertheless, whenever there is an opportunity to add to the representative value of a dwelling or the own person regarding clothes worn, even an Erpheronian of narrow circumstanceswill see to make the difference known to the neighbours.

Peasants however have little to show off - the state of their dwellings of the other end of the social hierarchy reflect the huge discrepancy between the rich and the poor. Farmers live in small one or two room houses, richer farmers in long-houses with three rooms: a living space, a central chamber including hearth, and a byre or animal room. Such buildings are mostly made out of wood, in rare cases of brick or stone, depending on the region and abundance of material. The wealthiest farmers can afford to seperate themselves from their livestock and live in different buildings. Furnishings, however, are extremely simple: A wooden bed needs to suffice for the whole family, one large table, a long bench, and various tools hanging on pegs are all peasant families possess. Floors are mostly earthen, richer people might have clay, wood, or even stone floors.

Clothing. Below we try to point out the main guidelines of archetypical Erpheronian Clothing, which has been common in the ancient Erpheronian lands, what today is the Santharian north. Clothing details are split into Lower Class, Middle Class, Nobility and Warrior Clothings. The style in all classes, though especially the middle and higher classes, can vary based on position and wealth.

• Lower Class Clothing
  Erpheronians of the lower class tend to wear clothing made of linen or wool, which can be purchased or produced rather cheaply. Clothing is most often times made rather large so that, as the person wearing it grows, they will come to fit it, or, more importantly, fail to outgrow it. It is also essential that clothing doesn't hinder the hard manual work peasants and their like have to do.
  
  The men wear loose, long-sleeved shirts that can be rolled up to the shoulder in hot weather. The collar of the shirts are either a triangle-cut or cut in circular fashion. The pants worn are also loose, and are typically made of thick wool or, in rare cases, of cheap cow leather, and in their typical brownish hue.
  
  Women of the lower class tend to wear bodices over a loose dress. The loose dress, because of the natural comfort of it being loose, is often also used as a nightgown. In the morning, all a girl has to do is lace up the bodice, which is often made to be thick and stiff.

• Middle Class Clothing
  The middle class, which typically includes merchants, storeowners, their wives, or handmaidens for the nobility, have more selection in what they wear than the poorer classes. The men will wear tunics connected in the front. These tunics are most often rather plain, though some of them may include small studs or cheap embroideries. Recently, the style of these tunics has also included strips of leather sown from shoulder to the end of the tunic. Most of these tunics are leather, though some may also be wool, and are black or brown, though some may come in green (a very popular colour), or else red or yellow. The sleeves of the tunics tend to be loose, and have almost small sleeves of themselves.
  
  Women of the middle class wear a combination of poorer and higher-class styles, depending on their wealth. Bodices appear less often in the middle class than the lower classes. Too off-set the lower class bodice look, some bodices have been designed to look a bit more elegant, and conform better to a women’s body. Some bodices have fashionable shoulder pieces stiffly protruding a bit past the shoulder, perhaps alluding to the higher-class tunics of the men. Other shoulders are thick, some with “shell” curve to them. Extensions on the bottom of the bodice, like a small, light skirt, are growing in popularity, though some still prefer only a stiff flap of cloth, similar to those in some of the middle-class tunics. The bodices, unlike the poorer class, are often patterned, sometimes in floral designs, but usually in an abstraction of colours and forms. The middle class, one might believe, is also rather fond of hats. Wide-brimmed hats with feathers stuck in them have become a growing attraction.

• Nobility Clothing
  The higher classes are allowed much more variation in their clothing; lent, of course, buy their wealth. This ability to afford for differences has allowed the high class to afford things imported from other provinces. Silks are especially prized for their shimmer quality. Clothes from the Bolder, dyed by some of the best Caltharian dyers, are made into lovely vests, dresses, shirts, etc. Some of the styles worn by the nobles mimic other tribes, such as the Maeverhim, with wing-like appendages sewn into the seams. Noblemen of today even wear loose, light, Shendar clothing, dyed with the signifying Uderzan blue.
  
  Tunics are popular among the men of the Erpheronian nobility. They are most often worn with short sleeves and with designs on either side, coming down the chest. These designs may be embroidery or small, metal-covered holes where leather string can be strung. The sleeves of the tunics typically protrude a little past the shoulder and are thick around the edges. The tunic will come down long, to the knees, and is most often held in place by a leather belt, usually black as this helps to even more widen distinction between the higher and lower class. This belt will often carry a nobleman’s sword, worn mostly for decoration.
  
  The dresses of the women of the nobility are completely without bodices. These dresses are intricately designed and embroidered, and the dying in the colours is some of the most beautifully done. The collar of these dresses is not nearly as low as in the lower classes, and shows a certain amount of modesty in the higher, square-shaped design. A decorative belt may be worn, though often a piece of embroidery is used to outline the curve of the hips, and the design tips low in the front.

• Warrior Clothing
  The Erpheronians are a very militaristic race. Being the tribe closest to the Tandala Highlands, they are the most susceptible to attack from the north. Erpheronian knights and warriors therefore have strong armour to help protect them in combat.
  
  The helmet, wrought of metal as are most parts of the knight’s armour, has two basic styles: rounded and cylindrical. These helmets have slits for the eyes and small slits for breathing around the nose and mouth area.
  
  The most popular body-armour, used for wealthier or skilled knights, is a full metal breast-plate and back-plate. Usually these plates are connected at the sides, similar to a Turtle’s shell. Not all torso-protecting armours are like this. Some of the greatest protection can be made out of chain mail, which is loose and, in some cases, is easily worn underneath one’s clothing. Hauberk armour isn’t often as tough as its full metal counterpart, but allows more flexibility. Hauberks typically extend beyond the waist, all the way to the knee, similar to a tunic. Such armour is often used for gentries that can display the Erpheronian symbol with a white, cloth over piece. Common warriors wear plain leather armour, usually enforced by multiple layers of leather for more protection.

Diet. In Erpheronian lands you can get plenty of food you probably won't find anywhere else in southern Sarvonia due to the extensive trading relations these people maintain with various parts of the world. At least this diversity on food is valid for the nobility, for which the best is just good enough. Whether you're looking for berry-jelly of guiro fruit (of Kanapan origin), rare milk goat cheese of the Sharkion Zshararath Mountains (Nybelmar), whale meat (Avennorians) or woolly boar meat from Northern Sarvonia - you can buy it in the region occupied by Erpheronians, especially at the Voldarian city market, taking place every Day of Avis. All that you can find and many, many spices and flavourings imported from overseas, as the Erpheronian cuisine of the nobility has developed a liking for the exquisite and extraordinary. Actually, calling a meal "bland" is seen as a major insult in Vardýnn, at least among the noblemen.

The common diet however is generally meat-based as seems fit for a tribe needing to mainly supply a populace focussed on a healthy body: lamb, beef, pork, fish, veal are said to be essential for the diets of strong men. Erpheronians keep themselves pigs, baneg cattle, sheep (sawis and dor'iyn varieties) as well as goats, and are especially famous for their krouvlards, large domesticated warane-related beasts with a sour-spicy natural taste of the meat. As delicacies bloodworms or giant kraken meat are often served - you can get paid high prices for this kind of food. Of course wheat, golden rain and bredden grain are grown as well, as are various kinds of beans, peasecods, caroots and onions, which are used to complement the diet consisting mostly of meat.

The middle and the lower classes of course can't be that choosy about food and live from the products of the domesticated animals and the plants and vegetables they grow (cheese, milk, dried fruits etc.) The most common meals for these kind of people are often related to cheese, like bean cheese, weed cheese and a special form of bread, cheebre or "cheese bread".

Weapons. Erpheronian weapons have always been state-of-the-art tools, famous for their quality, precision, sturdiness and durability at least to the people of southern Sarvonian continent. This is especially true in respect of their swords. First bronze swords were procduced by the Erpheronians, later iron ones, and finally steel swords, enhanced with various special kinds of ores and alchemical substances - the exact composition and the process of forging certain weapons still are kept as secrets according to family tradition of the smiths. The weapon smiths today produce all kinds of regular swords, ranging from daggers, short swords, broad swords to two-handers and flamberges as swords have always been the primary weapons of the Proudmen. The Ephord (short for "Erpheronian Broadsword") even has become a brand name by itself and is an often seen weapon also in southern regions among commoners, while the long sword (war sword) is primarily used among members of the nobility.

Erpheronian weapon smiths also produce bludgeoning weapons like maces, morning stars, but also axes, pikes and spears. Due to their constant strive to improve and get better than others you'll also find more exotic weapons produced directly by Proudmen like armoured fans, moonblades, scimitars (Kasumarii) or even Kassite tsubars - an Erpheronian weapon smith can accomplish everything - or so they say. Bows and especially crossbows are used as well of course, though Erpheronians don't reach elven efficiency with these kind of weapons. On the other hand the construction of war gear like catapults, battering rams and siege towers have to be accounted as an Erpheronian domain - their advanced technology helped them to succeed in many battles.

Occupations. The most important Erpheronian occupations are military positions, smiths, traders, scholars and miners.

• Military Occupations
  Respect and wealth in the Erpheronian society is best attained by exerting a profession related to the military. A military career, be it as a soldier, a guard, at the navy or one of the Orders, is not only chosen by upperclass people, but also by males from the lower rungs as there exists a vast palette of titles to distinguish one's self from others and to gain fame through valorous deeds. People liviing in narrower pecuniary circumstances also like the prospect to possibly join one of the Knight's Orders, first to be promoted to a knight's squire and latter to reach the position of knight oneself by earing further merits. Such promotions are not entirely uncommon (as it might be the case in southern regions of the continent), which represents a great incentive and a means of motivation for every young Erpheronian. The knightly Orders dedciated to Santharian Gods (White Knights, Order of the Fallen, Order of Armeros etc.) stand in high esteem among the populace and also have a great political influence on the local governments. On the one hand they help whereever needed, on the other hand their might forces many gravens to conceed to many of their wishes. Belonging to an Order makes even the most inconspicious people to respected persons, even if they hold only minor positions.

• Weapon and Armour Smiths
  Related to the military positions are the Weapon and Armour Smiths. Erpheronians have acquired excquisite craftsmanship in this field and today provide large parts of the Santharian kingdom with their extraordinary quality. Weapon and Armour Smiths are therefore not only in high demand, but also constitute very prestigious jobs.

• Miners
  Less prestigious than military occupations and Weapon and Armour Smiths is the Miner's job. It's very common, though, as the mineral resources in Erpheronian regions, ranging from the Warnaka Mountains until the Allsiscaey and the Troll Mountains in the east, are abundant. Small mining camps exist near these mountains with town-like communities, the only difference being that the Miners don't stay permanently at these locations. Miners sign in at the larger cities, then get assigned a period of several months where they have to serve until they move back again. After half a year they are allowed to sign in for another temporary engagement.

• Traders and Merchants
  The Kingdom of Erpheronia thrived from its vast trading relations with nearly all parts of the world. Possessing essential resources themselves and an advanced fleet they had always had a key role in providing others with items they needed and attaining rare goods for themselves. A great variety of traders and merchants therefore dominate the Erpheronian region, occupations, which are especially common among the nobility.

• Scholars
  Finally the high education level existing in the former Erpheronian Kingdom is mainly responsible for the high amount of scholars, researchers, alchemists and their kind, but there are also many celebrated novelists and playwrights among the Proudmen. Again, these jobs are mainly reserved for the nobility.

Aside from the mentioned professions also jewellers or lately gearmakers (producing for example watches, but also larger machinery like tower clocks) can achieve a good profit, but also artists or tapestry weavers, who may export their goods through the Erpheronian trade connections to distant lands, where these items will be sold to high prices.

Government. The kingdom of Erpheronia is probably the oldest monarchy at the Sarvonian continent and therefore has a long tradition. The society of the Erpheronians has largely been patriarchal, with fathers and male community leaders managing the ever-changing lives of their families and neighbourhood. Most important offices were hereditary and held by males in Erpheronian territories, which is mostly due to the fact that might and physical strength along with a clever, strategically calculating mind were seen as male domains, which needed to be worked on throughout a whole life. It was a question of honour to maintain and guarantee the cultivation of these virtues in the own bloodline to be able to represent a good leader.

Showing strength and determination in all his actions was also the key to a successful reign of the Erpheronian King. A large and powerful kingdom needed a strong, but wise hand to guide it, that's why you often see muscular and stern looking men in their best years shown at the Gallery of Kings in today's Thyrrinth's Hold. It wasn’t until the reign of extraordinarily strong-willed women like Queen Jenefra in the late 1600s b.S. and later the legendary Katya the Just, that females of the tribe began to take the sceptre in their own hands. During these times also the women were allowed to took on roles as judges or councilors - though earlier scarce exceptions had been noted (e.g. Amalthea of the House of Eithar).

The King, who resided in the Capitol Voldar, was assisted by the Ten Houses of the town. They consisted of the most ancient and noblest families in the Erpheronian tribe, who controlled the lands to a vast degree by themselves, delegating further powers to gravens, barons, lord and ladies. In effect, the ten families together formed the Ruling Council of Voldar and the current head of each family represented a seat on the council. They generally acted in advisory roles to the Erpheronian Rulers although in times of dire need, they could take an active stance in political matters if all ten houses were in accord and with just cause. The Voldarian Ruling Council with its hierarchical branches of power reaching from the King himself to the lowest peasant, where every member of society has his/her defined role, can be seen as the key pattern, helping to establish the current Santharian Thane-system.

Image description. A Quios Shipping Guild Merchant registering the goods he plans to load. Commissioned picture drawn by Faugar, used with friendly permission by Mystical Empire.

Production/Trade. The Erpheronian merchants have established trading relations to nearly all parts of the known world, be it southern or northern Sarvonia, Nybelmar, Akdor or even the distant icelands of Cyhalloi. They are main trading partners of the Stormcloak Shipping Guild of the Isles of Quios, connecting them with the northwest, and have established trading outposts in Denilou, the Runorian and the Crimson Isles as Nybelmarian links and control trade with the continent of Akdor through posts at the difficult to navigate Kiirath coral reefs. The Erpheronian phoenix is seen on many a crate throughout the world.

Exports mostly consist of the exquisite Erpheronian weapons, wood, wine, rare alchemical ingredients and potions, but also to a large degree of luxury goods like jewelry, tapestries or artificial figurines or tiles and lately as well of pocketwatches and similar gear. Also the sour-spicy natural taste of the original Erpheronian krouvlards meat is exported as a delicacy to other lands, where these beasts cannot be kept. Money, however, is also made by buying and re-selling rare goods for example from southern Sarvonian regions to oversea locations, gaining huge profits through the connections other tribes only possess to a marginal degree. Additionally Erpheronians have discovered that selling knowledge to others might be quite lucrative as well, which is why Proudmen often take advisory positions is distant lands, on the one hand earning money and respect and on the other hand working towards tying even stronger bonds to the homeland, in order to increase profits later.

As for imports: Already in ancient times it was said that there was nothing you couldn't get in Erpheronian lands, be it draperies, spices or flavourings, exotic foods, rare weapons, reagents for potions or spells or even small beasts to be kept as pets by the nobility. Missing something? A Proudman has it - or at least knows where to get it!

Natural Resources. Erpheronian territory has an enormous plethora on mineral resources uncompared throughout southern Sarvonia, making it a paradise for weapon and armour smiths.

The Warnaka of course are especially rich as well in uruyant, an extremely hard and precious kind of crystal, and on the nearby isle of Narvoss one of the largest diamond mines in southern Sarvonia is located. In the east, at the Allsiscaey, you can find ores like ithildin (moon silver), the rare aurium, a beautiful yet hardy metal with the soft glow of gold but the resistance of good steel, and vernik, mostly used in mixtures and alloys, but also part of the glass making procedure.

Metals are often mined from the southern foothills of the mighty Tandala Mountains as well and used for making weaponry, usually iron and coal. These products can be found relatively close to the surface. Mithril once existed in the mountains as well, precious stones and crystals still do, including the Dasthomm (Amethyst), the Oontrom (Ruby) and the Hotron (Garnet). These precious crystals are usually found deeper in the earth.

Finally the Troll Mountains offer various kinds of quartz, emeraude and metals like tin, silver and herne, a strong greyish-green metal with high resiliency but which is easily malleable. The Troll Mountains contain even more valuable iron than the Tandala, here of the blue and black kind, used to produce - in combination with vernik - nearly unbreakable steel for weapons and armour.

Holidays, Festivals and Observances. Erpheronians celebrate mainly two important feasts during the year, both being related to religious causes:

• Picture description. Erpheronian knights demonstrating their prowess at the bi-annual Tribute to Armeros feast, the Armerenda. Image drawn by Eratinalinfalah.

  The Armerenda (Tribute to Armeros)
  The Armerenda, the Days of Armeros or also the Tribute to Armeros constitute a huge staged feast for the God of War, Armeros, who is considered the patron of all warriors. The Armerenda is actually much more than just a feast - though it takes place only bi-annually, it lasts full three weeks and starts at the last day of the Month of the Awakening Earth (the month dedicated to the God of War), and continues for 25 full days.
  
  Core of the festivities of the Armerenda are the tournaments among the knights held in the larger cities of the north, namely Voldar, Astran, Ishmarin, Wyring, Nyermersys and also Milkengrad (added just lately). As you can see this enumeration includes various cities of ancient Erpheronia, which by now are part of the Santharian provinces of Nermeran and Vardýnn. However, provincial borders have never been a problem up north, as the region once was completely in Erpheronian hands, and this also reflects in the feast of the Armerenda, which stretches far to the south.

  In each of these towns qualification rounds take place in various classical knightly disciplines like sword fight, archery, and jousting, but you'll also find more basic or exotic combat-related exercises like balancing competitions, tug-of-war, obstacle races and the like. In the first week of the Armerenda victors are determined before a delegation of the best knights is sent to Nyermersys to compete in the final tournament featuring only the elite of successful warriors. Traditionally the second week is used for travelling - or more precisely parading - through the land to this ancient and historically important town. Loud cheers welcome the delegations, who will eventually withdraw in the Seagorn Garrison in the center of Nyermersys. The garrison also contains an Armourwain, a large temple dedicated to the God of War, where the rest of the days are spent praying to prepare for the deciding games. These take place at the Victory Field at the Fortress of Ah'Tamaen, north of the town. Especially the jousting tournaments are highly acclaimed by the public and regularly produce new heroes. Each Armerenda festival determines the ultimate victor, who will receive - aside from the fame - the so-called "Splitter", a black ceremonial two-handed sword with two different edges (one jagged, one sharp), respresenting a replica of the famous Truthsplitter sword Armeros himself is said to be wielding. The name of the winner is also added to a plaque of honour at the Armourwain in the Seagorn Garrison. The sword is returned at the next Armerenda by the winner himself, who opens the final round of the tournament, but is not allowed to participate anymore after he won twice.
  
  Needless to say, the Armerenda festivals are extremely popular and have to be accounted to the absolute highlights of all regular Santharian events. This is also one of the reason why they are held - to strengthen morale, determination and spirit of competition, even in times where wars are unlikely to happen. Furthermore the tournaments serve to show off military strength to the populace itself, assuring their security and protection in times of need. 
  
  In recent years not only Milkengrad was added to the cities who can participate in the Armerenda, but also a limited amount of southern knights may apply for the qualification rounds. So far, however, no southerner has succeeded in taking the Splitter home.

• The Foyrocar (Foiros' Return)
  The Foyrocar is celebrated at the night from the 9th to the 10th day of the Month of the Turning Star, representing a reminder of the re-appearing of the sun after the Year of Darkness in 1648 b.S. The event actually takes place in the winter, when the landscape is covered with snow, which helps to remind the celebrants of the harsh and nearly lethal conditions which existed during the legendary Year of Darkness.
  
  During Foyrocar the night turns into day. In every single town and village the whole night people stream to a central square (or several squares at larger cities), keeping themsekves warm by carrying torches and praying for the victims of the Vardýnnian Atonement. The torches, which symbolize the focussing of the people's prayers on Foiros, the Fire God, are either thrown into a bonfire and/or used by fire mages to create wondrous effects, cumulating in great fireworks during the hours of Nightsban. Then, when the day finally arrives with the sunlight itself replacing the fires of the humans, it is greeted with the so-called "Bow to Foiros" (commonly called "People's Murmur"), when all the amassed people recite Foirian prayers of thanks, ending with the Chants of Compassion. After that people embrace each other and a big meal will be held at the homes of the people.

• The Day of Avis (Day of Arrival)
  The Day of Avis is a tradition in the province of Vardýnn, today also marking the first day of each month in the Santharian Calendar. "Avis" (Avis) means - translated from Styrásh - "arrival" and stood for the regular visits of the elven ambassadors of the Aellenrhim elves to the capital of the former Erpheronians, Voldar. The visits were paid for a time span of several years after the peace was sealed between the races following SW II, the Oath of the Young, the Tethías'Quarón, at 501 b.S. They took place on the first day of each third month and served in order to discuss important political matters but mainly to strengthen the bonds between the former foes, humans and elves. Although these traditional visits don't exist anymore in this form, the Day of Avis is still celebrated in Vardýnn and has turned to a common market-day. Don't miss the Day of Avis when travelling through Voldar or any other Vardýnnian town, as drinks are sold to reduced prices!

Tribal Language. In today's Santharian kingdom people with Erpheronian roots speak a Tharian dialect, which is often referred to as "Aerpheriane". - Aerpheriane can be sketched as an elegant, arrogant, and diverse form of speaking, reflecting a militaristic but highly intellectual people. As such the language has a tendency to use active, elaborate constructions and nested phrases, in writing as well as in speech. Precision is considered important and takes precedence over brevity, so a larger range of vocabulary often features in Erpheriane. A good example phrase of formal Aerpheriane is the following:

Some of the most formal and beautiful scholastic treatises have come from this tribal group, and it has produced more than its share of epic poetry as well. Some consider writing Aerpheriane a true art in itself, where precision of information, but also logical construction and pace of sentences is of importance. There are others of course who claim that the rich Erpheronian tongue makes people feel dizzy and contributes to irritation instead of fulfilling the purpose of being precise, as brevity is sacrificed to detailed elaboration. This might especially sound valid if you're not used to this kind of talking or writing and you basically interpret such language as overly pedantic and unnecessarily engaged in its own schemes. The words of a southern linguist might ring a bell therefore when he says: "An Erpheronian might get all philosophical upon asking for a simple glass of water - pray, that you don't die on thirst before you actually get it. Your host might still be busy with clarifying the details..."

Affectations and slang words tend to run their course fairly swiftly but extravagantly among the Erpheronians, with their tendency to go to extremes, so that the youth of a city may be even less comprehensible to their elders than the usual! Currently these phrases - and many more peculiar - are heard about the streets:

Slang Expression	Explanation
“Cabal the concept!”	Used when someone thinks the discussion is too farfetched - even for the fancy of an adolescent…
“Vouchsafe, vouchsafer, vouchsafest…”	Rather pedestrian humour, but handily used to imply that an individual is being too talkative or too personal
“Jitch!”	A multi-purpose exclamation or expletive when something goes wrong. Should not be used by females, so naturally, IS - for the purpose of shocking their peers or elders.

Nomenclature. Aerpheriane, as an ancient variety of Tharian, has its own preferences in regard of used syllables and word parts. Very common are the following letters/syllables in names of persons and places: ach, ae, ey, ing, jer, gol, ph, sh, th, ý, ýs. After vowels no "h" is used. Erpheronian names never begin with letters like F, I, H, Q, X, Y or Z.

Location Names. Many names found in the north of Santharia of today are of ancient Aerpheriane origin, same examples should be given here: nais ("heath", as in Jernais), ring ("town", as in Weyring), thron ("furthest", Westhron for example meaning "furthest west"), thyrrinth ("thyr" meaning "high", "rinth" meaning "keep" as in Thyrrinth's Hold).

Male Names. Short names with one to three syllables are very common for males and often preferred over longer ones. Longer names are often compositions of two shorter names in case important ancestors are honoured through a name. Erpheronian names (especially males) are often very precise and straight to the point, intimidating and strong, expressing their militaristic philosophy.

Female Names. Typical for female names is the tendency to have double consonants at the end (like -alla, -ella, -issa, -linn, -lýnn etc.), aside from that typical endings are on -a, but also on -en, -in or -ýn.

Secondary Names/Titles. Secondary names (also called "titles") are usually awarded during lifetime or partly inherited in case they ar honourary or customary used names. Persons of noble origin also always have a house name which is added at the end of a formal mentioning of a name. Erpheronians have a name system consisting of four parts:

Name Part	Explanation
Title	Upon reaching maturity a title is awarded to a person, usually indicating the status by mentioning the profession (examples: "King", "Baker", "Apprentice").
Birthname	This is the first and main name of a person, given at birth, according to male or female name rules (example: "Lýnn" in case of a female or "Aerlicht" in case of a male)
Honourary Title	A Honourary Title is officially awarded by a town or village council for special deeds, or from even higher authorities if a person played an important role for a whole province or the kingdom itself. At people of the nobility the title is often awarded when manhood is reached (example: "Manyhorses")
House Name (Customary Title)	Similar to the Honourary Titles are the Customary Titles, which commoners implicitly use when talking about persons without making them official. Customary Titles however can be acknowleged by the village or town council and thus made "official", turning into Honourary Titles. Customary titles can refer to locations, appearance or be a substitute for rank - people are very creative in this respect actually and not always give titles in favour of persons... (examples: "Hilldweller", "Broadnose", "Dimwit"). Such Customary Titles are also often referred to as House Names. House Names are musts at the nobility, and are give from father to son.
Examples	Apprentice Lýsachim Baker Maeder Hilldweller Merchant Golrael Manyhorses of Allyso King Santhros the Wise of House Salazath

History. It is written that Knowledge is a well that has no bottom, and that Lore is a story sea without a farther shore. When the night everlasting marches beneath the gates and the calls of the dark penetrate walls of stone and bone alike - only then shall you know what we speak of. For Legend lives not there, but in the infinite souls of men. Carried over generations and cataclysms, with an undeniable flame of pride and glory that will never succumb to the black of the dark, legend lives on. Thriving in hearts. Such are the Erpheronians.

Their is a distinguished line of trials and victories in Erpheronian history. Failing to perish where others would have succumbed, the Erpheronian tribe fought fiercely and ultimately survived, sometimes under the harshest of conditions.

The dominant Erpheronians initially caused many bloody and terrible wars: not only wars among human tribes, but wars between the races (SW I and II) as well. Although the bloodshed for which the tribe is responsible is enormous, it should not be forgotten that the Erpheronian kings Thar, and later on Santhros, managed to unite all the human tribes of southern Sarvonia peacefully. They also were able to convince the other races into sharing their efforts to form the United Realms of Santharia.

TIME TABLE OF THE ERPHERONIAN MEN ("PROUDMEN") THE AGE OF MYTHS (YEARS 3.400 B.S. - 1.655 B.S.) ca. 2200 b.S. A Realm of War is Born: Aerpheronia The brothers Aerth and Norpheron earn great renown as warlords in the northernmost region south of the Tandala Highlands. Together they finally establish a powerful realm, which should receive the name "Aerpheronia". THE AGE OF AWAKENING (YEARS 1.655 B.S. - 822 B.S.) 1655 b.S. The Killing of the Dragon Seargon The Vardýnnian hero Wengerim kills the adamant-dragon Seargon, who was believed to be unvincible until this day, with the help of his wits in the Grotto of Engeroth. As a prize for his deed Wengerim gains the daughter of the tribe's sovereign Maengolth, the charming Jenefra, the "Most Beautiful of the Beautiful", as she is called by the poets of the time.    1650 b.S. The Dragonstorm In the 37th year of the rulership of Maengolth, the sovereign of the Erpheronian tribe, a terrible assault of dragons comes down on the territories of today's Santharian province of Vardýnn to avenge the destruction of Seargon the Eternal, one of the three adamant-dragons, through the sword of the Erpheronian prince Wengerim. Hundreds of beasts cross the Tandala Mountains, advancing to the Warnaka in the west, devastating the Silvermarshes in the south, finishing the assault near Ephirn's Lake. Thousands of humans die from the fires of the Winged Death, even Wengerim the Dragonslayer Wengerim himself cannot escape his fate. Caein's Pact with the Winged Death Caein, youngest son of the Erpheronian sovereign, promises the adamant-dragon Ol'dem'brey to kill his father himself to free his people again from the suppression of the dragons. As Caein himself longs for the power of the Erpheronian sovereign he has no remorses to sacrifice Maengolth on an altar at the tops of the Warnaka, hoping to receive praise of his people and to ascend the throne. But after finishing the ritual the enraged Ol'dem'brey destroys Caein too in front of his people as he returns from the altar with bloody hands. After the death of their leaders the remaining people await the further assaults of the dragons defenceless. The burning Caein, head held high, should later on become an often used symbol for the Erpheronian tribe, especially among other tribes of Southern Sarvonia. The burning Caein represents for one the unceasable will to power as well as the divine punishment for human arrogance, a deadly combination characteristic for the Erpheronians.    1649 b.S. The Vardýnnian Atonement It is said that the Burning God, Foiros, finally hears the bidings of the human priests begging for the help of the gods to finish the torment of the dragons: At the end of the Caelerethian year the burning orb of the sun descends below the world and returns not before one year has passed, so that a deadly coldness afflicts dragons and humans alike. Many dragons and humans fail to survive this so-called Vardýnnian Atonement in the Year of Darkness. 1649 b.S. to 1648 b.S. The Vardýnnian Soul Robbery The supposedly divine intervention, which killed the dragons over Vardýnn, produces another devastating effect to the human peoples: It is written already in the books of the Axhái that the cycle of life of the first dragons as the eternal creatures must not be broken by mortal beings. It is also said that most dragons are the representation of dark souls, and that these souls escape when the dragons die and try to take possession of the other living creatures which have affinity to evil. As Wengerim's soul was pure and innocent when killing Seargon his soul was not captured by the adamant-dragon's dark being, but the souls of many others who survive the Vardýnnian Atonement are now darkened forever, some of these people even gain the ability of shapeshifting to dragons. Others flee to the south, hoping to escape the late revenge of the dead dragons or kill themselves when recognizing that their life is lost. Indeed only very few managee to save themselves. It is said that many dark orders of dragonknights which are founded years later in the vicinity of Vardýnn have their origin in this Vardýnnian Soul Robbery. 1649 b.S. The Healing of Katya Ileri During the Dragonstorm the adamant-dragon Ol'dem'brey rains fire upon the village of Yarrow, killing almost everyone. The young girl Katya Ileri is the only survivor. Badly wounded, she wanders into the ancient forest of the Thaelon. There it is rumoured that the light elves of the ancient forest find her and heal her injuries. Her hair has turned white when she leaves the forest. - Katya Ileri would later on become the famous Erpheronian Queen "Katya the Just".    1646 b.S. The Ascension of Katya the Just Katya the Just Queen Jenefra abdicates in favour of the commoner Katya Ileri. Many oppose this move for Katya is of humble birth and thus it is argued that she is not fit to become sovereign. However, with the help of formidable allies of influential houses such as Amalthea Eithar, Kel Branoc, Vaelaron and Lysander Dain, Trioan Sellus, and the rumour that Katya had killed the adamant-dragon Ol'dem'brey, the young village girl from Yarrow ascends the highest seat of power of Erpheronia. Katya rules over the Erpheronian people with an iron hand. Though she may not rule wisely at times, these mistakes are far and few in between and she turns out to be a fair and impartial Queen and in her later years, gaining the title of "Katya the Just" among her people.    1643 b.S. The Phoenix becomes the new Erpheronian Coat of Arms This story of the death of Caein is all told in symblic form in the Erpheronian coat of arms. The depicted phoenix stands for the people of Erpheronia and their unceasable will to power, never giving in to anything that opposes their determination on their way to glory in the world, overcoming all the hardships their path might entail by rising up again from the ashes of destruction. Other tribes however might interpret the coat of arms in a negative way, seeing it as a sign of the fiery catastrophe the Erpheronians have brought upon the world, and as a token for the necessary divine punishment for human arrogance.    1285 b.S. Erpheronian Settlers Arrive in Churican Tired of the drawn-out wars between the Erpheronian King and the Duchy of Narvoss, a group of individuals sail to Churican under the pretence of expanding Erpheronia’s territory to the west. Once arrived, they supposedly come across the Churican Hobbits. The existence of these hobbits has never been confirmed, and regardless, the Erpheronians settle down peacefully in the country.    ca. 1000 b.S. Erpheronian Explorer Marvan Swiftrook Discovers Cort’Mangar Shortly before his disappearance in the Mists, Marvan Swiftrook discovers the Shadespell Gorge and the city of Cort’Mangar. His discovery and narrow escape from the Shades slowly drives him mad. His journal tells of a mysterious people that live in the city now completely overrun with shadow and Netherworld presence.    854 b.S. Erpheronian Authorization of Piracy A man known simply as Drak is given a commission by the Erpheronian government to commit piracy against countries thought to be harmful to Erpheronian trade. At this time he registers a single ship with the government, it is "The Will'o'Wisp".    850 b.S. Drak registering further Ships Drak once again shows up in Erpheronian naval records for registering three other ships under his name to fall underneath his commission. These ships are: "The Aelyvian Wolf", "Waterstar", and "My Lady".    846 b.S. Erpheronia declares War on Caltharia An Erpheronian herald, who is related to the Erpheronian king family, is killed in Caltharian territory by rogues. The powerhungry Erpheronian king Myrwodin, who seeks for a pretence of invading his weak neighbours for quite a while, interprets the death of the herald as an open offense against his kingdom and declares war on Caltharia. Construction of Everygrey Bridge Evergrey Bridge, bridging the fast flowing Cylian River between Ephirn's Lake and the Ancythrian Sea, is supposedly built about the year 846 b.S. by the Erpheronians to aid their war against the Caltharians. A new structure can support vast numbers of troops and heavy siege equipment that a wooden bridge can not. Certainly the structure is not build no later than this, as Evergrey Bridge represents a critical strategical location during the War for Ancyros (846-822 b.S.). The Pirate Drak's Years of Glory Numerous records show that during the time of the Erpheronian war with Caltharia Drak and his pirate band sink, capture, and claim numerous enemy ships.    843 b.S. Battle at the Twinnean Peak As was to be expected, the Caltharian king, Artero "the Weak" (as he is named later on), isn't used to deal with military affairs. Having a badly trained army and no alliances with other supportive kingdoms Artero loses the final battle at the Twinnean Peak. Erpheronia and Caltharia sign the Declaration of Doovens After 3 years of war Artero, threatened to lose his own life as well as the rest of his kingdom, is forced to sign the "Declaration of Doovens". Thus Caltharia is forced to sign the very disadvantegous peace treaty, where the Caltharian king is reduced to no more than a vassal of the Erpheronian king. Contained in the declaration are the following key demands: 1.) It is forbidden to the Caltharian king to maintain a larger army, which could serve more than defending purposes. A royal guard is granted, however. 2.) The Caltharians have to pay a very large sum in gold and supplies to Erpheronia immediately as well as high taxes every year to come. 3.) The region of Ancyros, north of the Ancythrian Sea, which is rich on minerals, is now property of the Erpheronian Kingdom. Alliance of the Hobbitshire with the Erpheronians in the Ancyros War The halflings of New Hobbitshire become mixed up in the Ancyros war as an ally of the Erpheronian king Erdolomin against Caltharia. They are assigned to supplying the Erpheronians with food, clothing, and other such things. It is believed the alliance is forced upon the hobbits through threats.    838 b.S. Disapperance of the Pirate Drak's It is not known why, but for some reason the name Drak along with the names of his ten ships are crossed off the commission rolls. There have been many a speculation as to what may have led to such a thing. A popular myth is that he tried to become a reputable member of the navy or a reputable trader, depends on who is telling the story, and that the Erpheronian king would not allow it, as he was just a pirate. So he took his crews, and headed east with a cargo hold full of goods and stolen Caltharian treasure.    ca. 837 b.S. Drak's Discovery of Quios The Erpheronian pirate Drak along with five other ships make landfall at the Isles of Quios during a horrific storm. Three of the ships are lost in the journey to this isles, and one founders on the reefs of the island of Volveran. Some say the island is named after the true name of Drak. Due to leading his crews and their families through the terrible storm to safe harbourage he is given the title "Stormlord". ca. 837 b.S. to 835 b.S. Drak's Exploration of Quios Exploration of the rest of the Isles of Quios, as they would later become known, is done in small boats by the former Erpheronian pirate Drak and his men. It is at this time that the humans come across other people. They are the Querinlon elves. It is decided that the forest will be named after the elven tribe that lives there.    833 b.S. Mertogran seizes power in Caltharia After two months of siege, the rebels take the palace and King Artero "the Weak" is slain. Duke Mertogran proclaimes himself king and starts immediately with his second objective: regaining Ancyros, the land lost to Erpheronia. He starts to build an army, collecting all forces the dukes throughout the land can provide, violating the treaty with Erpheronia. This causes reinforced border patrols in Erpheronia.    ca. 827 b.S. Erpheronian Contacts with Denilou The Erpheronian Drak Stormlord makes one of several lengthy exploratory trips from his base at Gillwin. On this one he happens to find the Island of Denilou. There his charisma wins over even the suspicious dwarves. One younger son of a clan by the name of Wilvong becomes enchanted with the stories of the mountains of these new islands and journeys to them by himself.    825 b.S. Farm Hand Jaecor of Weyring wins the Armerenda The farm hand Jaecor of Weyring is admitted to participate in the Armerenda, the tournaments, where the most famous knights of Erpheronia fight for honour an the prize of the "Splitter" sword. Jaecor is allowed to particpate due to a Markgraven's intervention, as he had saved his daughter from a rampaging tuskdigger. To everyone's surprise Jaecor triumphs after having trained years for this moment, and he rises to sudden unexpected fame. He is knighted and should from now on be known as Jaek Ironhand.    823 b.S. Caltharia invades Erpheronia The Caltharian army crosses the Erpheronian border north of Carmalad in a surprise attack, led by the rebel duke Mertogran, who slew the weak Caltharian king Artero, and vowed to regain the lost region of Ancyros. Although the stationed troups there put up a good fight, they are overwhelmed and slain. The new Erpheronian king Erdolomin rallies his allies, which include the halflings living in Silvershire. The halflings are assigned to supplying the Erpheronian army with food, clothing, and other such things. It is believed the alliance is forced upon the hobbits through threats. The Dwarf Wilvong returns to Denilou The dwarf Wilvong returns to Denilou on one of Drak's ships and convinces some of his younger cousins to journey with him back to the Mountains of Learc on Quios. THE AGE OF THE BLOOD (YEARS 822 B.S. - 50 B.S.) 822 b.S. Battle of Salazar Awakening Earth. After first losses the Erpheronian army defeats the Caltharian invasion force. Massacre at the Silvershire Singing Bird. The victorious Erpheronian army in their battles against the Caltharians marches through the the halfling-land of the Silvershire (then known as New Hobbitshire) to resupply, but they find several wounded Caltharian soldiers there. The soldiers are being treated by the halflings, as it is commonly known that they don't care much for the politics of the "big people". Others say that these halflings are believed to not have known anything about the alliance between Erpheronia and the shire as a whole. Parts of the Erpheronian division consider this as treachery and attack the village where these halfling treat the wounded men and within instances the rest of the division joins the massacre. The soldiers slay everyone they encounter, Caltharian and halfling alike. There is no resistance. Hundreds of halflings are murdered in this massacre, their homes are destroyed, and their crops are laid to waste. Many halflings escape to the Silvermarshes to hide there as they cannot go south through Caltharian lands. Treaty of Veltin Rising Sun. In the Treaty of Veltin the demands of the Declaration of Doovens are renewed and even more Caltharian lands are taken over by Erpheronia, among them Thantocha, north-east of the Ancythrian Sea with the important city of Doovens. Beheading of Khizaar Burning Heavens. The Erpheronian commander Khizaar reports the halfling-incident at the Silvershire at the capital to his king. The destruction of the Silvershire is explained as a crime committed by the Caltharian forces, where the Erpheronian army came just too late. The commander gets promoted to colonel, but only a few months later, more and more reports of the true occurences at the Silvershire reach the king. Though Khizaar manages to hide for several weeks, he is prosecuted for his unrightful attack caught in Weyring where he is also beheaded in front of the public to state an example. The Theft of Maengolth's Blood The Kyranian foundling Wegerrand (later called Gorm), who is raised by the elves at the Zeiphyrian Forests, per chance receives knowledge of the location of the powerful blood of the Erpheronian tribe, the blood of the once sacrificed Maengolth, who died from the sword of his own son. The blood was taken away by the elves to prevent the humans of enraging the high powers, the dragons and the gods. As is prophecied in the legend, he, who bears the holy blood of Maengolth within himself shall unite all the human tribes and lead the humans to domination over the world of Caelereth. This human emporer shall introduce the age devoted to the blood of Maengolth, the famous Age of Blood. Wegerrand, although still very young and raised by the elves to sustain harmony, suddenly is captured by the prospect of gaining power over the whole known world. One night he steals away from his tribe, taking the chalice of blood with him. He returns to the Kyranians, presenting the artifact and is worshipped as the saviour of the human race, which at this time lacks powerful leadership.    821 b.S. Jaecor Ironhand Lands Third Victory at the Armerenda Knight Jaecor (or Jaek) Ironhand, now member of the Order of Armeros, proves a third time that he is the best warrior of all of Erpheronia by succeeding a third time in the Armerenda tournament. After his death only a few years later the maximum amount of victories possible for any competitor is limited to two, which makes Jaecor the only person to every have triumphed trice. The hero is at his peak of fame, yet he leaves his homeland to fight in the Erpheronian colonies of Aden against orcish besiegers.    820 b.S. Death of Jaecor "Ironhand" Armerson Erpheronia's most presentable hero Jaecor Ironhand, who has won the Armerenda tournament three times in a row, dies at an accident in the Erpheronian colony in Adan. A cart carrying logs is pulled up on an unsecured street climbing up a hill near the coast when a rope bursts, so that the whole load rolls down uncontrollably and strikes the unsuspecting knight. Jaek Ironhand is buried at the Temple of Queprur in Nyermersys, at the Shrine of Heroes and a monument is dedicated to him in the Great Hall of Heroes in Voldar. Posthumously he is awarded his final title "Armerson" (Son of Armeros), which he shares with only a few selected Erpheronians.    819 b.S. The Coronation of the Kyranian Gorm The coronation of Gorm takes place at the Bay of Skies in the former El'Dorash which is now called Caelum. The urgent petitions of the elves to return the holy blood of Maengolth are answered with the execution of their messengers, which are ordered by the leader of the Kyranian tribe, Jalttren Dereswungen, because he knows of the importance of giving the different tribes of the humans one single enemy. After Gorm drinks the blood of Maengolth ritually in front of his people Gorm is entitled fully "Unrestricted Human King of the Westcoast". The first action the young king takes - advised by Jalttren - is the fortification of El'Dorash and the gathering of an enormous army to challenge the elves. Elving and Saloh are heavily fortified in order to be prepared for the expected confrontations.    812 b.S. Drak's Return to the Erpheronian Homeland and First Deals An old Drak sets foot in the lands of Erpheronia once more with fifteen ships filled with goods from Denilou, their own goods, and Wilvong gold. He strikes a deal with the new Erpheronian king and outright buys a decripit section of the Erpheronian port of Veltin. In little time, walls, docks, and other buildings are built and trade first begins.    811 b.S. The Assassination of King Gorm A Quaelhoirhim sent assassin manages to sneak into the king's palace and to lay fire on the bedchamber of the king. Just like Caein hundreds of years before him Gorm suffers a terrible death for his unceasable will to gain power. The assassination of Gorm by elves to avenge the theft of Maengolth's blood eventually triggers the First Sarvonian War of men against elves. The humans are led into battle by the Kyranian successor of Gorm, Jalttren Dereswungen. The Erpheronians will play a key role in the upcoming battles.    806 b.S. THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST SARVONIAN WAR (SW I): THE WAR OF THE BLOOD Battle of Annihilation at the Zeiphyrian Forests Five years after the murdering of Gorm a ruthless assault on the elven fortresses at Elving, south of the Zeiphyrian Forests, is initiated by Viginold Dereswungen. Although not all human tribes approve to the declared war on the elves, the strength of the human forces is gigantic. Some human tribes, mainly those which felt oppressed by the Erpheronian tribe, even join the elves and on the other side also dark elves support the elven cause, fighting especially the dwarves, who are promised to receive valueable mines for their help at the Rimmerins-Ring by the human leaders. The battle lasts for many months and thousands of soldiers of all races die at the brutal slaughtering, but no army can decide the enormous battle, which causes terrific destruction among both sides. Elving is destroyed completely and most parts of the Zeiphyrian Forests as well as the adjacent Auturian Woods are burnt. The first major Sarvonian battle at the Zeiphyrian Forests indeed is a cruel slaughtering which is unique in Sarvonian history so far, but it is only be a glimpse of even fiercer battles to come: It is the beginning of the so-called War of the Blood which will last nearly 80 years and which will result in lots of bloodshed but will bring no victory to any of the fighting races.    803 b.S. The League choosing of the Erpheronians The Artapherana Trees have long ago developed to their full size but still no human tribe can be found to match the criteria of the experiment. In this year the Brownies are informed that the tribe is finally found. It will be the Erpheronians.    800 b.S. to 749 b.S. The Demise of the Avennorians As the Avennorians sit out the First Sarvonian War ready like vultures to pick up the pieces, they do not take into account that the human tribe of the Erpheronians would hold them accountable for their actions and attack the Avennorians. The Avennorian King Anir surrenders in the late summer of 749 b.S. He and his family are immediately beheaded. The Erpheronian king, Korpicor, and his armies use Marcogg as their staging base for the war against the elves. After the war has ended in 729 b.S. the King gives Marcogg and the lands back to the Avennorians but they have to pay tribute to the Erpheronian empire and are considered a satellite country of the Erpheronian Kingdom from now on. 800 b.S. The League's Choosing of the Helcrani The Helcrani decide to seek refuge in a safer place but the League fails to guide them to the selected place and they resort to the High Fores for salvation where they accepted dwarves inside their society. After counceling the League decides to change the subject of the experiment, abandoning the Erpheronians, and chooses the Helcrani as the worst human tribe for the experiment. The Brownies are informed of these facts. Continued Serphelorian fighting against the Erpheronians Serphelorians continue to fight Erpheronians with the elves; they become valued spies in the North for elven tribes.    760 b.S. The Ylfferhim declare their Independence The Ylfferhim elves declare their independence from the Quaelhoirhim and pull out of the war. This comes as a blow to the Serphelorians fighting with the Quaelhoirhim against the Erpheronians, but they fight on.    751 b.S. The Stormcloak Guild expands Stormcloak trade expands to include the Caltharian port of Carmalad, where they buy their way into another section of port. By now, the fleets have grown and eager young men from from Erpheronia join Quios. It is at this time that the name Quios Shipping Guild is first used. Also, the island chain is referred to as the Quios Islands.    749 b.S. Keep Mistrash in Erpheronian Hands By the time of -749 Keep Mistrash is nearly completely built, so when the Erpheronians take control of the Avennorian territiories in 749 b.S., it is used as a staging point in the defence of Crazy Woman Pass and the surrounding areas. Erpheronia takes over Avennoria Erpheronia takes over Avennoria. This makes Serpheloria very nervous so they redouble their efforts for their allied elves, hoping to avoid the Avennorians' fate.    729 b.S. The Pact for the Deciding of the Blood Many centuries after the first battle due to the dispute about the Blood of Maengolth all three races predominating the Sarvonian continent, humans, elves and dwarves alike have suffered heavy losses and the peoples long for peace once again. As a result the leaders of the two main opposing forces, the elven Avá'ránn, Eleannja, and the human sovereign of the Erpheronian tribe, Korpicor of Voldar, meet without the knowlege of their people at a secret place near the Rimmerins-Ring to decide upon the case. Both leaders cannot afford further battles and both sides don't want to give in and render the casualities of war unimportant and meaningless. Finally a decision is made, which lasts five days until both sides accept the proposal: The cause shall be decided by a direct duel to the death between the leader of the races, Eleannja and Korpicor, magic against pure strength. The defeated wwill have to give most of the lands possessed to the victorious. Of course it is believed among the peoples that the Deciding of the Blood will not be a decision of mortals but would be influenced by the will of the gods. Although the outcome of the duel is expected to be disastrous for one side, elves and humans look forward to the end of the long war. THE END OF THE FIRST SARVONIAN WAR (SW I) The Deciding of the Blood 1st of Sleeping Dreameress. At the first day at the Month of the Dreameress of the year 729 b.S. the duel of the Deciding of the Blood takes place at the large valley in the center of the Rimmerins Ring. The elven Avá'ránn Eleannja and the Erpheronian Warlord Korpicor of Voldar shall decide the war. Many armies from all elven, human and dwarven tribes gather to watch the final decision. As the duel starts dark clouds draw upon the Rimmerins Ring and heavy rains begin to fall, resulting in a terrible thunderstorm. The duel is still undecided as a lightning strikes both leaders, killing the Avá'ránn and Korpicor at the same time. There is great uproar among the watching armies, but the arising uncertainty is quickly substituted by the knowledge that the decision on the war was indeed executed by the will of the gods. The successors to the dead leaders decide to end the war immediately without finding out about the victor. Peace reigns again at the Sarvonian continent. The Interring of the Leaders As a sign of accepting the fate of the undecided war and as an expression of the hope of the races that such a devastating war should never arise again at the Sarvonian continent, Eleannja's and Korpicor's bodies are interred together on a small isle at the Aetryam Sea, west of the Gulf of Maraya. A monastry is erected at the isle, devoted to Seyella, the Goddess of Fate, which harbours monks belonging to all races. From this time on the isle is called the Isle of Hope. Keep Mistrash handed back to the Avennorians In 729 b.S., when the Erpheronians return the kingdom to the Avennorians (albeit as a satellite kingdom of the Erpheronian kingdom), it is an obvious place to base a Graven to continue to watch over the surrounding lands. Hebard Tribald Markgraven of the Mithral Marshes The Erpheronian administrators choose Hebard Tribald to take the title of Graven Mistrash. Hebard is said to have been a reserved but highly capable Avennorian man who has lead Avennorian troops in support of the Erpheronians' efforts in the south. Hebard is present at the Deciding of the Blood, that contest between the elves and the humans which ends the first Sarvonian War. It is said that Hebard sees Seyella’s hand that day, and that the sight makes him weary of the futility of war. The Gravenship is supposed to be in part granted to him because of this weariness; he no longer has any wish to serve actively with an army but the appointment to Graven will keep him busy, using his talents. It will also give him time to spend with his wife whom he loves, but who is sickly. Hebard finishes the construction of the Keep over the remainder of his lifetime. The Tribald family has ruled there ever since and is generally known as the Gravens Mistrash; their actual last name is not well known. Their status as part of a satellite kingdom to the Erpheronian kingdom in the first decades of their rule hardly affects the Mistrashes, as the family has a good relationship with, and feels loyal to the Erpheronians, so happily pay their duty to their overlords.    ca. 700 b.S. First Tensions Erpheronia vs. Centorauria The Centoraurians develop an important merchant fleet triggering tensions with Erpheronia. Erpheronian attempts to conquer Centorauria are unsuccessful and the Helcrani are distinguished as the main Centoraurian strike force.    668 b.S. to 666 b.S. The Time of Rage: Erpheronia vs. Centorauria Parem, the Erpheronian king, eventually invades Centorauria, due to a dispute between shepherds for pasture rights over Midlanir, the island between Efirhal and Accam. His army is ambushed and defeated outside Cemphiria. Artahir, the Helcran Anactar, advises the Centoraurian king, Agelron the Quick, to launch an attack against Erpheronia. When Agelron refuses and proposes a honourable peace treaty, Artahir invades Erpheronia on his own.    666 b.S. Peace Treaties between Helcrani, Centoraurians and Erpheronians The Helcrani Anactar Artahir Accam falls in 666 and in the next year Voldar is besieged. Artahir of Milkengrad dreams of becoming king of Erpheronia, conquering Centorauria and thus being the only human sovereign. However, his dreams are futile. He makes a fatal mistake. In his hurry, he overlooks Westhron and as he is besieging Voldar he is encircled by Erpheronian forces. Artahir is killed in his attempt to break the Erpheronian lines. Nevertheless, the Helcrani under Ogygor, Artahir’s son, manage to retreat in the southwest. They are trapped in the coasts, a location where they can see the eastern shores of Efirhal. The Erpheronian Warlord, Ileor the Kind, feels mercy for the brave men who defied an empire and offers a peace treaty. According to this treaty the Helcrani would not attack Erpheronia for as long Ogygor lived and a regiment of them would be dispatched to Voldar where it would train Erpheronian cavalrymen and assist the king in his campaigns. Ogygor sees the kindness in Ileor’s heart and foretells that the Helcrani will surrender their most precious gift to the next Erpheronian who'd have a heart like Ileor’s. This Erpheronian will be Thar about a hundred years later, who isn't only given princess Curogana but also the Helcran independence.    626 b.S. to 625 b.S. War Erpheronia vs Centorauria A war between Erpheronia and Centorauria breaks out only to end in a stalemate a year after.    618 b.S. Renevor's Alliance of the Red and Punitive Expedition against Milkengrad Renevor, the king of Erpheronia, irritated by the Helcrani merchant fleet and his failure to conquer Centorauria a decade ago, forms an alliance with the Kyranians, the rebel Centoraurians and the Stratanians against Milkengrad. Many mercenaries from the Ashmarian lands came to offer their service to Renevor.    617 b.S. The Fall of Milkengrad A huge Erpheronian army invades Efirhal Island and lays siege upon Milkengrad. Cumrann, who has led war against his own brother Curgan to gain the Milkengradian throne, is promised to be given the crown of the city if he doesn’t interfere. He agrees and sends a small regiment to assist Renevor. Curgan on the other hand fights bravely and despite his victories the city falls after 93 days of siege in the 13th day of the month of the Burning Heavens. From the 25.000 citizens a few hundred survive the terrible slaughter that follows the Fall of Milkengrad. The city is burned down. Cumrann's regiment is destroyed in their attempt to save their defenseless relatives. This is an excuse for Renevor to give the city and the rest of Centorauria to the barbarians and Lecam Turpotaker, a pirate and leader of the Stratanians. Milkengrad takes the name of Turacanth. As he realizes the destruction, Cumrann is responsible for taking the oath never to allow that to happen again and leaves Helcrah with a few of his closest friends. No Helcrani ever sees him again. Assassination of Renevor Many of the Turacantian leaders and Renevor himself are assassinated and a 19-edged star is found upon their bodies.    610 b.S. The Kingdom of Quios The Isles of Quios are recognized by Erpheronia and Caltharia as an independent kingdom. This is true in name only, for it is a navy with a kingdom, rather than the other way around.    602 b.S. The Great Plague of Nyermersys The Great Plague of Nyermersys breaks out killing thousands of citizens. As the origin is unknown the town is set under quarantine. The rest of Santharia is safe but the town’s people suffer under terrible conditions. After several months of dying the priests of Queprur find a way to cure the plague. The high temple of Queprur is becoming a large pilgrimage site for all kinds of people seeking absolution from the Goddess of Death. Also the pest pillar is erected on the main plaza to remember this terrible event forever.    580 b.S. to 565 b.S. Centorauria annexes Lands Centorauria annexes the island of Midlanir from Erpheronia, Helcrah from Caltharia and the Kyranian territories between the Aurelian Lakes and Hèckra.    550 b.S. THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND SARVONIAN WAR (SW II) The Night of the Hand 7th of Singing Bird. On the seventh day of the month of the Singing Bird dwarven monks acting as honour guard at the Grave of the Leaders (see SW I) are killed from behind by unknown grave robbers. The Grave of the Leaders is looted, but all the artifacts of Karpicor, the former human Warlord, remain untouched and only elven items are stolen. The bloodshed is discovered in the morning of the next day by other monks residing at the monastery from where they report the occurrences to the leaders of the races on the continent. The night of the looting, which will turn out to be the beginning of the so-called "War of the Inpious", is later on called the "Night of the Hand". This night will be remembered for many centuries to come. From the time of the Peace Treaty of Nyermersys on, which will seal SW II, the Night of the Hand finds its way into the beliefs of many superstitions people of all races all over Santharia: When night falls at the Night of the Hand people lock their homes and won't leave their houses until the morning. Many put blossoming branches on their doors so that the sign of the Tree of Life will fend off dark minded visitors and they pray to the Goddess Seyella to spare their lifes from the evil roaming the lands. Declaration of War at Chylikis It is only a matter of days that the decision is made by the human representative, the Erpheronian Engolmar the Strongwilled, of declaring war upon the elves as a result to the incidents of the Night of the Hand. The elven dispatches, who sailed for Chylikis to express their regret after a serious incident with Eyelian ships, deny that they had intentionally attacked a human delegation, but are forced to react after being attacked. However, they were not heard.    548 b.S. Helraiser's Death at the Thaelon The Centoraurian sovereign Helraiser plans to invade the Goltherlon from the north, as the Helsalari, a passage in the High Fores, is blocked by both sides. He is on his way, north of Hèckra, when messengers from Erpheronia called him to rush as soon as possible to Astran, where the Erpheronian sovereign, Engolmar the Strongwilled, has been expecting him to discuss urgent matters. He takes a few warriors with him and heads north. Among Helraiser's company are many elves from the Styrani fratra and their leader and second in the hierarchy, Rannahir, who has been fighting along their Anactar against their race (as the Styran fratra consist of Goltherlon elves that follow Helronn after the plague of 631 b.S.). However, this is a trap. The so-called messengers are captives who were blackmailed with the lives of their families in case they don't cooperate. Helraiser is ambushed as he passes through the Thaelon. Outnumbered and encircled he does not surrender. He fights with all he got. And as Helraiser is undefeated in close combat, he is killed with arrows. It is rumoured that it takes nine arrows to make him fall. After his death, Rannahir is offered to join the elven army with the rest of his elven companion. He refuses and they fight until the last one of his men dies defending his Anactar.    542 b.S. The Birth of Thar The wife of an Erpheronian nobleman with royal blood by the name Corin gives birth to his seventh son. The child takes the name Thar.    531 b.S. The Aetryam Naval Battle After the naval battle for Parda the Centoraurians build a new fleet. Eleven years later Carrion comes to take revenge. His ships are loaded with Erpheronian and Kyranian troops and his objective is to escort them to the besieged Antiragon. On his way the elven fleet attacks him at the Aetryam Sea. Although the humans are outnumbered he can not abandon the transports. He strengthenes the sides of his fleet and finally manages to encircle the elves and to accomplish a glorious victory.    522 b.S. Thar's Basic Military Training Thar finishes basic military training and participates in SW II with the Erpheronians. His military prowess is soon recognised and Thar ascends in military hierarchy.    515 b.S. Elven Siege of Milkengrad The elven siege of Milkengrad that is repelled. Curogana decides to get trained in arms.    513 b.S. Thar accused of Treason Thar is falsely accused of treason and is exiled from Erpheronia. The Centoraurian Anactar offers him refuge and appoints him as general of his elite cavalry. The following years Thar will bring glory to the Centoraurian weapons in numerous battles.    508 b.S. Thar and Curogana Thar and the Centoraurian princess Curogana fall in love. Curogana from this date on will lead the army fighting as a man.    503 b.S. Battle at the Ilian Plateau The humans achieve a victory against the Sanhorrhim sovereign Iythill Goldleaf. A part of this success is owned to an Erpheronian nobleman, who attacks the elves from the flank. His name is Thar, and he is dedicated wholeheartedly to the human cause. His virtue and wisdom impress the Centoraurian Anactara, while he is impressed by her beauty and fighting skills. The two of them fall quickly in love but they don't decide to proceed because the war is still on. However, they keep cooperating and fighting together for the next years.    501 b.S. THE END OF THE SECOND SARVONIAN WAR (SW II) The Last Stand at the Selidor Pass Warlord and King Karthach The last remnants of the strongest human army withdraw under the leadership of Kaertherom the Grey to the north, fleeing from the elven forces, which are chasing them to death. The humans gather after the long hunt near Nyermersys, but the last battle of the long centuries of bloodshed takes place at the bastion at the Selidor Pass. After a few days of successful defense the humans are finally overrun by the elves guided to victory by Iythill Goldleaf of the Vontron elves as two more divisions of reinforcements from the western regions arrive to support the cause of the aggressor, destroying the encampment near Nyermersys and attacking the defending humans at the Selidor fortress from the rear, coming from the north. The Last Stand at the Seldior Pass ends with a mass suicide of the surrounded Erpheronian army. At the same time the Centoraurian Queen and Thar are besieged in the city of Milkengrad. Days later the young commander of the remaining human armies and Warlord of the Erpheronians, Karthach of Ishmarin, initially meant to support the human army at Nyermersys but not arriving in time, surrenders to the overwhelming elven forces. The Tethías'quarón (Oath of the Young) The Tethías'quarón, Oath of the Young Some weeks after the last battles of SW II the peace treaty between the rivaling races is signed at the ruins of Nyermersys. Exact borders are defined, but to the surprise of the humans the elves renounce on the payment of reparations. Instead the still innocent and youthful sovereigns of the Erpheronian tribe, Karthach of Ishmarin, and the elven Ránn and chosen Avá'ránn, the Maeverhim Vilanciash of the Sharadon elves, swear the so-called "Oath of the Young" (Tethías'quarón) to never again start the bloodshed of war between the elven and the human race. Karthach is only 22, Vilanciash a mere 67. The Maeverhim, the tribe where Vilanciash hails from, didn't even participate in the war. As a sign of their good-will the coat of arms of the former hostile tribe is burned at the chest of each of the leaders. Since this time every new regent of the tribes has to go through this ritual before the coronation. Later on the Tethías'quarón should be condemned and praised by many people on both sides. It is condemned as it is said to have been an action of mere "children" without thinking on consequences and it is praised as the innocence of the oath would be responsible for many peaceful years to come. Marriage of Thar and Curogana Queen Cumrogana As soon as the war ends, the Erpheronian nobleman Thar marries Curogana in Milkengrad and is crowned king of Centorauria. His reign is described as an age of reconstruction. Thar sells large parts of his family fortune to assist in the rebuilding of his kingdom. During his reign the seven forts, which still guard the Efirhal Island nowadays are founded. Although a foreigner, he becomes totally accepted by the untamable Centoraurians. Thar is very popular among the neighboring kingdoms as he helps them as much as he can without asking for anything in return.    496 b.S. Death of the Erpheronian King Ishmarin Karthach of Ishmarin dies bitten by a snake and Erpheronia plunges into chaos as the rivaling parties of noblemen don't reach an agreement.    493 b.S. The Call for Thar Thar's innocence of his alleged treason yeas ago is revealed and the people of Erpheronia send for him calling him to enforce order in the country. Thar faces a dramatic dilemma as he has to choose over love and duty, between Curogana and Erpheronia. Finally, duty prevails.    492 b.S. The Rise of Thar Thar the Great After years of chaos the people of Erpheronia eventually can convince the rehabilitated countryman, Thar, to claim the throne as he is related with Karthach. With an army of Centoraurians Thar arrives in Erpheronia and after a few battles enters Voldar victorious. There he is inaugurated king of Erpheronia. The Helcrani decide that Thar is worthy of their most precious gifts. They offered their lives, their queen now offers him their freedom, thus fulfilling Ogygor’s promise to Ileor of Erpheronia. They decide to allow Thar to keep the Centoraurian crown, despite their laws. Milkengrad is privileged in reward to be governed by the heir of the Tharanian throne. This seals the official union of the two kingdoms. The joined kingdom is called "Tharania", because the Centoraurians don't want to feel subject to the Erpheronians with whom they have fought many times and who they liberated. The official name of this union is "United Crowns of Erpheronia and Centorauria".    482 b.S. Foundation and Expansion of Tharania Thar, the strongest Erpheronian king so far, manages to eventually unite all four northernmost tribes of the southern Sarvonian continent - the Erpheronians, the Centoraurians, the Kyranians and the Caltharians. The main reason for the willingness of the tribes to subdue themselves to the powerful Erpheronians peacefully was the urging need for support concerning the reconstruction of their destroyed lands. A new era has begun, a major cornerstone to what later on should become the United Realms of Santharia, stretching over the whole of the southern Sarvonian continent. 482 b.S. to 459 b.S. The Reign of Thar Thar rules his kingdom with wisdom until his death. His reign is remembered as an era of peace, progress and stability. The communications between the various areas of the kingdom are restored and enhanced with paved roads. Trade flourishes and with it the people enjoy the fruits of peace. Arts and education are favoured. The other races are welcome to participate in Tharania's progress and commerce between the humans and the rest of the races produces great results.    459 b.S. Death of Thar the Great King Thar dies in his sleep in Sleeping Dreameress 459 b.S. He should later on be referred to as "Thar the Great".    298 b.S. to 203 b.S. THE THIRD SARVONIAN WAR (SW III): THE COMING OF COÓR'MELÓR The Sarvonian Dawn (The Approach of the Darkfriends) Eighty years before the - from the darkfriends - long awaited Mélor'Terquán (the "Night of the Turning Shadow2) thousands of barbarians, orcs, ogers and trolls invade the regions of Nermeran and Vardýnn from the northlands in order to smooth the way for their new coming chieftain, the Dark Lord. In fact the first assault is only a tempting and minor as well as an unorganized one, where the darkfriends attempted to measure their power with the southern forces. So the first wave is repelled rather easily by the Erpheronians and the northernmost elves of the Calmarion forest, but the revenge of the darkfriends is devastating and will last many more years.    293 b.S. Devastating Orc Raid on the Calmarios Darkfriends raid the forest. They slaughter many elves, who are unprepared for attack. They overturn the Cyrathrhim ovens that set blaze to large parts of the forest. There are few survivors. Those few elves that do survive leave their forest forever. They go to the Erpheronian regent to warn him, but he will have nothing to do with them, still holding a grudge that has begun already in SW I. However, the irony is that none of this elven tribe has ever seen, nevermind hurt a human. The tribe members who have known themselves always to be exiles go to the Aellenrhim to warn their friends and kin what was coming. They sacrifice their identity as a tribe to settle among the Aellenrhim. The tragedy is that some years later the Bolder suffers a similar fate to their own. What it was to be - the Cyrathrhim died out.    292 b.S. The Flight from Carmalad Six years after the first massive invasion of the orcs at the regions of Nermeran and Vardýnn the united armies of the humans, elves, dwarves and halflings are forced by constant orcish approaches to recede with their troops to Carmalad. Although the joined army fights bravely reinforcements can not arrive in time and Carmalad has to be abandoned. As the defenders see no hope to save their lives at the Sarvonian continent the people of the four races leave together on all ships available to escape the unceaseable wrath of the orcs. However, many die before they can reach the ships meant to rescue them. The orcs raid the city, and pillage all they can carry.    288 b.S. Serphelorians support the Erpheronian Heroine Caeorphynn The Erpheronian heroine Caeorphynn comes through Serphelorian territory and rallies her troops here. The Serphelorians join the allied human, dwarven and elven forces to retake Carmalad from the darkfriends, having heard of the war through those who went north as mercenaries and came back telling of horrors about to take over the world. The Defeat of Hourelin Although the orcs took Carmalad, an outbreaking clan war for power between the orcish hordes prevents the races living south of Carmald of further assaults from the darkfriends. Gathering a joined army, consisting of human, elven and dwarven forces, the alliance strikes back, retaking Carmalad only a few months after the orcs have taken control over the haven, repelling the orcish hordes to the Silvermarshes and finally defeating the main forces there and at the fields further north which later on become known as the Blood Fields. The orcish chieftain Hourelin dies at the battlefield. In this respect very much credit has to be given to the Erpheronian heroine Caeorphynn of Carmalad who loses all her ancestors at the Battle of Carmalad at 292 b.S. Caeorphynn has refused to leave the continent without having taken revenge for the death of her family, instead she flees south and finally participiate in the counterstrike, freeing Carmalad and killing more than six dozens of orcs by her own hand. She is well known for her courage to ride with Hourelin's severed head on top of her spear into the midst of the orcish horde, chasing the troops into all directions with her presence only. Caeorphynn dies weeks after the defeat of the orcs at a malicious illness named Urgroum's Call, a feverish infection of which many brave men die who have fought in close combat against the hordes of the darkfriends. THE GOLDEN AGE OF KINGS (YEARS 172 A.S. - 547 A.S.) 180 Revival of the Armerenda Feast Armeros, the Santharian God of War The ancient Erpheronian traditional feast is revived again in Voldar, this time also allowing selected knights of southern areas to participate. The Armerenda, the "Days of Armeros" or also referred to as the "Tribute to Armeros", constitute a huge staged feast for the God of War, Armeros, who is considered the patron of all warriors. The Armerenda is actually much more than just a feast - though it takes place only bi-annually, it lasts full three weeks and starts at the last day of the Month of the Awakening Earth (the month dedicated to the God of War), and continues for 25 full days. Core of the festivities of the Armerenda are the tournaments among the knights held in the larger cities of the north, namely Voldar, Astran, Ishmarin, Wyring, Nyermersys and also Milkengrad for the very first time. Needless to say, the Armerenda festivals are extremely popular and have to be accounted to the absolute highlights of all regular Santharian events. This is also one of the reason why they are held - to strengthen morale, determination and spirit of competition, even in times where wars are unlikely to happen. Furthermore the tournaments serve to show off military strength to the populace itself, assuring their security and protection in times of need. THE AGE OF HAVOC (YEARS 1.440 A.S. - 1.540 A.S.) 1.441 The Tyrant Dekron Lashes Back War breaks loose between the Royalists and Helcrah. The Centoraurians and Helcrah revolt against the Tyrant Dekron and his Erpheronian supporters. Vardýnn is turned into a battlefield, and Nermeran is annexed by the Royalists. Cruelties against the people of Enthronia ensure that the Caltharians remain loyal to the central authority. The royalist conquer Varcopas and Strata. Ximax declares neutrality in the progressing conflict.