[center][h2]The Continent of Theran[/h2]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yQReGyq.png[/img][/center]

Here we have a rough draft of the continent in which we shall play. I have fleshed very little out in far as religion, and I didn't want to get too bogged down with those details, and rather work on it as we go in a sort of collaborative effort. Basically what I am thinking is that we will have two major religions that shall mirror Christianity and Islam, as you can probably guess from looking at the map.

The broad strokes are a monotheistic religion centered around a martyr and his saint followers. This religion is prominent in the northern continent, though isn't centralized under one figurehead like the pope in our world. In the south, the sultanates worship an older religious figure, a warlord whom united and built the caliphate that once dominated Thera. 

[h3]A Brief History of Theran[/h3]

In ancient times mankind lived a tribal, and nomadic existence. Life was short and brutal, and marked with many conflicts among their neigbours. Out of the south, a chieftain rose claiming to be graced by God. His name was Meshach and he began brutal conquest in God's name. For decades the man fought, finally slain in a bloody battle with his rivals.

Meshach's sons would take up the sword of their father, and realize his dream, building the Caliphate of Sera. For centuries Sera would be the dominant force on Theran, its reach extending across the continent.

In the height of the caliphate, a man was born in the north. His name was Gideon. As Gideon grew up, he attracted a following traveling the continent and performing miracles, until eventually being arrested by the caliphate and executed. Gideon's martyrdom swept the continent and over the centuries a great following grew, dedicated to Gideon's teachings.

Five hundred years later, an alliance of kingdoms rose up and freed the north of the Caliphate, later forming the Holy Empire of Valencia. Valencia and Sera would remain as opposing powers through the centuries. 

Now, in the present day, infighting and economic stagnation has eroded the influence of the empire and caliphate, rendering them shadows of their former power. 


[h3]Rise of Calan[/h3]

Calan was a prominent province within the Valencian Empire. They bolstered a strong navy and formidable army that often spearheaded incursions against the Caliphate. As the Valencian Legions withdrew, and the empire's was no longer able to aid in the defense of the province, a movement for independence grew. The Valencians fought to keep Calan within the empire, but fighting multiple wars, and problems at home, they were unable to quell the uprising, and Calan was begrudgingly granted independence. 

Over the years, with other former provinces of the empire forming kingdoms around them, a power struggle ensued for dominance over the region. Rampaging war parties from the surrounding area would raid and pillage Calan. Powerful families rose in this tumultuous time, fielding armies, and beating back the invading hordes. Out of the series of conflicts, the kingdom began to resemble present day Calan, with these families forming petty kingdoms and claiming rights to the land.

Alliances among the families, known as the Great Houses, were brokered, shifted, and broken. With the hordes driven out, the families turned on each other, each seeking claim to Calan. At last, after years of fighting, a white peace was forged, and the crownlands and the House of Lords formed. Calan would be ruled by a single king, elected from the rulers of the Great Houses, and by the kingdom's prominent land owners.

God bless Calan!


[h3]A Timeline[/h3]

1000 Before Gideon - Theran is ruled by splintered tribes. Life is brutal and short.
500 B.G. - Meshach appears and begins uniting the southern tribes through conquest.
485 - The Sera Sultanate is formed, with plans of a Caliphate being written.
470 - Meshach is killed in battle.
450 - The Sera Caliphate is formed in the south.
300 - Valencia rises as the last independent stronghold against Sera.
0 Gideon's Age - Gideon is born.
33 G.A. - Gideon is crucified by the Caliphate. 
50 G.A. - The Holy Book of Gideon appears in the north.
150 G.A. - Facing widespread rebellion, The Caliphate withdraws from the north.
200 - The Holy Empire of Valencia spreads across the north, safeguarding against Sera.
500 - Both Sera and Valencia begin to wane in influence. 
621 - Calan begins its fight for independence.
635 - Valencia withdraws from the north-east, granting Calan independence.
640 - Raiders from the east arrive and begin their pillaging of Calan.
680 - Calan is established into a series of petty kingdoms ruled by the Great Houses.
701 - After years of bloodshed, the Great House Pact is signed, and the first King is elected.

800 - 900  This century shall bring us into the recent history of Calan, largely based on your bios. Assume wars with our neighbours, alliances forged and broken, and strife within Calan itself.