[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220926/30d3ae57ef2387828e86929b572764fe.png[/img][/center] [center][b]Historical Timeline[/b][/center] [hider=1 IE - 100 IE] [b]1 IE[/b] - After saving mortal kind from the yaoguai with the help of the five great dragons the young hero Hui founded the Eternal Empire and the Xiao dynasty becoming The First Emperor. It was around this same time that the Chromatic Pillars were built - five magical towers that uphold the Celestial Curtain and separate Aniyat from the mortal realm and thus separating mortals from their gods. [b]2 IE[/b] - Building of the Ruby Palace begins. [b]3 IE[/b] - The White Lantern forms, a cult that opposes the newly risen Eternal Empire and the separation of mortals from Aniyat. [b]5 IE[/b] - The Honfokun arrive in Yongcun after being adrift for many moons. After much petition amid much suspicion they are granted a parcel of land by Emperor Xiao Hui in exchange for surrender of their weapons and ships. They name their new land “Karitu” and begin construction of the city of Cimanu. [b]6 IE[/b] - Three assassins make an attempt on the life of Emperor Xiao Hui in the night. All three all killed but discovered to be members of the White Lantern. Xiao Hui proclaims the cult to be enemies of the Empire the following day. [b]8 IE[/b] - A handful of monks stir up unrest against the Empire in villages near Fongmei and Toknam. The monks are banished from Yongcun into the Western Wastes and a number of peasants arrested and jailed for treason. While unproven the monks are suspected to have been members of the White Lantern. [b]10 IE[/b] - Floods along the southern coasts ravage the young cities of Ximan and Bazin and thousands die. White lanterns are found strung along the roads after the floods have passed leaving some to suspect that the White Lantern used magic to cause the flooding. [b]13 IE[/b] - On the day of the Dawn Light celebration as the new year comes a massive horde of zealots marches out from wilderness, lead by monks of the White Lantern, and attempt to storm the capital of Bianwei. The assault fails despite superior number on the attackers’ part and during their retreat hundreds of zealots are ridden down by Imperial cavalry or arrested. Captured White Lantern leaders are executed and their followers all banished to the wastes to die. While they were not destroyed this is the last that would be seen of the White Lantern for some time. [b]15 IE[/b] - After many stillborn Emperor Xiao Huis’ wife bears a single son named Xiao Fulin. [b]16 IE[/b] - The Ruby Palace is finished and becomes the official seat of both the Emperor and the government of the Eternal Empire. [b]18 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Hui and Ito Songweo, Seshkyo of Karitu, discuss terms in Cimanu for official vassalization of Karitu under the Eternal Empire. The talks proceed well and Karitu becomes a servile vassal state of the Eternal Empire. [b]30 IE[/b] - Adventurers from the settlement of Wo return from scouting in the north and tell of nomadic Folk who travel by horse with great herds of oxen and other beasts. [b]31 IE[/b] - Imperial emissaries meet with the nomadic Folk of the north various times through the summer moons and open trade with some of their smaller bands. [b]35 IE[/b] - Stray bands of Mokeu warriors have begun to prowl the countryside in the east and avoid all attempts at hailing. [b]36 IE[/b] - An Imperial diplomatic retinue are sent to the east to open talks with the Mokeu people only to vanish without a trace in the jungles. [b]37 IE[/b] - A second Imperial diplomatic party is sent east by the Emperor only to disappear in Mokeu lands as the previous emissaries did. [b]50 IE[/b] - At the age of seventy-eight Xiao Hui passes away peacefully in his sleep one winters’ night. For ten days after severe winds screamed through the air as if the land itself was wailing at the death of The First Emperor. [b]51 IE[/b] - Xiao Fulin, age thirty five, ascends as the new Emperor of the Eternal Empire the day of Dawn Light and the new years’ arrival. [b]54 IE[/b] - In exchange for a better deal on trade between their peoples Emperor Xiao Fulin acquires lands further north from the nomadic tribes of the now named Huafen Plains and oversees the construction of the new settlements of Mianwi and Ludi. [b]60 IE[/b] - The Imperial Army undergoes reforms that include restructure of unit sizes, new tactics to be employed, a more polished chain of command, and the introduction of the first Honfokun into the Imperial ranks. [b]66 IE[/b] - Explorers and hunting parties from Wo intrude upon the hunting grounds on the northwestern border river that separates Yongcun and the Huafen Plains. Imperial emissaries calm the issue despite the deaths of two of the hunters from Wo. [b]72 IE[/b] - A devastating storm destroys much of the city of Buhar on the southern coast. [b]73 IE[/b] - Poachers stalking about the Huafen Plains further agitates the southernmost tribes of the land leading to the Imperial council to declare crossing the northern border an offense warranting severe punishment. [i]76 IE[/i] - Emperor Xiao Fulin dies at sixty-one after a severe illness late in the winter. His son Xiao Jun takes the throne at age thirty-two. [b]77 IE[/b] - The first Honfokun courtiers in Imperial history. Namely the renowned poet and musician Mori Gozan and the court eunuch and Imperial Sword Master Yono Haewo. [b]80 IE[/b] - The first ever Trailing of Torn Skirts is hosted by the fat and lecherous Magistrate Dao Zhun of Zhongme. After much petition by the Imperial Council Emperor Xiao Jun bans the “celebration”. [b]90 IE[/b] - After the death of the childless Ito Hidori, the Tochichai of Karitu come together and form the Karitu Moot, putting more power in the hands of the clans and lords of Karitu. This would alter the political system of Karitu as it changes the traditionally hereditary ruling title of Seshkyo to one to be elected to requiring the approval of the Moot. [b]91 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jun, seeking to expand the Eternal Empire, sends an expedition army north with emissaries among them to deal with the tribes of Huafen. The negotiations go poorly and the chieftains are infuriated by the Imperial forts being constructed in their territory despite their refusal to part with more lands. The southernmost tribes form a military confederacy intent to drive out the Empire. [b]92 IE[/b] - Imperial forts across the northern borders are attacked and farmers fields and homes are burned, hundreds of hostages are taken over several moons. The Emperor declares war on the tribes of the plains and sends ten thousand troops into the north. [b]93 IE[/b] - A number of prominent senshodo in Karitu are assassinated, white dye handprints are found on their bodies. The war between the Empire and the Huafen Plain tribes is at its’ height. [b]94 IE[/b] - After losing four major battles in the late winter and spring season to the Empire the Huafen confederacy opposing its’ expansion breaks up and the tribes surrender a great expanse of land, the settlements of Yuni Pao and Yaobuko are established here. [b]95 IE[/b] - Seshkyo Ikeda Sahnu is assassinated while aboard his personal barge off the shores of Karitu, the assassin however is killed during his escape. A writ and an amulet on the assassins’ body reveal the existence of the White Lantern three generations after the shattering purge of their leadership by The First Emperor. [b]99 IE[/b] - Zhao Zhou, a renowned member of the Imperial Council and shrewd lawmaker, institutes various changes that close gaps of exploitation in the Imperial tax system and also makes edits to the long used Qunyi Moral Code of Law.[/hider] [hider=101 IE - 200 IE][b]101 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jun passes away at the age of fifty-seven in his sleep despite such good health. His eldest son Xiao Jingguo takes the throne at the age of thirty-six. [b]102 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jingguo’s younger twin sisters, Ladies Chan and Gan, become the second wives of the leaders of the respective Ino and Aiko senshodo clans. Both of these clans gained significant power after the string of assassinations from years before. This marks the first prominent cross-race marriages in both Imperial and Xiao dynasty history. [b]104 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jingguo narrowly survives an assassination attempt when an arrow was fired at him from a nearby balcony when he was in his courtyard one morning. The assassin escaped but was suspected to be a White Lantern agent. [b]105 IE[/b] - A second assassination on Emperor Xiao Jingguo fails this time by mere coincidence. Poisoned rice wine that was meant for the Emperor was first drank from by a close friend of his whom he had at last moment invited over, the man did not survive the poison. The servant who served the wine escaped from the Imperial Guard and left no clue to their motivation or likely conspirators. [b]108 IE[/b] - Raids into the eastern lands of Yongcun by rogue Mokeu warbands increase over the spring and summer seasons. Farms and villages are stripped of all supplies and whole populations abducted and enslaved. [b]110 IE[/b] - Namhu and Ru Jao are set upon one summer night by multiple Mokeu warbands who set the cities ablaze as they slaughter the guards, abduct what townsfolk do not escape, and haul away all the food and other supplies they can carry. On hearing of the foul plundering Emperor Jingguo declares war on the Mokeu lands and sends a campaign force of eight thousand men east lead by General Hei Kang. [b]113 IE[/b] - After two years passed and thousands dead in the fighting Emperor Jingguo and the two Mokeu kings of Banhet and Ko’Ang sign a white peace treaty with the assurance of no further raids or attacks on the subjects of the Empire. [b]114 IE[/b] - Emperor Jingguo grants large amounts of land and money compensation to the families of those lost in the two year war with the Mokeu. [b]115 IE[/b] - A large Imperial expedition sent north cross into the lands of the fearsome Kulnar giants and provoke them into attack. In retaliation of this attack the Emperor sends Yan Ren, Imperial general and Sword Master, with a force of ten thousand men north. After peace negotiation attempts fail so begins four long days of unending battle in which the Empire would win despite staggering casualties. The Kulnar are driven back to the far mountains and the Emperor declares the northern border forbidden. [b]120 IE[/b] - Explorers return from the southern seas with tales of a “lizard people” living in a great chain of islands, their cargo holds filled with trinkets and food goods traded for on the islands. Later that year Emperor Jingguo would travel to the islands and make an alliance and trade deal with the Zauri - as they called themselves. [b]121 IE[/b] - After a year of bolstering relations Emperor Jingguo offers vassalization to the Zauri who decline, preferring their independence. This rattles relations between the Emperor and the High King of the Zauri for some time. [b]122 IE[/b] - Ladies Chan and Gan are found dead in their homes by servants on the same day, poisoned during their morning meals. Emperor Xiao Jingguo calls for an investigation while publicly blaming the “incompetence” of their widowed husbands’ and the staff of their estates. This greatly damages relations between the Eternal Empire and Karitu for some time. [b]123 IE[/b] - After a year of investigation it is revealed that the killers of Ladies Chan and Gan were a White Lantern assassins posing as servants. Despite this revelation Emperor Jingguo insists the incompetence of the Honfokun is to blame and and even forces a reimbursement for the funeral service from the Seshkyo as well as additional Imperial legal advisors among the courts and wardens of Karitu. [b]125 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jingguo dies at age sixty. His son Xiao Jie takes the throne at age thirty-eight. [b]126 IE[/b] - A monk from the great temple of Qunyi in Bianwei approaches the Imperial Council and reveals that one of the other monks is a member of the White Lantern. Instead of having the monk arrested the Imperial Council has the monk watched closely by spies planted as temple servants. [b]127 IE[/b] - The monk of the White Lantern in Bianwei is followed one winters’ moon to an ancient shrine hidden in the hills south of Wo. This is is discovered to be the sanctum of the White Lantern’s leadership. The shrine is soon after raided and those of the White Lantern that are not killed are arrested and executed. Confiscated from the shrine is a list of prominent White Lantern members and contacts across the Empire leading to more arrests and executions. Emperor Xiao Jie declares the White Lantern to be destroyed. [b]128 IE[/b] - With the White Lantern threat removed Emperor Xiao Jie and Seshkyo Ino Muneyori hold a grand Dawn Light celebration and invite the High King and various chieftains of Iqati as well. The spectacle would prove a success and mend the frayed relations between the Empire and Karitu and also lead to a military alliance between Iqati and Karitu mediated by the Emperor’s regent. [b]129 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jie meets with a number of smaller Huafen Plains tribes outside of Ludi for a peace summit. The Emperor reopens trade with the tribes and even returns a portion of free lands northwest of Ludi in exchange for shared hunting privileges of the area. [b]130 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jie dies at age forty-three after tripping and tumbling down the stairs of the Ruby Palace and breaking his neck. His eldest son Xiao Jinhai takes the throne at age eighteen, the youngest emperor yet. [b]133 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jinhai becomes afflicted with a wasting illness that renders him infirm forcing Imperial Regent Fu Huang to take over the running of the Empire. [b]134 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Jinhai falls into a coma for three moons before passing in his sleep one night at age twenty-two. His younger brother Xiao Yongrui, Magistrate of Toknam, takes the throne at age twenty. [b]140 IE[/b] - Five zealots in Karitu burn down the great school of philosophy in Cimanu destroying all the great works within. All five are banished to the Western Wastes for their heinous act. [b]144 IE[/b] - At the urging of the still regent Fu Huang Emperor Xiao Yongrui grants more power to the Imperial Council while restricting the say of guilds and minor nobility. [b]146 IE[/b] - Regent Fu Huang and his personal advisors draft up new economic proposals which place heavy tariffs on goods from Karitu, demanded higher taxation on nobility, guilds, and temples, while lowering the taxation of the commoners. Though seemingly fair in nature the intent was to weaken the nobles and guilds financially and place more wealth in the Imperial treasury. [b]154 IE[/b] - A number of nobles and regional statesmen form a league opposed to the heightened power of the Imperial Council, calling themselves the Emerald Circle. [b]155 IE[/b] - The Emerald Circle demand the lowering of taxation on the nobility and guilds while statesmen from Karitu petition for a removal of the harsh tariffs on their imports. Both are denied. [b]156 IE[/b] - Trade between Yongcun and Karitu flounders as Honfokun merchants instead look south to Iqati for better dealings. A drought across the northern farmlands causes a widespread food shortage. The merchant guilds of Bianwei, Shanjing, Toknam, and Bazin dissolve. Seeing the possible crisis to come many of the Imperial Council nervously appeal to the regent to repeal some of the directives but he refuses. [b]157 IE[/b] - Riots break out in Fongmei, Mianwi, Ludi, and Wo amid the food shortage, over the summer season thousands die in the riots and from starvation. The Emerald Circle convince various other guilds to dissolve and former members horde away their own wealth. Imperial tax collectors begin to be beaten and killed across Yongcun. Regent Fu Huang goes over the rest of the Imperial Council and declares martial law mobilizing the Imperial Army, claiming to have the Emperor's approval for this action. [b]158 IE[/b] - Regent Fu Huang and his advisors are all stabbed to death by the rest of the Imperial Council who then appeal to Emperor Xiao Yongrui to seize total control. Xiao Yongrui nullifies all policies set forth by Fu Huang and manages to revitalize trade with Karitu and Iqati, he also purchases a large surplus of crops from them as well and has the food dispersed throughout Yongcun. Martial law is lifted and the arduous taxation on the merchants and nobility is lifted. Yongcun would spend the rest of the year recovering from the crisis. [b]159 IE[/b] - The Imperial Council is fully reformed and Emperor Xiao Yongrui returns full traditional power to the throne. [b]164 IE[/b] - Takayama Tamashini composes the “The Yellow Moon Emperor” about Emperor Xiao Yongrui, named as such to point out the appearance of the Emperor for his deep olive complexion and his increasingly round size throughout his rule. The piece was an elaborate criticism of the Emperor including his slothful nature and negligence. It was banned across Yongcun and declared treasonous against the Eternal Empire. [b]166 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Yongrui dies at age fifty-two after collapsing during a severe coughing fit amid an evening meal. His son Xiao Dong - born unto him by a concubine - takes the throne at age twenty-nine. Despite not being legally legitimized Xiao Dong was the only known blood descendant of Xiao Yongrui who had no wife and only one of his concubines bore a child, that concubine being Xiao Dongs’ mother. [b]169 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Dong insists upon more Honfo senshodo be brought on as consultants and sword trainers for the Imperial Army which improves the technique of the footmen. [b]170 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Dong appoints the renowned Honfokun builder Chinen Hanzo as chief architect of the Empire, part of this agreement being that Hanzo’s younger sister and his widowed cousin both become royal concubines. [b]172 IE[/b] - A roving band of Mokeu sellswords build a stronghold on a holy island in Iqati. This would lead to a several days siege by the enraged Zauri that ended with the surrender of the sellswords. On discovering the destruction of the sacred shrines on the island the Zauri mass executed the remaining Mokeu and burned their bodies aboard their beached ships. [b]175 IE[/b] - Several chieftains of the Huafen Plains call for the return of their ancestral lands amid a poor hunting season and growing tensions between many of the southernmost tribes. Emperor Xiao Dong denies this request, the chieftains in turn ending trade with the Empire in their anger. [b]177 IE[/b] - Farmers and huntsmen along the northern border make claims of sightings of traveling Kulnar bands. While skeptical the Emperor increases patrols and outpost numbers in the north. [b]180 IE[/b] - The same Huafen Plains chieftains from five years before again petition for lands, this time with many central plains chieftains at their sides. The Emperor once again denies them and with that the last of the trade with the Huafen Plains is ended. [b]181 IE[/b] - A large confederation forms in the Huafen Plains - the Black Arrow. They send emissaries south to the Emperor to one final time call for the return of their forefathers’ land. Less than a breath after Emperor Xiao Dongs’ third denial a knife is driven into the armrest of his throne and war declared by the tribes. [b]184 IE[/b] - The war with the Black Arrow Confederation ends. Thousands on both sides are dead, the relentlessness and fast attack tactics of the Huafen horse archers meeting the discipline and techniques of the Imperial Army for the second time in written history - the numbers and zealous drive of the Imperial forces winning out. The confederation breaks apart and the chieftains are forced to surrender land retuned to them by Emperor Xiao Jie as well as additional lands. [b]195 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Dong offers all three of his sons born unto concubines as husbands to unmarried female members of the famed Nakamura senshodo clan in Karitu. The youngest of these sons would instead become a consort rather than a legal husband and the middle son would elope with a minor noblewoman in Toknam. [/hider] [hider=201 IE - 300 IE][b]201 IE[/b] - Sakai Ichigo, renowned duelist, poet, and songstress, visits the coastal Yongcun cities of Bazin and Ximan and teaches interested women in the concepts of [i]ransutor.[/i] [b]202 IE[/b] - Sakai Ichigo continues her eastern journey and arrived in Yogang where she would continue her teachings however later that year in Ru Jao she was stoned to death outside the city by a number of outraged farmers and craftsmen. Her murder stirred great anger among the senshodo of Karitu who demanded death for all the men involved. [b]205 IE[/b] - Sightings of Kulnar continue to increase in the north. [b]210 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Dong passes away at age seventy-three. His son Emperor Xiao Heng takes the throne at age thirty-seven. [b]211 IE[/b] - A combined Mokeu force of warbands from Banhet and Ko’Ang attack the eastern border city of Namhu in the late fall. Hundreds are killed including the entire Imperial defending force and the city seized. The Mokeu brother kings Tan-Ju and Wi-Ju declare the city and the surrounding area as a joint territory of Banhet and Ko’Ang. Emperor Xiao Heng sends a declaration of war and mobilizes the Imperial Army. [b]212 IE[/b] - After three fierce winter battles the Imperial Army lays siege to Namhu. Skirmishes take place along the border throughout the year. [b]214 IE[/b] - The two year siege of Namhu ends with the Imperial Army victorious after a mutiny among the Mokeu occupation. Kings Tan-Ju and Wi-Ju are killed in the infighting and the remaining Mokeu warriors and chieftains surrender. The Mokeu prisoners are all released in exchange for the safe release of the Folk imprisoned within the city. Combined Imperial and Mokeu casualties were in the thousands plus the thousands of Folk who died during the occupation from starvation and illness. [b]215 IE[/b] - Honfokun alchemist Matsuyori Kiro begins experimenting with an explosive black powder substance. [b]216 IE[/b] - Matsuyori Kiro is driven from Karitu after his experiments with his explosive powder destroys his estate and causes a large fire on the outskirts of Cimanu. [b]225 IE[/b] - Yamano Huan, a Folk woman raised by a wandering Honfo senshodo, wishes to join the Imperial Army. She is denied by recruiters as there are strict laws against women being allowed in the ranks of the Imperial Army. Her appeals as [i]ransutor[/i] are waved away. [b]226 IE[/b] - An Imperial northern outpost is destroyed and all the defenders dead, their bodies found decapitated and impaled on spiked poles. A lone survivor found wandering the plains with his dying breath says it was the Kulnar. [b]227 IE[/b] - Mianwi is overrun and razed by a Kulnar horde numbering in the thousands. The Kulnar then begin marching southeast and plunder the city of Fongmei in the fall, come winter they lay siege to Toknam. [b]228 IE[/b] - At the first of spring General Chongxin Kanbei - a distinguished Hanfo tactician and the first of his people to be an Imperial General - meets the Kulnar in battle along the Emerald River after drawing them away from the exhausted Toknam defenders. The giants rushed across the shallows through showers of arrows and pounded the shore defenses for the entire day. General Chongxin’s forces would win despite heavy losses and his forces would pursue and drive the giants all the way back to their northern wastes. General Chongxin would be named a hero of the Eternal Empire and granted a vast estate and reward pension. [b]230 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Heng, the Imperial Council, and General Chongxin Kanbei hold a military summit in Bianwei inviting tacticians and warriors from Karitu and Iqati as well. Reforms are made in the military which include the allowing of Honfokun [i]ransutor[/i] to enlist and serve, added tactics for both melee and ranged combat, and the induction of Zauri into the Imperial Army as well as the creation of all Zauri and all Honfokun units. [b]231 IE[/b] - Yamano Huan and various Honfokun women not of [i]ransutor[/i] status petition the allowing of Folk women into the Imperial Army, sitting and fasting in the square beneath the Ruby Palace before being forcefully removed by the Imperial Guard. Yamano Huan returns to Karitu and never again sets foot in Yongcun. [b]240 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Heng passes away at age sixty-seven. His eldest son Xiao Li takes the throne at age forty-two. [b]242 IE[/b] - Matsuyori Kiro presents his refined black powder and recipe to the Imperial Council after much petition. After various demonstrations the Imperial Council and the army approve and Kiro continues his work. [b]243 IE[/b] - Matsuyori Kiro and his assistants present the Emperor and his council with “rockets”, tubes that employ the use of black powder to launch into great distances and explode. Various demonstration show potential but the rockets prove to be too inaccurate and unpredictable in their use. [b]244 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Li falls ill and is bedridden after several days. [b]245 IE[/b] - Less than half a year after succumbing to severe illness Emperor Xiao Li passes one cool spring morning at the age of forty-seven. Childless despite his wife and many concubines - Xiao Li is succeeded by his younger brother Xiao Manquian aged thirty-nine. [b]246 IE[/b] - A devastating storm in Iqati wipes out four entire tribes of Zauri on a small island on the eastern reach. [b]248 IE[/b] - Matsuyori Kiro has still not perfected his rockets for military use, however they are redesigned for festive purposes and the first use of fireworks takes place on the eve of the Emperor’s birthday. [i]250 IE[/i] - Mokeu chieftain Qan-Lung unites various lesser tribes under him and seizes a large portion of uninhabited land in Yongcun east of Yogang. By the time Imperial scouts discover this Qan-Lung has already erected a massive stronghold. Emperor Xiao Manquian sends an envoy to demand the Mokeu depart Imperial lands, Qan-Lung sends the head of the envoy back to the Emperor who then declares war. [b]251 IE[/b] - Mere days after the new year Emperor Xiao Manquian sends an army of three thousand Zauri and three thousand Honfokun units to defeat Qan-Lung and drive out or destroy his forces. The fortifications are easily destroyed by lit barrels of black powder - the first military use of the substance - and after a short, bloody battle Qan-Lung and half of his forces flee east over the border into Banhet. [b]252 IE[/b] - One year after his defeat Qan-Lung returns with an even larger army and lays siege to the city of Namhu. The same Imperial force that defeated Qan-Lung is sent to free the city of the siege however even with reinforcements they are routed by the fierce Mokeu and the Namhu falls not long after. Qan-Lung has the half the population massacred while the rest are sent back to Banhet as slaves or kept as hostages in Namhu. [b]253 IE[/b] - General Chongxin Kanbei, hero of the Kulnar siege of Toknam and the Battle of Red Crossing, is sent with a combined force of ten thousand to reclaim Namhu from Qan-Lung. Kanbei lays siege and launches six direct assaults on the walls during the summer, all of which are repelled. He tries to use rockets however they are ineffective in breaching the sturdy defenses of Namhu. One final assault is launched in the winter and fails, General Chongxin Kanbei and his forces are forced to dig in for the winter. [b]254 IE[/b] - Starvation sets in in Namhu as Imperial units ensure no supplies make it inside the city to the Mokeu. Qan-Lung calls for peace, agreeing to depart Yongcun with his tribesmen and allies and leave what survivors there are. General Chongxin Kanbei agrees but then when the gates are open he orders his men to spring upon and subdue the Mokeu. The General personally executes Qan-Lung in the city square and orders the same of the other Mokeu - his actions would be criticized by his own people and the Zauri in coming generations as cowardly and unfitting of a warrior. [b]256 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Manquian’s personal ship is sank during a storm on its’ way to Karitu. The Emperors’ body is never recovered and he is stated as dead, his son Xiao Yue takes the throne at age twenty-seven. [b]257 IE[/b] - Xiao Yue legalizes the Trailing of Torn Skirts - banned nearly two hundred years before in Zhongme - and makes it an official day across the Empire. [b]259 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Yue challenges the Seshkyo of Karitu to a drinking competition while visiting Bianwei. The Seshkyo refuses and, after he calls the Emperor a drunken lout, Emperor Xiao Yue threatens war in a fir of rage though his advisors calm him and the party returns to Yongcun. [b]260 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Yue’s favorite concubine births four girls, though the last born would die days later. [b]263 IE[/b] - Religious zealots in Bianwei begin to commonly harass the growing number of Zauri in the capital for their faith and devotion to their living dragon god. Many Folk and Zauri are killed in brawls that break out throughout the year. [b]264 IE[/b] - A monk named Sing Bao has revealed himself as the agitator of the anti Zauri religious sentiment in Bianwei and also criticized the Emperor for his hedonistic lifestyle. The Emperor has the man’s tongue and eyes cut out publicly though this only further provokes his zealots leading to more fights between the Folk and Zauri. [b]265 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Yue has the zealots of Sing Bao all a rounded up by name and executed or banished at random. In time this cools relations between the Zauri and the religiously disillusioned Folk. [b]272 IE[/b] - After her third stillborn Emperor Xiao Yue in a rage beats his wife unconscious one day in the throne room which greatly alienates him from most of the Imperial Council and other advisors. [b]273 IE[/b] - The youngest of the Emperors’ daughter drowns after falling from a walkway into the Emerald River. [b]274 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Yue is found dead in his bedchambers, his cause of death given as poisoning from too much drink given the empty containers in his room. Physicians later discover his heart to be blackened on its’ removal. The Emperor had no sons to account for, only his two daughters by Lady Bao. After much heated deliberation and simmering unrest among the Folk of the Eternal Empire the first empress ascends the throne as to ensure the continuation of Xiao rule. Xiao Hien at age fourteen also becomes the youngest of the Imperial dynasty to rule. [b]275 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae, the younger twin sister of the Empress, is assigned as a ward to Sassa Otan of the minor Sassa senshodo clan. [b]276 IE[/b] - A number of small villages in eastern Yongcun form a separatist confederation, unwilling to be ruled by a woman and their elders declaring the Xiao dynasty ended. The recently appointed Imperial Regent He Kang has the Imperial Army swiftly crush the rebellion and all dissidents executed. [b]278 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien legalizes the enlisting of women of all races in the Imperial Army. Several heated protests and rallies against this rise up across the land but are firmly struck down throughout the year. [b]280 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien with the aid of several personal advisors alters the size and power of the Imperial Council. Only five official positions exist; the Regent, Chancellor, Grand General, Treasurer, and Domestic Overlord. All other titles are considered honorary or minor and have no final authority on the Council and receive little or no pension. [b]282 IE[/b] - The Imperial Council with the Empresses approval place a heavy taxation on guilds after a number of hostile takeovers of smaller markets. [i]283 IE[/i] - Around two thousand displaced Mokeu of various tribal backgrounds cross over into Yongcun to escape a recent upheaval of violence between the two kingdoms. Despite vocal protests from many, common and noble alike, Empress Hien allows the Mokeu to stay where they find suitable. This marks the first notable immigration of Mokeu into Yongcun in history save for stray exiles from Banhet and Ko’Ang. [b]284 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae becomes second wife to the widowed Seshkyo of Karitu. [b]285 IE[/b] - Maleko the Last, a famous clanless Zauri swordsman from Iqati, travels to Bianwei and offers to serve Empress Xiao Hien. The Empress appoints him as Sword Master and gives him the rank of general in the Imperial Army. [b]286 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien marries the younger son of the Magistrate of Shangjing - Ru Huang Fu - matrilineally. [b]287 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien gives birth to her first son, Xiao Hing. [b]290 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae petitions for a title in Yongcun as a member of the Xiao dynasty. Empress Xiao Hien refuses. [b]291 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae again petitions for a title in Yongcun and is refused. [b]292 IE[/b] - Yogang and Ximan are nearly completely destroyed in a devastating earthquake that shakes southeastern Yongcun killing thousands. [b]295 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien gives birth to her second son, Xiao Zheng. [b]296 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae is discovered to have been plotting to assassinate the Empress and her sons with Nagayori Waegan and Agwu Yuki, Tochihai of the minor Nagayori and Agwu clans of Karitu. Waegan and Yuki are executed and Xiao Tae placed under indefinite house arrest in a guarded estate outside of Bianwei - the Empress unwilling to become kinslayer. [b]300 IE[/b] - Word spreads from outcasts of Banhet of a dreaded red-eyed Mokeu who has forced himself in as king. [/hider] [hider=301 IE - 400 IE] [b]301 IE[/b] - Rumors circulate of jiangshi haunting the outskirt villages of Ximan. These are waved off as no yaoguai have been seen in over three hundred years. That winter, after a number of women and children have been found drained of their life essence, two jiangshi are killed in a cave near the coast. This causes panic across the land for some time as many believe the yaoguai to be returning. [b]302 IE[/b] - A large number of Mokeu arrive outside of Sucheng bringing more tales of the “red-eyed king of Banhet”. The Magistrate of Sucheng demands that they move on so the Mokeu journey further west and arrive in Bianwei. [b]303 IE[/b] - In the spring a massive army of Mokeu flying black banners arrive at Ru Jao. Instead of laying siege to the city they only destroy it’s outer defenses and then seize the ships and boats in the harbor, setting out to sea. They are later discovered to be moving down the coast toward Shanjing and without doubt then to Bianwei just up the Emerald River. General Maleko musters an army of seven thousand strong and meets the Mokeu in the famous Battle of the Blackened Sands where he would personally duel king of Banhet Xon-Din - revealed to be possessed by a demon. Xon-Din was struck down and his head taken by Maleko, his routed army pursued to the last warrior all the way back to the border of Banhet. [b]304 IE[/b] - Religious zealots in Mianwi and Wo band together and attack the Imperial defenses are various nobility of the two cities. Both attacks are subdued and the surviving insurgents all exiled to the Western Wastes by the hundreds. [b]305 IE[/b] - Xiao Tae is found decapitated in her estate. Despite initial suspicions of Empress Xiao Hien the attacker reveals himself as the youngest son of Agwu Yuki, blaming his fathers’ death and the fall of his clan on Xiao Tae. Before he can be arrested he commits suicide in the square beneath the Ruby Palace. [b]307 IE[/b] - The discovery of silver in the hills just north of Ludi leads to a large rush of settlers and miners. [b]309 IE[/b] - Hunters from Ludi accidentally kill the eldest son of a chieftain of the Huafen Plains. When the chieftain discovers this he demands the hunters be handed over to him by the people of Ludi who refuse. The chieftain declares war and that harvest season his tribe begins to burn down villages and farmholds across the northern territory. [b]310 IE[/b] - The Magistrate of Ludi dispatches his army to meet the plain Folk in battle but they are routed and suffer heavy losses. Wo sends reinforcements a season later and the combined forces this time drive off the attackers. During the winter season the chieftain calls for his allies in his blood feud but they refuse. [b]311 IE[/b] - As the Imperial Army prepares to move north the vengeful chieftain is murdered by his brother who then sues for peace on behalf of their tribe. Peace is made however many vengeful Folk across the north begin to hire mercenary to drive the nomadic Folks further back from the border. [b]313 IE[/b] - Bando Zento and twelve other former Imperial soldiers gather together clanless [i]senshodo[/i], former Imperial army like themselves, and other wanders and form the Free Wardens. They swear fealty to the Empress and the Xiao bloodline and take up the yolk as wandering defenders of the land. The Empress later that year grants them Jencho castle. [b]315 IE[/b] - A particularly harsh famine grips Karitu, worse than any before. The Empress has food reserves sent to help the Honfokun. [b]320 IE[/b] - Farmers and huntsmen claim to have spotted Oni in the hills and ravines around Mianwi. Searches turn up nothing. The last of the sellswords bands hired by the Folk of Ludi depart the Huafen Plains. [b]321 IE[/b] - A number of monasteries and monks in Quizho and Wanhar have begun doomsaying and stirring up sentiment against the Empire. The troublemakers are arrested and some exiled by the authorities of Karitu. [b]325 IE[/b] - An Imperial village north of Mianwi is burned to the ground and all the villagers found skinned and hung from posts and trees. Imperial scouts spot a large horde of Kulnar moving southward. [b]326 IE[/b] - The Kulnar horde reach Mianwi and meet an army of twenty thousand lead by Generla Maleko. The two forces collide in the open fields of Shotan and the battle lasts until dusk. The Imperial Army is exhausted and their ranks soon break as the Kulnar drive them back and into Mianwi, the Kulnar lay siege to Mianwi. One moon later another Imperial force arrives lead by General Fujiwara Goemon. Despite the tenacity and dexterity of General Fujiwara’s forces the Second Battle of Shotan is lost and the generla killed in the retreat. [b]327 IE[/b] - In the last days of winter, still awaiting more reinforcements from the south, Generla Maleko orders a desperate assault on the Kulnar. Knowing his forces may lose he orders that barrels of black powder be used to destroy the city walls so the Kulnar will not have a stronghold to fortify themselves in. Maleko’s forces meet the Kulnar in battle and manage to defeat and scatter them. Losses are great however and General Maleko dies of his wounds from the battle which are many. Empress Xiao Hien holds a seven day memorial for the fallen Zauri Swordmaster immediately after. [b]328 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien disperses large money sums among the commoners of the cities and also distributes surpluses of food to the smaller villages, namely those in the north. [b]330 IE[/b] - The famous thief known as the “Silver Panther” is finally caught and executed in Shanjing after a lifetime of thefts. His hoard of treasure is not found. [b]337 IE[/b] - The small city of Ji west of Karitu is burned nearly to the ground during the particularly hot summers’ fire. Severe fires also break out in Wo. [b]342 IE[/b] - Empress Xiao Hien passed away at age eighty-two, the youngest and oldest ruling of the Xiao dynasty and the only empress in the history of the Eternal Empire. Her eldest son Xiao Hing takes the throne at age fifty-five. [b]345 IE[/b] - Villagers outside of Ximan kill an Oni, bringing its’ corpse to capital for display. The Free Wardens began to scour the frontier in Oni hunts. [b]346 IE[/b] - [i]The Mandate of the Forgotten Oracle[/i], written by the monk leaders of the White Lantern many generations ago, is found in an abandoned monastery outside of Wo. The Magistrate of Wo orders the script burned but it vanishes immediately after. [b]348 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Hing passes away at age sixty-one. As his three children were all women, his younger brother Xiao Zheng is next in line - however, as Xiao Zheng is wisened himself he abdicates and so his son Xiao Biju at age twenty-three takes the throne. [b]350 IE[/b] - The Imperial Regent Gongsun Zhou is discovered to be possessed by a shui gui, namely the spirit of Xiao Wai, the younger sister of the late Empress Xiao Hien. Monks from the temple of Qunyi and a shaman from Iqati perform a ritual that dispels the girls’ spirit however this also kills the Regent. The monks and shaman then sanctify the riverside where the Regent was suspected of being seized upon by the shui gui. [b]354 IE[/b] - A pair of Oni attack farmers in Karitu, the famed swordsman Kuroda Shingen defeats both Oni alone and brings their heads to the Seshkyo. [b]356 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Biju sends emissaries to the Huafen Plains and opens new trade with several of the smaller northeastern tribes as well as exchanging a large area of land and hunting rights for weapons, armor, and three thousand well-bred Imperial warhorses. [b]360 IE[/b] - Keola, youngest son of General and Sword Master Maleko, hero of Shanjing and Mianwi, pledges himself to the service of Emperor Xiao Biju who in turn appoints him as Sword Master and General like his father. [b]364 IE[/b] - A jiangshi is discovered to be haunting the Ruby Palace every night after several servants and guards are found drained of their life essence. Keola and a pair of Free Wardens lead the investigation and slays the abomination after three nights of searching and waiting. [b]366 IE[/b] - Duelist Tomomori Shogo journeys to every city across Yongcun and defeats all who challenge him. He travels to Bianwei where only Imperial Sword Master Keola is able to hold him in combat, their duel ending in a draw. Shogo turns down an offer of recruitment from the Free Wardens shortly after. [b]370 IE[/b] - A typhoon strikes the coastline, severely damaging Shanjing, Bianwei, Cimanu, Buhar, and Wanhar. [b]372 IE[/b] - Religious fanatics in Cimanu stir up riots over the spring forcing the Seshkyo to instill martial law for an entire season. [b]375 IE[/b] - Pamphlets with excerpts from [i]The Mandate of the Forgotten Oracle[/i] begin to appear in small towns and villages across the southern regions of Yongcun. Emperor Xiao Biju orders them all confiscated and any in possession of them interrogated and possibly imprisoned. [b]380 IE[/b] - A vengeful phantom, a Diao si gui, torments the Magistrate of Ru Jao throughout the year. When finally confronted the spirit is revealed to be the younger brother of the magistrate who was thought to have been lost in the wilds. In truth he had been taken from his bed one night and hung by the magistrates men on his order. The Magistrate of Ru Jao commits suicide come the winter when the hauntings do not stop. [b]382 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Biju dies at age fifty-seven when a poisonous lizard is discovered to have slipped into his tea one afternoon. The death is stated as an accident. His son Xiao Shanyuan takes the throne at age thirty-two. [b]384 IE[/b] - The Mokeu warlord Ang-Pon leads a confederation of tribes over the eastern border and then north skirting Kulnar lands. They then lay siege to Guangnan while declaring their annexation of the city and the surrounding territory to the Emperor. Zauri general Ankunar leads a modest force from the south in Sucheng and breaks the siege after a short battle outside the walls. He then pursues Ang-Pon’s army south. Come winter the Mokeu build a makeshift fortress south of Namhu. [b]385 IE[/b] - General Ankunar lays siege to the Mokeu fortress however his own ranks are broken in battle after reinforcements from Banhet arrive and push them back. The fresh Mokeu then engage in a series of skirmishes with the Imperial forces while Ang-Pon and his army south to Ru Jao. Using black powder bought from a smuggler Ang-Pon blasts down the gates of Ru Jao and the Mokeu swarm through the city overcoming the Imperial defenses though losing many of their warriors. In exchange for granting them the loot within Ru Jao Ang-Pon enlists a local band of sellswords and brigands while taking the food supplies and armaments for his own ranks. He then sends the mercenary band west towards Yogang while moving north to regroup with his allies, after setting Ru Jao ablaze. As General Ankunar’s forces are broken and sent fleeing back to Sucheng, Ankunar himself dying in battle. The reunited Mokeu erect another crude fortress to hold out for the winter. [b]386 IE[/b] - General Keola leads his first campaign army of ten thousand eastward and lays siege to Ang-Pon’s fort. The siege lasts for several moons as the Imperial forces attempt to starve the warlord into submission. When a courier reveals that Ang-Pon has called for more warriors from Banhet, General Keola launches an assault on the fort. The attack succeeds and the Mokeu forces are decimated though Ang-Pon escapes. To the south the sellswords and brigands break their own siege of Yogang and scatter on hearing that their “employer” has been defeated, though they haul away great amounts of plunder taken from the outlying settlements. General Keola marches south and leaves a defending retinue at both Yogang and the sacked city of Ru Jao. He then marches east for Banhet. [b]387 IE[/b] - Generla Keola’s army arrived at the border with Banhet in the mid winter season to meet a new army lead by Ang-Pon. The two armies make camp on opposite sides of the border and fight three large battles over the next half year. By late summer both have exhausted their ranks, their supplies dangerously low. General Keola calls for support from Sucheng as well as for his men left at Yogang and Ru Jao while Ang-Pon withdraws his remaining forces into the deep jungles of Banhet. The Imperial Army make camp for the winter as support arrives. [b]388 IE[/b] - As spring comes General Keola prepares to march when an offer of peace comes from Ang-Pon. Keola prepares to refuse but his officers all demand he accept as the threat of mutiny is drifting about, the Imperial soldiers unwilling to go marching into the dark, dangerous jungles of Banhet. Keola begrudgingly consents and calls for emissaries from Bianwei who arrive immediately. Ang-Pon surrenders and is removed from power as per the agreement and all slaves and prisoners taken by his warriors are freed. The confederation of tribes that united under Ang-Pon dissolves and choose new leadership. Ang-Pon’s conquest of eastern Yongcun had failed and like his father General Keola was named a hero of the Eternal Empire and he and his men given a large pension for their service. [b]390 IE[/b] - Emperor Xiao Shanyuan dies one evening at age forty after complaining for several days of a lingering head pain. Emperor Xiao Shang takes the throne at age fifteen making him now the youngest emperor and second youngest of all rulers to take the throne. The Black Fang Tong rises to power in Shanjing. [b]392 IE[/b] - The Emerald River floods in the spring and nearly a hundred people perish. [b]394 IE[/b] - Kulnar bands have been skirting the Imperial border to the north and engaging with outposts and forts but there has been no sign of an invading horde. [/hider] [hr] [center][b]Xiao Dynasty Rulers[/b][/center] [hider=+] [b]1. Emperor Xiao Hui[/b] • Known as: The First Emperor, The Savior of Folk, Destroyer of Demons • Known for: His humble beginnings and rising to defeat the yaoguai horde and then founding the Eternal Empire. Granting land a sanctuary to the Honfokun people. Also the only mortal ever to cross over into Aniyat, the heavens. Builder of the Chromatic Pillars and creator of the veil between the planes of mortal and immortal. • Ruled from: 1 IE - 50 IE (Death) • Died at: 78 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]2. Emperor Xiao Fulin[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Being the son of Xiao Hui. Expanding the Eternal Empire northward into the plains and first treating with the Huafen Plains tribes. • Ruled from: 51 IE - 76 IE (Death) • Died at: 61 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]3. Emperor Xiao Jun[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Being the grandson of Xiao Hui. His own expansions north deeper into the plains and the construction of more settlements. • Ruled from: 76 IE - 101 IE (Death) • Died at: 57 • Children: 1 Son, 2 Daughters [hr] [b]4: Emperor Xiao Jingguo[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: The only Emperor ever to face/survive multiple assassination attempts. Presiding over the first war with the Mokeu and the discovery and following four day clash with the Kulnar. Meeting with the Zauri after their discovery in 120 IE. • Ruled from: 76 IE - 125 IE (Death) • Died at: 60 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]5. Emperor Xiao Jie[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: His purge of the White Lantern sanctuary near Wo and apparent destruction of the fanatics cult. New trade deals and bettered relations with certain Huafen Plains tribes. • Ruled from: 125 IE - 130 IE (Death) • Died at: 43 • Children: 2 Sons [hr] [b]6. Emperor Xiao Jinhai[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Being the third youngest ruling emperor. • Ruled from: 130 IE - 134 IE (Death) • Died at: 22 • Children: 0 [hr] [b]7. Emperor Xiao Yongrui[/b] • Known as: The Yellow Moon Emperor, The Fat Fool (Later years.) • Known For: Being the fourth youngest Emperor. His slothfulness, large girthy body, and foul temper. The corruption that plagued his council and the division across the Empire due to his poor rule. • Ruled from: 134 IE - 166 IE (Death) • Died at: 52 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]8. Emperor Xiao Dong[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: His presiding over the war with the Black Arrow confederation in the Huafen Plains. His vast harem of women, namely his preference for Honfukun concubines. • Ruled from: 166 IE - 210 IE (Death) • Died at: 73 • Children: 4 Sons [hr] [b]9. Emperor Xiao Heng[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Presiding over the second war with the Mokeu peoples and the first invasion of the Kulnar and his vast military reforms with the aid of his council and generals. • Ruled from: 210 IE - 240 IE (Death) • Died at: 67 • Children: 2 [hr] [b]10. Emperor Xiao Li[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Giving patronage to Matsuyori Kiro, the inventor of explosive black powder. • Ruled from: 240 IE - 245 IE (Death) • Died at: 47 • Children: 0 [hr] [b]11. Emperor Xiao Manquian[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Presiding over the war with the Mokeu warlord Qan-Lung. • Ruled from: 245 IE - 256 IE (Disappearance/Assumed Dead) • Died/Disappeared: 50 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]12. Emperor Xiao Yue[/b] • Known as: The Heathen Emperor (Later years.) • Known for: His hedonistic nature; drunkenness and womanizing. His infamous beating unconscious of his wife in the throne room after she continued to fail to give him a son. • Ruled from: 256 IE - 274 IE (Death) • Died at: 45 • Children: 4 Daughters (Two died.) [hr] [b]13. Empress Xiao Hien[/b] • Known as: The One Empress, The First Empress • Known for: Being the first and only Empress of the Eternal Empire. Being the youngest of all rulers, coming to the throne at age fourteen. Ruling the longest of any in the Xiao dynasty. Allowance of women to enlist in the Imperial Army. Heavy taxation of guilds. Presiding over the wars with the Demon King Xon-Din and the second Kulnar invasion. Appointing the first Zauri General and Sword Master - Maleko. • Ruled from: 274 IE - 342 IE (Death) • Died at: 82 • Children: 2 Sons [hr] [b]14. Emperor Xiao Heng[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: The first yaoguai in hundreds of years is killed during his reign. • Ruled from: 342 IE - 348 IE (Death) • Died at: 62 • Children: 3 Daughters [hr] [b]15. Emperor Xiao Biju[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: The rise in yaoguai rumors and sightings during his reign. His peace talks with the Huafen Plains tribes and his acquisition of more northern lands. The second emperor to die from an accident. (Poison lizard falling into his tea.) • Ruled from: 348 IE - 382 IE (Death) • Died at: 57 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]16. Emperor Xiao Shanyuan[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Presiding over the war with Mokeu warlord Ang-Pon. • Ruled from: 382 IE - 390 IE • Died at: 40 • Children: 1 Son [hr] [b]17. Emperor Xiao Shang[/b] • Known as: NA • Known for: Being the youngest emperor and second youngest ruler of the Eternal Empire after Empress Xiao Hien. • Ruled from: 390 IE - • Died at: NA • Children: 0 [/hider]