History of Ithrien

Amongst the myriad of civilizations in Gotha, Ithrien holds a special place for its enduring history, primarily chronicling the events connected to the Ithrieni people. Predominantly set in Ithrien Island and its nearby territories, our understanding of this history is enriched through archaeology, oral traditions, and written records. One particular work that stands out is "The History of the Ithrieni" by Sha Ahmed Wahid, written between 7212 U8E28093 – 7349, a paramount text in the Ithrieni historical landscape.

Prehistory

Homo Ithrienus' Arrival

Approximately 2 million years ago, a distant homonid cousin of Homo sapiens sapiens, called Homo Ithrienus, reached Ithrien Island. The evidence of this presence was manifested in the form of burial remains, including fossilized bones, stone tools, and traces of fire use. These relics were discovered in the Cave of Al-Hamid by Dr. Sha Mahmud Abydeen in 7509. Due to the cave's location, this extinct homonid is colloquially known as the Al-Hamid man. Physiological reconstructions from the bones illustrate that the Al-Hamid man, while shorter, was bulkier in comparison to modern humans. Distinct features included a broad brow ridge, flat nose, pronounced cheekbones, upper jaw, and notably larger canine teeth, indicating a carnivorous diet.

Arrival of Modern Man:

Circa 7000 BRH, modern humans made their entry into Ithrien Island, leading to the eventual extinction of Homo Ithrienus. Dr. Sha Mahmud Abydeen posits that factors such as changing climate, which restricted the Homo Ithrienus' habitat and prey, combined with the adaptability of Homo sapiens to new dietary and environmental changes, led to this eventuality. The last of Homo Ithrienus likely perished due to starvation or conflicts with the modern man.

Settlements & Evolution

The modern humans, post the Homo Ithrienus era, proliferated across the island. They left traces of their existence in the form of pottery shards, foundational remains of wooden houses, and burial sites. Some continued to be hunter-gatherers, establishing their presence in the highland forests, thereby evolving into the Ithrieni aborigines. In contrast, those who created settlements in lowlands and coastal regions likely became the foundational Sekhet culture.

Age of Jahiliyyah

Defining the Era

The Age of Jahiliyyah, also termed the Age of Ignorance, spans the mythical submersion of the holy city of Zohor until the emergence of the first Audhdom under Audh Al-Atar. This period signifies when knowledge and tenets of the Anuric Anur religion seemingly vanished.

Sekhet Culture

While termed an age of ignorance, archaeological findings continue to illuminate a flourishing civilization on Ithrien Island, named the Sekhet culture. This culture is identified by stone steles embellished with indecipherable pictograms, predominantly found along the coast of Sekhet near Dahabia. Around the 1000s BRH, there's evidence suggesting the introduction of agriculture and animal husbandry to the Sekhet people, either indigenously or through influence from Tharna.

Either Influence

By 500s BRH, the Either people made their presence felt in Ithrien. Distinguished by their unique pottery and tools, the Either also used bones and stones for divination. These artifacts, marked with stellar constellations, hint at their advanced knowledge of astrology and religious rites. Notably, their early abjad script is believed to be the precursor to the contemporary Ithrieni script. The Either also introduced various grains, fruits, vegetables, and pigs to Ithrien. The amalgamation of Sekhet and Either cultures fostered prosperous coastal city-states, often in trade competition and conflicts.

Height & Decline of Sekhet-Either Civilization

The pinnacle of the Sekhet-Either city-states was reached by the early 100s RH. Their legacy includes ritual mounds, foundational remains of walls and structures, clay tablets, and stone steles. It's postulated that around the 1800s, bronzework and metallurgy were brought to Ithrien via Tharna trade routes. By this time, the Sekhet-Either people viewed themselves as a unified entity, despite many of their city-states being deserted. Reasons for this decline range from famine and drought to disease introduction by the proto-Ithrieni.

Anur I Era

Founding of Anur

The epoch termed Anur I or the First Audhdom symbolizes the crystallization of the Ithrien populace under one umbrella. Spearheaded by the legendary Audh Al-Atar, this phase saw the solidification of the Anuric faith, a blend of religious, political, and military prowess. Al-Atar, viewed as a trailblazer, is believed to be a descendant of the venerated line of the Audhs of submerged Zohor. By his lineage, Al-Atar declared his divine governance and aimed to integrate all Ithrieni under one nation-state.

Technological & Cultural Prowess

Al-Atar's reign is attributed to several technological innovations, particularly the development of iron tools and weaponry. These advancements not only bolstered food production but also augmented the might of his military. This golden age of religious enlightenment spanned 300 years but waned by the 3200s, attributed to internal challenges like famine and external threats from Tharna.

Anur II Era: The Revival of Ithrien under the Second Audhdom

The Rise of Audh Al-Aliyah (3345)

Upon the decline of the First Audhdom, Ithrien faced the threat of the Tharnan invaders. Stepping into this tumultuous setting, Audh Al-Aliyah, with strategic acumen, successfully repulsed the invaders and accessed the throne. Widely revered as the savior of Ithrien, her legitimacy was not only due to her successful campaigns but also her bloodline, being a direct descendant of Al-Atar. The tragic demise of her son-in-law, Audh Al-Kasim, further solidified her claim, and she quickly became the people's choice.

Mabadh Al-Faiz and Naval Expansion (3400s)

Audh Al-Faiz, a visionary ruler of the era, undertook massive infrastructural projects, the most iconic being Mabadh Al-Faiz, a paragon of Ithrieni architectural prowess. Anticipating retaliation from the Tharnans, Al-Faiz bolstered the navy, ensuring Ithrien's maritime dominance.

Decline of the Second Audhdom (Late 3800s)

The prosperity and growth witnessed under Al-Aliyah and Al-Faiz began to wane due to internal rifts. The royal houses, driven by personal ambitions and vendettas, weakened the unity of the Audhdom, leading to its eventual decline.

Warring States Period I:

The Succession Crisis (3815)

Following the death of Audh Al-Latif, Ithrien plunged into political instability. Husni Huda's audacious claim to the throne was met with resistance, triggering widespread unrest and giving rise to the Warring States Period. Despite the turmoil, this period witnessed remarkable cultural advancements. The introduction of parchment revolutionized the literary landscape, with poets like Ibtisam, Haidar, and Jalal enthralling the masses with their compositions.

The Dawn of Anur III (early 4000s)

Emerging from the shadows of chaos, Audh Al-Aqil proclaimed the Third Audhdom, Anur III, aiming to heal the wounds of a divided nation.

Anur III Era: The Third Audhdom and the Struggle for Unity

The Controversial Alliance (3989 - 4053)

To achieve his vision of a unified Ithrien, Al-Aqil made a controversial pact with the Tharnans. While successful in re-establishing control over fragmented territories, his alliance was a contentious issue. His demise during the Siege of Dahabia left his mission incomplete, a task his brother Audh Al-Fuad took upon himself.

The Campaigns of Audh Al-Ayda (4197)

The ascendancy of Audh Al-Ayda marked a turn in Ithrieni history. Faced with Tharnan invasions, she embarked on a brutal campaign, not just to repel them but to obliterate them from Ithrien and their own lands. Despite her military successes, her reign was marred by dissent and public antipathy.

Legislative Reforms and Golden Era (4213 - late 4700s)

Audh Al-Hakim, succeeding Al-Ayda, introduced the Code of Hakim, a foundational legal code for Ithrien. The Third Audhdom flourished, with intellectuals like Ahmed Hamid making significant contributions. However, natural disasters and external threats eventually heralded its decline.

Warring States Period II:

Turmoil and Transition (4800s)

Economic Woes and Rebellion (4800s)

Repeated natural disasters wreaked havoc, leading to famine and disease. With the audhs relegated to ceremonial roles, the real power was concentrated in the hands of the nobles and priests. When Audh Al-Zalim increased taxation, the public's frustrations boiled over, culminating in his assassination.

The Road to Anur V (Late 4800s - 4098)

Amidst the chaos, with rebel states emerging and dissolving, the realm awaited a strong leader. That leader was Audh Al-Haniya, who declared the onset of the Fifth Audhdom, Anur V.

Anur V Era: The Balancing Act of Power and Progress

Al-Haniya's Strategies (4098 - 5022)

Combining both carrot and stick approaches, Al-Haniya used amnesty and spiritual claims as tools of persuasion while employing her Nafuran cavalry for ruthless suppression. Her reign ushered in three centuries of relative peace.

Ideological Developments (5022 - 5208)

Abu Hassan's "Al-Umma" became a guiding text, delineating Ithrieni governance and race. However, the mid-5200s saw rising tensions. Audh Al-Said's confrontations with the landed class led to the signing of the Ithrieni Charter of Benevolence, a constitutional pivot that empowered the Majlis Al-Ayan.

Decline of the Fifth Audhdom (5208 - 5339)

With the new-found powers, the Majlis Al-Ayan, primarily comprising the elite, shifted the tax burden onto the peasants. This economic disparity, coupled with other challenges, precipitated the decline of Anur V.