Vass History

Prehistory and Early Migration

• 23,000 Gothan Epochs PH: Initial Ilista migration moves into the Simal Archipelago.
• 9,000 Gothan Epochs PH: proto-Byrizi migrants move into the archipelago and establish dominance over the proto-Ilista through warfare and sheer numerical superiority.
• 9,000 Gothan Epochs PH - 0 Gothan Epochs RH: Tribal groups and extended families control individual islands in the archipelago. Trade is limited and mostly short-range, with small-scale warfare focused on capturing slaves, particularly women, for breeding.

The Sinan Civilization and Early Cultural Foundation

Main articles: Sinan Civilization and Sinan

Around 0 HR: The Sinan Civilization emerges on the islands of the Simal Archipelago, marking one of the earliest known civilizations on Gotha. Named after their deity Sinan, who was revered as the god of language, writing, and music, this civilization developed a rich cultural heritage. The deity Sinan was believed to bestow upon the people the gifts of communication and artistic expression, which were seen as divine connections to the celestial body itself. The appearance of lapis lazuli, symbolizing the deep blue hue associated with Sinan, became a hallmark of their art, reflecting the planet's inspiration and their deep spiritual connection to it.

• Cultural Significance: The Sinan people are credited with establishing early systems of writing and music, which were believed to be directly influenced by their deity. They were known for their elaborate ceremonies and rituals that incorporated music and song to honor Sinan, with many artifacts from the period displaying intricate lapis lazuli inlays, a tribute to the deity's supposed appearance and the vastness of the cosmos.
• Technological and Artistic Advances: The Sinan Civilization also made significant strides in navigation and astronomy, which were closely tied to their religious practices. Their ability to navigate the seas and understand celestial patterns allowed them to dominate early trade routes in the Ovestan sea, facilitating cultural exchanges with primitive peoples and seeding new civilizations. The Sinan were pioneers in the creation of detailed maps and star charts, which were considered sacred texts by their society.

• Fragmentation and Decline: Over time, the Sinan Civilization began to fragment due to internal conflicts, resource scarcity, and the pressure from incoming primitive proto-Ilista and proto-Byrizi migrants. The once cohesive cultural and spiritual center began to break apart into smaller, less centralized communities, losing much of their earlier influence.
• Enduring Influence: Despite their decline, the cultural and spiritual legacies of the Sinan Civilization continued to influence the islands and the coasts of the Ovestan Sea. Many later inhabitants of the archipelago, including the Ilista and Byrizi, adopted elements of the Sinan’s artistic styles, religious beliefs, and linguistic traditions. Even today, the influence of Sinan is evident in the music, language, and ceremonial practices of the Vass Kingdom.

Early Tribal and Feudal Period

• 4,000 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,000 Gothan Epochs RH: A feudal system begins to develop. Communities and clans on the smaller islands fall under the influence and control of more powerful "big island" rulers.

• 5,012 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,034 Gothan Epochs RH: Rise of the Four Kings. Much of modern-day Vass is divided into four kingdoms centered on the main islands.
• 5,040 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,512 Gothan Epochs RH: The 500-Year War. Not 500 years of constant warfare, but a period marked by the four kingdoms rising and falling in relation to each other through constant political, military, and economic confrontation.

The Empire of the Sun

• 5,513 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,557 Gothan Epochs RH: Sansima the Undefeated establishes the Empire of the Sun, conquering 90% of modern-day Vass.
• 5,559 Gothan Epochs RH: Sansima is defeated in his attempt to conquer the mainland Anaria capital. He is publicly executed, and his body is never returned to the islands.
• 5,559 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,567 Gothan Epochs RH: The Dissolution. The Empire of the Sun collapses as Sansima’s sons vie for control.

The Four Kingdoms and Alliances

• 5,567 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,690 Gothan Epochs RH: Return of the Four Kings. Powerful kings re-emerge on the main islands to divide the rest of the archipelago among themselves.
• 5,700 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,750 Gothan Epochs RH: The Alliance. The four kingdoms form a temporary alliance to fend off an invasion from Southern Anaria.
• 5,755 Gothan Epochs RH: The Betrayal. Ushtar Makek, King of Edda, betrays the Southern Kingdoms.
• 5,759 Gothan Epochs RH - 5,997 Gothan Epochs RH: The Southern Kingdom is overrun and occupied. The Middle Kingdom holds back the invaders while Edda and Lisidar battle for control of the north.
• 6,000 Gothan Epochs RH: Lisidar emerges victorious over Edda.
• 6,057 Gothan Epochs RH: The Middle Kingdom defeats the invading forces.

Period of Peace and Civil War

• 6,060 Gothan Epochs RH - 6,338 Gothan Epochs RH: The Peace of the Two Kingdoms.
• 6,389 Gothan Epochs RH - 6,409 Gothan Epochs RH: The Lisidar Civil War. Edda rebels fight for control of the northern islands.
• 6,722 Gothan Epochs RH: The Middle Kingdom grants autonomy to the Southern Islands under the threat of civil war.

Unification Under Vass Samrayenth Kingharad

• 6,874 Gothan Epochs RH: Vass Samrayenth Kingharad is born.
• 6,891 Gothan Epochs RH: At the age of 17, Vass Samrayenth Kingharad begins his conquest of the Simal Archipelago from the southern island of Bukalis.
• 6,899 Gothan Epochs RH: The unification of the archipelago is complete. Vass Samrayenth Kingharad assumes the title of Re and forms the Rehara Vass.
• 6,899 Gothan Epochs RH - 6,959 Gothan Epochs RH: Re Vass Samrayenth Kingharad rules until his death on 12 December 6959 Gothan Epochs RH.

Dynastic Rule and Uprisings

• 6,960 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,201 Gothan Epochs RH: The Kingharad dynasty rules Vass. Several small uprisings are brutally suppressed.
• 7,201 Gothan Epochs RH: Hess Ridpa assassinates Re Imas Gest Kingharad. Regent Tisris Burtianal assumes the Saffron Throne after a brief but bloody 30-day transition.

The Golden Era and Empire Wars

• 7,201 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,440 Gothan Epochs RH: The Golden Era. The House of Burtianal leads Vass to great prosperity and the longest period of peace in the archipelago’s troubled history.
• 7,441 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,449 Gothan Epochs RH: The Empire War.
• 7,459 Gothan Epochs RH: The Ascendant Re Rtonat Shaughid rises to the Saffron Throne.
• 7,461 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,471 Gothan Epochs RH: The Second Empire War.

The Great Change and Modernization

• 7,470 Gothan Epochs RH: The Ascendant institutes the Great Change.
• 4 December 7470 Gothan Epochs RH: Rtonat Shaughid is elected the first Gerent of the Vass Ascendancy.
• 12 August 7471 Gothan Epochs RH: Gerent Rtonat Shaughid establishes the modern Ex-Imperialis, with Emissary Imperialis Lamiel Kalak at its head.
• 7,471 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,499 Gothan Epochs RH: The Inter-War Period. After two deadly conflicts, the Vass are weary of war, but economic troubles and shortages of off-island goods create tension within the newly formed Ascendancy.

The Pan-Anarian War

• 25 July 7499 Gothan Epochs RH: An invasion from Edda Prefecture captures the capital, thrusting the Ascendancy back into war. Gerent Rtonat Shaughid, objecting to war on moral and philosophical grounds, steps aside, and Gerent Eldril Angrard is elected to the Saffron Throne.
• 7,499 Gothan Epochs RH - 7,552 Gothan Epochs RH: The Pan-Anarian War.
• 30 May 7550 Gothan Epochs RH: Gerent Eldril Angrard dies in a dirigible accident while visiting the Mandruleanian Islands.
• 13 August 7550 Gothan Epochs RH: Gerent Kaloleck Soan ascends to the Saffron Throne.
• 1 Gothan Epochs CY: The signing of the Treaty of Anaria.