Almanac Entry
“The two grueling months at sea crossing the Great Divide was well worth it. The great Theocracy of Giavinta is all it is fabled to be, a land of prosperity and vigor. It is a sight to behold as Attilio Port literally floats on water, and the capital Letizia literally floats on air. Porfirio is perhaps the most beautiful of all for the blossoms on the trees never stop blooming. While we were under the impression that we would have to submit to a state religion we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we were free to stay loyal to our Deity Stars. Unpredictable but temperate weather is but a small price to pay to live here, and it pains me to say that I (like the rest of Giavinta) relish in the dramatic affairs of the merchants and business men of this market. If that is not entertainment enough, the Moruxi Gypsies and their Fiorella provide pleasures of all kinds. We had left the hell of the Raiaera-Alerar subcontinent to find the true Promised Land… or so we thought. It seems as though the shadow of the Forgotten Ones cannot be escaped.”
-Larse Ebonfire
Region Name: Giavinta (Jee–ahv–in–tah)
Capital: Letizia
Form of Government: Theocracy – rule by religion, in this situation the Church of Bri
Ruler(s): High Priest(ess), selected from the seven member High Council of Bri, and is usually a member of their ranks.
Legal System: Church law dictated by the Book of Bri
Official Language(s): Giavintine
Foreign Relations: To Be Determined
Size of Military: Approximately 200,000 with 50,000 conscripts during wartime. 100+ warships and another 50 merchant volunteers. 142 Dragon Riders.
Military Branches: Infantry, Archers, Cavalry, Navy
Specialized Military Units: Fiameta Dragon Riders, Rune Enhancements – every member of the Holy Army/Navy of Bri has at least two runes inscribed on his/her weapon, armor, or skin. One is the designated rune of the unit, and the other is a personal rune chosen by the soldier. This makes fighting the Bri military especially difficult since every member can wield a different runic ability.
Population: Approximately 1.25 million
Average Age: Human – 23, Elf –182
Racial Breakdown: Human – 30%, Elf (pre high/dark split) – 25%, Half Elf – 25%, Dwarf – 5%, Demon – 3%, High/Dark Elf – 7%, Other – 5%
Life Expectancy: Human – 92, Elf – 4955
Nationality: Giavintine
Religious Type: The Universal Religion of Bri
Literacy: 95%
Technology levels: Early Renaissance
Major Imports: Livestock, Lumber, Glass
Major Exports: Kiwi, Grain
Currency/Exchange Rate: Gold piece
Natural Resources: Farmlands along the Kebiras and Calogero rivers. Titanium and other mineral deposits in the Fiameta Mountains and Berevar Alps. Whales and fish from the coast.
Major Terrain Features: Berevar Alps to the far north and the Fiameta Mountains to the far east. Both the Kebiras and Calogero rivers begin at the headwaters of the Fiameta Mountains and split at Profirio, where Kebiras flows east and Calogero flows south. 30% Coastal plains in the west, 60% rolling hills and forests in the central region, and 10% mountainous region on the eastern boarder. A “fall line” lies between the coastal plains and the rolling hills where the elevation suddenly drops, and waterfalls appear on the two rivers.
Elevation Extremes: Lowest Point – 5 feet above sea level
Highest Point – 8,364 feet above sea level (Mt. Fiameta)
Climate: Temperate mild winters and cool summers. Unpredictable day to day weather.
Natural Hazards: Floods, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruption
Forum Descriptions:
Letizia: Capital of Giavinta, and home to the Universal Church of Bri, where the High Priest Persephon IV and the High Council of Bri rule over this Theocracy. Floating buildings and dragon transports reside above the grounded cityscape to create the most magnificent skyline on Althanas.
The Universal Church of Bri: This epic property is what one would call a monastic community. The main cathedral towers over the city, and is surrounded by cloisters of administrative buildings, a barrack, and residential facilities. This is where the High Priest and the High Council rule from.
Fiorella: This massive entertainment complex which floats in the sky was established by a group of wealthy Gypsies only two years ago, when the refugee’s of Althanas’ dark hour came to usher in a new age of enlightenment for the nation. It features arenas, concert halls, gentlemen’s clubs, brothels, theaters, and diners.
Temple of The Thayne: This giant ziggurat was once home to the only opposition to the Church of Bri. Now a small portion of it is a grave. The rest of it is an abandoned monolith, where dangers still lie. Adventurers beware.
Attilio Port: Settled on the mouth of the Kebiras River, this city’s buildings and docks are magically buoyant, allowing it to stretch a mile out into the ocean. The Holy Navy of Bri docks here. This is also the headquarters of some of the largest businesses of Giavinta, so naturally corporate war has taken a whole new meaning here.
Porfirio: Giavintine for “purple”. This city is settled where the Kebiras and Calogero rivers meet and where the purple blossoms fill the air. The notorious Regina Fetim investment firm makes its home here, and units of the Holy Army of Bri can be found training in this otherwise peaceful region. The dragon trainers of the Fiameta Mountains also rest their heads here.
Fiameta Mountains: Giavintine for “fire” and rightfully so. Three thousand years of dormancy have not diminished the fear that Mt. Fiameta may erupt at any minute. Even in her slumber the sky is grey and the ground is white from the ash of the practice targets of the trained dragons of the Holy Army of Bri. Don’t become a practice target.
Hitchhiker’s Entry
“The two grueling months at sea crossing the Great Divide was well worth it. The great Theocracy of Giavinta is all it is fabled to be, a land of prosperity and vigor. It is a sight to behold as Attilio Port literally floats on water, and the capital Letizia literally floats on air. Porfirio is perhaps the most beautiful of all for the blossoms on the trees never stop blooming. While we were under the impression that we would have to submit to a state religion we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we were free to stay loyal to our Deity Stars. Unpredictable but temperate weather is but a small price to pay to live here, and it pains me to say that I (like the rest of Giavinta) relish in the dramatic affairs of the merchants and business men of this market. If that is not entertainment enough, the Moruxi Gypsies and their Fiorella provide pleasures of all kinds. We had left the hell of the Raiaera-Alerar subcontinent to find the true Promised Land… or so we thought. It seems as though the shadow of the Forgotten Ones cannot be escaped.”
-Larse Ebonfire
Welcome to the great Theocracy of Giavinta. The previous excerpt came from a letter written by a High Elf, who escaped Raiaera’s dark war only a few years ago. Ever since the War of The Tap ten thousand years ago peoples from all over Althanas have come to Giavinta to escape, to find better land to live on, and they have. However, as the excerpt shows, this nation has its own conflicts just like any other. When in Giavinta one can do many things. Help keep the peace with the Brian Populous Guard, deal in government and religious affairs in the Universal Church of Bri, or train with the Holy Army and Navy of Bri. If that doesn’t spark interest there are always corporate battles to be fought (literally and figuratively), and one can always seek the pleasure of illusionary magic and other forms of entertainment from the Moruxi Gypsies. There is much to do and much to be done here.
Government
Theocracy – Church of Bri – Everything within the boarders of Giavinta is considered to be under the rule of the Church of Bri. One does not have to believe in this religion to enter its boarders, but one is expected to follow its laws. The highest entity of the Church is the High Priest/Priestess. His word is law, but his word cannot contradict the Book of Bri. He is selected from the seven member High Council of Bri, and is usually a member of their ranks. The High Council is responsible for monitoring the actions of the High Priest and assisting to enforce his word. At any time they can relieve him of his duties, but they immediately have to replace him. The Holy Populous Guard is responsible for keeping the peace. Their mission statement is to “keep interpretations of Bri from hindering others through force.” The Monitors do the same thing, but in a corporate sense. Their job is to monitor and punish fraud. Their mission statement is to “keep merchants and corporate entities from hindering interpretations of Bri from living their lives as desired.” A few laws Althanians might want to keep a look out for are…
Fighting is not tolerated unless both parties give verbal consent to the battle. If there is no such consent than the aggressor will be punished. If there is consent then the battle can be fought to the death, but if there is surrender it must be accepted. Failure to accept surrender is an automatic death penalty.
Slavery is against the law here. That is unless you can hide the fact. It is generally considered as a serious hindrance of an interpretation of Bri. Slave owners, watch out in Attilio Port, where members of the Holy Populous Guard like to hang around the docks, tell slaves that they’re free, and beat their owners for breaking the law just for kicks.
The Universal Religion of Bri
”We have observed the nature of Mother Father Bri. It is unlimited in its form and presentation to itself for we are Bri. You who read this and you who do not read this are Bri as well. Bri is the Universe in self contemplation, thus here we all stand.”
- Laserio & Merlantiva Mardeveri
This religion and philosophy is the official and predominant religion of Giavinta. The term Bri is somewhat of an enigma to those who haven’t been raised around the religion, because it consists of many subgenres of thought and religious practice, and it even compliments other religions such as the Thayne and the Deist religion of Raiaera. This will be explained a little later.
However, all Brians believe in the supreme intelligence of Bri, the universe. The universe appears and manifests itself in a myriad of different ways before each individual. Everything is the fabric of Bri, from the pebbles of the rocky road to the blood that pours through our veins. All sentient beings, such as Humans and Elves, have the potential to further understand the universe. This leads to the two objectives of existence, self expression and collective consideration.
Self Expression means that all sentient beings are an interpretation of Bri and should be free to live out their lives the way they desire. However they cannot directly hinder another interpretation of Bri.
Collective Consideration refers to society’s tendency divide itself and when a call to arms is appropriate. During times of great conflict between different groups they must take into consideration whether or not one is directly hindering the other’s expression. If so then further debate (and possibly more serious action) is appropriate. If not then it is time to find a compromise or agree to disagree.
In terms of other religions, Brians acknowledge the existence of other Gods. They do not deny the story of Survani bowing down to her own people asking forgiveness for treating them so harshly. They do not deny that an Elder Thayne is watching from a meteor above Althanas, waiting for her chance to strike. The reference of multiple Gods, even in the present day cannot be shrugged off as mere lore. That is why Brians consider most Gods sovereign rulers over particular forces of nature and civilization, to which the universe has given such power. If need be they must be appeased to live out a good life, and can be favored. This has led to many members of other religions taking on the Brian philosophy, while some Brians have taken on belief in entities of other religions. All this and more can be found in the religion’s sacred text, The Book of Bri.
Giavinta Forces
Brian Populous Guard: Charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order (law enforcement), and protecting the general public from harm. It has several different branches to adapt to certain situations. While the Church directs their actions in specific situations, their main guide is the Book of Bri.
The Monitors: After the Theocracy distanced itself from the from controlling the market. The taxes are eliminated and government approval is no longer needed to start a business, leaving what historians call the most capitalistic market in Althanas history. In turn it was flooded with unfair business practices and cutthroat tactics ranging from price gauging to assassination. This goes against the Book of Bri when it says that one cannot directly hinder another’s way of life. The Monitors is a group of private investigators who keep an eye on the businesses of Giavinta, digging up dirt and punishing anyone who makes offense.
Holy Navy of Bri: Charged mainly with the responsibility of protecting Giavinta from foreign invasion by sea. Their ships are as durable and fast as Corone’s. This is because the Churche’s naval contractor is the Corone Aqua Company. Unfortunately they do not have a forest as vast as Concordia, so they cannot afford to make as many ships. The Church is now experimenting on incorporating glyphic runes into the designs of new ships.
Holy Army of Bri: Charged mainly with the responsibility of protecting Giavinta from foreign invasion by land. While the Holy Navy hasn’t faced any situations on sea, the Holy Army has been called into action several times, not to serve its primary purpose, but to protect the Theocracy from itself and its people. General Itormo Rosangely led the Holy Army to eliminate the Binari family and end the family’s tyrannical rule over the nation. Another time in history the army was forced to put down an intolerant Thayne rebellion. Afterwards it was charged with reforming the corrupt Brian Populous Guard. Every member of the Holy Army of Bri has at least two runes inscribed on his/her weapon, armor, or skin. One is the designated rune of the unit, and the other is a personal rune chosen by the soldier. This makes fighting the Bri military especially difficult since every member can wield a different runic ability.
Fiameta Dragon Unit: There’s nothing more horrifying than a multicolored flock of 142 dragons flying your way. Each dragon has a Giavintine solder on its back, with a long titanium halberd and the theocracy’s sapphire flag. The fire coming out of their mouths is to be expected, but their master manipulation over such is a surprise for they can use it as the standard blowtorch or they can condense it and use it as a long distance projectile. This is no nightmare. This is reality when you provoke the great nation that is Giavinta.
The Giavintines (racial distribution)
”Persephon IV stands level with all. Whether they are short Dwarves or tall Elves it seems as if this one Human is able to avoid looking down on or looking up to said individual. His dark suntanned skin is a stark opposite to his pearly white teeth, which shows often through jovial smiles and chuckles. His silken black hair extends far from his head in wild erratic locks covered by a titanium mesh headdress, a popular fashion trend among young adults in Letizia these days. It is socially acceptable for him to wear it for he is only a young man in his late twenties himself though some older members of the High Council scowl at such a submission to peers. His long fingers are often rubbing the hair stubs of his would be beard or tangling in and of themselves for he is a fidgety fellow. A word that often came from his lips was ‘sappia’ – Giavintine for ‘to know’… not ‘I know’ or ‘you know’. It is simply ‘to know’ and when it was translated to Common for us it was clear where this man holds his values. In him I saw my old wise grandfather, chuckling and jolly. It was astonishing to discover that he is just now learning Tradespeak and he often required the assistance of a translator to communicate with us. Some of my colleagues were offended by this, but I explained to them that his attempt to learn our language was a gesture of kindness. It is not critical for him to know the language of Corone and the rest of Althanas. In fact, considering the current prosperous state of Giavinta, it is probably best that he not even reach out to us, we the sober statesmen of corrosive kingdoms.”
– Vin Dracell, Coronian Diplomat
Vin’s depiction of the High Priest of Giavinta is a very accurate one. A few of his traits are representative of all Giavintines, whether they are Human, Elven, or even Demon. Most native Giavintines do not know any other language besides their own, but they are a highly educated people who value their knowledge of the world around them. There is a naïveté about them since they are just now for the first time in their immortal history reaching out to the rest of Althanas. There is one consistent hereditary trait among descendants of the first Giavintines, soft silky hair that extends in large loose curly locks. This trait extends to the vast majority Humans and Half Elves, who are products of interbreeding with Giavintine Humans.
Humans hold the majority here, but only by a small margin. In fact they are outnumbered by the minorities of the land. Besides the dominant traits previously mentioned, they come in all shapes, tones, and sizes just like their overseas brethren. The Elves of this nation came here to escape the War of The Tap. A warning to all Raiaerans and Alerarians: expressing disdain for members of the opposite nationality will immediately lower your reputation here. The same qualms made the first Elves second class citizens here. The Half Elves are a product of interbreeding between native Giavintine Humans and Elves, so they carry the traits of both races. The other races have come here very recently to escape Althanas’ catastrophe two years ago.
Timeline Entry:
Time Immortal
Giavinta: Historians gather from native bloodlines that portions of the same hunter gatherer tribes that migrate to Salvar also migrate to the fertile Kebiras and Calogero rivers. Some Humans irrigate the rivers while others set up fishing communities around the coastline. The tribes flourish and they establish a tribal confederation to unite the region.
Approx. 17000 years ago
Giavinta: The tribes of Kebiras expand further into the Fiameta Mountains only to be met with the fiery breath of the otherwise elusive dragons. The Humans and the dragons now have overlapping territories where the Kebiras and Calogero rivers meet. After three decades of classical man versus nature conflict, the colony of Porfirio is abandoned.
Approx. 15000 years ago
Giavinta: After studying the world around them Laserio & Merlantiva Mardeveri comprise and publish their observations, and call it The Book of Bri. This book introduces the concept of Bri – the universe, and its tendency as the supreme intelligence of all things. With their new knowledge the couple performs two firsts. Lesario tames a wild Fiameta dragon for the first time in Giavinta history. Merlantiva inscribes the first glyphic rune in Giavinta history, which grants her the ability to fly. Eager to resettle Porfirio, Giavintians flock to the two seeking their knowledge. They quickly gain a following as they resettle the colony and show tangible results of their teachings.
Approx. 14900 years ago
Giavinta: The Mardeveris do not live long enough to see the first Church of Bri, which is erect above their graves in Letizia. It formalizes their rituals and teachings. Many of the kings and chiefs of what is now eastern Giavinta give way to this religion, turning their castles and headquarters into churches and temples dedicated to Bri. Most of them had witnessed the Mardeveri’s miracles first hand, and were eager to submit to the Church, but the western rulers were not willing. Feeling threatened by the expansion of this new religion and its institution the western rulers attacked Letizia and Porfirio. They were easily defeated by the Church’s new army, which featured trained dragon riders. The armies that fought against the western states were given the honorary title of The Holy Army of Bri, and the entire Kebiras – Calogero region was united under the Church of Bri. This new nation was named Giavinta.
Between 12048 and 10048 years ago
Giavinta: The nation experienced a great influx of Elves seeking to escape the War of the Tap. Both sides bring their own benefits with them. Unfortunately they bring their age old rivalry with them as well. The fledgling port town of Attilio would suffer a peak of violence every one hundred years during this period, when Tap refugees would set foot on land and resume their battles. The natives shun the Elves for burdening Giavinta with their problems, and both sides informally become second class citizens. Various minor abuses against them are tolerated by the Church of Bri, such as fraud and thievery. Murder or any such forceful crime committed against an Elf is still met with swift punishment.
Between 8000 and 7600 years ago
Giavinta: The Elves are now united against a common social enemy, the rest of Giavinta. After leaving their qualms to be fought out by their Raiaeran and Alerarian brethren, they demand to be treated equally like the Humans of the nation. These Elves, now followers of Bri, quote from the Book of Bri to support their arguments. Slowly but surely, the same Elven generation that began the social movement reap the benefits of it. They watch almost seven generations of Humans come and go, and slowly revive the respect they demand.
Approx. 6700 years ago
Giavinta: The High Priest Chaliant Binari forces the Elves into enclaves where they are forced to live out their lives. They are given meager sections of farmland to live off of, all of which he seizes from their original owners. The general population opposed such action, having faced thousands of years of de facto segregation and discrimination, the Elves and the Humans were now living in peace.
Approx. 6625 years ago
Giavinta: The High Priest Ebonicchi Binari imposes a high tax on the general populous. The people find this unreasonable since tithing to the Church gives it more than enough monetary support. Anyone who opposes the tax or refuses to pay it is punished with death.
Approx. 6500 years ago
Giavinta: The High Priestess Coranel Binari randomly calls for a mass genocide of the Elves, but it lands on def ears. Instead General Itormo Rosangely and his Holy Armi of Bri move in on Letizia, storm the main Church of Bri, and eliminate the entire Binari family. He imposes martial law until a new High Priest is found and the Church reforms the powers and selective process of said position. After a year of deliberation and debate the High Council of Bri is created, and a new High Priest, Antonio Marsello, is chosen based on merit instead of lineage. Rosangely’s martial law is lifted. The first decree of the new High Priest is the founding of a new peacekeeping force called the Brian Populous Guard. Men and women from around Giavinta flock to join its ranks.
At the same time the reformed Theocracy distances itself from controlling the market. The taxes are eliminated and government approval is no longer needed to start a business, leaving what historians call the most capitalistic market in Althanas history. Nearly seven hundred businesses are started within a one hundred year span, but less than a quarter of them survive past the turn of the millennium. This is mostly due to cutthroat business tactics, leveraged buyouts, expose scandals, ambushes and even assassinations. While the Church would love nothing more than to stop all this, the Brian Populous Guard is in its infancy and is ill equipped to gather ample evidence against most of the clever criminal moguls.
Approx. 5000 years ago
Giavinta: Once the dust of corporate war begins to settle only 125 businesses are left standing. One worthy of mention is The Regina Fetim, a private equity investment firm focusing on leveraged buyouts, venture & growth capital, real estate, and leveraged investments. In basic terms they lend startup money, buy cheap land and sell it for profit, and help companies beat out others… by any means necessary.
Approx. 4900 years ago
Giavinta: After a private investigator, Guliano Lei, exposes several scandals in corporate Giavinta, the High Council of Bri creates a new group called The Monitors with him at the head. They are responsible for investigating private business in the nation, and making sure that the companies of Giavinta do not hinder the people’s way of life through fraud. Their first target is the Regina Fetim, but they find little evidence against the investment firm. The firm is still flourishing, now worth 80 million in standard Althanas currency.
Between 3000 and 2620 years ago
Giavinta: Porfirio, the city farthest east and closest to the Fiameta Mountains, is suffering earth tremors more and more frequently these days. Residents report seeing an ominous orange glow from behind the mountain tops, and even the dragons of the region have fled. The great minds of the time believe that there is a volcano somewhere in the mountain range and it is nearing eruption. As the city is being evacuated a company of recreational scribes create a giant glyphic rune across the countryside by bending the crops of the farmland. So confident in their glyph the scribes decide to set up camp right behind their creation. The strata volcano of Mt. Fiameta finally erupts with a vengeance, and the pyroclastic flow races down the valley towards Porfirio only to be stopped by the glyphic rune of the scribes. Although the city and the nation are saved the ash has nowhere to go but up, where it creates a volcanic winter. Giavinta’s crop output is cut in half, and a large portion of the population migrates elsewhere.
The Church of Bri hires the scribe group to teach their art in the church, and to incorporate glyphic runes in the Holy Army. The inscribing of runes becomes a very popular technique to make every day life more convenient and such services become quite popular. It is incorporated into the architecture of the land. The first floating buildings in Letizia and the first buoyant buildings in Attilio Port are built.
While the nation is still functioning, and the Theocracy is still stable, things are not as prosperous as they used to be. All industries have slowed down tremendously, and it stays that way until the climate returns to normal. Dragons return to the Fiameta Mountains, and are now used as transportation in and around Letizia.
Between 1741 and 1253 years ago
Giavinta: The Age of Decay in Corone brings an age of immigration and prosperity to Giavinta. While most of the refugees are common folk who quickly assimilate into the way of life here, some of them are merchants and respected minds who, despite their success, are above the politics and corruption of Corone. The Church and the people welcome them with open arms, hoping that they can bring new ethics and morality into the still harsh business world of Giavinta. That hope alone brings prosperity to businesses headed by Coronians, and they quickly become dangerous competitors to the native businessmen. Most of the Giavintine businesses give in to the Corone merchants’ moral codes to keep afloat if nothing else. Others, however, become even more competitive, and many of them turn to the Regina Fetim to gain an upper hand. This is the beginning of the modern Giavintine landscape, where the moral Coronian business models face off against the cutthroat robber barons.
One of the most important businesses to emerge from this is the Corone Aqua Company, a group of two hundred ship builders, designers, and captains that offer a great variety of maritime services. Its chief executive officer is former Captain Kgosi Lareyna, who keeps charges at supply and demand accuracy, demands well quality ships and services, and refuses to use underhanded but still legal business tactics. High Priestess Catalina II is impressed with his company, its service and ships, and asks Lareyna to create their first naval contractor. The Church pays them and within ten years they build and train the first sixty ships of the Holy Navy of Bri, and it grows at a steady pace from there.
Approx. 1500 years ago
Giavinta: Members of the Regina Fetim cross the Great Divide to found branches in the other nations of Althanas to create one of the first multinational corporations of Althanas. The names of its foreign branches are kept secret in fear of hurting their reputation, and records of their actions are rarely sent back to the firm’s new headquarters in Porfirio. It is unknown to many as to exactly what the investment firm got into overseas and wild speculation runs rampant even today. Some say that they provided the Alerarians with the means to develop gunpowder. Some say that they assisted in bringing an age of prosperity in Salvar and maintained it before King Mustaga messed things up. Some say that they were behind the insurrection of Corone six hundred years ago. Many of these rumors are likely to be false as the Regina Fetim is often taken out of context as an epic and belligerent corporate entity, but it does have the monetary resources to do any if not all of these things.
Approx. 900 years ago
Giavinta: Believers of the Thayne erect a great temple on the outskirts of Letizia and make known their disapproval of Bri as it has not shown itself, and the Elder Thayne Deities constantly make appearances. Anticipating support by the general population many desperate robber baron business leaders endorse the Elder Thayne Deities exclusively, and pour funding into the Thayne temple. A vocal minority does in fact convert exclusively to the Thayne Lore although the flexibility of the religion of Bri allows worship of other religions.
Approx. 613 years ago
Giavinta: Exclusive worship of the Thayne Lore grows in popularity. It is estimated that 27% of the population now rejects Bri. There are rumors that newly appointed High Priestess Tycha Mahi may ban the religion, but it never comes to pass. Still the rumor takes its social toll as the Thayne supporters grow more suspicious of the Church of Bri. They turn to a private security agency called Duilio to protect their ever growing property should the Church of Bri decide to take action against them. Members of Duilio wield weapons of a strange silver white metal different from the grayish white finish of the standard platinum weapons. Investigations determine that the security agency has established a titanium mine in the Berevar alps to the north.
Approx. 598 years ago
Giavinta: Disputes and duals between Brians and Thayne exclusives break out. Giavintine law dictates that if both parties verbally consent to a duel then it is allowed. Battles may be fought to the death, but if a combatant surrenders the winner must cease the attack. Many fighters on both sides are too proud to surrender; so many lawful deaths occur especially in front of the main Church of Bri or the Temple of the Thayne. Despite the pleas of the people the Church of Bri holds fast to its law, and the amount of bloodshed is the equivalent of that of a small war. All the while Duilio and the Thayne exclusives increase their security.
Approx. 590 years ago
Giavinta: The security and armed forces on Thayne property have increased to the point that it seems like they are preparing for war. Their popularity has stopped growing now and holds steady at 22% of the population. Unfortunately that small percentage is a very organized and wealthy percentage, consisting mostly of the robber baron leaders of corporate Giavinta. The Coronian business models and the rest of the nation are suspicious of the intentions behind this unholy alliance.
Approx. 585 years ago. The War of The Church & Temple
Giavinta: Tensions finally come to a head when an elaborate plot by seven Thayne loyalists is exposed. Among other things it includes poisoning the High Council, assassinating the High Priestess Tycha Mahi, and storming Attilio during the Holy Navy’s down time. The seven culprits take refuge in the Thayne temple, and the Church demands that the Temple turns them in. The Oracle Irvelin, head of the temple refuses to give them up, and so the War of The Church & Temple begins.
Approx. 580 years ago
Giavinta: The High Priestess Tycha Mahi unexpectedly resigns at the age of 84 saying that she is “tired” and the High Council goes through a rigorous two month decision process. Mahi soon dies and Brian Giavinta’s morale suffers at this point. The Thayne resistance grows stronger by the day as they are backed by an endless supply by the robber baron corporations.
Finally the High Council selects one of its own members, Orso Rubeo, a kind half elf with a mean streak in the public eye. They are certain that he will prove to be a benevolent ruler, but will present a strong public image to motivate the people. Once he is seated, not only does he successfully rally the people with his first public speech, he commands the Holy Army of Bri from the front lines as they make a massive raid on the massive Temple of The Thayne. A massive battle ensues on the seventy two acre property, and finally ends with the death of the Oracle Irvelin. The Temple is not razed, but is left standing as a monument and commemorative graveyard for those who had fallen during the twenty year conflict. Unfortunately the seven culprits that triggered this war were nowhere to be found. Duilio and a few dozen companies are dissolved, and their members are executed. However most of the companies that supported the Thayne are still around to this day since they could not be punished for simply voicing support and most records of financial support could not be found. Regina Fetim was one of those companies.
Instead of turning the titanium mines to the north over to a private company the Church takes them for itself.
Approx. 573 years ago
Giavinta: After a short seven year reign as the benevolent High Priest, Orso Rubeo, resigns. His appearance has drastically changed since the war. His skin had been grafted with several runes in the form of multicolored tattoos, and he is much more muscular than he was even during the war. Before disappearing he tells the High Council that “What we faced seven years ago was not evil, but there is evil in this world and I feel an obligation of seeking it out and facing it.”
Approx 400 years ago The Walk
Giavinta: Since the War of The Church & Temple the Thayne religion has been shunned by the general population. Those who practice Thayne faith are discriminated against, not unlike the Elves were discriminated against nearly ten thousand years ago. This time, however, Thayne worshipers suffer atrocious abuse ranging from fraud to murder. The Church does not condone such abuses, but the Brian Populous Guard is now a corrupt entity which either ignores or even participates in such crimes. Thayne leaders decide that it is best to leave this land and plan for a day of mass exodus to Corone. This day is known as The Walk, when 500,000 Thayne worshipers walk through Attilio Port to their boats to leave. They are escorted by the Holy Army of Bri to make sure the population doesn’t capitalize on this opportunity. When they reach the docks they are stopped by the current CEO of the Corone Aqua Company, who tells them that the Holy Army of Bri should not be escorting them out of the country, but should be correcting the offenses of the Brian Populous Guard. With that said he refuses to use his ships to take them to Corone, and with no fleet of ships large enough to move them all the only way to go is back.
Before taking the Thayne worshipers back, General Kendal Olivio sends for permission from the High Priest Brevadi to take action on the Brian Populous Guard. He approves, and Giavina faces another civil war. The Holy Army makes quick work of the Populous Guard eliminating all who resist within a week, and marshal law is imposed until the peacekeeping branch can be reformed. Heinous crimes against the religious group, which were originally ignored, are documented during this time. The image of the perfect Giavintine is shattered as some of the society’s most notable figures are tried and convicted of such offenses. Even a member of the High Council is put to death for the rape of a Thayne woman.
Between 382 and 118 years ago Pax Giavini
Giavinta: After eighteen years of marshal law, the reformed Brian Populous Guard is finally given back its independence. The Holy Army of Bri returns to its original posts and boarder guard. All is well in Giavina, and an age of peace and prosperity begins.
Approx. 93 years ago
Giavinta: Tribes from eastern Kebiras cross the perilous Fiameta Mountains, and into the Giavina’s boarders. Instead of returning, they settle into the way of life here. A particular tribe of beautiful men and women, the Moruxi, is gifted with illusionary magic, and chooses to travel the country using this as a form of entertainment for the locals. They are popularly referred to as the Moruxi Gypsies. Not only do they introduce the nation to illusionary magic, but a small number of traveling bands introduces the nation to formal prostitution.
Approx. 50 years ago
Giavinta: Food imports increase dramatically due to the constant influx of eastern tribes. The farms of Giavinta alone can no longer support the population. While businesses bring in food with ease, the Church of Bri is still uneasy. What if the economy was to fall and no private interest would invest in imports? With that question haunting their mind they turn to their scribes for a solution. They in turn scribe giant runes for farmland that gift them with a miniature temperate climate, allowing farmers to produce crops all year round. The Holy Navy of Bri also alerts the Church to a plant that they discovered on their expeditions that would grow in Giavinta’s climate all year, the kiwi.
Approx 2 years ago
Giavinta: While the rest of Althanas faces a dark time in the shadow of the Forgotten Ones, Giavinta faces yet another time of immigration. People of all kinds seek refuge here. They bring along with them their many diverse religions, which the Church of Bri openly accepts. The population considers this an age of enlightenment since they have the opportunity to explore new religions and philosophies. A group of wealthy Moruxi Gypsies commemorates this year by building the Fiorella, a massive floating entertainment complex in Letizia featuring arenas, concert halls, gentlemen’s clubs, brothels, theaters, and diners.
However, a curse comes from world affairs. In the midst of the turbulence of the rest of Althanas the Forgotten One Pode is released from her ten thousand year prison, and roams free for a short time. When Asphestos is defeated, and she is rebound, she is transported to the bowels of Mt. Fiameta. Giavintines do not know this until the battle is over, and a mage travels to the land and senses Pode’s essence within the dormant volcano. It is only a makeshift prison for her. It can only hold for so long, and when she breaks free Mt. Fiameta will erupt with the same vengeance it did three thousand years ago.
Present
Giavinta: Despite the threat of Mt. Fiameta’s prisoner looming over them, life goes on as normal. The age old corporate landscape is still divided in half, between the benevolent Coronian business models like the Corone Aqua Company, and the cut throat anti-competitive robber barons like the Regina Fetim investment firm. The Church of Bri and its forces still must deal with a steady influx of new religions as best it can, with open arms, but a wary eye. The High Priest Persephon IV plans on making this great Theocracy known to the rest of Althanas through a series of diplomatic missions. All these institutions are accepting help from all who offer it. People from all over are now flocking to Giavinta to acquire glyphic runes on their weapons, armor, or even their skin, and a trained Fiameta dragon is now a symbol of wealth and nobility just as much as a Fallien stallion.
And while the nation is prepared to face the effects of the volcano’s eruption, they know not how to prepare to face Pode.
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