| Written by Robert Pool Version 0.5 Of all the countries of the world, few have seen as many wars and battles as Ivalice. From the fall of the ancient Ronkan Empires to the Fifty Year war to the Lion Wars, the following history guide will walk you through the different eras and events that have colored its past, present, and future. These include the The Begining, the Ronkan Empire, the Age of myth, the life & death of Saint Ajora, the Rise of the Glabados Church, the fifty year war, the lion war, and the present. (-4000 to -2000) Like our world, mankind on Pheisias humbly started as amoeba working their way through monkeys and different varieties of primitive men before evolving into homo sapiens. During this period of time (Estimated from -4000 to -2500 on the Ajorian Calendar) the majority of mankind lived on the southwestern coast of what years later would become Kaladis. Most of the people of these times were simply tribes of hunter\gatherers. As the age neared its close, however, iron smithing had been developed as well as basic magic study. Unfortunately, there are extremely few records during this time partly in thanks to a lack of a written language (which was first developed during the age of the Ronkan Empire) although there are some rare ruins left behind that have been found in remote parts of Kaladis. During this period, the countries that would later become Kaladis and Mizuno were first settled. Ivalice, Romanda, and Ordalia were first settled during the Ronkan Empire. (-2000 to -1000) History dates that the first true 'civilization' as the Ronkan Empire; an empire that grew from a humble farm village near Zeltenia to a huge empire that spanned most of what would become Ivalice as well as parts of Romanda and Ordallia near its end rough estimated between -1100 and -1000). Not very much is known about this mysterious empire save that it excelled at the use of magic even compared to the level used by the most powerful of today's magicians. Even more mysterious is what caused its downfall. The Ronkan Palace, the center of the empire, was up until its discovery during the Lion Wars a myth in and of itself. Several important ruins came from this era including Matoya's cave, the Tower of Babel, Mirage Tower, and (of course) the Ronkan Palace. The Ronkan empire was the first country to develop a written language with Mizuno soon following within its own language known as Nihonjin. (-1000 to -200) Following the downfall of the Ronkan Empire, the territories splintered into four seperate countries: the Baron Kingdom, the Kushuka Kingdom, and the Paramekia Empire. Like the Ronkan Empire, these three nations covered Ivalice and began making inroads into the areas that would become Romanda and Ordalia in later years. This period is largely known as the age of myth due to in part to the amount of fantastic ruins that were left behind as well as the level of technology developed. Baron Kingdom: a kingdom whose military might rivaled many of the other nations during the age of myth. Baron supported a large number of elite knights as well as a well-known navy of Airships. Baron covered much of what would become Gallione, Favoham, and western Lesalia. Kashuka Kingdom: Compared to its neighbors, Kashuka was a center of trade where traders from other countries would come to trade their wares. Unfortunately for the country itself, its nobility ruled with harsh hand with little concern for their people. After years of abusing the coffers of their nation, the royal family was dethroned in the end by a huge revolution. On a modern map, Kashuka would occupy much of central Lesalia and most of of Zeltenia. Paramekia Empire: Like its neighbors, the Paramekia empire had a specialty, namely technology. It was the first to develop airships and maintained a fleet that was a fair equivelant of Baron's navy. In addition to its airships, Paramekia also first developed guns that used magical ammunition as well as its "war golems": powerful robots that were used as first line soldiers and guards in . The empire covered what would become Lionel. Many historians believe that its capital is deep below Gulg Machine City. Paramekia was also the first to develop steam powered devices and were the first to develop the science of magitek (the fusing of magic and machine). Melmond: A secluded nation far to the east in what would later become southern Ordalia. Moreso than other countries, Melmond embraced the study of magic in full and supported many academies dedicated to teaching the arcane arts to interested students. Other studies such as history, philosophy, and literature were also popular among Melmond's people. Unfortunately, melmond was considered by many of it neighboring countries to be in sinc with the forces of Lucavi because of their magical might. Like the Ronkan empire before them, all four continents of the age of myth were destroyed by unknown circumstances. Many historians believe widely that this age was ended in the wars that would continue between the years -200 until the life of St. Ajora. The Zodiac Brave Story first emerged during this era. For those that don't know it, the zodiac brave story is the tale of an evil king who called on the powers of Lucavi (The Glabados Church's equivelant of satan\lucifer\devil). Unfortunately Lucavi killed the king and caused great havoc throughout the world. In the end, a small group of 12 heroes banded together and used the sacred zodiac stones to become the Zodiac Braves. The Zodiac Braves were able to defeat Lucavi and (supposedly) restored order. Whether the Zodiac Brave Story had any direct relationship to the wars that plagued the next 200 years is a mystery. (-200 to 26) The Ajorian Calendar begins its 1st years as the birth of St. Ajora. This begins earlier at -200 because of the wars that would continue to rage by the time the would-be "child of god" would be born. By the time Ajora Glabados came, the four kingdoms of the age of myth had splintered into seven provinces: Gallione, Favoham, Lesalia, Lionel, Zeltenia, Limberry, and Mulmond. Melmond was nearly destroyed during the wars early on and left to its own. It would be resettled several centuries later by refugees from the Jyhads that would follow the rise of the Glabados Church When Ajora Glabados was young, one day he sprang up, walked to a well, and prophesized that "soon, a calamity will befall this land. I am now sealing this well, and no one can drink from it." Several days later, the "Black Death" plagued Velvenia. The people who drank from contaminated well water fell ill and died one after another. However, only the families that believed Saint Ajora's words survived and not fallen to disease. Since then, Saint Ajora became worshipped as "The Miracle Child" or "The Son of God". Soon after these events, word of a new messiah that would lead Ivalice out of the chaos born from years of war. By the time Ajora had reached 18 years old, he had already gained a devoted community of followers. Much like it had years earlier, another ambitious king attempted to summon Lucavi. The king of Mudora had created an army of immense size in the hopes of securing all of Ivalice under Mudora's control. Once again, a new group of Zodiac Braves were created united by St. Ajora to defeat the new Lucavi. Despite his growing widespread fame, Ajora had made many enemies. The Mudora Empire feared Saint Ajora's rise to power; they feared his preaching of the coming of God's country. In those days, there was a much larger church. Clergy of the Fara faith, the predominant religion, feared Saint Ajora's power. The conclusion is obvious. Saint Ajora was captured with a secret tip from Germonik, Ajora's 13th Apostle. Saint Ajora was executed at the Golgoralda execution site. However, Saint Ajora was the "Son of God". God's anger struck at the clergymen of the Fara faith. Right after the execution, Fara faith's headquarter of Murond sank into the ocean because of some natural calamity. (25 to 952) Following the death of Saint Ajora, his remaining apostles established a new church under his name: the Glabados Church through using its namesake's exploits. Soon after its establishment, it was able to cooperate with warring nations on a working peace treaty that set up the Atkasha family as the rulers of Ivalice. As part of the peace treaty, Limberry was assimilated into Zeltennia. Despite the end of open warfare among the remaining five nations, a new cold war developed between the remaining followers of the Fara Clergy and the newly formed Glabados Church. Diminished thanks to the tragedy that led to the destruction of the Mudora empire, the Glabados church had no trouble forcing the Fara Clergy and its remaining followers from Ivalice. The remaining Fara followers would slowly over the period of 300 years help create the nation of Ordallia to the east. The Glabados Church during the first 500 years of its existence was powerful, to say the least. Thanks to its iron handed beliefs it helped create several different splinter factions of the glabados religion including the Argades church which would later become the official religion of the Romanda Empire. (953 - 1003) The June 12th, 953 on the Ajora Calendar is the date historians acknowledge as the beginning of what would later be known as the Fifty Year war. The war was ignited when King Diwanu of Ordalia died without naming an heir. The throne was succeeded by diwanu's brother, Valowa, but Denamunda of Ivalice declared war. This was only an excuse. The real reason was because of Zelamonia, a territory of Ordalia running along the Ivalician border. It was once independant, but was annexed over a century ago after an invasion. Ordalia supported Zelamonia, but the result was a failure. Unrest among the nobles and citizens of Zelamonia, along with Ordalia's rule, led them to seek intervention from Ivalice. With Victories in the early battles, Ivalice's army marched on the Zelamonia's capitol, Cura. But king Denamunda fell ill during the battle and was never able to return to his kingdom. The confusion gave the Ordalian army an opportunity, as Valowa was successful in holding off the Ivalice Army. Approximately two years of stalemate was broken by the Romandan Army's invasion. Romanda is a military state seperated from Ivalice by the Lanar Channel. Under king Valowa's orders, a blood relative, they marched on Ivalice. But king Denamunda was a brave warrior against both the Romandan and Ordalian armies. An outbreak of beubonic plauge in Romanda for them to retreat three years into their invasion attempt. The two squads most effective during the war were the Hokuten, led by Balbanes Beoulve and the Natent led Cidofalos "TG Cid" Orlandu. They scored many victories as they marched on Ordalia. But the long war was disasterous for both administrations. Farmers' revolts and riots broke out in mandy areas as both kingdoms focused on their war efforts within their borders. This made another stalemate that lasted until the death of king Denamunda (widely believed to be an assassination). His successor, Omdolia, was not fit to lead the kingdom and left all matters of state to the elder statesmen and his Queen. Therefore, there was no power to drive the troops of prince Lanard, Valowa's successor, out. After allowing the invasion of Zeltennia, battles where both Hokuten and Nanten fought in, Ivalice hoped for peace. Realizing that the was useless, both countries agreed on peace, focusing their efforts within their respective borders. Although the agreement was bilateral, Ivalice surrendered. Soon after Ivalice's economy was on the brink of bankruptcy because of severe war reparations. Payment could not be made to soldiers and large groups of knights were discharged. As a result high unemployment, uncertainty, and distrust filled Ivalice. The year following the end of the Fifty Year war (1004) saw a dramatic increase in the number of bandits, thieves, mercenaries, and rebels. One such rebel group known as the Death Corps caused a great deal of trouble for most of Gallione. They were able to abduct Marquis Elmdor of Limberry who was on his way to Igros Castle and later made a direct attack on Igros castle wounding Dycedarg Beoulve and kidnapping Teta Hyral. The Marquis was later rescued by Ramza Beoulve, Delita Hyral, and Algus Sadulfus. The kidnappings turned out later to be done under the orders of Gustav Margueriff, who would later try to use Teta to save himself during the attack on Fort Zeakden where the Hokuten were able to snuff the remaining Death Corps. During the attack, Algus Sadulfus was killed by Delita Hyral after the limberian cadet shot his sister. Soon after, Delita was nearly killed by an explosion set off by Gustav. He narrowly survived thanks in part to his sister shielding him from the full brunt of the blast. Following what seemed to be the death of his friend, Ramza Beoulve and his remaining unit became mercenaries. (1005 - 1006) The Lion War was sparked shortly after the death of King Ormdolia. With his only son two years old at the time, the two princes: Larg of Gallione and Goltana of Zeltenia found themselves competing over who would become the guardian of the prince. Prince Larg was favored by Queen Ruvelia while Goltana had the support of the nobles. The resulting war lasted two years and begans with the abduction of Princess Ovelia by the Nanten. Prince Goltana would later expose to the other nobles that Queen Ruvelia was responsible for princess' kidnapping. Soon following were several bloody battles, all of which cumulated in the Hokuten's attack on the Bethla Garrison. During the attack, many of the Hokuten were poisoned through the use of a poisonous spore. But more devestating to either side was the deaths of both Larg and Goltana. It was discovered that Goltana was murdered by Orlandu who was then killed by a young knight named Delita Hyral. With the death of their leaders, the Lion Wars soon grinded to a halt. Princess Ovelia several months later took the throne with Delita as King. A week later the queen's body was found in her garden apparently killed by an assassin. (Note: If you read the ending very carefully (particularly what Olan says), you'll discover that Delita did -not- kill Ovelia. He mearly made it look like he did.) (1007 - ?) Coming soon |