Beluaterra/Fifth Age

The Fifth Age of Beluaterra

The period since the end of the Fourth Invasion unto the present.

First Age of Beluaterra | Second Age of Beluaterra | Third Age of Beluaterra | Fourth Age of Beluaterra | Fifth Age of Beluaterra | Sixth Age of Beluaterra

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The End of Darkness and the Beginning of a new Age

Around January 1011 the presence of the Archons had driven the three hostile factions of Monsters, Daimons and Undead into decline. These three factions had made Beluaterra their battleground for dominance during the Fourth Invasion and had come nearer to destroy all mankind than any darkness had been able to before. At the end of the invasion large parts of Beluaterra had become inhospitable and covered in darkness, giving the continent a new face:

Taking Stock

The following realms have been destroyed during the past time of darkness: the Dominion of Alluran (overrun by monsters), Heen (destroyed by daimons), Mesh (destroyed by daimons), Avalon (destroyed by monsters) and Hetland (destroyed by daimons and Bara'Khur). The surviving realms: Bara'Khur, Enweil, Fronen, Melhed, Meridian Republic, Old Grehk, Riombara, Sint and Thalmarkin.

Politically the situation was quite fluid during the beginning of the age...no strong enmities between human realms remained with the exception of the Meridian Republic being considered hostile by all direct neighbours. The strongest political block at the end of the invasion was formed by Fronen, Enweil and Bara'Khur. These realms were mostly federated with army strengths of 32.000, 12.000 and 10.000 respectively. The second block was formed by the northern realms...being joined in different military alliances though only loose political ties. From west to east: Sint (14.000), Old Grehk (10.000), Thalmarkin (3.000) and Melhed (20.000). This Northern block could be considered largely friendly with one or more members of the central alliance. Lastly in the south lay Riombara (18.000) and the Meridian Republic (3.000). Both these realms could only reach the rest of the continent via Enweil due to the nature of the darkness with Enweil and Riombara having a 'carefully friendly' relations while the Meridian Republic was at war with both others.

The main effort after the end of the invasion was spent towards retaking rogue regions and defending against large hordes of undead. These hordes were not bound to a single will as during the invasion but had started appearing all over the continent in large numbers.

The first rift

During February of the year 1011 the realm Bara'Khur was riven asunder. Apparently strong political divisions had been present within Bara'Khur even during the invasion, nearly creating open rebellion on several occasions due largely to the death of its last "popular" Monarch, in the midst of reforms. With no stabilizing force or factor, despite the huge Monster hordes ravaging the lands, human nature once again ran its course: amid heated discussions which resulted in duels, and had, in the past resulted in the mass demanding of death duels between several nobles, including the King, the prosperous duchy of Wudenkin left Bara'Khur for its confederated ally Fronen. This large city took four regions with it, of which two did return to Bara'Khur. Shortly thereafter the duchy of Reeds seceded to form the new realm Nothoi, taking seven regions with it and claiming to be the true and rightful successor of Bara'Khur. This left Bara'Khur with only the city of Dyomoque and the far of region of Naraka which soon went rogue. Despite seeming very close to destruction Bara'Khur did manage to survive.

During that time Riombara did continue to advance against the Meridian Republic: After the duchies of Rines and Athol had both rejoined Riombara during the end of the invasion, Riombaras army took Ajitmon and Melegra, reducing the Meridian Republic to its capital of Fwuvoghor. At this time the government of the Meridian Republic did surrender, agreeing to exile - shortly thereafter the city was taken by Riombara.