The Land of Traldar: Historical Synopsis
by Lance DuncanThe ancient Traldar people, descended from the same stock as the ancient Taymora, lived in the highlands around the Black Peaks(on both sides of the range). From the valley deep in the mountains emerged a new jackal-headed people, the Hutaaka. The Hutaaka at first seemed friendly to the Traldar, teaching them the workings of Bronze, pottery, and the art of weaving. Gradually the Hutaaka dominated and enslaved the Traldar using them as laborers an empire was built. After the Great Cataclysm which shattered ancient Taymora, Petra, the Queen of Krakatos, made war on the Hutaakan empire, urged on by an influx of Taymoran refugees. At the same time a slave revolt was led by a smith named Halav. During this time a Hutaaka hunter by the name of Zirchev refused to fight for the empire and gathered a band of pacifist followers. Halav was killed in single combat with the Hutaakan King leading to the break up of the empire. The priestly caste retreated into their valley, and the last vestiges of the warrior caste guarded the entrance, eventually becoming modern day Gnolls. Zirchev and his band of followers began a nomadic lifestyle hunting for survival; their descendants have become modern day Lupins.
The following years were full of strife in the land; for though the Traldar were now free of the Hutaaka, they were not united. They were dominated at first by the Kingdom of Krakatos in the south and petty warlords and kings in the highlands. Then the Nithians came demanding tribute and mercenaries. When the Thang empire rose, the traldar were some of the staunchest allies of the nithians and the bitterest enemies of the Thang, leading to the decimation of the Traldar people. With the Nithian empire subdued, many people from across the Thang empire settled in the Land of Traldar, learning the customs and intermarrying with the surviving locals. Over time these two people became one, the Traladari.
With the destruction of the Thang Empire, a dark age fell on the Land of Traldar. Many say the land was cursed, vampires and lycanthropes began to appear in the mountains and forests. Wicked kings sought to rule the land, it was an era of constant warfare. Each village and town became isolated and had to fend for itself. The people became superstitious and untrusting of outsiders. While the world around them began practicing the new faith of the Great Church, most of the Traladari maintained their pagan religion worshipping the cults of Halav, Petra, and Zirchev according to tradition. With the breakout of the imperial wars, each petty king chose sides, hoping to gain dominance over their neighbors. In alliance with the Holy Emperor Duke Stefan destroyed the pagan cults, dethroned the other petty kings, and gained dominion over the land. Many among the Traladari despise the Duke as a foreign conqueror, and his rule is enforced by his chosen barons and lords. Much of the land, among the forests and hills, is occupied by Traladari who serve no lord or master. There are some among the Traladari who see the Duke as Halav reborn, the great uniter of the Traladari people.