Land of Rivers History
B.A. = Before Adeodatus, A.E.D. = After Elder Drakes
Ancient History [??? B.A. - 1 A.E.D.]
Adeodatus’ Empire [2 - 62 A.E.D]
Xocrian Raids [62+ A.E.D.]
Fall of Padwell [377 A.E.D.]
Sacking of Cadere [424 A.E.D.]
Padwell’s Rebellion [459 - 494 A.E.D]
Modern Day [503 A.E.D Onwards]
Adeodatus’ Empire [2 - 62 A.E.D]
Xocrian Raids [62+ A.E.D.]
Fall of Padwell [377 A.E.D.]
Sacking of Cadere [424 A.E.D.]
Padwell’s Rebellion [459 - 494 A.E.D]
Modern Day [503 A.E.D Onwards]
Ancient History [??? B.A.- 1 A.E.D.]
Events that took place in the Land of Rivers prior to the fall of the Elder Drakes.
The first peoples of the Land of Rivers were its human inhabitants. They arrived in the region, according to known archaeological records, close to two thousand years ago. As most of their early constructions were wooden not much has lasted to the modern era, but the oldest samples of pottery around the most ancient of cities and ruined villages were often painted with stars and moons, and the bones of the occasional griffon, put to rest in the same manner as a human, can be found in the hills nearby.
After a century, however, griffon bones stop being found near human settlements and moon-themed pottery becomes far more dominant. They would live like this for generations until the arrival of the moonvipers hundreds of years later.
After a century, however, griffon bones stop being found near human settlements and moon-themed pottery becomes far more dominant. They would live like this for generations until the arrival of the moonvipers hundreds of years later.
The Moonviper Exodus [est. 600 B.A.]
Next to arrive in the Land of Rivers were the moonvipers, close to eleven hundred years ago, fleeing some great cataclysm in the Frozen Gates. The exact cause of what happened there has been since lost to time, but the aftermath forced the moonvipers to flee, as to stay behind in their homeland would mean certain death.
Rather than fighting over territory or attempting to destroy each other, they instead shared the land, and soon came to see each other as family. The moonvipers brought with them the belief in the Moon Sisters, and the riverlanders shared with them their language and homes.
It was around this time that the ancient Elder Drake Queen, Midas of Argyre, took over the Land of Rivers—according to old legends, by destroying the Moon Father Khynsu and taking his lands for herself. She would enslave the peoples of the Land of Rivers, human and dragon alike, for the next few centuries.
Rather than fighting over territory or attempting to destroy each other, they instead shared the land, and soon came to see each other as family. The moonvipers brought with them the belief in the Moon Sisters, and the riverlanders shared with them their language and homes.
It was around this time that the ancient Elder Drake Queen, Midas of Argyre, took over the Land of Rivers—according to old legends, by destroying the Moon Father Khynsu and taking his lands for herself. She would enslave the peoples of the Land of Rivers, human and dragon alike, for the next few centuries.
Adeodatus’ Era [40 B.A. - 0 B.A.]
Adeodatus was born on December 21rst, forty years prior to the Night of the Red Moons. Not much is known about her childhood; she was born in the Great Temple in Luna, and like all Moon Children during the period of Elder Drake rule, was taken as soon as she’d hatched and brought to their hidden island capital in the Gaping Sea.
Before Adeodatus returned two decades later, it had always been assumed that the Elder Drakes used the Moon Children for some unspeakable necromantic ritual, but, no. Adeodatus had escaped, and although the Elder Drake ruler, Queen Midas of Argyre, put all her resources into tracking her down, she managed to evade recapture.
She started a short-lived rebellion against Midas in the Land of Rivers that was brutally crushed after only a few years. What few battles there resulted in massacres, the very earth itself tearing and lurching underfoot, and it is said that the bodies of the dead could be found half-buried in mud for decades afterwards. Adeodatus’ fate was, for a time, unknown, until she resurfaced many years later during the Night of the Red Moons.
Before Adeodatus returned two decades later, it had always been assumed that the Elder Drakes used the Moon Children for some unspeakable necromantic ritual, but, no. Adeodatus had escaped, and although the Elder Drake ruler, Queen Midas of Argyre, put all her resources into tracking her down, she managed to evade recapture.
She started a short-lived rebellion against Midas in the Land of Rivers that was brutally crushed after only a few years. What few battles there resulted in massacres, the very earth itself tearing and lurching underfoot, and it is said that the bodies of the dead could be found half-buried in mud for decades afterwards. Adeodatus’ fate was, for a time, unknown, until she resurfaced many years later during the Night of the Red Moons.
Night of the Red Moons [1 A.E.D.]
Adeodatus calling down the wrath of the Moon Sisters. Art by J-Haskell.
The Land of Rivers endured terrible treatment for many centuries before a moonviper named Adeodatus, the last True Mage and blessed by the Moon Sisters, emerged as their champion. She called down the wrath of the three goddess’ in an event known only as the Night of the Red Moons, turning the Realm’s three moons blood red.
On the night that followed, a terrible madness gripped the Elder Drakes and dragonkind—although moonvipers, hybrid dragons, and humans were unaffected—driving them into an animalistic, killing fury. By the time the night was over, the Elder Drakes had destroyed each other. Nothing of its kind has occurred before or since.
On the night that followed, a terrible madness gripped the Elder Drakes and dragonkind—although moonvipers, hybrid dragons, and humans were unaffected—driving them into an animalistic, killing fury. By the time the night was over, the Elder Drakes had destroyed each other. Nothing of its kind has occurred before or since.
Adeodatus’ Empire [2 - 62 A.E.D.]
Following the Night of the Red Moons, Adeodatus felt responsible for helping the rest of the Realm recover and spread her guidance across both continents. It was a short-lived empire, but the moonvipers and the Land of Rivers left their mark in the many ancient cities and ruins that can be seen scattered across the world.
Adeodatus’ Conquests [2 - 15 A.E.D.]
Only a few years after the Night of the Red Moons destroyed the Elder Drakes and devastated many dragon nations, Adeodatus began to expand across the Realm’s borders, bringing guidance to the world after a time of such great upheaval. The people of the Land of Rivers accepted the Moon Child and True Mage as their champion easily enough, and the moonvipers, not affected by the Red Moons’ touch, were far more numerous than any of the other dragon countries.
Adeodatus had eight children in the first few years after the Night of the Red Moons. Four sons; Spes, Chryseum, Umbra, Inlustris, and four daughters; Argentus, Luna, Clara and Ventus. They made for a picturesque family, and a portrait of the nine of them can be seen today in Maiestas’ city hall. Spes would later join the Perigee, but the rest of her children ended up as military officers or governors of her conquered territories.
They first spread into the Old Growth Forest of the darklings. As it was—and remains—uninhabited save by its former Elder Drake overlords, there was no resistance to them save for a few angry individuals trying to protect the trees their ancestors had been buried under. After that, they skirted the edge of Meros’ territories and expanded north and southeast, taking over Dutoria and the sundrakes’ territory.
The sundrakes, in the aftermath of the Elder Drake’s defeat, had been fighting amongst each other for power, and the presence of an outside, ‘neutral’ party seemed a decent enough option for a new leader, and they accepted Adeodatus’ guidance quickly.
In 3 A.E.D Adeodatus and her followers attempted to move south and take over areas of Xocrium. The humans who called that country home did not take her attempt to share guidance or land particularly well, however, and after a series of violent clashes and riots, she drew back from inside Xocrium’s borders.
She established the Perigee in 8 A.E.D as the religious authority of the Land of Rivers, to create a unified set of practices regarding the Moon Sisters and heal the spiritual heart of the land.
Some years later, after the moonviper empire’s territory in Theavia was secure, they began to cross into Cyr. First, in 14 A.E.D, they conquered the Island of Fire and started building cities and military fortresses there. Once that was done, they spread into the rest of the eastern continent, taking over Hovell, stormherald territory, and the windwyrm kingdoms in 15 A.E.D. The springsingers were at first rather friendly towards the moonvipers, glad to hear the news that the Elder Drakes were gone for good, but when they learned that the Night of the Red Moons and the destruction it had caused were partially Adeodatus’ fault, they cut ties with them immediately.
Adeodatus made an attempt to enter into the Whaletooth Archipelago and managed to construct a small fortress on one of the southernmost islands before being driven out by shipwrecker captains. That fortress would later become the public headquarters of the Sirens and can be seen in the Hotrock Hollow village to this day.
The only nations to resist Adeodatus with any success were Ironbrook, Xocrium, Padwell, the springsingers and the shipwreckers, with the tidekeepers remaining independent due to their seafaring lifestyles. By 15 A.E.D, Adeodatus’ empire had reached its peak and included lands in both continents.
Adeodatus had eight children in the first few years after the Night of the Red Moons. Four sons; Spes, Chryseum, Umbra, Inlustris, and four daughters; Argentus, Luna, Clara and Ventus. They made for a picturesque family, and a portrait of the nine of them can be seen today in Maiestas’ city hall. Spes would later join the Perigee, but the rest of her children ended up as military officers or governors of her conquered territories.
They first spread into the Old Growth Forest of the darklings. As it was—and remains—uninhabited save by its former Elder Drake overlords, there was no resistance to them save for a few angry individuals trying to protect the trees their ancestors had been buried under. After that, they skirted the edge of Meros’ territories and expanded north and southeast, taking over Dutoria and the sundrakes’ territory.
The sundrakes, in the aftermath of the Elder Drake’s defeat, had been fighting amongst each other for power, and the presence of an outside, ‘neutral’ party seemed a decent enough option for a new leader, and they accepted Adeodatus’ guidance quickly.
In 3 A.E.D Adeodatus and her followers attempted to move south and take over areas of Xocrium. The humans who called that country home did not take her attempt to share guidance or land particularly well, however, and after a series of violent clashes and riots, she drew back from inside Xocrium’s borders.
She established the Perigee in 8 A.E.D as the religious authority of the Land of Rivers, to create a unified set of practices regarding the Moon Sisters and heal the spiritual heart of the land.
Some years later, after the moonviper empire’s territory in Theavia was secure, they began to cross into Cyr. First, in 14 A.E.D, they conquered the Island of Fire and started building cities and military fortresses there. Once that was done, they spread into the rest of the eastern continent, taking over Hovell, stormherald territory, and the windwyrm kingdoms in 15 A.E.D. The springsingers were at first rather friendly towards the moonvipers, glad to hear the news that the Elder Drakes were gone for good, but when they learned that the Night of the Red Moons and the destruction it had caused were partially Adeodatus’ fault, they cut ties with them immediately.
Adeodatus made an attempt to enter into the Whaletooth Archipelago and managed to construct a small fortress on one of the southernmost islands before being driven out by shipwrecker captains. That fortress would later become the public headquarters of the Sirens and can be seen in the Hotrock Hollow village to this day.
The only nations to resist Adeodatus with any success were Ironbrook, Xocrium, Padwell, the springsingers and the shipwreckers, with the tidekeepers remaining independent due to their seafaring lifestyles. By 15 A.E.D, Adeodatus’ empire had reached its peak and included lands in both continents.
Decline [37 - 56 A.E.D.]
For the next twenty-two years, Adeodatus’ empire stagnated. She made no new conquests during this period, and focused on consolidating her power in Cyr and assisting with rebuilding efforts in the countries she now ruled.
Her empire began to fall apart in 37 A.E.D. The sundrakes had spent the years following the Night of the Red Moons carefully rebuilding and recovering, and eventually, they felt confident enough to attempt to separate from Adeodatus’ empire. Her granddaughter, and the child of a sundrake who claimed descent from Hyleg himself, Aubade ad Meliora championed the sundrakes on this, believing strongly that they were ready to govern themselves.
Adeodatus was hesitant to grant their request, however, when she was assured that the sundrakes wanted Aubade as their queen and would keep close ties with the moonvipers, she agreed to the shift in power. The transition of power was peaceful as the new Meliora kingdom was established.
The events that would follow would be… decidedly less so.
On the Island of Fire, a massive eruption in 41 A.E.D killed most of the non-fireworms that had been living there, filling the sky with hot, toxic ash that made it hard for others to breathe. The fireworm Clans, save for the Moon Clan, took the opportunity presented by the cataclysm to attack Adeodatus’ governors, driving the last few stubborn stragglers off their island and establishing themselves as independent again.
Four years later, in 45 A.E.D, the Windwyrms did the same, driving out the moonvipers in fear of their lives and re-establishing their five traditional kingdoms, Roseglade, Bitterpeak, Blackpine, Whiteneedle and the Crater.
In 46 A.E.D, the Stormheralds allied with Ironbrook and began to make great advances in technology, Adeodatus’ government eagerly granted them their independence preemptively to avoid another massacre. They had lost enough already to the windwyrms and the fireworms and had no desire to fight another battle.
The next few years were quiet, with Adeodatus and her empire licking their wounds. Whatever she had planned to do next; grant independence to other nations, try to retake her lost territories, no one will know, for she died in 56 A.E.D in the Realm’s first Scale Rot plague.
Her empire began to fall apart in 37 A.E.D. The sundrakes had spent the years following the Night of the Red Moons carefully rebuilding and recovering, and eventually, they felt confident enough to attempt to separate from Adeodatus’ empire. Her granddaughter, and the child of a sundrake who claimed descent from Hyleg himself, Aubade ad Meliora championed the sundrakes on this, believing strongly that they were ready to govern themselves.
Adeodatus was hesitant to grant their request, however, when she was assured that the sundrakes wanted Aubade as their queen and would keep close ties with the moonvipers, she agreed to the shift in power. The transition of power was peaceful as the new Meliora kingdom was established.
The events that would follow would be… decidedly less so.
On the Island of Fire, a massive eruption in 41 A.E.D killed most of the non-fireworms that had been living there, filling the sky with hot, toxic ash that made it hard for others to breathe. The fireworm Clans, save for the Moon Clan, took the opportunity presented by the cataclysm to attack Adeodatus’ governors, driving the last few stubborn stragglers off their island and establishing themselves as independent again.
Four years later, in 45 A.E.D, the Windwyrms did the same, driving out the moonvipers in fear of their lives and re-establishing their five traditional kingdoms, Roseglade, Bitterpeak, Blackpine, Whiteneedle and the Crater.
In 46 A.E.D, the Stormheralds allied with Ironbrook and began to make great advances in technology, Adeodatus’ government eagerly granted them their independence preemptively to avoid another massacre. They had lost enough already to the windwyrms and the fireworms and had no desire to fight another battle.
The next few years were quiet, with Adeodatus and her empire licking their wounds. Whatever she had planned to do next; grant independence to other nations, try to retake her lost territories, no one will know, for she died in 56 A.E.D in the Realm’s first Scale Rot plague.
The Fracture [56 - 62 A.E.D.]
Following the death of Adeodatus, uncertainty gripped the Land of Rivers and its empire, as there had been no protocols put in place for what should be done if their leader died. After all, being a dragon, Adeodatus should have had close to another hundred years ahead of her, rather than dying at less than a century of age. In the immediate aftermath of her death the Empire gave up all claim to lands in Cyr, freeing Hovell from their dominion, and focused solely on ruling their territories in Theavia—by this point, just Dutoria, the Land of Rivers, and the darkling forests.
Shortly after, a power struggle developed between Adeodatus’ children and the Perigee, the religious authority Adeodatus established after the fall of the Elder Drakes; both groups saw themselves as her obvious heirs, and when no peaceful settlement could be reached, the Empire divided into two halves.
The Northern Empire, made up of half of the darkling forest and Dutoria, were Adeodatus’ children. And the Southern Empire, made up of the Land of Rivers itself and parts of the darklings’ Old Growth Forest, were the Perigee-ruled lands. The children of Adeodatus wanted to lead an expansionist revival of their mother’s empire, while the Perigee wanted to free the darklings and the people of Dutoria and focus solely on the traditional territories of the riverlanders and the moonvipers.
This split lasted for the next five years, from 56 - 62 A.E.D. The Northern Empire was mismanaged by Adeodatus’ heirs, many of whom had no idea how to go about running a country, and fell quickly into poverty as they wasted money on failed military and building projects.
The fall of the Northern Empire was orchestrated in part by the Perigee; they made an agreement with Dutoria’s leadership and encouraged unrest, and in 62 A.E.D, as the humans of Dutoria began to pressure and overthrow the moonvipers lording over them, the Northern Empire fractured and the Perigee became the sole true authority over what was left of Adeodatus’ territory.
Unwilling to admit defeat and accept the Perigee’s government, Adeodatus’ heirs fled to the north with a small group of loyalists, returning to the moonviper’s original homeland of the Frozen Gates. They were never heard from again, and due to the nature of the Frozen Gates, are assumed to have died or worse. Only two of Adeodatus’ surviving descendants were spared this fate; her son, Spes, who had joined the Perigee before his mother’s death and remained loyal to them throughout the Empire’s split, and Argenteus, the mother of the first sundrake Queen who chose to remain with her family there instead of fleeing into the north.
The Perigee’s first action as the sole governors of the Empire was to disband it; they gave up all claims to Dutoria and the darklings’ forest and instead focused only on guiding the Land of Rivers.
Shortly after, a power struggle developed between Adeodatus’ children and the Perigee, the religious authority Adeodatus established after the fall of the Elder Drakes; both groups saw themselves as her obvious heirs, and when no peaceful settlement could be reached, the Empire divided into two halves.
The Northern Empire, made up of half of the darkling forest and Dutoria, were Adeodatus’ children. And the Southern Empire, made up of the Land of Rivers itself and parts of the darklings’ Old Growth Forest, were the Perigee-ruled lands. The children of Adeodatus wanted to lead an expansionist revival of their mother’s empire, while the Perigee wanted to free the darklings and the people of Dutoria and focus solely on the traditional territories of the riverlanders and the moonvipers.
This split lasted for the next five years, from 56 - 62 A.E.D. The Northern Empire was mismanaged by Adeodatus’ heirs, many of whom had no idea how to go about running a country, and fell quickly into poverty as they wasted money on failed military and building projects.
The fall of the Northern Empire was orchestrated in part by the Perigee; they made an agreement with Dutoria’s leadership and encouraged unrest, and in 62 A.E.D, as the humans of Dutoria began to pressure and overthrow the moonvipers lording over them, the Northern Empire fractured and the Perigee became the sole true authority over what was left of Adeodatus’ territory.
Unwilling to admit defeat and accept the Perigee’s government, Adeodatus’ heirs fled to the north with a small group of loyalists, returning to the moonviper’s original homeland of the Frozen Gates. They were never heard from again, and due to the nature of the Frozen Gates, are assumed to have died or worse. Only two of Adeodatus’ surviving descendants were spared this fate; her son, Spes, who had joined the Perigee before his mother’s death and remained loyal to them throughout the Empire’s split, and Argenteus, the mother of the first sundrake Queen who chose to remain with her family there instead of fleeing into the north.
The Perigee’s first action as the sole governors of the Empire was to disband it; they gave up all claims to Dutoria and the darklings’ forest and instead focused only on guiding the Land of Rivers.
The Between Times [45 - 503 A.E.D.]
All events in the Land of Rivers’ history between the fall of the Northern Empire and modern events.
Xocrian Raids Begin [62 A.E.D. onward]
Ever since Adeodatus’ failed attempt to conquer Xocrium in 3 A.E.D, there had been periodic raids and attacks by dragonslayers. However, with the Perigee now in power and the army that once protected the Land of Rivers disbanded, they started to become far worse and far more frequent.
Remnants of Adeodatus’ military took up residence in the southern border cities and began to form small-scale militia groups to try to protect their fellows in the absence of government assistance, although in the years that followed many dragons were killed and their bodies and hides taken as trophies.
Some human and dragon citizens called for them to fight back, to descend upon the Xocrians and take revenge for their fallen friends, but the Perigee refused; violence was frowned upon by their order, and they were afraid of starting a full-on war against a kingdom filled with bloodthirsty, battle-hardened knights. The Moonvipers and Riverlanders were not soldiers, after all.
So they simply tolerated the attacks. Dragons and their human families would defend themselves against attacks—sometimes successfully, sometimes not—but no action was taken against Xocrium, not even as the deaths piled up. The talented poet Terence is a particularly famous victim; he was killed in 233 A.E.D, partway through composing his masterpiece, leaving the epic on a cliffhanger never to be finished. Some have made attempts to write an end to it, of course, but none have been accepted as what Terence would have done. The blood-stained scroll is on display in the House of History at the capital of the Blue Phase, Maiestas.
Remnants of Adeodatus’ military took up residence in the southern border cities and began to form small-scale militia groups to try to protect their fellows in the absence of government assistance, although in the years that followed many dragons were killed and their bodies and hides taken as trophies.
Some human and dragon citizens called for them to fight back, to descend upon the Xocrians and take revenge for their fallen friends, but the Perigee refused; violence was frowned upon by their order, and they were afraid of starting a full-on war against a kingdom filled with bloodthirsty, battle-hardened knights. The Moonvipers and Riverlanders were not soldiers, after all.
So they simply tolerated the attacks. Dragons and their human families would defend themselves against attacks—sometimes successfully, sometimes not—but no action was taken against Xocrium, not even as the deaths piled up. The talented poet Terence is a particularly famous victim; he was killed in 233 A.E.D, partway through composing his masterpiece, leaving the epic on a cliffhanger never to be finished. Some have made attempts to write an end to it, of course, but none have been accepted as what Terence would have done. The blood-stained scroll is on display in the House of History at the capital of the Blue Phase, Maiestas.
Fall of Padwell [377 A.E.D.]
The Xocrian takeover of the formerly independent kingdom of Padwell that occurred in 377 A.E.D was a cause of great concern in the Land of Rivers. They received a great many human and dragon refugees fleeing the Conquest and the establishment of the Division to make anyone who showed dissent vanish, and there was a deep fear that Xocrium might turn their eyes to their northern neighbours next.
The border militias along the south of the Land of Rivers became more serious, and many had their numbers bolstered by those from Padwell and High Heart who wanted to help and strike back at Xocrium for the invasion.
The border militias along the south of the Land of Rivers became more serious, and many had their numbers bolstered by those from Padwell and High Heart who wanted to help and strike back at Xocrium for the invasion.
Sack of Cadere [424 A.E.D.]
The fear that emerged 377 only grew in the passing years, until the citizens of the once-prosperous city of Cadere—which had been the main target of dragonslayers since the fall of Adeodatus’ empire—decided that they would make a great stand against the knights and put an end to their raiding. It was a lofty goal, but the leaders of the town and the surrounding militia groups thought that they were capable of achieving it, and put great effort into preparations and fortifying the city.
In 424 A.E.D Cadere, after harassing Xocrian dragonslayers for the past decade, was the target of a large-scale raid from the south. The battle that followed was not the stunning victory that they’d hoped for, that would prove that the Land of Rivers was not an easy target, but a massacre. The defences were shattered within hours and a great fire started in the city. Today, no one is sure if it was an accident or intentional, but the dry summer heat did nothing to stop the blaze from spreading, and soon enough the entire city was consumed in flames.
Survivors and records from the time carry a variety of accounts, ranging from accidents to having been set deliberately by knights, or even by the defenders in a last-ditch effort to take down as many of their attackers with them as they could. The Perigee’s official statement on the matter was that the flames were the doing of the Moon Sisters, punishing the people of Cadere for inciting violence.
Most of the city’s population and the warriors who had fathered there perished in the battle and the inferno afterwards. The few who survived fled south, to other cities in the Land of Rivers, such as Maiestas, Attero, Fallingstar, or to further and safer locations such as Luna and Urbs.
The ruins have since become a popular spot for Xocrians to camp while on dragon-hunting excursions into the Land of Rivers. Some daring moonvipers have layered the remaining stonework with as many terrifying memories that they can to ward off these trespassers, and the ruins are considered haunted as a result.
In 424 A.E.D Cadere, after harassing Xocrian dragonslayers for the past decade, was the target of a large-scale raid from the south. The battle that followed was not the stunning victory that they’d hoped for, that would prove that the Land of Rivers was not an easy target, but a massacre. The defences were shattered within hours and a great fire started in the city. Today, no one is sure if it was an accident or intentional, but the dry summer heat did nothing to stop the blaze from spreading, and soon enough the entire city was consumed in flames.
Survivors and records from the time carry a variety of accounts, ranging from accidents to having been set deliberately by knights, or even by the defenders in a last-ditch effort to take down as many of their attackers with them as they could. The Perigee’s official statement on the matter was that the flames were the doing of the Moon Sisters, punishing the people of Cadere for inciting violence.
Most of the city’s population and the warriors who had fathered there perished in the battle and the inferno afterwards. The few who survived fled south, to other cities in the Land of Rivers, such as Maiestas, Attero, Fallingstar, or to further and safer locations such as Luna and Urbs.
The ruins have since become a popular spot for Xocrians to camp while on dragon-hunting excursions into the Land of Rivers. Some daring moonvipers have layered the remaining stonework with as many terrifying memories that they can to ward off these trespassers, and the ruins are considered haunted as a result.
Padwell’s Rebellion [459 - 494 A.E.D.]
When the time came for Padwell’s declaration of independence in 459 A.E.D, the Perigee made no official declaration of support… although neither did they denounce the war that took place. Many citizens of the Land of Rivers had weathered attacks at the border from Xocrium for generations and saw the brewing rebellion as a real chance to do something that would have a real impact.
Large numbers of both moonviper and human citizens (some of which were descended from refugees who had fled the Conquest of Padwell) of the Land of Rivers, primarily from the southern border regions, arrived in Padwell in the years that followed to help them establish themselves as an independent kingdom once more.
Close bonds were forged during the heat of battle in the marshes between the people of Padwell and the Land of Rivers, leading some to settle down in the marshland nation after things began to calm down in 470 A.E.D, having made good friends with the people there - and, of course, showing great interest in living in a country that was actually willing to defend themselves. They could raise their children here without having to live in fear of a raid that might steal away their dragon relatives.
Of note, the current mayor of Fallingstar, Discite Justitiam Moniti, was among one of the many citizens of the Land of Rivers who fought with Padwell during their rebellion.
These individuals continued helping with the border skirmishes that occurred until peace was declared in 494 A.E.D, and are generally well-respected by the people of Padwell as a result.
Large numbers of both moonviper and human citizens (some of which were descended from refugees who had fled the Conquest of Padwell) of the Land of Rivers, primarily from the southern border regions, arrived in Padwell in the years that followed to help them establish themselves as an independent kingdom once more.
Close bonds were forged during the heat of battle in the marshes between the people of Padwell and the Land of Rivers, leading some to settle down in the marshland nation after things began to calm down in 470 A.E.D, having made good friends with the people there - and, of course, showing great interest in living in a country that was actually willing to defend themselves. They could raise their children here without having to live in fear of a raid that might steal away their dragon relatives.
Of note, the current mayor of Fallingstar, Discite Justitiam Moniti, was among one of the many citizens of the Land of Rivers who fought with Padwell during their rebellion.
These individuals continued helping with the border skirmishes that occurred until peace was declared in 494 A.E.D, and are generally well-respected by the people of Padwell as a result.
You can read about the events of the rebellion in more detail here.
Modern Day [503 A.E.D. Onwards]
Life in the modern Land of Rivers is paradoxically both peaceful and dangerous, especially for its dragon citizens. The pacifist ideals of the Perigee prevented them from having an army, and the constant attacks from Xocrium were a danger to any dragon large enough to be considered a challenging fight, as well as any Riverlanders who might try to defend their family or friends.
Grumblings of discontent have only grown since Padwell’s rebellion gave the Land of Rivers a taste of fighting back. Many began to whisper that the Land of Rivers’ southern cities might break away from the Perigee, though such thoughts were dismissed as nothing more than rumours until the end of the Battle of Fallingstar in January 504.
The cities of Maiestas, Attero, Fallingstar and Vincit split away from Perigee authority to form the “Southern League” and pledged that they would protect the Land of Rivers’ people, with or without the approval of the Perigee.
Grumblings of discontent have only grown since Padwell’s rebellion gave the Land of Rivers a taste of fighting back. Many began to whisper that the Land of Rivers’ southern cities might break away from the Perigee, though such thoughts were dismissed as nothing more than rumours until the end of the Battle of Fallingstar in January 504.
The cities of Maiestas, Attero, Fallingstar and Vincit split away from Perigee authority to form the “Southern League” and pledged that they would protect the Land of Rivers’ people, with or without the approval of the Perigee.
Battle of Fallingstar [503 - 504 A.E.D.]
Events described below were part of an official RoS story event, The Last Stand of Fallingstar, which ran from December 1rst, 2020 - January 31rst, 2021.
The town of Fallingstar and its mayor, Discite Justitiam Moniti, had long been the heart of the Land of River’s small resistance to attacks by Xocrian knights. Her efforts to do anything in her power to keep her citizens alive and fighting has helped them to continue defending themself, but also gained her and her town many enemies. They had decided that enough was enough—they would crush Fallingstar’s resistance once and for all, and kill the dragon who led them.
A large-scale dragon hunt was called against her in the winter of 503, with knights from across Xocrium travelling towards Fallingstar to earn earn the honour that would come with slaying a dragon as infamous as Discite. Their attack turned into a mix of outright battle and a siege of the town. As the number of enemies gathered outside their homes grew, Discite sent out a desperate call for aid to the rest of the Land of Rivers and anyone who wished to oppose Xocrium.
Support arrived in the city en-masse, both from within the Land of Rivers, other nations that had a grudge against Xocrium—Padwell and the Tyr Kingdom most notably—and friendly mercenaries, allowing them not just to hold out against their attackers, but to drive them away from the city and back across the border.
It was the first major victory against Xocrium that the Land of Rivers had seen in centuries. For the first time in generations, Fallingstar was safe from attack and its citizens had a chance to breathe and rebuild. Word of events in Fallingstar travelled across the Land of Rivers, proof perhaps that the moonvipers and riverlander people can stand up to Xocrium and win. They do not have to hide and allow the knights from the south to do as they please for fear of provoking them… maybe, just maybe, if they stand up for themselves, they can stop the raids for good.
This was not lost on Discite and her generals, and in the immediate aftermath of the battle, she reached out to the other border cities in the Land of Rivers to discuss the possibility of an alliance.
After a number of conferences between herself and the leaders of other cities, the Southern League was founded as a defensive pact between the cities of Fallingstar, Attero, Maiestas, and Vincit, and together they have shared their tactics and worked hard to form a military and set in place policies and tactics to protect their borders from attack.
The Perigee denounced the League’s use of violence, though did not officially cut ties with the south, fearing that losing both of the Land of Rivers’ major trading ports—Attero and Maiestas—would cripple their ability to govern. Contrary to their official declarations one of their number, a Moon Child and former Perigee Follower named Haffligiensis ex Nihilo, has declared her support for the League and Discite.
To prove that they could go on without the approval of Luna’s Perigee officials, Discite and her adopted son, Padus Justitiam Moniti, visited Maiestas during negotiations regarding the structure of the League. While he was there, Padus and his familiar went to the city’s broken old Moondial and set about repairing the central moonstone. After days of effort, he was successful, and the stone began to glow with the same pale white gleam as the one in the Great Temple in Luna. A sign from the Sisters, perhaps, that those who fought to defend Fallingstar and the Serpent Delta as a whole still had their blessing.
After this the cities of Fallingstar, Attero, Maiestas and Vincit formally agreed to collaborate in the future defense of the Land of Rivers, formally establishing the “Southern League” in Febuary of 504. In the time since they have established an official army to protect the Land of Rivers, as well as expanded the Serpents out from the city of Attero to fend off Xocrium’s Division of Feathers.
Only time will tell if they manage to succeed in standing up to their neighbour, but they are determined to try their very best.
A large-scale dragon hunt was called against her in the winter of 503, with knights from across Xocrium travelling towards Fallingstar to earn earn the honour that would come with slaying a dragon as infamous as Discite. Their attack turned into a mix of outright battle and a siege of the town. As the number of enemies gathered outside their homes grew, Discite sent out a desperate call for aid to the rest of the Land of Rivers and anyone who wished to oppose Xocrium.
Support arrived in the city en-masse, both from within the Land of Rivers, other nations that had a grudge against Xocrium—Padwell and the Tyr Kingdom most notably—and friendly mercenaries, allowing them not just to hold out against their attackers, but to drive them away from the city and back across the border.
It was the first major victory against Xocrium that the Land of Rivers had seen in centuries. For the first time in generations, Fallingstar was safe from attack and its citizens had a chance to breathe and rebuild. Word of events in Fallingstar travelled across the Land of Rivers, proof perhaps that the moonvipers and riverlander people can stand up to Xocrium and win. They do not have to hide and allow the knights from the south to do as they please for fear of provoking them… maybe, just maybe, if they stand up for themselves, they can stop the raids for good.
This was not lost on Discite and her generals, and in the immediate aftermath of the battle, she reached out to the other border cities in the Land of Rivers to discuss the possibility of an alliance.
After a number of conferences between herself and the leaders of other cities, the Southern League was founded as a defensive pact between the cities of Fallingstar, Attero, Maiestas, and Vincit, and together they have shared their tactics and worked hard to form a military and set in place policies and tactics to protect their borders from attack.
The Perigee denounced the League’s use of violence, though did not officially cut ties with the south, fearing that losing both of the Land of Rivers’ major trading ports—Attero and Maiestas—would cripple their ability to govern. Contrary to their official declarations one of their number, a Moon Child and former Perigee Follower named Haffligiensis ex Nihilo, has declared her support for the League and Discite.
To prove that they could go on without the approval of Luna’s Perigee officials, Discite and her adopted son, Padus Justitiam Moniti, visited Maiestas during negotiations regarding the structure of the League. While he was there, Padus and his familiar went to the city’s broken old Moondial and set about repairing the central moonstone. After days of effort, he was successful, and the stone began to glow with the same pale white gleam as the one in the Great Temple in Luna. A sign from the Sisters, perhaps, that those who fought to defend Fallingstar and the Serpent Delta as a whole still had their blessing.
After this the cities of Fallingstar, Attero, Maiestas and Vincit formally agreed to collaborate in the future defense of the Land of Rivers, formally establishing the “Southern League” in Febuary of 504. In the time since they have established an official army to protect the Land of Rivers, as well as expanded the Serpents out from the city of Attero to fend off Xocrium’s Division of Feathers.
Only time will tell if they manage to succeed in standing up to their neighbour, but they are determined to try their very best.