Jan Svarva

Jan Svarva is the name of one of the continents on Corvathaim. The first book of the Saga of Corvathaim takes places there, predominantly on the western coastline. Bearing the countries of Zartensia, Thraxia and the Free Banners, Jan Svarva bears an unexplored forest that expands further east, continent in-ward.

History
The continent of Jan Svarva has a tumultuous history.

Pre-Exodus Period
Before the arrival of the exiles from across the ocean, Jan Svarva was mainly populated by Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Orcs and Catfolk. These races lived mainly isolated from one another with nomadic tribes of Catfolk and few traveling merchants providing cultural contact. Dwarves and Elves had attempted diplomatic relations with one another, but they frequently broke down not long after contact had been re-established.

The Elven Cataclysm
(257 yrs b.e.)

The downfall of the Elven cities and societies has been a mystery that has intrigued numerous people over the years since the Accord of the Exiled. The elves spent numerous years wandering the plains and forests of Jan Svarva, lost and searching for safety. Few are able to remember what happened and even then, the accounts feature disjointed elements that were ingrained in their memory such as drowning sounds, blurred sights and confusing smells.

The Kazharok Raid
(103 yrs. b.e.)

Dwarves did not escape their own share of tragedy. Throughout their settlement in the Dragonspeak Mountains they have had to repel numerous sieges by Orcs and Hobgoblins. Angered by their failure, Kazharok Beastjaw, a fearsome Orc of immense stature and ferocity, managed to accomplish what none had before or after, unifying the various Orc an Goblinoid tribes. Besieging the various cities and strongholds, Kazharok displayed extreme cunning, spreading the Dwarven forces across their entire territory as they were unwilling to give up a single plot of land to the invavders. Breaking into the Dwarven tunnel systems allowed Kazharok to use Dwarven infrastructure against them, slowly but steadily diminishing their forces. In a desperate effort Kind Dorgaren Uthrek led a charge against the invading force, only to die at the hands of Kazharok. Subsequently, a small group of Dwarven warriors led by Queen Hildra Uthrek managed to reach Kazharok and kill him. Avenging the death of her husband, Queen Hildra had managed to swear a grudge against Kazharok and see it fulfilled within the same day. Soon after the death of Kazharok the invading tribes began to fall apart due to a struggle for leadership which allowed the Dwarves to repel them. Few Orc and Goblinoid tribes attempted to invade Dwarven lands after this event, fewer still managed to come close to the success of Kazharok.

The Day of Fire
(16 yrs b.e.)

he worst incident of all, now known as the Day of Fire, saw them finally lose their home. During a single day, the arrival of a thunder of dragons destroyed most of the Dwarven cities and their infrastructure. Barely able to evacuate the disaster, the Dwarven refugees found themselves spread throughout the northern parts of Jan Svarva and attempting to reestablish outposts, the remnants of which turned into cities or became ruins.

Exodus
After the religious persecution perpetrated on Kro' Ushai by the Faith of the Eternal Stars, the refugees escaped on boats across the ocean in an event known as the Exodus. Finding the lands of Jan Svarva populated with the lost people of Elves and Dwavres, the refugees soon made an effort to build a new home on Jan Svarva after landfall. What followed was a period of unrest and smaller struggles between the people ripe for the exploitation by the Orc and Goblinoid tribes.

The Accord of the Exiled
A year after the first refugees from beyond the ocean arrived in Jan Svarva, the people found themselves at a breaking point. Struggling to establish a sense of normalcy, the different races that were now forced into the plains of Jan Svarva had to engage with one another and band together despite their cultural and ideological differences in order to secure their survival. This call to unity which enabled the rebuilding of cities and societies is now used on Jan Svarva as a starting point of the calendar in order to underscore the vents importance and further the unity between the races.

The Kingdom of Zartensia and Expansionist Efforts
(50 yrs a.e.)

After establishing cities and towns out of Dwarven outposts, the leaders of the Accord make the choice of crowning the Milvonar family as the leaders of the newly established kingdom of Zartensia. During negotiations, the Dwarves are promised a settlement within the Realmspires in return. The expansionist efforts continued North past the settlement of the Realmspires as well as West into the Sil'Vahanin.

The Day of Ashes
(109 yrs, a.e.)

Not satisfied with their budding new city state of Vorgundir as well as the twin-cities of Ishcal & Ishval, a number of Dwarves and sympathisers decided to lead a strike force into the now occupied Dragonspeak Mountains in order to recliam the Dwarven homes. This lead to a retaliation by the dragons which scorched the lands North of the Dragonspeak Mountains, only stopped by the efforts of a few knights who managed to drive them back. These knights were later made Lords and Ladies and their families were charged with the protection of the lands against the threat of dragons. In addition, they serve as watchers against others who would incur the wrath of the dragons by trespassing into the moutnains.

The Independence of Thraxia
(123 yrs.a.e.)

The expansionist settlers North of the Realmspires experienced a struggle for survival, being cut off from Zartensian resources. Feeling abandoned by the kingdom of Zartensia throughout this survivalist endeavor, the settlers decided to become an independent nation, founding Thraxia. Having encountered the Catfolk and used their knowledge for themselves, the settlers soon enslaved their tribes through debt. Arguing on the basis of Zhivaran religious tenets and the fact that the Catfolk did not possess a language, the Thraxian leadership made Catfolk second-class people, denying them the right to citizenship.

The Zartensian and Thraxian War
(153 yrs a.e.)

Queen Sofia Milvonar, making an effort to mend the relationship with the Thraxians, goes on numerous diplomatic mission North of the Realmspires. However, during one of her visits, Queen Milvonar is assassinated. Accusations made by both countries ultimately lead to war. Due to the geographical make up of the region, there are no full-scale conflicts between Zartensia and Thraxia. Minor skirmishes and battles both on land and water persist and the city-state of Vorgundir joins the fight on behalf of Zartensia. Ceasefire (213 yrs. a.e.) was forced by the Awakening of Magic and the resulting exponential increase in lethality within the ensuing battles.

Awakening of Magic
(186 yrs a.e.)

During the war between Zartensia and Thraxia, it is discovered that mortalkind is able to manipulate Aether and cast magic. The discipline of casting magic is sought by all and the effort is supported by the various governments. Mutliple philosphocial and theological questions and arguments arise.

The Secession of the Free Banners
(179 yrs a.e.)

Seeing the escalation of the conflict and the threat to their duties, the lords and ladies charged with the protection of the border region to the Dragonspeak Mountains asked Zartensian leadership to end their war with Thraxia. Finding themselves challenged in their loyalty to Zartensia, the lords and ladies made the decision to secede and independently adhere to their duties. This put additional pressure unto Zartensia which influenced their decision about the continuation of the war.

The Founding of the Spectrum
(243 yrs a.e.)

A band of misfit individuals form an adventuring group known as the Spectrum.

Geography & Environment
Jan Svarva is a continent divided. Literally by the environment as the Realmspire bisects the plains. while the Sil'Vahanin cages the occupiers from the west and the Dragonspeak Mountains to the south, while the North is bound by the Frozen Wastes

Realmspire
A large mountain range the Realmspire extends from the coastline to deep into the Sil'Vahanin. This has lead to a natural border between the nation of Thraxia and the Kingdom of Zartensia

Sil'Vahanin
The forest region that expands further continent in-ward is largely unexplored despite the efforts of various nations to colonize it. The former home of the elves, much has been forgotten about the region. This mystery has spawned countless rumours and tales regarding it.

Dragonspeak Mountains
The former home of the dwarves, the Dragonspeak Mountains have received their name due to the dragon population currently occupying the area.

The Frozen Wastes
To the northern edge of Thraxia there lies an icy tundra that defies colonisation.

The Council of Zartensia
The kingdom has had a king since its inceptions but throughout the years, various rulers have delegated their duties unto lords and ladies in order to reward and ensure their loyalty. Currently, the kingdom is ruled by King Theodore Milvonar and his council:

The Thraxian Truiumvirate
Lead by three elven siblings, Thraxia has had the same rulers since shortly after its inception.


 * Ellisar Vyl'Ran
 * Zeth'Ral Vyl'Ran
 * Alyndra Vyl'Ran

Religion
Due to the experience of refugees, religious freedom is guaranteed within Thraxia, Zartensia, Vorgundir, Ishcal, Ishval and the Free Banners. However, learning from their past, religious institutions are subject to various laws and regulations so as to prevent a repetition of the Exodus. Most people within the region are religious and worship at least one of the prominent deities.

Magic
Since the Awakening, magic has become more prevalent within society on Jan Svarva. Research and practice of magic has been on a continuous rise since the Awakening. However, while the practicing of magic has become more frequent, the broader public are still very ignorant towards the minutia of magic and spellcasting. The magical aptitude of a person is measured within 6 broad levels with the first level describing utter inaptitude while fifth and sixth level are the stuff of legends. The highest level of magic aptitude that the public is aware of at the time of the Spectrum is fourth level.