Solarean Adventures LARP Lore
The Zanshian Empire
Table of Contents
Timeline
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The Imperial Age
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The Descent
Citadels
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Zanshia
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Azra
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Nozomi
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Sezar
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Hazlan
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Inzuri
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Azmira
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Nazeen
Timeline
The Imperial Age (1195 B.D. thru 0 A.D.)
The Zanshian Empire began as an insular elven island nation called Zanshia. The people here rejected deity worship in favor of Aspectism: a philosophy that was based on callings and core traits that impacted each individual in a magically discerning way.
This ancient empire made great magical technological advancements far beyond any other civilization and managed to stay out of the worst of the Great War. Using their technology, they began raising their cities into the sky, pushing back against the Great War from above and creating Citadels from which they could rule the lands below. Many mortals grew tired of fighting on the gods’ behalf and quickly submitted to the Empire in exchange for their protection. The Empire became a global power and Aspectism widely popular. As deities perished and followers abandoned their warmongering gods, the Great War drew to an inconclusive end. Eventually, the heavens went quiet and the Zanshian Empire ruled over much of the Known World. During their rule, Imperial Common became the language of the land and most countries switched to a common currency. However, the people of the world were not interested in submitting to one global power forever. With the threat of the gods defeated, people were far more interested in self-determination.
(Writing credit: Kaylah Crepps)
Part 2: The Present
The Descent (0 A.D.)
Over a thousand years passed, and a rebellion formed against the Zanshian Empire. Representatives of rebels met with twelve deities atop a great mountain, having heard whispers of godly powers that could end the tyranny of the Empire.
The deities understood that trust in them would not be immediate, but that if they were ever to rise again, they would need to work with the mortals. First, they taught the mortal races unweaving spells which could nullify the magical fields the Empire used to keep their Citadels skybound. Then, they swore to abide by a Heavenly Covenant: in exchange for mortal acknowledgement as the true pantheon of the world, the Twelve Gods would never again manifest on the face of the world to exert their power. They could either work through servants (angels/devils/demons) or through mortal priesthoods. With hope for the future blossoming, the mortal representatives accepted the deal. The Heavenly Covenant has been upheld to this day, assured by the involvement of the Prime deity Thonisa, the author of the Covenant, who holds power over sworn oaths.
The spells which the Twelve had taught the mortals worked as promised. Everywhere, rebels tore the Empire out of their skies, destroying the Zanshians' hold on the world. Most Citadels plummeted to the ground; sometimes destroyed, sometimes partly intact, but always compromised, and easily overtaken by the awaiting mobs. Rumors say that the ruins of at least one Citadel remain lost in orbit.
The remnants of the imperial high elves’ society isolated themselves on the renamed Island of New Zanshia, which had been the origin of all Citadels. The creation and the descent of the great Citadels left parts of the island barren and treacherous. The victorious rebels were uninterested in searching for what was left of the high elves.
After the Descent, for the first time in history, the people of the world were able to live as they saw fit, finally free of outside influence.
(Writing credit: Kaylah Crepps)
Citadels
In total there were eight citadels that symbolized the grip of the Zanshian Empire. Each one resided above a region and could be identified by not only their name, but their cardinal direction.
Zanshia
Zanshia (zan·she·ah), the northernmost citadel of the Zanshian Empire, was located above the island of Zanshia itself, now known as New Zanshia. Once considered the crown jewel of the Zanshian Empire, Zanshia served as an example for the other citadels to look towards, not only for its beauty, but its impenetrable defenses. The technomagic keeping that citadel afloat was directly tied to the seven other citadels. When it crashed, the citadel splintered and scattered among the mountains, polluting the landscape with wild magic that leached from the destroyed magitech inside. Today, this island, now called New Zanshia, is only habitable in its southernmost region, with the rest of the island left barren from the citadel's ruin.
Azra
Azra (as·rah), referred to as the citadel of the northeast, was located above the Jayu Canton. It served as the incenter of Rúndísar, Solarea, and U’Nafara. When it fell, it drifted to the south with a descent that was slow and unnerving. The result of the crash landing created what we now call the Grand Cachot and the Verdance and caused the great river in the area to split into two.
Nozomi
Nozomi (no·zo·me), referred to as the citadel of the east, was located above the southern half of Reshis. This citadel oversaw the untamed wildlife that ran free across the less developed portion of U'Nafara. When it fell, it decimated the forest and wildlife creating the gap in forestry we see along the southern coast of Reshis, now called the Desolation of Nozomi. Much like with Zanshia, this area became barren and the Desolation is a desert region full of rifts and illusion magic.
Sezar
Sezar (seh·zar), referred to as the citadel of the southeast, caused perhaps the most noticeable shift in geography when it fell. What was once a solid piece of land that existed as its own island under the Zanshian reign, was split apart by the volatile magic from the crash, creating The Sun Isles in the southeast portion of the world map that resides to the south of Reshis.
Hazlan
Hazlan (has·lin), referred to as the citadel of the south, was located above the landmass south of The Vortex. This citadel did not fall like the others. When it became compromised during The Descent, it did not fall down into the ground or water beneath it. Instead, it drifted to the north. So far north that it collided into the citadel Zanshia itself, giving the opening needed to take down the Zanshian Empire once and for all.
Inzuri
Inzuri (in·zur·ee), referred to as the citadel of the southwest, was located above the southern section of Lithia. Inzuri was always shrouded in mystery even during the heyday of the Zanshian Empire. The land it presided over was not heavily populated and large portions of the citadel were unaccounted for after The Descent. Rumor has it that the explosion that shook the citadel after its wards were dispelled was so strong, that half of the Citadel flew high above the clouds and never came back down. Legends say that on nights with a full moon you can see pieces of the citadel still floating in the sky.
Azmira
Azmira (as·meer·ah), referred to as the citadel of the west, was located above the water that divides the large sections of land in Lithia, west of Pakao. It was the only citadel to reside completely above the sea. When it fell, it was completely submerged underwater. It is unknown if any remnants have ever washed ashore
Nazeen
Nazeen (nay·zeen), referred to as the citadel of the northwest, was located above the Behemoth Isles, an unforgiving land filled with mighty creatures. This citadel acted as a safeguard against the beasts of the Behemoth Isles. The Zanshian Empire believed that between Zanshia, Azmira, Nazeen, and the sea itself, they had the resources needed to quell an uprising should the tribes of The Plains ever unite under one banner. When Nazeen fell during The Descent, its remains were scattered through the Behemoth Isles. Stories say the creatures of the Behemoth Isles gained great abilities as a result of their exposure to the wild magic that was scattered across the land from the ruins of the citadel.
(Writing credit: Sahil Vaid)