History

There are plenty of things happening in the world of Théah. These notes were made based on the Théah of 1668, and does not take into account some of the immense changes that 1669 brought. However, as we still know little of what impact those events will have on mainland Théah, they can be ignored for now.

A few very important events have occurred over the years. There are also a few in our world that never happened here. But at least two require special attention.

The Montaigne Revolution.

As the warnings predict in the Montaigne sourcebook, a peasant revolt is very close. Events unfurl as the book suggests and soon all Montaigne is a blood bath. Blood flows so readily in the streets that eventually even the Rilasciere wants nothing to do with the revolution.

Once established the new revolutionary government of Montaigne outlaws sorcery, particularly Porte. Sorcery is proof of noble blood, proof you are the enemy of Liberty and Fraternity. Porté sorcerers unwilling to give up their birthplace form a new underground called (jokingly) 'The Movement' to protect themselves.

The Great War

There has only been one world war in Théah. But it is still remembered as 'The war to end all wars'.

It begins in 1925 with the assassination of General Ausfranz, an Eisen noble. No one is sure who fired the shot, or why. Ausfranz was doing very well unifying the various Eisen factions; he may have become the new Imperator. The potential for the reunification of Eisen is believed to be the reason he was killed. But if that is the case, his assassin made a grave error. His death brought the Eisen together in a way no one thought possible. It was the last straw for the hard done by people. Almost overnight the princes joined together as one nation, bonded by a loathing for all non-Eisen who have interfered and hurt them for years.

In 1928 the Eisen 'Reich' forms into a full government with a very well oiled military machine. Their first act is to invade Montaigne with no warning. Montaigne is still weak from the revolution even though their government is stable. They are also seen as the leaders of the War of the Rose and Cross that destroyed so much of Eisen years ago. The world is shocked at such aggression after so much peace. The Eisen forces march into the Heart of Montaigne, but instead of taking the capital, work their way round the coast, conquering and fortifying.

Their reason becomes clear when Avalon finally comes to the aid of the Montaigne. Avalon at this point is the most powerful nation in the world. Their navy rules the seas. The prosperity brought by the Graal has built up over many years. Now arrogant and considering themselves the peacekeepers of Théah, they declare war on Eisen if they fail to pull out of Montaigne. The Eisen ignore them.

It is only then the tactics of Eisen become clear. Knowing the Avalon power is in their navy, the Eisen controlled coast allows no landings. Montaigne's capital falls in 1929, and all the world can do is watch. With the fall of the Montaigne capital, Castille seizes its chance and decides to pay them back for the old invasion years ago. They reclaim all that was taken from them, and cross the river into southern Montaigne. .

By 1930, the war that would be over by Christmas is still raging. Avalon fights the Eisen at sea but cannot form a beachhead. The conquest of Montaigne is complete, and it is there Eisen stops, unwilling to overstretch. Castille has taken a good deal of land in southern Montaigne. But at the end of the year they stop and fortify their positions. They want a buffer against the Eisen, and now they have one. Unwilling to face the might of Eisen they declare neutrality the day after but continue to fortify their northern border.

The Eisen have another agenda they make the world aware of. A loathing for the church of the prophets. They round up church officials both Vaticine and Objectionist and place then in camps. They visit all manner of horrors upon them in the name of science and revenge. There is no Theus, there is only the Reich.

So for most of 1931 the war is a stalemate. Thousands lose their lives in offensive after offensive, but little ground changes hands. For the People of Montaigne however it is not an idle year. A new secret underground reveals itself. Originally a network formed of outlawed Porté sorcerers, 'The Movement' joins the fight against the Eisen oppression. The order takes on non-sorcerers and begins a campaign of terrorism to try and free their country. While sorcery may be illegal the Porté magicians are keen to show their loyalty to Montaigne, even if it's people have hurt them. Although small, their use of Porté as a terrorist weapon wrecks havoc for their Eisen targets.

These acts of terrorism cause the Eisen to form a secret police. Dressed in black, and inscrutable advocates of the 'new way' these 'Dagor Drachen' (DD - Dragon Hearted) begin a new reign of terror. As time goes on they begin looking at everyone, even Eisen for signs of dissension.

In the meantime, a war abroad for the Avalon becomes a war at home. Eisen scientists develop rocket technology sending bombs from Montaigne to the streets of Carleon. This is coupled with bombing runs from Aircraft. For the first time in Thean history, civilians pay the cost of war. Avalon responds by sending bombs against Eisen, but the country has so much less to lose. They can't bomb Montaigne; they are trying to save it after all.

By 1932 it looks as thought nothing will shift the Eisen. So Vodacce take a hand. Choosing to join the winning side, and take down an old enemy, they launch a bombing run at Pharl harbour in Vendel. This brings Vendel on the side of Avalon, but with a ruined navy. Vodacce protects the Eisen front and adds to the conquest of Montaigne with ground troops. But strangely the Fate witches will have nothing to do with it. As one they decide war is a man's thing and refuse to help. The Vodacce try everything, but the might of the united fate witch community is very frightening, so they put up with it. What the witches decide not to tell the Vodacce men, it that they chose wrong, and the war will be lost.

In 1934 there is a breakthrough. Avalon and Vendel forces land on Montaigne. The loss of life is appalling, but a beachhead is formed and a land war begins. While they are strong, the Eisen and Vodacce are pushed back. The Vendel and Avalon troops are fresh and eager for a fight. The Vodacce and Eisen are tired from fighting the Montaigne resistance. But the push is a slow one; the allied Avalon, Montaigne resistance and Vendel are made to pay for every town freed. The Eisen use a scorched earth policy on anything they can't keep.

But the beachhead costs the Avalon dearly. To make it they carry the Graal into battle and summon a terrible glamour to crush the Eisen fortifications, enhanced by Vendel sorcery. But the next day the O'Bannon returns on a mission from the Sidhe and takes the Graal from Queen Elaine II. It is not a weapon, and its power has been abused.

Slowly but surly over the next four years the Eisen and Vodacce are pushed out of Montaigne and back to their own countries. But they have one last trick. Late in 1939 they discover the power of the atom, and develop the first bomb. Frightened that Ussura will join the war and end things they launch it at them. After all, it won't reach Vendel or Avalon, and Montaigne is a mess. They think such destruction will frighten the Ussurans and the world into surrender. Killing two birds with one stone.
It is a mistake. As the bomb lands it tears a hole in the countryside. Every Ussuran, wherever they are hears Matushka scream. All Pyerem sorcerers loose their powers, which do not return for a year. Enraged rather than frightened by the potential loss of Matushka they sweep down from the snowy wastes and smash through Eisen and Vodacce. They win the war for the Avalon allies in two months. Faced with such berserk fury the Eisen Reich surrenders rather than be massacred.

The war finally ends, with the Avalon alliance victorious and the world left broken. It takes the next forty years before the world is healed again.

The State of the World

Avalon
The mighty island has fallen. In 1900 at the height of it's power Avalon was the most powerful nation there has ever been. But the war was drained it, and the bombs flattened it. But the worst loss is the Graal. Queen Elaine II was succeeded by Charles III, and is a lesser King for the Graal's absence. Glamour has faded from the land. Few full blooded sorcerers are born. But due to the influx of Montaigne refugees, mixed Porté/Glamour magicians are becoming the norm.
Unlike our England there was no civil war. With the Graal came peace and prosperity. But now the people blame the current royal line for it's loss. They turn to the Church for spiritual healing. They call for new leadership that will not fail them so badly as this one has. Soon those who support parliament will war against the royalists.

Castille
The country who took from the war what it could and then stayed on the fence is doing rather well. It was not blasted as were so many other nations, but Castille has its own problems. It seems occupied Castille was occupied too long. The people there no longer feel like Castillians, but know their blood is not Montaigne. A growing minority wants to see the area ceceed from Castille and govern itself. They belive they can take the best of both countries. The passing of the lands back to Castille for them felt more like conquest than reclaimation.

Montaigne
Montaigne is a broken country that has pulled itself up from the wreakage. The war healed the breach between the people and the sorcerers. Some even beleive the time is right to put a King or Queen on the throne again. An edict after the war repealed the act of sorcery as a crime. But it also decided possetion of sorcery was no longer proof of nobility. Porte has come home, and is in possesion of noble and commoner alike.
The main export, as always is style. Something Montaigne still has in abundance. But as a central land mass, their airports are the largest and busiest in the world.

Eisen
Eisen is broken again. The cycle continues. But while the land is shattered the people are doing well. Humanitarian aid for the people (judged innocent of the crimes of the government) healed much of the land. But mainly it was the invention of the computer. While they didn't actually invent the machine (that was the Avalon towards the end of the war) their hardware is the best in the world. Eisen pricision ensures quality and reliability. Their metal and steel making is also second to none. While the Dracheneisin may have run dry, the Eisen metal working skills have remained. So this time they have come out of the war rather well.

Ussura
The cold lands carry a lost people. The bomb laid waste to huge areas of the country, but hurt no major cities. The effects of the radiation are still being felt. The Ussurans are outraged. But they are also liberated. Matuska is quiet. She no longer chastises or protects her children. They would fear her dead if they had not still got their Pyerem sorcery. But she is certainly unwell. Two camps have emerged. One wants to wait for Matushka to return, carry on as normal and hope. Another, gaining power, wants to cast aside the old ways and embrace the new world. The division runs between those with and without sorcery. As time goes on with no one to provide, people are going hungry. The balence is gone. Some want to fight a new war of revenge against the Eisen and Voddace. A revolution is on the way. The ruling Romanov family may well not be able to contain it.

Vodacce
The towers of Vodacce survived rather too well during the war. They were never on the front, so the land remains almost untouched. When they say the Ussurians coming they surrendered almost immediately, again saving much of their countryside.
Where Vodacce does well is in the stock market. Some fate witches have learnt to see the strands of 'market forces' and made their patrons very rich. Vodacce is falling into decadence. The Vodacce are happy to gamble on stocks and become rich doing little and producing nothing. If this easy living fails one day, the whole country will fall.
Despite the efforts of Sophia's daughters, Fate witches are still shut away and feared. But they have gained great many concessions over time, gaining the vote and the right to an education. World laws governing future prediction bar then from their own buisness ventures, but nothing stops them advising, for a price.

Vendel
The northern isles of Vendel are the only nation to participate in the war and come out better than before. It was Rune magic that made the first manned flight in 1830. This technology was embraced by the Vendel as well as their rural cousins. The Vendel made huge changes to their policies to pacify their runic neighbours in order to market this amazing device. In the war the attack by the Vodacce hurt them both. Much of the rift has healed. Each plays to their strengths. The Vesten mastery of runes has become marketable. The Vendel are needed to market it. Make no mistake, the two are not freinds, but they have learnt to live together in reletive peace.
Although Their merchantile power was crushed by Avalon long ago, it is still a force. But what has really got them on their feet is their invention of 'Portal', a graphic interface software for the computer. It has proved so popular, no one dares write non compatable software, knowing no one will run it.

Under the Cloak of Secrecy

Explorer's Society
By this time most of Théah has already been explored ! This means the Explorers society has only other people's secrets to find. There are legends of places beyond the world, even another continent. So the society now seeks places to explore. Cathay remains a mystery, but a few flying machines have made the journey. Very few came back.

Invisible College
The fall of the inquisition around 1770 gave the college a reason to come out of hiding. The order is now the Invisible University. The university is an independant group using it's funds to build universities and centres of learning for all Theans. But for all their openness they hold a few secrets. There are some technologies the world is not ready for. They hold that knowledge safe until the day it can be released. All knowledge is sacred, they can't bring themselves to destroy even the secret of the Atomic Bomb. But they can hide a lot.

Rilasciere
Shamed and broken, the free thinkers have so much blood on their hands. Both the revolution and the great war resulted from their direct actions. They never meant for this much blood. The society has lost its faith. The jokes don't seem right after so much carnage and death. The various factions have split further apart, forming a myriad of splinter groups. Rumour has it a few are hiring themselves out as terrorist mercenaries for anyones beleif.

Knights of the Rose & Cross
The Knights go on from strength to strength. Their courage is at the fore front of every battle of the sword or the heart. They founght in the front lines of the great war against the Reich. Most of the tales of heroism and glory involve a Knight. They often find themselves at war with the Rilasciere. In fact a secret war is going on between the secret societies. The Knights blame the free thinkers for the blood of the revolution and great war. They will not allow it again. If they find out about the Black Cross as well, things could get very messy.

Die Kreusritter
So the dark path carries on. But the knights have so much more blood on their hands. They aided the revolutionary government killing nobles to destroy Porté. It was they who pointed the Eisen of the Reich at Montaigne, hoping to destroy Porté. They came out from the shadow to form the DD to root out more Porté. They believe they did the right thing. Sacrifices were made. But the blood of millions is on their hands, the very lives they are pledged to protect. They say it was the right choice, it just came out badly.
But it is now the duty of every knight to pay homage to the dead whose blood is on their hands. They do this by leaving a prayer by the war memorial of every town they pass through. If they can do no more, they will see these dead too are not forgotten. Maybe one day the dead will forgive them.

Sophia's Daughters
Slowly and quietly the daughters have changed the world. Women have the vote, and a legion of support groups and women's centres have appeared from their funds. Their influence has changed Vodacce for the fate witch. They have moved slowly, but never taken a step backwards.

N.O.M.
Do you really need to ask?