The World of Noquestia

The World of Noquestia
The Noquesia is a large continent similar in size to Asia with varying biomes, temperatures and people who inhabit the region. A total of 86 states currently exist within the known world and a total of 1239 major settlements. Each state shares its history, culture and government. The world itself is far too large to place within a single game and resultantly each game is presented in different regions of the globe. Please also see the timeline for specific dates within the history of the world.

Geography
The geography of Noquestia is dominated by different regions and influenced accordingly. The continent itself is built up within the middle, with two large mountain ranges which are considered to be uninhabitable. This can be seen within the grey areas located on the map. Said mountain ranges stretch for over a hundred kilometres of barren wasteland. Other than this, the southern regions of the Heartlands and Kobblin are both filled with a mixture of grasslands and forests. Kobblin's south in particular is known for massive stretches of fertile grasslands. The North of the Heartlands is filled with more mountainous and regions comparable to highlands. Other regions such as the Rohan and Dail regions are similar to the Mediterranean climate. The Anor regions in the north are filled with mountains and tundra. South in the Gorodian region, cold deserts, Pine forests and cold grasslands were common.

History
The continent holds a vast history, which can be found here. Each historical period is set up into Eras which are categorised into 3 periods. Ancient History is also known as Era 0, a period about which there is little information. Most knowledge comes from ancient runes, buildings or historical regions. The later section of this period, from E0 1000- E0 0 is known as the dark ages where kingdoms that would become prominent developed. Not much was wrote down or survived during this period which makes historical events vague, partially spread down simply by word of mouth.

Ancient History
The continent itself was originally home to the elves who built large city's several hundred years before the arrival of the first humans. The first humans are believed to have come from a set of islands known as the Øxknǫttr Isles. These humans would arrive on the mainland after a voyage, landing in the region which would become modern Anor. These men would develop to become known as the Anor or the Nords. Over time, Humans would slowly migrate south, heading towards the fertile regions known as the heartlands.

This would set the stage for the first meetings of humans and elves, which would take place within a region near modern-day Ursine. This would see the conflict from the start as the Elves disliked the Humans attempting to claim regions of their lands while the Humans disliked the elves for their lack of hospitality as the Humans attempted to set up their settlements. This progressed over time, however, humans would quickly be able to get past them as they began to move into almost every region of the continent. Humans by around E0 3000 had become the major force within the world as Elven city's such as Highguard and Riftguard began to slowly become more human filled. Kobblin would develop a large wall that lined down a large portion of the continent during this region, preventing people from entering via land. Kobblins would live peacefully during this period with the native Drows of the region, working together to build one of the most advanced and modern society's. This region is far better documented in history and culture than others as a result.

In the year 2865, a large scale war between the elves and the growing human power would take place. This war would rage for decades and become well known as one of the most costly wars in the history of Noquestia. The war was provoked after the Murder of a human child within the city of Riftguard by an elven group of soldiers. This started massive riots within the streets by the growing human population. Eventually, the government would come into place and commit what would later be known as "The Massacre of Riftguard", killing over 180 people and injuring thousands. Following this hundreds of men and women would be gathered up and hung within the street over the next month for "anti-state behaviour". The actions by the 4 elven kingdoms would outrage the 7 human ones. Similar Massacres would be performed by the humans within their kingdoms out of rage where elven folk would be lynched. These tensions would eventually see the 7 human kingdoms, excluding Kobblin, declaring a full-scale war against the elves to protect their national interest.

The Elven Purge
This war would last 45 years and would end with a human victory. Following this, an event is known as the "Great Elven Purge" would take place. This would be a human genocide on the elves which would see upwards of 70% of the elven population be destroyed. The entire snow elf population, a minority of elves who lived within the Anor regions, would go extinct. The remaining high elves who survived the purge would retreat into the mountains to form large strongholds deep within mountain cores. These strongholds locations are unknown however are in a region that is almost impossible to reach via normal means. In the modern age, these strongholds are simply myths and are not believed to exist.

The remaining elves would become a minority after this, living within human cities or in small bands of elven villages. Peace would not last long within this region as the several kingdoms within the heartlands would spiral into a large civil war over disputes on the regions which each kingdom would inherit from the now collapsed Elven Kingdoms. Many historians debate over this war and if it was a selection of many smaller wars which took place. Historical texts speak of 400 years of continuous fighting within the heartlands which ravaged the landscape and created large regions of grassland over its once forest covered landscape. Historians believe that the many wars would see continuous stalemates appear before major battles which would define large regions of land for different kingdoms. Kobblins documents would mention smoke being seen flowing out from the other side of the Kobblin bay during this period from many major towns. The fighting would settle down after a treaty was enforced on several kingdoms in the eastern heartlands to enforce a unification into what would become known as the 2nd Kingdom. The unified kingdom would quickly either annexe or convert western kingdoms into vassals. After 400 years, peace would be brought as the now unified heartlands rebuilt.

Pre-Cataclysm
Information following this event suggests a large period of peace within the heartlands, however with a distinct lack of information existing on major events during this period. This would be seen as a time of peace with historical records which survived showing modernization in farming techniques alongside moving towards more modern political systems. The heartlands would expand to the west, pushing tribes out of assimilating them into the region. The Rohan Tsardom by this period had fully developed and began to expand out towards the west. By this period it would have taken over most of what would be known as Rohan bay, a large region located to the west.

By 800 the first human kingdom would peacefully separate due to the death of the high king with no Heirs. Seeing the state had been in a political mess for over a century, the kingdoms would divide however remained within a close military and political alliance which would be an early version of what would become known as "The Western Alliance". Some kingdoms would fall into chaos without the enforcement of the heartland kingdoms however most would enter a solid political state which would see continuous economic growth. The main kingdoms of the region known as Redania, Garand, Luria, Ursine, and Wal would keep their status as great powers for several hundred years following this.

By around E0 455, the Northern kingdoms had lost much of the power they once had falling into a state of a civil war. Eventually, this would split up into several major regions. The southern areas of the north, controlling the "rift" a small passage within the mountains which allows connection between the heartlands and the Anor would be controlled by a massive region known as The Khanate of Forlǫgheimr. Their large size would have been an issue if the Khanate did not have some of the best horses bred within the world. To the east, connecting to the Dail region would be The Republic of Lan. A more modern state than its counterparts, it controlled massive regions of land. This was mostly empty, however, with massive distances between major cities in which the state was run. As a result, it was known to struggle to control its western and southern borders. The last region formed was located within the northern region, bordering both states known as The Diocese of Sudiria. While smaller in size, they had a great navy connected to the large sea within the region, combined with the strong standing army.

The Great Cataclysm
Magic was brought into the world in the year E1 1. It was the primary force that instated the formation of the first era. The event known as The Great Cataclysm happened in the city of Verdens Ende, known in Anor as the "Edge of the World". At this location, a major rip within reality took place, shattering in on itself letting the force known as magic freely flow through the world. At the same time, within the instant that our reality combined with another with more than just magic spilt into our world. Monsters and mythical creatures entered our realm for the first time. From Vampires to the Necrophages, these creatures arrived in our realms. Magic itself was found to spread into every creature and every living thing, weaving into them. This causes new species to develop, alongside the many that arrived from the rift itself. As a result, soon elves managed to learn how to influence the magic which existed within themselves and even others around them. Soon this art was learnt by humans from the elves, who expanding upon it. Quickly the place known as Verdens Ende, became a hotspot for magic, despite its location so far north and its average temperature which would cause the blood within people to freeze if they stay out too long.

The cataclysm would define the world as mages began to appear alongside magical forces and monsters would begin to roam kingdoms. Furthermore, political unrest began to form as the heartlands began to meet the west. These volatile times saw more discovery alongside scientific advancements within the world.

Developing of modern kingdoms
Modern kingdoms would be defined by magic and its influences. Humans first learned to manipulate magic over time, developing it off the elves who were able to attune themselves first. Within only 8 years of magic being discovered, a worldwide organisation is known as Sorcerers Enclave within the newly founded Kingdom of Palia. This would start with the start of the construction of the first Enclave, a large tower within the City of Cintra. This organisation would make deals with other kingdoms, placing court mages over the next decade or so. One kingdom which completely outlawed magic was "The Kingdom of Redania" after they named it the reason behind the monster's within the world which devastated villages.

The magical tension within the Enclave developed however as 2 of the most powerful mages attempted to take control as the leader of the order. This eventually saw the order split in two as the two entered a civil war. Kingdoms did not support this, and simply let the mages fight with little care for their quarrels. After 2 years of in-fighting, both of the two mages would be killed by one another in a duel. With the lack of leadership, the Enclave would split apart into several different chapters which existed around the world, having separate beliefs and ideas.

Second Heartland War
Tensions had risen by this point within the heartlands, with Redania choosing to ally with the southern state of Garand. These two would eventually lead one another into a war as they attempted to take control of the rest of the heartlands. The other kingdoms during this period would either join these two large states or choose to fight them. This mass war would take a twist when Garand would switch against Redania following the victory over the west. This would be done due to Redania pushing to place their king on the throne of the newly formed 3rd Heartland kingdom alongside their policy's of burning mages for casting. Garand with the backing of the other states within the kingdom which had not been destroyed would make a march to siege the capital. After months of sieging the city, the King of Redania would throw himself out a window after his mental state has worsened over the last few months. Following this, Surged Garand the 1st would become the king of the newly formed 3rd kingdom. He would eventually be known by either two names "The Uniter" or "The conqueror" depending on who you asked.

Development of the Empire
The High King would lead the state into a position of military and political power during this time. Being one of the first states to weaponize and invest resources into the development of runic and magical weapons, The Heartlands became a massive superpower. Opening up trade routes to the east, west and north the kingdom was one of the first to open up trade with the secluded region of Kobblin. The state also had a new capital, known as Kingsguard. This was the only city with "guard" in its name not to be founded by the elves. Rather it was built on an island located within Redanian bay. This new city sprung up and within 40 years was the largest on the planet. After 40 years of rule, the high king would pass away due to natural causes. The Grand Marshal, Decius Tremellius, would mobilise the army as he took control of the capital. With the armies of each kingdom being loyal to him, he would declare himself Emperor Decius Tremellius. Any resistance against the choice would be crushed as the empire began to militarise following this. Decius Tremellius himself was an extremely intelligent and amazing strategist who has previously crushed several rebellions within Ursine and Luria alongside destroying an invading nordic army. His rule would see the country become more militarized as what would be known as "the council of advisors" was formed under the emperor. This contained several of the most important people within the Empire, who would help the Emperor in times of need.

Expansion of the Empire
The empires foreign policy during this period took an extremely aggressive position. After the death of the first emperor, the method of electing a new one would see a vote from the council. This vote would see one of the members of the council, now expanded out from its original 4 members to 80, become the new emperor. This change was made as to help with equality, despite the council was usually selected from the upper classes of the empire. This did not subtract from the emperors power, with him still holding complete authoritarian authority. However the senate itself grew in power, commonly dealing with domestic issues. The period following the development of the empire would see massive expansions of territory alongside developments within the infrastructure in the heartlands. Aqueducts and sewers became a common sight within more developed regions. Small villages once seen as "pagan" began to develop into proper towns with stone walls being common around major settlements. Culturally the heartlands also developed, with it being known as a golden age of scientific and cultural advancement comparable to the Renaissance following the middle ages within our own world.

The empires advanced technology and rapid development would extend into their military, which would quickly become the largest on earth. This would also see massive conquests taking place to the west, north and south. The southern most regions of Ursine and Garand during this period had resisted with minor kingdoms and large pagan coalitions also existing. These regions were easily taken, with almost no resistance. The more powerful kingdoms to the west would take more time to conquer. These regions had large city states which would commonly rebel. A siege would follow this, often lasting for years. By the year 300, this rebellious attitude had been practically stamped out by the assaults on the region. To the north, the empire would be halted by the rough terrain and harsh snow conditions. The Republic Of Lan would also be located in this region. With better adapted troops and knowledge of the terrain, Lan was able to repulse expeditions by the empire. This however didn't mean the empire would not gain land. From its initial founding, the heartlands would spread out massively.

Formation of the Tsardom
On the east coast, another power was brewing. After a civil war having ravaged the Rohan Bay for several decades over territorial disputes, a small state with a great leader, who would come to be known as Aminoff The Great. The state would develop an army which was able to crush the now weakened forces of the other states, developing over time. After around a decades of repetitive victory's the whole Rohan bay had been taken by Aminoff. For the first time in over a century, the Rohan Tsardom had been formed. This super power quickly headed south, annexing and taking control of unsuspecting kingdoms. Within only a 14 years of Aminoff's rule, the state has confirmed control far enough west to boarder the empire in areas. The western regions of land, once filled with harsh mountains alongside nomadic and hostile pagan settlements, was now placed under the Tsardom. This region would develop over time as roads and other transport methods developed within them. However, a great "divide" existed between the two sides, namely in the form of rolling hills and grasslands which many would struggle to develop towns in. As the Rohans reached, development increased as the boarder had much more fertile land. This is where tensions rose, as the two superpowers of the Heartland Empire and Rohan Tsardom would start to clash in skirmishes against one another over land in the area.

First Great War
After several years of rising tensions, a large-scale conflict would break out on the border between the two states. Initially provoked over a refusal of access of merchants heading over the Tsardom border, soldiers would become involved. Quickly these soldiers would grow tired as the two commanders eventually tried to talk out the event to prevent a war from taking place. This failed as, during the talks, an Empire soldier would attack a Tsardom soldier. This fight escalated quickly, turning into a skirmish at the border point. The Empire's commander would be killed during this, which was seen as going too far. This provoked reinforcements being given to both sides. This mixture sparked a full-scale war between the two nations as the border quickly became a hot spot for battles. Both sides beforehand had expected this war, resultantly both had brought up border defences alongside gave large portions of funding towards militarization during this period. Resultantly both sides were prepared for events such as this.

The war would see a major standstill around the Redanian bay, however, the northern borders of the empire would see major force pushed on as the Rohan Tsardom invaded with heavy forces within the north of Luria. Carrying massive forces under the noses of the empire, within a matter of weeks the Tsardom had captured and flanked the forces around the north Redianian bay. While the city of Havington, capital of the region, would hold out, support within the region would fade as the city remained under siege for a significant amount of time.

Collapse of the empire
The collapse of the empire came following the Rohan Tsardoms invasion of eastern regions of the empire. With the emperor dead and the senate within shambles, several nations within the west would split off, namely around the boarder to where the Tsardom had been halted. Within the western regions, the Western Empire would be founded under the Leader of Lucius Aurelian, one of the few remaining leaders and former head of the late emperors Praetorian Guard. A natural born leader, Lucius would set his capital within the Ursine bay and focused on keeping the nation together. The other states in the east, the largest of which being Redania, Garand, Lockguard, Wicnetfo, The City of Kingsguard and Luria, formed a buffer zone against the Tsardom. An alliance between these states would form shortly after this, creating a union of close trade due to the common enemy of the Tsardom.

The collapse of the empire brought in many changes to more remote regions which quickly were known to lose their main source of authority. Bandits and monsters, once controlled and elimited by the legions of the empire, began to appear once again. Within less than a few years, "hordes" had began to appear under the heads of so called kings or chieftens. For many smaller kingdoms or duchys, these hordes were too much to contain. This sparked a period following the collapse of the empire known as "The Heartland Anarchy" due to the large roaming hordes which raided remote villages. Additinonally infighting between these two made it extremely hard as to create political maps of the region, rather showing large regions controlled by numerous hordes with only general boarders. Within the decades following this, within the cold war, many of these hordes would start to become more lax and formed together to create "united hordes" which began to control large regions of land within rural areas. These hordes were considered "uncivilised" by many of the kingdoms which existed in more developed and urban areas.

The Cold War
The cold war was a time period between the first and second great wars of relative peace with high levels of tensions between the east and western powers.

2nd Cataclysm
The second Cataclysm took place within the southern mountains near the south of the Targo mountains. This rural region was covered in a large dark storm for days which generated massive amounts of magical energy for days. During this period many monsters and magical creatures which had been all but rendered extinct returned, alongside many new ones. Furthermore, a shrine was constructed which would later be known as "The Shrine of Almaria", named after the mountainous region it was built in. Following this collapse of the storm, many mages would take interest in the runic location. Furthermore, the location would repeatedly have incidents involving unknown forces. As of recent, the Shrine has also attracted the attention of many states. While formally under the control of the Orcian Empire, their unstable government alongside its hard to control position means that many believe it will not stay under their control for long.