Orranderlost

Orranderlost is an area of forest biomes located in Nieden. It is a transition area between the deserts of Alteniquia and the temperate forests of Nieden. Its southern limits are the border between the historic nations of Yimmu-Audal (Theios-Eusskaudal) and The Escharian Empire of Niedea. Its geographical location, between the hot deserts of Theionikos and the cold mountains of Kutnubad, contributed to the remoteness of the area. The density of its forests, and the tragedy who took place here contributed to its sinister reputation.

Etymology
Varmerii (Thaidians) called the area "Orranderlost" (foreign leaves in asteri) because of its unique evergreen flora which appeared strange for them compared with the other deciduous species that are usually found in Nieden.

History
The geographical features of the region contibuted to its remoteness. Hence, its oak forest is among the oldest one in Rathnir and most of its trees were here before the arrival of the Jagdasians. Most of the colonization intempts of Orranderlost quiclky failed, of the area. On the other hand, the most succesful towns are the ones who managed to dominate this environment.

Thaidian Era
Vamerii (Thaidians) didn't dare settle inside the forest and preferred its shores. The first settlement in the area was Alessandrea, founded approximately at the same time as Varmerion (Corthaidh). It would benefit from a small plain area with fertile land, which it expanded throughout time over the surrounding forests. The second settlement was Ekesttori, a manufacturing settlement established on the westernmost shore of the region by the neighbouring Ailstra. It would benefit from the hot climate for the breeding of silkworms and from the wood to develop craftsmithing.

Thanks to Alessandrea, Thaidians could claim almost all of the Orranderlost but were reluctant to settle further. The area thus marked the southern border of the Kingdom of Egalia. After the Escharian Ascension, it was part of the areas protected by the Soleannen spirits.

Exchange of Tarnwick
On Mai 15, 2021, the area corresponding to modern Thera was ceded by Aesperium Niedea to Theionikos in exchange for a plain area east. It was integrated into the Duchy of Lynnmore whose capital, Tarnwick, was established by the Bophan Rhodos just east of the Orranderlost.

The Hilltown incident
The Hilltown incident happenned around the same time as the beginning of the Duchy of Lynnmore. The newly establised settlement of Hilltown was subject to a dramatic incident which led to the complete abandon of the town. Established around the area of modern Karannatia, the hobbits of Hilltown would experiment important development through the breeding of llamas from the neighbouring Siritahlene mountains.

However, one of its members would return from an expedition with a strange mushroom. It was later revealed by travelers to be Russantia Fungus, a malevolent specie of mushroom capable to take possession of intelligent beings. The Fungus started to gain influence over the travellers and inhabitants of Hilltown, leading to an intervention from the Soleannen Church which called a crusade over Hilltown. After the fight, Hilltown was fully deserted and the area in the surroundings entirely damaged. After this event, no more attempts to dwell in the Orranderlost was made for decades.

Expansion of Escharian towns (June 2021-November 2021)
Following the war of Southern Agression, the Second Empire of Escharia benefited from the political vaccum left by the crumbling of the Third empire of Bardonia. As such, the western regions of the Empire knew a period of properity, with a new recomposition of trade and population flux. This boom in activity marks a turning point in the History of the Orranderlost, with niedenes and bophan activities developping at the expanse of the woods.

Lostesrei, capital of an Empire
Losterei, the city of the leaves, started to grow significantly due to its central position between in a plain between the two parts of the empire, while Varmerion, the initial capital, remained an old town ontop of a moutain. This is why the imperial capital was moved to Lostesrei, whose new districts would sprawl over the neighbouring woods. Because of this expansion, only a couple of species of the original sequoia forest have survived at the foot of the Siritahlene.

Rebuild of Alessandrea
In the meantime the town of Alessandrea which is located along the imperial road south of Lostesrei would also experience a period of revival with the arrival of Lausarii migrants from neighbouring Theionikos.

Rise of Ekesttori
Ekesttori, which was originally an industrial outport of the neighbouring Ailstra, saw his population surpass his founding town during the same period due to the growth in demand of ironworks for war.

Duchy of Lynnmore
The history of the Duchy of Lynnmore, located at the peninsula at the westernmost extremity of the Orranderlost, was very significative. After a period of impressionnant expansion, the Bophanites of the Duchy became to express seditious sentiments towards their overlord of Yimmu-Audal. This regional particularity could be attributed to the geographical remoteness of the neigbouring Kutnubad, considering the Bophanites were the inheritors of the independent Kingdom of Khuzdurin. Eventually, the Bophanites were discontented with the restablishment of the Audaladae identity within Yimmu-Audal while they were following their own sect within the Theioist faith, Isidoranism.

In the middle of a conflitct with the government of Yimmu-Audal, the leaders of the Bophans indulged into dark magic. After weeks of isolation, they would intempt to perform an Ascension ritual just like the late Escharian Empire. The ritual left the site of their capital, Tarnwick, entirely desolated, with only a couple of buildings left and all the inhabitants dead. However, the corruption had commentators believe that the outcome of the ritual was a failure.

Lithranor and Thera
Lithranor was a town founded by a native people of the Orranderlost forest, the Lithranorians, who started to sedentarize after centuries of living in the woods. During the civil war which struck the Second Empire of Escharia, their settlement located between the towns of Lostesrei and Alessandrea would thrive and expand. Lithranorians founded several settlements alongside the same area, expanding towards the neighbouring site of the Hilltown incident or Alessandrea.

Ignoring political developments, one Lithanorian even founded a colony over the peninsula of Tarnwick, Thera. However, once the Empire of Escharia had stabilized its frontier, the expansion of Lithranor was adressed directly by the Escharian government. The inhabitants of Lithranor were asked to surrender with no conditions and leave the area entirely. The inhabitants fled all over Rathnir, mainly in the neighbouring duchy of Anosphey where some of them would experience brilliant political careers

Froundation of Karannatia
This is taken from the page dedicated to Karannatia. Following the Tobinoran, a nocturnal dream which happenned the day of the formation of Astyllea (january 9th 2022), Amir reached the Lausarii community in Theionikos and offered them to cross the desert and settle in Aesperium Niedea. At this time, the niedene community had great concerns about Aldovir coming into power, The group was offered by Kesefor Luci An Aesperii to settle ontop of a hill dominating a valley of the Orranderlost. They were asked to build a fortress in this undwelled area in order to guard the border if Aldovir tried to push further north.

However, just after the walls were erected, Amir met with Oenkaboenka, an emissary from a neigbouring Lithranor. Oeankaboenka was looking forward expanding the realms of Lithranor to the ruins south of Karannatia, calling the place 'Mikenes'. He thus threatenned Bel Amir to join Lithranor, telling him that they were more than 70 and that Karannatia 'won"t stand a chance'. Hopefully, the bandits were driven away by the government of Aesperium Niedea soon after.

Karannatia became an important outpost of the Imperial Watch of the successive Escharian empires. Expanding over the neighbouring cork oaks woods, Karannatia later became the epicenter of the Aksemesai revolt which put an end to the Siorvat of Escharia.

Flora
The flora of Orranderlost is adapted to its dry and warm climate, even if winter frost can be reported at the area bordering the Varmerion peaks.

The main species found in the area:

- Evergreen Oaks constitute the majority of the northern areas.

-Olive trees can be found in the driest areas, alongside Pines in the east. These areas can also accomodate some Eucalyptus, Arbutus and Pomegranate trees.

-Cork Oaks, which are also found around Eirini where they supply an historic local industry.

-Laurels dwell in the westernmost area because of the constant climates and rains brought by the Phagosian Sea. -Tall Sequoias are also found in the foothills of the Siritahlene mountain range.

-Bushes of Pomegranates, particularily along the hills of Karannatia.