Farnau

Farnau, later became New Farnau, was a historical city state located in southern Syltor and is recognized as one of the first settlements in the continent. At the height of its power before the Bardonian Migrations, Farnau occupied much of southern Syltor as well as extensive territories, including Kiplandia across the Phagosian Sea and colonies in what would be northern Bardonia. During the height of the Bardonian Empire, New Farnau would become a major province in central Bardonia.

Early Culture
Very little information exists on the early history of Farnau. Even when and how the early settlers arrived in the region can be met for debate. The first groups of settlers came from the south by refugees from the Jagdasian city state of Tarnos during the Towny Period of Rathnir. During the migration, the early Farnauns may have established a town in the Phagosian Sea called Kiplandia. However, it is unknown if this is true as Kiplandia may have been established later on. The former king of Tarnos, Kipzilla, may have been the first ruler of Farnau. Under his rule, basic provisions such as housing, food, and land were given evenly to the people. Simple crops were cultivated and managed by redstone machines. However, Farnau was mostly known for its wine production. The brewery was most likely run by eiknarfp, also known as the town's first drunkard.

The Dorasterrock Campaign
As Farnau grew in prominence, it made first contact with a neighboring settlement known as Dorasterrock. At the time, Dorasterrock was inhabited by pre-Bardonian peoples. Immediately upon first contact, the "Dorasterrians" annexed Farnau by proclaiming the city-state as a vassal state. However, Dorasterrock rule over Farnau was short-lived as on October 3rd, 2020, Dorasterrock lost control of Farnau due to the switch from Towny to Lands.

The Switch made a majority of Dorasterrock vulnerable. Once again autonomous, Kipzilla initiated a campaign to conquer Dorasterrock. Meanwhile, the people of Dorasterrock had retreated from the city, joining new neighboring settlements east from modern-day Bardonia. On October 4, 2020 (debated date), eiknarfp and EmperorStorm sacked the city, slaughtering livestock, burning buildings, and looting chests. The very few players that still inhabited Dorasterrock were incorporated into Farnaun society. In Dorasterrock lore, the river that flows through the city ran red with blood. While this campaign has been considered the incentive that really kickstarted the empire, the Invasion of Dorasterrock has been largely undocumented, only appearing as brief mentions in the records of Bardonia. During shockturtle's expedition in late-October of 2020, he had reported to have found the ruins of a cathedral, a destroyed fallen keep, and an inscription that details what occurred several weeks prior during the Dorasterrock Campaign.

Diplomatic Expeditions
A golden age followed after the Invasion of Dorasterrock. By this time, Farnau had occupied the surrounding regions around the city, Dorasterrock, and Kiplandia across the Phagosian Sea. The growing power allowed for ports to trade with nations in Alteniquia. Kip's Bay, named after Kipzilla, was a major port mainly used to trade with allied nations across the Phagosian Sea. This port expanded the empire south, leading expeditions across the bay. In mid-October, the Farnaun Empire occupied the panhandle of Syltor.

After Dorasterrock rule, a system of foreign affairs and diplomatic relations was established. eiknarfp and EmperorStorm were chosen to be in charge of foreign affairs. On October 5th, 2020, EmperorStorm proposed an alliance between Farnau and Aezenfjord, making first contact. Merakimei sent communications to their diarchy. This would establish first diplomatic relations with any nation from Farnau. On October 7th, 2020, EmperorStorm traveled to Escharia and attempted to make diplomatic relations. However, this proposal was declined and he was driven out of the Eastern Empire by the emperor, SikkeOst. After the Invasion of Dorasterrock, Escharia closed their borders on Farnau as they did not trust this growing empire.

The Farnauns immediately started exploring eastward, intending to invade Dorasterrock. They ventured to much of modern-day Lobopolis. Before Lobopolis's founding, the region was inhabited by nomadic and barbarian players. Some of these players were mopped into Farnau. In one such instance, eiknarfp encountered a player by the name of Garfield_requiem, who had been building a small house in the plains of Lobopolis. eiknarfp questioned his motives and made him swear to neutrality.

Collapse
After exploring parts of Lobopolis, eiknarfp would establish a small colony in what would be known as Haelis. However, during the same time, the morale of the empire dropped and players gradually started to become inactive or migrated to different nations. In mid-October of 2020, Farnau collapsed. During the collapse, bandits arrived in Haelis and looted eiknarfp's colony, stealing many valuables. eiknarfp would later claim that this was the doing of Dorasterrock. However, not much evidence supports this.

Bardonia Migration
During the same time of Farnau's collapse, Bardonians arrived in the continent of Syltor from the north. During the small interregnum period after Farnau's collapse between October 18, 2020 to October 26th, the Bardonia extended itself to the Farnau regions. The Bardonians most likely discovered Dorasterrock first. According to Bardonian and Dorasterrock lore, the dandelions called out to Chancellor Unic0rnb0i, beckoning him to the ruins of Dorasterrock. While this is an obvious mythological tale, Unic0rnb0i did travel off course from the migration and probably did notice a structure in the east. Instead of actually traveling to this city, he sent Senator shockturtle on a small expedition to explore this city. During this expedition, shockturtle reported of the ruins of a cathedral, a collapsed fallen keep, and inscriptions detailing the conflicts between Farnau and Dorasterrock. The players, including the first ruler TheGreatDingle, who still inhabited Dorasterrock at the time were absorbed into the Bardonian expansion, this time willingly. Working with the Bardonians, the last Dorasterrians helped restored their homeland as Unic0rnb0i planned to make this city the capital of Bardonia. The damages from the Farnaun campaign slowly drained the upkeep funds of Unic0rnb0i. This partially led to the Bardonian involvement in the Great Golden War.

After the discovery of Dorasterrock, the Bardonians arrived in the ruins of Farnau. Similar to the Dorasterrians, the very few barbarian Farnauns that still inhabited the region were absorbed to Bardonia. Before the migrations, the regions of Farnau had historically been known as an area with many horses. However, after the Bardonia Migrations, the local horse populations were depleted, either killed for leather or sold in trade.

Formation and Expansion
On October 26, 2020, as Bardonian settlers explored the region, eiknarfp returned and established the small hamlet of New Farnau right outside the ruins of the old city. Under treaty, the newly founded settlement swore loyalty to the republic and senate. This loyalty would prove true even after independence. Similar to the origins of the old city, basic provisions were given evenly to the few people that settled into the region. During this time, the religion of Dolphinism was formed. It is assumed that economy of the settlement was dependent on the welfare of the Bardonian government. At some point, the former ruler of the Farnaun Empire, Kipzilla, returned to New Farnau and helped with growth. However, the town held very little political power and was overall insignificant compared to neighboring cities, which naturally did not attract Bardonian settlers. It wasn't until eiknarfp invited some of his real world friends to the town that New Farnau started to show a great incline in activity. The sudden growth triggered an incline of population and oversaw the construction of new infrastructure, homes, and civil codes. Landmarks such as Hog's Island and Kip's Bridge were built. With the aid of interested Bardonians, eiknarfp wrote a constitution which established the powers of the high chief, chancellors, and the court of law. While this constitution was initially written in correspondence with Bardonian law, it would later serve as the framework of a semi-autonomous vassal state.

Vassalage
On November 18, 2020, BackToTheHub traveled to New Farnau and was given a tour. To the Farnauns, this served as official recognition of the hard work they have put into the city the past month. At the same time, the Great Golden War concluded, establishing Bardonia as a global superpower. While no record of any Farnauns participation was documented, the war had great impacts on the town. New Farnau no longer needed the overdependent assistance from Bardonia and Bardonia certainly no longer needed New Farnau. eiknarfp hoped to establish diplomatic relations with other nation and proposed a semi-autonomous vassal state to the Bardonian government. On November 29, 2020, the Farnauns negotiated a degree of independence during the Treaty of Kip's Bridge. While New Farnau was able to make diplomatic affairs independently, they were politically subordinate to Bardonia in international relations. By this time, the Bardonian religion of Dandelism was rooted out in New Farnau and was replaced with Dolphinism. Shrines, altars, and fountains were sporadically built across the city. After New Farnau developed into a province of Bardonia, Dolphinism was promoted to the neighboring settlements. Eventually, Dolphinism would be recognized as a cult. In nations such as the Duchy of Theiónikos, heavy taxes were levied on those who worshipped Dolphinia, which effectively drove out the religion outside New Farnau province.

By December 12th, 2020, New Farnau developed into a Bardonian province, occupying much of the lower central regions. This brought another great population boom, as players from all over the continents of Syltor and Alteniquia. However, New Farnau province and the New Farnau can be considered two separate entities. The Farnauns did not always occupy everything in the province. The Bardonians used that name to identify lower central Bardonia.

Farnauns in the Coalition War
Many nations refused to recognize the partial sovereignty of New Farnau. After all, in any type of conflict, Bardonia was free to use New Farnau whenever they wanted. This certainly became the case in the Coalition War. During the Battle of Urnu-Arrak on January 9th, 2021, the last major battle of the war, Farnauns were mixed into the ranks of Bardonians in the Trillium Fighters unit. Farnauns involved were most known for participating in the assault on Coalition Fort and fending off Infinick's counter-attack on Trillium Fort. While driving out the Infinick's army, MidgeApe, a Farnaun soldier drafted in the war, was killed in battle by Crazychaoscaleb. Meanwhile, as Coalition forces stood their ground in their own foot, eiknarfp died in battle along with Bardonian allies in the labyrinth.

Later Period and Slow Dissipation
After the Coalition War, Bardonia grew enormously. This brought more attention to New Farnau. Since the city's founding, the Farnauns had been trying to get back Old Farnau. Although the old city was in New Farnau province, it was still under Bardonian property. Crezyman, a famous explorer, and LobsterLights helped promote this idea during his travels through New Farnau. At least by February 1st, the old city was returned to New Farnau by the Bardonian government. During this time, New Farnau had a population of probably 30-40 players. Ezexus recognized New Farnau as "distinct from Bardonia," which aided in sustaining the government of New Farnau. On February 28th, 2021, the Coronation of Farnau took place. However, no clear records show anyone succeeding eiknarfp to the throne. Perhaps this was just a festival?

On March 29th, 2021, a player was seen putting up posters and advertisements of a nearby village called Flumenia all over New Farnau. While this player was left unnamed in public records, his village was considered a "squatter town" and was not included into the Bardonian Empire. The Hamlet of Flumenia had been described as a small town in New Farnau province 200 blocks south from Duckberg and 300 blocks north of Farnau. A player named Zzb_news recorded that Bardonians merchants and settlers did travel to this town secretly. It wasn't until a Bardonian officer took notice of a secret trade route on March 31st and led an expedition to this small farming society. The Bardonians forced the Flumenians to join the empire or leave the region. By the next few hours, the Flumenians moved east and founded the settlement of Dorostadt. The Bardonians listed them off as barbarian refugees.

On February 25th, 2020, MidgeApe left the city and founded the Haven Company, also known as the Great Order of the Eye. The Haven Company would reside in Uldarash and would promote restoring the city of Asahiri to its former glory. The company often criticized Uldarash for its imperialist culture and gained the support of eiknarfp, the ruler of New Farnau. In mid-April of 2021, the Haven Company would clash with Uldarash during the Khanate War and would receive resources from New Farnau. Slowly, however, New Farnau no longer sustained a large enough status compared to the international scale. Other cities had a better system of government and infrastructure. On April 27th, 2021, just like the fall of the old city, New Farnau collapsed due to inactivity. As a result, New Farnau province has been renamed to Dandelion Province. For several months, the ruins of the city served as a hotspot for bandits, travelers, and nomads. Farnaun refugees were either incorporated back into Bardonia society or fled to other continents. On July 10th, 2021, MidgeApe founded the town of Journey's End in Falnir with a group of refugees and immigrants. Since MidgeApe can be traced back to Farnau heritage, this group probably included Farnauns. However, on July 17th, Uldarash declared war on Falnir. The players of Journey's End were not prepared for war with a big empire. As a consequence, when Uldarashites arrived at the town on July 21st, 2021, they slaughtered the local population, burned buildings, and sacked the mines.

The War of Southern Aggression


In late-July of 2021, the region of New Farnau was repopulated by the Ryzani and other conquered peoples. On July 26, 2021, Alik Andreyevich established Centerville which included the regions of New Farnau. They were among the city-states that declared independence from Bardonia and stood with Uldarash during the War of Southern Aggression. They publicly condemned Bardonia in a statement that reads:"'The City of Centerville condemnes the despotate government in Bardonia and declares war on them. The City of Centerville will stand with Uldarash and with their allies against Bardonia, any aforementioned countries' soldiers can stay, get food and heal in Centerville for free. Any Bardonian civillians are not allowed to enter Centerville, if so they will be executed.'" Centerville had essentially abandoned the traditional Farnaun way of life and ignored everything they stood for. This truly evaporated any remnants of Farnaun culture. During battle on July 27, 2021, "Long Live Centerville" became a famous battle cry. On July 28th, 2021, Centerville managed to occupy a large portion of Dandelion province. However, by the next hour, this sudden peak of power came crashing down as the Bardonians successfully recaptured the region, plundering the city of Centerville to the ground.

High Chief
The high chief had absolute authority, but his actual power varied with political circumstances. He was bound by traditions forced upon them by Bardonia and precedents from the people. The high chief was ultimately loyal to the king of Bardonia but commanded loyalty to the Farnaun chancellors, who are expected to persuade the high chief to the correct political stances. Communication to the people were done directly, abiding to the Farnau constitution. If the Bardonian government wanted to do anything to Farnau, the high chief would be forced to obey.

Chancellors
The powers of the chancellors were never established until New Farnau's first population boom. The chancellors mainly included eiknarfp's real world friends. As mentioned, the chancellors were expected to persuade the high chief of any political stances that is right for the city. However, just like the high chief, they are forced to abide to the Bardonia government. The chancellors also handled court cases.

Court of Law
Court cases were either held in Dolphinist temples or in the underground section of the city.

Looting corpses were charged with temporary exile. Robbery was charged with manual labor without pay and any reparations from the victim. Unpermitted building was charged with manual labor without pay or temporary exile.

Economy
During the early days of Old Farnau, the economy can be described as fairly socialist. The few settlers had to even out and share resources. It wasn't until after the Dorasterrock Campaign when they required a more provocative economical system. The Farnauns built a road through Lobopolis, forcing open a stream of trade between Farnaun-occupied Dorasterrock and the city. During the height of the Farnaun Empire, the Farnauns mainly traded among themselves but occasionally ventured out to extensive territories such as Whiteash and Kiplandia. While Kip's Bay was open to other nations, Farnau did not have many valuables other nations would be interested in. Farnau had always been a farming society. During the New Farnau Period, the settlement started as a trade outpost for products to be imported to other nations or provinces in Bardonia. After the population booms, however, Farnau was forced to depend on Bardonia welfare. Up to that point, Farnau economy had always been underdeveloped and underachieving. When New Farnau was not dependent on welfare, they were instead characterized by subsistence agriculture. Their main surplus crops included potatoes and wheat. At some point, they cultivated bamboo.

Culture
The word "Farnau" probably came from the Welsh family name. Some Rathnir historians see this as fitting as before the Dorasterrock Campaign, the Farnauns had been living similar to the prehistoric Welsh. It wasn't until the Bardonians (or for the Welsh, it was the Romans) when the Farnaun culture started to take a prominent shift. The Farnauns seem to have quickly made their peace with the Bardonians, as there is no indication of war with Bardonia, and their homeland was not heavily planted with forts nor overlaid with roads. They had adapted to the combat finesses of the Bardonians and was loyal all the way through until its collapse.

As mentioned, Farnau was a rich source of agriculture and the Bardonians occasionally traded with the Farnauns for food. When the farms were no longer practical or profitable, they were either abandoned or spread out evenly to the people. Bardonian economic development was concentrated in regions near Dorasterrock, with no significant industries in Farnau. This was largely a matter of circumstance, as Farnau had none of the needed materials in suitable combination, and the forested countryside was not amenable to development.

Religion
According to some sources, the national religion of Dolphinism appeared during the Old Farnau Period. How and when it exactly started is nothing short of a mystery. However, it is clear that Dolphinism's popularity rose substantially after New Farnau's founding. During the first population boom, altars, fountains, and churches were built across New Farnau to practice Dolphinism. After declaring partial independence from Bardonia, eiknarfp wrote scriptures for Dolphinism, including the Dolphin Bible and Two Worlds. Using the practices of his religion he created, he rooted out those who practiced Dandelism from New Farnau. During the same time, however, many nations started perceiving Dolphinism as hostile and heretic, banning its religious groups from their nation. This included the Duchy of Theiónikos. After New Farnau's collapse, eiknarfp continued to preach his religion to other towns.

Dolphinism features two deities: Dolphinia and Magmos. Dolphinia has been described as a high goddess of the sea, who keeps the seas heavenly and pure. In the beliefs of Dolphinism, the evil god, Magmos, once blanketed the world in ash. As a consequence, Dolphinia trapped him in the Nether realms, where Magmos would lurk there for all of eternity. Prominent themes in Dolphinism include not polluting the sea and not harming dolphins. Other practices are encouraged, such as living near the sea, praying semi-regularly, killing nether creatures, and building shrines for Dolphinia. eiknarfp often led expeditions in the Nether to slaughter the local piglin populations. The Farnaun Prince-Patriarch usually acted as a priest who connected worshippers to Dolphinia. Worshippers are said to enter a church where the Blue Throne lays, and vent anything to the Prince-Patriarch. Of course, eiknarfp was the only recorded Prince-Patriarch. After New Farnau's collapse, shrines to Dolphinia were greifed by bandits.