Kushintium

Kushintium

Early History

The history of Kushintium is one as ancient as the land of Eldham itself. Centuries before the arrival of the Eldamites there were small pockets of civilization scattered across Old Eldham. In the land of modern day Garatzo in Phoros was a small civilization of religious zealots. They worshipped elementals, built walls, and constructed a lighthouse which was a marvel in their era. Their civilization collapsed due to unknown reasons, like many of the Pre-Eldamite culture the Pre-Eldamite Phorosian history is still being pieced together by leading archeologists and researchers.

Guarakan Settlement

Meer of Karth was born to House Osria with his father being Karth of Guratzo. His early years were spent on the streets of Ancontinople learning trades and mentoring under his uncle Queegharious Through the years in Ancontinople Meer was able to start several business ventures making use of the many trade skills he had learned through his upbringing like tree cutting was a passion of the young man and he spent days cutting oak and spruce trees to fund his wood business. House Osria's hospitality and continued interest in his business allowed for it to grow beyond his expectations. On the eve of Guarakan settlement Meer of Karth set on search of an adventure leaving from his fathers castle in Comraich and travelling along the coast nobody knew what he would find.

Guratzo was a land of Jungle and Stone, invariably difficult to conquer and civilize. The ancient people were always at risk of getting lost in the vast jungles. Guratzo's Western Jungle had a thick overbrush making visibility tough even during day, further inspection from Leading Osrian scientists confirmed that the entire western forest itself was a single tree. Hundreds of jungle trees and floor shrubbery connected by roots.

Meer followed the western coast from Comraich until he arrived on the old site on Kushintium. He began excavating the land in preparation to stay the night, he found a chest below the ground. All that remained were old scripts, tax forms, indecipherable letters, and a curious stone from the depths of hell itself. The land was clearly protected by something, the blocks themselves held some spiritual value the good fortunes of the coast must meant something; but there was also something dark looming in the distance. Beyond the clearing in the coast was a vast jungle, the Guratzan Western Jungle stretched many blocks and eminated mystery and danger. Further excavation by Meer uncovered smaller underground settlements under the coast dated to the time before Eldamite settlement. In these abandonded underground settlements many treasures were found, none more valuable then the old history of Kushintium and the Old City Plans. Both were written in a completely unknown language. The history was indecipherable, however, the city plans were able to be used by Meer. Construction began right away on what would be the base of the new Guratzan Settlement of Kushintium. The Walls, the Palace, the Coastal Houses, and the Lighthouse were all constructed according to the ancient plans of the Pre-Eldamites.

The War of the Trees

Meer had woken up the dark spirits of the western forest by settling on their territory. Days were spent trying to decipher the histories of Kushintium to search for answers to the forest. When nothing was able to be translated, Meer went exploring through the caves & jungles of the land looking for clues on the origins of this mysterious threat. Upon one ravine many old cave paintings were discovered depicting mighty temples to patrons, large settlements, and most importantly a panel showing a story of how the trees grew. Meer saw a city covering the entire western peninsula of modern Guratzan, then the next pannel showed a single tree sprouted and continued to grow overtaking and consuming the city until they pre-eldamites were pushed to their citadel along the coast. Next, When the jungle then overtook that too, they were sent underground. His settlement and the very honor of his family were on the line if his city was to be overtaken by the land itself; Meer set fourth to war with the Western Jungle.

The jungle played it's tricks as Meer brought famed loggers from across Eldham to cut down the trees they were all turned away upon trying entranced with the ancient dark magic of the Forest. No matter the money of the project nobody could be enticed. Many house members, and Osrian citizens came to help and contributed greatly to the destruction of the forest. Next, the forest was set ablaze by Meer, but the leaves kept burning, and burning. This caused great fear and panic, not a single leaf was as much a charred despite burning for days. With every passing day he went out to light more of the forest in flames, yet nothing would change. Almost as if the forest has been laughing at him, The forest burned for 7 days and nights, and not a tree fell.

Meer set upon expanding the wall to keep out the trees & their ever expanding root and vine system, then worked on systematically destroying all trees within the new conquered land. It was a tough fight on both sides, many trees fell to the Hammer of Kushintium. The trees used their mind games, broke leaves under Meer, and sometimes plainly refused to be destroyed. Through many long days and nights of labor in the canopies of the trees they were finally exterminated from the 2nd layer walls of Kushintium. The war was not over, but the battle was won.

Temple

Meer realized that the only way to protect the city was to venerate the ancient gods of the land, A large temple was constructed at the center of the new area and dedicated to the head god of the pre-Eldamite Phorosian pantheon. Another structure was erected, dubbed the hall of heroes, it was to stand as a monument to the successes of our cities greatest heroes.

Population Expansion

Upon the 2nd wall construction's completion and the finishing touches on the temple the city was officially opened to settlement. A message was sent out across Eldham advertising the cities protection, gratefully given by the Urakan military, and the unique oppurtunity to settle in new lands. A dwarf from a distant corner of the world heeded Meer letters and began exchanging letters. TheDM was added as the first member of Kushintium. He was to be a helpful ally in the War of the Trees, but more importantly would soon become one of the first businessmen in all of Guratzan kicking starting a new economic sector in Uraka single handidly. His new mining business located in the old ravine of the pre-eldamites has become one of the largest businesses in Guraztan. His businesses proximity to the ancient western jungle stands as a defiant message to the jungle that he will not be controlled by it. However, it has prompted a new phase of expansion in Kushintium looking to control all land formarly controlled by the ancient, forgotten, and overgrown city.

If you wish to join our war against the trees, if you have an adventurous spirit and wish to homestead here in the fresh and fertile land of Guratzan, or you would like to help decipher the old history of kushintium and unlock the true secrets of this land. Send me a message, find your calling!