The Age of Settlement

The Ages of Braided Shore

The Pre Historic Age ➡ The Elden Age ➡ The Varhim Age ➡ The Age of Settlement ➡ The Age of Dynasty ➡ The Fifth Age

Third Age

The Third Age – the Age of Settlement – straddles the line between the Elden Age and the Varhim Age, and the nascent historiography of the Halzhaan Age. As such, stories of the Age of Settlement have a curious air of both fairy tales and facts.

Eras

The Age of Settlement is commonly divided into three Eras:

1. Exploration
2. Consolidation
3. Culturalisation

The Age came to an end after the tumultuous time of the Cobalt Eclipse and the Lords’ War.

Rulers

Most of the kingdoms were lead and ruled by a single person each, these became the founders of the Old Dynasties:

• Old Dynasty
• Habs of Rivenleaf
• So-Idra of Deeplands
• Summer Foxes of Ovi Talif
• Obradins of Myr

Old Dynasty

There were many important and interesting Old Dynasties, but one was impactful beyond the rest, and is the one often called the Old Dynasty, who ruled from Kasa. The founders of the Old Dynasty are unknown, but the known members of it are:

• King Mathidas and his wife Thela Thenn.
• Queen Leathides, daughter of King Mathidas.
• Prince Semmethep, crown heir and son of Queen Leathides, also known as Hestu Sem and Sootmouth who married Ar Hab of the Kingdom of Rivenleaf
• Princess Sashinja, younger child of Queen Leathides who rescued and married a Summer Fox prince of Ovi Talif
• Keronos, the last of the Old family.
• Some legends claim that Queen Kasyra was the mother of King Mathidas himself.

Court Mystics

The court mystics – mystic advisors to the monarch – held much power and influence in Kasa during the Third and Fourth Age. Both the Old Dynasty and the Halzhaan family relied on their court mystics for advice, in both the mundane as well as the arcane.

Historical Events

Arrival of the Asken Folk

In the Third Age a fundamental turning point is marked with the arrival of the Asken folk at Braided Shore. Hailing from what is simply called “the Oldland” now, they arrived by boats, bringing with them their culture and knowledge, including the art of knot-making and the Vellan written language. This event not only represents a crucial milestone but also serves as the starting point that defines the Third Age. From this arrival, a comprehensive process of Exploration, Consolidation, and Culturalization is set in motion, shaping the three Eras of this Age.

The available information regarding the origin of Myr suggests that the Asken folk potentially accessed to Braided Shore through the grand entrance of the Sleeping Sea, known as The Verve. Upon their arrival, whether in Myr or any other part of the peninsula, the mostly young Asken folk found themselves in a harsh and unfamiliar land, with little experience in hunting or farming.

There are theories about how they managed to survive under these conditions. According to historian Shakru from the University of Rivenleaf, it is possible that the Asken formed an alliance with the Sefra, who may have provided them care and protection. Other accounts suggest that oxen nourished the Asken on their arrival allowing them to sustain themselves on their milk. Another possibility is that the abundant wild berries, fruits, and edible roots in the region provided them with the necessary resources for short-term stability.

Despite the initial challenges, the Asken folk quickly adapted to the new territory: they used basic tools crafted from Sword mussel shells and learned about other civilizations settled in the region, such as the Sah Basir, whom they revered as spirits of the ocean. They also encountered Elden infrastructure for the first time. Logically, the discovery could have taken place at the moment of their entry into the region. Perhaps they recognized the Far bridge, currently visible from Bat Saha, or they simply marveled at the ancient constructions upon their arrival on land. For instance, there is speculation that Myr was adorned with an ancient Elden monument during the Third Age.

Consolidation and Culturization

In the vast narrative of the Asken folk, the Age of Settlements is divided into three distinct Eras: Exploration, Consolidation, and Culturization. At the threshold of this age, pioneers overcame initial adversities, giving rise to settlements that evolved from simple farms into prosperous towns and cities.

The borders of Braided Shore, witness to this historical unfolding, saw the emergence of small kingdoms, with the ruling dynasty in Kasa being the most influential of all, simply known as the "Old Dynasty". While the original founder remains unknown, we do know that its earliest verifiable members were King Mathidas and his wife Thela Thenn.

Economic stability enabled the development of more complex political structures. Intellectual and technological prowess intertwined with the rise of trade and the production of goods, transforming settlements into vibrant centers of activity. As such, the peak of culturization marked the zenith of this era, its highest point before its inevitable decline, which was followed by a series of catastrophic events that brought an end to what seemed to be prosperous realms.

Original Khelims

The Third Age also gave rise to iconic travelers, master craftsmen known as "Khelims", who were named after the Vellan word for "dandelion”. This word was chosen based on how settled peoples saw them: travelers guided by the wind, going from place to place, leading the construction of various projects, and generally solving problems. At present, the Khelims have reappeared in large numbers throughout Braided Shore, a mystery as great as their gradual disappearance in the early Fourth Age.

Wars and Shifts in Power

Although we do not know precisely the events that unfolded at each time, there are documents that account for wars and territorial conquests. For example, during the Third Age, a skirmish broke out between the Malku Su and Sah Basir. Thanks to this conflict, we know of the existence of Hestu Kesku, also known as "Big Kesku", a legendary Malku general (twice as large as most) who is said to have swum to the Sah Basiran ships to sink them with his own hands. Another notable event, placed further in time (towards the end of the Third Age), involves the fearsome pirate Gull-Lord, who took control of the island of Bat Saha. Although he was defeated, it was not until the Fourth Age that trade resumed in earnest, at which time the Halzhaan Dynasty rose to power.

End of the Age of Settlement

Three important events marked the end of the Age of Settlement: the Cobalt Eclipse, The Lords’ War , and, the last in chronological order, The Ice Hag War . In general terms, there is little information available about these large-scale events, which undoubtedly were a turning point in the history of Braided Shore. However, we know that the Cobalt Eclipse blocked the sun, and the cause of it is attributed to an emblematic figure, Frost Hag. Following this hypothesis, it is plausible to propose a period of great destabilization and confrontations between the Old Dynasties, culminating in a large-scale war that buried most of the dominant kingdoms of the Third Age. It is at this point that the most loyal knight of Halzhaan I, Bodraan, also known in legends as the Twilight Knight, emerges. These two historical figures confronted the Frost Hag in a decisive final battle, emerging victorious. From this culminating event, a new Age was born, as well as a new ruling dynasty, the Halzhaan Dynasty, marking the end of the Age of Settlement.

Historical Remnants

• During the Third Age, the Dandelion temple was constructed by unknown builders. The temple drew visitors, and the Third Age saw Bat Saha turn into a home for pilgrims and merchants.
• Rivenleaf Castle lay abandoned after Or, the final heir of the Hab lineage, mysteriously vanished. The castle was bequeathed to Kamampos, a wise mystic and close friend of Or Hab. Subsequently, Kamampos's apprentices established Rivenleaf University.

Emblematic Figures

• Court Mystic Aldebaran
• Frost Hag
• Gillasen
• Gull-Lord
• Hestu Kesku
• Kamampos
• Twilit Knight Bodraan

Mentions

As the exploration era of the Third Age came to a peaceful close, settlements and homesteads had grown to become prosperous towns and cities. The largest of these towns became small kingdoms dotted around Braided Shore. Most of the kingdoms were lead and ruled by a single person each, these became the founders of the Old Dynasties. I would like to preface that the line between history and fiction has become muddled over the generations, especially when it comes to the Third Age. So it is best to keep a crumb of sceptcism in one's pocket when researching the legends of the Old Dynasties. There are many interesting Old Dynasties. Like the Habs of Rivenleaf or the Summer Foxes of Ovi Talif. However arguably the most famous of the dynasties was The Old Dynasty right here in Kasa. While we do not know their true name or their original founder, we do know that their first provable members were King Mathidas and his wife Thela Thenn. We believe the dynasty lasted three or four generations after Mathidas ending some time before the Cobalt Eclipse and The Lords War thereafter. Two events where many of the Old Dynasties met their ends. When Issa Halzhaan founded a completely new ruling dynasty from the throne of Kasa, the third age had ended and with it most of the Old Dynasties. I could drone on for days on the subject but I must get back to my writing. I do hope I have managed to inspire some sliver of scholar's thirst in you. There is so much history that has yet to be decyphered, it is both exciting and heartbreaking. Maybe one day you might visit Rivenleaf? I would be delighted to talk further then if your curiosity has not yet dimmed.

Geva Kha

According to legend, So-Idra was the ruler of a short-lived kingdom in the deeplands. During the third age, many tribes formed and grew to towns and towns grew to small kingdoms, such kingdom arose in the deeplands. The name of the kingdom has been lost to the ages after the kingdom was destroyed by another tribe. So-Idra's soldiers were vastly outnumbered compared to their neighbours but when their opponents came, So-Idra used the swamplands around them to their advantage and all but beat back the invading forces. When all hope was lost, So-Idra hid in the swamp, using hidden wisdom to stay under the swamp surface longer than should be possible.
So-Idra roots are as the name suggests named after this king since, like their namesake, the roots hide just under the murky water of the swamps.

Deepland Vein root

Not many remember the old Obradin family of merchant princes who ruled over the Myr plantations in the Third Age. After their home was destroyed during the Cobalt Eclipse, they lost almost everything.

Simple umber backpiece

Old Dynasty of Kasa

Keronos is said to have been the last of the Old family of Kasa before the rise of the Halzhaan dynasty. Compared to his ancestors, Keronos is seldom featured in tales. And the few stories that do speak of him and his disappearance do so sourceless for even the scholars of Rivenleaf know next to nothing about him beyond his name.

Clay ring of Keronos

Ancestors bless me through knottings of your names. Old Dynasty of the Third Age bless me with courage. Halzhaan rulers of the Fourth Age bless me with strength. Councils of the Fifth Age bless me with wisdom.

Ward Knot necklace

Once upon a time, the princess of Kasa sat isolated by her bedroom hearth. Her name was Sashinja and she was terribly alone. Her older brother, who was heir to the throne of Kasa, had undertaken a journey across the five other Braided Shore kingdoms and had not returned for many seasons.

Interrupting her lonesome contemplations was a beast-like screech coming from the courtyard outside her balcony. She rushed out into the moonlit night and witnessed a pack of giant rats attacking a large wounded fox. The fox was outnumbered and Sashinja hesitated not, she grabbed a burning stick from her hearth and swung it at the rats who scampered away when the flames licked their greasy fur.

Sashinja brought the unconscious fox inside and tended to its wounds. When morning came, the fur of the fox melted away and revealed the visage of a handsome southern prince. Love blossomed and he brought her with him to Ovi Talif where the two were wed. And Sashinja was never alone again.

Woven hemp cape

King Mathidas and Queen Leathides

A decent replica Third Age porcelain ring. The ring bears the Flowering Tulip Crest of Queen Leathides' long gone order of porcelain knights.

Porcelain imitation ring

Once, a foreign merchant came to the court of King Mathidas. He revealed a stunning display of glass items, impossible to reproduce in Braided Shore. The King purchased all the glass baubles and gifted them to his daughter Leathides. The little princess was spellbound by the glimmering glass and asked her father to make more glass. The King, not wanting to disappoint his daughter, asked his Court Mystic Aldebaran to create sand that could be made into glass, magically. The mystic toiled for many moons in his laboratory, but it was for naught. Even with his brilliant mind, Aldebaran could only accomplish a sand-like powder, unsuitable for glassmaking. Dejectedly, King Mathidas returned to his daughter and said that creating glass with Braided shore materials was simply impossible. The princess shrugged, as she had forgotten all about the glass. Instead she requested a new spice to make her food taste less dull. Aldebaran, who had tasted the product of his sand-experiment earlier presented it to the princess who thoroughly enjoyed the new spice. The King congratulated Aldebaran and named the new seasoning after the Mystic's last name.

Small bag of Gahem salts

A guilded bronze ring with a red carnelian stone.

This ring was the creation of the second age court wizard, Aldebaran. Aldebaran's master, King Mathidas, owned a magnificent rainbow parakeet, gifted to him by a neighbouring vassal lord. Apart from its beauty, the bird also praised the King in the most flattering terms. Upon discovering that the parakeet stole treasure at night, delivering it in secret to the vassal lord, the King ordered Aldebaran to arrange some suitable vengeance to the audacious vassal lord and put an end to the thefts, without hurting even a feather of the bird, whose flattery the king much enjoyed.

Thus Aldebaran created The Eye of the taker. The ring puts a curse any one claiming it without giving its previous owner anything in return.

What became of the ring was was long a mystery, as neither news of it or the rainbow parakeet ever reached the citadel of the King Mathidas of the second age.

The Eye of the Taker

The story of the creation of porcelain stretches back to the third age. The daughter of a king became enamoured with Selkan glass and ordered her father to make glass objects right there in Braided Shore.
The king in turn ordered his court mystic to recreate glass. The court mystic tried many things to appease the princess but eventually landed on alchemically produced Porcelain as a glass substitute.

Porcelain drops

Some folk insist that the Kasyran cult were the first residents of Kasa, having allegedly built the city in a pattern honoring their leader "Queen Kasyra". Some legends even go so far as to claim that Kasyra was the mother of King Mathidas himself, although no evidence has been found to prove or disprove this theory. Kasyran has since then become a term for someone born in Kasa, even if the natives prefer the term Kasan.

Kasyran Guard Plate

There once was a Skald named Gillasen who wrote scalding critiques of everyone in power. The Prince is of common birth! They shouted. The Queen is balding! They exclaimed. The folk loved Gillasen's poems and they soon gathered more and more popularity. The Prince Consort did not mind the mockery, and the Queen ignored it. But when Gillasen made fun of the Court Mystic, he was enraged. The Court Mystic is a sham! Gillasen cried out with a smile as they were carried away by guards to the people's dissapointment. The Court Mystic brought Gillasen in front of the Queen and asked her to execute the Skald for their disrespect. The Prince adviced against it and the Queen took his council. "Very well, Gillasen, you have one night to write a hundred poetic odes to my beauty. If you fail to impress me then you shall die but if you succeed then you shall have a place as my Royal Skald." So spoke Leathides.
Gillasen went to work, stop the prison tower, they began writing their hundred odes. The Court Mystic was further enraged and decided to sabotage for the Bard. The Mystic transformed himself into a sparrow and sat upon the prison towers' windowsill and chirped all night, with his aim of disturbing Gillasen's work.
Gillasen smiled at the bird and took a small pouch from his bag, he ate a small char root and offered some to the sparrow. The Court Mystic didn't want his cover to be blown, ate of the char roots and immediately began coughing. He flew away from the tower and transformed back, saving his life.
Come morning, Gillase presented his hundred odes to the Queen and she took him as her personal Skald at once. And from that day forward, there was not a day that went by without the Court Mystic enduring Gillasen's scalding mockery first hand.

Seirennis, Wandering Storyteller Char roots pouch

Hab Dynasty of Rivenleaf

The myth of the Or Hab Cult dates back to the founding of the Rivenleaf academy when Or, the last of the Hab line mysteriously disappeared, leaving their ancestral home of Rivenleaf castle standing vacant. The castle with its magnificent library was granted to the wise mystic and previous friend of Or Hab: Kamampos whose apprentices would later come to found the academy. Stories of the Or Hab cult began to sprout not long after, rumours about a secret library underneath Rivenleaf which only the chosen could gain access to. Still to this day in hushed whispers, the students of Rivenleaf debate what one could do to be considered "chosen".

Halfrobe of the Or Hab Cult

The guards of Rivenleaf have worn some variation of their original equipment since the late third age. This string blade still bears the peacock sigil of the Hab dynasty on its pommel.

Riverfield standard guard blade

A replica of the ceremonial half-cloak worn by The order of the Peacock who served faithfully as the royal guards for the Hab family of Rivenleaf. In present day, the order has become a prestigious group that valedictorian students can join in recognition of their scholarly talents.

Ceremonial guard's cloak

A fall gem pendant in the shape of a key with a wickedly sharp end. The real origin behind the Fall Gem key is unknown but it has hung in the back of the vaults of Rivenleaf as long as anyone can remember. Among many other mystical artifacts that have been locked away, this key hangs alone and isolated. Ominous kegends among Rivenleaf students tell of Mer Hab who found the key deep in the bowels of the castle. He tried the key on every door, every chest and cabinet in his castle, searching for the lock it belonged to. His curiosity turned obsession when lock after lock rejected the key and when no lock fit in the castle he stormed through the surronding villages on a mad rampage, checking every lock he could in an incident which came to be known as the Season of Shut Locks. It is said that the search ended when Mer was found one morning, the key planted deep into his own heart. It is said that the key has not been touched since for fear of the madness it may once more unleash.

Seirennis, wandering Storyteller in description of Replica Fall Gem Key pendant

Summer Fox Dynasty of Ovi Talif

When Ovi Talif was still young, a plague of rats descended upon her streets. Disease soon spread and many thought that the rats would remain the new lords of the city. The people prayed for salvation and what followed was a miracle.
A flock of desert Fennecs charged through the streets, chasing off the critters and gorging themselves on those not fast enough. The sandy blonde coats of the Fennecs made it look as if the desert itself had come alive and risen up to defend Ovi Talif.
When the rats were all gone, the largest of the Fennecs, a creature the size of a lion transformed back into a scruffy young man. His hair was like the desert dunes and his eyes were like the sunset.
Unopposed was he as he claimed the throne of the city for his deeds.

Knot with tales

Life in the Third Age

During the great famine of the Third Age, there was a farmer who lived alone in a hut. She would toil her fields every day and yet nothing would grow from the cracked, dry ground.

When the day was hottest, and the air the dryest, a stranger knocked on her door. The stranger was a beggar who asked the farmer for water. Even though she had little herself, the farmer shared the last of her tea with the beggar. The beggar asked for food and the farmer shared the last barley from her pantry.

The beggar asked for refuge from the scorching sun and the farmer let the beggar stay in her hut. Come next morning, the beggar was gone and a wreath of wheat hung from the farmers door, It is said that as long as the wreath hung on the farmers door, her fields never grew barren again.

Seirennis, Wandering Storyteller, description of Straw wreath

Historians at the Rivenleaf university have found evidence that these types of meals were popular in the Exploration Era of the Third Age where wandering explorers would pack their bags with meals like this. When folk began settling down more and more, farm workers would make these in the morning so that they had an easy meal that they could eat during the day.

Traditional food pouch