The kingdom of the Sakoians is founded. The capital city is Sakril. Surric the Great is the current ruler of the kingdom. Their world is of the golden sands or Sako's Footprint. They embrace the scorching winds of the dunes for the teachings of Sa.
2079-2400 TS
The Sakoian “Time of Legends”
2079 TS
Elders of the nomadic tribesmen near Omest make two momentous decisions. First, they decide to follow Surric as leader and spokesman for Edalirin. Second, they decide that the strange ancient structures nearby must be preserved. A settlement is made, and families whose duty will be to tend these pyramidal buildings on midsummer’s day are chosen by a competition. The town of Omest is designed to conform to the ancient structures’ alignment. Ever since this time, the descendants of these families have annually performed the duty.
2080 TS
Jeraylind, a chieftain’s daughter living near Zhan, is accosted by a sand demon, and transformed into a deep well by Edalirin to preserve her purity. Surric himself visits the wells, proclaiming them as authentic.
2083 TS
Three main prophets appeared in the lands this date, Alkshem, Bakwere, Ulinore. Two of the three, Alkshem and Ulinore, rise in fame as they predict rosy futures for everyone. Bakwere is not so accepted, as his words are harsh.
2089 TS
The six sisters, daughters of a herder near Verem, are promised to merchants as wives. None are happy with the arranged marriage, and they petition Edalirin to save and protect them. They are changed into six palm trees, which are cared for by the priests in Verem.
2094 TS
Laries and Wicenda, sons of a miner near Tatris, boast that they are most proficient in taking ore from the land. Regular contests are held in mining, and either Laries or Wicenda win again and again, their strength and skill overwhelming many. Slowly, antagonism between the brothers grows, and they contest against each other. In their desire to prove the stronger, they are reckless in digging, and the entire area they were mining in collapses, burying the men. Deep springs well up and water the land, creating Aern Noer in return for the lives of Laries and Wicenda. Fathers in the lands nearby use the tale of Laries and Wicenda to caution their children against arrogance.
2099 TS
The second Surric appears in a fierce storm. Surric I dies.
2100 TS
The world enters the Age of Prophecies.
2110 TS
Sakoian prophets foretell a time when the leader of the land, now hereditarily known as “Surric” will disappear, plunging his countrymen into a time of despair.
2115 TS
A Sakoian “counter-prophecy” has emerged, spread by bards and nomadic tribesmen. It states that the Surric’s disappearance (if it occurs) will make the land of the desert stronger by making the people more self-reliant and strengthening their ties with the gods. It is unknown if this counter-prophecy is truly the work of prophets, or is a government plan to reassure the people. The current Surric spends a great deal of time traveling, working to make the people of his land united and strong.
2135 TS
The shunned prophet, Bakwere, prophesies of a great quake to come in the Ocean of Storms. Too proud to acknowledge his other grim prophecies, nations shun Bakwere, even as the Ocean of Storms literally tears open and swallows Bahhirans and Rhallyns ships alike. The boats of wood are crushed like pieces of dried leaves. In its passing is left a giant whirlpool. It is named Caebrylla, or mouth of the gods. The Sakoians, whose Surric came from the sea himself, are affected by this knowledge, and many make public vows to support Surric in anything he does or says, because of his obvious holiness.
2136 TS
A prophecy of Bahhir warns of the coming of death to the Bahhirans. Handfuls of people attempt to escape the hot and barren lands before the prophecy is fulfilled. Two weeks later, the city of Waril was completely buried in a sandstorm. It is estimated thousands were buried alive in their homes while sleeping. Surric II takes a wife from the nomadic tribes near Eeme, thus cementing relations with those tribes. In time, Anara will present Surric with seven children.
2136 TS
Hundreds of Tarans leap into Mount Vrol to prevent Vrol from the anger that Bahhir has shown for the Bahhiran people. During this year, the Taran kingdom enjoys three times the normal harvests. It is prophesized that Vrol was pleased with the sacrifice and granted them the bountiful harvests. History records the two moons over Adellion during this time. Each kingdom sacrifices many offerings to their gods this year. All except the Salanians. They believe that Adonai is merely looking upon his world and seeing what is occurring. Hence the two moons are referred to as the Eyes of Adonai in Salanian culture.
2136-37 TS
After news of the Taran sacrifice and harvest, many Sakoians respond by donating works of art and craftsmanship to the temples of the desert towns. On the eve of the new year (2137), a group of one hundred fanatic Sakoians give all their worldly goods to the temple in Ril’per, then walk into the sand with only a thin shift of white cloth to protect them. They are never seen again. It’s assumed the sands swallowed their offering. This act begins the many rumors and tales surrounding “haunted” Ril’per.
2136-40 TS
To attempt to curry the favor of the gods, while avoiding sacrifice of any in his family, a powerful trader in the vicinity of Verem contracts with miners and jewelers. A large block of jade is quarried and carried to Verem, where it is fashioned into a quarter-size replica of the Ta’ril. Hundreds of diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other semi-precious stones are set into the replica. The completed work is placed in the temple in Verem for all to marvel at. Surric himself visits and commends the trader for his donation.
2163 TS
Surric II passes the mantle of leadership to his third born son, who will be known as Surric III. This passage, occurring again on Tar’il, cements the members of this particular family to service to the land, but will lead to some doubts and questions later as to whether it is the voice of Edalirin or of an aging man who makes the decision about the next Surric.
2189 TS
Surric III has ruled wisely, and many of the questions present when he was named have disappeared. He works to strengthen friendly Sakoian trade with other lands, but also supports the occasional raids of border tribes into the wetlands (as those lands not Holy are sometimes called).
2271 TS
The prophecy of the Dalmites is recorded. In 200 years, the world will fall into a colossal battle. The prophecy later becomes known as the prophecy of the Nine Kings. The Nine Kings will bring destruction upon the world of Adellion. All of the kingdoms have similar prophecies along these lines over the next several months. One prophecy stands out and must be mentioned here, the Aethan prophets foretell the falling of the Bahhiran people and their kingdom to the great fires in the center of Adellion. Surric V is also plagued by these prophecies, and builds up his own personal military to prevent any action against him.
2290 TS
Resentful of the isolationism promoted by Surric V and his son Surric VI, some of the Sakoian tribes and towns begin to pledge themselves locally, rather than to Surric and the capitol of Sakril. Surric VI and Surric VII rule over a fractured land of tribes seeking for themselves, rather than against a common foe.
2356 TS
An attack from a coalition of deep desert dwelling herders on the town of Achrsul is foiled when the townsfolk pray and sacrifice to Velind. A storm sweeps sand over the threatening army, creating the dune field that is called the “Singing Soldiers” by the residents of Achrsul.
2400 TS
Competing prophets urge rulers to war each other, in hopes to gain even more power in the spoils of war.
2400-2405 TS
Sakoian nomads following the words of a false prophet return to the ancient ruins near Ril’per to live. They spend time in studying and interpreting the writings and objects they find there. Since they refuse to engage in trade with others, they soon find the desert more powerful than their will. Some wish to leave, but the prophet denies them this, and they die slowly, adding their bones to the ruins.
2402 TS
After several fierce, bloody battles, rulers note the destruction to their lands, the loss of their people, and the growing dissent from the prophets in their nation. Surric X begins a systematic policy of giving aid to tribes and towns within the desert, and slowly the people begin to return to belief that Surric speaks the words of Edalirin.
2407 TS
Prophets are stripped of their titles and thrown from palaces. Many highly placed prophets are executed in their sleep.
2408 TS
Prophets recoil and launch incredible dissension in the nations, ranting of corruption in leadership, and rallying the people against their rulers. This slander falls upon deaf ears, for the most part, in the desert, due to the many public minded actions of Surric X.
2411 TS
Rulers outlaw all prophecy, and offer gold for the prophets, dead or alive.
2471 TS
The War of the Nine Kings begins. The face of Adellion is dragged into a war of which prophecies are the true prophecies. During the warring of the world, the kingdom of Poylian retreats to the Isle of Life, also known as Celtik. They remain adamant about not being involved with the war. They believe that the war is inevitable and could not be overlooked. Since the balance of Adelon has been disrupted. Surric XII leads the Sakoian troops, who fight not against each other, but against those of the border towns who do not accept Sakoian rule or religion. Many armed forays plunge to the north and east in an attempt to take and convert those lands.
2471 - 2771 TS
Three hundred years of fighting spread across the world of Adellion. The war began over the Dalmite prophecy of the Nine Kings. It was believed at this time each kingdom was at the height of its power. It was time to show the world their religion was the true religion. To be the winner meant to defeat all other gods and prophecies. Thousands were killed as the war was fought around the world. In the end, it proved nothing. The gods, had abandoned all during their time of need. The prophecy had promised them the riches of the world. All that remained was a world littered with thousands of bodies, memories and prophecies. It was during this time many hundred prophets were slain through the lands of Adellion. Anyone caught prophesying was summarily slain. Many of the great prophets went into hiding. Many more were killed.
2471 – 2771 TS
Sakoian nomads organize sporadically and raid towns that border the desert. Because of their strong ties to the land and to their religion, these raids are more often than not successful, and retribution from the towns is weak, since raids into the desert are most often unsuccessful. Sakoians have little desire to leave the desert, however, and that, combined with the will of the current “Surric” keeps most Sakoians within the holy desert land. Those that remain in the border towns do have an affect on them, and many of the border towns begin to adopt some Sakoian ways, including worship.
2775 TS
For the most part, Sakoians, including Surric XXII, believe in prophesy, so those prophets who echo the words of Edalirin as spoken by Surric are allowed to live and serve in Sakril. However, on the midwinter’s night, the Surric’s guards round up the prophets who have not accepted service with Surric, take them out into the desert, and slit their throats. This night becomes known locally as the “Night of Blood”.
2779 TS
During the last eight years, prophets from around the world are slain. This time became known as the Time of Slaying.
2806 TS
The Aethan prophecy foretold during the Nine Kings prophecy came true. It said death will fall upon the Bahhiran people. A few months later, a series of quakes sends the Bahhiran cities into ruins. The lands around the cities and surrounding towns upheaval in mountains of smoke and ash. The waves of the event splash into the shores of the great desert itself. After several weeks, no ship can see or get close to the isle. It is presumed that the kingdom of the Bahhiran people did not survive the prophecy. Much of Surric XXIII’s energy is spent in supporting those harmed by the wave, and in rebuilding.
2808 TS
Mud flats from the great tidal upheaval in 2806 are utilized by Sakoians. The new mud and ash deposits are quite extensive, and from them, a distinctive ceramic of pure white can be created.
2831 TS
Many of the kingdoms spend several painful years rebuilding. Others go into exile or seclusion. The most notable here is the Dalmites. They have not been seen since the Time of Slayings.
2858 TS
Many kingdoms turn to science believing that science will separate them and advance each of them above their rivals.
2869 TS
The world enters the Age of Science
3146 TS
Even though science is the orientation in many cultures (including Sakoian), the Sakoian people keep their deep spirituality intact. A grateful trader commissions a tapestry commemorating his survival during a sandstorm that swept over his caravan as they approached Emar. The tapestry is donated to the temple in Emar.
3186 TS
Surric XXXIII dies without naming an heir. There is a brief wave of hysteria that travels over the desert, and some ritual suicides occur. The advisors, wisemen and counselors of Sakril soon begin a search for the next Surric, though their opinions on how that one will be known vary.
3194 TS
Strange northern lights have been seen on this night. For some, they say it was a shimmering portal in the night sky, as if the gods opened the very sky itself. Others see it as a sign of forthcoming prosperity. Most of Adellion is able to see the northern lights. Other rumors circulating are that the northerners are experimenting with something that changes the weather. Because of the enormous displacement for this event, it later becomes known as the Time of Lights. In Sakril, rumors begin that the lights herald the return of Surric.
3200 TS
The prophecies and stories from the ancients have all been forgotten. Memories of the world having ever even suffering a problem vanish. People have readily accepted religion. Religions are quite diverse. Much science has been developed in the world. Wars are being fought across the great continent of Aryiure.