Zhaolian
23-12-2007, 08:12
A few years ago a rising nation, Tchujinz, sought to colonize outlying regions. One in particular was a region to their south notorious for the disappearances of any who visited it. Their nation was plagued by the poor and found an excellent way to make use of them.
Under the guise of a utopia of rich resources and bountiful lands the region of what had come to be known as unofficially "Shadoria" was advertised in the poorer sections of townships and cities.
It was not long before 500 people, mostly of the lower class, were recruited and sent southward to colonize this unknown land of supposed promise. However, once they arrived they realized this utopia was not what the government said it was.
It was a place of never ending shadow. There was no day, only night. And the clouds never broke their thick, tightly knit blanket that covered the sky. The landscape was inhospitable and the many strange creatures that inhabited the mountainous landscape were noted to have a particular taste for human flesh.
The colonists, despite this let down, made temporary settlements and for a few months thrived off of the supplies they came with. However, one they ran out they quickly sent word to the capital city. Requesting not only more supplies but an explanation for the false advertising. They waited and starved for months. The message never came.
Many who had decided they had suffered enough made journeys towards the north, back home. Some did not make it, but others who did found the government had sealed off the borders between the two lands. They had been betrayed.
Years passed and the 200 of 500 that had originally came had managed to come up with ways to survive. As they became more accustomed to the landscape so did their bodies. As a result of the pitch blackness the land was always cloaked in they had acquired naturally large eyes to see. Their skin had paled to the point of invisibility. They were thin and frail due to the lack of nourishment they could grow from the dusty soil. They were described as almost being skeletal in their appearance.
Not only had their bodies changed but their minds. They became primitive. Their lack of hope led them to produce a pantheon of pagan gods. whom they worshiped fanatically. The "priests" of these gods were rumored to possess dark magics and strange deformations which were diverse signs that differed from god to god that were used to mark and differentiate their followers.
After many, many years they had tamed the landscape. Creating the colony their government had asked them to make. Even rebuilding their population up to about 600. They sent word to the capital, this one actually being read. They requested they return home now and be respectfully repaid for their mistreatment by the government.
Unsure, they sent an emissary to one of the crude camps of their former citizens. He spent 3 weeks there before begging to return. After he did, he refused to say anything on what he saw unless the President was present while he did so.
They agreed and he told them of the lack of any indication between day and night there. He told them of strange creatures that prowled the shadows of the villages. Quietly waiting for the fool to step into the shadows beyond their torches. He told them of the strange deformations they had and the queer pagan rituals they performed daily.
Disturbed by his story, the government garrisoned more troops them necessary at the borders to the lands and replied back to the colonists. They told them that due to uncivilized changes reported in them they would not be allowed back. Ever.
Outraged, they have nothing but pure hatred for their former government. And over time they blamed the people, then the world. Alone in their suffering they were finally united under one banner of a chieftain of one of the many tribes who could tame the veracious beasts of their lands. A child of one of their dark, pagan gods he could perform dark magics of the highest magnitudes.
They cowered before him and with his leadership they population grew and grew. Years later, the time had come. With his newfound force of 3,500 peoples they marched on the border. The guards wasted no time and began firing at them with their guns. But their weaponry was no match for the mysterious works of the sorcerers.
With the help of their mighty beasts of darkness they marched into their former nation. One by one they entered the land of daylight that was once home to them. One by one townships and cities fell to their attacks. They did not fight during the day. As their skin would burn and sear from the glaring light. They would instead bury underground and wait until nighttime to spring their fights. Easily overcoming their opponents who could not see as well as they.
Finally, they had reached the capital. Finally, their leader Xeroux could ascend to the throne of the land that was rightfully theirs. They claimed the capital, slaughtered the parliament, the legislature, the administrations, the President. All of it. Using his mastery over his dark sorcery he cloaked his new found land in the same, mysterious shadow. And as they rebuilt Tchujinz into their picture of society, Xeroux said "You will all pay for your ignorance. You wake blissfully each day to the shining sun and as it passes over the horizon you complain of the days "tragedies". I will show you suffering as I have seen it. And you will break like a mighty pine under the hacking of an axe."
Today, the nation of Zhaolian is tightly ruled by Xeroux's iron first. Religions of outsiders are outlawed. Citizens are only allowed to practice "Shu'Xuhaz", the black magic that gotten them to where they are today. Trade with outsiders is allowed though few nations seek to make any contact with them. Crime of any sort is considered an offense to Xeroux himself, ultimately resulting in a gruesome death as punishment.
And so Zhaolian sits in its oqn corner of the world. Quiet and isolated. However, under the veil of black clouds Xeroux carefully consolidates his power.
Under the guise of a utopia of rich resources and bountiful lands the region of what had come to be known as unofficially "Shadoria" was advertised in the poorer sections of townships and cities.
It was not long before 500 people, mostly of the lower class, were recruited and sent southward to colonize this unknown land of supposed promise. However, once they arrived they realized this utopia was not what the government said it was.
It was a place of never ending shadow. There was no day, only night. And the clouds never broke their thick, tightly knit blanket that covered the sky. The landscape was inhospitable and the many strange creatures that inhabited the mountainous landscape were noted to have a particular taste for human flesh.
The colonists, despite this let down, made temporary settlements and for a few months thrived off of the supplies they came with. However, one they ran out they quickly sent word to the capital city. Requesting not only more supplies but an explanation for the false advertising. They waited and starved for months. The message never came.
Many who had decided they had suffered enough made journeys towards the north, back home. Some did not make it, but others who did found the government had sealed off the borders between the two lands. They had been betrayed.
Years passed and the 200 of 500 that had originally came had managed to come up with ways to survive. As they became more accustomed to the landscape so did their bodies. As a result of the pitch blackness the land was always cloaked in they had acquired naturally large eyes to see. Their skin had paled to the point of invisibility. They were thin and frail due to the lack of nourishment they could grow from the dusty soil. They were described as almost being skeletal in their appearance.
Not only had their bodies changed but their minds. They became primitive. Their lack of hope led them to produce a pantheon of pagan gods. whom they worshiped fanatically. The "priests" of these gods were rumored to possess dark magics and strange deformations which were diverse signs that differed from god to god that were used to mark and differentiate their followers.
After many, many years they had tamed the landscape. Creating the colony their government had asked them to make. Even rebuilding their population up to about 600. They sent word to the capital, this one actually being read. They requested they return home now and be respectfully repaid for their mistreatment by the government.
Unsure, they sent an emissary to one of the crude camps of their former citizens. He spent 3 weeks there before begging to return. After he did, he refused to say anything on what he saw unless the President was present while he did so.
They agreed and he told them of the lack of any indication between day and night there. He told them of strange creatures that prowled the shadows of the villages. Quietly waiting for the fool to step into the shadows beyond their torches. He told them of the strange deformations they had and the queer pagan rituals they performed daily.
Disturbed by his story, the government garrisoned more troops them necessary at the borders to the lands and replied back to the colonists. They told them that due to uncivilized changes reported in them they would not be allowed back. Ever.
Outraged, they have nothing but pure hatred for their former government. And over time they blamed the people, then the world. Alone in their suffering they were finally united under one banner of a chieftain of one of the many tribes who could tame the veracious beasts of their lands. A child of one of their dark, pagan gods he could perform dark magics of the highest magnitudes.
They cowered before him and with his leadership they population grew and grew. Years later, the time had come. With his newfound force of 3,500 peoples they marched on the border. The guards wasted no time and began firing at them with their guns. But their weaponry was no match for the mysterious works of the sorcerers.
With the help of their mighty beasts of darkness they marched into their former nation. One by one they entered the land of daylight that was once home to them. One by one townships and cities fell to their attacks. They did not fight during the day. As their skin would burn and sear from the glaring light. They would instead bury underground and wait until nighttime to spring their fights. Easily overcoming their opponents who could not see as well as they.
Finally, they had reached the capital. Finally, their leader Xeroux could ascend to the throne of the land that was rightfully theirs. They claimed the capital, slaughtered the parliament, the legislature, the administrations, the President. All of it. Using his mastery over his dark sorcery he cloaked his new found land in the same, mysterious shadow. And as they rebuilt Tchujinz into their picture of society, Xeroux said "You will all pay for your ignorance. You wake blissfully each day to the shining sun and as it passes over the horizon you complain of the days "tragedies". I will show you suffering as I have seen it. And you will break like a mighty pine under the hacking of an axe."
Today, the nation of Zhaolian is tightly ruled by Xeroux's iron first. Religions of outsiders are outlawed. Citizens are only allowed to practice "Shu'Xuhaz", the black magic that gotten them to where they are today. Trade with outsiders is allowed though few nations seek to make any contact with them. Crime of any sort is considered an offense to Xeroux himself, ultimately resulting in a gruesome death as punishment.
And so Zhaolian sits in its oqn corner of the world. Quiet and isolated. However, under the veil of black clouds Xeroux carefully consolidates his power.