Sandar
Sandar was a powerful Hohmite nation that existed before the Demon Wars. It sat within the same area as Phovezila. It was destroyed at the tail end of the Mundane War where it would be reforged by the Sandarian dukes into Phovezila.
History #
Sandar was an ancient nation, with records of its origin lost to time. However, its most documented and studied history involved the time leading up to the Mundane War; indeed, its demise.
The Amaranthine Reaping #
Sandar was one of the most powerful Hohmite kingdoms, sporting fertile land and rich deposits of natural resources. However, the Legere-wide horrors of the Witch Rash plague of 470 PBD hit Sandar hard, collapsing its economy and infrastructure while severely denting its population.
As the Amaranthine Reaping faded into memory, Sandar's economy failed to grow meaningfully, with its rulers focusing on superficial reparations instead of impactful support systems that would support the Sandarian people. Sandar would wage war against the small kingdoms around it in an attempt to jump start its economy while assimilating the resources and land of its conquered foes, but the positive results barely outweighed the negative ones.
Sadoln, the Tyrant of Sandar #
The last true king of Sandar was Sadoln, son of Sildon. Sadoln's tyrannical rule was comprised of fearmongering, overreactive mass executions, and unchecked, reckless allocation of resources. It was no wonder that Sadoln was violently deposed by his own people one bloody night in 390 PBD, sending the nation into chaos.
The Tumult & Mundane War #
Sandar experienced a year of violence and anarchy as a mad scramble for power was made following Sadoln's humiliating end. Sadoln's Feral Knights, multiple noble families, and even foreign militias all converged on each other in an attempt to seize power. By 388 PBD, Lord Bern Stein--who had actually helped the spiteful Sandarian commonfolk to kill Sadoln--managed to claim the throne of Sandar by uniting the Sandarian people under a united rhabdophobic perspective, since both the slain king and his infamous morbomantic warriors were all mages.
During his reign, Lord Bern perpetuated the anti-mage sentiment across Sandar, publishing his Pamplets of the Mundane while ensuring good will was built between former targets of Sadoln's ire. Bern also helped organize the Sandarian rebels into a military loyal to him, transforming the kingdom into a competent, nationalistic military power. Magic was outlawed within the kingdom, hoisting Sadoln up as a mascot of "magic's corrupting influence" while the glorification of physical strength was spread to every corner. Mages were widely persecuted, with those who stood up against Bern's new laws made an example of. Horrific punishments--including the breaking of digits to disallow the movements necessary to invoke the arcane, or even crude brain surgeries--were leveraged against mages. During this time, the famous aurelimancer Torgon stood against Bern in a dramatic public trial.
Three years later in 385 PBD, Lord Bern sent his armies out against the neighboring kingdoms of Danthol, Falla, and Nungul, citing that the pro-magic stance of these kingdoms were a danger to Sandar. This marked the beginning of the Mundane War, during which Lord Bern was noted to declare his intent to conquer all of Hohm and have Sandar's borders stretch from the Cyclopean to the Wattamp.
Lord Bern would be assassinated and his armies dismantled after Sir Azthur of House Unicorn--a Sandarian nobleman who had formerly served Bern--led yet another revolt in 370 PBD. Sir Azthur's efforts were supported by former knights of Danthol and Falla, and guided by intelligence offered by elite Khatkir sent from Du Dô.
Sandar itself would be destroyed here, reformed into Phovezila by the new oligarchs who thought it best to abandon the horrific imagery associated with Sandarian conquest.
The Knight Houses of Sandar #
Sandar's military was divided into various knight houses, with each one keeping each other in check during the periods of stability Sandar enjoyed during its earlier years.
House Unicorn #
House Unicorn was the only one of Sandar's four knight houses that had refused to partake in the atrocities of the Mundane War, and with the help of Isutan intelligence, started a coup against Lord Bern, led by Sir Azthur. ^67d387
House Wolf #
House Wolf was the official knight house of the Sandarian Feral Knights.