Recent History - Since the end of the War of Nine Kings

The Time of Recovery

2958 TS - Tribes have become divided since the War of Nine Kings ended and many clans have fled the decimation of their homelands and retreat into the forests. Teila loses all control over the Dalmite Nation and hides in Tilitha. A great nation of people has crumbled after 125 years of war.

2959 TS- In Tilitha, after a period of mourning, the task of rebuilding begins. Many survivors of the war gather in the city, which once shone with the glory of Kainna. Teila gathers her remaining clans and encourages them to stay in the forests, away from outsiders. She reminds them of their ancient pledge to Elaen to protect her forests, the children of Kainna. Only deep in the forests did the trees escape the ravages of war. Thousands of young trees are replanted within the shadows of the charred remains of their elders along the edges of the Mataril and Tiaril Woods. For a brief period, religion is banned in the eastern clans.

2960 TS- The Telantha tribe hides their shamans from the rest of the world. Unlike the other clans and tribes of the nation, religion takes on more importance among the people of Telantha. The clans of the tribe are united under a charismatic leader named Kaaesa who manages to maintain order among her tribe. Many try to proclaim her as the new Teila but she refuses. Cut off from Tilitha, she does her best to maintain the traditions of the Dalmites. A shaman by the name of Parith leads her people back to the teachings of Dal.

2960 TS- The Aerthilye tribe of the Kilaral Woods return to their homeland to find almost complete destruction. Only a few strands of forest still stand. Working together, the broken hearted clans of the tribe begin to replant. Those of the Aerthilye tribe wrote many songs and poems about this time and many of them tell of the great blessing that Graem bestowed upon them when he brought several seasons of high rainfall. The small saplings grew strong, just as the Aerthilye tribe grew strong in their shared endeavor.

2960 TS- In the far west, the Duissa tribe is led by Galiran. More independent than the eastern tribes, the clan leaders did not agree with the control the Galiran wished to retain over the tribe and they rebelled. Skirmishes are fought between the clans for control of the region. These internal battles continue for many years.

2961 TS - The Dalmites remain in seclusion along with many of the other nations. During this period, Teila has little control over the four tribes and the Council disintegrates. Each tribe considers themselves leader of their territories.

2963 TS- A final document is signed by all the leaders on the island, including the Teila of the Dalmites. The borders of each nation is agreed upon. Unfortunately, the lack of a Council requires the Teila to make the decisions alone. This only stirs animosity among the Dalmite tribes.

2965 TS - Parith, a shaman of the Telantha tribe, travels to Tilitha. She believes the fighting among the Dalmites is caused by the abandonment of the teachings of Dal and encourages Teila to restore the religion among her people. Impressed by the young shaman, Teila makes her the Naiir al Dal, the Spirit of Dal and the religious leader in Tilitha. This title is eventually used for future spiritual leaders in the city.

2967 TS - In the far west, a new leader emerges. Charismatic, strong of body, and sharp of mind, Fiandra manages to organize most of the southern clans into one tribe. With the internal problems behind them, the Duissa tribe begins to focus on gaining power and strength. Fiandra travels with a delegation to Tilitha, the first tribe leader to do so for many years. Teila receives her with open arms and Fiandra renews the pledge of the Duissa's to the Naiir al weh teila.

2969 TS - The Telantha tribe has lived a peaceful existence hidden deep in the forests of the far east for many years. Word about Fiandra's pledge to Teila reaches their leader, Hairia. Ambitious and eager to gain favor with Teila, Hairia also travels to Tilitha and joins Fiandra in her pledge.

2970 TS - The first official council meeting is held in Tilitha since the end of the War of Nine Kings and includes Teila, Fiandra of the Duissa tribe and Hairia of the Telantha tribe. A message was sent to the leader of the Aerthilye tribe but she does not respond.

2972 TS - Fiandra attempts to make an alliance with Edelind, the leader of the Aerthilye tribe. It is Fiandra's firm belief that a united Dalmite nation will be much stronger than the individual tribes. Edelind, however, wishes her tribe to remain free of the political constraints of the Council and refuses.

2973 TS - The western clans, led by Fiandra, build a series of outposts and settlements and encourage trade between the western and eastern Dalmites. Edelind eventually establishes an outpost in Swawor, which becomes an important trade center linking the regions of the forests.

2975 TS - Under pressure from her clans, Edelind's daughter, Jerilrith joins the Council and the Four Daughters of Teila are reunited. Trade between the tribes flourishes and the Dalmites become united under one flag once again. A time of great prosperity follows and allows the Dalmites to grow. Among the many technological advances which occur during this time are the development of more advanced bows and arrows used for hunting and defense; new and more effective healing techniques; and more advanced architectural techniques which are applied to buildings and waterways.

2980 TS - Gradually, the forest settlements begin to specialize in various areas of expertise such as woodworking, farming, raising and training animals, and creating crafts.

2982 TS- Rumors reach Tilitha about strangers from the far north who plunder the coast. Some Dalmites in Tilitha claim to see large boats on the northern sea, but the boats do not see the Dalmite city, which is shrouded in trees and they sail on toward Sala.

3023 TS- Again, the strange ships are spotted on the ocean. This time, they attempt to sail closer to the coast but still do not notice the Dalmite villages. The Dalmites do notice an increase in Sala and Tarian ships on the seas.

3059 TS - Along the borders to the south, a region known as the Bloodlands begins to flourish. As outsiders create new cities, the Dalmites become protective of the forest borders, venturing out to punish those who take from Elaen and destroy the trees. Legends grow among the outsiders and tales of the ruthless but elusive Dalmites are told around campfires and in city taverns.

3065 TS- The current Teila separates the Mataril and Tiaril Woods into two distinct tribes. She names the new tribe the Celinde after the daughter of Kisami. The Tiaril clans build their new tribe and remain close to the Kisami tribe.

The Time of Change

3070 TS- The current Teila dies in childbirth without an heir to claim her position. Many step forward, claiming to be descendents of Llecilia and therefore, entitled to the leadership. The Council is unsure how to deal with the situation. Some are demanding battles of strength as practiced in the old ways. Others feel that more than strength of body should determine who leads the Dalmites. The Council decides that when a Teila dies without an heir or the heir is unable to lead, the Council shall choose the new leader. They select Crydia, a woman who has shown much intellect and compassion among the people of Tilitha. Several clans are unhappy with the decision and walk out during the Ascension ceremonies. These clans eventually leave their tribes. Most live quietly in the forests but a few cause trouble, even raiding towns and villages of other nations which border the woods.

3082 TS- Crydia becomes known as the Wise Teila. She encourages Tilitha citizens to study and do research into all manners of art and science. Much to the chagrin of the Dalmites, she entertains scholars and priests from other nations, learning much about their ways and brings their technology to her city. While the rest of the forest people continue on in their tribal lives, Crydia creates a mecca of knowledge and culture in Tilitha.

3096 TS- Salan traders on the borders begin to open up relations with the small Dalmite settlements in the east. Although trade between the two nations is still limited to local areas, the increase in the flow of products through the forests profoundly affects the way of life for the eastern Dalmites. They are suddenly exposed to the outside world.

3108 TS - The clans of the Aerthilye become bolder and now travel within the Bloodlands, some even going to Caeril to trade or for training.

3115 TS-Crydia steps down as Teila. Although an old woman, she travels to Sala to study with a group of gifted scholars and sages. She returns periodically to counsel her daughter Rhayweth, the new Teila. Her daughter erects a new museum in her honor in Tilitha.

3140 TS-Children and young adults vanish from several clans in the Tiaril Woods and are never found. Rumors abound regarding a secret cult that worships Araessi, the Mistress of Evil and uses children as sacrifice.

3144 TS- The disappearance of children continues in spite of protective measures taken by the clans. Then Teila receives word that Dalmite warriors in dark clothing accosted a group of Salan travelers. The adults were killed and the children missing. One child manages to escape and is found by a Salan hunting party. An angry delegation from Sala demands an audience with Teila. She orders the offenders to be found and a hunt for the cult begins.

3145 TS- After an exhaustive search, the cult members are found in a cave, north of Lerves. They are brought before Teila in Tilitha and sentence to death. Two days later, Teila is found dead in her chambers, her throat slit. The nation grieves and many believe Araessi herself killed the leader, angry that she destroyed her worshippers. The stricken leader's daughter, Tanui, becomes the new Teila. Although there are occasional stirrings among the Dalmites who claim to have come in contact with cult members, they remain hidden and take their sacrifices less obviously. Tanui closes Tilitha to all outsiders and trade with the Salans suffers. Some border clans still trade but most trade remains between the Dalmite clans.

3149 TS -Renegade clans have continued to plague villages on the Salan and Bloodland borders. Tanui as Teila deals harshly with these clans, branding them outlaws and placing prices on their heads. If captured, the murderers are turned over to the Salans and the Bloodland towns for execution.

3152 TS - The people of Tilitha rejoice as Tanui announces the imminent birth of a child. However, the child is born weeks too early and the healers and shamans are unable to save the tiny girl. A grieving nation mourns the death of the child. Over the next several years, Tanui has more miscarriages. The shamans organize huge feasts and celebrations to Zaolla, hoping to appease her anger and implore her to bring forth a female child to their leader.

3154 TS- A story is reported regarding a band of Dalmites who attack a Taran delegation in Dynris. It starts the conflict between the Salans and the Tarans. Tanui is unsure about the story. Dynris is miles from the nearest forest and it is unlikely that Dalmites would travel so far. She sends out scouts to investigate the claim but finds no trace of a renegade group that far to the southeast. She dismisses the story as a rumor but relations between the Tarans disintegrate further.

3164 TS - Still longing for a child, Tanui searches for a way to appease Zaolla. Shamans and prophets from all over the forests converge on Tilitha, all with different opinions of what can be done. One of these shamans is an old man named Riolas who has lived hidden in the forest for many years. He orders the city to be decorated in flowers at all times to show homage to Zaolla. Riolas also concocts various potions for Tanui, which he says, will give her a child. He warns her that such gifts from the goddesses and gods usually have a price.

3171 TS - At the age of 47, when many women are beyond their childbearing years, Tanui is blessed by Zaolla and gives birth to a baby girl. She is named Aelen, which means 'the blessed one'. The birth is a difficult one for Tanui and she never recovers fully afterwards. Although still able to lead, she is often stricken with unusual maladies, which confine her to her bed for long periods of time. The Council steps in during her times of illness. They also take control of the teaching of Aelen, preparing for her eventual ascension to the leadership position. Riolas becomes the Nairr al Dal and instructs Aelen on the religion of Dal.

3189 TS- The nation mourns the death of Tanui, who finally succumbs to her long illness. At the age of 18, Aelen becomes the new Teila. She continues to depend on the Council, including her mother's trusted advisors.

3193 TS-The western tribe reports that a Tarian prophet by the name of Rahkzan is preaching to his people the destruction of the Dalmites and the Salans.

3194 TS- Great northern lights are seen in the sky. The Shamans say that Kainna is shining her light upon the Dalmite people and promising them great things in the days to come. Huge celebrations break out in many forest communities.

3195 TS- Dalmite settlements along the Tarian border hear rumors of that Rahkzan is organizing massive troops to march eastward toward Sala. These clans harbor great animosity toward the Tarans for their advancement and destruction of the forest since the War of the Forest. They conduct raids on the border towns hoping to discourage Rahkzan from marching through the forests.

3196 TS- Angered by the Dalmite's raids on his villages, Rahkzan orders his troops to march through the forests and destroy all Dalmite clans and settlements in their wake as they move eastward to Sala. The Dalmites are unprepared for the enormity of the army and many fail to retreat quickly enough. Huge numbers of Dalmites are murdered, their settlements razed and the forests burned. Rumors claim that captured Dalmites were taken to work in the Tarian mines. As the Tarians continue their march east, they leave a wave of destruction through the woods as far as the Bloodlands. Here they encounter Teila, who has rallied 17 different clans to oppose Rahkzan. Unable to stop the advance east, she nonetheless weakens his troops who march onward to Salandorf. Pushed south to the plains of the Bloodlands by the Salan army, the Tarians and Salans fight a fierce battle in the Battle of Crimson Field where both sides lose thousands of soldiers.

3197 TS- Grateful for assistance of the Dalmite clans against the Tarians, the Salan Prince approaches Teila to start negotiations on an alliance between the Dalmite Nation and Sala. Teila requests that an informal trade agreement practiced by various clans and Sala towns be formalized and put into writing. Teila and Mahatar, the Prince of Sala, sign the Dalmite Trade Accord.

3199 TS- Mahatar, the Prince of Sala dies and is mourned among the Dalmites. An effigy of the Prince is placed in a sacred tree near Tilitha and a ceremony is conducted to honor his kindness toward the Dalmite people.