Istar - the Rise and Fall

Other Rules

by Simon Lipscomb

Cities of Istar

"Istar" is the name given to the great empire that spanned Ansalon shortly before the Cataclysm. It arose in the east, out of a collection of city-states built around the inland sea, the Lake of Stars. The inhabitants of these cities, the Istarin ("People of the Sun") were a separate race from their neighbours, the nomadic Khurman and for a long time were held in slavery by the ogres. With the ogres gone, the Istarin were able to grow by themselves. Their relative isolation ensured little elven interference.

The Istarin were a civilised people, and built seven city states on the shores of the Lake of Stars. Local mythology claims that each city was founded by a different god from their pantheon, and this gave each of them a particular characteristic. We have:

• Siristar - City of Shining Warriors, Beloved of Sirrion. Here in the main temple a permanent flame was kept burning. It is said the best warriors came from here, and the people of Siristar were the first to learn the art of chariot fighting from the Khurman. Siristar was also famous for its large number of alchemists.
• Shinast - City of Untold Riches, Beloved of Shinare. Shinast had plentiful gold-mines nearby, and was the most opulent of the city-states. In addition, it developed most sophisticated banking techniques and was renowned for trade.
• Brenn - City of the Learned, Beloved of Bren (later changed to Zivylin). Brenn was home to the first university on Krynn, and a library greater than that of Palanthus.
• Drehactar - City of Ingenious Creation, Beloved of Drehach (a craftsman god later changed to Reorx). Drehactar was home to great inventors and aritficers. It was famed for its aquefication system, its great mills and the variety of cunning machinery employed in its defense.
• Chorostar- City of Bounteous Harvest, Beloved of Chorost (later Chislev). Chorostar was placed in the most fertile region of the Lake of Stars, and was well known as the bread-basket of Istar.
• Gileast - City of the Gate of Heaven, Beloved of Gilean. Also known as the holy city, Gileast was a city of temples and holy men, as well as philosophers and schools.
• Istar - City of the Sun, Beloved of Istiron. Istar was the largest city but without any outstanding features of its own. Instead, it was second to all the other cities in its features, but the end combination made it the most balanced.

History of Istar

The history of Istar can be broken down into six periods. The Prehistoric Period lasts from about ca. 5000PC to ca. 2000PC (-3000 to 0 Founders Year) when the Istarin were still primitives, under the control of the Ogre Empire. This is followed by the Ancient Period from ca. 2000PC to 1600PC (0 to 400 Founders Year) when the city states come into existence and the basic Istarin mythology is developed, based around the heavenly bodies. During this time astrology becomes a powerful and complex study, and much of Istar society is governed by its predictions. This holds the Istarin back for many years.

The Captivity Period lasts from 1600PC to 1650PC (400-450 Founders Year) under the sway of the Minotaur Empire of Mithandrus. With the death of Ambeoutin and the collapse of his empire into two warring kingdoms, Istar is able to win its freedom once more.

The Expansion Period lasts from 1650PC to ca. 1000PC (450-800 Founders Year), during which time Istar grows in influence and expands following its oppression under the minotaurs. The philosophies of the cities merge, and Istar emerges as the dominant partner. Learning is geared towards economics and Istar begins to establish trade routes, although in an age dominated by Silvanesti and Ergoth it gains little real power. It provides funding to Vinas' forces during the Rose Rebellion and through them manages to defeat one of its rivals. With the power of Ergoth broken, Istar is free to expand even more.

The Middle Period lasts ca. 1000PC to 280PC (800 to 1520 Founders Years). During this time Darian beliefs filter into Istarin culture via Solamnia, but initially its followers are a minority. Up until the Third DragonWar of 1060PC to 1018PC (740-772 Founders Year), Istar is seen as a rich cousin to Solamnia by the other powers, but the Dragon War not only demonstrates the wealth and resources at the disposal of Istar, it further breaks the power of its rivals. Darianism becomes mainstream in Istar, thanks to a wide scale appreciation of the actions of Huma. Over the next five hundred years, Istar exerts its influence on other countries by extending loans and bringing them into its debt. Close ties to Solamnia give Istar moral and military superiority. Religion and cultural exports spread the influence of Istar beyond its borders, and it is during this time that the unified pantheon of twenty-one gods is created. Patronage of the arts and magic attracts the finest artisans to Istar, and a Tower of High Sorcery is built.

This perceived greatness led to the formation of the World Righteousness Movement, dedicated to removing evil from the world, and with that Istar enters the Late Period (280PC to 0) (1520-1800 Founders Year). The World Righteousness Movement proclaims Istar as the moral compass for the world, and installs a Kingpriest to oversee this. Over the next few centuries the Kingpriests do just that, becoming ever more oppressive in their proclamations. Although the elves withdraw in disgust, the people of Istar are blind to its faults, until it is too late.

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