[Glorantha] The Borders of the Bright Empire

LC <lc_at_lightcastle.net> writes:

> To diverge from the Great Spiritual Cheesecake debate for a moment, I would
>like to ask something about the Bright Empire.
>
> How far did it extend, and from what routes did Arkat attack it?

In about the year 400 its borders were as follows (per the Fortunate Succession):

In Ralios, the area of Karia on the far side of Kartolin Pass was controlled, and new Dorastan settlers imported dragonewt and troll mercenaries to defend their villages. Otherwise, the border followed the Rockwood Mountains north-westwards. (Central Ralios was dominated by the Dari Alliance, which was independent but strongly influenced by the cult of Nysalor).

From the northernmost point of the Rockwoods, the border heads north-east, enclosing the lands of Talastar, Brolia and Worion (organised as the Somarin Kingdom, under the rule of the High Council). To its north is the land of Pelanda in the Oronin basin, which has been subject to the empire of Dara Happa since its conquest about 70 years previously. The border then follows the River Poralistor eastwards to the White Sea.

To the east, the Dara Happan empire also encompasses the lands of Kestineddi (Rinliddi), another recent conquest. The border runs more or less due south along the line of the River Arcos as far as the Elf Sea, through Jarst and Garsting, then westwards. Vanch is the southernmost province of Dara Happa.

The 'Heortland Kingdom' is the southern section of the High Council's lands, balancing the Somarin Kingdom to the north and the Lakrene Confederation in the centre. It covers roughly the region of Saird and the Lunar Provinces (Aggar, Holay and Tarsh). The exact location of its southern border is unclear, but it seems to run more or less east-west from the Rockwoods to the Quivin Mountains (or possibly just as far as the Dragonspine Mountains?). To the south is the Kingdom of Night under the Only Old One. From here, the border follows the Rockwoods again as far as Karia.

Arkat's first attacks, during the early 5th century, were against the Council's allies in Ralios and then against Kartolin Pass, which he failed to capture. After his death and resurrection he attacked northwards from Dragon Pass, conquering Saird in about 430 and defeating the main Nysalorian armies at the battle of Hangalium. One army then attacked north into wealthy Dara Happa while Arkat and his new Uz friends headed for Dorastor and Gbaji, where the final battle was fought in 450.

Stephen Received on Sun 20 Aug 2006 - 01:01:26 EEST