Yetania

Prophet

Overview

As was one of history's most famed humans, her prophetic status led to her deification in later accounts. Her influence was experienced by many races, including the Velarra, Nuheillu, and Orccodro.

Chapter One

(24251–24312, Era of Rebirth) Yetannia was born in 1804, with mysterious origins and unknown parents. Later generations deemed her a heavenly gift to earth.
Suppressed by two monarchs, the Jancis Church was now a mere shadow. The Velarra put their faith solely in their staffs.
In 24247, during the Era of Rebirth, the Church, suppressed by the Deepsea Sovereign, allied with local nobles to start the Second Southern War.
This was the church's last-ditch effort. If they failed, the millennia-old Church power would be eradicated from Ciaran for good.
Four years of war shifted many beliefs, yet the unwavering Deepsea Sovereign aimed to secure a prosperous kingdom for his heirs.
Amon Talier achieved glory with the Victory of Yetan River, almost eliminating the Church forces that had troubled his family for generations.
At that time, local nobles were isolated, and all armed forces on the continent were directly controlled by the central government, marking the apex of centralized power.
Back then, the infant destined to alter Mirren's fate drifted down the blood-red Yetan River to the Deepsea Sovereign.
Seeing the baby as a divine gift, Amon named her Yetannia to honor the Victory of Yetan River.
"Nia" means "great" in Velarra language, but no one expected that this girl would actually turn out to be great someday.
Yetannia received much care from the Deepsea Sovereign as a child, despite her non-royal status, leading to a peaceful upbringing.
As she matured, her magical prowess rivaled that of her grandmother, the Sun Queen.
Yetannia unsettled people because she didn't share the Taliers' hallmark sky-blue hair and sea-blue eyes.
Her traits inevitably brought to mind the king's mother, Elene the Sun Queen, who shared her age, talent, and mysterious background.
By then, discussing the Sun Queen's origins was forbidden. Her harsh reign still frightened the Velarra nobles, causing everyone to shun young Yetannia.
Other than her father, Yetannia was cared for by her maid, Karenpton, who guided her through daily routines and palace etiquette.
At court, Yetannia presented herself as a composed and sensible girl, reserving her mischievous side exclusively for her father.
"Father, ride the horse! Father!"
"Father's hair isn't all pure blue either! Look, these few strands are white."
"Father, Father, I'm sleepy and I wanna hear a story."
"OK, let me see. A long, long time ago… Well, it wasn't that long ago actually, just when I was little."
"When exactly? Father's always talking nonsense."
"Probably a few decades ago, um... that doesn't matter, ouch! Sweetheart, don't bite me! Here is the story."
"Once, a magnificent meteor shower graced the skies. Divinity shattered the meteor, and its remnants melded with the earth, forming crystals that shaped the Staratter Basin."
"The land in the Staratter Basin is barren, but it produces beautiful bright red Star Jade. Some merchants even claim the jade symbolizes love."
"Yetannia, when you grow up, Father will give you a necklace made of Star Jade. But there probably won't be anyone worthy of my sweetheart."
Out of guilt, the aging Deepsea Sovereign lavished extreme attention on his adopted daughter. Time had tempered the king's once imposing and authoritarian manner.
The king's fondness and Yetannia's exceptional elemental talent disrupted the previously stable power transition.
Magic formed the foundation of the Velarra administration. With Yetannia's increasing importance, the throne appeared within grasp.
Supporters rallied around her, seeing a new beacon of hope. They recalled how even the Sun Queen had shown mercy to her past allies.
In the spring of 24260, the Era of Rebirth, the Deepsea Sovereign named nine-year-old Yetannia as a court mage, sparking nationwide uproar.
Why did Amon decide this now? Didn't he see how his favoritism had sparked unrest across the country?
The court mages, along with the imperial guards, were crucial for palace security. With the king's favored princess leading the guards, who could predict the outcome?

Chapter Two

The church's power waned after the Second Southern War, but a deep national rift remained.
Faith in the divine faltered, and the Velarra wizards grew powerful enough to rival angels.
Archangel Sarah, unable to bear the defiance, gazed at the land, clutching the fate of civilizations.
To appease the Archon of Angels, Homura vowed to guide a "prophet" to dismantle Velarra from within.
On September 9th, 24261, in the Era of Rebirth, Amon Talier, Velarra's 91st king, died, and his second son, Alei, took the throne.
Alei assigned Yetannia to guard the tomb, but a month later, she was arrested for leaving.
Alei then took drastic measures, targeting the princess's maids.
After losing her father and others, Yetannia thought she was the cause of all the sorrow.
How could hardened generals withstand such a blow, let alone a ten-year-old girl like Yetannia?
She often curled up, muttering, and lashed out at servants.
Yet, two weeks on, Yetannia's emotions began to stabilize.
Realizing she must take action, she pushed aside grief, despair, and rage to find calm.
In solitude, far from chaos, she reflected on her situation without distractions.
Born amidst the turmoil of war, she had come into the world in the company of death.
As a child, she was adored by her father and spoiled with luxuries, but her former pettiness now felt silly.
Now, trapped and cornered, she felt no bitterness toward the heavens for her plight.
Wealth broadened her view, but hardship revealed humanity's true nature.
Desiring justice for all, she embraced her path with calm resolve.
In that moment, she became Prophet Yetannia.
The barbarian chieftain sought to rescue the Prophet, guided by angels looking for a savior for her people.
"Your Highness, take this before you go; it may be useful."
"What is it?"
"Sealing Gold, from the Staratter Basin, like Star Jade."

Chapter Three

The visitor claimed herself to be Princeton and was here under the angel's guidance to save the "Prophet". She also expressed her faith in the Prophet to lead them to liberty.
Yetannia surveyed the Orccodro. Her dark skin made it difficult to see her face in the dim room. But her voice was rather confident.
The chieftain of the barbarians also lowered her head and tried to size up the "Prophet". After being kept in the prison cell for nearly a month, Yetannia's skin turned pale. Yet, one could still find a trace of her past bearing as a court mage.
To Princeton's utter astonishment, the "Prophet" before her was a Velarra through and through! The Orccodro and the Velarra were irreconcilable enemies. How could the Prophet be a Velarra?
The mysterious Orccodro and the hatred-tortured Velarra both fell silent.
But that was how history developed, pushed forward by ridiculous decisions once and again.
In the dim prison cell, they met for the first time and developed extraordinary trust in each other which never decreased for once throughout their lives.
When disagreements were resolved, how to leave the place was not a problem. Yetannia also took the chance to stir up a riot among the slaves and prisoners.
The guard was weak due to the overthrowal, so they escaped out of the city and formed an army of Orccodro slaves.
The chieftain of the barbarians took them to the grand settlement of Hinan where she was based. After a few days of rest and observation, Yetannia grew very interested in the place.
She never believed that an Orccodro tribe could be so united. She was taught to believe that Orccodros were coarse and disunited like a heap of loose sand. But the grand settlement of Hinan totally changed her stereotype.
Yetannia was aware that the false image was a propaganda tool. Only by stressing the demerit of the Orccodro could relieve the moral burden of more Velarras with a conscience.
They prettified oppression and slavery into justice and whitewashed their robbery with highfalutin explanations. While the oppressed became used to glorify their masters.
Most Orccodros shouted out their desire to fight Velarra for freedom. But deep inside, they were ashamed to admit their belief that the Velarra was superior to them.
The intensive oppression over the years had nourished the seed of rebellion on the land. However, liberating the spirit would still take time.
Yetannia was a real member of the imperial house and the Prophet appointed by the angel. In the eyes of most Orccodros, an army led by such a commander had larger odds to win.
Hinan and neighboring settlements held a grand rally with "Liberate the Orccodro" as their slogan. That attracted many Orccodros.
The Orccodros including Princeton had let their passion get their best, while Yetannia knew that enthusiasm was far from enough to defeat the Velarras.
The wolves from the Tundra in the North could freeze any fighting blood that was boiling. The two wars with the South had taught the Velarras to train a real unstoppable army. Now, they were merely temporarily caged because of the shift from one regime to the other.
When the giant wolves revealed their fangs, the Orccodros were doomed. They would join their ancestors who tried to fight back and ended up buried in this very land.
The settlement of Hinan was located in the Great Nypis Plain where there was no natural cover for defense. A battle here was expected to end up naturally in defeat.
Yetannia had to convince Princeton and other chieftains to leave home and go north to the Daryoville Region where they could leverage the terrain of the Ramhorn Mountains.
In this way, even if they failed their first battle, they would have enough time to transfer and preserve their forces. Reality proved Yetannia right.
In February, 24262, the Era of Rebirth, Alei displayed her tough tactics and appeased the internal rebellion in a short time. The young dominator urgently needed a victory to secure his position. Therefore, he showed his fangs to the Orccodros and led his army personally.
Soon after they engaged, the Orccodro corps was badly hurt. Yet, as the battleground was sided with precipices and the Velarra mages were waiting ahead of them, the Orccodros had to flee northward. That proved Yetannia right and helped Princeton reorganize the remaining forces.
It was Yetannia who gave cover for the retreating Orccodros. Casting magic that was far too powerful for her age, she smashed the peaks on the side with surging elemental energy and blocked the Velarra mages.
The optimistic Orccodro chieftain cheered up her defeated fellows with her laughter and effectively boosted their morale.
Their stories were told in places further away. Orccodro warriors kept joining them even if the army was in the middle of the snow mountains, which also improved the morale.
But Yetannia was worried that these Orccodros, who had not received any sorcery training, could not fill up the gap of combat power with their number.
The only gleam of hope lay somewhere farther north. On the land where Velarra ancestors once lived, there was a place known as the Staratter Basin less than 200 miles south of the Heron. This unusual plain was famous for the Sealing Gold. It was the only place where mages of the Velarra could not cast a spell.
But they had to travel over a hundred miles across the Nalorn Snow Mountain. The cold weather there made it extremely hard for the army to march on. As Yetannia drained out her magic, some weak Orccodros began to fall.
Seeing their comrades die in the snow one by one, the Orccodro army suffered low morale. Their Prophet stood up again, telling her story to the Orccodros and helping every one of them in action.
Having gone through a series of battles and escapes, Yetannia won unprecedented prestige among the Orccodros. She became a harbor of lost souls among the soldiers, which was one of the reasons why the Prophet Yetannia was deified.
In the end, both armies reached the Staratter Basin almost at the same time. As the Sealing Gold was lit with Yetannia's spell, the area became a realm where magic was not allowed.
No mage was able to cast a spell there. The death chariot marched ahead, announcing the start of the heroic epic.
The battle continued from sunrise to sunset. Though the Velarras could not use magic, the Velarras still nearly lost the battle. Many Orccodros with only half of their bodies remained bit into their enemies' ankles. The cruelty of the battle was beyond imagination.
Eventually, Princeton slayed Alei the Executioner after which put to rout the Velarra army. The Orccodros finally defeated their masters. The slaves set a fire that eventually burned down the entire empire.
The measures Alei took to secure his throne left the royal family with no legitimate heir alive after his death. Therefore, the Kingdom was thrown into great chaos, followed by rebellions of regional nobles.
The rebellions flooded the entire Ciaran Continent. Orccodros in every area began to launch mutinies. Most of them joined Princeton later on. Meanwhile, the church rose again.
After six years of the "Blue War", the Orccodros led by Princeton achieved the final victory and established Hillbayn Empire, the first country to apply caesaropapism in human civilization.
The founding emperor of the Empire Princeton considered herself a servant of the Prophet, which further promoted the power of the church. As a bridge between human and Orccodro, and the chosen prophet of angels, Yetannia became the first the Holy Shepherd of Hilbeyan without a doubt.
In the forty or so years that followed, Yetannia built churches, issued her teachings, devoted herself to the liberation of Orccodro's mind, and did her best to resolve disagreements between humans and Orccodros. In addition, her friendship with Princeton was celebrated by generations.
In memory of the great Prophet, the Orccodros held grand celebration events on her birthday. Later on, Yetannia Day gradually became an important festival for the Orccodros and a common festival across the Mirren Continent.
She was born in a war but brought peace to humanity. "Prophet" Yetannia was considered one of the greatest human beings by many historians.
Known as a prophet by later generations, Yetannia had a splendid life. She was a sacred being in many people's eyes, but rarely did anyone know that she was once a sentimental girl who spent the whole day reading romantic novels.
Perhaps it was because of her father, Yetannia had always wanted to make a Star Jade necklace herself. Yet, she did not have the chance.
"Will you bring me something to eat, Ameth? The Prophet said she is hungry!!"
"What? You want me to do it myself? I'm reading the novel. How about... Princeton!"

Historical Notes

Yetannia Day:
The Yetannia Day is a celebration held by the Orccodros every September 10th. It commemorates the prophet who led them to establish city-states and unify their culture and faith. During the festival, the Orccodros adorn themsElves with jewels and hunting weapons as they sing and dance barefoot on both sides of the river. On this day, female Orccodros bring a jug of wine brewed by their parents at their birth to give to their chosen ones. If the recipient agrees, they will dance together across the river. This day is also regarded as a day for lovers. After the dance, male Orccodros venture into the jungle alone to hunt prey that matches the status of their partner. They then present a symbolic item from the hunt to the female. This hunt can sometimes last a year or even longer. Due to the prophet's influence extending beyond the Orccodros, Yetannia Day gradually became a common holiday for various races across the continent of Ciaran after the Golden Age. By the Era of Eternal Flame, it had become a universal festival celebrated by all races.

The Southern Wars:
The First Southern War (24232–24237, Era of Rebirth) occurred when the health of the Sun Queen had significantly deteriorated. The early anti-deity campaign had removed the church's influence around the capital city of Loisford. However, the church's power remained deeply rooted in various regions and controlled significant armed forces. During her decades of rule, the central power had greatly increased, severely weakening the local noble forces. This led to a conspiracy plotted by the church and southern nobles to assassinate the queen and, upon the conspiracy's exposure, an attempt to seize power by force. Amon Talier, the queen's adopted son, who had just turned fifteen, stepped onto the battlefield for the first time. After the war, the lands of six southern nobles were confiscated, and Amon, due to his distinguished military achievements, was named heir to the throne. Notably, the six rebellious noble families were not executed in their entirety. The reason for the Sun Queen's uncharacteristically lenient action remains unknown. The act left a potential threat that would lead to the Second Southern War. The Second Southern War (24247–24251, Era of Rebirth) began early in the reign of the Deepsea Sovereign. The church, already in decline, launched a final desperate counterattack. They continued to retain significant support in the south. Although the main rebel forces were dispersed within six months, they continued to harass the central army in smaller units and surpassed the ferocity of the First Southern War.

Amon Talier:
Amon Talier (24217–24261, Era of Rebirth), known as the "Ice Blade of the Deepsea," was the adopted son of the Sun Queen Elene. He was the 91st King of Velarra. His biological parents were likely key members of the Talier family from Velarra's ancestral court. Amon was a valiant warrior, displaying exceptional political acumen and military talent from a young age. He personally participated in the First and Second Southern Wars and became the queen's right-hand during her later years. He was named crown prince in the Era of Rebirth 24215. Under his rule, the church's power among mortals was nearly eradicated, resolving the centralization issues that had plagued the Talier family for generations. Central authority reached its peak during his tenure. However, the Deepsea Sovereign maintained a high-pressure policy towards the Orccodros during peacetime, exacerbating internal divisions within the Kingdom of Velarra and accelerating its downfall.

Sun Queen:
The "Supreme" Elene (24188–24239, Era of Rebirth) was the 90th Queen of Velarra and the grandmother of Yetannia. Unlike the typical ice-blue hair of the Taliers, the Sun Queen had dazzling fiery red hair. It was rumored that Elene was the illegitimate child of her mother and someone from the Amilo family, who were known for their red hair. However, such rumors had disappeared before Elene ascended the throne, surviving only in unofficial chronicles. To strengthen central authority and enhance royal power, the Sun Queen launched a vigorous anti-deity campaign during her reign. She destroyed temples, burned numerous church-related books, and banned the worship of Jancis. She also employed a large number of Orccodro slaves to repair roads and canals and encouraged trade among merchants. Under her leadership, the kingdom flourished for a time. However, her actions sowed the seeds for its eventual downfall.

Karenpton:
Karenpton's life (Unknown–24261, Era of Rebirth) is sparsely documented. She was an Orccodro maid attending to the young Yetannia and was killed by Alei. It remains a mystery as to how an Orccodro could serve as a maid to a princess of Velarra. Judging by her name, it is likely she originated from the Hinan settlement of Orccodros, which might explain Yetannia's trust in the barbarian leader she first met. Some scholars speculate she might be the sister of the Jackal King Harold, but there is no evidence to support this theory.

Sarah:
"Servant of God" Sarah (Era of Firstlight 1–Era of Frost Veil 18194) was the angel governing darkness and war and was, in essence, the king of all angels. In the olden days, war was the longest-standing theme on the continent. With the increasing human conflicts, Sarah's power grew stronger, but her character also became increasingly influenced by the laws of war, turning more irritable.

Ameth:
"The Traveling Apothecary" Ameth (24249–24332, Era of Rebirth), was an Ocatzian Orccodro and the sister of Princeton, the first emperor of the Hilbeyan Empire. She was well-versed in herbalism and revered Yetannia more than her own sister. After Princeton's death, Ameth became the de facto ruler of Hilbeyan and was a prominent figure of the Wheatears.

Princeton:
"King of Hilbeyan" Princeton (24240–24315, Era of Rebirth) was an Ocatzian Orccodro, the first emperor of the Hilbeyan Empire, and the leader of the Hinan settlement. He was a close friend of the prophet Yetannia, who often bullied him. Guided by Homura, he set out to rescue the prophet and led the Orccodros in rebellion against Velarra.

Court Mage:
Originating during the Helois period, the court mages began as the king's personal guard. They were selected from the young scions of noble families. During the Sun Queen's reign, commoners were also recruited. Their primary responsibilities included ensuring the security of the palace and educating the royal family members. As the most crucial armed force within the palace, the head of the court mages held a highly prestigious position and was one of the most trusted individuals by the king.

The Agita Family:
As Lords of Heron in the north, the Agita family has been rooted there since theAncient War, making them one of the oldest surviving families in Mirren. The grand and awe-inspiring Church of Vistoril was constructed by their family. As early supporters of Lord Deity, the Agita family remains a pivotal family in the northern region. However, at that time, they were devout followers of Jancis. Because of Ashe and Hugh, they fell out of favor with the kingdom. During the final battle, the Orccodro army was on the verge of collapse, but the Agita family's reinforcements saved Yetannia and her companions, leading to Princeton's hard-won victory in the Staratter Basin.

Blue War:
The Blue War (24262–24268, Era of Rebirth) erupted in the wake of Alei's death when the royal family found itself without a legitimate heir. Nobles rebelled across the land, reigniting conflicts throughout the entire Ciaran continent. With the support of northern nobles, Princeton emerged victorious. As both the royal family of Velarra and Yetannia's Orccodro army, both of whom were descendants of Helois of the Talier family, constituted the major opposing forces, this war came to be known as the Blue War. After its conclusion, many defeated Velarra fled overseas, intermingling with the locals, eventually becoming the ancestors of the current Nuheillu.

Staratter Basin:
Located southwest of Heron. The Staratter Basin has long been renowned for its high-quality mineral deposits, making it a favorite among Dwarven craftsmen.

Nalorn Snow Mountains:
The Nalorn Snow Mountains were discovered by the Nalorns during the Elemental City era as they migrated northward. Situated in the western section of the Ridgeback Mountains, northeast of Loisford, it stands as the highest point in the Ridgeback Mountain Range. Beyond the Nalorn Snow Mountains lies a vast plain. It serves as a crucial geographical divide between the civilizations of the White River Basin and the north.

Velarra:
The Velarra, descendants of the Yagol people who migrated to the northern Ciaran during the Ancient War, adapted to the harsh environment. They gradually grew taller and sturdier and became adept in magic. Velarras have a shorter lifespan compared to the Yagols, and they speak the Velarra language.

Tuck Prison:
Established in 24207, the Era of Rebirth, during the early reign of the Sun Queen, Tuck Prison was initially built to incarcerate political prisoners sheltered by the Papacy. Following the Anti-Deity Campaign and the First Southern War, it held numerous church members and local nobles. The prison was expanded, and its supervisory facilities were greatly enhanced. The Sun Queen employed Sealing Gold to establish small-scale anti-magic zones for incarcerating powerful mages. Few prisoners ever left Tuck Prison alive, earning it the infamous moniker "Meat Grinder."