Niratar Theocracy

The Niratar Theocracy was established in the First Epoch by the leaders of the Gatiranda and Merorarg city-states. They created a nation governed by the churches, with the high priests of Athena, Arcana, and Kebechet holding the largest voting blocs. This form of government was chosen by the populace, a deeply religious people who generally opposed the merchant rulers who had long reigned over them. Those behind this political campaign succeeded in convincing the mercantile lords that it was in their best financial interests to fall in line, which they all did.

With the nation's establishment in 339, its borders stretched down the Moredhel Valley, extending from the Fihrgrell Cap to Lake Moharr, and westward to the Thrawkrall Bay. The two principal cities were Gatiranda and Merorarg. Its closest trading partners were the Melephaeusans, an elven kingdom that had been founded merely four decades prior.

In the Great Minotaur Revolt ( 785 - 796 ) , minotaurs fleeing the First Khazarkar Empire poured into Niratar's lands. These displaced minotaurs, now liberated and seeking a new home, were ushered westward into the Moredhel Valley and southward into Elphion and along the old seabed surrounding the Ratanur Trap, areas within Niratar's frontier. Nearly two decades later, Niratar faced the consequences, losing Merorarg during the Pugad War ( 812 - 817 ) , their oldest city becoming the capital of the Ba'lith Empire.

The effects of the Gulimbor Cataclysm reached the Niratar lands during the Moredhel War. The valley remained largely unaffected by the cataclysm's wild magic storms, but the regions east and west of it were devastated. The armies of the Khazarkar Empire stormed the valley from the east, forcing the Tragarans out of their capital city Gatiranda and then driving them from their valley altogether. Niratar's people joined the Great Exodus ( 998 - 1017 ) , with most heading north through Sorfandien and then to Sourm Gar. From this Cal-Thaoun city, they united with the other displaced peoples fleeing the ravages of magic and war. The Great Exodus suffered many losses at sea, including the tragic murder of nearly half of Niratar's leadership, comprising high priests of Athena, Arcana and Kebechet, in the fog-enshrouded waters and shores of Masked Landing. This organized assault was orchestrated by twelve ships filled with sociopathic assassins and plunder-seeking pirates, all paid for by Demogorgon's cultists, as an act of vengeance against the goddess Athena for the trouble she had caused in the Demon Spawn War (Hells Womb region). For those who made it to the Lands of Purity, their new home, they settled in and around Vraga Moltus, Niratar's new capital. Niratar remained under a theocratic rule for two more years, until in 1017, the public voted them out, ushering in the Farinteen Dynasty.