A Study of Early Cordor and The First Thayan Enclave

Preface

This research was conducted by the Earthkin Arcanum in order to highlight and clarify the largely forgotten history of the island as it relates to the First Thayan Enclave, particularly the magical influence.

Please note that for scholarly purposes this text is best read with its accompanying notebook, the “Life Essence Research” which details the physical evidence, interview accounts and paper evidence that was gathered.

There will be simple annotations throughout the text that can be followed up by future researchers using the “Reviewed Materials” section at the end.

Chapter One: Delayed Amnians

Before we can hope to cover the First Thayan Enclave, we must understand early Cordor and its founding.

Cordor started out as a small village with mostly farmers and fishermen [5]. The origin of the early Cordorians is ambiguous, at best. It is often asserted that the earliest settlers in Cordor were Amnians however this appears not to be the case. If it were Amnians, it is not the sort of thing that my countrymen fail to advertise. Cordorians may have been descendants from the survivors of Tollidor [12] or even natives.

It wasn't until the Late Senatorial to Early Baronial Period that Amnian influence came to Cordor [1] [6] [9]. Mostly notably during that period, the Amnian embassy opened [9] [20] and it was only with Lord Havelock Vetinari, during the Pax Cordoria period, that Cordor got its first Amnian leader [6] [20].

The lack of Amnian influence wasn't the only factor of this time to open the door to Thayans. It wasn't until the first refugee boat crashed on the shores of Cordor that the island was tamed and roads established [5]. Among this first generation was (Archmage) Thoramind [16].

More and more boats found their way to Cordor; even with Underdarkers on them. The Underdarkers were integrated in into life on the surface, particularly in Cordor [5] [16]. While texts suggest that the city of Udos in Arelith's Underdark was well established and bustling [4] [18], it remains unclear why Underdarkers travelled to Cordor or readily lived on the Surface.

The integration was only possible in Cordor was because the city was protected by an enchantment that appeared to prevent violence within its limits [2] [20]. This is believed to be similar in concept to the shield protection that once stood around Pit Town [10].

The level of magical understanding and high end materials needed to create such a shield are unlikely to be found among fishermen, farmers and refugees. It is at this time that we find the strongest evidence of Thayan influence which suggests that it may have been their doing.

Chapter Two: Aristotlus Bibliophilius

Before we continue, it is important to note that this time period is considered 'ancient' history on Arelith which makes it precarious to find or use dates accurately. In order to help orientate ourselves, we will be using Aristotlus. His time on the island provides an important historical marker that we can use to establish timeline.

Aristotlus Bibliophilius the Fifth is noted as coming to Cordor in the 'Pre-Waukeen' era [2] which suggests that this was prior to Amnian influence. Aristotlus started in the Temple Guard under Haulfest of Torm before moving on to the Cordorian Guard [2]. He served Cordor for roughly two decades before he moved to Wharftown in later years to be a successful mayor. This was evident by statues of him and his wife, Rune, found in Wharftown's town square prior to the town's destruction.

We will refer back to him repeatedly through the text to promote clarity.

Chapter Three: Thayan Influence

In the time of early Cordor, magical items were scarce [8] and craftsmen lacked the skill or materials to remedy the issue [8] [9]. This void in the market prompted Thay, known for mercantilism [13], to send out a diplomat in order to organize a trade of magical items and portals for gold and life essence, sometimes referred to as Ki [8] [19]. As such the First Thayan Enclave on Arelith was created.

Allegedly, these items were created by the Enclave [8] [20] suggesting that they may have employed some soul crafting; which involves drawing out an essence (or soul for greater uses) and using it as a catalyst or material to craft magical items. However, many items lacked power that is often associated with that sub-school of magic such as the Thunderstone which we can still find today (AR 176) [20]. It is unclear how much life essence was taken from the population or how but it is unlikely that all of it was used on crafting magical items.

It may have been that some was used on the creation of portals which became wide spread across Arelith, particularly two-way portals. The remains of a two-way portal of that time can be found in Cordor's Northern Outskirts (AR 176) [20]. Archmage Thoramind is credited as having a hand in the island's portals as well [16] however this is poorly defined and may have only included the creation of the Arcane Tower portal.

Additionally, we can speculate that most of the powerful magical items at the time came from the First Thayan Enclave, given the scarcity. We know that Aristotlus was entrusted with a powerful item; The Rod of Amorous Inmate which was powered by the same source as the shield protecting Cordor [2] further suggesting Thayan make. The item was used to corral criminals into prison [2]. A similar item, a whip, was said to have existed in the Underdark, likely in Udos, which was used by Drow Priestesses [20]. This might suggest that Thayan influence extended to Arelith's Underdark.

Eventually, the shield protecting Cordor failed [2]. It is unclear why this occurred [20] however it may have been due to failed secret experiments by the Thayan Enclave which were allegedly the true purpose of extracting life essence [8].

The sudden loss of the shield caused chaos in Cordor with citizens and guards being attacked regularly by Underdarkers, Banites, criminals and undead [2]. Aristotlus was instrumental in banishing these groups from the city [2]. It was at this point that Surface attitudes toward Underdarkers changed.

Chapter Four: Libraries

This chaotic time was in part caused by a lack of education. Prior to this, libraries were non-existent on the island [8]. The first library was at the Arcane Tower.

The Arcane Tower was originally founded in the Forest of Despair by Archmage Thoramind [16]. After a time, he was removed from power and it was claimed by the First Conclave led inappropriately by innatist Halen Van [17]. Among the First Conclave was also Archmage Zoral Baenre, a drow [17].

The First Conclave expanded the Arcane Tower, including a library [17]. Most of the books in the Tower library were imported [20]. The First Conclave reigned during the Surface-Drow war [17] which eventually saw Underdarkers banished from the Surface entirely. This may have had some influence on the First Conclave has it dissolved relatively quickly [7] [17]. We know that this happened quickly because a time later the Arcane Tower was moved into Cordor's boundaries by innatist Halen Van during his brief return [7].

While it was in Cordor, the Tower fell to the dark influence of Shar [11] but it was later cleansed by Kaeshan Se'Lhane and allies [14], specifically among them was Aristotlus who was still working in Cordor at the time [14].

Additionally, during this era, the Cordor library was formed [8]. It was during the Surface-Drow war that the Cordor's library was burned to the ground by drow house Claddath [3]. The library was small enough that a majority of the books were salvaged by just two individuals, Johnathon Diastole and Merdock Took, and the attack was answered by Aristotlus leading soldiers on a successful counter attack to Udos [3].

Chapter Five: Magic and Knowledge

The introduction of libraries was quickly followed by the creation of the Enchantment Basin [8]. The inventor is unknown; it is speculated that it may have been a gnome or the First Thayan Enclave [15]. The first theory suggests that the Basins cut into Thayan profits which coupled with a more educated population, due to libraries, and the failed Thayan experiments caused them to flee the island [8].

We know that the Thayans expected to stay permanently and left in a hurry because they left behind sarcophagi [20] which is generally not an item packed ideally or abandoned without cause. The second theory suggests that the Basins were created by the (unknown) leader of the First Enclave in order to more effectively funnel coin and life essence to his unnamed dark patron [15].

In this theory, the Basins would act as a medium to another plane. Users would place their item in the basin which would essentially send it to the dark patron to be imbued with power in exchange for coin and life essence [15]. Then, allegedly, the First Enclave fled after its leader was killed [15]; perhaps due to infighting or by educated Arelithians.

Nevertheless, these early basins were costly and difficult to use which resulted in the loss of considerable gold and life essence by Arelithians.

However portals were not changed by Thayan departure which suggests that they were unaffected by life essence or used other permanent and stable magic. Instead, the next alteration to Arelith's portals would come when the Arcane Tower moved from Cordor to the Bramble Woods [14] which is when two-way portals greatly reduced in number across the island [20]. This props up the claim that Archmage Thoramind and the Arcane Tower, by extension given that it is largely crafted by his magic [16], has influence over the portal system.

Chapter Six: Archmage Mila

The Dark Patron theory is made stronger by the relatively recent changes to the Basins. Allegedly, Archmage Mila of the Arcane Tower along with a gnome from the Turret (likely Tinkerer Lissa Whitehorn[20]) created the new Dweomercraft Basins [15] [20].

Notably, these Dweomercraft Basins are easier to use, require less coin and only take life essence as a catalyst on the most extreme attempts. This is a clear improvement on the old Basins. However this does not mean that a Dark Patron was involved.

It remains a mystery as to how the Thayans were drawing life essence en masse from Arelithians. The life essence was not going to the creation of strong magical items or portals which suggests that they had a means to gather and store it. It could be that the original creator of the Basin was using Thayan life-essence based technology.

If the Dark Patron theory is true, there is no evidence to suggest that the Patron was banished or defeated. Only that the source of its bounty was cut off. Unfortunately, since the First Thayan Enclave acted separately from the Thayan government, the current Thayans of Guldorand under Khazark Hagar Gursultur cannot provide definitive answers.

I have been unable to locate and study any old Basins that haven't been converted to the new system in order to verify either theory. It would take finding one of these ancient Basins [20] to know if the island may be under threat by a Dark Patron or if old Thayan technology lingers and draws life essence from the population.

Reviewed Material

[1] 'A Knight's History of the Merchant District Barony Vol I' by Trynn'delynn Eldafire

[2] 'Aristotlus Bibliophilius the Fifth' by Unknown Author

[3] 'Destruction of the First Cordor Library' by Unknown Author

[4] 'History of Brogendenstein I: Fall of Umbrick, Founding of Brogendenstein and Earthkin Alliance' by Amy Silverscales-Dizonne

[5] 'History of Cordor Vol 1' by Unknown Author

[6] 'Memoirs of a Councilor' by Cuchilla Arndt

[7] 'Quiet Embrace of the Pearl' by Unknown Author

[8] 'Thayvian Influence Vol I to Vol III' by Unknown Author

[9] 'The Baronial Age: Confusion and Chaos' by Cuchilla Arndt

[10] 'The Cataclysm of the Underdark' by Unknown Author

[11] 'The Era of Shadows' by Unknown Author

[12] 'The Fall of Tollidor' by Unknown Author

[13] 'The Red Wizards: Book I' by Unknown Author

[14] 'The Se'Lhane Reformation' by Unknown Author

[15] 'The Thayan Perspective of Thayan Influence' by Khazark Hagar Gursultur

[16] 'The Wild Spark of Thoramind' by Unknown Author

[17] 'Time of the Seven Seals' by Unknown Author

[18] 'Underdark Vol 1' by Unknown Author

[19] 'Ki' by Kata Razengard

[20] Life Essence Research – Oghma's Copy by The Earthkin Arcanum

[Signed: Loomwarden of Azuth and High Magus Datura Willowgrave of the Earthkin Arcanum]