Revenna (Lore)

Revenna was an ancient city that existed through the majority of the later-third era. It was renowned throughout Verra as a major place of influence as it dominated the Aeternum region.

The beginning
Revenna traced its founding to a group of poor traders bounded for the city of Drachma. These traders believed that their lives were for naught because of how their homeland was so malnourished both financially and resourcefully. When they arrived in Drachma, they were greeted with fresh bread, meat, and wine. The traders talked with the locals and they liked the idea of Drachma's nationality, culture, and traditions. Later on, the traders discussed abandoning their home country. While some of the more conservative members of the group dismissed the idea, they eventually relented because of how this region had so much potential. The traders discussed this idea with Drachma's officials and agreed on the premise that their city is built at least a mile away.

They began building the city out of stone and brick. Because of their nature, they decided to become a Republic so that members of each family had a say in the affairs of the state. Revenna was to be headed by the eldest of the group; thus they chose Lucius Sentius Regulus. Unlike the other civilizations, Revenna invited peoples of all cultures to join together and to be part of the city. This openness encouraged a free exchange of ideas. Among them were engineering theories imported from other cultures. By borrowing the technology of neighbors, like the Drachmans, Revenna expanded into a regional power.

At the center of the city, they built The Revenna Forum: a center of religion, politics, economics, and all other forms of activity. While Revenna's culture was consolidating, the influence it had over its neighbors began to grow. By the 500th year of the 3rd era, Revenna controlled most of Aeternum.

The Year of Three
Over the past few decades, power in Revenna was polarized to three individuals: Caelus Fulvius Silius, Vopiscus Suedius Primulus, and Cnaeus Armenus Baro. The eldest of the Republic was Aulus Egnatius Lutorius. By tradition and right he was to lead the Republic, but he wasn't the most popular.

Caelus Fulvius Silius wanted a way to expand Revenna's agricultural power even further than what it is now. He sought a way to make landowners even more wealthy by providing more for the lesser-off of Revenna's citizens.

Vopiscus Suedius Primulus wanted to expand the Republic to all corners of the world so that all could bask in Revenna's glory.

Cnaeus Armenus Baro wanted to focus on infrastructure and improve Revenna's aging city.

Passion, fear, and anger took heed as Aulus Egnatius Lutorius was assassinated early on in 3E 549. The Republic broke into 3 pieces as the factions went to war with each other for dominance. Vopiscus and Caelus focused on fighting each other more due to their diverse nature. Caelus would be overran within two months of the war.

Throughout the year, Cnaeus and Vopiscus battled on all forms of the battlefield. Cnaeus knew that Vopiscus had the support of most of Revenna's military. He needed that support to break in order to secure a victory. Cnaeus employed several assassins to go and kill Vopiscus's children in Revenna. This was a big war crime and one that was unlikely to ever be made. Cnaeus lost most of the love of the common people, but people throughout the city whispered rumors of there being another war due to Vopiscus being unable to father anymore children. Out of fear, most of the noble houses flocked to Cnaeus's side. At the end of the year, Cnaeus would claim victory by slaying Vopiscus. He would declare all of Revenna's territories under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Revenna, and disband the Senate.

A City of Marble
After the war, Revenna began a series of reforms aimed to promote the city's infrastructure. Revenna's local water source was dwindling and would need a way to sustain itself. Engineers and laborers spent several decades building a new way to get fresh water into Revenna. They would construct a stone passageway stretching miles to deliver water to the city. This was the creation of Revenna's aqueduct.

Cnaeus would also expand the city to include more residential areas, theaters, temples, and forums. It was by this feat that Revenna earned the nickname of "The Marble City".

Cnaeus also had his sights set on a region south of the Germinae Mountains with a promise of precious metals. He approved a colonization effort of this region he called Betony.

Decius's Gambit
After the passing of Cnaeus in 3E 577, Decius would rise to assume his father's place as King. He also inherited his father's outstanding debt for Revenna's infastructure projects. Revenna would go into a great recession if he did not act quickly. Decius analyzed a few options to get the Kingdom out of debt, but he settled on one.

The first was to expand his area of influence north and conquer the Rho'n Barbarians. They were a powerful force, however if they were caught off-guard then Revenna could sweep in and take their gold mines.

Decius spent a few years building up Revenna's military before they would invade the Rho'n. When that day finally came, they successfully pushed out the Roh'n Barbarians and claimed their gold mines. Decius decided to spare the Barbarians as long as they stayed out of Revenna's influence. The territory was made into the Roh'n Province. Because of this gambit, Decius was able to pay back his debts properly and set his sights on expanding its kingdom.

Decius's Backlash
After Decius's passing, his son Quintus inherited the Kingdom. Unlike his forefathers, he saw Revenna as reaching the height of prosperity and spent the beginning of his rule promoting nationality and unity. The citizens seen Quintus as entirely benevolent and easy-going. It was at this moment that the Roh'n Barbarians were waiting for. The Barbarians fiercely attacked the Roh'n province and stole back their mines. Quintus noticed this affront and believed that Revenna's military could handle this situation. Quintus was misinformed. Revenna's military was actually at a standstill at Xhol Karesh.

The Betony Rebellion
Down south, a situation was brewing in Betony. Because of the fighting to the north, Revenna was once again poised for a financial downfall. In order to remidy the situation, King Quintus Armenius Baro passed The Provincial Resources Act. This was enacted in late 3E 622, and nationalized all Mining and Lumber industries in all provinces. The Betons were infuriated. Long have the Betons enjoyed a high series of autonomy, but now that has changed.

The situation became even worse for Revenna when several drunken soldiers killed a man who was demanding Betony's freedom. The fire that started in the Beton town of Marseille quickly spread throughout the province as they declared war on Revenna.

The fighting was neck-and-neck until the Betons were able to cross the Germinae Mountains and into the city of Convallium. The people of Convallium had lost faith in Revenna's rule and joined Betony's war. Revenna tried to retake the city, but failed due to logistics. It was at this point where King Baro appointed General Mace Barodia to defend the motherland.

General Mace Barodia had concern for this appointment because he wagered that fighting a war on two fronts would not only be costly, but would endanger the success of Revenna's interests. Mace was proven right when the Betons retook the Betony capital of Arces.

Quintus discussed with his council on what the best course of action would be. Most spoke of peace, but Mace was angry. Mace believed that if they concentrated all military efforts on Betony, they could retake everything. That was a gamble that the King refused to take.

King Baro signed the Treaty of Betony--ratifying the Betony province as an independent Kingdom and severing all ties to the former province.

The Barodian Insurrection
After losing Betony, Revenna had finally gone into a state of depression. People were starving and the King hid from the public for several months. General Mace Barodia loved his country and believed King Baro made a grave mistake. Mace took it upon himself to gather major members of Revenna's military and invade Revenna.

Before the fighting started, Mace stepped between the Rebel and Loyalist armies. Mace spoke about the misdeeds that King Baro had caused, and the wars that have seen Revenna shrink into a state of poverty. Mace wanted Revenna to stretch across all lands and bring prosperity to all. Many soldiers in the Loyalist army served with General Barodia for years, and the influence he had at this moment caused most of the loyalist army to surrender. Together, they marched to the King's Palace and sentenced King Baro to public execution.

Most of the city gathered in front of the headsman for King Baro's execution. When he was brought out, you could hear the anger and sadness in Revenna's citizens. Mace Barodia looked down upon Quintus Armenus Baro. Quintus's last words were "May The One help you, Mace Barodia. Now Revenna is truly lost."

After Quintus's head was chopped off, Mace Barodia declared that the Kingdom would be reorganized into the Barodian Empire.

The Great Expansion
Mace Barodia, now crowned Emperor Barodia, seperated Revenna's influence into seperate states and designated each with a senator of Mace's choice. By doing this, he brought back the feeling of unity not seen since the Republic. However, Mace specifically chose the senators knowing full-well that they would be honor-bound to serve with absolute loyalty.

Mace decided to pull out all of Revenna's military and to focus on re-taking the Roh'n province. With the full might of Revenna's military, they were able to retake the Roh'n province in a matter of weeks. Through many years of conflict, it was proven that the Roh'n Barbarians would be unable to stop fighting for their province. As a show of power, Mace ordered that the entire Barbarian population be killed. The Roh'n was firmly back under Revenna's control and resources flowed back into Revenna.

Their influence stretched eastward and ended up clashing with the Jade Empire's influence. They both believed they weren't ready to fight a war of that magnitude and left each other alone. Mace set his sights on the continent to the west. The power in that region was Westford. Mace sought to invade that land and take everything from Westford.

In the days before the invasion, a knight errant named Alastair Haden forseen the invasion. He rode to Westford and told the King of an impending attack. Being the regional power, Westford's prideful king claimed that their army would repell any invaders. Alastair took to the streets to gather as many men as possible to defend the city. Alastair accumulated 1,200 men to build fortifications. They readied themselves for 8 days. On the 9th day, Mace Barodia and his army landed and marched to Westford. They encountered Alastair's militia and easily defeated them. Using the power of the sun, Alastair blinded Mace and his army--giving enough time for Alastair's followers to flee into the woods. Alastair would soon be killed. Mace Barodia's army marched to Westford and left it in ruins. The castle was destroyed, homes were burnt, and its small walls knocked down.

Barodia's Revenge
In 3E 449 Mace's son, Marcus, was the reigning Emperor. He inherited his father's anger and insatiability for conquest. He received word that the aristocracy in the Kingdom of Betony had grown so out of control that the lords were fighting over themselves in an attempt to gain power. Marcus saw an opportunity.

Marcus gathered the strength of Revenna's military and sent them south to invade Betony. Betony's aristocracy didn't even notice Revenna's forces enter their Kingdom until it was too late. They squeezed through Marsielle, Nantes, and Bordeaux before arriving at the front gates of the Betony capital of Arces.

They surrendered without a fight. The conflict itself costed Revenna thousands of men and only one option was on the table: complete submission. Betony agreed to repeal the Treaty of Betony and become a province of Revenna once again.

The Hunger
In the year 3E 673, Emperor Marcus was attending a gladiator match. His favored champion was Vespasian Aurelius. Marcus watched with his son, Arius, as Vespasian won match after match. Marcus was so impressed that he desired to meet Vespasian in person. When they met, Marcus saw that Vespasian's eyes were strained. Marcus became concerned and asked if Vespasian needed a medic. Marcus just replied that he needed to eat. Vespasian tackled Marcus and attempted to consume him. Marcus's guards tried to pry Vespasian off of Marcus, but Vespasian bit the guards. The guards howled in agony while Marcus successfully killed Marcus and consumed him. The guards eventually rose as thralls to Vespasian.

Arius was brought back to the palace and ordered a quarantine of the arena and for the death of Vespasian. Arius caught wind of what they were capable of and decreed a mandatory evacuation to the center of the city. In the 3E 675, Verra's sky turned dark as an apparition appeared in the sky. It looked like it was made from shadow itself. Suddenly, a bright light was seen from St. Alastair that caused the apparition to flee. The ground started to shake as a portal emerged from the center of their city. Arius fell onto his knees when he saw The One appear next to the city. The One told them that the portal would lead to the world of Reverie and they could start over there. It was at that moment to where the Empire died; its moment of glory finally vanquished. When the populous went through the portal, the last sight they saw was The One fighting with The Hunger.