History of the War of Golla and Marada (-1000 CA to 0 CA)
The Age of Marada began around 1040 years before the start of the Common Age. It began with the creation of the Empire of Marada from the mighty Elinican Empire, and ended with the catastrophic contact with the inhabitants of the world-moon of Atracus. Both world empires would be wiped from existence in the terrible war that followed...
Kingdom of Marada
After a decade of civil war and internal political strife, in the Elinican year 1362, the 38th Emperor of Elinica, Seretes Marada, declared the birth of a New Empire. Within a very short time, the Emperor introduced radical changes in the government and military, and the Empire of Marada emerged from what had been Elinica. However, the new empire proved to be unstable. In 35 AM (Age of Marada) Seretes Marada died, and was succeeded by this son, Seretes II. Seven years later, Seretes II was murdered, and a Council, headed by a Dictate, was appointed to rule. A civil war broke out in 70 AM, lead by nobles working to restore the old kingdom of Keshim. The war raged on for 30 years, but eventually all of Celania and most of Mesoria fell under Maradian control. The exiles from the failed civil war made their way to the eastern coast of Tarrona, where they settled, bringing Celaphanian culture and language to the Ultic lands. These settlements eventually became Antaria.In 200 AM a second civil war erupted, and Emperor Thalos III was overthrown by General Malic Olinus. The Empire was ruled by the re-established Senate for the next 150 years. Then, in 350 AM, Senator Anglas Krathos seized power through crafty manipulation of his peers and high rhetoric. Marada officially became known as the Greater Empire of Marada. Anglas ruled for 23 years, to be succeeded by his son. The Senate maintained some control during this period, keeping the Emperor's power in check.
By 450 MA, Marada had conquered the rest of Mesoria and subjugated the kingdoms of Tarrona, although campaigns against Haikoning ended in disaster. For the next 400 years, continued progress in battlefield engineering led to a steep climb in technology with the discovery of whitepowder, electricity, steam power, and aerodynamics. Aided by magic, these technological achievements led to a golden age of science and sorcery.
First Contact
In the Maradian Year 960, the Empire of Golla, on the world-moon of Atracus, sent their first ship to make contact with the people of Marada. However, first contact ended in disaster when terrified Maradians killed the Gollan crew and destroyed their ship. A year later, a second Gollan vessel was similarly destroyed. The Emperor of Marada, fearful of reprisal from a highly advanced civilization, sent a signal to Golla (Atracus) apologizing and offering restitution as well as a trade alliance. Golla remained silent on the matter for several years. Though history does not allude to what happened, some political turmoil appeared to have erupted on Golla, perhaps in part to the disastrous first contact. A decade later, however, Golla accepted a trade pact with Marada for novarite and other raw commodities, although they offered little in return. The Emperor of Marada became frustrated, and sent negotiators (doubling as spies) to bargain for technological information. If they could not bargain, they were ordered to steal information and technologies.The rulers of Golla only became aware of Marada's treachery when, in 980 AM, Marada tested their first solaonic bomb. After decades of failed negotiations, and with their most-guarded technological secrets lost to Marada, the leaders of Golla decided to invade. Between 990 and 1008 AM, Golla diverted its efforts to secretly building a fleet of ships capable of transporting hundreds of thousands of troops and delivering devastating solaonic bombs.
The War of Golla and Marada
In the year 1008, Golla launched its attack on Marada from space. For the next 40 years, Marada and Golla entered a devastating period of war. Though Marada did possess rudimentary spacecraft, these ships were quickly destroyed. On the ground, however, Marada held a decisive advantage, and by 1014 they had managed to turn back the first invasion force. This gave the Maradians time to prepare and develop their war machines and defenses. In 1018 the second wave of Gollan ships and troops attacked, this time destroying several cities with solaonic weapons. The Maradians countered, destroying the Gollan fleet with their own solaonic weapons. Between 1020 and 1025, Golla launched countless small-scale attacks intent on wearing down the resolve of the people of Marada. The new Maradian Emperor and Wielder of Warbringer, Kullan III, rallied his people together. In 1030, Marada deployed the Guardian Solinum, a system of psycho-magical defense satellites that managed to repel the Gollan offensive for the better part of the next two decades. But Golla eventually succeeded in breaching Marada's orbital defenses, and prepared to invade en masse.However, Kullan III, Emperor of Marada, had ordered the construction of the legendary moto-armor Valgathellian. It was the largest and most powerful robotic war machine ever made, energized by a solaonic engine and the power of Warbringer. Piloting Valgathellian himself, Kullan led his fleet in the Battle of Erae, on the planet Erae, and there destroyed most of the gathered Gollan armada, their secret factories, and shipyards.
Night of a Thousand Suns
In a final bid to win the war, Golla launched every solaonic weapon at Marada from their surviving fleet. Marada struck back at Golla with swarms of their own solaonic bombs. In "the Night of a Thousand Suns", both worlds were devastated beyond all reason. Every city was reduced to ash and countless millions perished in the conflagration.Civilization ended.