On this special First of April, we cover the nomadic peoples of the world of Godherja: the Öltenic.
Please check this great mod for Crusader Kings 3! You can download the mod on its Steam page linked here or on ModDB here. Many appreciations to the Godherja team for providing me with feedback and corrections as well!
Corrections:
Social Media
On this special First of April, we cover the nomadic peoples of the world of Godherja: the Öltenic.
Please check this great mod for Crusader Kings 3! You can download the mod on its Steam page linked here or on ModDB here. Many appreciations to the Godherja team for providing me with feedback and corrections as well!
Corrections:
Social Media
Far past the heartland of Aversaria, further than even wealthy and haughty Aironoi, along the waters of the Brass Sea and in a land of endless grass, lay a people who were seemingly like demons. These peoples, they had rode on horseback, and no man had ever seen one of their faces. Not their true ones at least. They always hid them under a mask of stone and rock. They were warriors, they were riders, and they were the terrors of Kathun-Kai and Katharaddi.
Jajak had found such statements funny. He’d been riding along a stream, tending to his small flock of animals. He sat on top of his horse, waiting for a moment and allowing the sheep to drink. And so his thoughts flowed like that of the running waters.
Sure, his people were hardened through generations of life on the steppes, and yes, there had been many periods of time where his ancestors might’ve gone on raids and small military excursions. Jajak wouldn’t deny that. His grandfather often regaled him with great stories of Otached, Khaager-Khatan of the Iorne Horde. How the mighty riders of that great leader devastated the lands of Kathun-Kai, and after a period of boredom, he’d even led his soldiers down into Kashriya.
But Jajak? Jajak had always been a shepherd, moving from one part of the Kolgrii Steppe to another, always in sight of the Aironoian Mountains. His father too had been a shepherd, and as much as his grandfather thought of himself otherwise, he too had been the same. A warrior? A devastating raider who set fires to towns and villages? Jajak chuckled at the thought.
Such actions were for greater individuals, more adventurous and ambitious folk. People who would destroy the world if they could. For Jajak, he was content to allow himself his pastures and his animals. He was a rich man if the seasons were kind and the winters didn’t kill a chunk of his flock; what more could he ask for? And so, after waiting a period, Jajak began to move his sheep onward. They’d drank their fill and the time to move was now.
And in an instant, the world seemed to change. Half of his sheep seemed to explode into fiery blood. Entrails and debris seemed to mix in the air, before dissipating entirely. Jajak could feel immense heat, could hear a thousand bleats, the screams of terror and confusion amongst his animals. His horse panicked, and Jajak was thrown off. He could feel a sharp crunch as his arm bent completely in an unnatural angle.
And then it seemed to go missing completely.
Jajak turned back, witnessing the world around him turn into a strange tint. And then the world seemed to sigh. The earth shook, rumbled, and undulated. Jajak fell once more. He began crying.
And then the moon seemed to crack. Aevalr shattered before Jajak’s eyes. And then he fell into darkness, terror, and then, death. Such was the terror of that day, of the third January in the year 1200. Frodbrokna, when the world was destroyed.
And welcome back to another April First edition of the Nomads and Empires podcast. Today, we’re switching gears and focusing a bit on a mysterious group that exists in the lands east of Aversaria. But it may be necessary to think wider for a second and consider the very world that we’re speaking of today.
The world of Aeras (and to break the fourth wall somewhat briefly, it is the world in which the Crusader Kings 3 mod “Godherja” takes place in) is a diverse and complicated world. The known world of Aeras is dominated by two main continents: Greater Aversaria and Sarradon. Greater Aversaria consists of the lands in the north of the Shattered Coasts, including subregions such as Chevalie, Aironoi, and Katarraddi. Here, the weather is cool, temperate, and the northern reaches are dominated by forests and taiga. Sarradon, due to its more southerly position, is arid and dominated by deserts, though large, humid jungles can be found as one journeys even further south.
The history of these lands has been effectively controlled by the two greatest powers of their day: the theocratic state of Sarradon and, to an even more influential sense, the great empire of Aversaria. We’ll quickly describe the histories of these polities, as an understanding of the steppe and its peoples requires an assessment of the great powers that surrounded it, especially when we consider the events of Frodbrokna in 1200.
Both of these realms employed powerful weapons and magi to accomplish their aims. Sarradonian warlords and magi waged endless war over sectarian differences and religious causes, and they had killed millions of their own after casting the Self-Replicating Blood Magic in 802. This depopulated Sarradon and led to generations of anarchy and strife, and in many ways, the continent remains a shell of its former glory.
The Aversarians and their empire were even more powerful, even more influential, and even more deadly than the Sarradonians. The Aversarians would create a vast empire that stretched across the Shattered Coast, reaching far to the south and even extending along the coasts of Sarradon itself. And yet it was a brutal state, ruled by bloodthirsty magi and power hungry warlords. Many realms became colonies of the Aversarians. Millions were enslaved, and even more were tortured and killed.
Such a state was prone to infighting, and over the course of the empire’s millenia-stretching existence, countless civil wars and revolts would break out. The most devastating and consequential would be the Imperial Civil War. As is stated in one of the annals of Aversaria, “while Aversaria had faced many civil wars, only one would become known as the Imperial Civil War.” It would also be Aversaria’s last.
From 1186-1200, the Imperial Civil War devastated the empire. On one side was the wife of the late emperor Anesimasios, Axiaothea. On the other was a former general of Aneimasios, Aeschraes. Our story is not focused on the histories of Aversaria, but the course of this civil war would have reverberations that impacted not just Aversaria, not just the steppes, but of the entire world. In a desperate attempt at winning the war, Aeschraes conducted a ritual to ca st the deadliest of spells: the Self-Replicating Blood Magic.
In 1200, millions would die. Those who came into contact with the Self-Replicating Blood Magic would effectively ignite into a fiery blaze. Any in close proximity would then likewise catch the spell, almost like a plague. Self-Replicating Blood Magic was quick, and it was especially potent for those with magical ability. It would ignite and then spread and then ignite and then spread, and soon, much of the Aversarian Empire had become victims of the unquenchable fire Aeschraes had unleashed. It is believed that half of the Aversarian population and a quarter of the world’s population had perished in this single event. And yet, that was not all.
The spell had temporarily awoken a great being. To the far northeast, in the forests and taiga of the Sjavolki people, an old god seemed to gasp at the immense killing and desolation that had occurred. It was a moment, but it was a moment too long. Immediately after Aeschraes had launched his spell, Frodbrokna began.
In moments, the world changed completely. The moon, Aevalr, exploded into millions of shards. Magical laylines seemed to malfunction, and millions more died in a motley of cruel and unexplainable ways. In the lands of Sjavolki, a great fog had begun to manifest, choking the life of anything that lived, blanketing the lands it touched forever in darkness and mists. It corrupted everything it touched, and great monsters known as Fogbeasts emerged from the wisps.
From Frodbrokna came the Fog, the ever-moving haze that could not be stopped. Those along the borders of the Fog were forced to migrate, to move in great numbers less they be consumed by the Fog and become one with it. What the Fog was, some had theories sure. None of them really mattered. The Fog would slowly push across the world and consume everything in its path.
These events are what shape the world today. Looking at things from a snapshot view in the present, in 1254 of the Imperial Standard, we are presented with a world in flux. The Imperial Civil War, Frodbrokna, and the Fog all played instrumental roles in changing the sociopolitical and economic fabrics of every single polity. Whether Aversarian, Sarradonian, or from the steppe, every person was impacted by these disasters, and every state had to contend with the decay that was now set on the world.
And so on today’s episode, our focus turns eastward, toward a land in eastern Aversaria known as Aironoi. Aironoi had once been a province of the Aversarian Empire, and was a rich and wealthy land. The civil war had depopulated it, and some parts were permanently marred. Yet, this would provide others with opportunity. There were the mass migrations of the Sjavolki, a people of the north who had fled the Fog that destroyed their homelands. They were led by a man named Cenware “Witch-Breaker,” though his story is not ours to follow today.
More indigenous than the Sjavolki were a people known as the Öltenis. These were a people of the Kolgrii steppe, located just east of Aironoi and generally considered a part of Aironoi itself, though it often escaped total domination by the Aversarians. Somehow, in the great disasters of the 13th century, the Öltenic people had survived all of these events. They were lessened in number, but they remained able to maintain their way of life, and had done so despite being surrounded by enemies over the last millenia.
And so, on today’s episode of the Nomads and Empires podcast, we will be covering the history of the Öltenic people, a nomadic steppe group defined by a cultural practice of mask wearing and a fervent drive to continue living despite the dying world.
As always, we should start by analyzing the geography that defined the Öltenic people. The core of Öltenic culture is defined by the Kolgrii steppe, sometimes known as the Öltenic steppe. It has been described as “a vast expanse of open land stretching from the Aironoian Mountains in Western Aironoi to the Kasiryat River in the far east.” The northern edge of the Kolgrii steppe is marked by the wide Brass Sea, which itself is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including barrier islands, marshlands, and estuaries. Just beyond the Brass Sea were the coastal highlands of Amaghea, and even further lay the Armazli Mountains.
Perhaps the most significant feature that influences the Kolgrii steppes actually lays beyond the Kasiryat River. Here, the Hyartan Mountains, the highest in all of Greater Aversaria, dominate, and effectively box the Öltenic people away from further eastward expansion, though that hasn’t always been successful.
Finally, word should be given for the southern reaches of the steppe. The steppe gradually transitions from grasslands to more arid and rocky terrain as one moves south. Precipitation in the south is rare, and there many chasms and canyons scattered around. The lands furthest to the south are the Redlands, a mysterious area of caverns and ravines. A whole litany of odd cults and dangerous monsters are said to reside there, and very few Öltenic riders would dare challenge such a place. And of course, once one passes the Redlands, one would be caught by the Sea of Empires, and nothing more was left except for wide ocean and, eventually Sarradon.
And with that set, let’s now take a deeper look at the Öltenic peoples.
Indeed, the term Öltenis mostly refers to the wider religious views of the steppe peoples, and there is a rather sharp diversity in terms of culture and belief. What, then, can we actually say broadly about the peoples living here?
Like other historical steppe groups, the Öltenic peoples are defined by their existence on the wide grasslands. Crucial to this form of life was the domestication of the horse. The horse enabled the Öltenic peoples wider mobility and facilitated a nomadic herding lifestyle. We can imagine that these cultures would have herded sheep, goats, cattle, and of course, horses. And by the virtue of this animal husbandry, Öltenic communities would have wandered across the plains in search of water and new pastures when old ones became depleted or when harsh winters came. The usual patterns of violence and coercion may have also moved steppe groups across the grasslands.
These steppe communities developed further into polities and organized states. We aren’t provided with much detailed information on the inner workings of these states, but we have a few points. It is known that the Öltenis organized themselves in clan structures. It is unclear if these clans were formed by an entire grouping of those with similar familial descent, that is if everyone in the clan descended from a single family or leader, or if these clans were formed by an illustrious core of interrelated members and whose other members came from subservient or vassal families, as is the model postulated by Christopher Atwood’s appendage theory of steppe organization.
Though these clans could often have substantial differences, there were some broad similarities as far as political structures are concerned. Leading the Öltenic clan was the Khatan, who held supreme authority over the clan and its warriors. A Khatan would then be served by a number of subcommanders and governors, known as the Beiy. These Beiys may control an allotted territory of pastureland that ultimately derived from the Khatan. The Beiys were further supported by a number of chieftains, though the word for such leaders is not known at this time. Though generally these leaders were male, women were known to rule, particularly if they had no brothers or were substantially powerful.
Öltenic society practiced and valued a number of similar aspects. Though there are several cultures, most Öltenic individuals spoke some form of the Vhanavid language. Culturally, many of them valued horsemanship, valued warriorship, and valued loyalty.
Perhaps the most defining feature amongst most of the Öltenic peoples comes from their religion. This faith, which gives us the very name Öltenic, is marked by several key qualities. To most individuals, whether they be Sjavolki, Aversarian, and Kashriyan, the most one may know about the Öltenis are their masks. These masks are worn in nearly all occasions, only taken off during important and intimate moments. When one does remove their mask, it is considered “a sign of pure loyalty and vulnerability.”
This particular facet, this wearing of masks, derives from an Öltenic myth. As the myth goes:
“[The] Öltenis believe that the world is divided into two spheres: the sky, realm of the benevolent father Ölgon-ten, and the earth, realm of the malevolent mother Yeru-mai. Yeru-mai once tried to slay her husband in a fit of jealousy, but was stopped by their eldest son Ölik at the cost of his life. Their second son Kalgan, covering his face at the sight, fled and swore to never build a home of earth or harvest its fruits. And from Kalgan's loins came all the peoples of the steppe.”
Building on this, another account gives us this further explanation:
“The Öltenis believe that if they leave their faces exposed for too long, jealous Yeru-mai will identify them as Kalgan's children and steal their souls away. Thus, they conceal themselves with facemasks, which they always wear when outside or in the company of others.”
As seen from this myth, the Öltenic faith and its differing sects are generally polytheistic, worshiping a number of gods and goddesses. There are other notable similarities. Most forms of Öltenism practice a kind of ancestor worship and give reverence to the deeds and legends of their predecessors. In extreme cases, such as that of the Iek Otached, this can result in an almost deification of preceding individuals. Astrology and divination also play sizable roles in the majority of Öltenic beliefs, and so the stars and the heavenly bodies have a profound influence on the Öltenic peoples. It is likely that the shattering of Aevalr during the Frodbrokna would have caused chaos or been an evil omen to the various Öltenic clans, though sadly we have no accounts as to what people actually associated this event with. It, surely, must have been traumatic.
Beyond the heavens, there were several physical sites that were of significance to the Öltenic steppe groups. In the southern grasslands, near the Janav River, lies the grave site of Baytor. Baytor was a grandson of the great warlord Otached. Baytor was a Khatan of the Otached Empire, and had led his horde in a war against the Astilik Empire in western Aironoi. Baytor would perish in the Battle of the Wall of Astila, with legends stating that his body would flow along the Janav River until it reached its current resting spot. Since then, it has become a pilgrimage site.
An even more important location lies deep in the center of the Kolgrii steppe. Here, a vast tower rises up into the air. Like its siblings in Sarradon and in the Sea of Empires, it is a mysterious monument from a far bygone era. It is said to have magical properties and is held to be sacred by the Öltenis. According to them, “the tower is a physical connection between their two gods, Olgon-ten and Yeru-mai. To guard the tower is seen as a high honor for the Ölteni, and a rite of passage amongst the young.”
Of course, as we’ve hinted at throughout this episode, the Öltenic peoples are not a single, wholly united entity. Though there have been epochs of unity and cohesion, the steppe communities have always contained a blanket of diversity. Across the Kolgrii steppes are different cultures and religious nuances, and that is something we should explore as well.
As of 1254, the Öltenic peoples are separated into a number of known culture groups. These consist of names such as the Kuridorig, the Muhadam’d, the Mur’ar’ut, the Jaarvad, and the Khorinot. Given the nature of the steppe, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact geographic divides of these different cultures. The Kuridorig, for instance, can be found in both the eastern end of the steppe and near the western border with Aironoi. Various Mur’ar’ut communities exist just south of the Brass Sea but also not too far from the coasts of the Sea of Empires. The historical trajectory of the Öltenis lends to this, surely, as the various migration movements across the ages would have resulted in a mosaic of different population centers all along the steppe. As such, we should not consider these cultures as stagnant entities that never change. Rather, there would have been a variance in this, that peoples intermingled and identities would have shifted.
Of course, cultural differences were there. The Khorinot are defined by a strong sense of loyalty that appears unparalleled when compared to other Öltenic groups. The Muhadam’d value justice and modesty, and are known to be quite zealous. Then, there were the Mur’ar’ut who had a deep oral tradition, and were renowned as poets and storytellers.
Differences could also be found in religion, as the Öltenic faith would find itself splintered by different sects and nuances. These various faiths generally maintained the core ideas of Öltenism, but could also vary rather wildly. Some, such as the Iek Otached, were conservative. The Iek Otached remains mostly in alignment with Öltenism, though special reverence is given to the historical warlord Otached. Indeed, this reverence would lead to the apotheosis of Otached into one of the Öltenic gods.
The Araaymörög and Ēboheph-Ölgon sects differ in deities as well. Adherents of the Araaymörög faith, sometimes described as “Air Worship,” believe that the wind contains a sort of spirituality or holiness. To them, wind is a direct consequence of gods interacting with the world, and as a result, these individuals will use wind movements, rather than celestial bodies, in their divination. Those of the Ēboheph-Ölgon faith believe in a number of “spirits and fire-gods,” and have a mythology that is both similar and rather distinct from the more orthodox Öltenic faith. This faith is rather interesting and I will cite a small passage describing its myths in greater detail:
“The god Arlikhaan was slain by the jealous goddess Aru-men, who desired to usurp the throne of Ēboheph-Ölgon. As he descended to Aeras, however, Arlikhaan fought Aru-men and her five thousand demon-spirits, subduing them and banishing her to the Mountain of Pain. Due to this Ēbohephai [adherents of this faith] do not hate the land; instead, considering it sacred, and burying their people in a type of burial mound known as Kurgans. They give worship to Arlikhaan and his five-thousand demon-spirits and one hundred fire gods. His brother, Kogonhay, was given dominion of all under the sky and from him issued forth the race of man.”
Other faiths developed differences because of their proximity to outside powers and peoples. Most notably is the sect of Chakkari, which is actually found rather far from the steppe. Found more so in Kashriya, this splinter of Öltenism is a syncretic faith that combines Öltenic beliefs, worship of the warlord Otached, and Kashriyan deities and philosophy into a single religion.
Here, we can make an important segue. The Öltenic peoples have always existed in an area between other lands. Aversaria, Kathun-Kai, and Kashriya have all played an important role in influencing Öltenic beliefs, practices, and culture. The inverse is equally true, and in many ways, the inhabitants of the Öltenic steppe were key in shaping the history of the known world. And so, now that we’ve analyzed the cultures and religious makeup of the steppe, let us examine their history and their impact on the wider world.
The earliest days of the Kolgrii steppe were marked by proto-Öltenic peoples. These were probably a smattering of different steppe cultures that melded together into the modern Öltenic groups. We don’t have much information to go on about this ancient period of time, but records indicate that even in this long-distant past, the steppe communities here were at odds with the neighboring state of Kathun-Kai. Nomadic warbands, especially from the northeastern area of the steppe, often raided the borders of Kathun-Kai. These warbands then would push further and further into the state, likely driven by further opportunities for wealth and tribute. Eventually, these warbands would push so far into Kathun-Kai that they would become vulnerable to an imperial army or a mercenary band, and in most cases, these nomadic packs would be destroyed or routed. This pattern of raiding, continued push, and then destruction by Kathun-Kai appears to have been a regular one, as evidenced by Öltenic oral traditions and the meticulous records from Kathun-Kai itself.
As conflict between the steppe and Kathun-Kai intensified, powerful leaders would emerge to disrupt this pattern. Such leaders were able to unite the various steppe communities into a single force. From there, they would assail Kathun-Kai directly, striking at the heartland of the empire. In most cases, the emperors of Kathun-Kai would be successful in driving out the nomads, and very energetic rulers would attempt to subdue the steppe by building border forts on the Kolgrii steppe directly.
And so for many generations, the steppe and Kathun-Kai maintained this tense, back-and-forth type of relationship. It is likely that in this time, the proto-Öltenic peoples also engaged in raids and military expeditions toward their other neighbors as well, such as communities living in the southern coasts or further westward in Aironoi proper.
Though we have few specific accounts from this era, one of the most famous proto-Öltenic figures would be that of Oarachad. Oarachad was a steppe leader who had long-since participated in the conflict between Kathun-Kai and the proto-Öltenic peoples. We don’t have much to go on about Oarachad specifically, but we can deduce that during this period, Oarachad would have participated in a number of raids and border skirmishes with Kathun armies and auxiliaries.
The saga of Oarachad would take place around thirty years prior to the more infamous campaign known as the Khayar Seldnii Darn led by Otached. And yet, it would be Oarachad who would lay the foundations for Otached to follow. And so, during the reign of the Kathun emperor Xu Yaon-Xu Wu, Oarachad would invade Kathun-Kai with around a thousand warriors. Although many preceding steppe invasions would see some success followed by utter defeat, Oarachad was different. As his forces pushed further and further into Kathun territory, more and more steppe warriors would join.
A tipping point occurred when Oarachad successfully defeated the governor of the state of Iayan, a man named Mai Wan. It is said that once this defeat occurred, the Kathuni military collapsed, and Oarachad and his forces would capture many of the states along Gayhan Road. The Gayhan Road was the main trade artery of Kathun-Kai, and its disruption directly threatened the deeper heartland of the empire. And due to this capture, Oarachad’s military expedition is often dubbed as the Gayhan Campaign.
The Gayhan Campaign would be a significant moment for the histories of the steppe and of Kathun-Kai. In an unprecedented move, Oarachad and his warriors were able to march deeper into Kathun territory, and with the capture of the Gayhan Road, the way was now open to the empire’s capital: Loen Chaeon. Attacks on Loen Chaeon are rare, and are considered a grave insult according to Kathuni records. As it is said”
“Emperor Xu Yaon-Xu Wu, whom had been too afeared of the increasingly infamous Oarachad, was finally stirred to action when he realized he was able to spot the camping Öltenic horde from his capital… This was a grievous and humiliating insult to the Emperor, [as] Kathuni tradition says only those of pure spirit and blood who properly supplicated before the Emperor’s representatives could even view the beautiful city.”
The sheer fact that a, according to their eyes, “barbarian horde” had approached their glorious capital meant that Emperor Xu Yaon-Xu Wu had failed in his duties. Suddenly, the emperor was beset by internal dissent, and a coup appeared to be on the horizon. In response, the emperor quickly mobilized his personal forces, something that had never been done during Xu Yaon-Xu Wu’s reign, and soon, Kathuni armies clashed with the invading steppe riders. Though we have few details on what exactly occurred, it likely would have been a titanic battle, and in the end, Oarachad was slain and his horde was sundered.
The consequences of the Gayhan Campaign would be numerous. For Kathun-Kai, the war would destabilize the empire immensely and greatly delegitimize the reign of Xu Yaon-Xu Wu. In short time, Kathun-Kai would experience a great famine, and then face even greater disaster in the form of a great revolt known as the Qinianxa Panulan, or the “Thousand Summer Rebellion.”
The reverberations of Oarachad’s actions were perhaps even greater on the steppes. For the first time in the centuries-long war with Kathun-Kai, the steppe nomads had succeeded in striking deep into the empire’s heart. The various clans and polities of the grasslands had united and become a force unimaginably strong. Now, there was a framework and legacy that could be channeled and turn the peoples of the Kolgrii steppes into something more . All it would take would be another leader, someone equally as powerful and charismatic as Oarachad. Or perhaps someone even greater
And so came the rise of Otached, and with him, the consolidation of the modern Öltenic identity.
The early history of Otached is unknown. What we can guess is that he almost certainly came from the Kolgrii steppe and likely descended from one of the noble clans. He may have been alive for the Gayhan Campaign, or at least had relatives who had been associated with it; either way, the feats of Oarachad were in living memory still, and may have had an influence on Otached.
What we do know is that Otached would become a prominent steppe leader, and his charisma and prowess became notable. He was able to amass a great following, and would eventually form the largest army ever possessed by an Öltenic Khatan. Perhaps the most notable characteristic of Otached was his weapon, the legendary sword Iorne Seld.
Let us take a moment to explore this mystical blade. Iorne Seld, or the “Sword of Eons” in the Öltenic tongue, is a sword that has had a long history on the steppe. According to Öltenic legends, the sword was once owned by the first human Ölik, who himself was the son of the great sky-father Ölgon-ten. It is unknown what happened to the blade after Ölik was killed by his mother Yeru-Mai, but eventually, so the stories go, it would end up in a different realm or universe. Otached would rediscover the sword, but only after he had slain a dragon and found a portal in the dragon’s mouth. That portal would take him to the resting place of Iorne Seld. Clearly, destiny was on Otached’s side.
There remain rather interesting debates about Iorne Seld. Aversarian scholars have long argued whether or not the blade even existed. Similar debates have occurred over the function of Iorne Seld in Otached’s rule, whether it truly was a magical blade or if it was a useful construction to create a sense of prestige and legitimacy for Otached. Iorne Seld, sadly, is now lost to time, and so these debates may never be solved. But, we’ll get there in a bit.
For now, let us turn back to Otached, now armed with Iorne Seld. With this blade, Otached would be able to amass a great following, and as has always seemingly been tradition, Otached would now turn his attention toward Kathun-Kai and retrace the steps of his predecessor Oarachad. Thirty years after Oarachad’s demise, Otached would lead an army across the frontiers, striking at Kathun-Kai’s border forts, and crossing into imperial territory. Thus began the Khayyar Seldnii Darn, or the “War of Two Swords.”
The Khayyar Seldnii Darn would become one of the most devastating wars of its day. The Öltenic army defeated many of the Kathuni border forts and then began a meticulous campaign in the Kathuni state of Cheyyungjei. Though outnumbered three-to-one, Otached would successfully sack the capital of this province, Hao’jan.
Yet, we should remember that this war was known as the “War of Two Swords,” and while Otached and Iorne Seld were ravaging the lands of Cheyyungjei, another hero with another great sword was readying a counterattack. Xaoi Yaung Zayang, one of the greatest leaders and warriors in Kathun-Kai at the time. Zayang bore the blade known as Eyong Faeng, or the “Whispering Wind.”
It is said that Zayang’s brother had perished in the sack of Hao’jan, and so motivated by vengeance, Zayang headed to the imperial court. There, he requested permission from the emperor to lead a force against Otached and his invasion force. Emperor Xu Giang-Xu Yaon agreed, and sent with Zayang three of his personal armies, as well as a company of magi. Zayang’s army was further bolstered by militia forces from four other provinces, and soon, the Kathun-Kai counterforce marched toward the land of Kayarang, a hilly place in Cheyyungjei.
And at Kayarang, Xaoi Yaung Zayang and his Kathuni forces met with Khatan Otached and his Öltenic horde. The land was hilly, and both sides possessed an unprecedented number of soldiers and weapons. The Kathuni army contained at least 100,000 men if the records are to be believed. And both sides were guided by their legendary blades: Iron Seld and Eyong Faeng. The Sword of Eons and the Whispering Wind.
Zayang first hoped to take advantage of elevation. He secured himself on the hills of Kayarang, and then ordered one of his generals to engage the Öltenic army. After a period of fighting, the general would then retreat and bring Otached’s forces into Kayarang: a feint retreat. Such a tactic proved to be successful, with the Öltenic army taking the bait and chasing down the Kathun force. Zayang took his chance and ambushed Otached and his men.
The immense numbers and great animosity between the two forces would have meant that the battle was chaotic and frenzied. It appears that Zayang and his army had a tactical advantage, being entrenched on uphill territory and having the element of surprise. But, battles have a way of giving way to even greater confusion, and whether by chance or by fate, it is believed that Khatan Otached and Xaoi Yaung Zayang found themselves facing one another in direct combat.
The two great swords swung at each other. Metal crashed with metal. And then the province was destroyed. According to legends, once the blades connected with each other, a powerful explosion erupted. The blast radius was so large that it devastated the entirety of the Cheyyungjei state. Of the hundreds of thousands of participants, only a few hundred had survived the battle. Miraculously, Zayang and Otached had lived, and the remnant forces quickly retreated away from the ruined lands of Cheyyungjei.
Zayang and his sword would soon disappear from the annals of history. Folk tales believe that Zayang resigned from the emperor’s service in shame and began a wandering life as a sellsword. The legacy of Eyong Faeng has been felt even as far north as Chevalie, and perhaps Zayang’s wanderings took him across many lands in Aeras, though that is just speculation.
As for Otached, this defeat was only the beginning of his legacy. Tales of the Khayyar Seldnii Darn, tales of the great duel with Zayang, and tales of the destruction of Kathun-Kai’s forces quickly spread across the steppe. Though many steppe clans had participated in the Khayyar Seldnii Darn, there still remained some disunity in the land. But now, with his prestige even greater than before, Otached would soon embark on a grand project: the true unification of the Öltenic peoples.
In the early fourth century of the Imperial Standard, Otached would use diplomacy, guile, and strength to turn the divided Öltenic steppe into a single, unified polity. The actual process of unification remains unclear to this day, but many clans had participated in the Khayyar Seldnii Darn, and many knew of the prowess Otached possessed. Furthermore, these clans likely lost a large number of able-fighting men in the Battle of Kayarang. Perhaps there was little choice but to unite and band together, for if they were divided and heavily depleted of manpower, outside forces could descend upon the steppes.
This new, unified state would be known as the Iorne Horde, named after the sword Iorne Seld. And now, with both Iorne Seld and the Iorne Horde, Otached would once more embark in a campaign of conquest. This time, he would not target Kathun-Kai. There are several accounts for why. Some scholars believe that Otached realized his forces could not sustain another major campaign there; more apologetic narratives state that Otached was bored of fighting the Kathunis. In either case, the end result would be the same: Otached would unleash the Iorne Horde south, into the lands of Kashriya.
The Khayyar Seldnii Darn would be somewhat influential, but mostly in matters of legend and myth. The invasion of Kashriya would be influential on history as a whole. In quick succession, the Öltenic armies succeeded in destroying most if not all of the Kashriyan kingdoms. Once the region had been subdued, Otached enacted radical policies that changed the patterns and trajectory of Öltenic society.
Otached would declare the formation of an empire. Dubbed by historians as the Otachedian Empire, it consisted of the entire Kolgrii steppe, the lands of Kashriya, and the modern Pirate Coast. In another departure, Otached would declare himself a descendent of Ölik, the first man, and the Khaager-Khatan, the “Godlike Emperor.”
To better facilitate his rule, Otached would develop political systems based on preexisting Kashriyan ones. He led a number of reforms and religious policies that weakened the Varodaist priesthood. Indeed, Otached was willing to embrace Kashriyan culture, technology, and philosophy, and so the region became a melting pot of Kashriyan and Öltenic ideas.
This melting pot concept extends beyond just ideas. The conquest meant that thousands of Öltenic peoples migrated into Kashriya, and in many cases, this was permanent. Even today, there are remnant Öltenic states in the land, practicing either some form of the Öltenic faith or maintaining aspects of that culture. It is possible that a large number of Kashriyan individuals have some amount of Öltenic ancestry. Otached himself is still revered in the region, known as the Chakkara-Khaitain. Many of the law codes in the area are based off of Otached’s legal codex, the Otachedian Law, and a number of religious sects contain influences that are directly traced to the Otachedian Empire, such as the beliefs of Vidvaookeyatra.
It is interesting to consider this sizable influence of Otached when we contextualize it with his life. You see, Otached would not live long after the formation of this empire. He would pass away only a few years into his rule, as he was planning a campaign into Aironoi.
The throne would pass to Otached’s son Ayran, who became the Kagakhatan of the Otachedian Empire. There are few details about Ayran’s rule. We are told that he was a great and capable ruler, dubbed as one of the “Four Great Rulers” by the Kashriyans. Under his reign, he further developed Otachedian policies, established a new currency for the empire, and continued his father’s clashes with the Kashriyan religious establishment. He was also known to have established around twenty new cities.
More consequential would be Ayran’s son and Otached’s grandson, Baytor. Baytor was very much unlike his father and grandfather. Signs of weakness came early into his reign, as Baytor was faced by a civil war known as “the War of the Five Brothers.” Eventually, Baytor would find success, and he would kill two of his brothers, exile another, and “[turn] his elder brother, Mogha, into his bondsman.” Though this war was short-lived and was not rather destructive, it was the first direct assault on Otachedian authority, and soon, many other rival family members and clans began to conspire and threaten Baytor even more.
To recement his legacy and his rule, Baytor decided upon an expedition toward Aironoi, then ruled by the Astilik Empire. Known as the Bayyuralar, or the “Western Journey,” this Öltenic invasion would be among the largest since the days of Otached and Oarachad. Historians note that the Öltenic armies were “well-supplied, trained, and spirited for a new war. Morale was… exceptional, as the generation that marched west believed they were given a chance to earn the glory of their grandfathers, something their own fathers were unable to achieve.” Crucially, it should be noted that Baytor rode forth with only Öltenic forces, eschewing support from his Kashriyan vassals.
Initially Baytor and his armies found great successes in Aironoi. They were able to raid and destroy a number of settlements, and soon found themselves deep into Astilik territory. However, a disastrous situation was unfolding. One of Baytor’s vassals, Korasakai Khatan had found himself and his forces surrounded by Astilik soldiers. With a brook preventing them from easy escape, the Öltenic forces were trapped and needing relief. Upon finding out about the situation, Baytor made the fateful decision to rush toward Korasakai’s aid.
In a place known as the Wall of Astila, tragedy struck. As Baytor and his forces forded the brook to save Korasakai’s men, Baytor’s horse betrayed him. The horse had lost its footing, and it threw off Baytor. Baytor descended into the waters. He either died instantly, having slammed his head into a rock, or he would drown due to being weighed down by his armor. In either case, Baytor would lose his life there. The great sword Iorne Seld would disappear with him into the waters.
Immediately, the Öltenic army descended into chaos as their Khatan descended into the waters. Somehow, Baytor’s brother Mogha, and Baytor’s Khaiasheg Ögotei Tankhatan managed to rally the Öltenic army to at least save Korasakai Khatan. The Öltenic army moved forward, forded the brook, and united with Korasakai’s troops. There, they conducted a battle with the Astilik Empire, and though they would eventually be defeated and forced back across the brook, they had managed to save Korasakai.
The death of Baytor meant the death of the Otachedian Empire. The fraying sinews came apart completely, and there was little concentrated effort to fight in Aironoi. That didn’t mean fighting ended. The Bayyuralar had mobilized many clans toward Aironoi, and these clans were not yet done with their wars of conquests. Now though, they would act as independent and competing bands, and so, we arrive at a new epoch in Öltenic history: the Aironoian Migration.
This period would be marked by the continued invasion of Aironoi by these different Öltenic clans. Chief among these was the saved Korasakai Khatan, who had become disabled in the fighting at the Wall of Astila . Soon after, Korasakai and other independent Khatans succeeded in carving their own realms in Aironoi, though scholars note that many of these states would become destroyed within a generation.
By the end of this period, probably around the 5th century of the Imperial Standard, the Öltenic peoples had greatly influenced the world stage. From Aironoi to Kashriya and Kathun-Kai, they had influenced political, religious, and military policies for generations to come. The devastation wrought by Otached meant that the great wars between Kathun-Kai and the Öltenic steppe subsided, becoming little more than occasional border raids and skirmishes. In Kashriya, the Otachedian Empire had a direct impact on political and religious society, and even today, there are Öltenic peoples residing in that land. In Aironoi, the great migration of Öltenic riders placed them in proximity to the Aversarian Empire, and we can imagine that Öltenic auxiliaries would be used by various Autokrators and Imperial Legates.
Today, a period of around 800 years later, the steppe is both radically changed and perhaps quite familiar. Of course, the elephant in the room is Frodbrokna. This single event changed history everywhere, and indeed, Öltenic society has almost certainly changed and become traumatized. From the destruction of Aevalr to the mass deaths each clan likely experienced, nothing would be the same.
Indeed, many of the neighbors of the steppe have radically changed. In western Aironoi, the collapse of the empire and the utter devastation of Opakhasia would allow the Sjavolki to enter these lands. Some imperial forces remain, such as a stronghold in the far western end of the region, but these forces are much smaller and weaker than what had existed prior. Kashriya is also quite divided, split among a number of kingdoms and petty realms.
The steppes would have also changed dramatically, though our sources speak little about the current situation. Yet, there have also, remarkably, remained some consistencies. The land remains divided between different clan leaders, such as the Kirkh, the Orduk, and the Takhaids. The horse remains central, the stars remain divine, and all of them remain fearful of Yeru-mai, wearing their stone masks less the angry goddess steals one of the Öltenis.
And perhaps even still, there remains the possibility, especially in this new and dying world, of another great leader rising up, uniting the steppes, and taking the Öltenic people into a single direction, to carve a great empire that would last until the world’s utter destruction. Though great enemies, powerful magi, and the Fog loom, it would only take a single charismatic individual to unleash a will of force culminating in the hooves of the Öltenis.
So yeah, breaking out of character, I wanted to shout out this great mod. Godherja is a fantastic world with such a unique setting. I’ve really fallen in love with the lore, and have put way more hours into this than even vanilla Crusader Kings 3 I think. I would definitely recommend giving this a try if you haven’t, and if you haven’t played Crusader Kings 3 and are a history fan, you should definitely do so. I’ll leave links to the mod and its lore documents in the show notes below!
And, with that all said, thank you all for listening to this special and long episode of the Nomads and Empires podcast. Next time, we’ll revisit the Scythians and explore the interactions of the Greek world, their colonies, and the Scythian riders. Thanks again, and see you all next time on the windy plains of the Öltenic steppe.
Music