Corundy

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Locator Map showing the Corundian Peninsula in relationship to the Greater Pallathantic

The name of the greatest peninsula of the eastern Pallathantic that stretches from the Asdaurian mainland, chiefly Throvy, westwards into the sea. The name derives from the Yophenthean word for córondë, 'king, ruler.' Corundy was one of the successor-kingdoms of the Yophenthean Empire. Corundy has a rich history of princes, heroes, and artistic treasures. Corundy is heir to the ancient civilization of Kalama, one of several Great Flood Survivor Cultures. The intervening Midretassene Civilization transmitted and transformed much of this ancient culture to modern-day Corundy. Modern Corundy is completely liberated from the former rule of the Gorcorumbese Empire and the Kalikán Empire. Prior to Yophenthean settlement of the peninsula , the land was named Midretasso and, before that, Kshandiguh which means land of the golden bull.

Map of Modern Corundy with dragonrail routes

The terms Aracorundy today and Old Corundy formerly mean the western and southern portion of Corundy that have a strong prevalence of Arathracian culture due to the colonization during the Yophenthean Empire. The Arathracian Church, Nobility and Churchmen with Erechórebese Ancestry, and Yophenthean Law are predominant. These terms became necessary after the name 'Corundy' began to be applied to the entire peninsula in the Erechórebese Language. In other languages, different terms are often preferred.


Cultural Regions

Corundy is divided into five cultural regions: Aracorundy (also called Aracusian), Jathya-Dhumi Highlands, Tassan Highlands, Thuvaki Coasts, and Ferruvicarese.


History

Corundy is a peninsula that juts from the western edge of Asdauria into the sea. To the north is the Pallathantic Sea and to the south is the Memnosian Sea. The account of Aturyanda or the Aturyandakumi reports that over twelve thousand years ago, King Aturyanda of antediluvian Kathyasundi escaped the ravages of the Great Flood with his followers in the highlands of what is modern Corundy. After the waters receded, he gathered survivors and formed the seeds of the Great Flood Survivor Culture of Kalama. Millennia later, immigrating Midringir Tribes overtook the decaying Kalaman Civilization and built up Midretasso with its capital in Cetibrymio. During the centuries of the Midretassene Empire, the myth of the hero Addan and of the numinous god Vimal became steeped in hearts of the people. This empire expanded and conquered the Ithatian Islands and what is now modern-day Dúrandwor, but was in turn conquered by the Yophenthean Empire.

Hills of Corundy

Kalaman Period

The Kalaman Period is the earliest and the longest period. It dates back to at least 6000 AS and according to legend to the Flood of Aturyanda. Due to its vast extent, it is properly divided into its own periods. Core components of Kalaman Civilization endure today in the cultures of the Vimalian Plateau and the Tassan Highlands in contrast to the Yophenthean-based civilization of southern and western Corundy. The ancient Kalaman name for the peninsula is Kshandiguh.

Midretassene Period

Yophenthean Period

Corundian Period

Often called the Corundian Period, the rule of the Yophenthean Successor State of Corundy is also the origin of the modern name Corundy.

Golden Age of Sky

Corundy and environs around 1500 AI, during the Golden Age of Sky

Middle Ages of Chaos

Isbajutha

Gorcorumbese Dominion

City-States

Corundy was ruled by several autonomous jurisdictions which did not form any central government until 2747 when the League of Corundy was formed. This period began after the liberation of the peninsula from Gorcorumbese Rule in the Fifth Geddamin War thanks to the military of Aurice and Johaulia. The League of Corundy is a supra-national organization that some see as a step towards federal unification of the peninsula.

League of Corundy

The League of Corundy is a supranational treaty organization established in 2747 to protect Corundy and facilitate trade and common economic interests among member states in the peninsula. The Noble Republic of Aurice most notably does not belong to the organization.

Present Times

Eastern Corundy is subject to the Aurician Empire and the League of Corundy expresses the growing desire for solidarity and independence in the peninsula. According to advocates of the League, Aurice has refrained from gobbling up the states of Corundy so as not to appear tyrannical like Gorcorumb and prefers to manipulate rulers and people behind the scenes. Many detractors see Johaulia as a puppet-state of Aurice, though many Johaulians deeply resent statements to this effect.

Climate and Asdarography

a digital depiction of the Tassan Highlands

The climate of Corundy is warm, sometimes very warm in the summer until monsoons from the Memnosian Sea temper the heat in late summer. It is cool and rainy in the winter when cold storms of rain drift in from the north. Cypress trees, Stone Pines, olives, and vineyards dot the rural hills of Corundy. Corundian wines compete for prestige with those of Ithatia, Ebinóë, Throvy, and Glaye. Olive orchards produce oil shipped around the world. Riots of hills and small mountains flow from the south through the land to the north. Central Corundy is hilly plateau, held up by the Thugad and Damisatta Mountains. In this region sits Lake Vimala, the purview of the numinous god Vimal whose fame persists from Midretassene times. Cities and towns down the coasts of this deep lake that drains over great cataracts by the city of Johaulia into the Pallathantic Sea.

Fauna and Flora

Corundy is known for hilly woodlands, covered with Bimbhari and Jahshput trees. Gardens often have Tiskara and Muncha trees.

Some notable creatures of Corundy include: the spotted leopard, tree Lynx, hill sloth, forest boar, speckled bear, tree frog, forest goanna, turquoise salamander, rat, mouse, winged squirrel, magpie, finch, hawk, raven, rook, crow, bluejay, cobra, snail, elven butterfly (known for its translucent green wings), chameleon, wood owl.

States

Corundian politics is informed by the liberation of Corundy from Gorcorumbese Rule in the very late twenty sixth century and by the historic division of Arathracians in southern and western Corundy who speak a Yophenthean-based language, the Jathya-Dhumi people of central Corundy, the Kushiri and the Jaithans, and the Tassan people of the Tassan Highlands who speak Tassan and retain many cultural practices from ancient Midretasso, including the Kalaman Civilization that predates it.

Corundy is not a single state. The Aurician Empire and the Republic of Johaulia are the two most preeminent political powers. The remaining peninsula is divided among twelve city-states.

Map of the City-States of Corundy and Aurice's Eastern Provinces of Zamir

Archpatriarchy of Airdemainy

Archpatriarchy of Numiria

Republic of Johaulia

The Republic of Johaulia on the Tassan Highlands and in the valley of Vimal is widely seen as the most prestigious state in Corundy. Johaulia is regarded as the cultural guardian of Midretassene and Kalaman civilizations. The city of Johaulia is sometimes viewed as the art capital of the Pallathantic. The name Johaulia can be used interchangeably for the capital city or the entire state of the Republic of Johaulia. There is a strong movement for the name of the Republic of Johaulia to be changed to the Republic of Vimalia to reflect better its Jaithan heritage.

Free Republic of Rhiony

Aurician Influence in Corundy

The two provinces of Zamir belong to the Aurician Empire. Aurice wields considerable influence among the states of Corundy due to its political size and economic influence. Aurice liberated Corundy from the Gorcorumbese Empire of the Ephysgæes as a consequence of the Fifth Geddamin War and gained much prestige in the peninsula. Aurice vowed to protect Corundy from encroachment of the Geddamin through the 27th century (2600's). The Empire of Magdala and the Republic of Ithatia have expressed discontent with Aurice's seeming economic domination of Corundy. Aurice uses its economic clout to benefit its trade in Corundy and to benefit Auricia corpora mercia. Ithatia sometimes calls for Aurice to respect the sovereignty of the city-states of Corundy. As Gorcorumb has continued its decline, the need for Aurician protection has become irrelevant in the eyes of some leaders.

The Republic of Johaulia in the Tassan Highlands holds much prestige and often functions in cooperation with Aurice in matters of foreign policy. This strengthens Aurice's hand and is seen by some as political compromise on the part of Johaulia. The Republic of Johaulia is widely viewed as an artistic haven and not well-founded for the nature of foreign policy. The Throvian language is related to the Tassan language giving some substance to a cultural tie.

Some Aurician magistrates called for a unified Corundy, but there was much disagreement until the the League of Corundy.

Corundian Coast

The Corundian Coast is the western and southern portion of Corundy where the historic Corundian Language predominates and includes the city-states of Omflune, Estyo Rhe, Cerdebune, Strubia, Numire, Desthor, Airdemain, Tiomaire, Smiago, Bantheffrey, and Brandolphi. These city-states arose in the disorder that followed the defeat of Zantvika Queen of Johaulia in the Isbajath of the Penitents and the collapse of the rule of Prince Ulcanov of the Shattered Waters who was her liege lord. The cities became subject to the dominion of Medibgö and then the New Kalikán Empire in the 26th century (2500's). They are fiercely independent of each other and of Johaulia, but acknowledge Johaulia as a more neutral party than each other. Their citizens often label their rulers and magistrates as Pro-Aurician or Anti-Aurician, though in practice, few are purely either one. Aurician Corpora Mercia and financiers wield immense influence.

Languages of Corundy

Map of the Languages of Corundy

Corundy is home to several languages and cultures, none of which is dominant. Jaithan and Corundian are the most prestigious. Kushiri, Tassan, Ithatian, Throvian, and Ferruvicarese fill out the balance of spoken languages.

Economy

Map of Ancient Trade Routes, including Corundy and Sahimb

Corundy is well-placed for trade and commerce. Despite its rolling hills that may dampen land transport, its many vibrant sea ports have commerce with the nations of the Pallathantic-Memnosian Seas. Corundy is seated along with Throvy on the western end of the lucrative caravan routes through Asdauria to Sungo and elsewhere in the far east. The map of trade routes shown here uses blue for sea and river routes and red for land routes. Sky routes are reserved for light cargo with high commercial value as sky vessels, even modern titancraft air vessels, do not have the capacity to warrant the expense of common freight. The map shows the central importance of Corundy in Pallathantic Trade with the far east and Zephasia to the south. Dragonrail serves most of the coasts and traverses the continent from north to south with passenger and cargo transportation.

Corundy produces or provides world-famous wines, timber, fish, fine craft goods, textiles, masterful works of art, cheeses, grain crops, citrus fruit, among others.

Flags of the States of Corundy

Archpatriarchy of Tiomairy

The sixteen pointed Arathracian sun is depicted on a quartered field of blue and earth red, representing the the Arathracian Religion amid the fortunes of earth and sky.

Noble Republic of Aurice

The provinces of Zamiria are subject to Aurice. Throvian is spoken widely in the coast towns and cities while Tassan is spoken in the hills and plateau. This area was historically under the rule of the Thracian Viceroy of Aurice during the late New Kalikán Empire. There have been many movements and attempts to bring the two provinces into greater autonomy or complete independence. Aurice does not require the locals to speak Throvian and all matters of local government are conducted in Tassan, except in some of the cities of the coast where Throvian is customary language. There is a growing independence movement for both provinces of Zamiria and a desire for membership in the League of Corundy.

Republic of Johaulia

The four-petaled golden flower of Johaulia rests on a berry-colored field and represents the aspirations of the Tassan people of Johaulia.

Humanlikes

Humanlikes are very rare in Corundy compared to humans. Virtually all Gorcorumbese Giants who were not expelled after the Fifth Geddamin War left for fear of reprisals from the human populace. Uhlaks, Centaurs, Adamantine and Gorcorumbese giants, and halflings are seen as visitors, usually as tourists or conducting trade or diplomacy. During the Kalaman period, legends of elves inhabiting the western woodlands abounded. There have been no independently confirmed sightings of elves in the present and even legends say the elves disappeared many, many millennia ago. Other woodland creatures such as satyrs and nymphs continue to be reported by farmers and hunters, but remain on the outskirts of civilization and highly dubious. Gishaks and Quirth hold very small communities in the woods and in the wilder extents of the coastline.

Religions

The gods of the Jathya-Dhumi Pantheon are worshiped in Vimalia and in Rhiony, Arathracianism especially in the south and the west, and Incarnandism. Notable religious minorities include Paimbalans and Imzaami.

See Also