The Castanite Exodus (666 - 639 BA) was a migration of slaves known as the Castanite peoples out of Sarhal and into Cannor, ending with the founding of the Empire of Castanor under Castan the Progenitor, their eventual leader.
The Exodus[]
The Exodus began during the Razing of Kheterat, where a gnoll pack ravaged the city, slew Elikhet, and proceeded to sacrifice the population of the city in an infernal ritual which led to the birth of the First Xhazobine. Slaves in the surrounding manses began to flee, some raiding their master's armories or pillaging farmland for supplies and tools. These bands of slaves would soon organize into tribes based on origin or heritage, and coalesced in Korashesh. There, the leaders of each tribe met and became the Council of Elders. One of these elders was Humac, who's son, Castan, was born around this time, though possibly even earlier in Kheterat.
The Castanites then proceeded to head east, entering the Salahad Desert. They moved along the coast, taking supplies from coastal settlements before crossing over into Bulwar from a now non-existent land bridge. Once there, they moved north to the city of Brasan, which was being attacked by a gnoll pack. Humac led the Castanites in a coalition against the gnolls, ultimately routing them. Then, Humac freed the slaves of Brasan, and invited many across Bulwar to join them on their trek northwards. As they crossed into the Kuza mountains, their numbers swelled, fighting harpies, gnolls, and various raiders hoping to enslave them. Soon, they reached Ovdal Tûngr, where the dwarves gave them aid in the form of supplies and directions. After which, they entered Ourdia.
There, the Castanites would settle a hill and make friends with the local Arudanics. In 650 BA, the First Xhazobine would come to Ourdia, seeking the Castanites to sacrifice in her name, leading the battle of Burning Hill. Humac's son Castan invoked victory by summoning a silver dragon, the Avatar of Castellos, against the Gnoll Great Xhaz, giving its unholy leader, the Xhazobine, her epithet: the Flamemarked. After the battle, the Castanites fled into the Deepwoods in an attempt to lose the Xhazobine's host but eventually became lost within the cursed wood for 10 years in a period known as The Lost Years during which Castan established himself as the leader of his people. During their time they saw the same silver dragon flying north which Castan saw as a sign of the way to freedom, which later led the peoples to meet a mysterious stranger known as The Wayguide near Southmount.
The Wayguide eventually became Castan's trusted advisor and encouraged Castan to seek out a new home "under the eye of the north twin". Castan led his peoples to settle in modern-day Castonath whilst he and The Wayguide ventured onwards up Southmount's northern twin: Trialmount to meet with the Silver Dragon of Castanor. During the year that Castan was away some of his followers lost hope and abandoned the camp, becoming The Misguided, but after exactly a year Castan returned with proclamations from the revelations he had gleaned from the Trialmount, alone. When asked, Castan would not answer where The Wayguide went.
Proclamations of Castan[]
"Henceforth all those that have followed and endured with me shall be known as MY people: Castanites - and our realm's successors will be of your blood and your blood alone"
"Our divine duty has been revealed: to protect the land from beastly acts, barbarism, and evil"Analysis
As a portion of the First Pantheonic Council in 600 BA the meaning behind Castan's proclamations was determined by the leading scholars of the time:
Is interpreted that all rulers of Castanor must bear the royal name of Castan
Is interpreted that only those descending from Old Castanorian blood can rule, meaning that only those who share the blood of the original Castanites can become Castan.
Is interpreted as the common goal and role of Castan's Empire: to become the lawful and civilizing force in the world.