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2500’s Khonshu had lost much of it’s fleet to skirmishes and it’s realm of influence dwindled, allowing other powers to grow across the globe. By modern times the Khonshu naval kingdom had ceased to be, and they are simply a supplicant to the Scyzantine Sultanate.

Hyperia: ~2800 BFHyperia holds many

similarities to our own Greece and Macedonian civilizations. Even the myriad of city states bear similarities to our own. In recent times those similarities have fallen away, with a unified Hyperia under the rule of a dynasty of conquering kings. More differences arise in what are merely myths to us are fact to Hyperians. Inventors have created fantastic devices for their rulers, including flight for flightless animals, Heroes tread the lands fighting horrific beasts, and Sailors visit amazing islands off the coast, meeting bizarre hermits and collecting ancient artifacts. Hyperia has also been the long rival of Khonshu, with both having massive naval fleets, and with Hyperians worshiping sun gods, the rivalry only grew stronger, until Hyperia finally

On a world like ours, called Earth, with seven continents, and a history not unlike our own, live animals have that raised themselves up to create cities, to invent inventions, and to govern nations. Just as with our own time line, the Earth of Brushfire can trace back dozens of empires, that rose and fell, that changed the face of the world, that crushed civilizations, and rebuilt them from scratch.

Khonshu: ~3000 BF (Before Foundation)

Similar to Ancient Egypt or Babylon of our own Earth, Khonshu was an oasis kingdom, eked out from a tiny river on the tip of a peninsula. In the early days of their Earth, civilization held its seat of power in the south of the major land mass, Eutheria. Despite it’s isolation by land from other areas of the continent, cut off by an expanse of desert, Khonshu controlled a large fleet of ships, which were able to patrol distant holdings, and raid potential foes. Indigenous to many nocturnal creatures, Khonshu’s religion was based heavily upon the Moon and deities related to it. By the

History of the Worldsupplanted Khonshu as the dominant power of the ancient world.

Jaguero Empire: ~1450 BFJust as the Meso-Americans

all but disappeared under the coming of the Conquistadors, the Jaguero were pressed deep into the jungles of Vespuccia, leaving behind their ruined villages and temples. But long before they became a mystery, the Jaguars were the dominant power across two continents. Their monolithic structures were built as far north as what is now Xalepena City. Their downfall was a long time coming, as they had long oppressed the other species of Vespuccia. The Capybara were all but extinct when the first colonists from Mare-Civitas set foot on the coast. They were the last threat against the total domination of the hemisphere. Beyond the lust for power, the evidence left behind in their cities show a blood lust for sacrificial ceremonies. A people that could have focused their efforts towards developing a better world, spent their days killing their friends, families, and slaves to appease their appetites.

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Chugoku: 745 BFWhen the Myo Khans, roving

nomads of the eastern steppes, settled down from generations of war with the Vandal tribes, they had no comprehension that they would be placing the cornerstones of one of the greatest nations on earth. Despite it’s current crisis of civil war, and oft deposition of weak rulers, Chugoku has developed many of the greatest advancements in technology, culture and government. Even in the middle of a 4-sided war, Chugokans rarely live in poverty. Unlike our own China, Chugoku managed to keep outsiders restricted to merchant activities and never found themselves a practical colony to Imperialist western countries. Instead, the decadence of its own rulers forced the hands of the people to fight for equal rights, thrusting Chugoku into it’s current internal strife.

Rodentian Republic: ~650 BFThe myth goes that two

rats found their tails bound together. Some versions of the story say they were bandits, tail knotting being a common punishment in Hyperia. Other variations say they had survived a brutal battle together, binding their tails in brotherhood. In either case, the two rats, Rode and N’Tia found themselves on the coast of the Mare-Civitas, the Civilized Sea. Dying of thirst the two desperately drank from the waters. The miraculously fresh water saved their lives and the two set about building a house upon the coast. In the decades

to come more animals would trek to the coastline, hoping to avoid predators in the wilds and join the two friends and build a village. By 650 BF, Rodentia had become a nation of ideals, quickly on it’s way to being the crown of the civilized world. A Senate of elected officials discussed the needs of the people and the laws of the known world.

Rodentian Empire: 0 AF (After Foundation)

By 0 AF, Rodentia had become a twisted, corrupt civilization. Murius, a member of the Senate, found himself cast out for daring to question the ethics of a fellow member. The group had become a criminal syndicate that the civilians thought they voted for. During his last days in Rodentia, after he had presented his evidence to the council chambers, Murius worked with members of the army to ensure that if he failed, the Senate would fall. Murius’ body would eventually be found on the coast of Brisica, an island not far from the capital. The day after, the army moved into the city and sacked the Senate building, killing all the senators inside. The city itself was destroyed to a brick. In the coming months, General Soricus, a shrew, would lead the military in building a new capital, Muriccio, in honor of the one honest Senator, on the coast of Brisica. Soricus would be crowned Caesar, and the calendar reset to After Foundation.

Scyzantine Empire: 752 AFCold-blooded creatures

have always liked the heat. During the waning years of the Rodentian Empire, Scyzas, a monitor lizard, founded a home for all reptile kind on the shores of Lake Tiberia. He named the city after his wife Lacerta, who had died on their journey. Scyzas, like many reptiles, was seen as a lower form of life to mammals; the Rodentian Empire used reptiles as slaves. With a safe haven for their kind, Reptiles across the continents travelled there, to live under a free banner. Though the Rodentians saw this growing ‘scaly presence’ as a threat, the Vandals to their north would destroy their empire before they could act against the slaves.

For generations the city would grow, above and below ground. Other cities sprouted up across the desert, and the tribes of Zabar allied themselves with the new sultanate. Eventually even the great kingdom of Khonshu would become a principality to the Sultan. Some historians suggest this great unification of the south and the east would cause the Holy Rodentian Empire to form. Taking up the cause of mammals everywhere, Orders of Knights would bring battle to the Scyzantines, for several centuries, the Southern Crusades would wreak havoc upon both sides. Though the Knightly Orders are now scattered and broken, bankrupt in their own blood lust, and the principalities under the rule of the Scyzantines have returned to their own autonomy, there is always the chance these two powers could bring about a new war, to wreck the entire

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devices, or worked in foundries casting iron work, Vespucci longed for exploration. Generations of failed sea voyages told him that the world had been discovered, and there was nothing new to see, but he eventually set about proving the existence of another land mass by haphazard math, conjectured evidence, and a collection of hearsay. Despite his inept presentation, a group of Civitan merchants saw promise in his suggestion. Another continent would provide colonization prospects as well as new resources to exploit, which the Mare-Civitas was quickly running out of. In 1488 AF, Lorenzo da Muriccio, the Prince of Merchants, paid for the ships, crew, and supplies Vespucci would need to reach a continent half a world away. A year later with land in sight, Vespucci wept on the deck, too wracked with emotion to set foot on the land. Lorenzo da Muriccio claimed the land of Vespuccia for Mare-Civitas.

The World Today: 1821 AFToday is an era of unrest on

their Earth. As one might say every moment is anywhere. A new Empire rises in Aquitar, and the Scyzantines outlast any of the three Rodentian nations. With gunpowder and cannon leading the way in war, many soldiers of antique combat find themselves outstripped in prowess. Today, heroes lead from the rear, directing battle from atop a hill, drinking sancerre in their tents. The thunderous volley of black powder kills thousands in a battle, where hours would go

hemisphere.

Holy Rodentian Empire: 945 AF

The story of the building of Muriccio often leaves out that much of the building material was taken from the scorched ruins of Rodentia. Many prophets said that any nation built on the ruins of corrupt Rodentia would be doomed. Though the city of Muriccio stands to this day, The Rodentian Empire had fallen by 800 AF. For a century and a half, the Vandals controlled the continent in a reign of fear and war. When the Scyzantines began pressing west into the remnants of the Rodentian Empire, the Vandals reunified the ancient nation into a new machine of war. The Holy Rodentian Empire fought to protect God and Country from the reptilian threat. Despite having origins in a call to war, the HRE became a stable force in Eutheria, even giving the world such advanced leaders as Charles de Mange. Eventually as the crusades against the easterlings weighed heavily on the soldiery and the citizenry, the Empire fell apart, into half a dozen minor nations, but the framework still exists, bolstered by the Grand Order of the Knights Bubonic, always poised to protect the western world from the threat of scaly domination.

Rediscovery of Vespuccia: 1489 AF

Vespucci da Ventura was different from other Venturans. While most kept to their smithies inventing new

by, in antiquity, with out a single death. Brushfire’s Earth is on the cusp of the modern age, if it can only survive the industrial revolution.

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History of Mare-CivitasBefore the age of gunpowder,

before the age of sail, the Holy Rodentian Empire spanned from the Mare Civitas north to the Axonian Channel, and far east to the mountains of Chugoku. In the days before the decline of the Corelingian Dynasty, Charles de Mange, King of the Shrews, refused to favor one son over another in their dispute for the throne. Instead he split the kingdom amongst them. His eldest son, Lowther would follow in this fashion, splitting his own kingdom amongst his children. These lands, along the coast of the Mare Civitas, and the islands off the shore are now numerous independent city-states. Despite the many times these small countries squabble amongst themselves, their common lineage ties them together in times of strife.

Major Events

Vespuccian Colonization

1672 AF - As Civitan territories are stripped of resources by merchant practices, the prospects of Vespuccian colonies draw many young entrepeneurs and would-be conquerers to the southern half of the continent. The city of New Muriccio is founded along the coast. The indigenous Capybara quickly befriend the newcomers, becoming trade partners.

1682 AF - The Capybara are slowly pressed into Civitan colonies by their Jaguar neighbors, a centuries old conflict comes to involve the Civitans when New Muriccio is attacked for protecting a group of Capybara refugees. In retaliation the Civitans press back against the “Jaguero”, utilizing their superior weapons, until nearly half the continent is returned to the Capybara. The conflict never truly ends, as the Jaguero

continue guerrilla combat into the 19th century. The Capybara pledge themselves to their saviors, becoming marines aboard warships and merchant vessels alike.

1721 AF - Political and Economic conflicts between several city-states spark the Mare War, a conflict which is crushed by years end by an Armada out of Vespuccia lead by Hernan Pizarro, the Governor of New Muriccio. The balance of power in Mare-Civitas falls between Brisica and Vespuccia, each being relatively unscathed by the civil war.

8th Southern Crusade1755 AF - Scyzantines re-

capture the City of Lacerta on the Lake of Tiberia, sparking the 8th Southern Crusade. The Knightly Order of Tiberias, formed by Civitan Mice were killed to a man in the defense of the city.

1757 AF - Over 2 years of political discussions between the fractured Rodentian kingdoms finally forms an accord and with reinforcements from the Knights Fusilier and Knights Bubonic, the 8th Crusaders march upon Lacerta and defeat the defenders. Despite the quick victory, the citizenry of Lacerta inform the Crusaders that the bulk of the Scyzantine forces had moved south, towards the Civitan coastline.

1758 AF - Chasing the Scyzantines into Civitan territory, the Crusaders crossed many lands scoured by the

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invaders. The Crusaders catch the Scyzantines in the middle of their siege of San Murino. Caught between Civitan cannons, and heavy knights of Aquitar and Vandalands, the invaders are quickly defeated.

1762 AF - In a retaliatory move, Crusaders, flush from the victory at San Murino, set out into Scyzantine lands, attempting to end the Reptilian threat once and for all. A four year siege of Agaminople, the ancient capital of Scyzantium, brings Reptiles from across the southern deserts to the defense of the Sultan. Despite a vigilant siege, the forces within the capital are flushed with reinforcements from underground tunnels, eventually swelling in population to the point of being able to repel the invaders.

1772 AF - After 17 years of fighting, the 8th Crusaders were pushed out of Scyzantine territory and the soldiers disbanded to their homes. In honor of the horrible defeats met by the Crusaders and the Knights Tiberias, Mare-Civitas honors the fallen each year on April 27th, Tiberias Day.

The Hyperian War

1785 AF - With a surge in patriotism, ancient Hyperia was seeking reunification and control of the Civitan Seas. From 1785 through to the end of the century, Hyperian diplomats spoke with the dukes and governors of the Free Cities, calling for a return to the old ways, where a united

Hyperia held the largest fleet and controlled the known world.

1802 AF - Their cries were ignored as the Civitans had become a power unto their own and saw the Hyperians as weak and panicking over the encroaching Scyzantines. Juan of Brisica saw it as an opportunity, unlike his mercantile brethren. In 1802 his mercenary band began operating for the Hyperians, taking portions of the mainland back for the island nation.

1804 AF - Cypriot, the Conquering King of Hyperia welcomed assistance from the Civitans, but Juan’s personality and ignorance of tactics and strategy annoyed the King. Juan’s many advances on the women of his court also peeved the King. He could not cast him out though, as Juan’s soldiers were key for retaking the mainland. In the winter of 1804, Juan disappeared, along with his soldiers and the King’s daughter Tetra.

1805 AF - Enraged at this betrayal, Cypriot set sail with his entire naval fleet, leaving foot soldiers to defend the new lands taken. Sailing into port of Muriccio, his fleet bombarded the city in a naval siege for a week. After the surprise attack he sent word into the city of his demands for the return of his daughter and the fealty of all the Free Cities. Muriccio accepted the terms and agreed to seek out Tetra, and accept the rule of Hyperia.

1806 AF - Taking the other cities proved difficult, the Civitan Navy had reacted to the siege by pulling ships from their border conflicts with Aquitar to retaliate. Admiral Ivara launched a counter attack, pushing the Hyperians out of Civitan waters and into the open sea. Other Free City forces slowly joined, eventually putting the two fleets on equal footing.

1812 AF - After 6 years of back and forth fighting, Ivara, with assistance from Venture Company succeeded in retaking Brisica from Hyperian forces. The final push into the Hyperian headlands would end the war, and would smash Hyperian Imperialism for good. The Pereira had outlasted most of the other ships of the line; only it and a few Frigates were able to reach Helios intact. There the fighting grew desperate, the Hyperians fighting for their home, and the Civitans far from reinforcements. Ivara came to face King Cypriot aboard the King’s own vessel, in flames and sinking, where the two fought with all their skill. Ivara however had the size to outclass the King and soon raised his axe to bring the war to an end. A cry out of the distance and an armored mouse leapt into the fray, defending the wounded King. A mouse that leapt like a Civitan Lancer. Ivara was struck in the flank by it’s spear before knocking the soldier back with the flat of his weapon. It’s helmet smashed and blood dripping from her face, the Princess Tetra rose

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again to protect her father. As she leveled her weapon at the wounded Capybara, a second Lancer landed on the boat. Juan glared at the two fallen warriors. “Aquitar and Scyzantine would sink all the islands of this sea, and you fools squabble on a sinking ship! Return to your homes and defend yourselves.” His words bore into their minds. With the majority of their forces away from their borders, Aquitar and begun a new push into the Civitan territories. Ivara left the King’s ship and returned to the Pereira, The single surviving ship of his armada, and set sail for home. Juan and Tetra rescued Cypriot and tended his wounds, before disappearing again.

quickly took the docks and cannonry so that Axon ships supplied to the Civitans could move into the bay and bombard the coastline. Leading the way, Miguel and his capybara flooded into the streets, making towards the Academy.

Hundreds of Aquitaran cadets, caught on the streets outside the gates, were slain. Blocking the school itself was the Badger in the Iron Claws. Moleon had recently sent him intending to parade the veteran before the cadets as a morale booster.

As the Axon guns came into range of the Academy, Capybara fought Badger for the first time. The ferocity of both towering creatures shot fear into the lesser soldiers of both sides. Though both commanders found the other an equal match, the day would go to the Civitans and the cannon fire finally came to bear on the citadel’s walls and the Academy fell.

The surviving Aquitar troops fled east into the 1st Battalion of The Legion, which would assist in the retaking of the city,

Having recently arrived back in Civitan waters, the Forjazi Man-O-War Pereira, captained by Miguel Ivara had been fighting low on supplies for weeks when a merchant ship hailing from Axony arrived in port to make a proposal. The Axons were willing to supply their fleet with sailors and supplies to continue the war effort, if they were willing to accept their tactical advice. With little option to keep the cities out of Aquitar’s hands, the Axons were taken on as advisors.

Their first suggested point of attack was the Academy at St. Cyrien. With the expansionary nature of their neighbor to the north, even should the war end soon, new commanders trained at St. Cyrien would be their opponents in the decades to come.

Taking a hint from the many pirates he had fought in his time abroad, Ivara flew the colors of Aquitar, the Claw of Meles, as the Pereira sailed into dock. Nearly 25 Marines

The Assault on St. CyrienFebruary 11th, 1813 AFSa

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