Ma'ghe

Being A True And Consise History Of The Land Of Thalodia – The Peoples’ Isle – And of Those Notable Men Who Forged Her Destiny
~Or~
Tales Of The Ma-ghe
. by valen tarrowan .
the beginnings...
havenesfyd vor mortd Havenesfyd vor mortd ~ A Home from Death
And so it was, that once there was a great and glorious empire, stretching from the coldest shores of the north beyond which no man could live, to the burning deserts of the south, that marked the end of the world. And for reasons few still can note, there was a terrible war, which was Apoclavye or Apoclavye – the end of the world.
But the emperor would not believe that the end had come, and he set forth to build the Aversosch Flet or Aversosch Flet, the fleet of awe. And in time the fleet was built, and sailed out from the old capital to face the enemy. But even the emperors finest Admirals could not triumph, and the fleet was all but destroyed. Four ships survived the battle. Their real names have been lost to time, but in the folk stories they are called Bravad or the brave, Depydenad or the dependable, Svadri or the swift, and Hopescz or the hope.
These ships sailed far from the dying empire, past the coast of what today we call norsca, across the sea, and around the cape that marks the end of caledonia. They sailed on, past albion and cornovii, beyond franconia, and out into the great ocean. Four hundred and twenty eight years ago they reached their journeys end, a natural harbour they named havenesfyd, which lay on the eastern coast of thaldonia – the isle of thaldonia.
From Haven to Home…
Boris Wanderer mer Ma gest Boris Wanderer mer Ma Gest ~ Boris Wanderer and Ma Ghest
Captain Boris Wanderer, the Captain of the bravad, took command of the surviving vessels and had led them to safety at havenesfyd. His own crew wished to proclaim him head of a new reborn empire, but Boris refused, saying that it was empire and greed and lust for power which had brought apoclavye upon the world, and that he would not allow such suffering again. So it was agreed that all survivors would share the wealth and the responsibility of their new land. There would be no new emperor, no new rulers. Instead the three surviving Captains would govern as the Triumvyra or Triumvyra, the triumvirate. Each Captain would take his crew and found a city, as would the first officer who commanded the Svadri as her Captain had died in the great battle.
And so Boris Wanderer led the crew of the Bravad to the North and West, toward a wall of mountains which are home to the horn dwarves. And Boris arrived at the foot of the first great mountain, which we call Mount Wanderer in his honour. Here, said Boris, we shall found our city. And this was to be the greatest city in Thalodia, the capital, Ma Ghest, which means Majesty.
And as Ma Ghest grew, so did the other Thalodian cities; the city of Redobst which means redoubt, founded along the coast from Havenesfyd by the crew of the Depydenad; the city ofVinled, founded by the crew of the Svadri in the plains of Southern Thalodia; and the city of Tarwel, founded by the crew of the Hopescz on the Western most point of the island. And in time other towns and villages appeared, and mountains were conquered and named, and the great forest which lay between Ma Ghest and Tarwel in the heart of thalodia was mapped, and a road built, and the forest is named Keyphreys forest, after the first man to use this road.
A Golden Age…
Ny Dvarf mer Men Ny Dvarf mer Men ~ Of Dwarves and Men
And so Thalodia grew, and a golden age began. This was the time of comrades, when all were equal. First the Horn Dwarves came up from their mountain halls. their king, Parthen, is said to have seen Ma Ghest, and the joy in the hearts of all who lived there, and seeing this he cast off his royal cloak and became the first Dwarven comrade. Mika Wanderer, Boris grandson, declared all Dwarves welcome in Thalodian lands, and built the tallest tower in Ma Ghest, which is called Parthens Tower, to honour the great Dwarf.
But the Dwarves were not the only newcomers. Over the four centuries of peace, many travelled to the island, seeking a better and fairer life. Ma Ghest grew, and the Thalodians became content, happy to do what they could for others, and always welcoming to travellers and those starting new lives on the isle.
Darkness falls…
Secnyad Apoclavye Secnyad Apoclavye ~ A Second Doom
Seven years ago the fishing village of Svalosz was invaded. Thalodians were shocked to see that the invaders were Men, enslaved by Orcs, although the few Thalodians that escaped Svalosz claimed that many of these slaves seemed to revere the Orcs as gods. A force was assembled under Greygos Wanderer, a direct descendant of boris. These men marched north east from ma ghest to meet the advancing invaders. At first all went well, and the invaders were driven back within the walls of the captured Svalosz. But, boldened by their success, the Thalodians refused to accept Greygos plan to lay siege to the village. Greygos was convinced to lead a charge to drive the invaders back into the sea. Yet the Orcs had fortified Svalosz, so that the little fishing village became an ever growing fortress. The attacking Thalodians were crushed, and Greygos led the remnants of the army into Kephreys forest in what was more rout than retreat.
And so, in time, the invaders reached the gates of Ma Ghest itself, and no force could be raised which could hold back the Orcs and their slaves. But all was not lost... The fleeing population joined Greygos in Kephreys forest, and, with battalions sent from the three free cities, a second Thalodian army was formed on the western fringes of the forest. This glorious army did indeed hold the invaders at bay for one year, but whilst the south west of Thalodia remained safe, the rest of the island fell under the Orcs control. Greygos knew that he could not protect free Thalodia, and the new capital at Tarwel, for long.
On the fortieth day of the new year greygos spoke to his army. If the Thalodians did nothing, the isle would eventually fall. And so, leaving a rearguard behind to hold the road to Tarwel, Greygos led the greatest Thalodian army into battle. Waiting in Tarwel was Greygos son Dmitri, and it was he who first received word of his fathers fate. Not one man nor dwarf who fought in that greatest of battles survived to see free Thalodia again, save one, a dwarf named Yugri, who brought the terrible news to Dmitri, and then, his task complete, died of his wounds.
The final days…
Fliahtye Fliahtye ~ The flight
Greygos was dead, and Kephreys forest was slowly falling under the power of the Orcs. The few Thalodian troops that remained fought a brave defence against the advancing invaders, but not since their defeat at Svalosz could the Thalodians match the Orcs strength. But for two years Tarwel remained free. Yet the Thalodians were broken, and became willing to sacrifice anything to save their homelands. At this time a small group was formed: the cult of the fleet. These men believed that only a return to the old naval ways of the empire, and the hierarchy of command, could save Thalodia. The cult pressed Dmitri Wanderer to join their cause, and to declare himself Captain of Thalodia. Dmitri, unwilling to abandon the beliefs of his forefathers, refused. But as time passed, and the people of Thalodia became more desperate, he came to accept that Thalodia needed such a leader or else it would soon fall.
And so it was that Dmitri Wanderer became Captain of Thalodia. And to aid him the descendants of the old Captains and their officers became his court. For several months these men ruled Thalodia, keeping as close to the old ways as they dared, whilst all the time being watched by members of the cult. But, as many soon came to accept, nothing could now save Thalodia. Four years and twenty six days ago Dmitri declared Thalodia lost. He organised the exodus of free Thalodians, and then left himself, vowing one day to return to his home and avenge his family and his people, and to free his homeland.
And so to these times…
Ya Ma ghe Ya Ma Ghe ~ The Ma Ghe
And Dmitri sailed North, and in time landed on the southern coast of Cornovii, whereat he was told of the festival of Renewal. Dmitri marched to the festival, and fought there alongside the Skalatana elves under the command of the Gryphons or Al Gaia. One year later he returned, and his heart was gladdened when he saw a Dwarf, Thormin Stonehorn, who had served with him in Thalodia. Dmitris men fought once again with the Al Gaia, during the retaking of Lyonesse. Dmitri himself was one of the greatest heroes on the field, fighting on whilst his men were taken through the portal to freedom. For hours his men awaited Dmitri, and glorious it was when he appeared, one of the very last to escape the greenskin army and pass through the portal.
And so we come to the events of one year ago. Dmitri was joined by more fellow Thalodians, his brother Trinks, and the swordsman Juan Hansell. Together they vowed to fight to regain Thalodia, and so they formed The Ma Ghe or the majesty as it means in the old language. The teachings of the cult of the fleet were happily cast aside, and a new dawn of equality began. The Ma Ghe began to recruit, telling tales of their old ways, and winning friends through their beliefs and their courage and loyalty on the battlefield. When called upon by King Elsin of the Al Gaia, they responded, and marched out to fight with the elves.
The battle was to be fierce. The men ofThe Ma Ghe had long thought of themselves as friends of the Cornovii, and when Lord Flint was forced to leave the lands and could not take the field, The Ma Ghe took command of the Cornovii troops, and the combined force was led by Dmitri of The Ma Ghe and Grimlock of the Cornovii. But alas, the mighty Grimlock, General of Cornovii, fell, and indeed few Cornovii survived that bloodiest of battles. Yet The Ma Ghe were unbroken, fighting hard as bodyguard to Tarif, Elsins most senior Lord. As the Al Gaian force marched out of the forests victorious, The Ma Ghe pledged to protect all who wished to join them. As Thalodia once was haven to our broken troops, so The Ma Ghe will be a haven for all who are fleeing tyranny, oppression, or peril.
And so…
You may ask, how be it that this is written? The answer is simple. I fought with Dmitri on each campaign. I landed with him on Cornovii. I sailed with him from Thalodia. And I ruled with him at Tarwel. I was heir of that Captain, and Dmitris staunchest ally. And now, Dmitri, Juan, and I have formed a new triumvirate. Together we will restore the old ways, together we will return and free our lands. But we cannot do so alone. So I shall end this part of our history with a plea... Please, people of all lands, join our cause. Fight with us for Thalodia, and live with us, as Comrades... Free!