History of the Lost Continent

The history of the the Lost Continent is one of the richest on the northern hemisphere. The following article is made to give an overview of the many periods in its history.

Prehistory
The Lost Continent's first humans, Homo Oomnosius, arrived in the 26th millenium BC, crossing the Tartar street to Sakhalin and from there heading for the Highlands of Grombolistan. These lands are in this period roamed by several vicious creatures, prominent under which are the Bearmoth, a bear the size of a Mammoth and the Thassond, a small yet dangerous creature hunting in groups. The oldest tools discovered there date back to the 19th millenium BC. In the second half of the 15th millenium BC, another group of humans, Homo Siberia, entered the continent. The two cultures clashed and the first cities are constructed. These ancient cities (the so called Pre-pre-Oomnosian Culture) achieve a level of development comparable to the Greek city states of the 5th century BC, but the culture is wiped out in the 13th millenium BC.

These dark ages last until the 8th millenium BC, after which the first Pre-Oomnosian cities are built. Around 6100 BC, the Pre-Oomnosian Empire rises in the Grombolistanian Highlands and develops the written script. This language spreads throughout the entire continent, but in the 6th millenium BC, the Empire is ravaged by Siberian barbarians. With the establishment of the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk in 3642 BC, the prehistory ends and the early classic period is ready to begin.

Early classic period (3642 BC-2121 BC)
In the late 36th century BC, the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk under Athramdar I commences the Great Northern Campaign. Grunkeldunkian legions march from Muaqnizmock on to the Smurcian Confederation, a group of city-states roughly comprising Smurkia, Smurkistan and Viptelstan. The Kingdom wages a 100-Years War on the Confederation, and in 2916 BC they finally achieve victory, and with it, continental hegemony, after successfully sieging Rhat'var (in the state of Smurcistiania) in present day Eastern-Smurkistan. Meanwhile, the Oomnosian Empire reconquers Grombolistan.

The late 29th century BC is characterised by increased Kamchatchkan raids on the Continent, and around 2800 BC the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk is forced to retreat south. The pressure is kept up for over two centuries, and in 2632 BC the Oomnosian Empire disintegrates into five warring states.

The largest chunk, Western-Oomnosia, manages to overpower the other states during the 25th century BC, and while Grunkeldunk starts retaking lost ground in the south, the new Grombolistanian Empire launches a massive invasion of Smurkia (specifically Anah'randa, in present day Anarandia) in 2382 BC. The 42-Years War lasts until 2340 BC and ends in a slight territorial gain for Grombolistan, and twenty years later the Grunkeldunkians claim Sakhalin over the resurgent Smurcistianian Nation. This is followed by a watchful peace of over 90 years, but in 2250 BC, the Grombolistanians finally subdue the Smurcian Confederation. Smurcistiania falls 5 years later. The Grunkeldunkians, feeling threatened in Sakhalin, make a pact with the Empire of Kurr (in present day Kuruztan) and they land in southern Smurcia together, under King Ardumar VII and Lord Kuryosas of Kur, on the 6th of december 2230 BC. Against them stands the entire host of Grombolistan under Emperor Dar'd'Rag IX. A peace treaty is quickly signed to prevent bloodshed. This culminates in the Ancient Cold War and arms race between Grunkeldunk and Grombolistan in the 22nd century BC.

Old classic period (2121 BC-1492 BC)
In 2121 BC, the peace is shattered by Emperor Ohld F'oq Auwuh Khna'ar, who invades Viptelstan in force, a territory that is under Grunkeldunkian protection. Grunkeldunk replies by mobilizing its forces and massing in southern Viptelstan On the 14th of february in 2114 BC, the Grunkeldunkians are however crushingly defeated at Centalcal in central Viptelstan and the first of the Two Grombolistanian Wars have begun. Grombolistanian troops pour over the north of the Continent, and they consolidate their regime. However, following the Grunkeldunkian retreat from everything higher north than Zackylandia or northern Grunkeldunk, a first Rrahhian State is formed. They immedeately ally with the Grunkeldunkians, and after the Grunkeldunkians conquer Zackylandia for the third time, they launch a first strike on Grombolistan in 2092 BC. Grombolistan, who had hoped they got rid of Grunkeldunk over twenty years ago, is caught by surprise and Viptelstan is liberated.

Encouraged by this action, the peoples of Smurcia and Smurcistan rise up against Grombolistan around 2080 BC. Grunkeldunk openly supports the rebels, and in 2063 BC, the Grunkeldunkians and the rebels jointly lay siege on Iserstos (the current city of Isgeriastan). After a year of siege, the battle is won, and Grombolistan is forced to surrender Smurcia and Smurcistan to independent control. Grunkeldunk retreats south again and consolidates its territory, now stretching from present day Pfrotland to Griekelrrah. A peacy treaty is signed in Muzzmah, and the following Pax Graeculrrahhus is maintained for almost six centuries.

The Pax Graeculrrahhus is reknowned for its great increase in wealth. Especially the lands surrounding the Achterly Ocean live through a golden era, and by 1800 BC the Griekelrrahian peninsula is by far the wealthiest realm on the eastern hemisphere. Shang pottery from China has even been discovered in southern Smurcia. During the Pax, the first expedition towards Alaska was sent by Grunkeldunk, but never heard of again.

Middle classic period (1492 BC-450 BC)
By 1492 BC, the Grombolistanians have healed enough. Their wealth has grown to a high enough level, and under King Fhad d'Tr'oll they break the peace violently by suddenly invading Smurcistan. Smurcistan is completely surprised and defeated in under five years. Grunkeldunk and the New Smurcian Confederation mobilize their troops in order to counter the Grombolistanian invasion, but in 1488 BC the Grombolistanians invade and conquer the Confederation with ease. It takes them about five years to bring the Confederation under imperial control, and around 1483 BC the invasion of Rrahhia has begun. Grunkeldunk, in fear, retreats from Rrahhia and Zackylandia. In 1481 BC, the Grombolistanians emerge victorious ffrom the south of Rrahhia, and they enter Zackylandia. Without Grunkeldunk to protect it, not much resistance is put up.

Encouraged by this string of victories, the Grombolistanians decide to march directly onto Muaqnizmock, the Grunkeldunkian capital. They pulled their entire army force out of Sakhalin and Smurcistan and moved their host in its entirety towards Grunkeldunk. This proved to be the fatal flaw in their Great March South; if they had defeated the Empire of Kur'rus (the successor state to the Empire of Kur) before attempting to destroy Grunkeldunk, they might have stood a chance, but the Kuruztanian reinforcements proved to be invaluable in the Battle of Muaqnizmock in 1479 BC. After months of siege and battle, the Grunkeldunkians seize the day by a footlength, and the Grombolistanian march on Grunkeldunk is stopped. The leaders of both nations decide to keep the situation stable as it is, and Grombolistan is obliged to pull back from Grunkeldunk. Instead, they turn their eyes to Siberia.

After a 120 years of truce, the Grombolistanians decide to invade Siberia in 1350 BC, which they do, successfully, and in 1320 BC the resistance is broken. Grunkeldunk, who wants to make sure that Grombolistan doesn't get the upper hand, quickly conquers and pacifies the south of Siberia, to ensure a foothold there. An arms race follows. Around 1280 BC, however, the Chinese Shang dynasty launches a counterattack on the Grunkeldunkians and Grombolistanians. It is a difficult war to fight, but the Chinese finally manage to gain the high ground and drive the Lost Continenters off the Asian mainland. The Grombolistanians then turn their eyes to Kamchatchka, in the east. They rapidly invade Kamchatchka, and in 1258 BC, the Grombolistanian Empire reaches its greatest territorial extent. However, the Grunkeldunkians are once again stirring in the south.

The end of the 13th century BC sees the growing decadence and civil unrest within the Empire, especially in Kamchatchka, Smurcia and Rrahhia. In 1208 BC, after the overthrow of several city governments by the people, the Grombolistanians are forced to leave Kamchatchka, while civil unrest in Rrahhia and Smurcia is steadily growing. The Grunkeldunkians, who see opportunities, secretly forge an alliance with Balleba, the Kamchatchkans and Siberians.

Around 1180 BC, Grombolistan is unable to quell all the uprisings. Rrahhia, the Griekelrrahhian peninsula and even Smurcia are all lost to rebellion. The independent states that result are a thorn in the side to the Empire, and the Grombolistanians, enraged, reconquer Smurcia in 1166 BC. The cost is high however, and it takes them until 1101 BC to prepare for invading Rrahhia. They succeed, but again the cost is high. Grunkeldunk, meanwhile, seizes the opportunity to retake Zackylandia around 1040 BC. This once again puts Grunkeldunk against Grombolistan, and a massive war ensues. However, now that both nations are fully prepared, the front quickly gets stuck in southern Rrahhia. And when the Kamchatti invade around 850 BC, both empires are so heavily torn apart by warfare that they fall within years. A four centuries long dark age follows, of which we know virtually nothing, due to the immense damage that was inflicted upon the Continent in the 10th and 9th century BC.

High classic period (450 BC-303 BC)
Civilisation makes its rentree around 450 BC in Grombolistan, where a new empire forms: the Northern-Oomnosian Empire, which, as its predecessors, is a highly aggressive empire, and before civilisation has made its return to the Smurcian states, the Empire subdues these lands in under fifteen years. This Northern-Oomnosian Empire abandons the ancient imperial capital of Hirith M'thzarex in the Grombolistanian Highlands in favor of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad at the shores of the Mondian Gulf. In 425 BC, the Grunkeldunkians return as well, and they make another attempt to seize Zackylandia for the fifth time - for the first time, however, unsuccessfully.

The last three decennia of the 5th century BC are noted because of the growing unrest in the Rochelmountains in southern Smurcia. Smurcian national identity is beginning to take shape, and in  409 BC the Southern-Oomnosian Kingdom under King Zri-al Maggaraf declares its independence from the Empire. The Empire strikes back, but they fail in retaking the nation. Zri-al dies in 374 BC, and his son, Gdo'eh-el, manages to secure the south of Smurcia and the Griekelrrahhian peninsula. He is succeeded by his nephew Griink-al, who tries to march on northern Smurcia as well, but the Northern-Oomnosian Empire pushes him back into his mountains. A truce is signed, which tells the southerlings to stay in their mountains. After Griink-al dies, his son Zri-el Maggaraf ascends the throne in 322 BC. His regime is remarked for its prosperity and wisdom, but the peace doesn't last long. On the 2nd of April in 317 BC, Emperor Gad'de'Agad kills his predecessor and claims the Oomnosian throne. He is a great general, and in September of 317 BC he crosses the Snurmian Sea to Smurcia to invade the Rochelmountains. The Smurcians seem outnumbered.

Meanwhile, in Kuruztan, a young Seleucid general, Aristhotolos Smurcistos, crosses the Kuruztanian mountains into Grunkeldunk. He and his men cross the Achterly Ocean to Smurcia, and he arrives there in januari 305 BC, just in time to take the pressure of Zri-el Maggaraf and his men. In exchange for a place to live and supplies, Smurcistos and his soldiers (to whom had been given the mission to find the chinese legendary land of Fusang) fight alongside Zri-el Maggaraf's troops, and Gad'de'Agad's southern campaign is defeated.

The last Northern-Oomnosian troops leave Smurcia in 304 BC after the Battle of the Snurmian Beach. Smurcistos decides to stay in Smurcia, and he and Zri-el Maggaraf are crowned Dual Kings of Smurcia in april 303 BC, after Smurcistan and Viptelstan are also brought under Southern-Oomnosian control, and with that, the Great-Smurcian Empire is founded.

Expansion
The 3rd century BC sees the rapid expansion of the Great-Smurcian Empire. Smurcistanian troops march from Rrahhia to Sachalin. After Aristhotolos (294 BC) and Zri-el (289) die, a monarchy is created. Aristhotolos' son, Aristhos Duoos, ascends the throne, and under his rule Rrahhia and the Kingdom of Sachalin are added to the Empire. His successor, Castor Mileton, marches on Grunkeldunk around 260 BC, and conquers nearly three quarters of their Kingdom. In 256 BC, a truce is signed by both Grunkeldunk and the Northern-Oomnosian Empire: Great-Smurcia will respect their borders, and they will be granted the status of Protectorate of the Empire. Castor, however, is assassinated in 251 BC for unknown reasons.

Castor Mileton's daughter marries the great-grandson of Zri-el, Aaron-Zier I, who then becomes King. His ambition turns the empire east, into Kamchatchka. The peninsula is conquered entirely by 240 BC (except for the Northern-Oomnosian colonies on the peninsula). When Aaron-Zier dies, the title 'King' is not enough anymore: from now on, the rulers of Great-Smurcia will be Emperors. The first Emperor, Nicador, turns west again, and crosses the Tartar street into Siberia. He secures the lands at the western shores of the Sea of Okhotsk. His successors, Heramos I and II, do the same for the northern shores, and as the Sea of Okhotsk is now completely under Great-Smurcian control, the Great-Smurcian Golden Age dawns. The last Emperor of this Hellenistic dynasty, Alexanderon, consolidates the empire and rules for five years before being murdered by a Rrahhian insurgent.

Alexanderon dies without sons, so his nephew Zri-el Maggaraf II becomes Emperor. He attempts what no man has done before: he turns his legions south and in 181 BC he marches on Japan. The first war of Hokkaido goes poorly however, and Zri-el is killed on a campaign in southern Hokkaido. His son, Zri-el III, does however succeed, and Hokkaido too is brought under imperial control. He then moves his armies west again, and starts the invasion of Manchuria. The Chinese Han dynasty and the Korean state of Gojoseon are resisting, but by 156 BC the province is firmly under Great-Smurcian control. Zri-el III dies peacefully in 152 BC. His son, Grro'eh-al Maggaraf, rules gently until 144 BC, but he then goes mad due to a severe disease; he terrorizes the empire for five years, until he is murdered by his wife in 139 BC, and succeeded by his son Knyh-ol Maggaraf. Knyh-ol is a strategical mastermind, and without much trouble he manages to bring all the land east of the Central Siberian Plateau under Great-Smurcian rule in under 2 years, but unfortunately he is killed on a campaign in the far west in 137 BC. He dies childless.

Golden Era
His cousin, Demokratos dla Smurcia, then climbs the throne. He is often recognised as the greatest emperor of the Great-Smurcian Empire. He added the Altai to the Empire, and he finally managed to re-establish contact with the Seleucid Empire, and, more importantly, Rome. Trade between Europe and the Great-Smurcian Empire flourished, and the Empire's wealth steadily kept increasing. Reports have been recovered in Iraq, describing the bravery of Great-Smurcian soldiers aiding the Seleucids, and Great-Smurcian amphoras have been found all the way in Spain and Morroco. Thus, the period of 139-49 BC is widely recognised as the pinnacle of Great-Smurcian culture and civilisation. Demokratos died in 122 BC under fantastic circumstances for the empire, and his grave can still be visited in Spilrahl. His successors, Georgios and Leon, respectively add the Tarim Bassin to the Empire and establish trade with Northern Africa.

After Georgios and Leon have passed away, Aaron-Zier II and after him Lilyadinaria (a woman) climb the throne. Aaron-Zier II rules gently and wisely, and even sends an expedition towards India (however, nobody ever heard of them again) but when he dies there is no son to succeed him. His daughter Lilyadinaria then ascends the throne in 57 BC, and she does fairly well - an expedition is sent to Alaska to claim it for the empire, and trade with Rome nearly doubles. However, an assassin is hired by the Northern-Oomnosian Emperor Phad'dir'Dad to murder her - the Northern-Oomnosians fear that if the empire keeps flourishing, it will never come to fall. And their plan succeeds; Lilyadinaria is publicly slaughtered in 48 BC, and chaos ensues. Distant provinces declare their independence, many highborn families proclaim their children Emperors of Kings, and the Northern-Oomnosians take their chance: they invade Smurcia. Unfortunately, this has the exact opposite effect: the Inner Empire reunites to defend its homeland. In 45 BC, Lilyadinaria's nephew Aeghistos of Smurcia defeats the Northern-Oomnosians near Iserstos, and peace is restored. He immediately embarks on a campaign to pacify the outer reaches of the Empire and restore them under imperial control.

Aeghistos dies in 28 BC and is succeeded by Aristhotolos Smurcistos II. His tactical and strategic genius is unequalled, and from his coronation in 28 BC until his death in 16 BC he campaigns his way through Asia. At the height of his reign, in 18 BC, the Empire stretches from the Urals to Yukon, and from the Frozen Ice Sea to Kazakhstan, Manchuria and the Altai. His son, Miigiros of Smurcia, succeeds him, but decadence is slowly beginning to take the Empire apart.

Decline
After Miigiros dies, chaos once again ensues: no son to succeed him. In a period of 10 years, from 8 BC to 2 AD, eight different emperors climb the throne and are subsequently killed in action or assassinated. When Miigiros' nephew Aristhotolonion Smurcistos manages to claim the throne and keep it, it becomes clear that the Empires days of glory have passed; all the lands west of Lake Baikal have been lost. Alaska, Kazakhstan, the Altai and Manchuria have all been lost in the struggle for power. Aristhotolonion now rules over a rump state in the Sea of Okhotsk.

It is at this moment, in 4 AD, that Rrahhia, under King Rrahhor II the Raging, revolts against the Empire and declares its independence, together with the Northern-Oomnosian Empire, who invade Viptelstan, Siberia and Smurcistan in 5 AD. In 7 AD, the capital of the Empire, Iserstos, is sieged and sacked by a combined Northern-Oomnosian - Siberian force, which is still considered a cruel crime and huge cultural genocide, as the temple of Aristhotolos and Zri-el Maggaraf is razed and destroyed. The Emperor, Aristhotolonion, is caught after a heroic last stand and imprisoned. He dies in northern Kamchatchka in 9 AD, leading an unsuccessfull rebellion against the Northern-Oomnosians. His son, Aristhotolonion Kourustos, succeeds him, and moves the capital to Kuruztan. But nothing can stop the relentless Rrahhians as they march through Grunkeldunk virtually unopposed, and in 13 AD, the Empire only has claims to southern Sakhalin, western Grunkeldunk, Hokkaido and Kuruztan. But even this will not last, and on the 19th of August 14 AD, Great-Smurcia (and its last ally, the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk) is finally brought to its knees at Juzjno Sakhalinsk by a combined Rrahhian, Northern-Oomnosian, Siberian, Korean and Chinese force. Emperor Aristhotolonion Kourustos is killed, as is the Grunkeldunkian crown-prince and King Rrahhor the Raging. The victors declare that the Empire is now history, and they all return to their respective homelands.

Late classic period (14 AD/94 AD-478 AD)
With the fall of the Great-Smurcian Empire, a power vacuum has ensued across the Continent, and while Northern-Oomnosia and Grunkeldunk have both returned to their rightful positions of hegemon of respectively the north and the south, there is now a third power to contend with: Rrahhia. However, because of Rrahhias impractical location (squeezed in between the Grunkeldunkian and Northern-Oomnosian spheres of influence), the young state is doomed to fall, which it does in 72 AD after devestating revolts in mainly northern Grunkeldunk and southern Smurcia. Now that Rrahhia has been cleared, Grunkeldunk and Northern-Oomnosia are once again the sentinels of the Lost Continent, but without the Great-Smurcian Empire, both nations (especially Northern-Oomnosia) have difficulty maintaining control over their territories. Especially the Smurcian states direly long for independence, and the situation is unmaintainable. Northern-Oomnosia decides to leave Smurcia and northern Viptelstan and leave control to local lords around 24 AD. Greek, however, brought to the Continent by Aristhotolos and his men, still maintains its status as the lingua franca.

The victors at Juzjno Sakhalinsk were not completely thorough, though, in exterminating all key members of the Great-Smurcian Empire. The last emperor's son, Parthalopinaois of Sakhalin, excapes the slaughter and joins a group of Smurcian loyalists hiding in the highlands of Kuruztan. Together, they make a difficult, 2 year long journey through the Lost Continent, all the way through Grunkeldunk, Rrahhia and Viptelstan, constantly under attack by enemies of the crown that now hold power in most of the Continent, until, in 16 AD, finally arriving in southern Smurcia. When Partholopinaios arrives at Iserstos with his host, counting over twentythousand loyalists, the people of the city recieve him in extase - all believed the line of kings had been ended. Parthalopinaios, who is sick of ruling and fighting, conquers a small area the size of Luxemburg and puts his son, Nicador Diadochos Successor, forward as the rightful King of Smurcia. Parthalopinaios retreats into the Rochelmountains, and his grave can still be visited nearby Kutra-el-Tohn.

Nicador's son, Midas the Rich, succeeds his father after his death in 58. He manages to expand the territory his dynasty controls to an area the size of present day Macedon, and he rebuilds the temple of Aristhotolos and Zri-el in Iserstos, which was destroyed in the Sack of Iserstos about fifty years ago. Under his rule, the Achterly Ocean Trade flourishes, and for some time it seems as if the days of the Great-Smurcian Empire have returned. Ancient temples and palaces are restored, but in 94 the tide turns with the assassination of Midas. A new dynasty (the Gh'armivids) seizes the throne, and all hard work of rebuilding is undone as the Kingdom of Iserstos sinks to barbarian levels as the new dynasty proves to be weak and ineffective in maintaining the Great-Smurcian technologies and architecture. Many scholars therefore acknowledge 94 AD to be the official enddate of the Great-Smurcian Empire, as the Line of Emperors is definitively disposessed. Grunkeldunk and Northern-Oomnosia are the last classic civilisations, who struggle to survive in the three dark centuries that follow.

However, the tables turn again in november 403, when Memnon the Rebuilder commits a coup d'etat and seizes Iserstos from the ruling house. He is a popular leader and a direct descendant of Midas the Rich, and he therefore reinstates the old culture of the Great-Smurcian Empire. Under his rule, the New Smurcian Kingdom flourishes as Memnon manages te reunite all of northern Smurcia. Grunkeldunk, encouraged by the return of civilisation, invades Zackylandia again and restores the Achterly Ocean Trade with the New Smurcians and the Smurcistanians. Northern-Oomnosia however is worried by the increasing power of the New Smurcian Kingdom and deploys extra troops in Smurcistan and Viptelstan.

Isgeria's Kingdom
When Memnon is killed in 432 by Nestor the Mean (a distant relative), Memnon's son, Manelos, personally kills Nestor and ascends the throne. Manelos shows to be a brilliant general in the Battle of Bazalbab town, where he defeats an army twice as big as his. Smurcia falls entirely under his regime in 435, and in under ten years time, the New Smurcian Kingdom expands into Smurcistan, Viptelstan and Rrahhia. Wealth and prosperity return to the land. Manelos then allies with Grunkeldunk, and together they attempt what no king or empire has dared before: they invade the Northern-Oomnosian homeland of Grombolistan in 442. And against all odds, they catch Northern-Oomnosia completely by surprise. The Grunkeldunkian and New Smurcian legions stand in front of the gates of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad in late 442. The nation is conquered within a year, as Grombolistan never even needed proper defenses around its cities. Pride proved to be the downfall of Northern-Oomnosia. The people of the Smurcian States name Manelos 'Isgeria' (meaning 'Wise Owl' in Old Smurcian) for his victory, and temples are erected in his honor. But the glory does not last long, and Isgeria is killed in 444 by Hemoglobos the Bloody, another distant relative of the family. Isgeria's brother and successor, Fratros the Young, again personally executes Hemoglobos and leads Smurcia into a peaceful period that lasts until 472. He renames Iserstos, in honor of his elder brother, Isgeriastan, a name it now still carries. His reign shows little special events apart from the first great market of Caleistan, and his son Atellor succeeds him - but in 472, the Continent is shocked by a sudden Siberian barbarian invasion force crossing the Tartar Street. Grunkeldunk is surprised after a period of 400 years of relative peace, and the Kingdom falls in 474 in the famed Siege and Fall of Muaqnizmock. With the fall of Grunkeldunk, the way to the north is opened, and the Siberians march on Isgeriastan with shocking speed. In 475, the clock finally strikes the end in Smurcia, as the Temple of Isgeria, Aristhotolos and Zri-el is razed and burnt down by the barbarians. Grombolistan, freed from New Smurcian control, briefle exists as an independent state, but in 478, it too falls to the Siberian force. With it, the last classic nation is brought to its end, and the Classic Era finally ends after 4000 years.

Restoration period (478-845)
The first four centuries of the following dark age are noted due to the minimal amount of artefacts recovered from this period. Scholars know only the rough cut of what happened in the 350 years following the Siberian invasion, especially because the buildings from this period were mainly constructed with wood, which, over the years, has worn down and disintegrated. Several temples have however been recovered in especially Kuruztan and Smurcistan, and the scriptures found there have given us a global overview of the period.

After the fall of all ancient civilisations, the last loyalists to the Grunkeldunkian regime flee to Balleba and Kuruztan, while New-Smurcian and Northern-Oomnosian patriots flee mainly to the Smurcistanian mountains. This results in a resurgence of the classic culture in Smurcistan, Balleba and Kuruztan, and because of this, the first nations to make their comeback are the Kingdom of Asmurcistan in 547 and the Duchy of Kuruztan in 572. The Kingdom of Asmurcistan sends missionairies all across the Continent, and contact is re-established with the Duchy of Kuruztan in 623. Fourteen years later, the Duchy of Balleba is formed in 637, and the Achterly Ocean Trade is slowly revived. Trade ports are founded all along the Achterly Ocean's shores, most notably the Balleban port Negliki in central Sakhalin, the Kuruztanian trade hub of of Ma'armola in southern Griekelrrah and, most importantly, the Smurcistanian metropolis of Myumph in northern Grunkeldunk. The influx of foreign goods and the increase in trade slowly restored the economy to its pre-invasion levels, and in 701, King Valdinar II reclaims the Grunkeldunkian throne. In 709, Smurcia follows with the Caleistanian Union.

Now that the Achterly Ocean Trade has returned, nations are slowly beginning to re-establish themselves. In 712, the Empire of Isgeriastan is founded, an important step towards Smurcian unification. This nation plays a key role in reviving Grombolistan: trade from the Achterly Ocean now flows through Smurcia towards Grombolistan. And thus, in 736, the Great-Grombolistanian Empire is founded, yet not very powerful. Trade has now also reached the Sea of Okhotsk, and Asmurcistan enters a golden era. The restoration effort is paying off, and in 784, the Kingdom of Rrahhia returns, as well as the Pfrotlandian Empire (former Pfrotyen). Smurcia is even reunified in 815, and in 816 the Caliphate of Sp'hakwan on Spakistan is founded for the first time.

War has been on the background for the past threehundred years, and Grunkeldunk commences the first war in 789 by invading Zackylandia again (and successfully). Grunkeldunk then marches north, and lays claim to Ma'armola. Kuruztan surrenders Ma'armola and Koyanara without protest, as Grunkeldunk overpowers them massively. Grunkeldunk then turns to Myumph and Natifq, and as it is in former Grunkeldunkian territory, it is claimed by the king. Asmurcistan however does not agree, and they send a fleet across the Achterly Ocean to defend it. The following battle is won by Grunkeldunk, and the Achterly War has begun. Balleba is taken by Asmurcistan, and the war lasts until 823, when something unexpected happens: a Great-Grombolistanian fleet enters the Achterly Ocean through the Smurcistan Straits and burns the Asmurcistanian fleet. A year later, in 824, the Great-Grombolistanians invade Asmurcistan and Smurcia without warning. Smurcia is forced to surrender in 827, and Asmurcistan in 834. Grunkeldunk, left without a competitor in the Achterly Ocean, then claims the monopoly in 835.

Early middle period (835-1034)
With the return of the Great-Grombolistanian Empire and the hegemony of the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk in the Achterly Ocean, the Restoration period has ended. With these empires comes a resurgence in scriptures, architecture and culture, not to mention prosperity. But old hostilities are also returning, as the Great-Grombolistan Empire attacks Balleba in 852. Grunkeldunk, who had the monopoly on the Achterly Ocean Trade, comes to the aid of Balleba and launches a land assault on southern Smurcia. Grombolistan is forced to spread its forces, and Balleba manages to survive this first attack. Grombolistan then decides that it might be too early to try and take the Achterly Ocean, so they retreat through the Smurcistan Straits. The following Pax Ballebae lasts for almost two centuries. The Early middle period is therefore characterised by minimal border changes and a great increase in prosperity and development. Especially the Caliphate of Sp'hakwan flourishes greatly, as its capital city of Sp'hakwan becomes a trade hub between the Lost Continent and Japan, Korea and China.

In 873, the first university of the Lost Continent is opened in Sp'hakwan. Scholars there start translating the works of ancient classics to Grunkeldunkian, Smurcian and Grombolistanian, including the Epou Smurkia, written by Aristhotolos Smurcistos himself in 305-303 BC, and the Sevenhundred Tales of Izmir and his Sons, an epic written in Ancient Smurcian before the 15th century BC during the Pax Graeculrahhus. Following Sp'hakwan's example, universities are opened in Kurvyanor in Kuruztan, Ra'amad in Smurcistan (now under Grombolistanian control) and Ar-Meg-Zwygmad in Grombolistan. Knowledge starts spreading throughout the continent, as ancient technologies like aquaducts and sewers are recovered.

It is also in the Early middle period that the religious structure of the Lost Continent starts taking shape. Ghaznipism, the teachings of the prophet Ghaznip, has been around for at least five centuries, but now (in around 900) it finally starts to gain followers in mainly the Smurcian states and Kuruztan. On the other hand we have New Palbadorism, an amalgam of Ancient Palbadorism, Pneuism and Greek religion (Olympianism), which gains its followers in Grombolistan, Grunkeldunk and Pfrotland. In the end we have Schpydthism, which is strongest in Rrahhia. The divisions shaped by these religions are still visible in the Continent nowadays.

Though war is something the nations are direly avoiding, there are different ways to expand territory. The Great-Grombolistanian Empire has begun a widespread campaign of royal marriages and alliances. In 938, Prince Khul'da'Phal of Grombolistan marries the Duke of Balleba's daughter, effectively bringing Balleba under Grombolistanian control. Grunkeldunk, feeling threatened, retaliates by marrying their King, Olravar II to the princess of Rrahhia, thus gaining a powerful ally in the east in 945. Grombolistan then marries a wide array of princes and princesses to the members of the disposessed royal houses of Asmurcistan and Smurcia, creating a stronger, unified and centralised state. The answer given by Grunkeldunk is allying with the County of Griekkelrrah and the Pfrotlandian Empire in 962. Meanwhile, Sp'hakwan keeps getting wealthier and wealthier, and in 970 its immense fortune rivals that of the entire Continent together.

The turn in this Cold War comes in 998, when Emperor Gadr'del'Agdra ascends the Grombolistanian throne. A tyrant, he quickly reforms the empire into a totalitarian centralised state, ruled from the imperial palace in Ar-Meg-Zwygmad. Grunkeldunk, fearing an attack, increases army patrols along the northern borders and puts up a blockade in the Smurcistan Straits in 999. The Asmurcian and Smurcian peoples groan under the tyrannical rule of Emperor Gadr'del'Agdra, and it even comes to an uprising in Smurcia in 1003, which is quelled by the Imperial Army in 1006 under General Dal'dadr. Dal'dadr, however, decides to stay in Smurcia, and marries a Smurcian woman, Shaelaya of Spil'rahl, in 1008. Shaelaya gives birth a year later to a boy named Schrutchi.

The Schrutchi-Uprising
Schrutchi is raised in Isgeriastan with his parents. He starts training in strategy, tactics and swordfighting at a very young age, and in 1024, when he turns fifteen, his father is called back to Ar-Meg-Zwygmad. Schrutchi and his mother accompany him, but becomes clear that the Mad Emperor has set a trap: Dal'Dadr is executed before Schrutchi's eyes, who would have been killed as well, were it not for a band of anti-imperial rebels smuggling him out of the city and to the Highlands of Grombolistan. He there lives in Hirith M'thzarex, the ancient, abandoned imperial capital, plotting his revenge. His skill in strategy and combat ensure his rapid advancement through the rebel ranks, and in 1030, at his twenty-first, he is already a respected captain in the Grombolistanian Insurgent Army.

In 1032, the insurgents make contact with Grunkeldunk and the insurgency groups in Smurcia and Smurcistan, asking for their assistance in a rebellion and attack on Ar-Meg-Zwygmad to depose the Mad Emperor. Grunkeldunk immediately responds and mobilizes its armies, marching them into the almost unguarded province of Viptelstan. The rebels from Smurcia and Smurcistan then secretly cross the Snurmian Sea at the Crapit Narrow, while Grombolistan itself empties as its troops are shipped to Viptelstan, where the Grunkeldunkians are ravaging imperial cities. The rebels rally in Hirith M'thzarex, and they carry out their first strikes on the lands surrounding Ar-Meg-Zwygmad. The leader of the rebellion however, General Snarhl, is killed in action. Schrutchi, who sees his opportunity, knows he can lead the rebels to victory. he therefore has his competitors for the rebel throne secretly assassinated, thus ending up as general of the rebellion.

In 1034, everything is set. The Grunkeldunkian fleets block the Mondian Gulf and the Tloppa'ar Narrow, and the rebels carry out their decisive strike on Ar-Meg-Zwygmad on the first of september. The city guard is caught by surprise (they never suspected there to be so many rebels), and the battle is easily won. The Mad Emperor is personally slain by Schrutchi. Now however, Grombolistan is leaderless. The rebels see only one possibility: Schrutchi for emperor. And thus it is carried out: on the 5th of december, 1034, Schrutchi, the Slayer of Emperors, ascends the Grombolistanian throne.

Expansion
The first thing Schrutchi does after taking the throne is ally with Grunkeldunk, who immediately retreat from a scarred Viptelstan. After that, he grants mercy to all political opponents of the regime and sets them free. In 1035, he crosses the Snurmian Sea again, back to Smurcia, where he is recieved with open arms. The people love him, and an imperial residence (Isgeria's old palace) is prepared for the new Emperor. Schutchi is, next to a strategist, also a natural politician, and he marries the daughter of the King of Grunkeldunk, Dylakoreia, in 1037. After the Grunkeldunkian king passes away in 1040, Schrutchi, who is at that moment executing a campaign in Kamchatchka, also acquires Grunkeldunk.

With nearly all of the Lost Continent in Schrutchi's hands, he sends a few legions to take Rrahhia and Kuruztan, after which he moves the bulk of his forces to Sakhalin. He crosses the Tartar Street in 1042 with his armies, leading the invasion of Manchuria and Siberia personally. After an initial defeat against a combined Goryeo-Liao dynasty force in northern Korea, his troops crushingly shatter Goryeo's royal legions and take Manchuria. Schrutchi stations an experienced legion at the northern end of the Korean peninsula to keep Goryeo there, and marches on to the Liao dynasty (also known as the Khitan Empire). He marches directly onto their capital of Shangjing in eastern Mongolia and lays siege to the city, which surrenders after several months of fighting in 1043. His troops then march south to meet the Liao Emperor Xingzong, who has been fighting the Song dynasty in the south. Seeing that he cannot win, he surrenders the Liao dynasty to Schrutchi in late 1043. Schrutchi puts Xingzong back on the throne as a vassal, and marches south-west, taking the Western Xia, or Tangut Empire as well, again installing the former monarch as a vassal. He leaves the two states as buffers against the emergent Song dynasty, and he returns north-west.

Meanwhile, his troops have secured all the lands across the Sea of Okhotsk. He directs several legions under general Liondias to take Alaska, while he marches westward, taking the Kara-Khoja Kingdom in the famed Battle of the Muzat River in 1045. His armies, encouraged by this streak of decisive victories, bring him another one, when he defeats the Kara-Khanid Khanate in the Battle of Kashgar in 1046. Victory upon victory rain down upon him, and in 1047, Schrutchi and his armies stand at the shores of the Caspian Sea, having driven the Seljuks from their homelands towards the south, where they start invading the Ghaznavid Sultanate. Schrutchi sends one third of his army to consolidate the westernmost border of his empire and takes the rest of his troops north around the Caspian Sea, not willing to risk his empire by invading the Middle-East. In 1049, he arrives in the Caucasian realm of the Khazars and Alans, whom he defeats in 1050. He puts a garrison in the Caucasus to block the passes and heads north again, towards Kievan Rus'. He is met there by the Grand Prince of Rus', Yaroslav the Wise, whom he formally greets in 1051. Yaroslav's men are vastly outnumbered. The two have a conversation, and emerge again, after which Yaroslav announces that Kievan Rus' will surrender the southern half of its territory to Schrutchi, and that Kievan Rus' will therefore be considered a friend of Schrutchi's Imperium. Schrutchi then marries his general to Yaroslav's daughter, and the two part ways again as Schrutchi once again heads west, towards the Great Middle Ocean. It is now that his goals become clear: Schrutchi wants to find and conquer the lands in the furthest west, where the Great-Smurcians originated. It is rumored that this realm laid 'beside the great sea', and thus he heads on towards the Balkans. He arrives in Romania in 1053, where he meets the Kingdom of Hungary and the Byzantine Empire. These states, together, finally manage to build up a defense against Schrutchi's relentless horde, and Schrutchi is defeated in Thrace in 1054, just a hundred miles away from his goal: Macedon.

Equilibrium
Schrutchi decides that it has been enough and he begins working on consolidating his empire, which now spreads from the state of Washington to Romania, and from the Northern Ice Sea to Afghanistan. Envoys are sent to the states surrounding it to ensure the empire is not unexpectedly attacked. Sp'hakwan, that was never really conquered by Schrutchi, lends enormous amounts of money and materials to Schrutchi to finance his defense plan. The money is used to built fortresses and walls, but also to fund trade settlements along the border or internal security.

In March 1055, Schrutchi requests the Byzantine Empire to allow him passage into Macedon. He inclines to visit the city of Pella, and offers the Empire great sums of gold. Constantine IX grants Schrutchi permission, and in April 1055 Schrutchi stands among the ruins of the city of Pella. He visits the family grave of Alexander the Great and Orestis, the city where Seleukos, the founder of the Seleucid Empire, was born. He leaves the Sword of Aristhotolos, an ancient artifact, in Pella, and he returns to his forward capital of Bucharest.

In June 1057, Schrutchi, now one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful man in the world, asks the Papal States to recieve him in October of that year. Pope Victor II, a friend of his, quickly agrees, but later in June of that year Victor II passes away. The new pope however, Stephen IX, is afraid of Schrutchi's ambitions and fears the fall of Rome. His fears are justified when the Polish, who attack Schrutchi in October, are crushingly defeated and subdued. In a secret meeting in late december, it is decided that, in the best interest of Rome, Schrutchi must be killed. Stephen then reluctantly agrees to allow Schrutchi his visit in Februari 1058.

When Schrutchi arrives in Februari, sailing up the Tiber, there is no cheering crowd. He and his men disembark in front of the Pope and his delegation. Schrutchi, looking around, wonders: "Where is the people? Bring me the people." The pope then walks up to him, and speaks: "It is God's will." and steps aside. Schrutchi then sees twenty archers, aiming at him. A second later, twenty arrows penetrate his chest. His men are slaughtered by the Papal Guard. As he sinks to his knees, he speaks his last words: "Saltem, ego mori Romae.", meaning: "At least I die in Rome." The Papal Guard then take the body and toss it in the Tiber river, and with it, Schrutchi's reign has ended, at age 49. In the end, it was inevitable.

Decline
When word of Schrutchi's death reaches Bucharest, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria immediately revolt. The Schrutchian regime is overthrown in 1059. Word is sent to his wife in Grunkeldunk, as Schrutchi's general Gel'lart takes over the army and marches them back to the Crimean peninsula. When Dylakoreia recieves word of her husband's death, she immediately arranges for her son, Luhel, to be crowned as King of Grunkeldunk and Emperor of Greater Grombolistan. The young boy, born in 1042, has recieved training in tactics and strategy and is a fairly capable commander, and is sent to the front in 1061, at age 19. He arrives there in early 1062, just in time to turn an otherwise crushing defeat in Crimea into a directed tactical retreat. Luhel decides to leave Kievan Rus' and march back towards the northern shore of the Caspian Sea.

However, with the death of Schrutchi, many opponents to the empire see their chance appear: in a simultaneous revolt by both the Liao, the Western Xia and Goryeo in 1063, the empire's influence in the east is greatly diminished. The loyalist emperor of the Liao dynasty is nearly assassinated, and to please the people and make sure he will not be attacked again, he launches an assault on the empire. Devestating defeats follow. Luhel realizes that, without a strong leader like Schrutchi, the empire's borders are to long to defend. as such, he pulls back the troops from the Caspian Sea towards the Tarim Bassin, and he personally heads for the east in 1065 to quell the Liao uprising. Under his leadership, his men again manage to acquire several difficult victories over the Liao, Western Xia and Goryeo, but there are simply to many enemies to be fought. And when the Song dynasty joins the fight and the Jurchen people rise up against Luhel in Manchuria in 1067, he sees the fact that Manchuria can no longer be held. Therefore, he retreats from Manchuria and Washington and pulls those troops back from across the Bering Straits towards the southern front with the Chinese. He also manages to maintain a corridor towards the Caspian Sea.

A watchful peace is maintained for the next seven years, and in 1070 Luhel marries his sister, Hylar'ish to a Mongol Lord, Khaidu, the ancestor of Genghis Khan, who ruled an empire almost as large as Schrutchi's several hundred years later. But in 1075, the empire is shook with grief when Luhel is assassinated by a Levantine assassin, Mehmet Ibn La'Ahad. The assassin vanishes in the dark, leaving the empire without leader, especially because Luhel's sister's son, Bayi'sinor (also known as Baishinkhor Dogshin in Mongolian), is just four years old and therefore not capable of leading an empire. Thus, with the empire in disarray, another series of rebellions engulf it. The Seljuks invade in the west, the Chinese and Koreans in the east. Luhel's generals, seeing no other way to prevent the empire from collapsing in 1076, retreat the troops from the central Asian plains, back towards the Sea of Okhotsk. Sp'hakwan, who witnessed its profits vaporize with the loss of Asia, refuses to lend the empire its money to build its defenses. Sp'hakwan closes its docks until the empire has fallen. In the end, none of the defensive measures work: in 1077, Liao and Goryeo troops cross the Tartar Street to Sakhalin; one year later, Japanese troops invade and conquer Hokkaido. In Grunkeldunk, King Ardumar XVI commits a coup d'etat; a popular uprising follows in Rrahhia several months later. Smurcia is starting to fragment, when the south declares its independence in late 1079. Isgeriastan and the rest of the north follow in steps in 1080. Meanwhile, a massive army marches north towards Ar-Meg-Zwygmad, and when Kamchatchka rebels in late 1080, it's finally over for the empire. The combined Grunkeldunk-Japan-Liao-Goryeo-Rrahhia host needs only show its swords to enter the city in Juli 1081, and with that, Schrutchi's Greater Grombolistanian Empire has fallen.

High middle period (1081-1259)
Now that the Empire has fallen, Goryeo, Liao and Japan are still present in the Lost Continent. Of course, the native nations of the Continent do not tolerate this, and after a short war, Grunkeldunk and Rrahhia manage to drive the foreigners back across the Tartar Street in 1084. Now that the Continent has been cleared of the Grombolistanians, it is now a blend of different tiny counties, duchies and city-states, each with their own national identity. Smurcia alone is claimed by more than six nations. Grombolistan, meanwhile, has been put under Rrahhian occupation, but the brutal force with which the Rrahhians keep the peace leads to increasing impopularity of the provisional regime in Grombolistan, and it is therefore overthrown in 1093. Grombolistan falls apart in tiny city-states as well, and Rrahhia has to retreat its troops.

With the north of the Continent a patchwork of autonomous states, the south enjoys another golden age: Sp'hakwan has reopened its gates to the world, and massive amounts of money flow across the southern half of the Continent. Grunkeldunk, the Pfrotlandian Empire and Kuruztan see massive revenues appear. Grunkeldunk rebuilds the Great Royal Palace in Muaqnizmock that was destroyed over 600 years prior, and the universities of Kurvyanor and Sp'hakwan make significant technological improvements, like the improved plough, making harvesting easier and more profitable. Grunkeldunk brings Zackylandia under its regime once again, but Rrahhia, to the contrary, faces financial difficulties: The influx of foreign goods to the national market has plummeted the prices that Rrahhian farmers can demand for their yield. The situation is dire, and in 1112, the nation goes bankrupt. Taxes on import and income skyrocket, which adds to the popular discontent of the nation's inhabitants. The king of Rrahhia, Ravatter II, is too weak to prevent a revolution, which happens in 1117, when the Royal palace is attacked and sacked. Ravatter is lynched by the people, but it does not solve any of the financial problems. The people then institute a new government, and they need a king to lead it. The question is which king or lord to pick: Rrahhian sentiment towards the Grunkeldunkian king is awful at most, the Caliph of Sp'hakwan is more of a merchant lord, the King of Kuruztan is too far away... the deliberation takes too long, and in 1120 the Grunkeldunkians seize the chance by invading Rrahhia. As the state has no government to lead it, it surrenders after less than a year in 1121. Tensions with Kuruztan are increasing, as Grunkeldunk's economy and power keep steadily growing.

Meanwhile, the Kuruztanian king, Dilyuntar I, has married the princess of the Pfrotlandian Empire. When the Pfrotlandian emperor then dies in 1128, and seen that Pfrotland does not have a matriarchal option in the line of succession, Dilyuntar inherits the Empire, effectively doubling his territory and economy. This turns the 12th century into the Kuruztanian Golden Era, in which the Dual Kingdom of Kuruztan and Pfrotland is practically the financial hegemon of the Continent.

In 1162, the King of Kuruztan-Pfrotland dies. His son, Valdyos I, is a different monarch entirely, and instead of using his acquired wealth to usher in a new age of prosperity, he uses it for war. He invests the largest part of the nation's fortune in the army, and by 1165 that army is large enough and eager to acquire the king's goal: hegemony over the south. For almost 3500 years, he tells the people, the Kuruztanians and Pfrotlandians have been on the background, standing in the shadow of their mighty neighbour: the ancient Kingdom of Grunkeldunk. But that time has come to an end: in 1167, Valdyos invades western Grunkeldunk. Grunkeldunk is taken by surprise and its legions are too far away at the Rrahhian front. Because of this, Grunkeldunk is unable to respond in time, and before they know it, the western and southern provinces are lost to the Kuruztanian-Pfrotlandian force. Valdyos' army marches on relentlessly, and in early 1169, his legions stand in front of the gates of Muaqnizmock. The Grunkeldunkian King has fled to Rrahhia, so not much resistance is put up as Valdyos enters the city. He takes the Royal Palace, and with that, he claims dominion over all of Grunkeldunk. Grunkeldunkian loyalists then flee the city en masse and run for Rrahhia. Taking the city was a brilliant step; with it, Valdyos also claimed a massive economic boost, as Muaqnizmock is arguably the richest city in the south, second only to Sp'hakwan. By the end of 1170, Kuruztan-Pfrotland eclipses even Sp'hakwan in sheer wealth, as the Kuruztanian trade ports on Hokkaido make golden profits.

A peaceful period follows from 1170 to 1259: the northern half of the continent remains in its fragmented state, though Grombolistan is making reunification efforts, while the Grunkeldunkians in exile in Rrahhia slowly draw their plans to remove the usurpers from their throne in Muaqnizmock. The Achterly Ocean Trade dissappears on the background, as the Hokkaido-Sp'hakwan trade is much more profitable, thus bringing the city-states along the Ocean's shores into poverty, especially Balleba. The islandstate is forced to accept incorporation into the Kuruztanian-Pfrotlandian Union in 1238. In 1246, a long lost sound returns to the world as the horns of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad announce the coronation of a new Emperor of Grombolistan. Emperor Ar'de'Grumthizj I, King of Triaveros, managed to unite the western half of the island in 1233. The other half followed in 1245. The return of the Grombolistanian Empire means an economical resurgence in the north of the continent, aiding the Smurcian States in reuniting. In the thirteen years following 1246, the Lost Continent is quiet.

Late middle period (1259-1461)
In 1259, however, the peace is suddenly broken by the slow but steady collapse of the Song dynasty and the weakening of the Goryeo kingdom under Mongol pressure, and with it, the Asian economy. The Hokkaido-Sp'hakwan trade revenue drops significantly, and the wealthiest two nations in the Lost Continent, Sp'hakwan and Kuruztan-Pfrotland, see their profits vaporize before their eyes. With Kuruztan-Pfrotland in a deep financial crisis, having barely enough money to fund its - now overly large - army, the Grunkeldunkians in exile seize their chance. They call upon the people of former Grunkeldunk to repel the occupators, the usurpers that did this to them. And it works: popular discontent is rising to a climax, and in late 1265, a popular uprising begins. The city of Ma'armola (once a Kuruztanian port, NB) writes a letter to the King of Kuruztan and Pfrotland, Valdyos II, stating that, given the fact that the Kingdom is unable to prevent economical collapse and therefore also unable to defend the city, they therefore seek their leadership with another. And that other is, of course, the Grunkeldunkian heir to the throne, Valdumar XII, who now marches what's left of the Royal Army into the north of Grunkeldunk. Kuruztan-Pfrotland is left without money, without people and without almost any army. In the meantime, the Mongols show up in Sakhalin for the first time, adding to the pressure on the Kuruztanian-Pfrotlandian Kingdom. Luckily for the Lost Continent, this first force is only a scout party. Sp'hakwan, who sees the chances Valdumar has to retake the throne rise exponentially, lend him what's left of their fortune in 1266 to fund his invasion, knowing that if Grunkeldunk returns on the market, profits will skyrocket. Valdumar gladly accepts, and in 1270, he and his tiny army (but backed up by a huge, angry mob) enter the city of Muaqnizmock. The Kuruztanian King, who has already fled, has put a count to rule in his name. The count is imprisoned and sent to Kamchatchka, while now King Valdumar XII takes seat on the Grunkeldunkian throne. Grunkeldunk is, once more, Grunkeldunkian territory.

The Kuruztanian army flees back into their mountains, only to encounter a real full fledged Mongol invasion force there, eager to claim the fertile lands of Grunkeldunk for their Great Khan. The Kuruztanians are trapped between the angered Grunkeldunkians and the Mongols - and they pick the Mongols as their priority target. It is the right choice, and with combined forces, Kuruztan, Pfrotland and Smurcistan, the three forces present on now Mongol-infested Sakhalin, manage to drive the Mongols off the island in the battle of Korsakov in 1271, but with heavy losses. The Mongols having fled, Kuruztan retakes the southern portion of Sakhalin, thus reclaiming their old territory. Pfrotland, however, now left without defenses, is no match for Grunkeldunk and falls in 1272. By 1277, all of Grunkeldunk is back under Valdumar's control, except for the border region of Trans-Karmenia and Gzmolia between Grunkeldunk and Kuruztan. Valdumar, knowing that a buffer state can be very useful, leaves it like this and continues ruling his newly acquired kingdom. Rrahhia, now freed from Grunkeldunkian occupation, immediately declares its independence, but the Grunkeldunkians do not mind now that they have their lands back. Valdumar dies in peace in late 1290, having ruled for 25 years.

Meanwhile, Smurcia, revived by the return of Grombolistan, is making steps towards reunification. The north has already been unified under the banner of the Empire of Northern Smurcia in 1261, but the south seems a bit of a problem. Luckily, the problem does not last, and in 1294, five years after the return of the Kingdom of Smurcistan, Smurcia is reunified in the United Empire of Great Smurcia. It is one of the fewer times that Smurcia exists as a unified, yet independent state. Now that the 14th century dawns, we face a recognisable continent as the borders that last to this day are becoming visible. Meanwhile, in the south, Japanese pirate attacks slowly keep increasing, until they are brought to a sudden end when the Grunkeldunkian and Sp'hakwanian fleets, in a joint operation, manage to cleanse the entire southern Sea of Okhotsk of pirates in late 1313. In the Battle of Sijo-chin beach, a village in Northern Hokkaido, the pirates are massacred by the Sp'hakwan merchant fleet, not to return for at least two centuries.

The 14th and first half of the 15th century are reknowned for their wealth in art and literature. In these 150 years, only a minimal amount of wars is fought, and the absence of war, destruction and poverty created a peaceful and progressive era. Smurcian and Grombolistanian literature experience a pinnacle, as great classics like Chronicles of the Rochelmountains, a historiographic account of the history of the Rochelmountains, from 400 BC to 1400 AD, Ode to the Emperor, a satirical 5000-lines long poem to the Grombolistanian Emperor, and The Fall of Muaqnizmock and the Long Exile, telling the tale of the siege and fall of Muaqnizmock and its repercussions in the latter half of the 12th century. Humanism starts to spark the Continent's inhabitants, as Schpydtism and Palbadorism slowly fade to the background. Great philosophers like Ghil-ghibber (1332) are born, and with the fall of the Kenmu Restoration in Japan, many imperial loyalists flee to Grunkeldunk and the rest of the Continent, and with them, bring the famed craftmanship of Japan. When, in 1461, The Rrahhilian Kingdom (a precursor to present-day Viptelstan) is founded from a loose federation of city-states, the Continent's political makeup is almost complete and historians no longer speak of the Middle Era. Thus the Late middle period has ended.

Dawn period (1461-1541)
The Early Modern Era commences with the foundation of the Rrahhilian Principality in 1461. The country's ruling dynasty, the Algerbads, are closely related to the imperial Grombolistanian family, the Grudaeki, so the young state is heavily influenced by the Grombolistanian Empire. The Rrahhilians consolidate quickly, and to make allies, they marry their princesses to a variety of kings and queens. Rrahhia, Smurcia and Smurcistan gladly accept, but Grunkeldunk is more skeptical, and king Garlidon II sees the Rrahhilian Principality as nothing more than a puppet state for the Grombolistanian Empire, and therefore declines the offer. Grombolistan and Grunkeldunk, who have been isolated from each other for almost 300 years, have a brief clash over the territories between Rrahhilia and Grunkeldunk (roughly present day Griekkelrrah) in 1467, but tensions remain relatively low. The peace endures until 1474, but all of the sudden, disaster strikes the Lost Continent.

The plague, which struck China and Korea almost a century earlier, has remained outside the Continent due to its isolationist policy, but now, in 1474, the Black Death has finally found its way into Grunkeldunk through Kuruztan, killing hundreds of thousands. Sp'hakwan, Grombolistan and the Grunkeldunkian protectorate of Pfrotia (Pfrotland) immediately close their borders, but the plague rapidly encompasses the entire continent by 1476 save these three nations. It rages on for fourteen years, killing people by the millions. After the plague has passed in 1490, the population of the Continent has been reduced by over 40 percent, and the standard of living has hit an all-time low - Grunkeldunk, Rrahhia and the Smurcian States have been reduced to rubble. Grunkeldunk had to spend huge amounts of money to build quarantine camps, and poverty rules the land. However, this is a brilliant opportunity for the opponents of the Kingdom to strike, which they do: Pfrotia, which has been largely uninfected, and the tribes of Zackylandia, in whose mountains the plague had difficulties to penetrate, rise up and cast off the shackles of Grunkeldunkian regime simultaneously in 1492. The Empire of Pfrotia immediately rallies its troops and fortifies the entrance to the Pfrotlandian peninsula, to make sure Grunkeldunk won't reconquer them, but their worries are unneccesary, as Grunkeldunk is barely able to maintain its royal legions in Muaqnizmock, let alone on the Pfrotian border. Sp'hakwan also sees this as an opportunity to increase its wealth and influence and strikes quickly with its mercenairies to claim southern Zackylandia. By 1500, Grunkeldunk has lost the east to Zackylandia and Sp'hakwan and the south to Pfrotia.

Meanwhile, the north of the Continent is still healing its scars caused by the Black Death. The only unaffected country in the north, the Grombolistanian Empire, offers its aid to Smurcistan, Smurcia and Rrahhilia in 1499, but only if they swear their alliance to the Empire. Smurcistan, which was hit as one of the last countries and therefore is still having its last reported cases of the Plague quarantined, quickly agrees, and Rrahhilia, which is relatively poor, agrees reluctantly in 1500. Smurcia, however, refuses to cooperate, fearing another Grombolistanian invasion, and therefore declines the offer. Emperor Thad'bir'Dador of Grombolistan shrugs and starts sending aid to its newly acquired vassals.

Meanwhile, Rrahhia is all on its own to restore itself to its former glory. In order to make this somewhat easier, King Reggier allies with the neighbouring Duchy of Grykelrrah in 1504. The unruled territories south of Grykelrrah, which have been rather uninfected and are teeming with fertile ground, are Grykelrrah's goal, and the invasion begins in 1507. Rrahhia, meanwhile, is preparing to strike the Grunkeldunkian posessions in Kamchatka, which are now pretty undefended, commencing the attack in 1508. Grunkeldunk is now under attack from the south by Pfrotia, the east by Zackylandia and in the north by Rrahhia.

The Pfrotian rise to power seems unstoppable. In 1499, they seize Transkarmenia (southwest of Grunkeldunk) and Ciskarmenia (south of Grunkeldunk), and in 1502 their troops march on to Muaqnizmock. King Ladrissar I of Grunkeldunk, knowing that he has to act to prevent the Kingdom from falling, makes a deal with Emperor Galesir: Pfrotia can have the southern half of Grunkeldunk, in exchange for granting Grunkeldunk a land corridor to the Sea of Okhotsk and their capital. Galesir, seeing his empire triple overnight, agrees, and by 1510, the Empire of Pfrotia is the new hegemon of the south. Sp'hakwan, Kuruztan and Pfrotia revive the Southern Okhotsk Trade (Kuruztan, Hokkaido, Pfrotland, Sp'hakwan), and the resulting profits are used to repair the damage done by the Plague. By 1530, living standards in the south are back to their pre-plague levels. Meanwhile, in 1524, General Kalesser of the Duchy of Grykelrrah finishes his conquest of southern Grykelrrah. In 1526, the last Grunkeldunkian territories in Kamchatchka fall under Rrahhian jurisdiction. The territories now ruled by Grunkeldunk are not even directly under royal control, but under the rule of local dukes and counts. In the period following 1530, not much noteworthy occurs, apart from the renaming of the Grombolistanian Empire to the Greater-Grombolistanian Empire in 1533.

Discovery period (1541-1598)
However, in autumn 1541, something unexpected happens: the port of Sp'hakwan recieves a ship with an unfamiliar design, flying an unknown banner. The captain of the ship looks very different from either Lost Continenters or Asians: he introduces himself as Fernao Mendes Pinto, a Portuguese explorer who was sent by the Kingdom of Portugal in 1539 to chart the unknown waters beyond the Ming Dynasty. When the Sp'hakwannian authorities question him about his origins and the location of Portugal, Pinto mentions a region called Europe. The chronicles of Sp'hakwan make only few mentions of 'Europe': it was the westernmost region to which Schrutchi's Empire stretched at its height in 1055. The Caliph of Sp'hakwan, Ya'azimiir, is delighted with the restoration of contact with Europe (and, of course, the potential trade involved), and offers him a royal place to stay in Sp'hakwan. Pinto is granted a tour of the island of Spakistan and a journey along the southern shores of the Continent. He visits Kuruztan, Hokkaido, Pfrotia and the southern tip of the Kingdom of Rrahhia, before setting sail south again (where he visits Japan in 1542), back towards home. Several years later, in 1544, another Portuguese sailor, Hernao Petraeo Gama, arrives, but he is not on his own: he has brought an entire European merchant fleet with him, which docks at Sp'hakwan, buying everything their eyes can see. The Caliph is utterly delighted, but worried as well: what if the European merchants take another port as their base of operations, and what if they just sail up the Rrahhian straits towards Grombolistan to get their goods, instead of buying them from the Caliphate? To counter this worst case scenario, Sp'hakwan sends its mercenary fleet to occupy the Haronesian Islands off the coast of Zackylandia, effectively blocking the passage towards the northern half of the Sea of Okhotsk in summer 1545. Kuruztan, which is reaping the same benefits as Sp'hakwan is, but in the west, immediately follows and blocks the Tartar Straits in the autumn. With European trade fleets (mainly Portuguese) visiting Kuruztan, Pfrotia and Sp'hakwan relatively frequently now, the three nations make golden profits. Moreover, European, Chinese and Indian products now easily make their way into the Continent. The first use of firearms is reported in Pfrotia in 1558.

The Blockade War (1555-1580)
Meanwhile, Rrahhia views the south with envy. To make a profit off the intercontinental trade as well, Rrahhian King Igrosser sends his admiral Ratargad to block the Rrahhian Channel in 1555. Sp'hakwannian ships suddenly face a blockade when they try reaching the Northern Sea of Okhotsk. The Rrahhians play it smart: their merchant fleets now sail the Northern Okhotsk Sea, trading with the Greater Oomnosian Empire and the Smurcian States and bringing it to Rrahhia. There, Sp'hakwannian traders can buy the products, but for a slightly higher price plus taxes. Thus, Rrahhia recieves a massive income boost and in increased influx of foreign products. The Kingdom of Smurcistan, watching the Rrahhians make golden profits, does the same and blocks the Smurcistan Straits in 1560, the only entrance to the Achterly Ocean, effectively giving them the monopoly on the products from the Achterly Ocean regions. They also attempt to block off the passage to the Northern Okhotsk Sea, but this is one step too far for Kuruztan and in 1563, the Smurcistanian blockade fleet is defeated by the Kuruztanians. One way or another, Smurcistan makes massive revenues, and is therefore renamed to the Empire of Smurcistania under King (now Emperor) Qal-Shareed.

While the south has been infighting over who gets to trade with the Greater Grombolistanian Emprie, the Grombolistanians themselves keep getting richer and richer. The United Empire of All Smurcia, however, has been rather set aside - by 1565 it is one of the poorest countries on the Continent, and therefore a sitting duck for Grombolistan. They smell it is the right time to strike their old nemesis again, and in 1567 a Grombolistanian army lands at the Snurmian Beach in Northern Smurcia, launching the Invasion of 1567. Smurcia is outnumbered, outwitted and outfunded and Isgeriastan is taken in the spring of that year. The United Empire is dissolved, and the nation is reinstated as the Prefectural Colony of Smurcia, under the government of a Prefect (an underking), ruling in the name of the Emperor. Smurcistania and Rrahhilia are both shocked by the sudden invasion, but they swore an oath to Grombolistan - besides, the Empire is by far stronger than the both of them combined, and Grombolistan promises the two nations several borderprovinces of Smurcia. Smurcistania and Rrahhilia are therefore forced to accept incorporation in the Grombolistanian Commonwealth, comprising Grombolistan and the Smurcian States. A new imperialist era has dawned.

Rrahhia, in the meantime, watches the Grombolistanian expansion in fear. They know that, if they allow this to persist, they will soon be bordering a powerful Grombolistanian Imperium in the north. The only way to assure their safety is to strike preemptively. The target is chosen: Grykelrrah will invade Smurcia, while Rrahhia will deal with the Grombolistanians and the Rrahhilians directly. And so it happens: in 1570, a Rrahhian force under General Hargider crosses the Grombolistanian border on the island of Smurcnialia, while Grykelrrahhian troops pour over the south of Smurcia. Grombolistan and Rrahhilia quickly retaliate, but they fail to undo the damage completely: southeast Smurcia, central Smurcnialia and southern Kamchatchka and Rrahhilia are ceded to Grykelrrah and Rrahhia respectively in 1574. Grykelrrah, though, has been boycotted during the war by the Smurcistanians (as they control the only entrance to the Achterly Ocean), and has therefore suffered economically. In the period 1570-1600, they are forced to cede more and more land to Rrahhia, which does have the funding to control these regions. Now with Rrahhia blocking the way south, Grombolistan turns its eyes north and conquers the northern shores of the Okhotsk Sea in 1577. With Rrahhian forces absent in the south however, Luallia (one of the Warring States of Zackylandia - the Confederation broke up in 1569) takes the southernmost provinces of Rrahhia.

The Southern Crisis (1579-1598)
Meanwhile, the south has been stirring. The blockades of Kuruztan and Sp'hakwan have led to a price war: The taxes demanded at either the Tartar Street or the Haronesian Islands keep getting lower and lower in order to attract more merchants, until the prices are so low that it costs the nations more to buy the goods than they get selling them. The crisis hits in 1579, when the Sp'hakwannian market implodes. Sp'hakwannian merchants and citizens revolt against the Caliph family, deposing him and placing a new family in power in order to return stability to the land. The Caliphate is renamed the Caliphate of Spakistan. The new Caliph is forced to demand enormous taxes on the products to pay the bills, leading to a merchant exodus towards Kuruztan. The Tartar Straits become clogged with merchant fleets, and Kuruztan is unable to stop them all. The blockade is broken, and for the first time in 35 years, in 1580, independent ships roam the Sea of Okhotsk.

Pfrotia, seeing the weakening of Kuruztan, sees it as a perfect opportunity to bring Kuruztan under Pfrotian rule once more, but the invasion, which is launches in autumn 1583, goes awry and the Pfrotians are caught in an entrenched landscape, unable to abandon their self-picked frontier. The crisis reaches another climax when the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk, which has long suffered under Pfrotian tyranny, takes its chances and invades the weakened Empire of Pfrotia in winter 1585. Pfrotia is forced to split its troops, and soon Pfrotian legions are entrenched along the entire border. But the ultimate crescendo is reached when, in spring 1587, a Rrahhian army crosses into Grunkeldunkian territory, taking the undefended cities one by one, vanquishing their old opponents for once and for all. And in the west, Gzmolia, once nothing more than a bufferstate between Kuruztan and Grunkeldunk, suddenly rises up against Kuruztan and Grunkeldunk alike, sending their armies south, east, north and west to spread the word of the Araab, taking undefended territories in a string of victories in 1590. But the tide turns in 1592, when Balleba enters the war on the Grunkeldunkian side due to a strategic marriage. They block off the access to the Kuruztanian Inner Sea and the Gulf of Ma'armola, cutting Kuruztanian and Rrahhian trade income by 50 percent. Grunkeldunk, finally standing a chance again, turns the offensive against its enemies, and first success is acquired in 1593 with Gzmolia being pushed back into its former territory. Grunkeldunk then turns on Pfrotia and Kuruztan, pushing them out of Grunkeldunk proper by 1595, before finally facing Rrahhia, its greatest nemesis. The war between the two ends in a stalemate in 1597, with all southern countries exhausted by a war that ends in a near status quo ante bellum. Kuruztan, as one of the semi-losing parties, is reformed into a Grand-Duchy. In februari 1598, a treaty is signed between Kuruztan, Pfrotia, Grunkeldunk, Rrahhia and Gzmolia, dividing the southern portion of the Continent between the nations, in the hope that a later war can be prevented. Unfortunately, it couldn't be prevented that the Gzmolian Wars broke out just fourteen years later.

Scientific advancement and progress in the arts were numerous during the Discovery period. European technologies and philosophies were introduced in the Continent, like firearms, christianity and humanism. Chinese and Japanese art forms are dominant during this period, but attributes from the Middle East are common as well.

Prelude to the Wars (1598-1612)
The prelude to the Gzmolian Wars is of course the Southern Crisis of 1579-1598. Tensions between the nations of the Lost Continent, especially the southern ones, have always been high, and they snapped for the first time in a total war in 1579. In 1598, the Southern Pacification Pact was signed in Muaqnimock, in theory ensuring peace but in practice only assuring the tensions would be kept for later. In 1600, the first cracks in the Pact appear: Kuruztan occupies a neighbouring province of Pfrotia, invoking ancient claims. The Empire is not pleased at all and sends a force to liberate the province, however, the Kuruztanians are already gone. It was nothing more than a provocation, and the Empire fell for it. The next year, they retaliate by blocking Yatrulia, the southernmost Kuruztanian port. The blockade is kept up for a year before Grunkeldunk jumps in and orders Pfrotia to leave. Provocations between Kuruztan and Pfrotia keep building up in the period before 1612.

Rrahhia, in the meantime, is regrouping in the east. Their royal legions are rallied from all over the kingdom, and they order a load of new firearms from Europe. Seeing this, Grunkeldunk and Grombolistan retaliate by placing orders as well. Grunkeldunk even manages to secure a naval alliance with the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan in 1602. This arms race continues, until, in 1610, Smurcia stirs again. Dissent with the Grombolistanian regime - taxes have been risen to pay for the weapon supplies - is growing under the population, and once more, the Rochelmountains are shown to be the native location of Smurcian identity: with Rrahhian funding and support, the Free Smurcian Realm declares its independence. The oligarchy which runs the nation is generally pro-Rrahhia and thus, tensions between the Grombolistanian Alliance (Smurcistania, Grombolistan, Smurcia and Rrahhilia) and the Rrahhian Coalition (Grykelrrah, Rrahhia and the Zackylandian Warring States) rise to a climax.

In autumn 1610, the old Araab (the ruler) of Gzmolia dies. The three ruling families, the Thibahl, Labhiihr and Rafahg, elect a new Araab: Thalyal Labhiihr of the Labhiihr dynasty, the wealthiest of the three families, becomes the Generalissimo of Gzmolia's disproportionally large armies. Gzmolia, which has a long standing aversion of Grunkeldunk, watches the rising tensions in the Continent in fear. Thalyal decides that, in the face of the danger, it is best to mobilize the troops and position them along the border in December 1611 to safeguard the people against any invasion, might it come. Unfortunately for Gzmolia, every major nation on the Continent is just itching to find a cause for war, and Grunkeldunk immediately takes the mobilisation as a provocation. King Davenstar demands that Gzmolia retreats its troops or face immediate retaliation. Thalyal is unwilling to take the risk of leaving Gzmolia undefended, and tries to soothe the growing crisis - to no avail, and in March 1612 Grunkeldunk marches its legions on to the border. Gzmolia, left without choice, digs in its troops. Grunkeldunk then blocks off access to the Kuruztanian Inner Sea. When, in April 1612, a Grunkeldunkian ship patrolling the blockade goes missing near a Gzmolian island (which was nothing more than a piece of rock), the Grunkeldunkians blame the Gzmolians. Thalyal denies it, and even shows proof of the ships survival and rescue, but Grunkeldunk wants to see blood, and on the 20th of April 1612, the Grunkeldunkian 1st to 3rd legions cross the border into Gzmolia. The Gzmolian Wars have begun.

First Gzmolian War (1612-1625)
After Grunkeldunk crosses the border in April, Gzmolia quickly regroups. The offensive progresses slowly due to Gzmolian knowledge of the land, and after initial defeats against the Grunkeldunkians in late 1612, the Gzmolian armies make a stand around Thar'balish, the capital, in Februari 1613. Gzmolia retreats its troops from their Sakhalinian possession and puts every soldier available into the Battle of Thar'balish. They succeed in holding the frontier, while the Continent watches the war unfold with suspicion. Then, in Juli 1613, Lieutenant-General Jalirnir manages to break through the Gzmolian lines, striking directly into the heart of their troops. His men march on Thar'balish, where the Gzmolian 3rd Army manages to deflect an otherwise decisive strike.

At this point, in early 1614, Rrahhia decides to join the war. If Gzmolia can hold Grunkeldunkian troops away from the Rrahhian frontier, they reason, we can strike and take Muaqnizmock. And thus is happens: the Rrahhians send their 1st to 4th and 7th armies across the Achterly Ocean to 'aid' the Gzmolians in their struggle - though in the end, the Rrahhians as well just wish to occupy and rule the densely populated state. The 1st to 4th armies arrive safely, circumnavigating the Myumphan peninsula, but the 7th army (mostly conscripts) is sent, in a daring move, through Grunkeldunkian territory, where it is humiliatingly defeated by a smaller Grunkeldunkian force in the Battle of Kayilash in April 1614.

With the Rrahhians at their side, the Gzmolians finally stand a fighting chance again, and in August 1616, the siege of Thar'balish is lifted. Grunkeldunkian legions are forced to retreat to the border, and the prospects for Gzmolia look good. Rrahhia is putting everything it has into the battle to try and rout the Grunkeldunkians, and it is at this point, in late 1617, that the Grombolistanian Alliance joins the fight. The Empire of Smurcistania, under Emperor Hamid-Kazon, which is still out to acquire the hegemony over the Achterly Ocean, decides that it could very well use a port in northern Grunkeldunk, just like in the Restoration period (Middle Era), and dispatches the 2nd to 6th Armies to Gzmolia. The 2nd and 3rd Armies are sent over sea, but the rest passes through the neutral territory of Sakhalin. Kuruztan, the ruler over the southern portion of Sakhalin, sees this as a provocation and intents to block the passage, but seeing the awesome force of the Smurcistanians, they decide to give them military access nontheless - otherwise they would face certain defeat. The Smurcistanians arrive in the Sakhalinian possession of Gzmolia in early 1618, where they arrive just in time to annihilate the remains of the ravaged Rrahhian 1st Fleet (which was defeated in the Battle of Ragor) in the Battle of Elcutor. The first Smurcistanian legions land in Gzmolia proper in May 1618. This diverts the Rrahhians and Gzmolians away from the Grunkeldunkian front, giving Grunkeldunk a window of opportunity to strike back, which they do in 1619 by attacking the Rrahhians in the back. Grunkeldunk knows that it cannot win the battle on its own, so King Davenstar allies with Emperor Hamid-Kazon, with it acquiring not only the support of Smurcistania but also the allegiance of the Grombolistanian Alliance - an unlikely alliance, as Grunkeldunk and Grombolistan have always been archnemesises.

The Rrahhians and Gzmolians defend Thar'balish frantically, but the situation looks grim: Thar'balish is blockaded by the Smurcistanians and besieged by the Grunkeldunkians. The troops are trapped, but Rrahhia sends its 6th Army to lighten the stress on the capital. They take the shortcut through Grunkeldunk, where they defeat the Grunkeldunkians in the Second Battle of Kayilash. But when they arrive at Thar'balish in late 1619, a new player has entered the war: Kuruztan is dispatching its fleets to lift the blockade of Thar'balish, having finally found the courage to rise up against the Smurcistanians. Their Armada (one of the Grunkeldunkian generals was quoted: "I didn't even know they had one!") crushes the Smurcistanian blockade, turning the tide in the battle. In the years 1619-1624, the war develops into a stalemate: the Rrahhians, Gzmolians and Kuruztanians are holding the line around Thar'balish, with the Grunkeldunkians and Smurcistanians pounding that line without pause. With the front stuck around Thar'balish, the Grombolistanians, who lend the Smurcistanians, Kuruztanians and Grunkeldunkians their money, see their reserves dwindle with alarming speed. They know that this war is not going to change a single thing and that is it way too expensive, so they decide that, in the best interests of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad, the Empire and the economy of the entire Continent, the war must end.

Hence, the Grombolistanians dispatch their entire Imperial Navy to end the fighting in Gzmolia. Thousands of ships suddenly appear before the docks of Thar'balish, laying waste to any defense measure: Grombolistan is, after all this time, still by far the most powerful naval faction. The Kuruztanian Armada is utterly destroyed, as is the Smurcistanian fleet: Grombolistan makes no difference between foe or friend. The message is clear by the end of 1625: stop fighting and go home, without any winnig party. Gzmolia is reduced to the territory directly adjacent to Thar'balish, with Grombolistanian troops and fleets safeguarding its souvereignity. A ceasefire (NOT a peacetreaty) is signed in November 1625 in Thar'balish, with Grunkeldunk and Smurcistania recognising the autonomy of Gzmolia and Gzmolia and Rrahhia recognising its status as a protectorate of Grombolistan. Gzmolia's Sakhalinian possession is ceded to Kuruztan except for the southernmost city of Gharlazad, thus ending the First Gzmolian War.

Seven-Year Ceasefire (1625-1632)
The First Gzmolian War has left Gzmolia and northern Grunkeldunk desolated and battlescarred. It has been a near total war, fought for thirteen years without mercy with massive armies on a disproportionally tiny patch of land. While the parties have been clashing in Gzmolia, Grunkeldunk has managed to reclaim some lost territory to the north of Muaqnizmock, slowly but surely forcing the Rrahhians back into their borders. Araab Thalyal Labhiihr of Gzmolia, in the meantime, now sees himself controlling a burnt patch of land with virtually no more cities or money, surrounded by a neutral zone. The only thing keeping them alive is the support given by the Grombolistanian Empire.

Meanwhile, in Smurcia, discontent with the Prefect, Lord Ragheed-Salim, is growing, partly due to the fact that the funding for the Smurcistanian war effort is acquired by collosal taxes in Smurcia. The Smurcian Rebellion in the south is winning in power, slowly pushing the Prefect's forces north. Neither the Grombolistanian nor the Smurcistanian Empire is able to send reinforcements to the Prefect, so he'll has to do with badly trained Rrahhilian troops, which are time and time again defeated by the rebels. by 1632, the rebels have almost taken the entire south of Smurcia with Rrahhian support.

Not only Smurcia has suffered financially: Grykelrrah was forced to deliver one third of the troops and half of the money needed for the First Gzmolian War, and now, in 1627, they're facing bankruptcy. Rrahhia offers them a solution: become a protectorate of Rrahhia, and we'll solve your issues. Grykelrrah agrees in desperation in early 1628. But the Rrahhian Coalition is facing another problem: the Zackylandian Warring States, which had signed a truce to join the Rrahhians in their fight, have fallen into civil war again by 1629, robbing Rrahhia of a strong ally in the south, and opening up the way for Grunkeldunk to try and befriend the different counties and duchies.

During 1630-1632, tensions start rising again, when Pfrotia promises Gzmolia their aid in early 1630, might Grunkeldunk attack it a second time. This statement is answered by the Grunkeldunkians, who name it "an outright act of provocation". At the same time, Grombolistan reacts with stating that "Gzmolia is already under our protection", and that therefore, the Pfrottian promise is not only provocating but also insulting. Grunkeldunk even threatens Pfrotia with directly attacking them. A second crisis occurs when Kuruztan, in March 1631, due to the ancestry of the Araab through the father, claims that Gzmolia is technically Kuruztanian territory. Gzmolia denies the claims and refuses to let Kuruztanian ships enter the Thar'balish harbor anymore. This futile claim impopularizes Kuruztan throughout the region, and it is eventually Rrahhia causing the next crisis, in October 1631: when Rrahhia's new king, Pardalvidr III, ascends the throne - his father died on a hunting trip - he expresses his wish to marry the princess of the Empire of Smurcistania. Grombolistan, Rrahhilia and Grunkeldunk blame Rrahhia for trying to respectively break the Grombolistanian Alliance and form a block against Grunkeldunk. Rrahhia reacts with marrying the king to the princess of Pfrotia instead, frightening Grunkeldunk, as the two nations of Pfrotia and Rrahhia now stand united against them. But the real trigger of the Second Gzmolian War occurs in May 1632, when, at the marriage of King Pardalvidr III and princess Elamina of Pfrotia, Emperor Thab'dis'Thon of Grombolistan gives the newly wed couple his blessing. This causes the Grunkeldunkian king Davenstar to freak out completely, seeing the entire Continent unite in a vendetta against the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk, and he vows to not be the king that let Grunkeldunk fall. He mobilizes his armies, and in a daring move, he moves them to the Gzmolian border, threatening to invade the Grombolistanian Protectorate in September 1532 if, by then, the marriage between Pardalvidr and Elamina isn't yet disbanded - but when Davenstar is assassinated by a Gzmolian assassin in late August 1632, Grunkeldunk decides it has been enough, and on the 29th of August, the first Grunkeldunkian troops, under the leading of Avrater I, cross the neutral zone into Gzmolia, annexing it as they go.

Second Gzmolian War (1632-1672)
With that, the Second Gzmolian War has begun. Araab Thalyal immediately knows his chances are bad, so he digs in around Thar'balish together with the Grombolistanian reinforcements. The Grunkeldunkians, in their place, quickly send troops to Sakhalin to take the Gzmolian territories there. Thalyal desperately waits for the promised Pfrotian troops - but they never show up. He is forced to defend Thar'balish until the Grombolistanian and Smurcistanian reinforcements arrive. Meanwhile, the Grunkeldunkian advance is steady, with their legions surrounding Thar'balish by October. The armies of Gzmolia and Grombolistan are tougher than the Grunkeldunkians expected, so they pull in extra troops from Sakhalin. With the Sakhalinian Gzmolian territories weakened, Kuruztan decides to strike, and in Februari 1633, the Kuruztanian flag waves over Gharlazad. This provokes Grunkeldunk, who had already laid claim over Gharlazad, leading to the breakout of war between Grunkeldunk and Kuruztan. Kuruztan then sends its ships to aid the Gzmolians in their struggle against the Grunkeldunkian siege, but due to a tragic misunderstanding due to seafog, the Gzmolian cityguard mistakes them for Grunkeldunkian ships. The Kuruztanian fleet is destroyed, leading the Grand-Duchy of Kuruztan to declare war on Gzmolia as well as the Grombolistanian Alliance (as it were Alliance trebuchets taking the fleet down). This declaration of war on the Alliance gives the Empire of Smurcistania the freedom to attack Kuruztan, which they do in November 1633, sending their armies ravaging down through Sakhalin.

Eventually, in late Januari 1634, the promised reinforcements of the Grombolistanian and Smurcistanian Empires arrive in Thar'balish. The Siege, which was nearly lost to the Grunkeldunkians, has now been turned in favor of the Gzmolians, but the Grombolistanian Alliance is fracturing. The outbreak of the Second Gzmolian War and the fact that Grombolistan AND Smurcistan both send in the entire Army, has made taxes in Smurcia skyrocket. The Smurcian people is groaning under the immense burden, but any sign of protest is mercilessly quelled by the Prefect. Until the massacre at Baz-al-Bazzabab in April 1634 in central Smurcia, where a clash between the southern rebels and the Prefect leads to a mass-murder of civilians at the hand of Loyalist forces. The Smurcian people decide the clock has struck rebellion, and in early 1634, with Rrahhia fueling the rebel war machine, the entire country rises up against the Empire. By the end of 1634, Smurcia has been liberated, forming the Pan-smurcian Emergency Union. Rrahhian prince Erthaegar volunteers for the position of king of Smurcia. He has already proven himself during the Rebellion of 1634, defeating loyalist forces with ease. He is accepted, and the Free Kingdom of Smurcia has come to exist in March 1635. The Free Kingdom then starts a war of conquest against the Grombolistanians, distracting them from the Gzmolian frontier.

This was all plan of Rrahhia's strategem: Smurcia is now virtually a puppet state of Rrahhia, and now that Grombolistanian and Smurcistanian legions alike are being drawn back to the north, Rrahhia can strike in Gzmolia. During the Rebellion of 1634, Gzmolian and Grombolistanian forces have been able to hold their own against the Grunkeldunkians, but with the weakening of Grombolistanian presence there, Grunkeldunk has finally gained the upper hand. The weakened Grunkeldunkian legions can still defeat the even weaker Gzmolians, but in early 1636, the Rrahhians finally enter the fight. Their fresh legions march through northern Grunkeldunk, defeating the Grunkeldunkians in the Third Battle of Kayilash with ease. They then enter Gzmolia, laying waste to Grunkeldunkian, Gzmolian, Grombolistanian and Kuruztanian armies alike. By 1638, The Gzmolian-Grombolistanian alliance, Grunkeldunk, Rrahhia and Kuruztan are all embroiled and stuck in an impossible battle over Thar'balish.

But things are about to become even more complicated when, in early 1640, another fleet lands at the shores of Gzmolia: the Free Kingdom of Smurcia has shown up, led by King Erthaegar's brother, Gidaenral, entering the war at the Rrahhian side - with desastrous results. With the newly founded Rrahhian-Smurcian alliance, a victory for this faction seems the only possible outcome, but the tides turn again in late 1640 when Grykelrrah turns on Rrahhia, as the people of Grykelrrah is sick of Rrahhian oppression. Rrahhia is forced to retreat a substantial part of its troops to the mainland, leaving only a token force of Rrahhians and Smurcians to defend their positions. This seems like the perfect moment to strike for the Gzmolian-Grombolistanian faction, and Araab Thalyal and his generals have an emergency meeting with the Grombolistanians. They decide to take the chance - they'll probably not be getting another. In October 1640, Gzmolian and Grombolistanian men march out north-west to meet the Rrahhians and Smurcians in the field of battle.

Unfortunately, the operation ends desastrously as the Gzmolian host is intercepted by a two times as large Grunkeldunkian force, who massacre the Gzmolian troops and take the Grombolistanians as POW's. Araab Thalyal barely escapes with his life and makes it back to Thar'balish in early November. This defeat for the Gzmolians strongly weakens and demoralises their troops, and it encourages the Rrahhian-Smurcian alliance to strike, now that Gzmolian power is at its lowest. Hence, Rrahhian troops encircle the city of Tharbalish in March 1641, leading to the Sack of Thar'balish in Juni. Rrahhian shock troops, just returned from the now Rrahhian-controlled Grykelrrahhian peninsula, break through the Gzmolian lines. Araab Thalyal digs himself in in the city centre, but to no avail: Smurcian troops surround his troops. The following last stand fails eventually in August of that year. Thalyal tries to evacuate the city and pulls his men towards the coast: in the Month's March he manages to get almost all of his troops to the Grombolistanian ships, but in late September 1641, Araab Thalyal is mortally wounded. He lies dying in the city hall of Thar'balish's port city of Jad'ghazim, surrounded by the ruling families of Gzmolia: the Labhiihr (his family), the Rafahg and the Thibhahl. Thalyal begs his family, with the Rrahhians not far away, to kill him, but they refuse and cry: Thalyal then bitterly orders them to leave him to die. when the Rrahhians enter Jad'ghazim, the families have long fled the city (the Labhiihr and Rafahg east, the Thibahl south). Prince Hagimarh of Rrahhia enters Thalyal's room, and stabs him through the chest. Thalyal's last words are: "At least you are most loyal to me, my friend."

With the death of the last Araab, though, Gzmolia isn't defeated: its soldiers now fight for the Grombolistanian Empire directly, and as Gzmolia is now a leaderless protectorate, Grombolistan immediately lays claim to the remaining territories. Rrahhia and Grunkeldunk, however, lay claim to Gzmolia as well, as it was the Rrahhians who killed the Araab and the Grunkeldunkians who started the war in the first place. Kuruztan claims it as well, but the nations ignore the Grand-Duchy entirely. However, there is a complication: as Gzmolia lies at the shores of the Achterly Ocean, Smurcistania claims the nation over Grombolistan, stating that it is more able to respond to any urgencies than Grombolistan is. Grombolistan denies the claim and, in fear, orders the Smurcistanian legions to leave Gzmolia, but they refuse, and in early 1642, a Grombolistanian division is ambushed by a Smurcistanian army, leading to the breakup of the Grombolistanian Alliance entirely and total continental war. As Grombolistan is now forced to spread its forces across three frontiers (Gzmolia, Smurcia, Smurcistania), Rrahhilia is nearly undefended, so Rrahhia, bordering Rrahhilia, decides to open a fourth frontier there. They invade in early 1643, forcing Grombolistan to pull even more troops out of Gzmolia, giving the Rrahhians and Grunkeldunkians the liberty and relative peace they need to subject the country. But things just keep getting worse for the Continent: in late 1643, Rrahhilia's Prince and ruler is killed in battle, leaving the Principality steerless and leaderless, as he has no direct heir. Grombolistan therefore seizes the country to take control of the situation, and slowly, the Rrahhian/Smurcian advance into Rrahhilia is brought to a stop. But in 1644 the offensive stops entirely: in the south, the Warring States of Zackylandia have finally ended their bloodshed, having elected Urlanad I as their king and ruler, effectively unifying Zackylandia. The emergent nation has great ambitions, and in early 1645, they invade Rrahhia in force, forcing Rrahhia to pull troops from both the Grunkeldunkian, the Rrahhilian and the Gzmolian front, thus giving Smurcistania the upper hand in Gzmolia and Grombolistan in Rrahhilia. But by late 1645, Smurcistania's advantage in Gzmolia has vaporized. All the nations involved have dug in and reinforced their position: the situation is completely stuck. However, things are about to become even more complicated.

First Great Lost War (1646-1672)
In Januari 1646, the armies of Rrahhia, Smurcia, Grunkeldunk, Smurcistania, Kuruztan and Grombolistan are all present at the Therian Fields near currently Smurcian-controlled Thar'balish. The five alliances are about to clash, but suddenly a horn sounds in the distance. A Grunkeldunkian scout then reports in to his camp, heavily wounded, yelling in panic: "They've come! They've come! Oh Ghaznip... the Empire has come!" And in the distance, lavendel-coloured banners are to be seen, carried by the fresh legions of the once glorious Empire of Pfrotia. The following Battle of the Six Factions is crushingly won by the Empire of Pfrotia, and several months later, a series of consequent victories has brought Pfrotia to a near total victory in Gzmolia, with Thar'balish and Gharlazad under their control. The opposing alliances are unable to form a united front against Pfrotia, but in mid-1647, Grunkeldunk acquires some success: they ally with the Kingdom of Zackylandia, gaining not only aid against Pfrotia but also against Rrahhia. Thar'balish is taken by Grunkeldunkian forces in November, while Zackylandia keeps pounding the Rrahhian and Pfrotian lines in the east. Eventually, there is fighting on eight fronts between six factions: Grombolistan, Smurcistania, Rrahhia-Smurcia, Grunkeldunk-Zackylandia, Kuruztan and Pfrotia. The fronts are in eastern Smurcistania, Rrahhilia, southern Rrahhia, northern Grunkeldunk, northern Pfrotia, eastern AND northern Kuruztan and Gzmolia. From the entry to the war of the Empire of Pfrotia on, historians speak of the 1st Great Lost War, of which the Second Gzmolian War becomes a proxy war.

Then from 1648, a stalemate in the war develops which will endure for almost seven and a half years, to early 1655. During the stalemate, the fighting was relatively low, as none of the countries had the facilities or funding to keep up the war at its previous level. Thus, the armies along the eight fronts dug in, leading to almost no shifting of borders during the stalemate. Though there were, during the stalemate, several peculiar happenings, most reknowned of which is the landing of Dutch seacaptain Johan Johanssen in Gzmolia in mid 1651, whose story is revealed in a seperate article. One way or another, the arrival of Johan Johanssen and his Dutch crew eventually resulted in the Duchy of Balleba becoming the colony of 'Neederlands-Oomnoozie' (  Dutch Oomnosia  or Dutch Balleba)       in early 1651. With it, the Dutch Republic had become the only European nation to have territories in the Lost Continent. However, with the ambush and subsequent death of Johan Johanssen in August, the Lost Continent (probably Rrahhia, though the Dutch specifically blamed the Grombolistanians) has attacked and killed the citizen of a neutral country. The Dutch Republic is given the news of Johanssen's death in mid 1653, and they send back word immediately: the aggressors must be punished, the Lost Continent must be shown what happens if you attack a Dutch citizen. Hence, when the Dutch messenger arrives back on Dutch Balleba in Februari 1655, the local colonial government decides to enlist the Ballebaian soldiers in the Dutch Republican Army, thus creating an army out of thin air, and to blame the Grombolistanians for Johanssens death. Because of the antagony towards Grombolistan, Smurcistania requests an alliance with Dutch Balleba, which they gladly accept., By April, the troops are readied with the best and newest European weapons, and the war is ready to begin.

In late April, the first ship carrying Balleba-Dutch soldiers arrives in northern Gzmolia, with the clear intention to attack only the Grombolistanians. At the same time, Smurcistania puts up a seabarrier around Balleba to shield it from Grombolistanian ships. However, due to the unstable situation, Dutch-Balleba soon finds itself entangled in a war with Rrahhia-Smurcia, Pfrotia, Kuruztan and Grunkeldunk as well. However, things are about to change. With the Balleba-Dutch invading Gzmolia, all other involved countries have to pull troops from othe fronts to hold firm against the Balleba-Dutch. As such, the Grand-Duchy of Kuruztan is forced to take troops away from the Sakhalinian front to hold steady against the Balleba-Dutch. This gives the Empire of Smurcistania a window of opportunity: in a daring move in early 1657, they retreat their troops from Gzmolia, commencing a full scale assault on Kuruztan. Kuruztan is surprised by the scale of the attack and takes its troops from the Grunkeldunkian/Pfrotian front. In mid 1657, when the Smurcistanian onslaught is still relentlessly progressing, Kuruztan is even forced to retreat from Gzmolia. With it, the number of clashing factions in Gzmolia is reduced to five. But the Kuruztanian retreat from the Grunkeldunkian/Pfrotian front gives these two nations the chance to invade Kuruztan from the east. It begins in November, with Pfrotia sending the 7th Army to seize the Kuruztanian borderlands.

Grunkeldunk, however, doesn't invade as expected; instead, they deploy their armies along the Pfrotian border - as the Pfrotians are now out east to attack Kuruztan, Grunkeldunk has the opportunity along Pfrotia's northern border to invade and reconquer southern Grunkeldunk, which they begin to do in Februari 1658. Pfrotia is thus forced to retreat from Gzmolia as well, leaving four factions to go: Rrahhia-Smurcia, Grunkeldunk-Zackylandia, Grombolistan and Smurcistania-Dutch-Balleba. Rrahhia, in fear of a Grunkeldunkian invasion in the south, pulls its troops out of Gzmolia as well in the summer to reinforce their southern border, and as Zackylandia intensifies its attack on southern Rrahhia, Grunkeldunk is relieved of another competitor in the Gzmolian territories. With the Rrahhians gone, its only the Smurcians representing the Rrahhian-Smurcian alliance. Now that their front is weakened, the Balleba-Dutch seize their chance and they attack the Smurcians. The Smurcians are shocked by the sheer power of the Balleba-Dutch, and slowly but steadily, the Smurcians have to pull back. In October, the last Smurcian ships leave Gzmolia. By now, the Grunkeldunkian-Zackylandian alliance has definitively gained the upper hand in Gzmolia. Grombolistan and Smurcistania are too busy infighting to stand tall against the Grunkeldunkians, and the Balleba-Dutch simply do not match the numbers of the Grunkeldunkians.

Grunkeldunk has almost taken all of Gzmolia by autumn 1659, when the unthinkable happens: Pfrotia's economy has collapsed under the fatal stress of simultaneously fighting the Grunkeldunkians, the Kuruztanians and the Zackylandians, and whereas Kuruztan has gold mines in its mountains, Pfrotia's main source of income is trade - which has been suspended for the entire duration of the wars. By November, Pfrotia's imperial armies have retreated from the front, and the numerous generals have risen up against the throne. The once influential Empire of Pfrotia falls to civil war, taking an entire nation out of the equation. Grunkeldunk and Kuruztan are delighted, and whereas Kuruztan sends its troops to the Smurcistanian front, Grunkeldunk, after taking over the northern Pfrotian provinces, intensifies its assault in Gzmolia. But they are not the only ones with their eyes on the prize: the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan has also set its goal in Pfrotia, and in late 1659, the Japanese start mobilizing their troops, rallying in northern Hokkaido.

Japanese War (1659-1672)
The Japanese sail their fleets into the southern Sea of Okhotsk, preparing to ship their troops across the waters to invade Pfrotia. The southernmost Pfrotian state, Lariyin, notices the troop movement and warns the Tokugawa Shogunate that presence in their waters will not be tolerated and dealt with swiftly - a futile threat, and the Japanese know it. And as the Continent wastes all of its armies in fighting each other in Gzmolia and the Snurmian Sea, Japan opens the full scale invasion on the 3rd of December 1659, defeating Lariyin with ease in under a month. Before the warring states know it, Japan reaches mainland Pfrotia in Februari 1660, having conquered Lariyin and Kayash and now entering Later Pfrotia (the territories that have remained loyal to the Pfrotian Emperor). They blockade access to and then bypass the capital of Pfrotiyao, pushing on into Felyun and Yinaph. The Japanese know their greatest threats are currently Kuruztan and Grunkeldunk, so they ignore a large amount of Pfrotian cities (like Isam and Kyun), heading directly into Grunkeldunk. Kuruztan is dealt with swiftly, as the Japanese send a fleet directly across the sea, landing near Juzjno-Sakhalinsk and defeating the Kuruztanian garrison with ease.

Grunkeldunk only recognises the threat in September 1660, when the Japanese troops cross the Pfrotian border into Grunkeldunk proper. The Grunkeldunkians, who couldn't care less when Kuruztan was attacked by the Tokugawa, now sees itself confronted with a highly dangerous and potentially superior enemy to the south, which is advancing rapidly through Grunkeldunkian borderlands. Grunkeldunk, which has now practically conquered Gzmolia entirely, refuses to take its troops off that front; instead the now quiet Kuruztanian front is abandoned, throwing the remaining soldiers into battle in the south. When that isn't enough, Grunkeldunk orders Zackylandia to intensify the attack on Rrahhia so that they themselves can take troops off the Rrahhian front as well. Zackylandia, which is also under attack by Japanese naval raids, is able to stand its own against the Tokugawa presence so it complies. Grunkeldunk scrambles its troops and sends them south, still unwilling to abandon Gzmolia. The Japanese advance is slowed, but not stopped, and Grunkeldunk has virtually no other choice than to direct all efforts on the Japanese. With a heartache, and so close to victory, Grunkeldunk is forced to leave Gzmolia in mid 1661. Smurcistan moves in rapidly and secures the territory, claiming it for the Empire. Grunkeldunkian battlescarred but highly experienced troops then reinforce the line in Grunkeldunk, but it still isn't enough: Japan just rallies even more troops from the quiet south.

But the first signs of consolidation of the Continent is when Kuruztan offers Grunkeldunk a military alliance to jointly fight the Japanese invasion. Grunkeldunk happily agrees, and now, Kuruztan, Grunkeldunk and Zackylandia together defend the southern portion of the Continent along the border. However, all three nations are heavily wartorn and impoverished due to the continuous warfare that has lasted for almost thirty years, and because of that, they all have trouble maintaining their troops or even maintaining a steady number of soldiers. Japan is slowed considerably, but by 1663, they've reached halfway across Grunkeldunk nontheless. Kuruztan is almost entirely overrun, with a tiny fragment of the once proud nation remaining in the northeast, and Zackylandia is torn in two: the south and Haronesia are under Tokugawa control, but the north is still under the Kingdom's control. But things get a lot worse when, in early 1664, the Grand-Duchy of Kuruztan collapses under the pressure, leading to the Tokugawa takeover of the nation. Grunkeldunk now faces another front opening in the west, but here's when the Japanese make their first mistake: they attack the now Smurcistanian territory of Gzmolia. Smurcistan is deeply insulted, and subsequently declares war on Japan in October 1664. This distracts the Japanese for a bit, lightening the stress on Grunkeldunk.

The fighting slowly degrades to a stalemate, with a line drawn roughly halfway through Grunkeldunk and Zackylandia. The Japanese troops act monsterously in Pfrotia and Kuruztan, executing civilians at a whim of the generals. The deepest point is reached in Juli 1665, but luckily for the Continent, Japan makes a second fatal error later that year: the Tokugawa deem the time to be right to strike on the wealthiest city of the south: Sp'hakwan. The attack on the Caliphate of Spakistan is opened in August, but they have monumentally underestimated the Spakistanians: the Japanese fleet is set ablaze by the Merchant War Fleet and the troops never even land on Spakistanian soil. Spakistan, enraged, then extends its financial power across the sea towards King Ardumar XIX of Grunkeldunk and Emperor Lahimad of Smurcistania, who gladly accept the monetary assistance given by Caliph Humaya'aahl. With this extra money, Grunkeldunk is able once again to pay its soldiers, make the necessary repairs and, more importantly, fund the resistance movement in occupied territory. Spakistan also aids the still resisting Pfrotian cities (Isam, Kyun, Funim-asi, Layiso), leading to Japanese troops being sent there, and Grunkeldunk and Smurcistania finally stand a fighting chance again. However, Japans greatest error is yet to come.

In Juni 1666, Japan, seeing that the Grunkeldunkian and Smurcistanian fronts have become stuck, decides to open up a new one in Kamchatchka. They launch an invasion fleet and in September they strike on the southernmost Rrahhian provinces. Rrahhia loses its southernmost city and province to the Tokugawa, but that proved to be the topplepoint: Rrahhia decides to agree with a ceasefire with both Grombolistan, Zackylandia and Grunkeldunk. All the nations gladly accept it in order to heal from the wounds of the wars. And now, Japan has to face the awesome power of the combined Smurcian-Rrahhian alliance in its entirety, and as Smurcia has almost no battlescars, Japan now faces an opponent that is just as fresh as they are. In December, an alliance is sealed between Grunkeldunk, Zackylandia, Rrahhia, Smurcia, the Warring States of Pfrotia and Smurcistan, to jointly fight the Japanese threat, forming the Continental Coalition. In mid-1667, the first joint operation is executed as a joint Zackylandian/Rrahhian/Smurcian host liberates Rrahhia's Kamchatchkan territories. In June, success is acquired when the offensive to liberate southern Zackylandia ends in a decisive victory. Things get even worse for the Tokugawa when in Kuruztan a long lost heir to the royal line of the Empire of Kouruzthan, Kaysareon Faidama, resurfaces, leading a royalist rebellion against the Japanese oppression. Grunkeldunk sends aid and in late 1668, the Kuruztanian capital of Khurya is seized by the rebels, who establish the New Kingdom of Kuruztan, crowning Faidama as their king.

Japan's grasp over Pfrotia and Grunkeldunk is slowly weakening, and in 1669, Isam and Kyun break their besiegement with Grunkeldunkian help, setting the states of Pfrotland free once more. Rrahhian and Smurcian troops are pouring down from the north, aiding Grunkeldunk in its efforts to liberate the south. In mid-1670, Kuruztan and Sakhalin are definitively liberated with the defeat of the Japanese near Juzjno-Sakhalinsk at the hand of Emperor Lahimad of Smurcistania himself. Late 1670 sees the final battle in Zackylandia, setting the tribes free of Tokugawa tyranny. By Januari 1671, the Tokugawa Shogunate rules over no more than southern Pfrotia and the islands south of it. The Grunkeldunkians and their allies keep pressing the front nontheless, and in March the old Pfrotian capital of Pfrotiyao is taken by the Continental Coalition. May sees the final battle on the Continental mainland, but it takes the Continent until Februari 1672 to finally drive the Tokugawa out of the Continent forgood. King Kisalyeo of Funim in person drives the Japanese out of Lariyin, and with that, the Japanese War has ended. Japan is forced to sign a ceasefire in March, cede one of their cities on northern Hokkaido to a joint Grunkeldunkian-Kuruztanian occupation force to keep them in check and make monumental payments to the nations of the Continent to repair the damage, which they grudgingly do.

Reformation period (1672-1690)
The Treaty of Pfrotiyao, which included the ceasefire with Japan, includes many more things, one of them being the new division of the Empire of Pfrotia. It has been divided in four states: the Empire of Later Pfrotia, which remains loyal to the son of the last emperor, Galilados II, the Kingdom of Funim, under King Kisalyeo, a distinguished veteran general from the Japanese War, the Duchy of Kyun, under Duke Yao-sa Fiyao, originally a duke under the imperial regime and the Kingdom of Isam, led by King Ismiyeon, a decorated and experienced general from the Second Gzmolian War. The treaty also attributes to the division of the southeast of the Continent: Grunkeldunk is returned its long-occupied northern provinces, in exchange for Rrahhia taking the entirety of Teh'islaen (the island south of the Grykelrrahhian peninsula). Zackylandia is also forced to cede their northern provinces to Rrahhia, but in exchange it is given the Haronesian islands as a whole. The treaty also gives several minor borderchanges bewteen Smurcistania and Smurcia (mostly in favor of Smurcistania), and it also grants the New Kingdom of Kuruztan the dominion over the utmost southwestern tip of the Continent. The rest of Sakhalin is given to Smurcistania, as is Gzmolia. But most importantly, the Treaty is also a peacetreaty between the different nations on the Continent, and it officially ends the Second Gzmolian War and the First Lost War. Grombolistan, which was officially not included in the treaty, makes peace with the rest of the Continent nontheless in May 1672 in the Treaty of Isgeriastan. Now, however, the nations of the Lost Continent will have to face the bill.

Of course, the war, which has (First Gzmolian War included) taken almost sixty full years, has had a monumental impact on the Continent's economy. Especially Grunkeldunk faces enormous war damage in the north and south. The cost of the reparations in every nation is extreme. Spakistan, luckily, was able to lift some of the damage in 1665 with the emergency financial aid to the south, making Grunkeldunk and Rrahhia's burden somewhat lighter, and the Japanese payments of reparation have cunningly been made a tad higher to also account for a part of the Gzmolian war damage for the majority of the Continent. Yet, the costs are still so high that Smurcistania is unable to keep up its Gzmolian garrison: therefore it cedes the tiny territory to Grunkeldunk in late 1673. However, there is one nation that has an even heavier burder to carry: as Grombolistan wasn't included in the Treaty of Pfrotiyao, they never got the Japanese payments of reparation or the Spakistanian financial aid, and whereas the nations on the mainland are (just) about able to finance the reparations, Grombolistan is now facing a massive financial shortage. It has to quadruple its taxes to account for the gap in the state's budget, rising discontent with the masses and sparking civil unrest. The emperor, Galid'gad'Zivr, is at least a binding figurehead of the state, but he is old and weak, and in June 1674, he passes away in his palace. With his death, the last binding element falls away, leading to numerous uprisings and lords channeling those uprisings and claiming the Throne of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad. The Greater Grombolistanian Empire crumbles, as the Emperor's bastard son, Goff'ras'Rey rules the Empire, but as a bastard, he officially has no legitimate claim to the throne - something which the other lords know, leading to the empire reaching a state of outright civil war by the end of 1674.

The deceased Emperor's brothers, Duke Rann'el'Ley and Duke Sat'han'Nish, immediately declare Goff'ras'Rey's reign as an usurpation: Duke Sat'han'Nish is the elder of the two brothers and therefore claims the throne by right - his younger brother Rann'el'Ley, however, deems his older brother unfit for the post and declares himself as Emperor as well, causing a break in the House of Gar'thaelos, the Imperial royal house, in November 1674. However, upon the death of Emperor Galid'gad'Zivr, there are more provinces that deem Goff'ras'Rey an incompetent ruler. The Prefecture of Mag-ag-dhan, under Lord Tarrig-Yar Terratan, is first to break away in Februari 1675: he claims the throne by naval supremacy, as the majority of Grombolistanian ships are stationed and contructed in Mag-ag-dahn by the House of Terratan. The Prefecture of Kamchatchka soon follows in March under Lord Rooba Sarrita, a lord native to Kamchatchka. He has no desire to rule from the throne of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad, but Rooba is dragged into the war nontheless as his younger brother was in Ar-Meg-Zwygmad at the time of the rebellion, and now he is held hostage. To prevent dishonor to the House of Sarrita, he masses his troops and prepares to strike soon. And when news of the emperor's demise reaches Rrahhilia relatively late in May, the local Prefect, a native Rrahhilian named Baelin Garra, declares the time right for Rrahhilia to break free of Grombolistanian shackles. He names himself King Baelin in June 1675, and he takes the opportunity the civil war gives him to claim the throne of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad as well, rallying his troops and preparing to attack. All pieces are set, and the Grombolistanian Civil War officially begins.

Meanwhile, unrest is growing as well in the west of the Rrahhian Kingdom, where once was the Duchy of Grykelrrah. The inhabitants of the area were subjugated by the Rrahhians because Grykelrrah could no longer pay the bills, but now that Rrahhia has been brought to poverty as well, there is no reason for the Grykelrrahhians to remain the subjects of the Kingdom. In March 1675, the uprising begins with the Bloodbath of Muzzmah, where a Rrahhian division attacks and massacres a protesting Grykelrrahhian mob. The people of Grykelrrah are enraged, and throughtout the land, revolts start spreading. Rrahhian landlords are deposed as the Grykelrrahhian people casts off the Rrahhian dominion. The peninsula is taken by 1676, Muzzmah falls in early 1677. By the beginning of 1679, Grykelrrah is free of Rrahhian dominion. Smurcia, which secretly funded the uprising (Smurcia, because it entered the wars relatively late, is now one of the richest nations on the Continent), is given the northernmost provinces of Grykelrrah. In Februari 1679, Rrahhia and Grykelrrah sign a peacetreaty under Smurcian supervision, and Grykelrrah is independent. Now they need a leader. Prince Argelan of Grunkeldunk offers himself as ruler, but he conflicts with the Grykelrrahhian landlords in 1681. Next, Prince Dazzim of Smurcia is hired, but his style of government doesn't fall in line with what the Grykelrrahhian landlords want. He leaves again in 1682. Grykelrrah is desparate, but the solution to their problem comes from an unexpected source: Dutch Balleba.

Balleba hasn't entered Continental politics since it left the Gzmolian war in the fifties, but now that Grykelrrah is in trouble, Balleba is offering a solution. The island has been a colony of the Netherlands; a country which, to the contrary of almost the entire rest of the world at the time, doesn't have a monarch but an elected president and a parliament running the country. Raadspensionaris(the president) Gaspar Fagel of the Dutch Republic writes a letter to the influential political leader Gurlash Harahha of the Grykelrrahhian Council of Landlords, stating that reshaping Grykelrrah into a Republic might be a way around their leaderproblem. Gurlash shows the letter to the Council, which is generally very positive towards the idea. They start implementing the system in Juli 1683: Harahha is elected as the first Garlachim Arrah'Rahama (the Grykelrrahhian word for Raadspensionaris), and with it, the Republic of Grykelrrah is born.

While Grykelrrah was busy reforming into a republic, both the civil war in Grombolistan as well as in Pfrotland have continued relentlessly. In Pfrotland, the island Kingdom of Funim has gained the upper hand: the Pfrotian Peninsula is fully under Funim control by 1677, and the opposing states lack the strength to stop them. The Kingdom of Isam has become stuck between the fleeing armies of Later Pfrotia (running from the Funim troops) and Kyun. Isam is resisting, but King Kisalyeo of Funim keeps pressing the borders, and King Feliyeon of Isam's back is starting to bend. Kyun is relatively left alone, but Later Pfrotia suffers the full strength of the attack: now, in 1679, that the Funim troops have landed in their territories, they have to run, but the only directions are into Grunkeldunk - and certain death - or Isam - and certain death as well. They decide Isam is their best bet, and they are successful for almost two years - but the run into Isam is brought to a stop by Isam general Lazseras in 1681, and from then on, Later Pfrotia is doomed to fall.

In the former Greater Grombolistanian Empire, Emperor Goff'ras'Rey is losing the war against his uncles. Duke Rann'el'Ley of the Highlands is advancing, taking the entire west coast of the island in 1676. He then takes his troops north to consolidate his power, but taking the north coast proves to be more of a challenge. Meanwhile, the Siberian possessions of the Emperor of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad are falling to the armies of Lord Tarrig-Yar. He takes the high north definitively in the Battle of the Red Snow in winter 1678, robbing the Emperor of his loyal provinces there. Lord Rooba, on the other hand, has massed his fleets and starts the crossing of the sea in late 1677. His ships take way longer than expected due to the fleet of Duke Sat'han'Nish actively blocking them and fighting them, as well as the fleet of the Emperor himself. In April 1678, land is finally sighted, but shocking reports come in from Kamchatchka: King Baelin, with Rooba absent, has launched the assault on his homeland, and as Rooba's armies are all on sea, Baelin meets little to no resistance. Rooba is faced with a difficult choice: attack Ar-Meg-Zwygmad now and claim the empire, of head back to save his homeland. He chooses the latter, and later that year his men land in Kamchatchka again, stopping the Rrahhilian march just before they reach Rooba's capital of Farrenfall.

Now that Duke Sat'han'Nish doesn't have to fight Lord Rooba anymore, he returns his entire fleet to his capital island of Malstone. He there prepares his now massive fleets for the decisive strike on Ar-Meg-Zwygmad: he is located just several miles from the city, and he has the potential to strike in a matter of days. And so it happens: in Januari 1679, Sat'han'Nish attacks the port of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad with his entire host - only to be defeated by a cunning ambush of Lord Dhir'ran of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad. Duke Sat'han'nish has to retreat to Malstone. Meanwhile, his brother Rann'el'Ley is making significant progress, taking the entire north coast in 1680. His legions march south, to claim that coast as well. Rann'el'Ley decides his power has risen to a high enough point, and he elevates himself to the level of King. But trouble begins in early 1681, when Rann'el'Ley's troops in Siberia are attacked and defeated by Lord Tarrig-Yar. Rann'el'Ley is forced to abandon the southern front and moves his troops into Siberia to prevent Tarrig-Yar from crossing the Grombolistan Straits.

Meanwhile, in early 1680, King Baelin's offensive in Kamchatchka has been brought to a halt, and Rooba's men manage to hold the line against the Rrahhilians. Rooba then splits his troops and marches one half of them towards the sea again, intending to attack Grombolistan again - but his plans are thwarthed when King Baelin strikes an alliance with Lord Tarrig-Yar in Februari 1681, whose fleets start harrassing Rooba's ports. Rooba is forced to delay his plans again, sending the half of his men to defend his ports. Rooba, in an attempt to acquire allies as well, sends a request to King Rann'el'Ley, who gladly accepts the offer. Rann'el'Ley then intensifies the attack on Tarrig-Yar to take pressure off Rooba, and the civil war slowly degrades into a stalemate by 1682. When the Republic of Grykelrrah is formed in 1683, the Empire is less than a shadow of its former self, ravaged by the civil war. Rooba and Rann'el'Ley know that, in order to win, they desperately need a powerful ally, and neither the old Empire nor the Kingdom of Rrahhilia seem interested. But maybe there are other nations outside the Empire that are willing to lend their aid.

Pfrotia, at the same moment, is facing a difficult situation: Funim seems unstoppable, and neither Kyun nor Isam is able to act against them. But in 1682, the King of Isam, Feliyeon, attacks and defeats a Funim taskforce that was bound for a Kyun city. The Duke of Kyun expresses his great gratitude and offers an alliance between the Kingdom of Isam and his Duchy of Kyun. King Feliyeon accepts graciously, and together, the two states manage to bring a stop to Funim's advance in late 1682, and they turn the tide against Funim. By 1683, Funim has lost its northernmost territories to Unified Isam-Kyun. The Union advances, and Funim sees its advantage disappear. Later Pfrotia, to the contrary of the other three states, is just trying to stay out of the fight for as much as possible. They succeed in just that for three years, but in 1686, Funim tries to reclaim its position as the mightiest state by invading Later Pfrotia. Emperor Galilados III tries to escape to Grunkeldunk when his capital of Alumanos falls, but he is ambushed and slaughtered along with his company. With Later Pfrotia having lost its leader and practically destroyed, the high council of the state strikes a deal with King Feliyeon: if Isam manages to rout the Funim in Later Pfrotia, they will honour him as their new Emperor. Feliyeon accepts the offer, and in August, in the Battle of the Red Beaches, the Funim army of King Savrulaes is routed by the Union. Feliyeon, as agreed, is then given the title the Funim kings have been dying for to get: he now becomes Emperor-King Feliyeon of Isam and Later Pfrotia, Lord of Pfrotiyao (which was still under Funim occupation though). The Duchy of Kyun and their leader, Yao-masi Fiyao, swear allegiance to Emperor-King Feliyeon in early 1687, unifying northern Pfrotia under the banner of Isam. The Kingdom of Isam, the Duchy of Kyun and the Empire of Later Pfrotia now become collectively known as the Unified Pfrotian Empire, and together, they launch the invasion of Funim. Emperor-King Feliyeon, in order to get the money he needs to finance the invasion, promises Grunkeldunk the northernmost provinces of the Empire, to which Grunkeldunk quickly agrees in Juli.

Meanwhile, the situation in the former Greater Grombolistanian Empire has changed significantly. In May 1685, Rann'el'Ley, in desperation, starts to approach foreign leaders to join his cause. Rrahhia is too dangerous and out of the question, and the Empire of Smurcistania is too powerful on sea - Rann'el'Ley fears that they would try to take over. However, the United Kingdom of Smurcia seems like a perfect option: Not navally strong enough to pose a threat to a future Empire, but neither too weak to help them in their struggle. King Rann'el'Ley meets with Duke Fazayim Samahd, ambassador of the United Kingdom of Smurcia in Juli, and they, together with Lord Rooba, sign a treaty in which the United Kingdom of Smurcia pledges its assistance to Rann'el'Ley. The treaty also secures the independence of Kamchatchka under Lord Rooba, the financial aid of Smurcia to the New Grombolistanian Empire and the abandonement of all Grombolistanian territories on the Smurcian mainland. With the help of the United Kingdom of Smurcia, the tides in the war have changed. Smurcia immediately starts the charge into Rrahhilia; the nation, which is embroiled in the war in Kamchatchka, is unable to defend itself and is overrun by 1687. Their troops in Kamchatchka see their nation being conquered and know that Rrahhilia doesn't stand a chance. Therefore, they turn to Lord Rooba, pleading him for forgiveness. Rooba, aware of the fact he is being given tens of thousands of experienced soldiers, agrees, and prepares to sail off to the Grombolistanian mainland once more in early 1688. This time, Lord Tarrig-yar is occupied by Lord Rann'el'Ley, Duke Sat'han'Nish his forces are scattered and weak and the Rrahhilian threat has been vanquished. Rooba succeeds in making the crossing, arriving in May 1688, rapidly taking the southeastern tip of the island of Grombolistan. Goff'ras'Rey now realizes his days are numbered and tries to make peace with Duke Sat'han'Nish, in order to seek refuge on Malstone, but upon arriving in Malstone, Sat'tan'Nish turns his coat in favor of Lord Tarrig-yar, who secretly struck a deal with him, and he kills the bastard emperor. Left without a leader of state, the people of Ar-Meg-Zwygmad rejoice upon hearing the news that the tyrant is slain, and they welcome Lord Rooba's troops into the city with open arms in Juli. Lord Rann'el'Ley arrives just days after, and in September, Rann'el'Ley is crowned Emperor of the New Grombolistanian Empire. He grants Rooba his independence, and then strikes an alliance with the new Duchy of Kamchatchka. The war isn't over yet though: Lord Tarrig-yar still poses a threat, as does Duke Sat'han'Nish. But this is where Smurcia kicks in once more: they have sent a battlefleet westward around Grombolistan, landing in Tarrig-yar's territory in Januari 1689 and wreaking havoc. With Tarrig-yar unable to relieve Sat'han'Nish, he is now a sitting duck, and the combined fleet of Rooba and Rann'el'Ley lays waste to Malstone in early 1689. The castle is obliterated entirely, but Sat'han'Nish manages to escape: he reportedly flees to Smurcistania, and is never heard of again. Now that the last enemies of the new crown in Grombolistan are routed and killed, the three nations of Grombolistan, Smurcia and Kamchatchka direct their attention to Siberia. The invasion follows swiftly and successfully: by the end of 1689, the allies stand before the gates of Mag-ag-Dahn. Lord Tarrig-yar refuses to plea for his life, so Rann'el'Ley does what he has to do: burn the city. Mag-ag-Dahn never completely healed from the Sack in Februari 1690. With the defeat of the Siberians, the Grombolistanian War of Succession has ended, and with that, the entire northern continent is finally at peace. The Pfrotlandian Civil War has ended just one year prior, with the Fall of Shifun, the island capital of Funim - after Grunkeldunk had promised its support, the Kingdom of Funim lost its territories rapidly: the Unified Empire took Pfrotyiao in early 1688, and with that, the Funim continental territories were lost. Funim did stand firm in the island part of its territory, but in the end, the Imperial Alliance was too much for them, and the last Funim King, Fasangyan, surrendered to Emperor-King Feliyeon, swearing fealty after all, and Unifying Pfrotland.

Autumn Depression period (1690-1747)
With peace now encompassing the entire Continent, life is finally starting to take its normal way again. Spakistanian traders once more set out from Sp'hakwam, bringing back trade to the lands of the south, while Smurcian merchants roam the northern seas. Smurcia, which has become Grombolistan's firmest ally after the War of Succession, signs the Sea-Pact of Crapit in 1692, along with Grombolistan, Smurcistan and Rrahhia, declaring the Northern Okhotsk Sea to be a free trade zone. The nations profit from this, and trade flourishes in the lands around the Snurmian Sea. Meanwhile, the lands around the Achterly Ocean have been left relatively at ease during the wars in Pfrotland and Grombolistan, and have therefore been able to increase their riches relentlessly. Balleba is by 1695 by far the richest territory of the entire Continent, profiting from the vibrant Achterly Ocean Trade. Spakistan, however, is making its comeback, as Sp'hakwan once more opens its gates to traders from all over the world. But sudden changes in Asia and Europe are about to change the situation.

In 1693, due to the many European ships arriving in and stealing trade from the Chinese, the Chinese Qing Dynasty closes all its ports to foreign trade except Canton. Canton being in the south of China, Spakistanian merchants suddenly have to sail almost twice the distance they had to sail formerly, plus the Chinese only allow a limited number of Spakistanian ships into Canton at once. China had always been the port through which Spakistanian wealth had flowed, but now that China has started closing, Spakistan is losing profit. And as Spakistan is the main supplier of foreign goods into the Continent, the entire Continent suffers. The economy shrinks at an alarming rate - by 1698, it has shrunk with almost sixty percent. And to make matters worse, the Dutch power is under attack and dwindling around the globe. Dutch Balleba is suffering the results, and its wealth has started to decline. At the end of the 17th century, Balleba is in massive debt with Smurcia and Grunkeldunk to pay for the war expenses of Stadtholder-King William III of England and Holland, who is fighting a French hegemony over Europe - a noble goal, but desastrous for the Balleba'an colony. When, in 1702, William III passes away, Balleba is called to order by Grunkeldunk: the wars in Europe are over, and where is our money? Balleba fails to collect enough money, so the Grunkeldunkians decide to attack and raze the capital of 't Grenckhoff in March 1703. The attack is carried out with surgical precision, and Grunkeldunk sails back with what's left of Balleba's riches in its cargo hold. Not able to cope with the stress, and completely cut off from Dutch reinforcements (the Smurcistan Straits are blocked by the Smurcians, who demand massive tolls from the Dutch) the last Governor of Balleba, Archibald van den Vrencken-Lofstadt, commits suicide in his chambers. Hearing of this, the Balleba'an populace revolt against the remains of the Dutch regime, and in October 1705 Dutch Balleba is no more, the last Dutchmen sailing home, running the blockade. The Balleba'an nobles immediately contract a prince from the House of Ghallim-Ahjad, the ruling house of the Empire of Smurcistania, with whom they were allied during the Second Gzmolian War. The prince's name is Halemush-Hal, and he now styles himself Halemush I, Duke of Balleba.

As the situation of economical crisis continues, the Continent ends up being the quiet backwater of Asia: none of the nations has the manpower or money to start a war, and the Continent's political make-up remains relatively unchanged for the following forty years, except for three things: the independence of Rrahhilia in 1704 - Smurcian authorities are unable to sustain their occupational forces in Rrahhilia, so they pull their troops out, and the loss of the northernmost provinces of both Grykelrrah and Rrahhia due to the same problem in 1705: these northern provinces, together with the Rrahhilians, shape the Rrah-Smurcian Confederation between Rrahhia and Smurcia. And the third thing happens in late 1709, when Smurcistania, unable to pay the defense bills, leaves Sakhalin to whoever is interested. During the rest of the Autumn Period, almost nothing happens as the nations of the Continent struggle to keep their markets and populace alive.

Spring Restoration period (1747-1770)
The Continent is pulled out of the Autumn Depression in 1747, when the ruling royal house of Smurcia, the House of Smurcen-Rrahburg (descendants from King Erthaegar, formerly Prince of Rrahhia), dies out as its last king dies childless in late 1746. Smurcian historians and bookkeepers desperately start searching through the line of succession to find the legitimate heir to the late King Herhemel II. After several months, they come up with Hmad-emed Graetor, a distant Grombolistanian cousin of King Herhemel. Graetor, as just an ordinary Count in southern Grombolistan, is surprised as he suddenly inherits an entire kingdom. Graetor is crowned in April 1747, and he decides that the economical depression of the Autumn Period has taken long enough. He initiates a series of progressive political and economical reforms throughout the country, including active government intervention and centralisation to strengthen the Smurcian economy. Slowly but surely, Smurcia rises back to prominence under the House of Graetor. By 1750, Smurcia has a strongly guided economy and a centralised government seated in Isgeriastan, which advises the King on his policies. The wealth of its people is unrivalled. King Hmad-emed realizes the potential Smurcia now has to become something greater than itself: in 1749, he uses the acquired wealth to buy both the eastern borderprovinces of Smurcistania and incorporate several states of the Rrah-Smurcian Confederation into its unity. Both Smurcistania and Rrahhia, being strongly centralised states, have suffered strongly during the Autumn Period when their state-economies failed and had to decentralise their governments, while Smurcia already was a decentralised united kingdom of states. Smurcia now uses this decentralisation to bribe the local lords into the Kingdom. While the damage is already done to the absolute monarchies of Smurcistania and Rrahhia, now the tables are turned and Hmad-emed unifies Smurcia as the Kingdom of Graetor Smurcia. But it isn't just Smurcia that is reaping the benefits of a weakened Rrahhia.

Grunkeldunk has long had to stand the Rrahhian possession of its northernmost regions, but now that Rrahhian power is dwindling, Grunkeldunk sees an opportunity. Lending its money from Spakistan and China, it starts bribing the southern Rrahhian lords back into the Kingdom of Grunkeldunk. Rrahhia, which is in desperate need of money, even goes as far as to put their provinces on sale: in 1756, Smurcia legally buys the island of Smurcnialia from the Rrahhian government. Smurcistania has to follow Rrahhia's example, and Gruczwac is ceded to Smurcia in late 1758. Rrahhia and Smurcistania's demise continues relentlessly: in 1761, Smurcistania loses its Sakhalinian territories to Smurcia. In 1763, Rrahhia loses its grip on its Kamchatchkan territories. Many of its inhabitants flee to Rrahhia, providing tax income and finally bringing the Grunkeldunkian advance to a halt. But the refugees cannot stop the Kingdoms of Grunkeldunk and Smurcia to ally and acquire the hegemony over the continent in 1767. The power balance then leads to a peaceful situation, in which the governments of both Grunkeldunk and Smurcia cooperate to establish a new, powerful economy in the continent. For the first time since the Fall of Balleba, European sailors arrive in Sp'hakwan and Pfrotyiao, attracted by the booming economy - but this time they are not only Dutch, but mostly British and French. Captain Jonathan Gerald McHunter of the British East India Company docks at Sp'hakwan in August 1768, where he meets with representatives of Smurcia and Grunkeldunk, signing a trade agreement and creating the from then on frequently used India-Spakistan route. In 1769, Zackylandia begins talks of unification encouraged by the Grunkeldunkian government, and the Lost Continent is by now fully restored from the Autumn Depression.

Enlightenment Era (1770-1850)
The Enlightenment Era dawns on the Lost Continent in the latter half of the 18th century. Historians usually use 1770, the year that King Hmad-emed I died, as the year the Enlightenment hit the Continent, but in reality the ideals that form the Enlightenment movement had been pouring into the Continent from the very first moment the British and French merchant fleets started docking at Sp'hakwan in the late 1750's.

After Hmad-emed I passes away on the 19th of August 1770, he is succeeded by his cousin Hmad-emed II. Hmad-emed II is a more conservative ruler and even starts recalling some of Hmad-emed I's more extravagant progressive policies. This angers the people of Smurcia, who got used to the easy and free lives they lived under Hmad-emed I, and popular dissent starts to increase again. This time however, the discontence is fueled by the Enlightenment ideals like liberty, equality and democracy. The Republic of Grykelrrah, the only democracy in the Lost Continent at the time, secretly finances rebellious elements in the population. Tensions start rising, but for now, the situation is under control.

Meanwhile, the southeast of the Continent is flourishing after Zackylandia is unified in 1771 under consuls Shagra and Harrikas. The consuls of Zackylandia are members of a small oligarchic council, elected every three years, making Zackylandia a semi-democracy. At the same time, the trade figures of both Spakistan and the rest of the south keep growing as the British presence in the Pacific ocean becomes ever more and more present.

Modern Era (1850-2013)
The Modern Era comprises the period ranging from the end of the Enlightenment Era to the present day.