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"Rak Zemlya; the city of a thousand evils." -- KA
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Upon the arrival of Torak's fourth Disciple, otherwise known as the Murgo woman Ka, there was naught but war. Into the carnage went Ka, sent out from the ruins of Rak Cthol by the Dragon God's spirit, to forge a place for the rebirth of the original Angarak religion. Aided by the foul Demon Gorgon and his army of unearthly creatures, Ka made her presence --and her intentions-- known to all those who wished to oppose her in her unholy mission.
A task such as the revival of Torak's religion was not to be set upon a single woman's shoulders, and, as such, Ka was joined by one of the remaining Grolims of the East. Lady Rose, Grolim Heirarch and single remaining high authority of Torak in all of Mallorea, was all too happy to lend Ka a helping hand.
Back in Cthol Murgos, Lady Rose was appointed Master Builder and with the help of the Will and the Word, Rak Zemlya was born. The city took Rak Cthol's place, its foundations resting atop the rubble that was once Cthol Murgo's capital. Rak Zemlya, a veritable war-city, was built big --huge even, by Murgo standards-- and its walls reached out into the valley below the ground elevation atop which Rak Cthol once stood. Behind the city's forbidingly high walls sprawled a tightly-woven network of houses, shops, military training grounds, and of course, in the middle of it all, the temple of Torak.
Rak Zemlya prospered under the rule of Ka and the care of Lady Rose; politics and military families brought up the population considerably. Grolims, living in secrecy since the usurping of Torak's rule by the Boy-God Eriond, began to emerge from their houses and hiding places to reside within the walls of the city of reborn faith. Soldiers, coming from other major Murgo families, travelled far to find the comfort of their Angarak heritage amongst the ranks of Ka's army. World-hoppers, hailing from places many have never even heard of, sought out employment under Ka. It would seem that the fight for the revival of Torak's religion had a fighting chance after all!
Unfortunately, the 'death' of Torak's spirit brought forth a time of great sorrow. Before defeat could be heard on the citizens of Rak Zemlya's lips, it was made known that Ka would take up Torak's charge and become the new Goddess of Angarak. And so, the Time of War began. Eriond's followers, powerful sorcerers and sorceresses, rose up against the efforts of Ka and her forces. Riva, surprisingly, did not take heed to these wars as one might have thought it would. As a result, the battle raged on and Rak Zemlya suffered much damage...however, it did not fall. The higher authorities of the war-city forged alliances with other neighbouring factions and continued their assault on the Alorn resistance.
Finally, the matter of Rak Zemlya and its latest actions sparked Rivan attention. BelGeran himself decided to wage war against the foul city after one of its inhabitants, a world-hopper loyal to Ka, did a great wrong to his intended wife. Many nations joined in the war that became known as "The Battle of Rak Zemlya", and a foreign God by the name of Azrai was even part of the fray. Despite BelGeran's efforts, Rak Zemlya did not fall. The Dark God Azrai was defeated, although not completely, and Ka became a Goddess -- with the help of her ancient enemy turned lover, a part-demon, part-human man of great magical strength. After a few turnabouts on the part of Ka's faction, the Rivan sovereign's army retreated, and Rak Zemlya was left standing...never to be tested again.
Now, KA rules in the heavens as True Goddess of Angarak; her ways are no longer needed, though she promises to walk amongst her people again when things have turned to warfare once more. In Rak Zemlya, the Time of War has ended, thus giving way to the Time of Wit. Lady Rose rules over the people now, as First Disciple to KA and valiant mother to the city; a thief serves her now as she had once served Ka.
Conflicts between Riva and Rak Zemlya continue to arise. Due to the damage taken by both factions, as well as the risk of losing more strength due to the growing power of the followers of Azrai, war is out of the question. Wisdom is the key now, not warriors.
Rak Zemlya has gone through much in the past years...but what remains ahead?
Back to The Entrance...
Thanks to Ka for writing this. ~Silk~