Glossary
Theon
Country
Population: 750,000 (Est. 2955 YA)
The oldest country in Neon, established by the human survivors of the War of Mages who had been guided by Anahita. The country covers nearly half of the continent of Barbaria, from Alethion in the far south to Goren in the north. Over the years, the Anahitan religion has been the foundations of this nation, and its prophets have shaped not only Theon, but the history of Barbaria too.
History
Slowly growing in size from its birth in the dying years of the War of Mages, Theon established Genma on the west and Baruch in the eastern mountains. Moletta was built upon the peninsulas of the south-east, whilst Basinia was established in the north. By 566 YA, it had grown to about the size it was today, and the First Prophet of Anahita discouraged further expansion for several decades. This allowed the various nations of north Barbaria to take stock of the great bear that was sleeping in the south. The major countries that still exist today, such as Tekas, Palmeria and Mazda saw no major threat, whilst Nori, Goren and the other smaller countries that filled the gaps worried about what would happen when that bear awoke. The beginning of the second expansion into unclaimed lands to the north-west sparked the fall of the majority of smaller countries in Barbaria, as their people fled into Ter’Ciel.
The new land Theon named Stoci, a hardy land that required a hard treatment to reap the benefits. The country faced increased pressure from Barbaria as bandits raided across borders and the Theoni army struggled to control a wide border. The countries themselves also contributed to the attacks, a rebellion against the large armies massing on their doorstep. The efforts of St Manlon to carry Anahita’s new message went unheard, and the church in southern Theon excommunicated him and banished him to Palmeria. His followers were forced out too by the army that was in Stoci, and they acted as lawmasters for the farmers who cared little for the whims of southern Theon.
The appearance of the Second Prophet of Anahita in Baruch in the 1400s sparked a country-wide shift in movement, as the religion was reprimanded for tough measures in Stoci. This sparked the Nori exodus, which formed the country of Tanor. A Third Prophet of Anahita appeared in the 1700s preaching against the Stoci situation, but the measures continued until the appearance of the Fourth Prophet of Anahita in the early 2200s, which pushed Theon to near civil war when the United Alliance pushed the Theoni army out of the Stoci and declared itself an independent state as a result. The fourth prophet preached peace whilst the slow south pushed for the recapture of Stoci. When the prophet was finally accepted, the Theoni families within Stoci were allowed to leave if they wished to. The army established a main base in the north to protect the borders, which have stayed the same since then for the most part.
A Fifth Prophet of Anahita appeared in the 2700s, preaching for fairer treatment of others and the establishment of an equal church. This led to the more balanced church of today, with the anointing of the female Iam Yena Asmod in 2976 YA. She has led a more aggressive term than would be expected, although this is doubtless due to the Second Apollyon War occurring during her term. In 2990 YA, the country moved against the small state of Goren during the Second Apollyon War, after the state had fallen into anarchy after His apparent return overseas. During the four-month campaign, the country also formed an Alliance with Stoci, which later captured Nori, and trade now flows once again to the region.
Geography
The large majority of Theon covers simple wheat prairies that make the staple Theoni diet of bread and beer. A large arc of hills covers the center-west, with Genma hiding within them. From here flow several rivers which flow south-west to the delta of Moiran and the city of Moletta. Alethion lies east of this and is the southern-most city. Baruch lies in the east, whilst Basinia lies in north-east. Carrio lies in the north-west, near Stoci. Goren lies in the very north-east, on the border with Palmeria and Tekas.