Thrace¶
"The Thracians are survivors." (S324)
Thrace is the largest kingdom of the Cerci, "located in the middle of the Storm Coast, it is almost constantly covered in mist" (S372). Founded in the Age of Kings of the Age of Magic, it outlasted the Abiding Mists, the Thyssal occupation and the Age of the Dark Sun; in the Fifth Age "their King proudly claims that the line of succession is unbroken, which makes them the only known regal dynasty to have survived the Age of the Dark Sun" (S324).
Also called: Thrayce (S387, S498), Thyrace (S372).
Overview¶
"The kingdom is only a fraction of its size before the Dark Sun … They are isolated from most of the rest of Astia, though there is some seaborne trade with the West including Rhovun and the Broken Sea. There are no safe land routes between Thrace and anywhere else. The Dark Sun has brought together the Thracians and Aseans and they are now joined as a single nation" (S324).
The Thracians are Curci, "a hardy race of tan skinned, dark haired humans … well known for their music", whose architecture "is similar to Gothic" and whose social order has no serfs: the Domnitori who is king, Domn, Hospodar and Boyar among the nobility, the landed Jude, and the free Raze (S372). "Those that remained in the north forged Kingdoms from blood and sweat, some of which still stand" (S372). The Cerci "especially revere Arya" (S372).
Asea¶
The Aseans, joined with Thrace since the Dark Sun (S324). The island confederacy of Aesar, off the coast, "have a treaty with Thrayce, and do some trade with them, though until recently this has not always been the case" (S372).
Gap
S324 names Asea once, as Thrace's partner. Nothing says whether the Aseans are the Aesean clans of the islands or a people of their own, or how the two kingdoms were joined.
History¶
The Age of Kings and the Abiding Mists¶
"The long-lasting mainland kingdoms of Thrace and Sulati are formed during" the Age of Kings, 1315 to 1763 MA (S372). In 1764 MA the mists came and never lifted: "the sun never directly shines" (S372). "About 100 years after the permanent mist a civil conflict between the nobility of Thrace and the Clergy of Arya began. The nobility won out and the Raven Order of Arya was eliminated at the end of the War of the Raven (1872)" (S372). The order is among the Orders of Arya.
The Thyssal Occupation¶
"After the Thyssal invasion of 1911, and its subsequent invasion and annexation of Thrace, Aeslar, Kydann and Zurat. The primary occupation forces were located in central Thrace. They had very little footprint in the outlying kingdoms. There was occasional civil rebellion, though they were quickly put down by the legions stationed in Thrace. The Thyssal Occupation was ended in 2192, when the Thyssal envoys were removed in a coup by King Thovim of Thrace. The three occupying Thyssal legions are unaccounted for. Legends of magic used in their disappearance is widespread and varied. Thyssal made three attempts to reclaim Thrace and one attempt to reclaim Aeslar. Each time their legions and navy suffered catastrophic defeat and losses. The empire entered a period of cold, but stable relations with Thrace and Aeslar" (S372). The Thyssal Empire has its own page; Thovim is among the minor figures of the Earlier Ages.
The Dark Sun and after¶
The Age of the Dark Sun reduced the kingdom to a fraction of itself, but the dynasty held, and the Thracians and Aseans became one nation (S324).
Gap
Nothing names Thrace's capital, its present king, or any Thracian between King Thovim and the Fifth Age. The Curci entry's culture section is a TODO in the compendium.