Argus

Argus is an island nation off the coast western of Trakkar. The island boasts a single city of the same name, and arrived on Marynyl in 820 AT after the events of the Return of Argus.

People
See Argyn.

Terrain
Argus is made up of grassy plains in the south and sharp mountains in the north. Forests dominate the east of the island. A temperate island, Argus has very mild winters and long, warm summers.

The entire island is barely 200km across at its widest point, taking a few days to cross.

Pre-Arrival Terrain
While in its own demiplane, Argus retained the same terrain characteristics. However, the demiplane-bubble was only 300 km across - outside of this was utter nothing. There was a small sea to the south of the island.

History
Approximately 1950 BFT, Argus was formed in the centre of the Hollikan Forests - a vast, far-reaching forrest in the middle of Yulerica Continent (later named Trakkar). The humans of Argus were known across all of Marynyl as masters of the Arcane and technology, and the sprawling city became the home of many fascinating and powerful marvels.

Argus was the first mortal nation to separate the powers of the church and the government (a ruling council), formally banning the Churches of the Five from olding any form of political power. Over centuries, the nation become more insular and isolationist, and slowly transformed from a vast nation into a city-state. Rebellions were accepted, far-flung cities signed over to other nations, and expansion forgotten as the Mage-Lords of Argus turned their focus ever inwards.

During the Uru'tak Wars of Conquest, Argus stood unattacked and forgotten, refusing to join the Coalition. They appeared to be apathetic, but instead the people of Argus watched and waited. When the Tolt'kai grew Okran, they moved, preventing the Fae'run from forging its twin, Nikran. The Sword Soul of Nikran was stolen by the Argyns as they laid false clues and trails blaming the Uru'tak for the attack and hidden away in Argus.

After the Uru'tak Wars of Conquest had run their course, the Argyns slew four of the First Five gods. How they did this is a matter of debate - some claim it was with fire, others with the Orbs of Creation. Still others claim some strange weaponry never since seen. Regardless of how they killed them, the larger question has always been why, and why they didn't slay Sogrib as well.

Regardless of their reasons for sparing Sogrib, the Last God was enraged. He summoned his followers, and the Uru'tak began a new crusade, a massive war against the city-state of Argus. The Argyns were clever, however, and lured Sogrib to Naldia, to a small peninsula, where they slew him and buried his body deep beneath the Earth. The Uru'tak armies upon Yulerica were themselves decimated when Argus suddenyl vanished, the entire city shifting onto its own demiplane. The energies this action unleashed devastated the forests and lands of Yulerica, eventually causing the great drying of the continent the formation of vast deserts. This event happened around 1942 BFT.

The Return of Argus
During 820 AT, the Argyns were ruled by the Council of Five Masks, a group of five powerful and clever individuals who ruled with an uncaring, authoritarian regime.

During 820, Regina Blanque, Mayor Woolenby and Varris Gallenedel arrived on Argus and began to investigate. They discovered a plot by the ancient Aboleths to subvert the ancient and powerful Argyns. Using Argyn technology and the dark powers of the Deep, the Aboleths had secretly replaced the Council with automatons under their control, with the intention of returning Argus to Marynyl - an act they believed would free their God, Sogrib (whom the Aboleths believed to be alive).

The group defeated an Aboleth Lord and the fake Council, inciting an Argyn rebellion and placing Corn in charge. Doing so, however, broke the spells keeping Argus separate from Marynyl, and the island began to return to its original location, now the place of Marabar. Working swiftly, the group managed to activate ancient Trakkari Gates to evacuate the city as the island slowly began to shift over. The city itself was saved, however, by the actions of Herald, an ancient and powerful God, who moved Argus offshore. The effort almost killed the recently-awoken God.

The return of Argus caused great tidal waves, leading to the destruction and sinking of Quelanther.