The state of Ginsag

The state of Ginsag /'gɪnzæk/ (or simply “Ginsag”) was a country founded by the superhero warrior Ginsag in the second half of the 17th CSR. It started in the city of Mosont and quickly grew in influence and power. Ginsag campaigned continuously and subdued several city states, at the same time establishing a strong government based on kinship.

Ginsag's brother, Maksag, founded another large city that he called by his name. Ginsag's sister began the construction of the city of Insag.

When Ginsag died, the state of Ginsag was invaded by Tref. Ginsag's family perished in the invasion and the state was effectively dissolved. The area was later united under the Overpol Expanse.

Ginsag was born in Mosont some time in the middle of the 17th CSR. He quickly became known for his extraordinary strength, speed and ability to multitask in the midst of the battle.

The city governor Elsk Normo tried to use Ginsag for his own interests, but Ginsag quickly realized what was happening, murdered Elsk along with several of his guards, and proclaimed himself and his own family as rulers.

Ginsag named the country by his own name and began campaigning. He conquered several city states, such as Deler, Forfad and Arindo, expanding his lands significantly. He also went on to ransack the city of Oon twice, first in the end of 1670s and later in the mid 1680s, bringing back gold, slaves and a significant amount of animals, including trontels.

He also famously took on one of the Afanyu kingdoms. It, however, had its own superhero warrior named Len. Ginsag and Len fought several times, but neither could win, and eventually Afanyu and Ginsag agreed to leave each other alone.

The state of Ginsag also became known for not only defending against Teamatian chiefdoms, but pursuing and definitively defeating many of them. Eventually, Ginsag became off-bounds for many Teamatian tribes, and it is theorized that several demigod figures in Teamatian mythology are based on Ginsag himself.

Ginsag favored kinship and believed that his country was to be ruled by his family. His older brother Maksag received land down south on the banks of the Taverda river, and built a city which he also called by his own name. Ginsag's sister Insag became the commander of the southern army and began building her city of Insag. At that time the country was considered strong, wealthy and growing.

Ginsag died of old age in 1705 or 1706 SR. He was succeeded by his daughter Seyda. However, as news of his passing spread, the neighboring country Tref invaded Ginsag in the summer of 1711. The campaign lasted for several months, which saw the downfall and ransacking of all major cities of Ginsag: Maksag, Insag and Mosont. Many smaller cities, such as Deler, have been destroyed completely. None of the Ginsag's family is known to have survived the Tref invasion.

Tref armies left Ginsag in ruins. Mosont's famous farms have been burned down. Eventually, a city of Dav was built where Mosont once was. The area was once again united more than a century later under the Overpol Expanse.

The important contribution that Ginsag and his family provided to the region was peace. For about half a century, the state of Ginsag was relatively peaceful internally and well defended from raids and campaigns by Ginsag's reputation alone.

The state of Ginsag traded with many neighboring regions and countries, taking advantage of the fertile soil of Mosont, as well as exporting wood.

Additionally, the country developed a significant and experienced army and began selling its military services. At one time or another, ginsags were employed by Tref, Afanyu, Xornerian and Orona.

Throughout most of its history, Ginsag was in a state of war with Ozder. The conflict was over control of the area west of the Loodon river, known as Homestead, which at the time was still recovering from the drought and was only sparsely populated. But when Ginsag claimed it, Ozder immediately disputed the claim.

However, war with Ozder never resulted in any actual battles. Instead, it made Homestead into a neutral territory that neither ginsags nor ozder citizens could occupy, but could pass through.

After the destruction of Ginsag cities by Tref, many displaced ginsags migrated to Homestead, which triggered Ozder to attack their settlements and eventually occupy the region. Ozder then attempted to expand to the former Ginsag territory, hoping to increase its influence in the region, but received an unexpected amount of resistance of ginsag forces from Forfad, led by Jeenor Treel. This news emboldened ginsags at Homestead and many of them began to rise against Ozder, eventually joining Jeenor Treel's forces. Ozder then backed off and left Homestead.

Jeenor Treel then attempted to unite all ginsags under his banner in order to use the momentum and march on Ozder. He was unsuccessful in persuading the forces of Maksag: Trevo Gont's son had proclaimed himself the Murdoh of Ginsag and disagreed with Treel's expansionist strategy, fearing that the country had no resources after the invasion by Tref.

Jeenor Treel then marched on Ozder, but the campaign proved to be a disaster. Treel approached Ozder from the west, attacking Lu. The battle near Lu, which at first seemed to be a success for ginsags, turned into a protracted two-day operation. Treel's army incurred heavy losses, but eventually occupied Lu, only to be hit by reinforcements from Baat. The siege lasted for two more days and eventually Jeenor Treel was able to maneuver most of his remaining army from the city and back into Homestead. The majority of ginsags then followed him to Forfad.

This left Homestead a neutral territory again, and neither Ozder nor Forfad had any further claims on it. It was mostly populated by former ginsags.