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lydian [2020/02/26 09:00] lverona [Research] |
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| ====== Lydian ====== | ====== Lydian ====== | ||
| - | **Lydian** (1st AC - 118) was a superhero warrior, considered to be the most consequential and destructive in the history of [[Continent]], having single-handedly ended the [[Western Dantrian Civilization]]. His armies have devastated whole countries and reduced the population of Continent by an estimated 10-20%. His conquests are also responsible for wiping out most of the cultural artifacts of Dantria and neighboring regions, including the [[Great Dantrian Libraries]]. | + | **Lydian** (1st AC - 118) was a superhero warrior, considered to be the most consequential and destructive in the history of [[Continent]], having single-handedly ended the [[Western Dantrian Civilization]]. His armies have devastated whole countries and reduced the population of Continent by an estimated 10-20%. His conquests are also responsible for wiping out most of the cultural artifacts of Dantria and the neighboring regions, including the [[Great Dantrian Libraries]]. |
| He had the ability to effortlessly animate and control the dead, creating hordes of warriors that would overrun any army. His abilities are thought to have eventually evolved into an even more powerful variant, with undead becoming truly resurrected and no longer dependent on Lydian, to the point that he effectively lost control over the majority of his own army and was in hiding. | He had the ability to effortlessly animate and control the dead, creating hordes of warriors that would overrun any army. His abilities are thought to have eventually evolved into an even more powerful variant, with undead becoming truly resurrected and no longer dependent on Lydian, to the point that he effectively lost control over the majority of his own army and was in hiding. | ||
| - | Having defeated all superhero warriors in his path, Lydian was eventually killed by [[Kornad Dvon Trimian]] in 118. It took many more years to completely destroy the undead armies he spawned. | + | Having defeated all superhero warriors in his path, Lydian was eventually killed by [[Kornad Dvon Trimian]] in 118. It took many more years to completely destroy the undead armies he had spawned. |
| ===== Research ===== | ===== Research ===== | ||
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| First of all, it is suspected that the true extent of his powers is insufficiently understood. Specifically, a number of historians believe that he was much older and that his abilities provided him with extraordinary longevity. This makes it difficult to place the date of his birth into a narrow range, and scientists are forced to consider a very wide time period to search for data. | First of all, it is suspected that the true extent of his powers is insufficiently understood. Specifically, a number of historians believe that he was much older and that his abilities provided him with extraordinary longevity. This makes it difficult to place the date of his birth into a narrow range, and scientists are forced to consider a very wide time period to search for data. | ||
| - | Second, Lydian's conquests have wiped out such an enormous amount of people and destroyed so many artifacts and historical records, that any information about the Western Dantrian Civilization is scarce, let alone information about this one person. Most records come from [[Zamborana Zambonia]], which was mostly untouched by Lydian's conquest due to pure luck and geography, as well as [[Land]]. | + | Second, Lydian's conquests have wiped out such an enormous amount of people and destroyed so many artifacts and historical records, that information about the Western Dantrian Civilization is scarce to begin with, let alone information about this one individual. Most records come from [[Zamborana Zambonia]], which was mostly untouched by Lydian's conquest due to pure luck and geography, as well as [[Land]]. |
| - | Third, one of the mysteries about Lydian is that he emerged as a superhero late in his life - definitely when he was an adult - and pretty much out of nowhere. Which meant that his whereabouts before that would have been of little significance to the public. And when he did become known, as he appeared in the middle of Western Dantria with his armies, the only thing that was left of the country he allegedly came from were charred lands, which meant that any traces of his early life had probably been erased. | + | Third, one of the mysteries about Lydian is that he emerged as a superhero late in his life - definitely when he was an adult - and pretty much out of nowhere. Which meant that his whereabouts would have been of little significance to the public. And when he did become known, as he appeared in the middle of Western Dantria with his armies, the only thing that was left of the country he allegedly came from were charred lands, which meant that any traces of his early life had probably been erased. |
| - | Finally, due to the nature of his abilities, Lydian required no help. For the majority of his conquests he operated alone. The only time when he seemed to have had a team was at the end of his Central Dantria conquest, when several generals known as the [[Death Bunch]] helped him command his undead armies, but none of them survived. Thus, we have little to no insight into Lydian's motivations, thought processes or daily routine. | + | Finally, due to the nature of his abilities, Lydian required no help. For the majority of his conquests he operated alone. The only time when he seemed to have a team was at the end of his Central Dantria conquest, when several generals known as the [[Death Bunch]] helped him command his undead armies, but none of them survived. Thus, we have little to no insight into Lydian's motivations, thought processes or daily routine. |
| ===== Early life ===== | ===== Early life ===== | ||
| - | It is currently a consensus that Lydian was born in the beginning of the 1st century, with estimates placing his date of birth between 10-30. He lived in a province which was referred to as either Wunnah or Duntilla, located in modern-day [[Narindal]]. | + | It is currently a consensus that Lydian was born in the beginning of the 1st century, with estimates placing his date of birth between 10-30 TR. He lived in a province which was referred to as either Wunnah or Duntilla, located in modern-day [[Narindal]]. |
| - | There are several possible candidates whose names were Lydian and who seemed to match his general description, provided his appearance did not drastically change over the course of his life, although each one of them presents a unique challenge, making all of them equally likely (or equally unlikely) to actually be Lydian, the superhero warrior. | + | There are several possible candidates whose names were Lydian and who seemed to match his general description, although each one of them presents a unique challenge, making all of them equally likely (or equally unlikely) to actually be Lydian, the superhero warrior. |
| - | A record of a "boy called Lydian" who had been born to a family of a city mayor, but was then declared as having died from an illness and with no funeral held, seems to hint at the existing and relatively common practice of families deciding to conceal the fact that a superhero warrior is born. This is done for various reasons, including the personal safety of the family and child. However, as child mortality was quite high at the time, the parents might have also been telling the truth. | + | A record of a boy called Lydian who had been born to a family of a city mayor, but was then declared as having died from an illness and with no funeral held, seems to hint at the existing and relatively common practice of families deciding to conceal the fact that a superhero warrior was born. This is done for various reasons, including the personal safety of the family and the child. However, as child mortality was quite high at the time, the parents might have also been telling the truth. |
| + | |||
| + | One of the difficulties stems from the fact that there exist no historical record that confirms that the superhero warrior's name in question was actually Lydian. That name begins to consistently appear in scout reports and Dantrian documents, but there exists no account of how that name came to be known. However, based on the surviving records of the Western Dantrian culture, the name "Lydian" seemed to be a relatively common name with no immediate cultural connotations, so it seems more probable to assume that this was the actual name of the superhero warrior leading the undead. | ||
| ===== Conquests ===== | ===== Conquests ===== | ||
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| ==== Walneer ==== | ==== Walneer ==== | ||
| - | Lydian's armies appear in Western Dantria in the fall of 114. First attacks are documented by December. By mid-December, several cities have fallen. Matel Tvardn, a superhero warrior from Walneer, is sent against Lydian, but the news quickly comes back that he has perished. Surviving messages show that Matel's defeat is completely unexpected and this seems to signal alarm for the whole of Western Dantria. | + | Lydian's armies appear in Western Dantria in the fall of 114. First attacks are documented by December. By mid-December, several cities have fallen. Matel Tvardn, a superhero warrior from Walneer, is sent against Lydian, but news quickly comes back that he has perished. Surviving messages show that Matel's defeat is completely unexpected and this signals alarm for the whole of Western Dantria. |
| - | By about March of 115 undead armies reach major cities. Scout messages are still not mentioning Lydian, and the invasion is dubbed "Hordes of the Dead". As the battle for the city of Walneer begins, several messages mention a "King of the Dead" for the first time. The name "Lydian" begins to come up as well. | + | By about March 115 undead armies reach major cities. The invasion is dubbed "Hordes of the Dead". As the battle for the city of Walneer begins, several messages mention the "King of the Dead" for the first time. The name "Lydian" begins to come up as well. |
| - | The Council of Dantria makes a decision to not assume a defense-only strategy, but mount an attack as early as possible. They hope to squash the invasion, which rapidly grows by enlisting the population it kills. | + | The Council of Dantria makes a decision to not assume a defense-only strategy, but to mount an attack as early as possible. They hope to squash the invasion, which rapidly grows by enlisting the population it kills. |
| Several superhero warriors gather their troops and march towards Walneer in May. Same month Walneer falls. | Several superhero warriors gather their troops and march towards Walneer in May. Same month Walneer falls. | ||
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| ==== Kalchinge ==== | ==== Kalchinge ==== | ||
| - | In August of 115 both armies collide under the walls of the fortified city of Kalchinge. Dantrian army suffers heavy casualties and retreats from the ever growing hordes of the undead into the city. The siege of Kalchinge lasts two months, only thanks to the strong abilities of the superhero warriors involved. The city falls in December, a year after Lydian invades Western Dantria, with all the known superhero warriors of the region dead. | + | In August of 115 both armies collide under the walls of the fortified city of Kalchinge. Dantrian army suffers heavy casualties and retreats from the ever growing hordes of the undead into the city. The siege of Kalchinge lasts for two months, but only thanks to the strong abilities of the superhero warriors involved. The city falls in December, a year after Lydian invades Western Dantria, with all the known superhero warriors of the region dead. |
| Lydian's conquest unexpectedly stops and the undead stay in the ruins of Kalchinge for six months. It is unclear what was happening at Kalchinge at the time or why Lydian chose to stop, since his armies required no rest. | Lydian's conquest unexpectedly stops and the undead stay in the ruins of Kalchinge for six months. It is unclear what was happening at Kalchinge at the time or why Lydian chose to stop, since his armies required no rest. | ||
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| First undead armies reach the Dantrian army by December of 116, but they are relatively small and are decisively thrown back by the concerted operation involving Land's and Central Dantria's superhero warriors. However, this success is short lived and proves to be the last and only known victorious battle of the Dantrian forces. | First undead armies reach the Dantrian army by December of 116, but they are relatively small and are decisively thrown back by the concerted operation involving Land's and Central Dantria's superhero warriors. However, this success is short lived and proves to be the last and only known victorious battle of the Dantrian forces. | ||
| - | Already by mid-December 116 more undead armies focus on the area and Dantrian forces began to retreat into Central Dantria, behind the fortified south border, which probably saves Land from what would be imminent destruction. The undead follow Dantrian forces and several large battles are documented along the south border, but all of them ending with Dantrian forces retreating with significant losses. | + | Already by mid-December 116 more undead armies focus on the area and Dantrian forces begin to retreat into Central Dantria, behind the fortified south border, which probably saves Land from what would be imminent destruction. The undead follow Dantrian forces and several large battles are documented along the south border, but all of them ending with Dantrian forces retreating with significant losses. |
| The Central Dantrian document trail ends abruptly by January 117. It is not entirely clear exactly which battles occurred and where, but by February 117 Lydian's armies are deep in Central Dantria, although proceeding slowly and stopping often. | The Central Dantrian document trail ends abruptly by January 117. It is not entirely clear exactly which battles occurred and where, but by February 117 Lydian's armies are deep in Central Dantria, although proceeding slowly and stopping often. | ||
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| It is at that time that there are first signs of undead which seem to have a mind of their own. Several armies of the undead cross Central Dantria and walk into the Great Desert, reaching Duls Settlements and devastating dozens of towns and cities in June of 117. These stray armies are defeated by July, as they no longer seem to have Lydian's resurrecting abilities. There are also no fires, which decreases the amount of destruction. In fact, the attacked cities have many people killed, but the buildings and infrastructure are left almost intact. | It is at that time that there are first signs of undead which seem to have a mind of their own. Several armies of the undead cross Central Dantria and walk into the Great Desert, reaching Duls Settlements and devastating dozens of towns and cities in June of 117. These stray armies are defeated by July, as they no longer seem to have Lydian's resurrecting abilities. There are also no fires, which decreases the amount of destruction. In fact, the attacked cities have many people killed, but the buildings and infrastructure are left almost intact. | ||
| - | In Central Dantria, however, the fires continue and Gun Den falls in March, although Lydian is probably not present and the city does not burn. The [[Death Bunch]] is seen at about this time, comprised of generals from Central Dantria and from Land. | + | In Central Dantria, however, the fires continue and Gun Den falls in March, although Lydian is probably not present and the city does not burn. The [[Death Bunch]] is seen at about this time, comprised of generals from Central Dantria and Land. |
| As the population of Central Dantria is slaughtered and its cities are burned to the ground, several large armies enter the Great Desert and proceed westwards. These armies will reach Gantolia, one after the other in quick succession in July of 117, resulting in a series of battles which are known as [[The Last Stand]]. While marching towards Gantolia, the undead destroy the famous city-state of [[Tuntan]], also known as the Oasis of Tuntan. There are no survivors and the exact date of Tuntan's destruction is unknown, but estimated to be the end of April or beginning of May 117. In fact, Tuntan's fate goes unnoticed for decades and becomes a complete shock when its ruins are discovered by Gantolian and Leykaryan travelers in the 150s. | As the population of Central Dantria is slaughtered and its cities are burned to the ground, several large armies enter the Great Desert and proceed westwards. These armies will reach Gantolia, one after the other in quick succession in July of 117, resulting in a series of battles which are known as [[The Last Stand]]. While marching towards Gantolia, the undead destroy the famous city-state of [[Tuntan]], also known as the Oasis of Tuntan. There are no survivors and the exact date of Tuntan's destruction is unknown, but estimated to be the end of April or beginning of May 117. In fact, Tuntan's fate goes unnoticed for decades and becomes a complete shock when its ruins are discovered by Gantolian and Leykaryan travelers in the 150s. | ||
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| Lydian's conquests have changed the history of the Continent by reducing the Western Dantrian Civilization which controlled the world for over three centuries into charred ruins in just under three years. Hundreds of years worth of science, history, literature and art has been lost. The world's population was reduced by an estimated 10-20%, and scientific progress is believed to have been set back by centuries. | Lydian's conquests have changed the history of the Continent by reducing the Western Dantrian Civilization which controlled the world for over three centuries into charred ruins in just under three years. Hundreds of years worth of science, history, literature and art has been lost. The world's population was reduced by an estimated 10-20%, and scientific progress is believed to have been set back by centuries. | ||
| - | The destruction of Dantria has basically left the region west of the Great Desert incapacitated and disconnected. This shifted all focus to the east of the Great Desert and set the foundation for the Loodon Empire, which would dominate the East for several centuries. | + | The destruction of Dantria has basically left the region west of the Great Desert incapacitated and disconnected. This shifted all focus to the east of the Great Desert and set the foundation for the Loodon Empire, which would dominate the Continent for several centuries. |
| In the immediate aftermath of the conquests, Land has recognized the power vacuum left by Dantria and began to eat into the territory of former Cenral Dantria, rebuiding Gun Den and becoming a regional power by the end of the 2nd century. | In the immediate aftermath of the conquests, Land has recognized the power vacuum left by Dantria and began to eat into the territory of former Cenral Dantria, rebuiding Gun Den and becoming a regional power by the end of the 2nd century. | ||
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| He definitely had the ability to effortlessly animate and control the dead. His abilities are thought to have eventually evolved into an even more powerful variant, with the undead getting a mind of their own and no longer dependent on Lydian for direction, to the point that he effectively lost control over the majority of his own army and was in hiding for the last several weeks of his life. | He definitely had the ability to effortlessly animate and control the dead. His abilities are thought to have eventually evolved into an even more powerful variant, with the undead getting a mind of their own and no longer dependent on Lydian for direction, to the point that he effectively lost control over the majority of his own army and was in hiding for the last several weeks of his life. | ||
| - | Additionally, he seemed to constantly and involuntarily provide additional support to all the undead in the radius of several kilometers, so that once killed, they would get reanimated again, as well as increasing their speed and excitability. | + | Additionally, he seemed to constantly and involuntarily provide additional support to all the undead in the radius of several kilometers, so that once killed, they would get reanimated again, as well as increasing their speed and excitability. There were no accounts of resurrected superhero warriors retaining their abilities in zombie form. |
| - | Finally, it is suspected that he was very old and that his abilities somehow provided him with longevity. | + | Finally, it is suspected that Lydian was very old and that his abilities somehow provided him with longevity. |
| ==== The fire problem ==== | ==== The fire problem ==== | ||
lydian.1582725632.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/02/26 09:00 by lverona
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