Vërev



The city of Vërev is a major city within the Yarlish Lowlands. Several important dynasties originated from here, such as the Second Dynasty of Vërev, who founded the Dominion of Vërev and later the Astmergian Empire. A second major dynasty from Vërev would ultimately also establish the Neo-Astmergian Empire.

Ancient History
It is unknown when the city of Vërev was founded. Most estimates range between 1200 BGS till 700 BGS. Legend says, that Vërev was founded by the legendary hero Verbayn. The city's temple contains the alleged tomb of Verbayn.

Pre-Dominion
Before becoming a major power Vërev was ruled, like many cities at the time, by a council of Highpriests. Around the 3rd century BGS this rule was called into question. In parallel, in many other cities the soldier caste was gaining power and influence. In 160 BGS Vërev became a duarchy. The priests and the soldier caste of the city would each elect one leader every 15 years. This arrangement however deteriorated quickly. In 82 BGS the highpriest was overthrown by Sasgort of Vërev, who would become the founder of the First Dynasty of Vërev. The first dynasty lasted for somewhat over a century, but overall did not amount to much. Its last king Atmur of Vërev was overthrown in 52 AGS by Kalyardun, who would go on to establish the Second Dynasty of Vërev.

Dominion of Vërev
Under Kalyardun's reign, Vërev would see much more success and a rapid ascension to power. One of the most important contributors was an alliance with the city of Tarin. Kalyardun started his reign by expansion and kickstarted a series of wars of conquest, which would last for almost a century, called the Vërevian Wars. Kalyardun was succeeded by his son Sarovagas, who would continue these conquests and finally by Astmerge the Great himself. When Astmerge became king of Vërev, Vërev was among the most powerful cities in the Lowlands and only rivaled by Kamag and the Kingdom of Erme and Vukhun.

Astmergian Dominion
With the declaration of the Astmergian Empire, Vërev would take a slight backseat, but was still regarded as the second most important city in the realm. However many nobles in Vërev remained contentious and disliked many of Astmerge's decisions. Many of the Vërevian elite treated the Astmergian Empire as the Vërevian Empire instead. When Astmerge passed away they chose to declare his oldest living son Yardunmud as new Emperor. This caused an immediate split between them and Kalotgane, where Kesërn and his wife Khayanmari, daughter of Astmerge, were declared Emperor and Empress. The conflict between Vërev and Kalotgane ended finally with the destruction of Kalotgane in 267. The last emperor, Yardunadi was taken hostage and held in Vërev until his death in 314. Although Vërev was victorious in this conflict, its success would not last long. Soon other cities chipped away at its territories, until only the city's core territory was left. The 2nd Dynasty remained in power until centuries later and would only go extinct in the 7th century.