Thieves' World


A Brief History of Sanctuary
      
     The history of Sanctuary can be traced back 314 years, to the Podinu rebellion in Ilsig. When the rebellion was finally crushed, Lord Podinu and 5000 of his followers were executed. In addition, hundreds of entire families were banished. Of these 10,000 or so exiles, 5000 were sent through the great northern pass, were they were assimilated by a the many kingdoms of the central plains, including the young Rankan empire. The 5000 who were sent through the southern pass were not so lucky. The land to the south was dry and unsettled. Eventually 3000 exiles found fertile land at the mouth of the White Foal River and called the place Sanctuary. Not more than 1000 of these people were alive to see the first harvest, but the town survived.
     

     For almost two hundred years the town survived as a minor trade center, slowly growing, ignored by the rest of the world. However, 120 years ago the mountain men of the north rose up and closed the Great Northern Pass. Overnight Sanctuary became a very important city, for all of the trade between Ilsig and the east now had to go through the southern pass. Within a year the King of Ilsig sent an army to take Sanctuary. The city prospered and grew under the rule of Ilsig, with several trade caravans entering and leaving the city every day. It was during this time that many of the buildings in Sanctuary, including the governor's palace, were built. This prosperity lasted for 14 years, until the Rankan and Ilsigi armies at last crushed the mountain men.
The trade routes through Sanctuary dried up almost as quickly as they had formed. Many of the richer merchants moved to more prosperous areas of the world, and most of the King's garrison moved to more important areas of the kingdom. The people of Sanctuary were left more or less to themselves for another hundred years, surviving on a slow trickle of trade through the southern pass.

     Five years ago, Sanctuary once again enjoyed a brief increase in trade, as Rankan and Ilsigi armies fought in the great northern pass. However two years ago the Rankan legions pushed through the mountains and laid siege to the city of Ilsig itself, and little over a year ago the Rankan legions broke through the walls of Ilsig. The last king of Ilsig, along with his entire family, was executed. The royal governor, a distant cousin of the king, fled Sanctuary as soon as he heard the news. About a year ago the Rankan military governor arrived in Sanctuary with half a century of troops.

     Very little changed when the military governor arrived. Most of the city garrison simply swore oaths to Ranke, and the small city government was kept intact as well. But two months ago the new Imperial Governor arrived: Prince Kadakithus, the young, idealistic half-brother of the Rankan Emperor. With him came three centuries of soldiers and five "Hell Hounds," members of the most elite fighting unit in the Empire. Prince Kadakithus has dreams of reforming Sanctuary and turning it into a true Rankan city. The people of Sanctuary laugh at "Prince Kitty-cat," but fear his troops. Only time will tell if the young prince will be able to tame this city of thieves.