In a matter of a handful of months, a major milestone in modern Achaean history will take place: The 200th anniversary of the fall of the Selucarian Empire. This Empire, founded by the man of almost mythical importance, Nicator, ruled the Sapience continent for nigh on 800 years. By the end though, it had become corrupt, and when the representatives of Ashtan, Shallam, Hashan, Bagwar's Copse, Thera, Jaru, Moghedu and all the other cities and provinces east of the North-South Vashnar range came to the capital city of Seleucar, located south of the Vashnar range and demanded that the corrupt and tyrannical Imperial regime reform, they were rebuffed by the arrogant Emperor and his princelings, who could not imagine that the 'backwater' provinces could ever pose a threat to Imperial Seleucar.

On the 21st of Ero that year, the forces of the Sapient League tore down a section of the wall surrounding the Imperial compound, marched in, and executed the Emperor and his relatives, sparring not even the children.

This day is remembered for a number of reasons. First, and foremost, it was the formal end of a once welcomed Imperium which had then been corrupted. Second, it represented the first time in known history that the two foremost cities north of the Vashnars (Ashtan and Shallam) had fully cooperated, outside of Imperium rule, ever. Finally, it is remembered, especially by the Shallamese, who are a gentler people thanthe Ashtanites, for the executions of the Emperor and his family. Many amoral debate has raged over whether it was proper to kill the children in the Emperor's family, but in truth, there was no choice. To leave them alive would only lead, as the leaders of the Sapient League understood, to claims to the Imperial throne and a third War of Succession.

Although I am Deity and Creator, I honour this day, for on it I witnessed the climax of a story 800 years old, and the beginning of the next. It was an emotion-laden day, and most of you owe your present freedom to the men and women who became heros that fateful day.

In honour of the 200th anniversary of that day, I hereby declare that on the 12th of September (in OOC time), we will have a festival the likes of which have not been yet seen on this world. There shall be contests of skill and wit, feasting, and drinking. And at the end of the day, I will present the winner of the contests with a special prize, befitting this occasion. I have taken the Staff of Nicator from its lost resting place in the southern jungles, and I will present it to the winner. What its power is, I will not say, for it will fall to the bearer of it to reveal its grandeur to mortality.

Penned by my hand on the 17th of Miraman, in the year 199 AF.
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