History of Ibav

The Ancient Times

At the beginning of Arda, Yavanna decided to create a great forest in the East; with the help of her husband
Aulë, she created the great sequoias, the tallest trees of Endor, and the goldwood, the teak, the ebony and
mahogany, hardest among the woods. Yavanna filled the forest with Kelvar, beautiful animals that wandered
in the rich land.
Then, Melkor tried to twist their creations, and from the works of Yavanna he crafted the ironwood, the
hardest wood, but a vicious tree that deprived other Olvar of their sustenance; climber plants and fungi; and
for the Kelvar, he created many dangerous beasts, as the vicious sea crocodiles.
Oromë came frequently in the East, and he loved to hunt in the dark forest, slaying the beasts of Morgoth.

The Tale of Anwë’s Quest

The legend about the origins of the Forsaken Ones tells of Vanwë, a curious Elf, wandered away from
Cuiviènen to see the beautiful and strange lands beyond the hills, and never returned home. As months went
by, Anwë, brother of Vanwë, decided to search for his brother, together with a large group of friends and
relatives. The group left the Awakening Waters, and roamed the wastes under the stars for weeks, without
seeing any of their kin.
The Elves noticed to be stalked by dark creatures, who spied them but dared not to get near to the fires. Trying
to escape from this dangers, Anwë and his people eventually travelled North, until they found a large cut into
great mountains, that led them into a cold and harsh land, where they were able to leave the stalkers behind.
Then the Elves, hungered and tired by the northern environment, saw a huge and black fortress, lit by red fires.
At first they hid in fear, but in the end Anwë resolved that the only way to get warm, food, and maybe found
his lost brother, was to explore the awesome building. He travelled with two companions to the apparently
deserted place, and for a week the Elves waited for them.
When the three returned, they were clad in iron and black garments, and spoke of a power beyond
imagination, of strength and destruction. Ardutor, the Master of the World, came out from his black palace,
and showed in all his tremendous power: such was the awe He inspired in the ingenuous Elves, that they
accepted to serve him to be free from the threat of the Dark Power.
Ardutor commanded the Elves to settle North of his fortress of Utum, and so they did for many years, living in
the shade of the northern Fortress and multiplying their numbers. The Master taught the Elves to fear his
power, and how to please him by adoration and animal sacrifice. He spoke of the Enemies in the West, of the
Hateful Light that could burn them all, like it happened to Vanwë. But they also learned the making of
weapons and armour, and how to fight and kill. And under the will of Ardutor, they turned one against the
other, the strongest commanding the weakest, and the male taking the woman by force.

The settling of the Great Forest

In the Dark Years under the Stars of Varda, the Avari Elves that refused to follow the call of Oromë grew
restless, and many of them left Cuiviènen to wander Middle Earth. A group of them finally came to the region,
settling the wild woods north of the gulf of Ibav. They slew many beasts of Morgoth, who fled south to the
wetlands, where the Elves dared not to tread.
The Avari of the Great Forest founded a kingdom and there lived happily for many years, rejoicing in their
new prosperous home.

The Exile of the Forsaken Ones

It came a time when Ardutor seemed to be displeased by the Elves’ behaviour, by their weakness and lack of
courage. Thus, the Master of the World sent the Elves away from his presence, and they obeyed the command,
leaving the Northern lands, crossing the Iron Mountains and fleeing the destruction they saw in the North,
which they believed to be the anger of their Dark Master. Believing to have been punished with exile, they
called themselves Awartasi (Aw.“Forsaken Ones”).
Eventually a quarrel developed, as Canwë, one of the original companions that entered Utum, blamed Anwë
for the exile, and killed him with his sword. Many others acclaimed him to be their new King, and so Canwë
took the leadership, and led his people southwards.
Years passed under the stars, and then the Elves reached a deep forested region, the Great Forest inhabited by
other Elves, who hid in fear of iron weapons and of the name of the Master of the North. And Canwë saw the
occasion to please Ardutor by establishing his worship to the primitive forest-dwellers, and by brute force
made slaves of them, imposing the teachings of the Master. And so the kingdom of Imaldawath (Aw.“Under
the trees’ shade”) was established. Some of the forest-dwellers tried to resist, but Canwë’s answer was to
sacrifice them on stone altars, to call for Ardutor’s forgiveness and blessing.
Canwë ruled with force on a large kingdom, whose people built stone palaces and sometimes delved fortresses
into the hills. It was the second King who established the rules of society, and the hierarchy of roles. So it
passed the Ages of the Trees and those of the Stars, and the Awartasi grew rapidly in number. Canwë built a
great palace in the central plain, and from it he ruled with iron fist over his people.

The coming of the Moon and the Sun

The end of Canwë’s reign was announced by a terrible event: a white globe, the Moon, rose up in the sky, to
light Arda. Canwë, understanding the threat of the Western Light, tried to call for Ardutor’s help ordering an
holocaust of many slaves, but soon afterwards the sky was filled with the burning flame of the Sun, as if
laughing at the King’s attempts.
Panic filled the Awartasi’s hearts, and so came up Malwë, the third companion that entered Utum. He blamed
the King’s behaviour to have displeased further Ardutor, so that He had abandoned his people. And again a
King was slain by a sword, and a third King led the Forsaken Ones.
Malwë proclaimed the Master of Darkness was angered by the previous Kings’ acts, and so an era of plagues
was to come, to test the Awartasi’s will and strength. He abolished the sacrifice of slaves, and moved his
palace under the tree’s shade, fleeing the light of the Sun. During his reign the Elves strengthened their
defences, building weapons and fortresses to resist the assault of the Western Flame.

The Coming of Men

Soon the danger got real, as strange, new peoples came near the borders of Imaldawath. The Awartasi called
them Gorodi (Aw.“Mortals”), and also Engwar, the sick, Unarini, children of the Sun, or Gurmòd,
Nightfearers. The Gorodi were curious about the Elves, but these, unwilling to have contacts with such weak
and ugly creatures, drove out the newcomers with their iron weapons and cruel bows.
The Gorodi were a primitive people, and carried wooden or stone weapons, but they were fierce and
aggressive, and their number increased much more quickly than the Awartasi. They attacked the Elves and
made their way through the forest, discovering the beautiful settlements and the riches of the Wugthiiri (Ib.
“Wood Demons”). The mortals fought as beasts, ignoring that for each Elf the killed, ten of them lay on the
field forever.
Again, a cataclysm announced another Age: earthquakes shook the land, and the stone fortresses of the
Awartasi crumbled to pieces. They believed that it was the work of the Flame of the West, to destroy the
children of Ardutor, and distrust fell upon Malwë’s command.
The Gorodi swarmed in the rich plains where many Elven villages prospered, and their inhabitants were forced
to leave the central plain and take refuge in the forests. Those who failed to do so, became slaves of the
conquerors.
On the ashes of the stone palaces, the Gorodi founded their cities, and the once glorious Imaldawath was
confined to a few hidden settlements.

The kingdom of Ibav

(SA 100 c.- 252)
The Gorodi were a violent race: when the Elves retired in the forest, they hunted the Yarulma, the Chaialla
people that seemed like stone statues to them. And when also the Yarulma left for the deep of the Forest, the
Gorodi battled between themselves.
The Gorodi who had conquered the plains spoke a common language, and were divided into twelve tribes.
Among these, the Ksian were the ones that occupied the area of the ancient palace of Canwë. They had taken
many Elven slaves and, unlike the other tribes, they learned a great deal from the Wood Demons. Among
these, the smelting of iron, the art of writing, and the tales about Ardutor. Soon, the Ksian became a powerful
tribe, and built a large city around the Elven palace, that had become the home of their Chief. They began to
worship the Master of Darkness, who had taken his sacred land, Ibav, from the Wood Demons, to give it to his
people, the Ibaavi. The cult spread to the other tribes, and shamans became priests, that tried to imitate the
ancient Elven rites, sacrificing animals and slaves to their dark deity.
It was at the time of Mathabuluy, Chief of the Ksian, that an order came to the tribes. Mathabuluy claimed to
be the lord chosen by the Master of Darkness to unite the Ibaavi, and in the following years he obtained the
allegiance of all the tribes, at first by the force of his iron weapons, then by willing submission of the
remaining Chiefs.
Thus, in SA 252, Mathabuluy named himself King, and stated that all the priests must be of the Ksian tribe, for
it was the master of Darkness who chose this tribe to lead their brothers. It was the rise of the kingdom of Ibav.

The Fourth Elvenking and the Age of Hiding

Despaired for their sad fate and the obvious abandon by Ardutor, the last Awartasi retired in isolation. Malwë,
blamed for the defeat, was finally killed by Sarthang, a young and charismatic warrior who took the power.
His reign stated the final resignation to Ardutor’s abandon, and the rise of a tendency towards insight and
tradition, preferred to any activity. The Elves knew that they failed to fulfil Ardutor’s expectations, and their
time had come, to be substituted by the Sons of the Sun.
However, with time, and the enlightened leadership of Sarthang, Elven nature won over the ancient teachings.
The Elves turned to life, ignoring the duties and the inheritances of the past, and preferred to enjoy their time.
They sang, danced, and tradition became a way to affirm their culture. No one truly believed more in Ardutor:
they had failed, but if their ancient Master did not come to help them ,why should they despair to search for
him?
They knew that the Forest was their kingdom: no mortal could come unseen, and challenge their forces. They
were few, but the most ancient, beautiful, skilled and wise of the peoples of Middle Earth, or so they believed.
Insight and self celebration became more frequent, and no more an Elf would go against his desires to please
an invisible Master.

The settling of Ibav and the coming of the Ahar

(SA 252 - 410)
Following the unification of the Ibaavi, the internal wars ceased, and the population grew, settling the last
remainders of the plains of Ibav and the surrounding forest, driving away the few Yarulma that still inhabited
these areas. Eventually, four of the twelve tribes moved westwards, founding settlements in today
Nargaathgykarkan, and its rich pastures. These were years of prosperity for the Ibaavi: no enemies remained in
their lands, and the Ksian tribe shared its knowledge with the other tribes.
This period lasted a little more than two centuries. Other Men, of a different race, came from the north with
their horses. They were Ahar, tall and merciless horsemen that, around SA 350, started raiding the western
tribes. Although the Ahar were ignorant of bronze and iron metallurgy, their bows were deadly. Led by a
might Chief called Leeon Sert, hey razed villages and took the inhabitants, especially women and children, as
slaves. The Ibavin armies, large forces of heavy armoured footmen, couldn’t stop the raiding bands that
infiltrated across the border.
By SA 400, the Ahar horsemen had taken the pastures for themselves, mingling with the Ibaavi to form a new
people, the Aca, herders who borrowed a great deal from Ibavin culture, especially in the language and the
ancestor cult. Their expansion was finally stopped in 410, at the battle of Yulang, where Leeon Sert perished
by the spikes of the Gerulbilar tribe, and his kingdom disrupted in small clans.

The opening of trade

(SA 534-615)
The first peaceful contacts with other peoples came in the VI century. In 528 the Lynerian League completed
the conquest of Sheshnoria, and moved their borders north and east, near the Bleak Mountains. In the
following years, the brave Lynerian merchants explored the lands to the East, making contact with the Aca,
and starting some small trade with them. From the herdsmen the merchants learned of a fabled kingdom
farther East, and in 534, an embassy from the League finally reached the borders of Ibav, and met with the
King at Maalthawun.
Their welcome was cold, at first, as Ibaavi did not love strangers, but the King marvelled at the products from
the West: wines, coffee, silks, jewels and gems, Dwarven crafts, and salted fish. So he ordered that the Lynir
were admitted in the Western provinces, the land of the Karkan.
This tribe benefited greatly from the trade, and learned to deal with foreign peoples. They learned trade from
the Lynir, and horseback tactics from the Aca, hence the name Karkan (Ib. “Horsemen”).
At first the Aca thrived with trade, exacting tributes from the caravans, but in the last years of the centuries, as
trade grew, they asked for higher and higher fees.
In 598, King Malthuy led an offensive against the barbarians. It was a cruel war, aiming not at submitting the
barbarians, but rather at driving them away from the lands. The offensive was vanguarded by the Karkan
horsemen and the Gurarbilar pikemen, and the plunders and mass executions were many and fierce.
The Aca fought bravely, but they were finally defeated in the battle of the Bleak Plain, in 615. After that, the
Aca fled Gaathgykarkan, journeying west for many centuries, until they will reach Chy and settle in Acaana.
King Malthuy established four provinces, with the names of the ancient tribes, although they were mainly
inhabited by new colonists. The provinces were ruled by new Chief dynasties, chosen by the King himself
among the warriors that distinguished themselves in the war.

Contact with the East

(SA 640-720)
Having experienced the benefits of trade, King Malthuy now faced East, to the unknown lands beyond the
Great Forest. The Ibavin warriors secured the Thyrganay hills and built fortresses against nomad attacks.
Finally, in 640, the first caravan from Ralian arrived in Maalthawun. Eastern products, such as tea, rice,
spices, silk were appreciated by the Ibavin upper classes, and a certain amount of them flowed through the
kingdom to Lynir.
Contacts with foreign kingdoms became reality, and they exchanged embassies with Ibav. In 720, an Ibavin
ambassador took residence in Cabe.

New Ahar Peoples

(SA 850 c.)
By the ninth century, war returned to Ibav. Around 850, new Ahar peoples came from the North, settling at
first in the steppes of northern Gaathgykarkan. Before 50 years had passed, these nomads started raiding the
villages and the caravans of the western Ibavin provinces.
This time the Ibaavi were more prepared in facing the Ahar, so the nomads were not able to make permanent
conquests. However, trade slowed, and the tariffs were increased due to the large amount of warriors needed to
protect the routes.

The Karmavi and the Age of Internal Wars

(SA 1800-2234)
At the beginning of the XIXth century, new nomad peoples moved south from the steppes, reaching the
borders of Ibav. This time they were not Ahar, but rather Adek horsemen, with small, stocky and agile ponies
and bronze weapons. The Ibaavi welcomed them as other barbarian peoples – with their armies.
The Adek were stopped and settled in Alduryaknar, but they launched raids in the Thirganay hills, plaguing
trade with Ralian. They were fast, cunning, and used complex war tactics and ambushes among the hills.
In the following four centuries, the Karmavi (Ib. “Horse people”) refined their tactics and learned the secret of
iron from the Ibaavi.
In 2228, a leader rose among them, called Laktur, or Grey Wolf. He united the tribes and, two years later, led
the Karmavi to war. Never the Ibaavi had faced such an horde, and they were defeated many times, while the
barbarians took the Thirganay hills. Laktur settled at Larhak, at the centre of the region, and his people started
raiding Ibavin lands, now lacking any kind of protection against the attacks.
In 2233, King Maladan II gathered an army to drive out the barbarians from the hills. They were defeated at
the battle of the Cursed Vale, where the Karmavi ambushed the Ibaavi in their own lands, slaying the King and
many Chiefs.
King Maladan II was succeeded by his son, Yanda II, who immediately gathered another army, requesting
heavy tributes from all the tribes. To this, the four western provinces replied that they had already lost many
warriors at the Cursed Vale, and now needed every man to protect themselves from the Ahar. The ‘Refusal of
the Provinces’ is considered the traditional beginning of the Age of Internal Wars, that would witness the
dismantlement of the kingdom, for nearly two thousand years.
 Yanda II and the secession of the Wugara
(SA 2248)
Yanda II did not have enough forces to attack the Karmavi, nor he dared to fight against the rebels for fear of
other attacks from the north. He resolved to defend the northern forests, waiting for better times. In 2244
Laktur died, and his empire divided into many tribes; two years later Yanda defeated a large Karmavin army,
thus granting peace to the borders at least for a few years.
Then, in 2248, he rallied the royal army and headed west, to punish the rebels. Unexpectedly the four
provinces had joined their armies, even hiring mercenaries among their enemies, the Ahar. The battle of
Lüngaath (Ib. “Green Field”) was an utter defeat for the kingdom, and even the King lost his life, pierced by
an Ahar arrow.
His son, Yanda III, took the throne, but he was young and bold, a weak warrior and a poor leader. He
requested other soldiers from his vassals. The Wugara tribe had lost his Chief and many warriors of his family
at Lüngaath; when the new Chief objected that no regent could be found while he was campaigning, the King
ordered to give the regency to the High Priest.
Outraged by this abuse of power, the Wugara took the example of the provinces, and refused to acknowledge
the new King. Moreover, all the royalist priests, along with the High Priest, were expelled, and a few
dissenters taught the secrets of priesthood to Wugara novices. For the first time since the foundation of the
kingdom, the religious authority of the Ksian tribe was refused.
Facing internal revolt, Yanda III had to accept the secession, re-organising the defences on the northern
frontier, where the Karmavi were recovering from the defeat by the hand of his father.

Hünggo the Burner and the division of Ibav

(SA 2308-2320)
The kingdom of Ibav was able to defend the forests for nearly 60 years, until the coming of Hünggo. He was a
Karmav warrior, who had been recognised the leadership of two tribes. In 2308, he led the Karmavi to the
assault, conquering in less than two years the whole territory of the Buulmil tribe. Here he founded his
personal domain, taking the title of Chief of the Three Tribes (the two Karmavi, plus the Buulmil). Despite a
fierce resistance, Hünggo kept his power and increased his riches, plundering all the nearby lands.
In 2316 he plundered Ganaythawun, in 2318 the Berulbilar lands, and finally, in 2320, he led his warriors in a
lightning assault to Maalthawun. During the brief siege, King Gahyaly III the Last was killed; when the
conquerors entered the city, most of it was burned to the ground, and hundreds of innocents were passed to
sword’s edge.
Gaalthayan, son of Gahyaly, had managed to flee the city, but when he took his father’s crown, no Chief
recognised his power, and most of them started to train local priests. With this, the kingdom of Ibav definitely
separated into tribal territories, fighting the invaders or other tribes for power or mere survival.
In 2320, the Berulbilar tribe fell to Karmavi invaders who, taking advantage of Hünggo’s attack two years
earlier, easily defeated the Ibaavi and founded another barbarian realm.

The northern kingdom and the driving out of the Karmavi

(SA 2482-2530)
The years 2482 witnessed a great revolt in northern Ibav. Partan, a warrior who descended from the Berulbilar
Chief family, transformed the resistance of a small band of brigands into a major uprising. Partan claimed the
title of Chief, and organised the tribe into a political entity, extending links to neighbouring Gurarbilar. With
the help of the latter, in less than 6 years Partan was able to drive the Karmavi out of the Berulbilar territory.
Though threatened by the barbarians, the Berulbilar strengthened their defences in the following years,
improving the ambush tactics, and taking advantage of the forest to fight the horsemen.
It was Chief Tantan, that came to power at young age in 2506, that created special regiments of pikemen and
archers. In 2510, he led a major offensive against the main plague to their land: the raiders of the north-
western forests, the descendants of Hünggo’s invaders. Supported by Gurarbilar allies and Buulmil rebels,
Tantan succeeded in crushing the Karmavi and ending their last realm in Ibav. After this victory, Tantan’s
fame became great in all Ibavin lands, and he was acclaimed King by both his tribe and the Buulmil, that
swore him loyalty through their new Chief. In the following years King Tantan fought many battles, mainly to
discourage Karmavi from raiding his lands, but also to keep other Ibavin tribes at bay.
In 2516, after a successful battle against the Waru, who were threatening the Gurarbilar, Tantan obtained the
allegiance of the latter: now his kingdom collected three tribes, and no enemy could hope to threaten its
boundaries.
Soon afterwards, another military campaign was launched, against the Karmavin holds in the Thirganay hills.
It ended in 2522, with the razing of Larhak, the city founded by Laktur. Tantan ordered to fortify the hills, and
started the construction of Thyamar.
Now that the threat of the Karmavi was no more, Tantan looked south, because he started to dream of uniting
the Ibaavi under his leadership. Of course, the main obstacle to this was the Ksian tribe. So, in 2528, Tantan
led his armies against Maalthawun. This city was protected by high walls, and not only the Ksian warriors, but
also many Waru tribesmen were inside the city, unwilling to submit to Berulbilar power. The siege of
Maalthawun lasted for two years, until, in the summer of 2530, Tantan himself perished for a disease that
spread among his warriors. After the King’s death, his son renounced the siege, heading home.
After this defeat, the Berulbilar lost their leadership, and the new successor was not able to be sworn
allegiance by the other tribes, and the kingdom of Tantan transformed into a loose alliance between the
northern Ibaavi.

Gabathay the Peaceful

(SA 3100-3138)
After the Karmavi were expelled from Ibav, a period of relative peace began. However, though free from the
raids, Ibaavi still fought petty wars between themselves.
By the fourth millennium, the wars got worse, and complex systems of alliances, schemes, intrigues
developed. Common people were usually unaware of the interests for which they fought, and grew
disillusioned of their leaders. Many revolts broke up, as the XXXIst century was plagued by bad weather and
poor harvests.
Things began to change when, in the last year of the century, Gabathay became King of the Ksian. He, like his
successors, still continued to bear this title, even if for more than 700 years it was recognised no farther than
his tribe’s lands. At Gabathay’s times, the Ksian were one of the strongest tribes, allied with the Thiwara and
Wugara. The new King was an exceptional diplomat and politician, and set up a net of clergy envoys that
covered all Ibav.
Gabathay used them to promote peace and diplomatic talks between the tribes, successfully preventing a
number of conflicts. Through his speeches and those of the Ksian priests, he earned the sympathy of common
people, and the respect of the other priests and Chiefs. Soon, all learned to look to him, when a conflict arose,
and he rose to the status of mediator between the tribes.
He never claimed the leadership, but acted in the name of his ancestors, ‘for the good of the Ibaavi’. However,
in 3120, he obtained the title of High Priest of Ibav, this being a honorific title, with little practical
implications. Ksian priests got to be seen on a higher level than others, if not for power, at least for honour.
Gabathay died in old age, in 3138, and his funerals were the greatest ceremony that Maalthawun had seen for
many generations. His successors continued his policy of good relation, defending peace and acting as a third
part in all conflicts between the tribes.

Daerylor and the offer of Sauron’s friendship

(SA 3080-3441)
Few changes occurred in Awartasi’s civilisation during the following millennia. However, in SA 3080, a new
event triggered a slight change, at least in some of the Elves. This was the coming of a stranger, an Elf from
distant lands, powerful and charming: at first he was regarded as one of lesser kind by Ardutor’s chosen
people, but soon the newcomer won the sympathy of many by his wit, gifts, knowledge and friendship.
Daerylor, this the name of the Elf, was finally able to speak with King Sarthang, and then he offered the
friendship of his Master, Sauron of Mordor. Sarthang was pleased by this, but he laughed at the request of
tributes and military help:
“The Awarta people can protect well enough their own interests, and do not need no one’s friendship. Why
should we use our power and richness to make your Master’s good? You are the servant of a beggar, disguised
as friend. So, let your Master come here to beg by himself, as his like do”
Daerylor left Sarthang’s court with his face red and full of shame and anger, but did not renounce his Master’s
plans. He returned again, every now and then, and even as many still laughed for the King’s mistreatment,
Daerylor won the friendship of many others, and gained influence in Imaldawath.
Three times Daerylor tried to convince the King to join forces with Sauron: a second one in 3261, when
Sauron was threatened by Ar-Pharazôn’s army, and again in 3425, shortly before the War of the Last Alliance
The Belaen appealed on glory, on Ardutor’s honour, on easy plunder, on the need to fight the Western Flame,
but his pleas fell on deaf ears, as Sarthang saw well enough the malice and deceit hidden in Daerylor’s heart,
and did not trust him.
So it happened that Sauron was overthrown in the West, and his forces split in despair. After the last refusal,
Daerylor left Imaldawath, and he did not return for many years.

The Gaagymavi and the fall of the Western Provinces

(TA 300-400)
The fourth century of the Third Age was marked by barbarian invasion of the western portions of Ibavin lands.
In the first years of the century, Aharin tribes from central Endor began migrating towards Ibav, absorbing or
fighting the previous Ahar tribes that inhabited the north-western steppes.
From 330, the western provinces experienced raids from these tribe, that sought to flee from the powerful and
numerous invaders. The newcomers possessed large and fast horses, and they were able to work iron into
weapons and simple armours: the Ibaavi called them Gaagymavi, that is, in Ibavin, the Plunderer People.
About the half of the century, the new barbarians had the control of the steppes, and they attacked Ibavin
cities. The western provinces formed an alliance to protect themselves, but they could not defend against the
small Gaagy bands that attacked before dawn, and disappeared before sunset into their plains. After a few
decades, only the largest cities remained safe, for every village lived in fear of the tall and cruel raiders.
In 394, the four Chiefs of the provinces were finally able to face a real barbarian army, besieging the city of
Yangarar (Ib. “High Grass”). The Ibaavi tried to crush the invaders between the defenders inside the city, and
the auxiliary forces coming from the east and west. The leader of the Gaagy, who was, at that time, Rùgey,
divided his forces, sending his fastest horsemen in a charge, attacking the western Ibavi forces in their own
camp. After the slaughter of the ‘Sleeping Soldiers’, the horsemen turned back. At the battle of Yangarar,
Rùgey smashed the slow Ibavin army, and was able to break into the city and raze it to the ground.
In the following years, all the other Ibavin cities of the region surrendered or were defeated and cruelly
plundered by the Gaagymavi. Only in Gabiruru (Ib. “Mountain Haven”) a small Ibavin kingdom did survive,
giving refuge to people who fled war and violence.
By the first year of the new century, almost all the western provinces had been conquered by the Gaagymavi.
Cities shrank to villages, and many of them disappeared at all. Trade was almost interrupted, and no one was
safe as long as he wandered outside settlements. The Ibaavi no more talked about the western province, giving
the region a new name: Gaathgykarkan, the “field of the plunderer horsemen”.

The New King of Ibav

(TA 400-580)
Rùgey was the main Gaagy commander, but he did not choose to attack the inner Ibavin lands, preferring to
rule his people from his camp at Warthuyul, not far from the ruins of Yangarar. However, small bands of
nomads raided frequently Karkan lands, burning the villages, and every year they dared to push deeper into the
Ibavin plains. Even if the Karkan had obtained the alliance of the Wugara tribe, they could not prevent
Brùgoy, Rùgey’s son, from plundering their main city in 425.
The fall of Mayirwalay spread panic in all Ibav, as suddenly all the tribal Chiefs realised that a new era of
invasions could be at hand. However, no one was able to form a real alliance, and to agree on the command of
the joined forces. For many years the tribes quarrelled, as Maryol of the Waru, who was said to be influenced
by his first wife Balinii, refused to send troops, and the Berarbilar and Gurarbilar fought a battle for the right
of passage on the latters’ land.
Meanwhile, Gaagymavi raiders stroke each year, reaching into Buulmil territory from 440, and Ksian lands in
450.
In 455, six of the tribes met in Maalthawun, under direction of Gabilii the Old, who was obviously incapable
of leading an army, but only the western tribes, plus the Ksian, agreed to ally. However, no common
leadership was agreed. The League of the Western Flags was able to keep raids at bay, at least stopping the
largest bands headed for towns and cities.
The Western Flags’ power ebbed and flowed, depending also on internal factors and political events in
Gaathgykarkan, but in 577 their forces were crushed in Wugara lands, as a large band of raiders was
strengthened by auxiliary forces that had been hiding inside the forest. The subsequent invasion of Wugara
pushed again the Ibavin tribes to consult, in 578, in a meeting at the hill of Nygaath, where the Ksian, Waru
and Gurarbilar lands meet. Here the Chiefs debated for three days, until, on the third night, their camps were
suddenly attacked by the Gaagymavi. As guards ran in reel and rout, searching for their captains, a warrior
rallied his Ksian companions, and soon was able to take and hold position on the hill, and all other warriors
took position around him, finally repelling the nomads, and preventing a slaughter that could be far more
bloody. The name of the warrior on the top of the hill was Gabaganay, and he was the first son of the Ksian
Chief.
As his father Palenay had died during the attack, Gabanay was now the new Chief and High Priest of Ibav. On
this occasion, the Chief of the Wugara tribes spoke these words to the survivors that gathered on Nygaath in
the light of the morning:
“Let us all mourn the loss of Palenay the Trustful, who fought bravely in many battles, supporting with all his
forces the Western Flags, in the name of the ancient brotherhood of all the Ibaavi. I saw him fighting this
night, surrounded by Gaagymavi, alone and with only a sword to defend himself. He died the death of an hero.
“Let us now look at his first son, he who did not lost his courage in the darkest hour, he who saved my life in
the reeling melee, and the saviour of us all, Chiefs, warriors and priests. If it was not for him, now the best of
Ibav would lay dead on the grass, at the feet of Nygaath hill.
“Gabanay, bravest Chief and commander, let me offer you my sword and those of my warriors. From this day
on, let me fight on your side against the accursed barbarians!”
And in the light of morning, the Chief kneeled to Gabanay, putting his sword’s hilt forth. And around him, the
warriors did the same, one by one, until all the Chiefs gathered and bowed their head to the hero. And the
High Priests of the Gurarbilar, Wugara and Waru came forth and gave him the items of power that belonged to
his father: the mighty sword Guwigwamba, the three-eyed shield Guwiyamil, and the Red Mantle of the High
Priest.
And he was acclaimed by all: “Hail, to the new commander of the Ibaavi!”
At the head of an army composed of all Ibavin forces, Gabanay was able to bring war directly on enemy land,
and, in 579, not far from Kanwalay, the Gaagymavi were vanquished. At the end of this successful battle,
Gabanay decided not to proceed further, and making peace on the Gaagymavi warlords; and he returned to
Maalthawun, where he was proclaimed King of Ibav.
His reign brought peace and order to the land, and for many decades no raider would dare to enter Ibavin
lands, for fear of its mighty armies, and the line of border forts built by the King. The realm of Ibav was once
again united, and a new era of prosperity was about to begin.

The Gaath Chiefdoms

(400- … )
After the Gaagymavi invasion, the western Ibavin cities disappeared, an the territory was divided among many
tribes of barbarians. Although subject to the authority of their High Chief in Warthuyul, the tribes often
quarrelled and came to arms. Trade was utterly interrupted for many years.
However, a time passed, Gaagymavi leaders experienced a threat to their power by the Ibavin subjects, and
they started taking wives among them, though rarely such mixed people reached to position of power among
the Ahar conquerors. However, some of them became merchants, who managed to re-open the route between
Lynir and Ibav. In a few decades, some cities started to recover from the invasion, and grew around a powerful
tribal chief.
After the battle of Kanwalay, in 579, the assimilation process was dramatically accelerated. No common Chief
resided at Warthuyul, and the only way for the Gaagymavi to retain power was to mix with the Ibaavi. Tribes
lost their meaning, and chiefs became warlords, as the barbarians were conquered by the Ibavin older culture.
So, southern Gaathgykarkan became a border region, not civilised as central Ibav, nor wild and lawless as the
steppes where some Gaagymavi tribes still resided. Kings Gabanay used his power to encourage trade through
their lands, and to foster rivalries, so that the tribes would fight between themselves rather than against the
Ibaavi. Unfortunately, Gabanay’s successors refused to maintain permanent relations with ‘barbarian
warlords’, and only rarely interested in their ‘petty fights’.
 The Ardutorini
(TA 820-940)
Daerylor returned to Imaldawath in TA 820, sent by the Belaen-an-Voryl. Though they were now lacking their
Master, they nonetheless hoped that he could return, or at least his worship could be used for the cult’s
convenience.
This time Daerylor did not ask for the King’ audience, but simply visited some of old friends and supporters,
watching the situation and studying the needs in the Awartasi’ souls. He enlarged his networks of contact,
allies and friends, and he became popular and famous among the Elves.
Then, in 940, he started to speak openly about Ardutor, and preaching a return to his principles. And he
gathered around him a circle of followers, that obeyed his orders like a master. Yet, Daerylor did not dare to
speak against the authority of Sarthang, rather he suggested that he lead his people into the glory of Ardutor
again. Sarthang did not pay attention to him, but soon it was clear that, by his desire or that of the higher
officers, the followers of Daerylor were not welcome to the court of Dimawathbar. So the Ardutorini (Aw.
“Children of Ardutor”) became a closed group, a sort of society mainly composed of ‘outcasts’ and ‘undesired’
people. And they gathered in secret, and worshipped the armoured image of Ardutor, and that of his first
servant Sauron; and every now and then, Mannish prisoners were captured and sacrificed on hidden stone
altars, as in the ancient, glorious days. And in Imaldawath, an evil seed planted by Sauron took root.

Sauron’s awakening and the Belaen-an-Voryl

(TA 1050-1326)
Around TA 1050, Sauron returned to his form in Dol Guldur. His return set in motion a series of processes
begun by his minions. The Belaen, at the news, immediately organised to take control of Eastern lands, this
time interested also in Ibav.
After sending some spies, in 1080, they started preaching the faith in Edainil. However, they did not found a
fertile terrain for their ideas, because of the strong sense of tradition of the people. Only in small villages,
among ignorant people, or in the lower parts of the cities, they found believers. They started to gather some
consensus in the XIIIth cent., when even some warriors and priests began to sympathise with their principles,
though this was mainly due to political reasons.
In 1326, King Yunduganay I, preoccupied about a threat to his authority, proscribed the cult. In the following
years, more than 1000 people died by drowning, the traditional penance for ‘heresy’. Much more are said to
have fled in south Gaathgykarkan or Ralian.
After the Water Persecution, the surviving Ibavin Belaen started to meet secretly, and became a cult of
fanatics with the aim of subverting the order. However, the support in their task is not much, as the Belaen are
more concerned about other regions of the East.

The Rebellion of the Berarbilar

(TA 1630-1631)
With time, the power of the Ksian kings strengthened, and their decisions came often in conflict with those of
the Chiefs. Also, the priesthood became more important, and demanded for a higher respect, when confronted
with warriors. The importance of religion grew, and trade was burdened with high fees, so that few merchants
still came to Ibav, and even fewer crossed it to trade further. As secret societies multiplied, royal control over
the feudal military class was enforced.
Tensions grew, as Yunduganay II rose to the throne. An authoritarian, he stated that the warrior’s duty was to
obey the priesthood and their chief head, the King. In TA 1630, on his 15 th year of reign, Yunduganay was
assassinated. The palace plot turned to be the scheming of the Chiefs of the Berarbilar, Waru and Thiwara.
Yunduganay’s son, Garyanay III, was young, but determined to avenge his father and preserve the Ksian
power. He ordered the Chiefs to be immediately turned over to him by their tribes.
The tribes were ready for rebellion, but Garyanay was successful in bribing the Thiwara, and fostering a
bloody coup that led to power a more friendly member of the Chief clan. Then the Waru hesitated, giving
Garyanay the time needed to gather an army from the loyal tribes, prospecting to them the nightmare of a new
Age of Internal Wars.
In fear, the Waru surrendered, and their Chief was delivered to the King. In the north, however, the powerful
Berarbilar tribe was already revolting, and they had expelled all loyal priests. Lacking their allies, they had
resolved to call for the intervention of Adekdar peoples, nomads akin to the Karmaavi, promising them
plunder and lands in the north.

Garyanay demonstrated himself a subtle tactician and a merciless warrior. Invoking the utmost punishment for
the rebels, he ordered villages pillaged and burned to the ground, killing hundreds of helpless people just to
demonstrate the Ksian power. After a six-month brutal campaign, Garyanay put an end to the rebellion in the
Thyguwaybalun Thu (Ib. “Battle of the Thousand Bloody Corpses).

In the following year, many Chiefs and priests were exiled or sentenced to death, for plotting against the
King’s rule. He encouraged everyone to denounce all who were suspected to be involved in the rebellion and
the assassination of his father. Bounties and rewards were offered, and often even innocent people fell victim
of the bloody terror. All the new officials and priests were chosen for their loyalty, and an era of paranoid
control over the Chiefs and the local leaders began.

Later: foundation of a Society of the Dark Disciples. They infiltrate the court and later even the priesthood.
Royal control increase after the discovery of plots and scandals among the warriors and Chiefs.
1900 Mighty King influenced by his father’s death, and by his mad mother (controlled by Dark Disciples).
When he rise to power after an era of regency, he becomes a tyrant but a genius. He destroys every enemy,
slays thousands of peoples, massacre the Adekdar and Gaagymavi, and starts building a Wooden Wall to
protect Ibav. It will never be finished.

After him, there is a rebellion of twenty years, then his heir is able to take control as a leader of the Disciples.
Ibav falls under Sauron’s spell. War with Gaathgykarkan and Ralian and expansion.

2300 Late in the Age: attack on Lynerian League and invasion of Ralian. War with the Elves – terrible defeat.
Ibavin kingdom is destroyed by revolt. However, Daerylor is able to poison Sarthang through Faeraewa, but as
he tries to foster revolt, he is lynched by the very people around him, aroused by Faeraewa’s sense of guilt
(she was in love with Sarthang and she had been betrayed by Daerylor, but his spell is broken by Sarthang’s
death). An emissary of Cìrdan is able to enter Imaldawath, after the power of the Ardutorini is extinguished,
and speaks about the forgiveness of the Valar. The Forgiven Ones then leave for the West. Only some of them
remain in Imaldawath, taking the name of Last Children or Mourning Children. Faeraewa lay herself at the
feet of the Urulbalor, over Sarthang’s tomb, and leaves Middle-earth; the Urulbalor withers and dies, too.