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History of Vermillia

Tradition tells us that, in the beginning, Vermillia was dominated, not by Humes, but rather by older races such as Moogles and Elves. These races had already built vast, complex societies while man remained savage and barbarous.

It seems, however, that the status quo was not meant to remain. Some three thousand years ago, Humes, like the races around them, began adopting civilized ideas and practices. At first these changes were simply the reorganization of tribal structures. Very soon, however, Humes began forming nations, organizing governments, developing societies, and, most disturbingly, creating armies.

While many races took no notice of the progress made by the Humes, certain races, such as the Esserrins and the Elves, were disturbed and envious of said progress. Small bands of Elves took it upon themselves to rid the world of the “Hume Scourge”, and attacked Humes throughout Vermillia, particularly on the continent of Ordalia. Hume response to these attacks was swift and merciless; Hume armies from various nations gathered on the borders of Elven lands and invaded. Initially, the Hume invasion forces met little success due to the superiority of Elven technology and magic. However, attrition took its toll, and the Elven were slowly reduced to meager bands unable to commit themselves to prolonged combat situations. Eventually, Elven territories fell to Hume arms.

Even in victory, the Humes remained severe. Elven populations were massacred to a man, and, in Ordalia, the entire Elven population was exterminated. At this juncture, the Esserrins, angered by the extermination of Elven communities, created a coalition amongst themselves in an attempt at stemming the Hume threat. History was repeated, and the Esserrin attack ultimately resulted in their decline from superiority.

In the years following the conflict between the Humes against the Elves and the Esserrins, the Humes gradually expanded their influence in Vermillia through technological/scientific progress and through the expansion of their territorial reaches. However, Hume progression resulted in the decline of several other races. This, of course, did not prevent squabbling amongst the Humes.

Approximately one thousand years ago, a holy man named Theodosius. Theodosius preached revolutionary doctrines, and amassed a large following of numerous races. The religion was especially popular in Ordalia and Farrelt, where all of the nations accepted Theodosius’ doctrine as their state religion. In Azalea, however, an alternate religion had risen to prominence under the guidance of a religious scholar named Ra’mas al-Tiroud. Both these religions played an integral part in the political, social and, of course, religious lives of its followers.

The seven centuries following the death of these prophets were marked by the rise and fall of empires and a marked increase in violence. Despite this, however, great artistic and academic progress was made, and the other races of Vermillia began to recover to a certain extent.

The past decade has been rather quiet in Vermillia. However, conflicts remain, and tensions continue to simmer between rival. While war seems unlike, the prospects remain.