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The Lunar Satrapy of Sylila

Posted on September 21, 2022

The Red Emperor’s daughter, Hwarin Dalthippa, conquered the lands south of Henjarl in a series of military and magical campaigns between 1309 and 1349. In 1325, the Red Emperor proclaimed her and her husband Ingakotum to be the “Satrap of Sylila” and Lord of the River. Phirmax, a son of the satrap, was killed by the river spirit Bold Vareleus (Phirma was probably around 21 years old). When Ingakotum died in 1335, Hwarin Dalthippa ruled as the sole sultan. Hwarin Dalthippa ruled until 1358, when she was slain by an assassin.

Antorsus, another son of Hwarin and Ingakotum, became the second satrap, in 1358. As the ruler of the Southern Lands, he led a Lunar Army to crush the Orlanthi settlement of Tarsh, only to be routed at the Battle of Falling Hills in 1362. When Antorsus died in 1365, his son Philotosus became the third satrap. Now the term satrap was always preferred in the south, a legacy of the Carmanian-Dara Happan kingdom of Saird in the late Second Age. But both words were used interchangeably.

Philotosus ruled until 1383. During his rule, Sylila was effectively an independent sultanate, pledging its loyalty to the Red Emperor in Glamour, but responsible for its own defense and arrangements. Philotosus made peace with the Twin Dynasty in Tarsh and allied with them to defeat the Opili Nation at the Battle of Quintus Vale in 1374. Meanwhile, Sheng Seleris invaded the Lunar Heartlands and seized Yuthuppa in 1375. The following year, the Oslir River joined the barbarians.

Philotosus died in 1383, and his cousin Hyemkostos became the fourth satrap. During Hyemkostos’ rule, Sylila fought the barbarians and saved Alkoth. But when Sheng Seleris wrestled with the Red Emperor, the Moon dimmed, and the Emperor grew ill and died. Hykemkostus died in 1392, and his cousin Eteodona became satrapess.

During the rule of Eteodona, the Orlanthi kingdom of Tarsh became an aggressive power under the long rule of King Yarandros (1395-1440). Saird and Holay became independent, switching back and forth between Sylila and Tarsh. With the aid of Praxian mercenaries, Yarandros gained the submission of Holay and much of Saird. Eteodona accepted these losses, as the real war was against Sheng Seleris. In 1397, Eteodona led a large army north to relieve the city of Alkoth. The enemy cavalry eagerly attacked but were virtually destroyed through Lunar magic. The army of Glamour, led by the Red Emperor, marched south to meet them and gave the Emperor another victory.

However, in 1404, Sheng Seleris personally appeared outside Alkoth and this time the city surrendered. In 1405, Eteodona led another army to aid the Red Emperor, and at Good Shore, the Sylilans aided Yara Aranis in defeating a Pentan army led by Sheng Seleris. However, Eteodana died during the battle, and her young second cousin Jorendona (niece of Hyemkostos) became Satrapess.

Jorendona ruled for the next 52 years (1405-1457). Her reign was a long struggle against Sheng Seleris, and she died before the final victory in 1460. Her successors aided Hon-eel in rebuilding the Lunar Empire, and the barbarian kingdoms of Saird and Holay returned to the Lunar fold. However, the Fifth Wane was a time of greater centralization, as the Red Emperor and his daughter Hon-eel took an active role in restoring and rebuilding.

After the Nights of Horror in 1506, the Hwarin-ony clan largely retreated to their pleasure palaces in Jillaro, more concerned with art and literature than with the task of administering the satrapy (which was left to scribes and bureaucrats). The Hwarin-ony satrap was a distant figure, buttressed by their demigod ancestor and divine favor. Riven by internecine conflict (often fomented and financed by the bureaucracy), they held on for another 50 years, until they were extinguished.

The Virishi family (who headed the satrap’s administrative bureaucracy) seized power in Jillaro and ruled the satrapy as a cruel robber lords. However, they were unable to meet the Red Emperor’s required tribute, and were destroyed by Tax Demons.

In 1561, the Red Emperor gave rule in Sylila to the Errio-unit clan, who have ruled the satrapy since.

Sylila from the Guide to Glorantha

Jeff Richard

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1309 ST, 1325 ST, 1335 ST, 1358 ST, 1362 ST, 1365 ST, 1375 ST, 1383 ST, 1392 ST, 1397 ST, 1404 ST, 1405 ST, 1460 ST, 1561 ST, Battle of Falling Hills 1362 ST, Battle of Quintus Vale 1374 ST, Errio-unit, Hon-eel, Hwarin Dalthippa, Map, Nights of Horror 1506 ST, Sheng Seleris, Sylila, Yarandros (king)

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