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2500’s Khonshu had lost much of it’s fleet to skirmishes and it’s realm of influence dwindled, allowing other powers to grow across the globe. By modern times the Khonshu naval kingdom had ceased to be, and they are simply a supplicant to the Scyzantine Sultanate.

Hyperia: ~2800 BFHyperia holds many

similarities to our own Greece and Macedonian civilizations. Even the myriad of city states bear similarities to our own. In recent times those similarities have fallen away, with a unified Hyperia under the rule of a dynasty of conquering kings. More differences arise in what are merely myths to us are fact to Hyperians. Inventors have created fantastic devices for their rulers, including flight for flightless animals, Heroes tread the lands fighting horrific beasts, and Sailors visit amazing islands off the coast, meeting bizarre hermits and collecting ancient artifacts. Hyperia has also been the long rival of Khonshu, with both having massive naval fleets, and with Hyperians worshiping sun gods, the rivalry only grew stronger, until Hyperia finally

On a world like ours, called Earth, with seven continents, and a history not unlike our own, live animals have that raised themselves up to create cities, to invent inventions, and to govern nations. Just as with our own time line, the Earth of Brushfire can trace back dozens of empires, that rose and fell, that changed the face of the world, that crushed civilizations, and rebuilt them from scratch.

Khonshu: ~3000 BF (Before Foundation)

Similar to Ancient Egypt or Babylon of our own Earth, Khonshu was an oasis kingdom, eked out from a tiny river on the tip of a peninsula. In the early days of their Earth, civilization held its seat of power in the south of the major land mass, Eutheria. Despite it’s isolation by land from other areas of the continent, cut off by an expanse of desert, Khonshu controlled a large fleet of ships, which were able to patrol distant holdings, and raid potential foes. Indigenous to many nocturnal creatures, Khonshu’s religion was based heavily upon the Moon and deities related to it. By the

History of the Worldsupplanted Khonshu as the dominant power of the ancient world.

Jaguero Empire: ~1450 BFJust as the Meso-Americans

all but disappeared under the coming of the Conquistadors, the Jaguero were pressed deep into the jungles of Vespuccia, leaving behind their ruined villages and temples. But long before they became a mystery, the Jaguars were the dominant power across two continents. Their monolithic structures were built as far north as what is now Xalepena City. Their downfall was a long time coming, as they had long oppressed the other species of Vespuccia. The Capybara were all but extinct when the first colonists from Mare-Civitas set foot on the coast. They were the last threat against the total domination of the hemisphere. Beyond the lust for power, the evidence left behind in their cities show a blood lust for sacrificial ceremonies. A people that could have focused their efforts towards developing a better world, spent their days killing their friends, families, and slaves to appease their appetites.

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Chugoku: 745 BFWhen the Myo Khans, roving

nomads of the eastern steppes, settled down from generations of war with the Vandal tribes, they had no comprehension that they would be placing the cornerstones of one of the greatest nations on earth. Despite it’s current crisis of civil war, and oft deposition of weak rulers, Chugoku has developed many of the greatest advancements in technology, culture and government. Even in the middle of a 4-sided war, Chugokans rarely live in poverty. Unlike our own China, Chugoku managed to keep outsiders restricted to merchant activities and never found themselves a practical colony to Imperialist western countries. Instead, the decadence of its own rulers forced the hands of the people to fight for equal rights, thrusting Chugoku into it’s current internal strife.

Rodentian Republic: ~650 BFThe myth goes that two

rats found their tails bound together. Some versions of the story say they were bandits, tail knotting being a common punishment in Hyperia. Other variations say they had survived a brutal battle together, binding their tails in brotherhood. In either case, the two rats, Rode and N’Tia found themselves on the coast of the Mare-Civitas, the Civilized Sea. Dying of thirst the two desperately drank from the waters. The miraculously fresh water saved their lives and the two set about building a house upon the coast. In the decades

to come more animals would trek to the coastline, hoping to avoid predators in the wilds and join the two friends and build a village. By 650 BF, Rodentia had become a nation of ideals, quickly on it’s way to being the crown of the civilized world. A Senate of elected officials discussed the needs of the people and the laws of the known world.

Rodentian Empire: 0 AF (After Foundation)

By 0 AF, Rodentia had become a twisted, corrupt civilization. Murius, a member of the Senate, found himself cast out for daring to question the ethics of a fellow member. The group had become a criminal syndicate that the civilians thought they voted for. During his last days in Rodentia, after he had presented his evidence to the council chambers, Murius worked with members of the army to ensure that if he failed, the Senate would fall. Murius’ body would eventually be found on the coast of Brisica, an island not far from the capital. The day after, the army moved into the city and sacked the Senate building, killing all the senators inside. The city itself was destroyed to a brick. In the coming months, General Soricus, a shrew, would lead the military in building a new capital, Muriccio, in honor of the one honest Senator, on the coast of Brisica. Soricus would be crowned Caesar, and the calendar reset to After Foundation.

Scyzantine Empire: 752 AFCold-blooded creatures

have always liked the heat. During the waning years of the Rodentian Empire, Scyzas, a monitor lizard, founded a home for all reptile kind on the shores of Lake Tiberia. He named the city after his wife Lacerta, who had died on their journey. Scyzas, like many reptiles, was seen as a lower form of life to mammals; the Rodentian Empire used reptiles as slaves. With a safe haven for their kind, Reptiles across the continents travelled there, to live under a free banner. Though the Rodentians saw this growing ‘scaly presence’ as a threat, the Vandals to their north would destroy their empire before they could act against the slaves.

For generations the city would grow, above and below ground. Other cities sprouted up across the desert, and the tribes of Zabar allied themselves with the new sultanate. Eventually even the great kingdom of Khonshu would become a principality to the Sultan. Some historians suggest this great unification of the south and the east would cause the Holy Rodentian Empire to form. Taking up the cause of mammals everywhere, Orders of Knights would bring battle to the Scyzantines, for several centuries, the Southern Crusades would wreak havoc upon both sides. Though the Knightly Orders are now scattered and broken, bankrupt in their own blood lust, and the principalities under the rule of the Scyzantines have returned to their own autonomy, there is always the chance these two powers could bring about a new war, to wreck the entire

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devices, or worked in foundries casting iron work, Vespucci longed for exploration. Generations of failed sea voyages told him that the world had been discovered, and there was nothing new to see, but he eventually set about proving the existence of another land mass by haphazard math, conjectured evidence, and a collection of hearsay. Despite his inept presentation, a group of Civitan merchants saw promise in his suggestion. Another continent would provide colonization prospects as well as new resources to exploit, which the Mare-Civitas was quickly running out of. In 1488 AF, Lorenzo da Muriccio, the Prince of Merchants, paid for the ships, crew, and supplies Vespucci would need to reach a continent half a world away. A year later with land in sight, Vespucci wept on the deck, too wracked with emotion to set foot on the land. Lorenzo da Muriccio claimed the land of Vespuccia for Mare-Civitas.

The World Today: 1821 AFToday is an era of unrest on

their Earth. As one might say every moment is anywhere. A new Empire rises in Aquitar, and the Scyzantines outlast any of the three Rodentian nations. With gunpowder and cannon leading the way in war, many soldiers of antique combat find themselves outstripped in prowess. Today, heroes lead from the rear, directing battle from atop a hill, drinking sancerre in their tents. The thunderous volley of black powder kills thousands in a battle, where hours would go

hemisphere.

Holy Rodentian Empire: 945 AF

The story of the building of Muriccio often leaves out that much of the building material was taken from the scorched ruins of Rodentia. Many prophets said that any nation built on the ruins of corrupt Rodentia would be doomed. Though the city of Muriccio stands to this day, The Rodentian Empire had fallen by 800 AF. For a century and a half, the Vandals controlled the continent in a reign of fear and war. When the Scyzantines began pressing west into the remnants of the Rodentian Empire, the Vandals reunified the ancient nation into a new machine of war. The Holy Rodentian Empire fought to protect God and Country from the reptilian threat. Despite having origins in a call to war, the HRE became a stable force in Eutheria, even giving the world such advanced leaders as Charles de Mange. Eventually as the crusades against the easterlings weighed heavily on the soldiery and the citizenry, the Empire fell apart, into half a dozen minor nations, but the framework still exists, bolstered by the Grand Order of the Knights Bubonic, always poised to protect the western world from the threat of scaly domination.

Rediscovery of Vespuccia: 1489 AF

Vespucci da Ventura was different from other Venturans. While most kept to their smithies inventing new

by, in antiquity, with out a single death. Brushfire’s Earth is on the cusp of the modern age, if it can only survive the industrial revolution.

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History of AquitarIn the days before the Empire,

Aquitar was a sick and dying country. It’s rulers had once been majestic benevolent kings, but, by 1789 AF, Shrouis XVI had reigned in luxury and despotism. By the time that the Moles, nomads from the east, had burrowed into Aquitar, the country was at the threshold of revolution. The leader of the nomads, Louis de Bore, would find himself quickly involved in the affairs of the country, his charismatic speeches and tactical skill resulted in the successful overthrow of the Corelingian Dynasty. Unfortunately he would soon succumb to wounds sustained in the final battle, and was posthumously styled Moleon I, Emperor of Aquitar. His adopted son would become the defacto first Emperor of Aquitar, as Moleon II.

Major Events

Fifty Day’s War1772 AF - The 8th Southern

Crusade came to an end

and the Knights Fusilier disbanded. Some became roaming highwaymen and others became military advisers training new soldiers as riflemen, who became the modern fusiliers.

1775 AF - A splinter order of bandit Knights Fusilier raided several Mare-Civitan city-states sparking the Fifty Day’s War. Shrouis XVI refused to extradite the Fusiliers, based in Aquitaran lands. The Civitan’s coalition crossed Aquitaran borders to assault the Fusilier castle.

1776 AF - On the 40th day of the Siege, Shrouis sent forces south to assist the Knights. When the Aquitaran forces reached Fort Sainte Ermina, the Siege was already over, and the Civitans had routed the bandits. The Aquitaran forces were unaware due to Civitan forces still camped in the wintery fields, and the Aquitarans entered the fort during the winter lull and were immediately captured. To date, Fort Sainte Ermina and

the surrounding land is under the control of the Civitans. The Aquitaran forces were stripped of their military weapons by the Civitians and of their ranks and lives by Shrouis XVI.

Aquitaran Revolution1779 AF - After a number of

ill-advised military actions, spurned on by Shrouis’ intent on gaining territory from the Vandalands and Mare-Civitas, Marshal of France, Meles of Burgunda was imprisoned for his outspoken refusal to send his soldiers into another futile war. In the same year, fellow soldiers who trained at Saint Cyrien alongside Meles, formed the Union of Burgunda, intent upon releasing Meles from prison and removing Shrouis from power.

1782 AF - A failed coup by the Union of Burgunda leaves half of them dead and a badger meeting Meles’ description was executed before a crowd in Palisade, the capital, as a sign to other military insurgents.

1785 AF - the Nomadic moles travel into Aquitar and quickly become involved with the literally underground resistance against the Coreligian Shrews. Louis de Bore rallies the remaining Union members as the “Claw of Malaise”.

1787 AF - After an explosion in the rifle manufacturing city of Orlea, citizens of the labor class decried the working conditions across Aquitar, calling for change. The reply of their employers was the

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discharge of all protesting employees and hiring of foreign labor. This slowly forming working class revolution turned to the King to set right the working conditions, and were met with inaction.

1788 AF - The Claw struck at this opportunity, to sway the citizenry to the side of the military by spreading the rumor that Queen Muri Artois, daughter of the Rat King of Vandalands, and wife to King Shrouis XVI replied to the plight of the workers by saying “Let them Eat Cheese”, absurd at both it’s inapplicability as a solution, and the suggestion that cheese was a popular food amongst the lower classes. As winter began to encroach, the Claw and their slowly growing army of military forces and low citizens set in motion their plans.

1789 AF - On February 16th, the Claw burrowed into Palisade and kidnapped the king and the royal family. While the primary members of the Claw undertook the kidnapping, the Revolutionary forces stormed the Assembly Nationale. Over half the members were summarily executed and replaced with members of the Revolution.

Leaving the citizens to form their new government, the Claw took the royalty into the prisons below Palisade intent upon releasing many of their captured members and placing the royals in their cells. Heavy resistance was met by fusilier guards, laying fire down the tunnels while the Claw held

only melee weapons. In a brave charge, Louis de

Bore closed the distance to the military cells and mauled the firing guards. He then collapsed from wounds sustained from their shots and died in the arms of Moleon.

The Unification Wars1790 AF - After spending

months in prison, the royals were executed as traitors to the state. In an outcry from the Aristocracy, many nobles refused the governing of the Assembly Nationale and each in turn announced their own claim to the throne, beginning the Unification Wars.

1791 AF - The war as waged by the Assembly was unfruitful in returning the regions ruled by the aristocrats. Emergency powers were given to Moleon, the new head of the Claw of Malaise and after defeating the Marquis of Limouse, returning the southern lands of Aquitar to Assembly control, he was enthroned as Moleon II, Emperor of Aquitar, his Adopted Father, Louis de Bore, posthumously honored as Moleon I.

1792 AF - Bel Neyette’s regiment is defeated at Lyonne by the main column of Corelingian Royalist forces. Traveling through their lines, Neyette relays enemy positions within the city to Moleon. The resulting cannon bombardment routs the Royalists and ends the Unification Wars. Though not all Aquitaran provinces are returned to their control, the final resistances within Aquitar

are defeated. Many of the remaining lands were taken by Vandalands or Mare-Civitas in the power vacuum.

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In one of the opening engagements of the Aqui-Civitas War, two battalions of Fusiliers marching towards Fort Ste. Ermina were met in the city of Cordoba by just over 50 Venture Mercenari.

For over a day, they were kept in their trenches by the constant gunfire of the weapon teams positioned within the city. Near sunset on the second day the bombardment ceased. Throughout the night several scouts were sent into the city, to check on the enemy positions, none reported back.

The Battle of Cordoba September 27th, 1812 AF

At dawn the entire 5th Battalion entered the city intent on its capture. At noon a single fusiler crawled back into the trenches, maimed and rambling. Within the hour the remaining soldiers moved into the city cautiously. They found no life, not a civilian or soldier.

The surviving soldier from the 5th Battalion was taken back to Palisade to report directly to Moleon. His ramblings were taken to heart by the Emperor, who had seen the same threat for himself.

By week’s end he had begun designing a new corp of the military, a Legion that would accept non-citizens into its ranks, along with those who were banned from serving in other branches. They would become a force to defeat “A Dragon with a great maw, with eyes that beckoned to oblivion.”, The Snake Killers.

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