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It was with enormous relief that Tolnedra watched the return of
the Drasnian and Algarian columns through the mountains toward
the Vale of Aldur and the swift passage of the lean, black warships of
Cherek northbound along our coast.
In the years following the war of the Alorns upon Nyissa, there
was turmoil in the west. The Alorn Kings seemed preoccupied and
gathered frequently for council at Riva. Without the firm hands of
their kings to control them, the rowdy Alorns frequently violated the
provisions of many of their treaties and agreements with Tolnedra.
imperial Ambassadors attempting to protest were frequently
ignored or curtly dismissed. The VORDUVIAN Emperors seemed
powerless to regain control of the situation.
THE SECOND HORBITE DYNASTY 4133-4483
(350 years, 16 Emperors)
It was during the SECOND HORBITE DYNASTY that the full
impact of the South Caravan Route began to be felt in Tolnedran
commerce. With an apparent sudden change of heart, the laconic
Murgos became almost overnight keenly interested in trade with the
west, and caravans soon were moving in both directions along the
South Caravan Route. Murgos, Thulls and even occasional Nadraks
became common sights in the streets of Tol Honeth. They also began
to appear in Vo Mimbre, Camaar and Sendar.
This healthy expansion of east-west contact by way of the South
Caravan Route offset the decline in commerce resulting from the
turmoil in the Alorn Kingdoms.
The outstanding diplomatic achievement of the SECOND HORBITE
DYNASTY was the mission to Ulgoland and the ultimate
concluding of the Treaty of Prolgu - although, to be candid, there has been
only small commercial advantage in the severely limited trade with
the Ulgos. The achievement can be measured more in terms of
increased knowledge than in profit.
It was, incidentally, the opening of contact with the mysterious
Ulgos that sparked the theological debate which has raged
throughout the west for centuries. (See the History of the Ulgos for further
discussion.)
THE SECOND RANITE DYNASTY 4483-4742
(259 years, 17 Emperors)
The SECOND DYNASTY of the short-lived RANITES saw
enormous increases in trade between Tolnedra and Cthol Murgos.
indeed, one merchant observed sourly, 'You can't look anywhere
anymore without seeing a Murgo.' this is perhaps an
exaggeration, it is certainly true that Murgo merchants were to be seen on
virtually all roads in the Empire, and it was not uncommon to
encounter them in Arendia and even the remotest village in
Sendaria. One curious fact was that no Murgo, insofar as we can tell,
ever visited an Alorn Kingdom and that none even attempted to
penetrate Ulgoland.
Gradually the situation to the north began to stabilize, and
commerce once again proceeded normally.
These perhaps were the golden days of the west. With the
exception of the bickering of the Arends in the north of their country,
conflict was almost non-existent. Trade flowed smoothly east and