Sibayad Timeline
Sibayad
[23 BR] Foundation of Zanishibon
[/size]A magical portal is established between the mainland's Grove of the Arch-Mage (Arcane Tower), located within the Forest of Despair, and the desert city of Zanishibon. The feat of magic is facilitated by local desert official Laus Lanneson and the grove's magi gnome Kelvin. Famed for its indulgence and extravagance, Zanishibon flourished as a bustling marketplace, home to the famed taverns the Dusty Rose and the Velvet Quiver. Though lacking an official ruler, the city often turned to High Priest Paush Borinseph of the temple for guidance.
[10 BR] Fall of Zanishibon
Seeking to unshackle the Nine Hells upon the world of Toril, Izlude pursued the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, one which required the opening of each of Hell's Nine Gates. Through deception and subterfuge, he led many righteous souls to unwittingly partake in his design, and one by one, the gates were unlocked until at last only the final gate remained. His path brought him to the archipelago of Arelith, where the last key demanded celestial blood. Turning first to Gabriel, Judicator of Cordor, Izlude sought his compliance. Yet, steadfast in his duty, Gabriel refused and met the devil in battle. Though his defiance was valorous, he fell before Izlude's might. With the Judicator vanquished, the devil turned to Jiharu Kusama, Counselor of Cordor, presenting her with a grim ultimatum: condemn either Cordor or Zanshibon, or see the entire island consumed in ruin. Jiharu deliberated long over the fateful choice. At length, she consented to open the final gate, but only in exchange for the devil's true name. Confident in his triumph, Izlude revealed it. With this knowledge in hand, Jiharu bound by the pact anointed the gate with her celestial blood sealing Zanshibon's doom. The Baatezu exulted, believing the realm now lay within their grasp. Yet at the ritual's zenith, Jiharu invoked the devil's True Name - Ghaunadar - disrupting the ritual and banishing him from the world.
The disruption of the ritual bore unforeseen consequences. Rather than falling into Baator as intended, Zanshibon was wrenched from reality and cast into the 363rd Layer of the Abyss. In the material plane, only scattered remnants of the city remained, its ruins and surrounding desert twisted into an ever-shifting labyrinth that defied mortal navigation. In time, this forsaken expanse became known as The Lost Desert.
As for those who once dwelled within Zanshibon, they faced either annihilation or eternal damnation. To survive, they struck a desperate bargain, surrendering their souls and embracing demonhood. Thus, Zanshibon and the 363rd Layer of the Abyss fell under the rule of the city's former high priest Paush Borinseph, who abandoned his old name upon his ascension and became simply known as - Paush.
[50 AR] Paush & The Pacted
The Archdemon Paush tightens his grip over the town of Zanishibon, enslaving, slaying, or banishing its inhabitants and reshaping the once-thriving Abyssal trade hub into his personal dominion. Seeking to expand his influence, he bestows dark gifts upon those willing to forge a Pact with him, thus birthing the first of Arelith's Warlocks. Not long after, infernalists uncover a similar path to power, striking bargains with the denizens of Baator. With both sides of the Blood War gaining new adherents on the Prime Plane, fiendish cults begin to spread and multiply across the Archipelago. (Zanishibon is changed from NPC town to dungeon area. Warlock Class added to the server.)
[110 AR]
The speedy messenger service establishes a Representative in Sibayad. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[115 AR] The First Great War
War is declared when a former Wharftown official flees to Guldorand with the town’s treasury. This conflict draws Cordor, Sencliff, Myon, Minmir, and Sibayad into the struggle as treaties of alliance between settlements are called upon.
[117 AR] The Second Dominion
Rosenkranz III declares the official formation of "The Second Dominion". A new empire that includes the Emirate of Sibayad, Minmir, and the Duchy of Sencliff.
[118 AR] Armistice
The First Great War comes to an end as the city-states involved meet at the Myart Shrine to finalize a peace treaty.
[122 AR]
The slave guild establishes an outpost in Sibayad. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[123 AR] Dissolution
The Second Dominion Disbands when Rosenkranz III and his closest followers leave the island of Arelith.
[140 AR] The Manzil
Construction of the Manzil is completed, bringing extravagant homes to the town. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[142 AR] The Merchant League
The Merchant League is established in Sibayad, opening their doors to visiting adventures. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[142 AR] Tomb of the Three Kings
Local scholars uncover three great tombs in the Canyon of Lost Kings, opening them up for exploration. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[153 AR] The Sandstorm Syndicate
Zaravella established the "Sandstorm Syndicate" in the desert town of Sibayad. The faction is based out of the Garden of Respite with the goal of maintaining order in the desert town. They involve themselves in espionage and trade, while trying to maintain a natural posture with both the surface and Underdark to various degrees of success.
[155 AR]
After two years of operation, the group known as the Sandstorm Syndicate fades into shadow. The reason for the group's dissolution lost to time.
[159 AR] The Articles of Union (Fourth Sharran War)
Establishing a manor in Sibayad, the von Brandt family moves to consolidate the town's trade and identity. After conducting a census and establishing a militia for the town, they introduce "The Articles of Union" which is voted on by all property holders. This agreement, which passed by popular vote, transforms Sibayad into a semi-functioning settlement under their control.
[160 AR] Brandt Charter (Fourth Sharran War)
The von Brandt's "Articles of Union" attracted the attention of the Merchant League and their representative, Talmar. After negotiations the von Brandt's agreed to relinquish efforts at direct control of the town in exchange for status as a Merchant House of Sibayad. Supplementary bargains are made for improvements to the town’s market and the addition of new placards clarifying the town's laws.
[161 AR] Curse of the Vampire
The town of Sibayad found itself the target of a child vampire by the name of Elizabeth who had taken to assaulting random citizens each night in a search for her "mother". Through persuasion, Emilia Sabine von Brandt was able to convince the undead child she was the creature’s mother and provided her a safe home to lair while they investigated Elizabeth's origins.
[161 AR] Battle for Sibayad (Fourth Sharran War)
Various forces were marshaled against Sibayad after the death of one Laecca Vemc. Her death at the hand of assassins was believed to be ordered by the von Brandt family in retaliation for Vemc’s attack on Garinox Isley, an Andunor Necromancer, within the town of Sibayad. This led to a series of pitched battles and ambushes in the Sibayad’s market and bathhouse against the Brandt family and their supporters.
[161 AR] Death of a Matriarch (Fourth Sharran War)
After gathering volunteers from the local population of Sibayad, the von Brandt family attempted to resolve the curse of the Vampire Elizabeth by aiding the child in confronting her estranged father. However, their band was intercepted by a large group led by one Vance Gravelle. In the battle that followed, the Sibayad force suffered a major defeat and the family’s Matron Emilia was slain along with the child vampire Elizabeth.
[162 AR] Fall of House von Brandt (Fourth Sharran War)
With the loss of their matriarch and pressure from outside forces, the Merchant House von Brandt slid into a steady decline. Within a year nothing of their noble line remained. Its various members either scattering or leaving the island completely.
[164 AR] The Alluring Lily
Opening in Sibayad, the Alluring Lily serves as a meeting place, guest house, tea room, and gambling den. Managed by the courtesan Naseelah Sai Nair and her staff, it served as the town's social club until its closure in 165 AR.
[165 AR] Sibayad Occupation (Fourth Sharran War)
The mercenary organization known as the Blackwyrm Company, backed by the Church of All-Shadow and led by Tarrick Armand, emerged as a formidable presence in Sibayad around 165 AR. Details of their activities during this period are scarce, but subsequent events strongly suggest that their endeavors to seize control of the town ultimately proved unsuccessful.
[167 AR] Second Sibayad Occupation (Fourth Sharran War)
The Black Host, a breakaway group from the regional Church of Bane faith in Minmir, made its way to Arelith through Skal in 167 AR and endeavored to establish their presence in Sibayad. Suspected of receiving support from the Church of All-Shadow, the forces of Darrowdeep Castle, alongside others, engaged in a brief yet ruthless conflict against their occupation. This campaign ultimately led to their expulsion from Sibayad, forcing them to retreat into the depths of the Underdark. Taking refuge in the Sharps District of Andunor, The Black Host continued supporting the Void Cult until gradually disappearing from historical accounts after 169 AR.
[169 AR]
The Merchant League’s builders complete an intensive reconstruction of the town's open market. Adding more shops and installing new obelisks to present the town’s laws. (New Area/Feature added to Server)
[184 AR Month 12] Khamsin's Unveiling
The twelfth month of 184 AR witnessed the largest sandstorm on the island of Sibayad in over a century, Khamsin's Unveiling. Its devasting winds reshaped the landscape, burying the northern coastal mountain ruins of the ancient yuan-ti kingdom and shifting whole swathes of desert sand to reveal what was once hidden beneath. Expansive underground aqueducts were unearthed, releasing creatures long trapped below within their arid tunnels. At the same time, native gnoll clans once thought to have vanished, reappeared, staking claims to tribal lands and launching raids against merchants traveling the Spice Road. The storm further exposed a previously concealed section of Sibayad's primary settlement, which was claimed and renovated into The Golden Alley merchant quarter. Ultimately, the unearthed wealth of opportunity and rise of external threats to prosperity was so significant that the Merchant League made the historic decision to formally declare their burgeoning oasis an official settlement. Following reconstruction efforts, the League introduced new laws, establishing the elected office of Vizier to govern on their behalf and opening their trade bazaar to all races and creeds. However, citizenship would only be granted to non-elf, non-aasimar surface dwellers, outcasts, gnolls, and minotaurs, reflecting the settlement's unique mercantile philosophy and shifting power dynamics (The Sibayad Update 12-11-24)