Kostuvian Empire
THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER CANON
The Kostuvian Empire was an empire that stretched throughout the continent Aurora, and is the territorial predecessor to Salovia, Tuvaltastan, Kostromastan, Tivot, and Baykalia.
History
Prehistoric Kostuvia
At around 50,000 B.C.E., early humans arrived on the continent Aurora from Yasteria via the archipelago that consists of what is now modern-day FPS, East Malaysia, Lazlowia, and The Oan Isles. The first known settlement resides on the easternmost island of modern day Xiopothos, and hundreds of settlements can be found along the northern coast of Aurora. These north-coast settlements are believed to be the ancestors of the nations Kostromastan, Baykalia, Tivot, Imperial Fandom, and Tuvaltastan, as DNA tests from the bones discovered in these settlements are most similar to the culture groups of former Kostuvastan.
Ancient Kostuvia
"Kostuvian" is an umbrella term that includes a multitude of peoples that would eventually make up the Salovian ethnicity. Initially, the Kostuvian tribespeople had settled in the southern lakes of Aurora that are currently split between Ethalria, Xagrurg, and Tuvaltastan. For at least 15,000 years, the Kostuvian tribes spent much of their time within the plains and forests of what is now Ethalria, Xagrurg, Caltharus, Tuvaltastan, and Baykalia. The tribespeople for this period of time followed a system in which each tribe was led by a clan leader. The clan leader was determined initially by the ability to overthrow the pre-existing clan leader, but later was determined by family ties.
The first mention of a unified Kostuvia dates back as far as 3,500 B.C.E. on the coast of Slovan Lake, with the discovery of a mosaic portraying a crude map with Slovan Lake as the center, with land surrounding it. This is believed to be the oldest map of Aurora. The settlement the map was found in was destroyed and abandoned because of an earthquake of 8.2 magnitude, according to geological studies of the area. For another 1,800 years, the continent of Aurora consisted of numerous tribes, until another re-unified region formed in 1,700 B.C.E. that sprawled throughout the continent. This ancient empire is the direct predecessor of the modern-day nations Tuvaltastan, Kostromastan, Tivot, and Baykalia.
The Kostuvian Empire
The End of The Kostuvian Empire
The empire existed until the year 668 B.C.E. primarily because Western Aurorans had begun migrating to the empire, and with it, their diseases. Being forced further east, and leaving the sick and dying behind, the Kostuvians were forced into a period of antiquity for nearly 700 years. During this time, few historical records of any kind can be found. Being forced into this era had altered the culture of the Kostuvians, and with an altered culture came new traditions. These new traditions had completely replaced the old ones, and the Kostuvians gradually began establishing a new country. This new country, which was called Salovia, was established in 12 A.D. by its first King, Rorik.
Culture
Religion
The Ancient Kostuvians believed in Kotvarianism, a polytheistic religion based around the concept of Irmov. Many temples were built in their honor, and it is believed rituals were performed in front of statues found in these temples, primarily food offerings and offerings of devotion. The religion is also a continuing minority religion within former Kostuvastan, the exception being Baykalia, in which Kotvarianism is the largest.
Art
Although no art exists present-day, many artists in the 1800's mimicked the art style of the Kostuvians. Along with their art, Kostuvians are famous for their sculptures of which are dotted all over the former empire's territory. These statues have become the standard when sculpting for many artists in the area, due to the intricate and difficult procedure in which these statues and sculptures are made.
Literature
There are few pieces of literature that survived to the present day, but there are at least 152 plays and stories from that era that have been documented. Most of these, however, are only parts of the original stories. Only 17 of the plays and stories have been found in full, the most prominent being The Epoch of Rotloa. The Epoch of Rotloa is taught in schools throughout former Kostuvastan.