Iskander

Iskander is a long lost civilization that once ruled all of Yavanna.

History
Its people were descended from Vanishing Islanders who migrated to the continent, leaving their home islands to follow a dead king into the west. They settled along the banks of the Great River and when they reached its source near the Mountains of Mourn they founded Iskander. This was the first human city in Tara.

Culture
Today it is remembered as a nation of warrior-poets and philosopher-kings. They spoke sparingly and in Iambic Pentameter, believing words held sacred power. Some stories claim they were descended from the first murderer, whose hands were stained with blood. During rituals they would wash their hands with hot blood. They were famous for their stepped cities and terraced farms, which rose up from the river valleys.

Religion
Iskandrian religion was based on hero-worshiping cults (the word 'hero" simply meaning "dead man"). The greatest heroes were called the "Epics" and were thought to have won immortality. In Iskander this was not simply 'eternal life' - it was becoming legend, outlived by your deeds which were never forgotten, ringing down through the ages. Ironically, although they strived to be remembered they were almost entirely forgotten by the time of the Age of Accession.

Constellations in the night sky were named after these men and many cities grew up around their shrines. Aspiring warriors and adventurers made long pilgrimages between these places, hoping to relive the old legends by following in their footsteps. A Prince of Iskander had to make such a journey just to be worthy of the throne and could not return unless he was preceded by word of his deeds.