Wars of the Passes (De-Deputis)

Historical Event
Throughout his reign, and his father's before him, the dynasty of King Mikes the Younger had been pursuing Deputan dominance of the Catalian western coast. Direct descendants of the survivors of the Catastrophe, and the Twelve incarnated, the people of Deputis regarded themselves the rightful rulers of the region.

Having survived the darkness under the Catalian mountains for almost a whole lifetime, the people who would find Deputis had retained some knowledge from the world before. Their skill in architecture, agriculture and rhetoric saw Deputan influence spreading quickly across the region, but by the time of Mikes the Younger - who had inherited the crown from his own father, who had been born under the Mountains - rebel factions had emerged along the southern coasts. The resistance was formed around seventeen years into Mikes' reign, mostly by then men and women of three unnamed tribes: defectors and deserters of their designated roles as fishermen, metalsmyths and security units.

The people of Deputis and their allies were able to front around 1500 men, whereas the three tribes put forwards armies of up to 1000 individuals, men and women both. The exact numbers are hard to ascertain, due to the lack of written record. But it is known that the final battles of the Wars were to be fought in the passes between the Catalian Mountains, just south of the newly-established settlement in Deputis. Foreseeing the bloodshed, and realising the challenges facing their communities without warfare, King Mikes' eleven advisers assassinated their leader - bringing his sword and armour to the fields south of the Mountains, where the tribes' army were preparing to pass.

In the wake of the war, the city of Mare was established by those who had fought against Deputan influence. Over the years, the city became a significant settlement in its own right, being home to the best shipwrights, horsemen and tradespeople on the continent. Despite its beginnings, Mare and Deputis have had always cordial - and often friendly - relations, with the former coming to the aid of the latter many times throughout the proceeding centuries.

Festival
The Wars of the Passes place every thirty-seven years (Mikes the Younger held the crown for this time), and are expected to last usually around four years. The first summer of festivities features qualifiers for all competitions - from poetry, dance, and singing, to archery, boxing, and horse racing. The following years feature the finals for each competition, with extravagant gifts given to the victors and runners up, at the expense of the crown and other wealthy sponsors. And the entire event start to end is a buzz with merchants, bakers and butchers selling their goods, the best-of-the best from throughout the known world.