History of Chiöq

Written history of Chiöq dates to at least the 1st Century CY, with evidence of organized sedentary societies prior to the existence of written records dating to at least the X Century BCY. This makes Chiöq one of the oldest locations known to have developed sedentary agricultural societies, followed only by the cultures of Old North Yazland, and the Ziwagh River Valley. Chiöq is considered on of the birthplaces of civilization on Huo.

Antiquity

Chiöq would remain under the rule of Suaagia until 537 CY with the outbreak of the Red Sand Rebellion, where (something happened). After the collapse of the Suaagia, former allied kings would begin to turn on each other as an era of war and chaos ensued. Famine was common and conflict between neighboring states even more so. The harshness of the era lead to the emergence of a movement of popular philosophers, who would provide spiritual guidance and answer questions of the world. As their popularity grew, they would begin to open various schools across northern Huo, and gathering exceptional numbers of students. The various nobles in the Chiöq, fearing the growing influence of the philosophers would outstrip theirs, began a mass repression of the movement in the 630s CY. This ultimately backfired, as massive revolts spread out across the region and caused an upheaval of the preexisting societal structures. Various disciples and priests who followed the movement of the philosophers would lead successful rebellions and force the nobility to let them have a place within the existing power structures. By 750s, the priests had become highly integrated into the politics on the nobility, as well as becoming highly militarized. Establishing various schools that would train disciples on spirituality and martial arts. They would also cause a reform of the traditional religious pantheon, reorganizing it to include on four main gods, and laying the foundation for modern Güqhiooyi religion. By the 1000s CY, Chiöq became dominated by 9 major states, (list). One of these states, Buuwuaa, would begin to achieve dominance of the region under Guaadaq Chiizuaa, who would establish the Great Kingdom of Chiöq in 1389. Following the end of Chiizuaa’s reign and with the reign of subsequent Great Chiärs, the Great Kingdom of Chiöq would become more and more decentralized. With various noble and warrior-priest states gaining influence, while the influence of the Great Chiär diminished. This would begin an era known as the Yaxoorgii, and the beginning of the formation of various noble clans and religious schools who fought to gain influence over the Great Chiär. Though decentralization continued, the reign of the Guaadaqic Great Chiärs would be largely peaceful, with mostly small petty feudal conflicts and tensions on the southern border as the only source of unrest. This would change in 1587 CY, when the last of the Guaadaqic Great Chiärs, Yiduaq the Impotent, would die without an heir, and the realm descended into chaos. The Succession War of the Yaxoorgii would be a 34 year civil conflict involving nearly every landowning noble in Chiöq over which cadet branch of the Guaadaqic line would rule Chiöq. Famine and devestation became common, the civilian death toll became immense, and the common people would increasingly turn to religion and the various warrior-priest orders for protection and purpose. Using the bolstered power of the orders, Chiaazan Zhiirjiu, a descendant of Guaadaq Chiizuaa, would subdue resistance and claim the throne of Chiöq for himself in 1621 CY. Under his reign, the power of the orders would solidify, as the “modern” form of Güqhiooyi began to develop. The orders, now united under Zhiirjiu, would establish the Council of the Guiding Elders in 1657 CY. Which would begin to codify the laws and practices of Güqhiooyi. X