Factions of T'vaqi

The Factions of T'vaqi were organized groups of individuals that inhabited T'vaqi throughout all of known history prior to its Second Unification. The term refers to both the numerous warring states of prehistory and the more recent coexisting faction-states. All information pertaining to the Factions before 1900 TT is shrouded in uncertainty due to the nature of the Qoa Lihi collapse.

Four quartzite tools believed to have been created by the Tqql faction.

A handaxe

An indented sharpening stone

A serrated object, purpose unknown; possibly decorative or symbolic

A curved pick

General history

Pre-Unification

The number of factions that existed at any given point prior to the First Unification is impossible to determine. Historical records are sparse enough to erase almost all evidence of what life may have been like for the early factions. It is known that faction borders shifted constantly, with new groups emerging and old groups conquered on a yearly basis. Factions engaged in frequent armed conflict. After the spread of agriculture by the Vaq faction around 6000 TT, most people lived communally in huts. Surviving records of religion and spirituality suggest that many factions subscribed to some form of animism.

After the initial spread of agriculture, conflict between factions would gradually decline over millennia. Alliances were formed between groups, and the total number of factions shrunk as the factions that remained grew in size and power. These competing entities comprised the first true faction-states, recorded to have had some form of government. With the rise of faction-states came a partial homogenization of the T'vaqi, eventually allowing the First Unification to occur.

First Unification

Around 3400 TT, a singular faction-state would assume complete control over the island of T'vaqi. This faction-state, referred to as the Qoa Lihi (or sometimes Qohli), was an absolute monarchy, with a single all-powerful ruler at the throne. The Qoa Lihi ruled through force, and likely did not hold uncontested rule over the island; however, their near-complete control over the resources and people of T'vaqi allowed the empire to last for 1.5 millennia. The Qoa Lihi built structures similar to the huts of prehistory, albeit with greater craftsmanship. Evidence of multi-story buildings exists, and some structures were constructed with metal. However, the most well-preserved facet of Qoa Lihi civilization is an extensive bunker system which extends below the surface of 548 km² of land, an area larger than that of T'vaqi's current capital city. Preserved artifacts and traces of human remains have been found within the bunker network. The Qoa Lihi followed a form of water worship, which is preserved in the modern day by traditions like Q'shasi.

All records of Qoa Lihi civilization end after approximately 1900 TT. Records belonging to the society past this date have not been found. Traces of ash beneath surface layers of dirt suggest a particularly destructive detonation as a potential cause, though no known explosive is capable of scouring an entire island of its inhabitants. Survivors of the enigmatic event likely hid in bunkers. It is unknown exactly how technologically advanced the Qoa Lihi were before their sudden collapse.

Post-Unification and dissolution

After the catastrophe that brought the Qoa Lihi empire to an abrupt end, new faction-states emerged from the rubble. Though independent from one another, centuries of subjugation under the Qoa Lihi had homogenized the T'vaqi race even further. Records from this era are plentiful compared to prehistory, and show that comparatively little conflict occurred between faction-states. This premodern era was one of relatively peaceful growth as the factions became more and more interconnected. The new groups gradually rebuilt the island, building on methods passed down by their predecessors. With the invention of steam-powered technology and eventually electrical devices like the signal puncher, faction-states could easily facilitate material and intellectual exchange. By 300 TT, divides between faction-states were almost nonexistent. This prompted the Second Unification of T'vaqi, which dissolved faction borders and brought all of T'vaqi under one democracy.

Notable documented factions

Surviving artifacts and carvings from record-keeping factions have allowed for the documentation of some groups that would have otherwise been forgotten. The following list is by no means comprehensive.

Mh:pm

The oldest claimed faction. Cave markings of unknown authenticity have been found in A'shara and dated back as far as 9000 TT, though there is little concrete evidence for this date. If legitimate, the markings suggest that the Mh:pm were hunter-gatherers.

Tqql

The oldest claimed faction to have made use of tools. The oldest surviving weapons, also found in A'shara, are presumed to have belonged to the Tqql. The Tqql were accepted as the oldest verified faction until research in 53 PC revealed many (but not all) surviving tools to have been much younger than initially thought. The Tqql are estimated to have existed no further back than 7500 TT.

I!do

The oldest claimed record-keeping faction. The oldest examples of writing can be attributed to the I!do, though translation has yet to occur, making the I!do impossible to concretely verify as real. The I!do are estimated to have lived somewhere inland, likely no earlier than 6500 TT.

Vaq

The oldest verified faction and the namesake of T'vaqi. The Vaq lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, claiming very little land but establishing a wide presence across the island. Vaq artifacts have been discovered in locations as remote as the Viqho area. Surviving records indicate that the Vaq began practicing agriculture around 6000 TT (though it is unknown if they were the first to discover it), subsequently spreading it to other factions. A noticeable increase in surviving records after this point is believed to have been caused by the spread of agriculture, which can be largely attributed to the Vaq.

N:d'd

Inhabited present-day Vir Alo and Vir Atlii from 5200 TT to 4700 TT. The N:d'd were merchant warriors and the source of the first documented accounts of ocean travel. The N:d'd are presumed to have used boats to travel along a stretch of T'vaqi coastline, offering goods to other factions in exchange for territory or resources.

To Mir Ia

Warring faction that encircled Lake Sky around 4300 TT. Monarchical, but never became a faction-state.

Qhroq

The first faction-state, located near present-day Mholos. Established pre-Unification, the Qhroq lived under a limited form of plutocracy, in which an individual's status was determined by their quantity of material possessions. Flourished around 4000 TT before being subsumed by other factions.

Rvoronr!lo

The longest-lived and most successful resistance movement against Qoa Lihi rule, with no central territory. Existed in some form for at least 100 years, no later than 2900 TT. Some historians argue that the Rvoronr!lo were purely an ideological movement and should not be considered a faction, though the majority consensus is to the contrary.

Sthampa

Established post-Unification. The Sthampa faction-state was split into North, South, and West sections, all of which were located in present-day Ishiq. Its government, which was a form of council democracy, was the direct predecessor to modern T'vaqi government. The Sthampa faction-state was dissolved in the Second Unification.