Taumata

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Taumata

(Nation)

Adjective

Taumatan

Source: Dragon Empires Gazetteer, pg(s). 31

Taumata (pronounced tau-MAAT-aa) was an ancient civilization of unsurpassed magnificence that it was believed eventually angered the very deities with their arrogance and were utterly destroyed for it.

Geography

Pre-Earthfall, before -5293 AR, Taumata covers the area now known as the Wandering Isles of Minata but, at the time, rather than an elongated chain of islands, this area was one solid land bridge that reached all the way from Tian Xia to distant, mysterious Sarusan.

History

Some time 10,000 years after the start of the Age of Dragons, when Shizuru sent her edict herald Shinonome, telling the imperial dragon the prepare the continent of Tian Xia for the arrival of humans as its rightful inheritor and protect them for another 10,000 years. First the humans of Sarusan and then Azlant came, eventually creating the empire of Taumata, which proved Shizuru decision.

The dragons caretakers had become deeply involved with empire building and polotics over the long years, resulting in disagreements and then war between them and constant destruction of settlements while Shizuru was detracted with resurrecting Tsukiyo. This limited human settlements to the regeon of the Minatan archipelago and the land bridge, including Taumata.

During Earthfall, sea level rose, causing half of Minata archipelago landmass to be lost along with the land bridge, destroying the Taumata empire, leaving some survivors of the area to become nomadic seafarers or summon kaiju to protect them.

In different recountenance myth, in arrogance, the people of Taumata blasphemed against the gods in a manner so reprehensible that Hei Feng himself descended on them smashing this land ring apart with his nine-ring broadsword before declaring, "Nevermore in unity, lest you think yourselves greater than those who gave you life."

The smiting of Taumata is believed to have taken place before even the eruption of Mount Shibotai in -2524 AR.✝ Where Hei Feng slew the rampaging ancient underworld dragon, Ihoblyqaerth, his body transforming into that very volcano.

Tau Nui

The Tau Nui people of the Minatan isles of Rendah Pulu are insular folk who claim direct descent from the peoples of Taumata. Many Tau Nui clans have sworn oaths to protect Taumata's ruins from outsiders and fiercely protect the locations of these ancient sites. Islands Lakapuna and Olakapuna are to have the best preserved yet hidden Taumatan ruins.

Agyra

Legends of the flying kaiju Agyra credit her creation to powerful wards created by spellcasters of ancient Taumata to protect their islands from storms. The powerful weather left only one island intact, and the peoples of modern Taumata claim to be descendants of these early islanders. The wards collected so much energy from the storms that Agyra is said to have formed as a result.

Such legends are often dismissed by scholars who believe Agyra predates Earthfall. However, Agyra has since continually defended the solitary, remote island from any threats to its inhabitants and pursues any who attempt to escape over great distances. Her grudges include the kaiju Mogaru, though the source of this resentment remains unknown.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.