The City of Lismore was founded by the kitsune Ashtyn Ninetails, who arrived on the island searching for a place to settle. The local indigenous population, the Woodland Folk who inhabited the forests showed no opposition to the newcomer, neither did the other kitsune already residing in the island, Dartun, lord of the Zenko Monastery.
The first building erected was the lighthouse, originally meant to serve as the home for Ashtyn. A human, known simply as Felixx, was employed as the architect, whose designs would determine the style of future buildings to come.
The kitsune inhabited the lighthouse for several years as more buildings were erected in the island shores. A small port was built, to serve as a stopping point for merchant ships en-route to and from major trading ports. Interest in the location of the island grew, and the kitsune started the building of more facilities to promote trade. A marketplace was built, directly adjoined to the docks, and soon a tavern/inn was built. A public bath and an amphitheater were built, and a library, where the kitsune kept record of documents and lore acquired during his very long life. As the population of the new city grew, Ashtyn moved his residency from the lighthouse to a palace that would be the last of Felixx's projects. With such move, the city of Lismore was emancipated, and so began the local calendar, marking the first year of the first age of Lismore.
The first 100 years of the city were marked by construction projects and settling. Local limestone and granite were used on most buildings. Marble was imported. Metals such as bronze and iron were imported. Most construction workers at this time were humans (thus the re-occurring human themes on the decoration of some buildings).
At some point around the year 150 of the First Age of Lismore, ancient mining facilities were discovered in the local caves system, rumored to have been first prospected by dwarves and dragons many centuries before. Large deposits of iron were discovered. Precious metals and stones were also discovered (gold, silver, mithril, sapphires, rubies). Mining operations took place on and off, but the caves' environment proved to be challenging. Several attempts to establish a permanent mining operation took place through the years.
The city's prosperity and location eventually attracted the attention of warring nations. Most notably, the Romans sent a fleet of ships assuming they would have an easy conquest in their hands. However, they underestimated the kitsune, who used his power over the element of fire to burn down every single Roman warship even before they ever made it to shore in a dramatic display of power which would assert Lismore's status as a place that conquering nations should not aspire to add to their domain.
There was little exchange between the City and the neighboring Zenko Monastery. While there was never animosity between the two kitsunes, Ashtyn and Dartun minded their own business. As for the Woodland Folk, while they never showed any interest in the Zenko, which had been there for thousands of years before the city of Lismore was founded, some were attracted by the allure of the city and abandoned their old ancestral ways, some venturing off to distant lands in passing-by ships, others adapting to the city life.
On the year 295 of the First Age, the then known as Ferals tribe immigrated into Lismore, escaping persecution from their homeland known as Sanctuary, settling in the woods outside city territory. The Ferals built a temple and became known as the Tirrenelda' Tribe, lead by their high priest, a snow leopard named Glasere. The Temple Tribe and the city estabilished trade agreements and trade routes for mutual benefit.
On the year 300 of the First Age, an otherworldly explosion was heard throughout all of Lismore. The tower that had stood in the Zenko grounds reportedly for over 7000 years collapsed, and all structures in the Zenko were laid waste. Investigation determined that the local divinity that watched over the Zenko grounds grew displeased with Dartun's corrupted ways, and smote the entire monastery, abandoning these lands. The city of Lismore took custody over the ruined Zenko grounds.
Strange energy disturbances began to appear in the Zenko, most notably a giant swirling vortex of energy. Strange hostile creatures started to appear as well, so the city built an outpost in the Zenko grounds, to guard the land and serve as the first line of defense against these strange foreign attackers. Skyfangs, a wolf-tiger hybrid who was part of the Tirrenelda' Tribe, was put in charge of the Zenko ruins and later assumed the title of Lord of Zenko.
While the Zenko and the City of Lismore maintain close ties, the Zenko became a sovereign faction after a great battle that vanquished the swirling vortex of energy, but seemed to open a portal to a distant land from where strange invaders continued to pour in regularly. A new enemy, identified as The Face revealed itself, and the Zenko became the first line of defense against The Face and its minions.
The cataclysmic events that took place at the Zenko marked the beginning of the Second Age of Lismore.
With the sudden availability of high grade construction materials from the Zenko site, the Zenko, the Tirrenelda' Temple, and the City undertook new construction projects. Ashtyn's palace underwent renovations. In time, a new Guards' Tower was built, a new set of apartments for city residents was built, new docks were built, and finally, a new granary and winery were built. High quality grapevines were imported to begin production of wine, which would later become one of Lismore's exports.
A few years later, an event involving wizards in the city's inn caused the destruction of the establishment. A new inn was built where the old one stood, with improved facilities.
Currently the city enjoys a time of booming financial prosperity, endorsing new mining operations in the Caves performed by the Phoenix Faction, exporting wine and spices, and through a joined venture with the Tirrenelda' Tribe, exporting timber. The city also buys and exports large quantities of physical mana (Tass) from the Zenko grounds.
(Post here any IC event of relevancy you think might have been omitted or not accurately described above that is directly related to the city's history
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