Sableterre

Sableterre (Latin: Arenia) was an island in the centre of the world. The name comes from the 'sable' or sand, which originally covered the vast majority of it's surface area. Originally a province of Épinette-sur-quès, Sableterre later became a significant power in it's own right.

History

Initial Settlement and Province

The history of Sableterre begins with the establishment of several small forts on the island by Épinette-sur-quès to ward off potential invasions from Shanbao, but little effort was devoted to the island outside of it's role as a buffer for the mainland. Later, bcfoss would settle on the island, consolidating the forts into a single keep.

Deficiencies in the local supply of Coal (charbon) pushed Sableterre into forming a trading relationship with Old Japan, wherein Arenian iron and gold trinkets were exchanged for coal. During this time, the eastern half of the island was gradually terraformed, replacing the sand surrounding the keep with grass.

The Calamity

Unlike the rest of Épinette-sur-quès, Sableterre emerged from The Calamity largely unscathed. After pillaging the mainland, two waves of invaders continued across the strait and landed on the island. The interior of the newly built Library of Sableterre was damaged seriously by Ricky-induced arson, but the structure itself remained mostly intact. The primary keep was invaded by Wikaros, but only the contents of the armoury chest (including the powerful bow Epicus Gamengetorix) were stolen and thus carried into Shanbao in the course of the war.

Mantle of Épinette-sur-quès

In the wake of The Calamity both Épinette-sur-quès and Old Japan fragmented into numerous smaller nations. As the only remaining authority in the vicinity of Épinette-sur-quès (and having never left the ingame faction), Sableterre assumed control as the new capital of the country.

Colonial Ambitions

For more info, see Subjugation of Kurokaigen and Kurokaigen

During a diplomatic conference at Shanbao bcfoss' plans to subjugate Kurokaigen were met with general approval. The poorly equiped forces of kurokaigen were intercepted en route for Sableterre and were easily destroyed, and the newly born Imperium Arenicum immediately assumed control of it's new holdings.

A census was performed to evaluate the wealth of Kurokaigen (now the imperial province of Kurokegania) which, with the exception of a diorite mine, was found to be utterly worthless. In response to this information the Empire shifted the colony's focus towards producing 'cash crops' (cow and sheep pens). An arenican fort was built at the isthmus of the western ocean and the Kurokeganian sea. A cement factory was produced at great expense to Sableterre in order to speed up the urbanization of Kurokegania, but the local population later shunned it in favor of the traditional 'Ricky style' technique of cement production.

Notable Features

Bibliotheca Arenica

View of Library from the north.

Old Fort

Located on the southern-most point of the island, the Old Fort is the single oldest structure in Sableterre, dating back to the initial fortification.