Kourna (region)
Kourna is the southernmost region of the Elonian mainland. As it was known, the region/province had many garrisons and the strongest military presence in Elona. Elonian centaurs claimed the land as their home for centuries, but today their fate is unknown. The region's inhabitants found food in the region's abundant savannahs mostly through herding. Though farming was possible, it required the damming and redirection of the Elon River, which once flowed through the land into the Unending Ocean as the land's main water supply. With the Elon again diverted north after Palawa Joko's return to power, the region fell under famine and only gets water when he allows it.
History[edit]
Early history[edit]
Military historians analyze the great battles that have taken place here: the epic conflicts of the Primeval Kings, the desperate efforts to unite the country during the Shattered Dynasty Era, and, of course, the defeat inflicted by Turai Ossa to Palawa Joko next to the Great Jahai Waterfall. For centuries, Kourna had had a military government, and its leaders had been direct descendants of Marshal Turai Ossa. Inspired by his example, the Kournians revered loyalty, patriotism, a strong sense of duty, and dedication to military service. Not all of Kourna were soldiers, but the farmers who worked the fields and artisans who worked at their workshops know the value of a secure province. The peaceful pawns centaurs contributed to increasing the strength of the province. Typical Kournian dedication led citizens to work hard for prosperity; in fact the entire nation depended on the agriculture and crafts of the province. Kourna's adventurers went to war safe in the knowledge that their swords have been well-tempered and their armor well-crafted, forged with the same confidence as the soldiers who wear them.
Centuries ago Turai Ossa saved the nation of Elona by defeating the spectral Lord Palawa Joko. In gratitude, the populace praised him as the marshal of Kourna... and his nation accepted him as king. Since then, all of Kourna's marshals had been direct descendants of Turai Ossa. Varesh Ossa was the latest heir to that legacy and as her ancestor he had a vision for the future of the nation.
Guild Wars Nightfall[edit]
Varesh Ossa is a splendid commander, a loyal Kournian who inspired loyalty and dedication to her troops. Like her Turai ancestor, she has also shown an interest in more spiritual concerns. The Elonians saw much of Turai's greatness in Varesh. Using her political acumen, her charismatic presence, and the influence of her family legacy, Varesh had rallied the Kournian army around him, inspiring them just as Turai Ossa had long ago. Some Elonian loyalists hoped that she could once again unify the nation, restoring the greatness of the past. Others fervently hope they don't share her folly.
In the year 1075 AE Varesh, Morgahn and Kahyet traveled to Istan as delegates. During their time there, Varesh and Kahyet had sent Kournians to Fahranur to retrieve a scroll of the Apocrypha before its destruction at the hands of the Order of the Sunspears. And soon they learned that Kahyet and Varesh were working with demons to accomplish an ancient prophecy and release the fallen god Abaddon from his prison and bring nightfall with him. From then on Varesh led the Kournian army to join the demons in a war against the Order of the Sunspears, Istan and Vabbi. During this time, the military often stripped peasants of food, supplies, and workers to keep the military strong.
After Ascension of Kormir, Kourna had been left without a leader and the Kournians had entered into a conflict over who would take over Kourna.
United Kingdom of Elona[edit]
In 1135 AE Palawa Joko invaded Elona conquering the provinces, and diverted the Elon River, leaving Kourna in famine and thus fell together with the other provinces and became part of the United Kingdom of Elona.
More than 250 years have passed and with the recent events of the war that was waged in the northern part of the continent by the god Balthazar and together with his defeat, Kralkatorrik flew across Kourna heading west, but without first brand everything in his path, corrupting the wildlife there. In the year 1331 AE. another important battle was fought that would decide the fate of all Elona where Joko's army faced the forces of the Sunspears and the Order of Shadows together with the Ghosts of the Primeval Dynasty and some allies of the Dragon's Watch along with the Pact Commander, this battle is known as the Battle of Gandara where the reign de Joko came to an end.
With the end of Joko's reign, Elona found herself in a power vacuum, in which she held a summit in the Fortress of Jahai to see what would be the fate of the nation in which various factions came alive and not dead. However, these negotiations were interrupted by the Death-Branded Shatterer.
Geography and climate[edit]
Kourna is located to the south of the continent, connecting with Vabbi to the north and to the west across the bay is the Isle of Istan, just as it has its coast to the south that meets the Unending Ocean.
The region is mostly desert and arid, in which it only has cliffs, mountainous and swampy areas. You can appreciate the vegetation that is in it since the Elon River crosses through it and gives life to the region and thanks to that there are crops that keep the farms alive. You can also appreciate life where you usually see drakes, devoureres, plants, wurms and harpys. Much of the region often sees settlements and villages humans and awakeneds. Much of the region is dreary, aside from it being a desert region, large bones can be seen, even in some of its architecture.
However, much of the region was affected by the flight of the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik, corrupting much of life with the Dragonbrand.
Interactive map[edit]
Locations[edit]
- Explorable zones
- Domain of Kourna
- Jahai Bluffs (Except for areas northeast of the Fortress of Jahai)
- Instances
Gallery[edit]
View of life and vegetation.
View of the desolate wasteland of Kourna.
Bitterfly Bayou.
The Farms of cultivation.
The Fortress of Jahai.
The ancient temple of the Six Gods.
The brand left by Kralkatorrik.
The dragon brand.
Contrast view of the land corrupted by the dragon.
Notes[edit]
|
The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Kourna. |
- Kourna is not a mechanical region. Zones in this region are mechanically listed as Crystal Desert zones.
