Zothay's history goes back at least 1700 years but it may well be very much older – it is
clear that the current city is built of the ruins of a far more ancient settlement which sages
suggest may have been part of the legendary empire of Kelnore. These sages say that the Tower
of the Prophets in the Beggar's Quarter
may be the one structure still above ground from this period. Others say that
the tower is so ancient that it may even pre-date the original city. The current city has clearly
expanded from its original size - ancient city walls can be seen embedded within the
buildings of the
Beggar's Quarter.
Zothay has remained an independent city-state and trade centre for much of its history ruled
by hereditary Tyrants. One such was Themeles the Bull-slayer who is believed to have re-developed the
Town of the Elect and whose statue is in the
Street of Themeles. Another famous (infamous) Tyrant was
Ankasas II, who two hundred years ago expelled all bards from the city due to their alleged
undermining of his rule. This led to the founding of the Bardic College of
Maven Ford.
For the last nine hundred years, however, the city has had to regularly
fight off marauding
Skandiks seeking to extend their influence south. Just
over a hundred years ago it finally fell in a brutal
battle with the longshipmen and their allies, the Redrock Orcs. The resistance of Zothay,
however, had been stout and they were able to negotiate a peace treaty although they have had
to pay tribute to the King of
Ossary ever since. The Skandiks also appointed a Governor
to oversee the rule of the city.