Twenty-four Orlanthi tribes united to form the kingdom of Sartar. Heortlings migrated to Dragon Pass from the south three centuries ago-some to escape a civil war, others to find new lands. There was no kingdom at first, just the tribes of the Quivini. Alliances shifted continuously; there were feuds and raids, and tribes broke apart and reformed. Then Sartar came. He settled feuds. worked miracles, and gave more than he took. Finally, in the year 1492 Sartar built his capital, Boldhome Boldhome, in a single night. There and then, the tribes hailed him as Prince of the Quivini. Afterwards many honored him by calling the land Sartar.
When he had finished his work, Sartar went to Orlanth's Hall. He gathered the priests, nobles, and people together and lit the Unknown in Boldhome. He strode into the sacred fire, and it consumed his mortal form.
Sartar apotheosized in 1520, and his dynasty ruled for almost a century, resisting the Lunar Empire's expansion. But in 1602 Boldhome fell to assault, and the Flame of Sartar was quenched. The Lunars divide and rule, spreading their influence through merchants and missionaries, soldiers and spies. Without a prince to lead the tribes, old enmities have risen again. Since Boldhome"s fall, two people have made the Flame flicker: Prince Temertain, installed by the Lunars; and Kallyr Starbrow, exiled queen of the Kheldon Tribe and one of the leaders of resistance to the Empire. Neither has been able to light the Flame, yet.
Sartar is under martial law, officially ruled by the Provincial Overseer in distant Mirin's Cross. However, the Governor-General is the real power. From 1613 this is Fazzur Wideread, a brilliant officer who understood that this is as much a struggle for Heortling hearts as a military conflict.