Pronunciation: (aroo-TALL)
Continent: Inis
Present Day Nations: Liath
Timeline: 39.2M BCE - Present
Coordinates: 3° N, 117° E
Aru'taal was founded in approximately 39.2M BCE by refugees of Khan'Laheeri which fled to Inis from the Korahan Coast in the face of the invasion of the Akkau. At the time this kingdom consisted of three or four small villages and the flagship city, Beliane (bell-EYE-ane), which would later be renamed to Arutal
This kingdom would slowly grow to expand over the northern isle of Inis, making a point to remain neutral in world politics and warfare. Additionally, they gained a reputation for a strong defense force, a modest navy, and a welcoming attitude towards refugees from any conflict. Though the kingdom attracted many of terra's best ki users, it was well known that Aru'taal's forces would not engage in offensive military action and were therefore deemed to be un-recruitable to the aggressive military programs that sought out talented ki users. As such, Aru'taal was able to remain untouched through most of the heavy fighting, and as a result, their cities are home to some of the world's oldest cultural artifacts and architecture
Eventually, Aru'taal would expand onto the southern island of Inis, founding the city of Sole'tal with the construction of a massive bridge across the shallow waters of the Bay of siochana. Agriculture on the southern isle boomed and caused unprecedented wealth and also produced new fruits and vegetables that the world had not yet been exposed to. This served to raise the profile of Aru'taal even further on the world stage
Unfortunately, Aru'taal was not able to completely avoid the warfare of its neighbors, and in the Age of Blood, Akkaus would declare war on Aru'taal, under the pretense that they were harboring its enemies. It was generally assumed that Akkaus simply envied its resources and desired a safe haven further away from its principle enemies. Aru'taal would successfully defend against raids and invasion forces. Eventually they would join the Aimsir Alliance, though their contributions to the alliance were mostly indirect and primarily it was a show of solidarity with its neighbors across the Thoir sea
Aru'taal participated in the Council of Seven which ended the Age of Blood, renaming its country to “Arutal” and renaming its primary city, Beliane, to the same. Since that time the country has avoided all armed conflict and has prospered greatly, providing the world with artistic and scientific advancements on par with any nation, past or present. In the second age, Arutal was renamed as Liath
