Current Date
The date is 596 JSD. The Kureshtins were finally thrown out of The Cabal for the second and currently final time in 583 JSD
The toll taken on the country and the population was huge but worth the freedom from the Vitchak yoke. The sense of liberation soon turned to despair as a plague, originating in the Empire, swept across the Cabal further decimating the population.
While some remote areas escaped the effect of the plague, vast tracks of land that had previously been cultivated or managed became wilderness with the associated dangers. Many of the population have moved into Vanard in the hope that food and shelter will be more easily available. Indeed shelter is, as many of the previously filled houses are empty. The Grimbol pass is still held, at least people assume so, as there have been no reports of incursions by the Shorkai. However none of the scouts that have been sent to check, have returned. While this might be significant, it may just mean that the country as a whole has become a much more dangerous place. Jordatt has been helping as much as it can. It was less affected by the plague but the only route through to the Cabal is currently the tunnel at Tel. The pass at Camplan, which had been opened during wars has become closed once more. There just weren't enough people around to keep it populated and open.
King Xanask and many of the aristocracy have returned to the country, only to find that since the Kureshin wars it is now an embeded democracy. The exception, as ever, being the Earl of Alkesh, who never left. This has resulted in a significant number of fault lines within the elite, (aristocracy and politicians) and there is a continual shifting of alliances and enemies. While the aristocracy hold little power within the governing bodies of the Cabal, they do retain ownership over vast amounts of land, albeit depopulated, and in some cases retain significant numbers of retainers.
The city itself much as it used to be. As mentioned there are fewer people about, but all the major institutions and cultural locations are still active and the population is slowly rebuilding.