I'd like to know more about history of Varisia between the fall of Thassilon and the arrival of Chelish colonists. Where should I look?
I know that after the fall of Thassilon the rune giants were ruling for some time, and that until the Chelish colonization the Shoanti had lived more south, as far as Korvosa and the Bloodsworn Vale. But the period I'm talking about is almost 10000 years, there has to be more in this than that.
I would be particularly interested in any people that would build from stone. I've found a short mention suggesting that Fort Rannick near Turtleback Ferry is centuries old, and I wonder who could have built it.
The keep is old, its masonry battered by the elements for hundreds of years. The walls are worn and chipped in many places and significantly weakened. Ceiling height in the main keep averages 12 feet (...)
It may be just a writer's mistake, since in another place it's written it was built several decades ago by people from Magnimar, but I find it a compelling idea that it was built around an older keep. But then I'd need to know who could have used that site before the collonists arrived.
There were at least two giant empires, serpentfolk, the dwarves of Janderhoff, possibly elves depending on how big the Miereni (sp?) forest was pre-earthfall.
I think one of Taldor's Armies of Exploration discovered Varisia before Korvosa was settled.
That's all I can think of. May be wrong on some of it. But that's what comes to mind.
I'd like to know more about history of Varisia between the fall of Thassilon and the arrival of Chelish colonists. Where should I look?
Information in various chunks is scattered around many books. Better to start from pathfinder wiki page on Varisia and look at the sources (and the sources other pages of various locations in Varisia have).
I know that after the fall of Thassilon the rune giants were ruling for some time, and that until the Chelish colonization the Shoanti had lived more south, as far as Korvosa and the Bloodsworn Vale. But the period I'm talking about is almost 10000 years, there has to be more in this than that.
The way I see it, based on all that I have read, first hundred of years after Earthfall weren't nice for anyone in Varisia except giantkind. Large parts of Alaznist, Beliarmus and Sorshens domains sunk when parts of Starstone hit Golarion. Any possible and easy land connection Horse Lords of pre-Nidal had with Thassilon via Sorshens domain was gone. The ash cloud, as stated, covered Golarion for 1000 years. Elves are gone, with Mierani Forest and Observatory that stood before Mordant Spire abandoned. The first probably gets soon infested with goblins, troglodytes and other creatures. No dwarfs, orks and gnomes yet.
With this setting, humans and halflings citizens of Thassillon that survived initial years get in one or other form oppressed by giants. Stone kick them away trying to build their own communities, Rune create their own little kingdoms (like one that was around Jol in Lands of Linnorm Kings), ogres do the same around Wyvern Mountains. Fire follow the same pattern in Mindspin Mountains, Taiga go roaming the lands, and altruistic Cloud are trying to help in some ways.Somewhat giant free place is south parts of modern Varisia. Kaer Maga probably remains the only safe "free city" for humanoids, as it was standing there even before Thassilon.
As years go, giants (and then people) are first challenged by emerging orcs, and then dwarfs. Janderhoff is build, bringing more stability in the region where future Korvosa will be. Varisians and Shoanti, as ethnicity are born from their Thassilion caste past, after years of struggles for survival. The first center themselves on traveling, and the latter on fighting the giants as kellids and ulfen in neighboring lands do. Eventually shoanti spread all across Varisia, with clan lands defined (there is a map in Varisia, Birthplace of Legends). Of course there will be other enemies to fight, like orcs from Belkzen, goblin tribes, boggarts...
Lands near Sandpoint, which were in Alaznist domain, would be (and remain till now) kind of playground for demons. This particular part of Golarion is said to be a place of contest for Lamashtu and Pazuzu (for personal reasons). Both waging eternal war through their minions and followers over who will hold it.
In overall, Varisia, close before chelish colonization was almost the same, just a lot more emptier. No Korvosa and its settlements (aside Sirathu, which was wrestled from Kaer Maga protection), no chelish pirates that founded Riddleport and Roderick Cove, no Magnimar and at least some of its setllements, no Ilsurian, Whistledown and modern Turtleback. Only shoanti clans, varisian caravans, Kaer Maga and Sirathu, Janderhoff, gnomes that came to Sanos Forest, and elves that came back to Mordant Spire and Mierani Forest. Maybe some villages before the chelish wave like Wartle, Wolf Ear, Turtleback.
And goblins. Lots of goblins, bugbears, reclusive giants, ogre family clans, harpies, troglodytes, trolls and dragons.