Founding of Benalia

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Founding of Benalia
Event Information
Era	War with Phyrexia
Date	c. 3500
Location	Benalia, Aerona, the Domains, Dominaria
Characters	Torsten Von Ursus
Outcome	Final dissolution of Sheoltun Creation of Benalia as a nation Renaming of Benfosa to Benalia City
Timeline
Collapse of Serra's Realm Founding of Benalia The Parting

The Founding of Benalia was an event that occurred on Aerona in the Domains, on the plane of Dominaria.

Description

The Founding of Benalia occurred when Torsten Von Ursus seized power in Benfosa, declaring the rise of a new nation, renaming the city Benalia City, and naming the nation Benalia. Torsten chose the name Benalia, which means aspiration, proclaiming its intent to reach greatness in the world. Using sometimes brutal tactics, he brought an entire nation into being using nothing more than the force of his will and the brutal charisma of the natural leader. After succeeding in much of his goal, he died at the age of seventy-two, leaving behind the legendary Lost Edict, which consigned Benalia to the alternating care of his seven lieutenants and their families, from which the seven Benalish clans would spring.

Benfosa, which up until its founding had been the fading capital of the steadily collapsing Sheoltun Empire, became revitalized with a new political structure, clan system, and religion. Serranism was specifically banned in Benalia, due to its critical role in the Uprising in Epityr a few centuries earlier, which initiated the collapse of Sheoltun.

The outlawing of Serranism lasted only for a few centuries, however, until refugees from Serra's Realm founded the village of Devas, which was mediated by Urza to have a place in Benalia teaching scions of Clan Capashen the art of battle. Serranism would eventually become widespread in Benalia, to the point where Benalia became one of the plane's centers of the religion with its inclusion of Sursi and its Cathedral of Serra.