Ivgorod once controlled the northern reaches of Aranoch. The Valley of the Ancient Kings was used to bury their Patriarchs. Likewise, the land's east once served as a colony of Kehjistan, with the Vizjerei establishing military outposts. However, by the Mage Clan Wars, the empire had begun to pull back, which allowed for the port-city of Lut Gholein to fill the power vacuum the empire left. Vizjerei temples were possibly left behind. For much of its history however, Aranoch remained a natural geographic barrier. Much of what the people of the east knew about the west was gleaned through Kehjistani merchants who traded in Lut Gholein.