Elban Territories

In the centuries following the departure of the Holy Empire of Illium from Elba it has known very little peace. The descendants of a rogue Legate still maintain control over half of Elba in the name of the Empire. As Daemons, the free people, seek to expunge all Imperial presence.
It is here under the boughs of the Sylver Forests Legate Luther Draculae, leader of the Imperials fights against Myrddin and his daughter Boudicca.
It is here in the western foothills of the Colm mountains Nivian daughter of Myrddin meets Torias son of Luther in secret.

Structure

There are two governing bodies within Elba. Imperial Elba is ruled by the descendants of the remaining Imperial Cataphracti. These descendants structure political authority similar to an old Nedean Senate. Meanwhile, Daemon "rebel" Elba is a fiefdom. It's people pledge fealty, pay taxes, and in the case of Wardens, provide troops in battle.

History

Pre-Imperial Elba

Prior to the Aenian Empires invasion of Elba many peoples laid claim to Elba. Ranging from the courts of the Sidhe, the Bryth Goblins, and even Humans called Elba their homeland.

The Elvish Kingdom of Sidhe

In the west of Elba lay the Elvish kingdom of Sidhe. Under the boughs of the Sylver Forest and in underground halls, the elvish king Oberon held court. With a stern hand, Oberon ruled his elvish, goblin, and human subjects.

The Free Hamlets

Scattered throughout northern Elba lay the Free Hamlets. These small villages traded among themselves and called no one lord. These villages were often a melting pot of goblin, human, elves, and even giants. It is said Klag the Ogre Prince was born in the Free Hamlets. When he grew too large and belligerent the people exiled him.

The Gnomish Hollows

The Gnomish Hollows once dotted all of south and western Elba. Mostly inhabited by little folk, the Gnomish Hollows were made in the sides of hills or dug into the riverbanks.

The Piper of Badon

Local lore tells how a piper came to Badon of the Free Hamlets. During the midwinter festival the traveling piper came begging for food. He offered songs in exchange for a meal and a place to sleep. The people of Badon accepted and in addition offered if he played exceptionally well they'd give him a bag of silver the next day. As the piper played, magic began to weave through the air. His song enchanting the people, soon all were dancing, laughing, and having a joyous time. The next morning, having played well into the night, the piper asked for the bag of silver he was promised. With a grin the piper was given a small purse with a single silver coin in it. The piper, realizing the people of Badon intended to cheat him, returned the grin and walked to the village graveyard. Once there he pulled out his pipes, grinning all the while, and began to play. The unnerving tune floated from the graveyard calling everyone's attention. Still grinning, the piper played as the dead rose from their graves and began to dance. In shocked horror the people of Badon watched as the dead danced around the piper. Turning to his audience, the piper quickened his tempo and the dead began to dance out of the graveyard. The people of Badon began to sway against their will, dancing to the song. As the dead reached the living they clasped hands and danced as the piper continued to grin. Soon all were in frenzy. The people of Badon jumped and danced with the dead so fiercely, trinkets began to fly off them. Hats, pins, broaches, rings all scattered as the people danced. Suddenly the music stopped. Finally free the people fell in an exhausted heap as the dead began to pick up what jewelry there was in the dirt. Picking only silver, the dead gave what they found to the piper who had his purse open wide. With a bow he left Badon. Making his way through the heaps of wheezing villagers and was never seen again. It's said he left a small token to remind the people of Badon of what happened that day. A small reed flute on a tombstone in Badons graveyard.

Brey the Songstress

Known for her alluring voice Brey was also gifted with prophetic sight. From her home in Cymru she wove a tapestry foretelling the coming of the Aenian Empire. Breys tapestry foretold a red dragon would be bested by flying ants, that plague would ravage the land, that a white dragon would come from the north and other such prophecies. Since the coming of the Empire, the tapestry's prophesies have one by one come true. First the Aenian Cataphracti felled Drai Goch the Red, then the Spongepox. Many now worry that Captain Vortigen is the white dragon of the tapestry.

Imperial Elba

It was the new VI Legion that first met the Elbans at Daemons Pass. The Guerres utilizing their long spears and supported by the Cataphracti, gave the Daemons their first defeat in centuries. From the pass the VI Legion marched on the Free Hamlet of Cymru. There Drai Goch the Red, a dragon of immense size, rose from beneath Cymru and battled the VI Legion for Elba. The Cataphracti provided a critical role in that battle. felling Drai Goch they cornered the dragon in its lair while the leader of the Cataphracti, Castus, confronted the dragon. Legend says Castus battle Drai Goch for three days in the caverns beneath Cymru until finally his blade met the dragons heart. In honor of this Castus took the family name of Draculae or "Dragonslayer". From Cymru the VI Legion went on to conquer all of Elba. Once Elba was conquered a new Legion was raised. This Cursed VII Legion left Elba on a fleet of one thousand battlebarges to claim the Enes Isles. This expedition failed as only one ship from the fleet returned. The battle scarred survivors spoke of blue and white devils in the mists of Enes. These Devil Ghosts came screaming from above, setting fire to the ships at sea. Those that boarded the battlebarges were a whirl of blades and fury. Disappearing back into the mists as fast as they came they left blood, fire and chaos their wake. After this stunning defeat all talk of taking Enes ceased.
Once fully under Imperial control the Aenian Empire did it could to sway the Elbans. They brought trade with Lankia, magic from the Aenian Agora, and other such delights. Eventually, the Elbans warmed to the Imperials but they never completely forgot they were the conquered.

Myrmidon and Daemon

With Emperor Solars decree many Elbans fought alongside their Fey neighbors. Retaking the moniker "Daemon" Elbans would ambush Imperials from the forests, raining down arrows upon the Myrmidons. When the Bale night came it was a time of mourning for the Daemons. And when the Spongepox ravaged the Imperials in western Elba, many thought it was retribution for the Empires crimes.
With the newly named Holy Empire of Illium struggling to maintain cohesion the Myrmidons and the Cataphracti of the VI Legion were recalled. Not all answered this summons. Most notably the family Draculae. They argued that the Empires goal had always been to unite humanity and instill order, to leave now would only cause chaos. The Draculae family decided to stay behind and keep order. Meanwhile, the Elban Daemons continued the fight against the Imperial influence.
It has been many long years of fighting since the Draculae family decided to stay within Elba. Luther Draculae now head of the Draculae family leads what remains of the Imperial Elbans, seconded by his son Torias. The Daemons now weary of war are lead into battle by Myrrdin and his daughter Boudicca, while Myrddins other daughter Nivian rules and meets with Torias.
To complicate matters, Maeve the Ghost Wolf has made landfall on the western shores of Elba. She invades with a single goal in mind, to kill Boudicca the Warg. She attacks with a host of five hundred Devil Ghosts laying siege to the town of Sidhe. As the drums of war beat in the west, Imperial Elbans rally at Tintagel. All the while a Skarran fleet lead by Captain Vortigen makes landfall on Elbas northern shores.

A note for Players and GMs

Playing an Elban

Aerra is based on a homebrew setting using D&D 3.5 edition rules. Humans born and raised within Elba follow these rules in place of the standard rules for Humans.
Love of story and song: Whether it's an epic ballad, a play, or a short poem Elbans love storytelling in all its forms. With much practice Elbans have gotten quite good at reading a room for how their story is fairing and how to scare children with a good ghost story. This gives Elbans a +2 modifier to Perform, Intimidate, and Sense Motive skill checks.
Master Archers: Since the earliest days Elbans have practiced archery for sport and for war. Archery is so common within Elba that any character is automatically proficient with bows regardless of class proficiencys.
 Imperial Schooling: When the Empire came to Elba it left a marked impact on Elban education. Because of this Elban youths are taught how to read and write from a young age and are quite literate by adulthood.

Location

Elba

Neighboring Nations

• Baronies of Lankia
• Enesh Tribes
• Monarchy of the Vael