Capital: Taer Valaestas
Hallmarks: Warrior Elves, mercenaries, horses
Overview
In the midst of the Spellplague, an army of warrior elves seized this region from Cyre. The elves of Valenar are utterly devoted to the arts of war. Their cavalry has no equal in Askara, and they combine a talent for magic with stealth and swordplay. Cyre employed the Valenar as mercenaries and was entirely unprepared for betrayal. When Cyre was destroyed in the Mourning, no one wanted to challenge the Valenar; in the interests of peace, this elf kingdom was recognized by the Treaty of Thronehold.
The elves are already pushing the limits of the treaty. The Valenar constantly search for worthy challenges. While some venture into the Mournland or the untamed jungles of Kirifuki, Valenar warbands have launched raids into Rosnia and even El’dora. While High King Shaeras Vadallia has promised to rein in his warriors, some believe that the elves will continue this provocation… that their main interest is conflict with a worthy foe, and that they want Rosnia or El’dora to declare war.
Valenar is a feudal kingdom. The elves are warrior princes, but they spend little time at rest. They operate in small units called warbands, and those that aren’t patrolling the kingdom are abroad seeking adventure. Most of the civic administration is handled by half-elves. Some of these are the children of Valenar elves, but most are immigrants who’ve come from elsewhere in search of opportunity. Below this are the natives. Once vassals of Cyre, now they’re vassals of Valenar. Some hated the Cyrans and welcome the elves. Others despise their new leaders and are plotting against them. But life hasn’t changed much for the commoners, and most don’t actually care who wears the crown.
History
Before the Valenar elves settled in their current lands, they were warriors of the chaotic Feywild. There they served under the four seasonal houses: Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Though their abilities were respected, it did not earn them the recognition and desired fervor from their fellow Eladrin. One among them, a warband captain known as Shaeras Vadallia, spoke against the house leaders, calling them "spineless" and "content with mediocrity". Belonging to no house himself, Shaeras was instantly cast out and exiled from the Eladrin cities for his disrespect. It was then that he swore an oath to the house leaders that he would one day return a ruler and conqueror to overthrow them.
Shaeras took the few followers he still had and ventured forth into the unknown of the Feywild. Through sheer luck, they stumbled upon a rift that led to the Material Plane. Seeing this as their chance to start a new campaign, they took their horses and equipment into it and never looked back. The rift led them to the land of Cyre. A troubled and complicated Kingdom ruled by the cold Queen Dannel ir’Wynarn. Cyre was preparing a campaign on the southern lands of the Mror Dwarves. Seeing this as an opportunity, Shaeras pledged he and his warband's services to the Queen, which she happily accepted. With the power of the Valenar elves and Cyre's new super soldiers, the Warforged, nothing could stop them.
In time, however, Shaeras learned the truth behind the Warforged and their creation. This news angered him greatly, and he quickly turned on the Queen and her army. Luckily, many of the Warforged followed Shaeras' lead, and Cyre was toppled in weeks, the Queen executed, and the Warforged freed from their servitude. The ensuing year was a time of great turmoil in what came to be known as the Mournland, but through excellent tactics and charismatic charm, Shaeras became King Shaeras Vadallia. He and his people founded a new capital on Edeon's western coast and proclaimed the new nation as "Valenar", or land of the Valiant in Elvish. This was over 100 years ago, and since that time King Shaeras has continued his rule without opposition. The Valenar princes are completely faithful to him, and the remnants of Cyre have all died or have minimal support to fight back the King's rule.
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