Elven Annex

The Elven Annex is the Moon Elf homeland. Since the War of Elven Legacy, it has been occupied by the Atathian Empire. Moon Elves are the original inhabitants of this land, but human colonists and half-elves have become common.

Geography

The Elven Annex is an inherently magical land, with its magic amplified by the works of the Elves. The plant leaves are purple, creating strange and wondrous vistas. Many magical animals live in the forests, including displacer beasts, blink dogs, and others. Fae are also common. Ancient buildings are common, many of them dating back to the Mithral Empire.
The Elven Annex is divided into five provinces: Colonia Venuleia, Menethyr, Taberil, Taberil Orientem.
Colonia Venuleia: Colonia Venuleia is the southeastern regions of the Elven Annex, bordering the Atathian Empire. After the War of Elven Legacy, legionnaires were given land within the newly annexed territory. These colonists settled in this region. Atathian settlements and crops stand in sharp contrast to the Elven homeland around them. The largest city in this region is Victoriam, founded to mark the Atathian victory. Within Colonia Venuleia is also the Ghost City of Ilyethan, an Elven city destroyed during the War and haunted by the fallen.
Menethyr: Menethyr is largely populated by Moon Elves and lies along the two rivers in the center of the Annex. Menethyr was the name of the Elven kingdom which ruled this area until the War of Elven Legacy. It is firmly in control of the Empire, and Atathian garrisons are strategically placed throughout the region. The largest city in the region is Eil Theaneas.
Provincia Maritima: Provincia Maritima became a separate province from Colonia Venuleia through the Reforms of 6514. The eastern coastal region borders the Shield and has significant military presence and infrastructure, but civilian growth has been historically limited. The investment and local control following the Reforms has encouraged additional growth in the region, but most civilian towns are small, including many fishing villages at the Gulf of Menethyr.
Taberil: Taberil is the wild north of the Elven Annex. Although it is claimed by the Atathian Empire, they have little control over the region in truth. The Legions maintain forts on the outskirts of the forests, but do not patrol too deeply within the forests of Taberil. It is said that the remaining Elven rebels operate out of this region. It is also said that there are fey monarchs who rule even deeper within the forests. Taberil is more magical than other regions - wild magic is common within the area, and fey and other magical creatures live within it. Some even say that there are portals to The Moon located within the deepest reaches of Taberil.
Taberil Orientem: The northern peninsula, with it's coastal and mountainous territory, was recently separated into it's own province from Taberil through the Reforms of 6514. The separation has allowed for more localized administration and colonization of the region. The Imperial Mining Company has made extensive investments in the region.

History

The Elven Annex is the ancestral home of the Moon Elves. During the time of the Mithral Empire, this was the capitol of the Empire. Many Moon Elves retreated here following the collapse of the Empire.
Over 80 years ago, a charismatic leader rose to lead the Moon Elves named Valanthe Reathir. She promised that she would rebuild the glory of the ancient Mithral Empire. Their first target of conquest was the beleaguered Atathian Empire. The Elves launched a surprise attack and began The War of Elven Legacy.
After several losses, the Atathians took the fight to the Elven homeland. The greatest of the magical relics of the Mithral Empire was the Floating City. During the final battle of the War of Elven Legacy, the Atathian Legions disrupted the magic of the City, causing the City to crash into the sea below. The Ruins of the Floating City now lie under the waves.
Following the War of Elven Legacy, the region is now known as the "Elven Annex". Legionaries who served in the War were given land within the Annex. Their descendants now live in the communities that they help conquer. Half-Elves have become common as a result of romances between the Atathian colonists and the Elves. Many Elves died during the War and it will be centuries until they repopulate their losses. Humans and Half-Elves are quickly filling the empty spaces left by the dead. Most of these human descendants did not live through the War, but any adult elf did. They remember when the Legions conquered their lands. Some feel regret or remorse about the War. Others feel a hatred towards the colonization. Atathian citizenship laws allow for citizenship to be granted via birthright or via military service. The realities of these laws mean that the Human and Half-Elven citizens of the region are mostly Atathian citizens, with full legal rights and protections, but nearly all Elven adults are not citizens, except for the few who have completed service in an Auxilia unit.
Some Moon Elves continue a resistance towards the Atathian occupation. The Empire has defeated many of these rebels, at great cost, but ambushes and guerilla warfare continue in the Taberil region. The largest rebel group are the Trueborn. The Trueborn see humanity as an existential threat to the Elven people. The Trueborn are obsessed with Elven blood purity, and have been known to target half-elves and mixed-race families.
The Emperor enacted a series of administrative changes to the Elven Annex in the year 6514. Popularly known as the "Reforms of 6514", the Reforms divided the three provinces of the region into five, with a goal of increasing local control and encouraging additional investment and growth in the new provinces of Taberil Orientem and Provincia Maritima. Accompanying the Reforms was a sizable investment from the Empire in the new regions.

Alternative Name(s)

Elven Annex

Type

Region

Included Locations

• Victoriam

Owning Organization

Atathian Empire

Sample Character Seeds
Legionary Descendant: Your grandfather was a Legionary during the War. He was given an ancient Elven home and a plot of land to make his. You have grown up in the Annex. What have been your experiences in this divided land? How has that inspired your adventures?
Child of Two Worlds: You are a half-elf, born into the troubled land of the Elven Annex. Who were your parents? How has the experience of living here shaped your view of humans, elves, and society?
Rebel: You are a Moon Elf who fights against the current Atathian occupation. What was your experience during the War and the colonization? Why do you continue the fight?