History
Caelumira
Located on the Northern continent of Illryene, Osfora is a mystical country that contains the Katedraali Forest, known through the world as The Verdant Cathedral. The history of the country can be traced back to ancient times, when a group of elves discovered what have become known as the Skyhaven trees. Amazed by the height and strength of these trees, they befriended the indigenous people, the winged aarakocra and owlin. Together, they used their magic and expertise to build walkways and platforms in the trees, creating the first cities of Caelumira, the Elven kingdom that would become Osfora.
As the centuries progressed, Caelumira expanded, eventually encompassing all of Illryene, save for the uninhabited far north, known as the frozen wastes. The country was extremely prosperous and a beacon of hope and prosperity throughout the age. Thanks to its unique architecture and flowing buildings, became known for its architectural beauty and unique design. During this time, a great palace was constructed, known as the Crown of the Sky, in the capital city of Caelumir. This structure still stands to this day, and is known to be one of the most magnificent pieces of architecture ever built, rivaling even the Nightspire in its majesty. At its height, Caelumira was beacon of hope and prosperity for an age.
The Calamity
However, all things must come to an end, and when the calamity struck, the kingdom was quickly brought to the brink of destruction. The Elves, reliant on magic for their daily functions, and infused with it to their core, could not sustain themselves without its practice. The destructive nature of the calamity, during which even the smallest spark of magic could cause large scale destruction, nearly destroyed the entire civilization. The kingdom fractured, and the few that were left either fled or went into hiding to escape the destruction found in the cities. When the Calamity ended, the geography of Illryene looked very different than it had before. Caelumira was no more, and many of the sky cities had been decimated by magic. However, several of the indigenous races still remained, including aarockcra and owlin. Additionally, humans, fleeing the warmongering Araxian Empire, began to migrate in great numbers to the land.
As the more and more people migrated to the shores of the continent, the remaining aarokocra realized something needed to be done. Many of the refugees were in terrible condition, having been placed under enormous stress on their flight from Araxia. Furthermore, the ground of the forest was full of dangers and ground-based predators ready to prey on the vulnerable refugees. So it was that Aelorin Kethrak, a formerly high-ranking aarokocran noble, gathered the refugees and led them through the forest to Caelumir. Grateful, they elected him king of the newly formed Osfora. As a result, he established the Council of the Sky to advise him on matters of state, and the Kethrak Dynasty has ruled the country ever since.
The Avian War
Shortly after the establishment of the country, Araxia, optimistic from their rapid success on Avryn, decided to invade the newly established Osfora. In a conflict that became known as The Avian War, Araxian general Cassius Valtor led his troops to several great victories against the kingdom, taking much of the western part of the continent for the Empire. However, Valtor classically overestimated his military capabilities when he attempted to invade Caelumir, aiming to take the Crown of the Sky and end the war. The Osforan troops were ready, and from their position high in the Skyhaven trees, they were able to rain destruction upon the opposing force, killing a huge portion of the country's military presence in the region, as well as Valtor himself. This battle is seen as one of the most pivotal of the time, as it is thought that if the Araxians had captured Caelumir, or had diverted their forces from Osfora in the first place, they would likely now control the entirety of Avryn. Since that time, Araxia and Osfora have maintained an uneasy peace at the boundary set by Valtor's last victory, with neither confident enough to mount a full-scale invasion.
Modern Day
In more recent times, Osfora has faced challenges from within and without. A few decades ago, civil war broke out between two rival claimants to the throne, the conflict was eventually resolved with the ascension of Queen Eilirien Kethrak, the current monarch, to the throne. Queen Eilirien is known for her diplomatic skills, which she used to strengthen Osfora's relationships with Telheiros and Merai, which has greatly improved the lives of her people. The Council of the Sky continues to advise and assist her in the country’s operations.
While it has been some time since Osfora has been actively at war, tensions with Araxia are extremely high, and border skirmishes are frequent. The military of Osfora is composed mainly of aarakocra skilled in aerial combat and archery, providing the kingdom an advantage, especially in the forests of the Verdant Cathedral. This military force has also been known to strike out at the Araxians that patrol the area to the north of Telheiros should they see an opportunity.
Osfora has generally retained its reputation as a prosperous and peaceful kingdom and is still known for its beautiful architecture. Most of the cities of former Caelumira have been rebuilt and restored, providing the cities with an interesting mix of old buildings and new designs. The people of Osfora, have largely adopted the culture of the former elvish inhabitants, and try to live in harmony with nature. The economy of Osfora is based mainly on agriculture and forestry, with the Skyhaven trees providing an endless source of lumber. Their branches, some of which can be as large as a regular tree on Avryn, are often collected from the forest floor and sold around the world.
The people of Osfora have a rich cultural heritage, with traditional festivals and celebrations that are held throughout the year. These celebrations are almost exclusively dedicated to Ixtra, Tempa, and Karn, though a few cities hold festivals praising Sar and Atlas. The inhabitants are known for their artistic talents and are particularly skilled in music, dance, and storytelling. The country also has a strong tradition of crafting, particularly in woodworking and archery, which are highly valued and respected trades. Education is highly valued in Osfora, and the kingdom has a well-established system of schools that provide education for all citizens.
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