The Epheryn Dynasty
The nation of dark elves, Epheryn is mistrusted by all, including their new Emperor. They seek to restore the power they once knew long ago, by any many necessary even if it means angering their new governors.
Culture
In Epheryn it is the women that lead the drow in politics, war, and religion. While the men are able to take on many and most roles in the drow society, they are unable to taken on ranks in the priesthood, political jobs, or as family leaders.
Spiders are held in honor throughout the nation especially the black widow. They are treated with great respect and to mistreat one is blasphemous. The weakest males born are often sacrificed by the priestesses are often sacrificed to giant spiders to please Aracnia and as a sign of respect to the spider. The drow are divided into strong noble families. With spiders being a very important to Epheryn, when one dies its body is not taken for granted. The venom sacs are extracted for the creation of poisons and it silk is used for robes and other fine clothes.
History
The drow settled within the territory of Epheryn not so long ago by elf standards. Plutoria granted them that territory in exchange for their allegiance. Ever since the drow’s relationship with their patron has grown strained. In recent years rumors are that more and more imperial forces are being stationed in Epheryn to keep the Drow in line. They have an unfortunate history of raiding the various towns along the border.
Demography and Population
Much of Epheryn are dark elve, or drow, however there is a large contingent of Plutorian undead and goblinoids that lives in the Darken wood, and while they live in Epheryn's terrirory they are more bound by the rules of the Plutorian Empire.
Military
The basic fighting force of the drow consist of skirmishers and dark mages. Though not a strong army, in war the Drow are experts of raids, assassinations, and causing havoc to trade routes. On many occasions in the past they would use slaves to supplement their main fighting force and use them as distractions while their own warriors take out main targets. Now that slavery is outlawed by Imperial Decree, they still use prisoners of war who have been 'pursuaded' to join their cause.
Technological Level
Comprable to many of the other nations in terms of technology, Ephryn has a few advantages: advance medicne and effecient and intricate bureaucratic system.
Their medicne and surgical proceedures are some of the finest and Ephryn often tests new medicine, and poisons.
Religion
Worship of Aracnia the Spider Queen is a large part of every Drows life. They take her orders very seriously and dedicate much of the life and works to her. Those that fail her, or prove themselves unworthy of her favor, are cursed forever and transformed into a Drider if not outright sacrificed. Drow fear and shun the driders, holding them lower esteem than slaves or prisoners. However, they tolerate the presence of these creatures as living representatives of Aracnia’s will, and a reminder of the fate that awaits all who fail the Spider Queen.
Others deities they worships in large numbers are Pughphy, Mahdis, Jophion, Izmus, and Scoropius
Foreign Relations
Due to the nature of its founding there is a strong hatred for the Selwenese, in fact is is commonly believed by much of the continent that if it were not for the Empire reigning the Ephryn in, they would be in a viscous war.
Relations with the rest of the Empire of Plutoria are currently strained. Much of Epheryn has felt oppressed by the rule and laws of Plutoria and even jealous of some of the leeway that the Confederated Clans of Gittimoore has been recieving, especialy in regards to the rules of slaves.
They have been accused by the Kingdom of Raelon of raids and attacks along the borders, but Epheryn denies any offical acts like this, calling the perpertrators criminals or radicals.
Laws
The Drow of Epheryn have very few formal laws. Rather they have codes that are aligned with their religion and culture. Since becoming a protectorate of Plutoria, the Empire has put in place many laws that the drow are not happy about, such as no raiding into Raelon or taking slaves This last law is very grating to the Epheryn as the Conferedrated Clans have been allowed this 'privallged'. These laws are enforced by an undead marshals and Proconsul Musgrave.
One of the most common laws you will findare the ones surround temples and protections for people of the faith.
Agriculture & Industry
While there is very little in the way of good farm lands, the dense trees making farming difficult, Epheryn does have a large amount of huntting and animal husbandry. The roads connecting and lacing the region like webs, are well maintained and patrolled. Ephryn also is renown for some of its medicine, and by extension poison, and has hospitals or clinics in most communities. The Ephryn also have a large and stable lumber industy and even a decent size minning opperation near the Ghostly Mountains.
Trade & Transport
Its vast netwrok of roads has lead to effecient trade between its cities but rarely trades with outside nations other thant the nationts of the Empire of Plutoria.
Education
If you are among the elite of Epheryn you can count on the best tutors to teach math, history, even fighting tactics and magic. This would have left the lower classes without much in the way of education if it were not for the empire insiting similar opportunites, so small school houses are found through out Epheryn usually run by volunteers or foreigners, usualy from the Empire.
Infrastructure
The roads of Epheryn are both famous and infamous. Those not familiar with them or doesnt have an up to date map, will usually find themselves lost and stuck in the Darken Wood. However for those that are familiar with them such as traders, Epheryn and Plutorian patrols, or hunters can navigate them with extreme speed and effecientcy.
Unlike many nations, excpet maybe their hated cousins in Selwen, Epheryn is the only nation that has a relaible hospital system. Thiers are most certainly one of the best, treating all forms of ailment, both natural and arcane.
Priesthood
In Epheryn it is extremly common that member of the high ranking families join the faith. Some of these are heads of various sects and the current high priestess of Aracnia is the leader of all of Epheryn.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Priestess of Arachnia have tried to influence mush of the governing of Epheryn. Much of the priesthood, especially the younger generations, have been loudly calling for more independance from the Empire of Plutoria, and some even calling for aggressive actions against Selwen and Raelon. The older generation however try to strenthen the ties with Plutoria often pushing more powers into the hands of the proconsule.
Through the shadows we persevered.
Capital
Demonym
Epheryn
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Client state / puppet state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Major Exports
Epheryn is famous for its fine silks and clothing materials and is a highly sought after resource for its comfort, durability, and strength. However the most sought after resource the Epheryn produces and exports is its medicine.
Major Imports
While there are many imports of the Ephryn Dynasty, as its struggles with both food and other raw materials, its most important import is ores to create weapons, armor, and stronger building materials.
Location
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
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