Alvanea
Deep within the ancient, tangled roots of the Verdant Crown lies the secretive kingdom of Alvanea. Nary a stranger has seen its haunting cities, lit by an eerie and unknown light. Many have heard the whispers, but few have actually seen the golden eyes trained on them as they skirt the edges of the forest. Some have come to the forest with friendly intent, and have been kindly turned away by an elven ranger that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Those who have tried to force their way into the forest have all been struck down by volleys of arrows from invisible guardians. The people who live within the forest love it deeply and will protect it to the death.
Structure
The ruler of Alvanea is known as the Chosen. They are addressed as "Your Chosen" or "Chosen One" and wear the Flower Crown of Alvanea. The crown grants its wearer extended life and a direct connection to the Grandfather tree. When a Chosen dies or is deemed unfit to rule, the flower crown will begin to wither, signifying the time to start looking for a new Chosen. Chosen are always druids. A ceremony is enacted to determine from a selection of druid leaders of the many families of Alvanea who will be the next Chosen. The current Chosen is Torov Ialeth, who has ruled Alvanea for over 500 years. Beneath the Chosen is the Council of Elders, comprised of the oldest and wisest members of each family, some being past Chosen themselves. The Elders advise the Chosen on matters regarding delegation of the families and townships of Alvanea as well as foreign relations. They update the Chosen on what is happening with the people of Alvanea and any threats from outside. Beneath the Elders are the family advisers, usually the wisest druid of the family who reports to and from their respective Elder.
Public Agenda
Alvaneans top priority is the safety and health of the Verdant Crown. Secondary is the safety and health of its people.
Assets
Alvanea is self sufficient. Everything they need is within the forest. The animals they hunt. The food they grow. And their building materials as well. Alvaneans typically shape the surrounding trees into suitable housing. As the tree continues to grow, new rooms are added, making some older family homes many stories tall.
History
After the Splitting of the World, a tribe of elves traveled extremely far west across what is known today as Midlen until they came across a pure forest by a clean sea, in the center of which they could spy a titanic oak tree. As these elves explored this forest, they could sense its purity and vowed to protect it with their lives and the lives of their descendants. The forest responded well to this oath, and soon after a crown of flowers was found by the chieftain of the elves. Upon placing it on her head, the chieftain could feel the will of the forest and learned how to manipulate the trees to shape shelter for her people. The elves and the forest would form a symbiotic bond over the years. The forest would provide them everything they needed and in turn, the elves would keep greedy invaders and destructive monsters out of the woods. The flower crown would be passed from generation to generation, and the elves grew more and more attuned to the voice of the forest.
Demography and Population
Alvaneans are almost exclusively Wood Elves. They are spread throughout the Verdant Crown, gathered in small villages. Each of these villages specializes in something that they trade other Alvaneans for. Some villages maintain herds of wild animals to hunt, then sell their meat and hides to other villages. Some villages produce the finest art supplies and sell them to the rest of Alvanea. All Alvaneans know how to maneuver in the forest, and the ones who travel the most typically have a deer or large hound that they ride.
Territories
Alvanea controls the entirety of the Verdant Crown as well as a few miles of the surrounding grasslands. Alvanean guards are hidden just behind the tree line at all times, watching for invaders. They allow no one to enter the forest without approval from their village leader, even if they have to kill them.
Military
Alvanea has a standing army of rangers, rogues and druids who are trained from a young age to defend the forest. They know every inch of their forest and the habits of all the animals within. They can sense any disturbance in the natural order and can read the health of the forest from the smallest clue. No one can hide from them in their woods.
Trade & Transport
Alvanea rarely trades with outsiders. They have no outstanding trade deals with any other countries but individual villages are allowed to trade with outsiders. Alvaneans like to trade for books or artifacts or art from far away places.
Education
Everyone in Alvanea is taught from a young age how to be one with the forest. They are taught to hunt, fish, gather and create everything they need from the forest. What the forest cannot provide, they are taught to rely on their neighbors for, building a strong sense of community. When they have come of age, Alvaneans typically branch out, specializing in whatever they're interested in. Very few leave the forest to learn from outsiders.
Founding Date
1299
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
The Green Sphere, Grandfathers' Forest
Demonym
Alvanean
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Barter system
Currency
Goldbase
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
