Kaolai

Wardens of Paradise

Our brothers have survived, yet they fight a hopeless war against an unrelenting enemy, their fall isn't close, it has already happened.

The Kaolai are one of the eight elven nations. Among them are the Aldrim, Shatun, Dumul, Geleter, Ishmak, Kenatan and the Yupanki. Additionally there used to be two other elven nations, who have vanished at the dawn of history, the Eandu and the Kutek.
The Kaolai live in their tropical homeland at the western edge of the continent of Illangar. Outsiders sometimes call their homeland the Shores of Paradise.

History

The Kaolai are one of the great elven nations. In their earliest history they became part of the Empire of Eternal Spring, lead by a woman of the Geleter nation, who called herself the Empress of Eternal Spring. Later the Kaolai joined the Union of Askareia and fought by its side during the War against the Second God. Parts of their homeland suffered great devastation, yet the Kaolai managed to regain much of their former prosperity. However next to the Ishmak and the Kenatan, their homeland was closest ot the epicentre of the Second God.

The War in Paradise

The Kaolai have settled a strip of land on the continent east to them. They themself call this region the Eastern Colonies. This name is misleading. It is no colony at all and has very few civilian settlement. In reality it is a fortified border against the Heart of Corruption and against the growing forces of the Second God. It is almost exclusively a military settlement, where the forces of the Kaolai battle against the Second God for centuries on end. The border between the two is heavily contested and shifts constantly.
This conflict has been going on for the last three centuries. It began with precautionary expeditions onto the continent to find and eradicate leftovers of the Second God. Their horrific discovery however was that the Second God still lingered on and its powers were growing again. So they set out to establish the Eastern Colonies to protect their islands. For now they remain undefeated and their homeland untouched by the forces of corruption. But they are not safe. If the eastern border would ever fall, invasion of the Kaolai homeland would follow suit. If the Second God would ever arise again in its full power, the Kaolai would be the first to fall.
In recent years the situation at the eastern border had become more dire. Mages from around the world were feeling this too. In their need the Kaolai send out emissaries to talk with the other nations and even tried to involve the human realms.

Society

The Kaolai are considered one of the great elven Empires and next to the Yupanki Empire, the last one, although the Yupanki only consider themself to be the current dominant elven Empire. Despite this, the Kaolai have no Emperor nor Empress. They bear more semblance to a federation of independent realms. Each island has in fact their own leadership. The main island, called the Great Kaolai, is split up into several provinces, called Kele, most prominent of them are the three great ones, Motu Kele, Hilau Kele and Sebe Kele.
Besides the main island there are hundreds of smaller islands settled by the Kaolai people. There is a general north-south split. The island Kele of Lai-Babale and Lai Okuha consider themself to be equal to the northern main island, although their population and size are much smaller. Their culture and practices are however very distinct from the other Kaolai people. This also being due to their colder more southerly climate.
Much like other elven nations, the Kaolai have become rather secluded over the years. However as part of the growing threat of the Second God, the Kaolai have begun to actively seek help from the other remaining nations.

Name
Kenatan
Population
12 million

Encompassed species

• Elves