Elven Kingdom

The Elven Kingdom is a vast territory that encompasses thousands of miles of forest and is said to be the oldest in the world, the birthplace of life for both animals and plants. In this land, the many types of Elves stand as guardians of the forest against the Orcs of the mountains and the Giants of the north. Most are welcomed through these borders as long as the rules of the land are observed strictly, the Elves have a love for their trees and the animals that live under their leaves. Any that would seek to destroy nature is unwelcome, the forest is sacred to the Elves and they have no need for massive cities or to harm the forest because they are able to live alongside it seamlessly.   This area is ruled by a man named Eladithas Cystenn, known by reputation and self-proclamation as the Maestro because of his renowned ability with music and as an enchanter of demi-level proportions. He is known for his intense love of music, the forest, and the traditions of his people that date back many thousands of years. Those not welcome in the forest are not dealt with kindly, it is the fastest way to see the darker temperament of a normally carefree and hospitable people. Despite this, he believes in decentralized power and lets individual areas of his Kingdom mostly self-govern.   The Elven Kingdom is the center of all things magical on the Northern Continent, having established the first Academy of the Arcane and the first historical archive founded by mortal races. The forests are vast and expansive, full of dangers that hone the skills of those who live there and create a people that are adept in everything that they do. The outer edges of the Kingdom lend themselves to Elves that would live alongside the land as Rangers, Druids, Barbarians, and Hunters of incredible renown that have stood for centuries as independent communities. The center of the Kingdom holds vast amounts of knowledge and arcane power, the Unending Scroll being the oldest establishment of magical teaching among the mortal races. Because of the forests and the magic academy, this place has become a testing ground for those who wish to hone their skills whether it be arcane power, navigation, or martial prowess. The areas near the Spine of Kallex are known for a variety of monster and Orc tribes that hide themselves within the expansive mountain range.   Fey creatures are often known to visit this area, the age of the forest is thought to be far older than that of any living creatures in the world. In fact, some even choose to make this region their home and most of them are good in nature which creates sheltered areas and blessed glades that are safe for all that love the forest. Regardless of how powerful the Elves or other residents in the area are, travelers can quickly find themselves outnumbered or lost in the more dangerous parts of the forest, even travelers who think their heritage dictates they should be at home in the vast forests should take care. Even with these dangers, the Elven Forest is beautiful and vast, home to plants and creatures that are vital for potions and their components, and they serve to sustain the livelihood of thousands of Elves in more ways than anyone could imagine. The forest is vital to the lives of the entire Kingdom, the animals and plants that live within it are connected to the inhabitants and the Elves live in a way that revolves around caring for the forest.  

Demographics & Territory

occupied by Elves that move with the seasons. The Northern border is comprised of several outposts and a mountain fortress controlled by a Paladin Order, the Knights of Yggdrasil, and the center of the Kingdom is where highly developed Elven towns and cities become permanent establishments. These towns are unlike any other in the world because of how the Elves build their homes and live in tune with nature. Unlike how other species harvest natural resources and shape them into architecture and tools, anything made of wood, earth, or living material is grown in a certain fashion with a mixture of ancient practices and magic.   Elves reside in living cities that provide bioluminescent light to their denizens. It is uncommon for fire to be used here as hearths are powered by water that is circulated deep under the ground, bringing warmth up and heating stones and metals from underneath. Flare Steel has also become quite popular for heating the bottoms of hearths during dry seasons or areas where this method is not as available. However, many travelers will never see these settlements unless they are wise to the tricks that Elves use to hide their settlements from monsters. Those who have ill will towards Elven settlements or have never visited a particular settlement will find their senses dulled and simply wander past Elven cities without ever knowing that they are there. The larger or more important the city, the stronger this effect, with some describing the act of trying to locate the capital as hearing an entrancing melody that leads them astray for days of travel. This enchantment has been known to fail against those who are powerful magic users or masters of navigation in the outdoors, though it can present difficulties to even the most experienced adventurer.   The Elven Kingdom keeps representatives in every country on the Northern Continent, save the Cradle due to a lack of interest in their magic. They have representatives in the major cities on each of the islands in the Zóni and even one in the Fire Islands that is painstakingly preserved. Their presence on the Southern Continent is more limited but prominent in large cities throughout the Sunset Fields, the Crumbling Wall, and Ocean's Edge. These are convenient for the Elven Kingdom to maintain due to the nature of their export requiring little in the way of goods and more in the way of knowledge and cultivation of key materials with occasional shipments from the kingdom itself.