Embrel
The home of the High Elves. Embrel was one of the perpetrators of the War of the Torva, and ironically is one of the few remaining bastions of Elf-Kind.
The city was founded on a Place of Power, an intersection of the mystical ley lines that supply the world with magic. As a result the long term inhabitants tend to be extremely gifted with the magical arts, especially the Elves. This is so prevalent that the High Elves themselves often times sport glowing eyes of various hues and colors, belying their magical home.
The city itself has contained within a few huge stone pillars that lift far into the sky, and are accessed at the ground level by massive portals to the higher levels of the city, that crest into the sky. Smaller floating chunks of rock and earth also have buildings and settlements on them. To many Embrel is a complete marvel.
Embrel has sparred with its nearby neighbor, Tharrisia. Tharrisia believed that its burgeoning empire could easily take on the “weak” High Elves of Embrel, they paid the price for that assumption with a decade’s long Dark Age.
Embrel is currently ruled by the Torva’Asu, or “Elven Council”, a callback to the days of the Elven Empire which sported a similar named council. The Council is made up of five members that represent the primary aspects of the city: the magic users (mages, sorcerers), the military, the tradesmen, and the religious. As a matter of ruling there is a fifth “member” of the council called the “Torva’Kir” or “Elven Ancestor”. This member is always a direct descendant of Elanil, the leader of Embrel during the War of the Torva. The Torva’Kir may offer their opinions during Council meetings, but may not propose any new laws of policy. Their only written power is the ability to break ties between the other council members during a vote. This can lead to powerful Torva’Kir if they can manipulate the Council to their whims, or weak Torva’Kir who are merely a rubber stamp of the council.
The city has come on tough times since the Year of the Dragon. The city was attacked by an army of demons thanks to the machinations of Aenophentari. That was then followed up The Tharrisian War. While the nation gained a lot of respect across the continent for their actions during the war, they have not been able to fully replenish themselves (due to low elven birthrates) and have had a persistent manpower problem across their territories.
Demography and Population
The population of Embrel is a 20/50/30 split between low, middle, and high classes. Many in the city ply enchanting or scroll creation as a trade if they are not craftsmen or soldiers. In fact Embrel has the highest concentration of magic users out of all the Fallen Cities, and even the world with the exception of the Schola Magus, and that's only by percentage.
Population wise the city is about 80% High Elf, 10% Olark, 5% Human, and 5% other races.
Territories
The lands and holdings of Embrel are small by comparison to many Fallen Cities and even normal Kingdoms. However they are well maintained and policed, and are considered very safe. Embrel doesn't have many cities outside of Embrel itself, and is instead dotted with many towns and villages of High Elves.
Military
Embrel maintains a professional army. The spear walls of Embrel, aided by the talented mages of the city, make for a formidable wall for the enemy to smash upon.
Unlike many of the Mortal races the High Elves of Embrel can train for decades and even centuries perfecting their craft. One Embrel veteran is worth several humans in skill. However there are less High Elves than other races in the nations surrounding them, somewhat putting off this advantage.
Technological Level
Embrel is not very advanced technologically by the standards of Virnos or even Tharrisia. However they make up for this with their vast understanding of the Arcane and Magical arts.
Why invent a self-filling cup when an Elven teenager could enchant one to do the same task in a tenth of the time?
Religion
Embrel officially recognized The Mantle as its religion, and the Church of the Mantle is very much welcome within its walls.
Foreign Relations
Embrel enjoys an official alliance with Aurelia following The Tharrisian War. But finds itself at greater odds with Tharrisia due to that same war, and with Tharrisia itself on its western border and the Tharrisian owned Province of Forelenium on its east, it feels the pressure that Tharrisia can exert on it.
Agriculture & Industry
Embrel gets most of its food from magical gardens surrounding Embrel as well as the magic infused farms in its territory. Though it trades for some additional food from the outside.
Embrel imports most of the materials it needs otherwise.
Trade & Transport
Embrel trades with all its neighbors, even hostile Tharrisia. Embrel exports a lot of magic related items, from enchanted items such as refilling cups or glowing books, magic scrolls, runed weapons, and more.
Education
Embrel has an advanced education system. All High Elves are tutored in one of the five "Core" aspects of society (Magic, Military, Religion, or Trade) from age 5 and specialize in those four areas as they get older. In addition to this specialized training they are also well educated in general writing, reading, arithmetic, and history.
This high level of education is possible due to the low level of births that High Elves usually have. Low levels of students allow for high levels of attention. This is compounded by the fact that non-High Elves are not allowed to participate in this education system and must be tutored privately. Additionally Half-Elves are begrudgingly accepted, but often face bias and bigotry.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of Embrel is mostly magical, with vast aqueducts and other marvels supplying the transportation and services needed. The roads are made of fine stone and well maintained by the government. Local villages and towns maintain themselves well, usually through magical means.
Capital
Government System
Electocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
Embrel is currently ruled by the Torva’Asu, or “Elven Council”, a callback to the days of the Elven Empire which sported a similar named council. The Council is made up of five members that represent the primary aspects of the city: the magic users (mages, sorcerers), the military, the tradesmen, and the religious. As a matter of ruling there is a fifth “member” of the council called the “Torva’Kir” or “Elven Ancestor”. This member is always a direct descendant of Elanil, the leader of Embrel during the War of the Torva. The Torva’Kir may offer their opinions during Council meetings, but may not propose any new laws of policy. Their only written power is the ability to break ties between the other council members during a vote. This can lead to powerful Torva’Kir if they can manipulate the Council to their whims, or weak Torva’Kir who are merely a rubber stamp of the council.
Judicial Body
The Embrel Protectors, a specialized division of the Embrellian military, are responsible for the enforcement of law within Embrel. Judges, synonymous with Captains in other aspects of the military, make judgements on criminals and how to enforce the law unless overridden by a Torva'Asu member.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
