The Estari Dominion
The Estari Dominion, once the Sylvari Kingdom, presents as a symbol of unity and stability in Terathis. The reigning monarchs, King Respen Estari, grandson of Vale the Conqueror, and his wife Queen Lyra Estari command the respect of their subjects. The monarchy, while enjoying a robust economy and relative internal peace, is a blend of the old and the new. This is evident in its dual official languages: Elvish, which reflects the region's ancient roots, and Dunvari, a niche dialect of Dwarvish that was Vale's mother tongue.
While it engages in trade with the Traders' Union of Miranthor and a few overseas allies in Solendria, the Estari Dominion is somewhat isolationist. The land is bountiful and fertile, allowing the nation to sustain itself with little need for outside assistance. However, for specific resources, particularly platinum and other mined materials, it does rely on international trade.
While economically stable and relatively free of poverty, the empire by no means a wholly free nation. Its authoritarian rule prohibits any disparagement of the royal family, sympathetic speech towards separatist factions, and the worship of Somnaria, the god of dreams. This rigid code of conduct, while stifling to some, has maintained a sense of order and unity within the nation.
In the aftermath of the harrowing Undead Plague, the Dominion has enforced stringent laws against necromancy, banning even the spells used to resurrect the dead. This drastic measure serves as a grim reminder of the suffering endured during the Plague, highlighting the nation's firm resolve to prevent a recurrence.
The capital of the Dominion is the vibrant city of Thoronlond, a metropolis bustling with life and activity. Governance is overseen by the King, the Queen, and the Unity Cabinet, an appointed council of advisors. The nation's cities and settlements are managed by imperial-appointed Viscounts, guided by a locally appointed council. Every town, business owner, and family head is obliged to pay annual taxes to the crown.
Unity Day
Celebrated on the 20th of Nightheart, Unity Day marks the day King Vale Estari and Queen Aelorean Estari married and established the Estari Dominion, unifying the realm after years of conflict and war. The Levy
Once a year, on the 15th of Highsummer, is the Levy, when the tax collectors, colloquially referred to as repears. On the day of the Levy, collectors will inspect ledgers, collect tax reports and the gold owed to the crown. Vale's Conquest
In the annals of Terathis' history, Vale's Conquest is a tale of resistance, power, division, and eventual dominion. It began with the expansionist ambitions of the Sylvari Kingdom, which sought to extend its rule through strategic annexation rather than open war. Using economic manipulation, they coerced many settlements into joining their kingdom, including the city of Dunwich. However, the city's acquiescence to the Sylvari rule did not sit well with all, especially two prominent figures: Vale Estus, a human artist and heir to a wealthy family, and his best friend, Torvald Ironbeard, a respected dwarven blacksmith. Their call for resistance resonated with the people of Dunwich, sparking a rebellion against the kingdom's rule. Their fight for freedom eventually spread across the region, inspiring other annexed towns to resist. While initially dubbing the resistence terrorists and determined to squash their message, the Sylvari Kingdom, keen to avoid the image of tyrants, ultimately withdrew from these settlements. However, Vale wasn't satisfied with just expelling the Sylvari from these cities, he aimed to topple the kingdom itself, a decision that led to a rift with Torvald. Vale's forces, dubbed Vale's Conquest, marched toward the Sylvari capital of Elenathar, while Torvald established the Caledhel Freeholds. Torvald believed Vale's drive for liberation might turn into a quest for power, replacing one tyrant with another. As Vale's Conquest pressed on, settlements fell, some willingly joining, others forced into submission. The Sylvari prepared for a siege of Elenathar, only to be betrayed by Crown Princess Aelorean Sylvari. While Princess Aelorean had been away from the city for her own protection, she had met with Vale in secret, and a romance had bloomed between the so-called enemy. Their paths had crossed years prior when the princess had visited Dunwich on a diplomatic mission, a time when Vale was but an ambitious artist, his rebellious spirit yet to rise. Their connection, born of mutual respect and shared idealism, only grew in secret as the political situation escalated. As the decisive moment arrived and Vale's forces gathered outside the walls of Elenathar, Aelorean made a choice that would echo through the annals of Miranthor's history. Torn between duty and love, she chose her heart and betrayed her own people. In a clandestine operation shrouded in secrecy, she lowered one of the city gates, paving the path for Vale's forces to infiltrate and seize the city within a day. The day after Elenathar fell, Vale and Aelorean were wed, their union marking the formal end of the Sylvari rule and the beginning of a new reign. In the same day, King Toranduil Sylvari and Queen Althiriel Sylvari abdicated their throne in a public statement filled with sorrow and remorse. They declared their failure to protect their subjects, their futile attempt to hold on to power leading to needless sacrifices. Whispers endure that this abdication was not their own words. Thus, the Sylvari royalty stepped down, and Vale ascended to the throne, declaring the day as Unity Day. Now seated on the throne, Vale understood the delicacy of his position. Many Sylvari loyalists remained within the kingdom, their loyalty still attached to the deposed royalty. Instead of disparaing the Sylvari monarchs, Vale chose a more diplomatic approach. He praised the Sylvari as a noble people who had lost their way under the misguided attempt to retain power. Declaring an era of unity, he announced that the Sylvari Kingdom was no more. The diverse lands under his control would henceforth be united under a single banner - the Estari Dominion. Vale's ascension to the throne did not end the strife within the dominion, but only marked the beginning of a new chapter of discord and rebellion. Unrest still simmered in the far reaches of his new kingdom, particularly in those settlements that had staunchly resisted annexation. As Torvald had predicted, Vale, unsatisfied with just claiming the throne, was now determined to quell the remaining pockets of resistance. Meanwhile, Torvald found an unexpected ally in Elara Swiftwind, a former captain of the Sylvari army. Elara was an elven ranger known for her quick wit, sharp aim, and exceptional strategic acumen. A valuable asset to the Sylvari Kingdom, after watching her nation fall, Elara defected to join the Freeholds resistance. Together, Torvald and Elara, both natural leaders, proved a formidable force against Vale's expansionist aspirations. The full might of the Estari Dominion's military might bore down on them, forcing them south and gradually shrinking their territory. They were eventually pushed into the Dust Valley, a rugged region bordered by the towering mountain range of Gevren's Gift. Using the natural defenses to their advantage, the Freeholds adopted guerrilla warfare tactics, launching swift attacks on the imperial forces before melting back into the region's rugged terrains. After months of a stalemate, the Estari Dominion extended a hand for truce. In exchange for the Freeholds' remaining within the confines of Dust Valley, they offered to cease their military campaign. Torvald and Elara, painfully aware of the lives already lost in this struggle, agreed to the truce. The Freeholds of Celestia were formally established, and they began to build their settlements within the harsh landscapes of the Dust Valley, their spirit of resistance unwavering despite their new, confined borders. They dubbed the lands the Freeholds of Celestia as an homage to Somnaria, the god of dreams. AS Somnaria was the first god to arrive to Myrathis' defense in the Great Sundering despite the destruction of her realm and substantial diminishing of her power, whe was a symbol of resilience and the courage to stand against the odds, reflecting the ethos of the Freeholds resistance. To undermine the morale of this resistance, the Estari Dominion spread propaganda within its territories, painting Somnaria as a weak, cowardly deity. They portrayed her not as a protector, but as a god who, unlike Elemos, had fled her realm instead of defending it to her death. This narrative served two purposes: it discredited the Freeholds' symbol of hope and served to further control the religious beliefs of their subjects. Worship of Somnaria was declared illegal within the Estari Dominion, an act of treason. The deity was also expunged from all traditional holidays, effectively erasing her from the cultural zeitgeist. The Dominion quickly declared a trade embargo on the Freeholds, still not recognizing their legitimacy and branding them terrorists. The Traders' Union of Miranthor agreed to this embargo, though it is an open secret that they continue to engage in trade with the Freeholds to this day. Despite claiming the crown and seemingly attaining his lofty ambitions, Vale was far from secure in his newfound position. This realization came swiftly, mirroring the rapid change he'd engineered within the heart of the kingdom. He had masterfully orchestrated the fall of a kingdom that had stood unchallenged for 700 years. This very fact left an unsettling question hanging in his mind: If he could topple such a long-standing kingdom, what was to stop someone else from doing the same to him? With the specter of potential rebellion lurking in his thoughts, one of his first actions as the newly crowned ruler was to relocate the seat of royal power. He moved it from the bustling capital, now rechristened as Thoronlond, to the remote fortress of Norkeep. Nestled amidst rugged terrain and defensible in its isolation, Norkeep was a symbol of Vale's growing wariness and strategic caution. The fear of being overthrown, however, was not the only ghost to haunt the new king. A deeper wound festered within his heart, one born of perceived betrayal by his former ally and friend, Torvald Ironbeard. Despite their shared initial goal of freeing their hometown, their paths had diverged wildly. Torvald had been content with securing the freedom of the regions that wished it, whereas Vale had been unable to quench his thirst for a larger scale change. Some say that this grudge against Torvald never faded and that it cast a long shadow over the rest of Vale's life. The pain of betrayal, entwined with the relentless fear of a similar rebellion against him, is believed to have shaped Vale's reign. In many ways, these internal struggles were Vale's enduring war, one that he waged within the fortress walls of Norkeep, far away from the battlefield yet ceaselessly tormenting his reignthe remainder of his days.
Celebrated on the 20th of Nightheart, Unity Day marks the day King Vale Estari and Queen Aelorean Estari married and established the Estari Dominion, unifying the realm after years of conflict and war. The Levy
Once a year, on the 15th of Highsummer, is the Levy, when the tax collectors, colloquially referred to as repears. On the day of the Levy, collectors will inspect ledgers, collect tax reports and the gold owed to the crown. Vale's Conquest
In the annals of Terathis' history, Vale's Conquest is a tale of resistance, power, division, and eventual dominion. It began with the expansionist ambitions of the Sylvari Kingdom, which sought to extend its rule through strategic annexation rather than open war. Using economic manipulation, they coerced many settlements into joining their kingdom, including the city of Dunwich. However, the city's acquiescence to the Sylvari rule did not sit well with all, especially two prominent figures: Vale Estus, a human artist and heir to a wealthy family, and his best friend, Torvald Ironbeard, a respected dwarven blacksmith. Their call for resistance resonated with the people of Dunwich, sparking a rebellion against the kingdom's rule. Their fight for freedom eventually spread across the region, inspiring other annexed towns to resist. While initially dubbing the resistence terrorists and determined to squash their message, the Sylvari Kingdom, keen to avoid the image of tyrants, ultimately withdrew from these settlements. However, Vale wasn't satisfied with just expelling the Sylvari from these cities, he aimed to topple the kingdom itself, a decision that led to a rift with Torvald. Vale's forces, dubbed Vale's Conquest, marched toward the Sylvari capital of Elenathar, while Torvald established the Caledhel Freeholds. Torvald believed Vale's drive for liberation might turn into a quest for power, replacing one tyrant with another. As Vale's Conquest pressed on, settlements fell, some willingly joining, others forced into submission. The Sylvari prepared for a siege of Elenathar, only to be betrayed by Crown Princess Aelorean Sylvari. While Princess Aelorean had been away from the city for her own protection, she had met with Vale in secret, and a romance had bloomed between the so-called enemy. Their paths had crossed years prior when the princess had visited Dunwich on a diplomatic mission, a time when Vale was but an ambitious artist, his rebellious spirit yet to rise. Their connection, born of mutual respect and shared idealism, only grew in secret as the political situation escalated. As the decisive moment arrived and Vale's forces gathered outside the walls of Elenathar, Aelorean made a choice that would echo through the annals of Miranthor's history. Torn between duty and love, she chose her heart and betrayed her own people. In a clandestine operation shrouded in secrecy, she lowered one of the city gates, paving the path for Vale's forces to infiltrate and seize the city within a day. The day after Elenathar fell, Vale and Aelorean were wed, their union marking the formal end of the Sylvari rule and the beginning of a new reign. In the same day, King Toranduil Sylvari and Queen Althiriel Sylvari abdicated their throne in a public statement filled with sorrow and remorse. They declared their failure to protect their subjects, their futile attempt to hold on to power leading to needless sacrifices. Whispers endure that this abdication was not their own words. Thus, the Sylvari royalty stepped down, and Vale ascended to the throne, declaring the day as Unity Day. Now seated on the throne, Vale understood the delicacy of his position. Many Sylvari loyalists remained within the kingdom, their loyalty still attached to the deposed royalty. Instead of disparaing the Sylvari monarchs, Vale chose a more diplomatic approach. He praised the Sylvari as a noble people who had lost their way under the misguided attempt to retain power. Declaring an era of unity, he announced that the Sylvari Kingdom was no more. The diverse lands under his control would henceforth be united under a single banner - the Estari Dominion. Vale's ascension to the throne did not end the strife within the dominion, but only marked the beginning of a new chapter of discord and rebellion. Unrest still simmered in the far reaches of his new kingdom, particularly in those settlements that had staunchly resisted annexation. As Torvald had predicted, Vale, unsatisfied with just claiming the throne, was now determined to quell the remaining pockets of resistance. Meanwhile, Torvald found an unexpected ally in Elara Swiftwind, a former captain of the Sylvari army. Elara was an elven ranger known for her quick wit, sharp aim, and exceptional strategic acumen. A valuable asset to the Sylvari Kingdom, after watching her nation fall, Elara defected to join the Freeholds resistance. Together, Torvald and Elara, both natural leaders, proved a formidable force against Vale's expansionist aspirations. The full might of the Estari Dominion's military might bore down on them, forcing them south and gradually shrinking their territory. They were eventually pushed into the Dust Valley, a rugged region bordered by the towering mountain range of Gevren's Gift. Using the natural defenses to their advantage, the Freeholds adopted guerrilla warfare tactics, launching swift attacks on the imperial forces before melting back into the region's rugged terrains. After months of a stalemate, the Estari Dominion extended a hand for truce. In exchange for the Freeholds' remaining within the confines of Dust Valley, they offered to cease their military campaign. Torvald and Elara, painfully aware of the lives already lost in this struggle, agreed to the truce. The Freeholds of Celestia were formally established, and they began to build their settlements within the harsh landscapes of the Dust Valley, their spirit of resistance unwavering despite their new, confined borders. They dubbed the lands the Freeholds of Celestia as an homage to Somnaria, the god of dreams. AS Somnaria was the first god to arrive to Myrathis' defense in the Great Sundering despite the destruction of her realm and substantial diminishing of her power, whe was a symbol of resilience and the courage to stand against the odds, reflecting the ethos of the Freeholds resistance. To undermine the morale of this resistance, the Estari Dominion spread propaganda within its territories, painting Somnaria as a weak, cowardly deity. They portrayed her not as a protector, but as a god who, unlike Elemos, had fled her realm instead of defending it to her death. This narrative served two purposes: it discredited the Freeholds' symbol of hope and served to further control the religious beliefs of their subjects. Worship of Somnaria was declared illegal within the Estari Dominion, an act of treason. The deity was also expunged from all traditional holidays, effectively erasing her from the cultural zeitgeist. The Dominion quickly declared a trade embargo on the Freeholds, still not recognizing their legitimacy and branding them terrorists. The Traders' Union of Miranthor agreed to this embargo, though it is an open secret that they continue to engage in trade with the Freeholds to this day. Despite claiming the crown and seemingly attaining his lofty ambitions, Vale was far from secure in his newfound position. This realization came swiftly, mirroring the rapid change he'd engineered within the heart of the kingdom. He had masterfully orchestrated the fall of a kingdom that had stood unchallenged for 700 years. This very fact left an unsettling question hanging in his mind: If he could topple such a long-standing kingdom, what was to stop someone else from doing the same to him? With the specter of potential rebellion lurking in his thoughts, one of his first actions as the newly crowned ruler was to relocate the seat of royal power. He moved it from the bustling capital, now rechristened as Thoronlond, to the remote fortress of Norkeep. Nestled amidst rugged terrain and defensible in its isolation, Norkeep was a symbol of Vale's growing wariness and strategic caution. The fear of being overthrown, however, was not the only ghost to haunt the new king. A deeper wound festered within his heart, one born of perceived betrayal by his former ally and friend, Torvald Ironbeard. Despite their shared initial goal of freeing their hometown, their paths had diverged wildly. Torvald had been content with securing the freedom of the regions that wished it, whereas Vale had been unable to quench his thirst for a larger scale change. Some say that this grudge against Torvald never faded and that it cast a long shadow over the rest of Vale's life. The pain of betrayal, entwined with the relentless fear of a similar rebellion against him, is believed to have shaped Vale's reign. In many ways, these internal struggles were Vale's enduring war, one that he waged within the fortress walls of Norkeep, far away from the battlefield yet ceaselessly tormenting his reignthe remainder of his days.
The Unity Cabinet
Keeper of Growth: Sir Gorge H'ilo, an ambitious lizardfolk who has overseen some of the most impressive construction projects in the Dominion. He's a masterful planner with a keen eye for detail. Keeper of Commerce: Lady Maris Sheana, a shrewd and pragmatic half-elf with a knack for trade and negotiation. Her family has a long history in banking and commerce. Keeper of Whispers: Lady Selene Norodir, a mysterious and elusive human woman with a vast network of spies and informants. She's an expert in secrets and always seems to be one step ahead. Keeper of Defense: General Thorgar Ironshield, a grizzled and battle-hardened dwarf with a reputation for being nearly unbreakable in battle, a master strategist and a respected leader among the troops. Keeper of Ships: Admiral Lirael Faelyn, a charismatic elf known for her exceptional naval tactics. Her understanding of the sea is almost supernatural. Keeper of Law: Justice Aella Wyndryder, a stern and honorable aarakocra who strictly adheres to the law. Known for her fair judgement and unyielding nature, she has dedicated herself to upholding justice and ensuring order within the empire. Keeper of Arcana: Archmage Elodin Evanara, an eccentric tiefling with an insatiable thirst for arcane knowledge. Their magical prowess is almost unrivaled in the Dominion. Keeper of Letters: Master Scholar Idris Nieven, a wise and learned human man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge. His vast library is a testament to his love of learning.
Keeper of Growth: Sir Gorge H'ilo, an ambitious lizardfolk who has overseen some of the most impressive construction projects in the Dominion. He's a masterful planner with a keen eye for detail. Keeper of Commerce: Lady Maris Sheana, a shrewd and pragmatic half-elf with a knack for trade and negotiation. Her family has a long history in banking and commerce. Keeper of Whispers: Lady Selene Norodir, a mysterious and elusive human woman with a vast network of spies and informants. She's an expert in secrets and always seems to be one step ahead. Keeper of Defense: General Thorgar Ironshield, a grizzled and battle-hardened dwarf with a reputation for being nearly unbreakable in battle, a master strategist and a respected leader among the troops. Keeper of Ships: Admiral Lirael Faelyn, a charismatic elf known for her exceptional naval tactics. Her understanding of the sea is almost supernatural. Keeper of Law: Justice Aella Wyndryder, a stern and honorable aarakocra who strictly adheres to the law. Known for her fair judgement and unyielding nature, she has dedicated herself to upholding justice and ensuring order within the empire. Keeper of Arcana: Archmage Elodin Evanara, an eccentric tiefling with an insatiable thirst for arcane knowledge. Their magical prowess is almost unrivaled in the Dominion. Keeper of Letters: Master Scholar Idris Nieven, a wise and learned human man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge. His vast library is a testament to his love of learning.
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