Ilumvir Empire

The Ilumvir Empire is the most enigmatic and mysterious of the various nations in Tevastra. It is believed that during the Wandering Years, around 1600 WY based on written sources, most elves migrated east from what is now known as the Sword Pact, with some few going south to the present day Muzhiri Desert. In the eastern lands, the elves found good land, sparsely populated by other races. What happened in that land over the next centuries is not precisely known to the other races, but certain things are clear. Around 1,000 years after the rise of Cobala, the elves gradually became organized under someone called Enna-Solis. It gradually was understood that the elves under Enna-Solis called their land Ilumvir. Thus, the eastern lands of the elves were called the Ilumvir Empire (though not by the elves themselves).
The eastern elves are odd in nature, to say the least. They are rarely seen alone, and when together will often speak in unison. Some are seen carrying weapons and even wearing armor, but there is no evidence that the elves suffer from any internal conflict or have ever been attacked by another nation. Over their millennia of living in the east, they have planted a vast number of trees along their borders, creating a natural boundary which they can patrol very effectively. Every traveler, even those attempting to enter clandestinely, is greeted by an elven patrol, although no visitors to the Ilumvir Empire are ever turned away.
Within their borders, the Ilumvir Empire is equally as strange. They have a great capital city called Solipolis, where it is said that Enna-Solis dwells. No non-elf has ever seen Enna-Solis and outsiders are not allowed within the inner walls of the city. Indeed, all elven cities and towns are built as two concentric circles, with an outer and inner wall, and only the outer portions are accessible to outsiders. Other than this restriction, visitors are free to roam in the Ilumvir Empire and trade within their settlements, or transit through towards the Diamond Expanse.
Ilumvir elves are seldom seen outside their borders, and never beyond a few hundred miles, meaning there are some in Dyr Tolen and Ehr Nuvale, but nowhere else in the Sword Pact.

Structure

The best that can be understood of the Ilumvir Empire's structure is that they call Enna-Solis their leader. If there is any hierarchy among the elves beyond that, it is not known by outsiders. The Ilumvir elves never seem to command each other and always seem to be in agreement. Visitors to Ilumvir towns are confused to note that when staying in inns or visiting shops, from week to week the proprietor might change, so that one wakes up to a different innkeeper or blacksmith than was there yesterday. When asked about this, the new elf will give some explanation to the effect that they also run the premises. Thus it is not clear even that Ilumvir settlements have consistent inhabitants or that any one elf identifies particularly with any one place. 
The only clear sign of societal differences are between armed and unarmed Ilumvir elves. Elven soldiers are present in reasonable numbers within all elven settlements, as well as along their borders. However, the typical elven mystique combined with full face helmets fashioned after various woodland creatures make the exact size of the Ilumvir army difficult to estimate. It is certainly possible that even those bearing arms rotate periodically, similarly to other jobs within the Empire.

Culture

Ilumvir culture seems to revolve around harmony and cooperation. Their architecture seems to eschew any sharp corners and most things, from tables to walls, are circular. This could perhaps suggest some belief in a cycle or continuity, or could just be an aesthetic preference. Elves dress uniformly in a simple tunic and trousers spun from flax and dyed in forest shades. This practice is also ambiguous, perhaps showing a desire for similarity or simple utilitarianism.
Ilumvir elves all seem able to speak Avarosic fluently, and also have their own language which outsiders call 'Elvish'. Like those who speak it, Elvish is seemingly incomprehensible, with elves almost never repeating the same word or creating any other discernible speech pattern. If other elves did not seem to understand what the speaker was saying, one might think Elvish was truly gibberish.
The Ilumvir seem to require no imports of goods at all, but do occasionally purchase small baubles they find amusing. Years ago, a rumour circulated that a dwarven caravan had been sighted in the eastern Ilumvir Empire from the direction of Solipolis, so it is possible there are things the elves need which they cannot provide for themselves.

Public Agenda

The Ilumvir Empire's public agenda is a matter of great concern to the other nations of Norvast. Some decry them as conquerors-in-waiting, biding their time for when humanity is at its weakest. Others see them as cowards who did not help defeat Cobala and did nothing to prevent the fall of the Empire of Avaros. Ultimately, despite their possible strength, the elves exert little influence on the world beyond their borders, sending few emissaries and ignoring most politics. Thus, the Ilumvir Empire is largely left to its devices, if not free of the occasional suspicious glance.

History

Founded amidst the Wandering Years, the land of the Ilumvir Empire was once the homeland of the Orcs. Somehow, the elves were apparently able to defeat or relocate these savage creatures and completely occupy the east. Since then, pureblooded orcs are a rarity, confined to small warbands that must operate far from the reach of human armies (though there are many Half-orcs within Al-Muzhar). They were well beyond Cobala's reach while she reigned and maintained neutral relations with the Empire of Avaros. Yet, when Avaros went to war against Cobala, the Ilumvir refused to aid, saying only that they had no interest in fighting. Many humans today still see this as a great betrayal and have a natural mistrust of the elves.

Founding Date

1051 CE (estimated)

Type

Court, Royal

Alternative Names

The elves; The Ilumvir

Demonym

Ilumvir

Leader

Enna-Solis

Neighboring Nations

• Ehr Nuvale

Related Species

• Elves