Aelinar

Encompassing a large swath of northeastern Thascien, this formerly elven nation is a land of contrasts both in peoples and geography. Frost coats the northern coast throughout all but summer, before giving way to temperate and thriving forests, while the southern border remains forested, but with trees that grow twisted and decayed as seemingly endless horrors creep from their cover. The corruption of the Deadland is held at bay by the dedicated efforts of the somber lashunta, aided by the gathlain and a small number of half-elves. All of Aelinar's society holds it as the most true duty any man or woman could have, and some form of service to contribute to the effort has long been compulsory, though each principality of Aelinar has their own approach to the specifics.

Government:

After the disappearance of the last of the elven royalty, leadership of Aelinar was taken up by a lashunta official, who proceeded to establish a new government and line of succession. Ancient laws dictate that only those of pure elven blood can be king or queen of Aelinar, while any may rule but only with the use of a lesser title, and thus the formal throne of Aelin'talhe has been empty for centuries. The new lashunta monarchs style themselves as princes and princesses, in a nominal deference to the appearance of elven tradition. As the legacy of the elves slowly dwindles, though, some may soon speak openly of naming a king or queen of Aelinar again.

Law:

Throughout known Aelinaran history, each of the major races of Aelinar have had almost entirely separate legal codes owing to the substantial cultural differences between them. Gathlain in particular are granted a number of leniences in accordance with their fey nature, a list that has only increased as the more bookkeeping-minded lashunta have put more of them into writing. Each of these subsets of Aelinaran law was named and governed as if they were separate principalities, despite not having different territories.
Aelin'talhe, or True Aelinar, was the kingdom of the elves, and citizenship of Aelin'talhe could only be claimed through direct descent. Several privileges were once restricted to Aelin'talhe, but as lashunta were gradually granted more freedoms and, following the exodus of the elves, took on more of the governance of Aelinar, these have dwindled to a few ceremonial titles. The few half-elves who can still claim Aelin'talhe lineage cling to these vestiges of greatness jealously, though.
Aelin'nethe, or Aelinar of Friends, was the first sub-government, and was comprised originally of all citizens of non-elven descent. Aelin'nethens are forbidden to serve in most legal capacities, but a more lenient set of laws applies to them. Travelers also fall under the laws of Aelin'nethe.
Aelin'athe, or Aelinar of Strangers, was the principality of the lashunta, founded just over a century after the destruction of Capra Ais. Aelin'athens are allowed more participation in government, but face harsher punishments for crimes and were once subject to stringent travel restrictions and both civic and military obligations.
Aelin'hai, or Golden Aelinar, was the last branch of government to be formally defined, and is the result of one lashunta princess's effort to categorize the pre-existing laws relating to gathlain. All gathlain are considered citizens of Aelin'hai, and are granted several privileges, including a guaranteed right to receive partial wages in the form of lodging and provisions, a right to formally request hospitality from any other Aelinaran citizen, and exemption from many laws, such as those for trespassing and public decency.

Culture:

The elves of Aelin'talhe are said to have been the children of the gods, beacons of justice made flesh, and their legacy shows itself in the high esteem philosophy and religious studies are held in. The significance of Aelin'talhe art has not been as well preserved, and the delicately wrought and woven jewelry and silks Aelinar was once famed for have become rarer and rarer, their techniques mostly passed down now by the Yue'kir, other half-elves, and the few lashunta artisans motivated to preserve a history that held little respect for them. While Aelven was the language of poetry on the tongues of elves, curt and precise Aelin'athe etiquette has sentenced much of the language's more flowery vocabulary to obscurity.
Aelin'athen culture and ideals are that of a nation of refugees, then serfs, then soldiers - pragmatic, respectful, and dedicated. Music is rhythmic and bold, and is usually suitable for marching. Civilian fashion is styled after military uniforms - tan leggings and forest-green tunics, closely fitted to avoid catching on foliage - although frequently with more varied colors and loose-hanging sleeves. The two years minimum military service required of all youths is seen as a rite of passage, and some of almost any Aelinaran's closest friendships will be with members of their first squad.
Intermingled with Aelin'athen strictures is the fey levity of the gathlain, and cheery flute tunes, flower necklaces, and tiny gifts bestowed in cases of hollowed and carved nuts are just as surely Aelinaran as are lashunta marching bands and weaponry as coming-of-age gifts. While the two species may share little in the way of ethics or traditions, their differences are generally overlooked to focus on the common threat of the encroaching blights of the Deadlands.

Structure:

Even relatively large Aelinaran cities are particularly sparse, integrated into and leaving space for the forest. But where settlements used to be composed entirely of spiraling treetop residences and elegant towers, more stout and defensible architecture is gradually being added.
Most towns boast at least one academy as their main hub of activity, where soldiers drill complex formations, children mimic them in competitions for tactical mock combat, smiths pass down techniques, and scholars huddle in libraries of ancient elven texts.
"How do you get to the Deadlands? Follow a road!" is a common joke to newly deployed soldiers, making light of the very real fact that every major road in Aelinar does eventually meander to the south, and to the war front.

Type

Geopolitical, Principality

Demonym

Aelinari

Leader

Alaris Alanour

Power Structure

Unitary state

Economic System

Market economy

Controlled Territories

• Capra Ais