Delaran Empire (Deh-lA-ren)
The Delaran Empire is a primarily human and elven nation which encompasses much of western Vraxora. Its ever expanding borders and ruthless military campaigns have made it the most powerful nation on the continent. The borders of the empire are vast, with many cultures and peoples existing within. The heart of the empire is the Erid’waith Valley, a fertile and prosperous tract of land between the Odran and Nurscan mountains. These lands are seas of tall grain, rolling hills of wildflowers, and settlements bustling with trade. To the north, Delara extends across the rolling fields of the Ruloth Plains, and to the edge of the Tanglewood Forest, which they have recently been driven from. The southern borders of the Delara stretch across the Taemos River, across the Odran Mountains, through the Formgore Forest, and down all the way to its southernmost city of Khanis. In the east, Delara stretches outward along the Eledaine River until finally reaching Deverath.
The largest faction in Vraxora, Delara contains many cultures, backgrounds, species, and faiths. The empire is pantheonic and allows open worship of the Loyal. Worship of the Fallen, however, is strictly forbidden and punishable by death. Delaran law attempts to allow for the empires varied cultures as much as possible, and while some within the imperial heart may frown upon those they see as outsiders, many outer Delaran cities may be the most diverse and welcoming in Vraxora.
Culture
The Delarans are a courageous and independent people. They live as they fight, each their own warrior soaring through the sky. Often Delarans will put their own well being on the line to help those they believe are in need. Raised to be self-assured and thrive when odds are against them, there is no situation too dire for a Delaran.
Assets
The great capital of Vaxius is believed to be one of the first cradles of mortal kind on the material plane. The massive walled city, with spires stretching towards the sky, networks of ancient bridges, awesome cathedrals, and vast markets has become a myth unto itself for many in Illerion. Some who are less fortunate dream of the 'Silver City' as a place where they can start again, while those with great means wish to experience the famed luxury found in the upper eschelons of society.
History
The original Delarans were a collection of human tribes in great mountain ranges surrounding the Erid’waith Valley. These mountain ranges were inhabited by a great number of griffons, which over hundreds of years the humans would learn to tame and ride. These griffons allowed them to travel with ease through the mountains, avoiding predators and natural hazards alike. Warfare between tribes soon became dependent on the griffon, and after generations the art of griffon riding had not only been mastered by the tribes, but wound itself into their culture. Crumbling statues and shrines of the griffon can be found deep in the Nurscan mountains, ancient weapons long predating Delara bear carvings of claws and beaks across them, and depictions of warriors in mantles of lion fur and feathers riding the powerful creatures decorate some of the oldest structures in Delara. It was through this mastery that these human tribes were able to overthrow the oppressive elven empire of Odrair, which had ruled the Erid’waith Valley for almost eight centuries, and found the beginnings of Delara.
Tharin II of Delar, known as Tharin the Conqueror, united the scattered people of Nursca under his banner (taking the name 'Delarans') and engaged in an intense, eight year long, assault against the then faltering Odran Empire. Despite being at a disadvantage, Tharin II was a master tactician and powerful figurehead for his people. Through the course of the war, the Delarans used innovative tactics, bravery, and sheer numbers to defeat their technologically superior opponent. In the final year of the War, Tharin marched his raider army through the city of Odrair, razing most of the city and establishing the remnants as Vaxius, the capital of his new Delaran Empire.
The ancestral tradition of griffon taming remains an integral part of Delaran society. Taming a griffon is a near impossible task and to date no other peoples of Vraxora have come close to the mastery of the griffon that the Delarans have. It is the core of their warfare, and is often the deciding force for victory, creating the backbone of imperial expansion. Many Delaran buildings are built tall and contain special open chambers to accommodate arrival by griffon. A traditional Delaran coming of age ritual is the First Hunt, where children will venture alone into the mountains and take a wild griffon egg. That egg is to be nurtured, and when hatched will become the child's first mount. This ritual dates back to the days of the Delarans tribal ancestors, and although it is not necessary, as Delara contains great griffon hatcheries which supply the empire, many families encourage their children to undergo it nonetheless, as the First Hunt is meant to make young Delarans understand that seemingly insurmountable trials can be conquered through tenacity, discipline, and confidence.
Foreign Relations
For centuries, the eastern nation of Vultrahd has been Delara’s arch-enemy. What chance of peace existed between the two nations has been all but erased, as stark cultural differences, countless minor conflicts, and two of the largest wars in Vraxoran history have driven a wedge ever further between them. Delarans believe that Vultrahd will never be free from the influence of the Fallen, and that the Ashen King is simply a pawn of darker forces who wish to see Delara destroyed and Erid’waith burn.
The lands of Urilen are also amongst the enemies of Delara. The Uri’lai sided with the frost giant Jarl Thronhelm during the apocalyptic events of the Everwinter. After the alliance of Vraxorans defeated Thornhelm, it was Delara who hunted down the last of Thornhelm’s followers, conquering Urilen in the process. The northern nation would be held under Delaran rule for the next three-hundred years, until freeing itself during the Second Throne War when the Delaran armies were stretched thin.
Delara has had a strong alliance with the dwarves of the Iron Council, although since its disastrous involvement in the last Throne War it has grown less fond of the empire. Some cities along the Wildering Coast were allies to the empire, but now that the cities have unified under the Ellisar League there has been an increase of tensions as trade conflicts and the fear of Delaran expansion loom.
Founding Date
1362 AP
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Alternative Names
Empire of the Valley, The Conquerors
Demonym
Delaran
Leader Title
Founders
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Neighboring Nations
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