Gaea, A Fantasy Role Play (OOC/Master Thread) Always Open

[Damak Var]

Not really keen on these ideas as part of the Paletinian lore I'm afraid. I'd prefer that the Emperor just fled to a cave in the mountains somewhere, dying with his gold. It could be a quest to recover it for adventurers. Keep in mind that Hadrios only fled with a few trusted advisers and a completely shattered power base. The Civil War is suppose to be a complete and total victory for the Republicans.

The other option is they head east. And keep heading east. Not sure what would happen to them after that, if they reached the empires of the Orient, but I'll probably go with either Moon or Shadow Elves instead.

I'd say go with the Moon Elves. Main thing I'm against is the resurgence of Imperial power. I have no problem with a close nation that challenges Paletine however. We will go to war eventually though.

[New Armarzia]

Huh, must of missed this Legendarium over the holidays, should be interesting how this turns out, it seems other people are contributing as well? Not entirely sure how this works.

[The Starlight]

Huh, must of missed this Legendarium over the holidays, should be interesting how this turns out, it seems other people are contributing as well? Not entirely sure how this works.

You just write the history and legends of your nation. I'm doing the Valtmar, and I'm stuffing as much epicness as possible while adding in not so subtle LOTR references. You can check out mine if you want, it's a few pages back.

[New Armarzia]

You just write the history and legends of your nation. I'm doing the Valtmar, and I'm stuffing as much epicness as possible while adding in not so subtle LOTR references. You can check out mine if you want, it's a few pages back.

Awesome, thank you for the info, I'll check yours out and see how I should do my own stuff.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Ayy those Undead are pretty cool.

[Imperialisium]

Ayy those Undead are pretty cool.

Glad you like

[The Starlight]

Man! My high elves are so epic! Just finished the excerpt on the Great Valtmar Empire, Saerondr the Great and the fall of the empire and the emperor. If we ever do a RP on the ancient times of Gaea, I am so choosing him.

[Shnercropolis]

Nationstates Nation: Shnercropolis
Character Name: Blaine Globetrotter
Character Race: Engarian
Character Age: 38
Character Dynasty/House/Clan: N/A
Character Dynastic History: N/A
Character Physical Description or Image: A short, burly, hairy man. He's usually filthy, although he can make himself look presentable when need be. His skin is well-tanned and his hands have calluses on their calluses. On a typical day Blaine wears old leather boots, a basic tunic, and a ruddy antelope-hide cloak. His hair is black and his eyes are brown. Blaine's face is one that just screams "friend": it has good symmetry and smile lines, and his eyes sparkle with charisma that has gotten him far in life.
Character Biography: Blaine has spent the vast majority of his life traveling. He was born the son of a farmer in a tiny hamlet in Engar. His father was abusive and his mother died when he was a baby. After his village was raided by an invading army, Blaine decided he'd had enough of his life and left town with nothing but a few coins he stole from his dad and his clothes. Eventually he got to a small port where he managed to get a job on a boat returning to Marzgol-Kai. He spent a year in Marzgol-Kai, doing odd jobs and occasionally working as a thief. In the end he grew tired of living on the streets and got himself a job in a traveling merchant's caravan to Ulah-Tar. From Ulah-Tar, which he instantly despised, Blaine got a job on a ship headed down the coast to Zhou. He learned most of what he knows about sailing on that ship, and he spent weeks at a time in every coastal city in the Orient before getting to Zhou.

In Zhou Blaine enjoyed a slightly better lifestyle than he was accustomed to, having a steady job as a dock foreman and an apartment. He lived there for 2 years before the wanderlust took him again. He saved up and bought a small boat, stocked up on some provisions, and left up the Ghora river. Blaine traveled along the coast of the Inland Sea of Ghora for awhile, fishing for food and stopping at the sparse Tutish settlements to rest and fill up on water. After months of slow travel Blaine came to the mouth of the Oro, and rowed up it a bit before the fish stopped being plentiful, at which point he stopped at a Mari Mari village. He befriended the Mari Maris and lived their lifestyle for 5 years, until his village was raided by another tribe and he was forced to flee on his boat. He now lived as the Mari-Mari do, and he gained sustenance from the land.

In time Blaine came to the land of the Vandons, where he was captured by a Vandon raiding party. Fortunately, their leader took a liking to him and eventually Blaine became the right-hand man to Gan Buri-Gan, one of the savage warlords of that land. He had a knack for politics(as basic as they might have been in that barbaric wasteland) and became notable throughout the Vandon-lands as a skillful strategist. Blaine was there for 3 years before he decided it was time to leave. He commissioned a seaworthy boat, hired a crew, and made off down the Haszarpul, seeking the lands of the Palatine that he had heard of.

After a few harrowing events on the vampire coast and a near-disaster near Necropol, Blaine finally landed in Augusti. From there he built a life for himself as a shipmaster, hiring his boat out to merchants in the Imperium. He has been doing that ever since, traveling all across the western coast on the whims of his clients. He's also made many friends in high places, mostly with his charisma and warm personality.
Equipment/Important personal items: A boat, a crew for the boat, a few exotic weapons, a journal.
RP Sample: TODO: find an RP sample

Do you have an RP sample/example?

Otherwise it looks good, and I notice Ghan Buri-Ghan (a reference to LOTR). You can write on the Vandons if you want, but I would prefer them to not be too similar to the Druadan if you had that in mind.

sorry, forgot about the sample. Here's one: viewtopic.php?p=20232547#p20232547

Also, I did that unconsciously, I was thinking the Vandons would be more like the Huns or Goths.

[Imperialisium]

I had thought about doing some thing along the lines of role playing in the ancient times and future. But then again I never thought this would be as successful as its been either...

[The Starlight]

I had thought about doing some thing along the lines of role playing in the ancient times and future. But then again I never thought this would be as successful as its been either...

That would be great, like a prequel to this. No, that would be epic!

[Lunas Legion]

Urgh. Can I have a vague history of the Moon and Shadow Elves, so I know which would suit a nation of monster-hunting elves best?

[Imperialisium]

I had thought about doing some thing along the lines of role playing in the ancient times and future. But then again I never thought this would be as successful as its been either...

That would be great, like a prequel to this. No, that would be epic!

How far back though?

@Lunas,

The Moon Elves are one of the four original groups of Elves that arrived in the Kelzmere regions. I always put it at roughly 4000 BL, and that they where nomadic till about 3000 BL when they started settling down. Altma being the oldest city in the North with Faera being close behind at being founded in the 26th century BL (unless Starlight and Rudaslavia want it at a different date).

The Moon Elves moved North wards first to where the ruins of Lermaeis and Neramere are. Those two being the Moon Elves first cities being founded a couple hundred years after Altma and Faera. The Moon Elves then spread into the Grey Mountains to found the small refuge of Maeramis (which later grew into their largest city when Neramere and Laermaeis fell into ruin).

The Moon Elves have always been numerically fewer than the other Elf kindreds, but always very hardy by Elf standards. Surviving in harsher Northern climates and spreading throughout the 2nd Millennia BL to the North Woods, Frost Woods, about Silvermere, and Wintertime Forest.

But, like throughout Elven history population decline, war, and invasion made population stability difficult. Hence the ruins of Neramere and Lermaeis was not done by external forces, but by population decline. To the point that Moon Elves primarily inhabit the Grey Mountains, Wintertime Forest, Maeramis and Greyhaven (which they founded in 275 BL).

The Moon Elves also like to ride Polar Bears...no joke I had planned to put that in the legendarium. They are like the Cossacks of the Elves, but with bears and Bows instead of Molotovs and AK's.

The Shadow Elves

The Shadow Elves are an off shoot of the other Elf kindreds. At first being a radical group believing that the other Elf kindreds have grown to decadent and stagnant in their wealth. Thus the Shadow Elves (very few in number) left to the Southern Kalzmere and Shadowlands (the Shadowlands being a giant marsh-hell-hole full of evil things). Seeking to live a more Spartan life style. Basically Elven naturalists who can still kick ass and take names in their own right.

[The Starlight]

That would be great, like a prequel to this. No, that would be epic!

How far back though?

@Lunas,

The Moon Elves are one of the four original groups of Elves that arrived in the Kelzmere regions. I always put it at roughly 4000 BL, and that they where nomadic till about 3000 BL when they started settling down. Altma being the oldest city in the North with Faera being close behind at being founded in the 26th century BL (unless Starlight and Rudaslavia want it at a different date).

The Moon Elves moved North wards first to where the ruins of Lermaeis and Neramere are. Those two being the Moon Elves first cities being founded a couple hundred years after Altma and Faera. The Moon Elves then spread into the Grey Mountains to found the small refuge of Maeramis (which later grew into their largest city when Neramere and Laermaeis fell into ruin).

The Moon Elves have always been numerically fewer than the other Elf kindreds, but always very hardy by Elf standards. Surviving in harsher Northern climates and spreading throughout the 2nd Millennia BL to the North Woods, Frost Woods, about Silvermere, and Wintertime Forest.

But, like throughout Elven history population decline, war, and invasion made population stability difficult. Hence the ruins of Neramere and Lermaeis was not done by external forces, but by population decline. To the point that Moon Elves primarily inhabit the Grey Mountains, Wintertime Forest, Maeramis and Greyhaven (which they founded in 275 BL).

The Moon Elves also like to ride Polar Bears...no joke I had planned to put that in the legendarium. They are like the Cossacks of the Elves, but with bears and Bows instead of Molotovs and AK's.

The Shadow Elves

The Shadow Elves are an off shoot of the other Elf kindreds. At first being a radical group believing that the other Elf kindreds have grown to decadent and stagnant in their wealth. Thus the Shadow Elves (very few in number) left to the Southern Kalzmere and Shadowlands (the Shadowlands being a giant marsh-hell-hole full of evil things). Seeking to live a more Spartan life style. Basically Elven naturalists who can still kick ass and take names in their own right.

Riding Polar bears? That's epic! Almost done with my contribution to the legendarium.

[Imperialisium]

How far back though?

@Lunas,

The Moon Elves are one of the four original groups of Elves that arrived in the Kelzmere regions. I always put it at roughly 4000 BL, and that they where nomadic till about 3000 BL when they started settling down. Altma being the oldest city in the North with Faera being close behind at being founded in the 26th century BL (unless Starlight and Rudaslavia want it at a different date).

The Moon Elves moved North wards first to where the ruins of Lermaeis and Neramere are. Those two being the Moon Elves first cities being founded a couple hundred years after Altma and Faera. The Moon Elves then spread into the Grey Mountains to found the small refuge of Maeramis (which later grew into their largest city when Neramere and Laermaeis fell into ruin).

The Moon Elves have always been numerically fewer than the other Elf kindreds, but always very hardy by Elf standards. Surviving in harsher Northern climates and spreading throughout the 2nd Millennia BL to the North Woods, Frost Woods, about Silvermere, and Wintertime Forest.

But, like throughout Elven history population decline, war, and invasion made population stability difficult. Hence the ruins of Neramere and Lermaeis was not done by external forces, but by population decline. To the point that Moon Elves primarily inhabit the Grey Mountains, Wintertime Forest, Maeramis and Greyhaven (which they founded in 275 BL).

The Moon Elves also like to ride Polar Bears...no joke I had planned to put that in the legendarium. They are like the Cossacks of the Elves, but with bears and Bows instead of Molotovs and AK's.

The Shadow Elves

The Shadow Elves are an off shoot of the other Elf kindreds. At first being a radical group believing that the other Elf kindreds have grown to decadent and stagnant in their wealth. Thus the Shadow Elves (very few in number) left to the Southern Kalzmere and Shadowlands (the Shadowlands being a giant marsh-hell-hole full of evil things). Seeking to live a more Spartan life style. Basically Elven naturalists who can still kick ass and take names in their own right.

Riding Polar bears? That's epic! Almost done with my contribution to the legendarium.

When I was thinking of things this role play could use I was like, "We got a myriad of races, dragons, horrible monsters, undead, magic, terrifyingly loving gods (irony)...BEAR CAVALRY!"

[Lunas Legion]

That would be great, like a prequel to this. No, that would be epic!

How far back though?

@Lunas,

The Moon Elves are one of the four original groups of Elves that arrived in the Kelzmere regions. I always put it at roughly 4000 BL, and that they where nomadic till about 3000 BL when they started settling down. Altma being the oldest city in the North with Faera being close behind at being founded in the 26th century BL (unless Starlight and Rudaslavia want it at a different date).

The Moon Elves moved North wards first to where the ruins of Lermaeis and Neramere are. Those two being the Moon Elves first cities being founded a couple hundred years after Altma and Faera. The Moon Elves then spread into the Grey Mountains to found the small refuge of Maeramis (which later grew into their largest city when Neramere and Laermaeis fell into ruin).

The Moon Elves have always been numerically fewer than the other Elf kindreds, but always very hardy by Elf standards. Surviving in harsher Northern climates and spreading throughout the 2nd Millennia BL to the North Woods, Frost Woods, about Silvermere, and Wintertime Forest.

But, like throughout Elven history population decline, war, and invasion made population stability difficult. Hence the ruins of Neramere and Lermaeis was not done by external forces, but by population decline. To the point that Moon Elves primarily inhabit the Grey Mountains, Wintertime Forest, Maeramis and Greyhaven (which they founded in 275 BL).

The Moon Elves also like to ride Polar Bears...no joke I had planned to put that in the legendarium. They are like the Cossacks of the Elves, but with bears and Bows instead of Molotovs and AK's.

The Shadow Elves

The Shadow Elves are an off shoot of the other Elf kindreds. At first being a radical group believing that the other Elf kindreds have grown to decadent and stagnant in their wealth. Thus the Shadow Elves (very few in number) left to the Southern Kalzmere and Shadowlands (the Shadowlands being a giant marsh-hell-hole full of evil things). Seeking to live a more Spartan life style. Basically Elven naturalists who can still kick ass and take names in their own right.

Either of those could work with my idea. I presume that strangely named place I can't remember the name of in the Shadowlands is the capital of the Shadow Elves?

[Imperialisium]

How far back though?

@Lunas,

The Moon Elves are one of the four original groups of Elves that arrived in the Kelzmere regions. I always put it at roughly 4000 BL, and that they where nomadic till about 3000 BL when they started settling down. Altma being the oldest city in the North with Faera being close behind at being founded in the 26th century BL (unless Starlight and Rudaslavia want it at a different date).

The Moon Elves moved North wards first to where the ruins of Lermaeis and Neramere are. Those two being the Moon Elves first cities being founded a couple hundred years after Altma and Faera. The Moon Elves then spread into the Grey Mountains to found the small refuge of Maeramis (which later grew into their largest city when Neramere and Laermaeis fell into ruin).

The Moon Elves have always been numerically fewer than the other Elf kindreds, but always very hardy by Elf standards. Surviving in harsher Northern climates and spreading throughout the 2nd Millennia BL to the North Woods, Frost Woods, about Silvermere, and Wintertime Forest.

But, like throughout Elven history population decline, war, and invasion made population stability difficult. Hence the ruins of Neramere and Lermaeis was not done by external forces, but by population decline. To the point that Moon Elves primarily inhabit the Grey Mountains, Wintertime Forest, Maeramis and Greyhaven (which they founded in 275 BL).

The Moon Elves also like to ride Polar Bears...no joke I had planned to put that in the legendarium. They are like the Cossacks of the Elves, but with bears and Bows instead of Molotovs and AK's.

The Shadow Elves

The Shadow Elves are an off shoot of the other Elf kindreds. At first being a radical group believing that the other Elf kindreds have grown to decadent and stagnant in their wealth. Thus the Shadow Elves (very few in number) left to the Southern Kalzmere and Shadowlands (the Shadowlands being a giant marsh-hell-hole full of evil things). Seeking to live a more Spartan life style. Basically Elven naturalists who can still kick ass and take names in their own right.

Either of those could work with my idea. I presume that strangely named place I can't remember the name of in the Shadowlands is the capital of the Shadow Elves?

They don't really have a capital, as they don't believe in such things. But you'd find a whole bunch of them around there. Basically that area has the following major populations: Volyorians (original colonists of the city), Ungarn (took over the area politically), Shadow Elves (lived in the area for centuries), Dwarven traders from Dur-Fulgrun.

[Imperialisium]

But you are more than welcome to take that city over and make it the capital of the Shadow Elves.

[Lunas Legion]

Think I'll take the Moon Elves and have them be a magocracy. It is alright for them to be the most magically powerful of the various Elven races, or at least more skilled in certain areas?

[The Starlight]

Think I'll take the Moon Elves and have them be a magocracy. It is alright for them to be the most magically powerful of the various Elven races, or at least more skilled in certain areas?

Fine with me. The Valtmar are the best warriors and builders, kinda like the Noldor in Middle-Earth.

[The Starlight]

Tales of the Valtmar
Including conflicts, realms and lore

"The fury of the elves is a thing to be feared, and avoided at all costs. The Valtmar in particular, with their silver swords of cold steel, the long spears that slice the air, their banners and pennants waving proudly in the sky, and the hooves of the stallions of the Asaheim Mountains. An army of Valtmar elves in all of its glory and power is a terrifying thought. But there is another side, one that loves the arts, and the mountains of which they dwell in. Their architecture matches that of the dwarves, even passes it in some cases, like that of the Twilight Fortress. The Valtmar do not belong here, beneath the veiled stars and the radiant sun of Gaea. But they are not of the Vaulted Ones, though they were made by them. So where then is their true home, the beloved hearth of the Valtmar? Who knows, but perhaps it is out there, in the glittering expanses of the stars, that their true hearts are. But none will know, many many may ponder, until that Final Day."
~ A visitor to the Twilight Fortress, origin unknown.

Beginnings

The elves awoke on the outskirts of the Kalzmere Mountains. The first of them were the Moon Elves, and their first sight was of the pale silver moon, in all of its glory. And so they revere its creator, Numeren, second only to Vaemidia. The Moon Elves had long, glittering silver hair, and their eyes were a soft grey. The next to awake were the Valtmar, though they were not called that at the time. Their hair and eye colors were varied, and they had a melody within their hearts. And so the Valtmar were lovers of the arts, along with nature and animals. Shortly after the awakening of the Valtmar, came the Faeran. Their hair a fiery red, the Fire elves had spirits of flame and when they first beheld the flickering flames, they were astonished. Last of all to awake were the Wood elves, who were cheerful and loved the forest and its trees above all else. Often, did they walk under the canopies of branches, humming, in those early days, and they still do. And after this awakening the elves were taken away, like a wisp in the wind, to the caverns of a mountain. And there, the Valatar revealed themselves, in all of their terrible and awesome glory, and the sight nearly blinded every single elf of Gaea. It was there that the elves were gifted with their wisdom from Saelerdon, and the Valtmar were taught all that they wanted to know. And after many days, the Mari, as the word elf is in Adaenari, found themselves back outside the Kalzmere Mountains.

It was then that the elves dispersed, the Moon elves to the North, seeking the Moon, the Fire elves to the West, seeking and finding Mount Vulkar and its plains of fire, where they made their abode. The Wood elves scattered among the great forests of Gaea, living off and in the trees. But the Valtmar wandered, as a leaf in the wind, having no sense of destination or want, but simply going, as the wind wills. But it came to them, in a flash, to seek the place where the Valatar had shown themselves, for some among them had received a vision of an exceedingly high mountain, with many more surrounding it. And so, after many years, they found the Asaheim Mountains, the perfect place to settle, with enough stone to support a civilization. There the Valtmar discovered their true skill and they applied it to the fullest. But perhaps more importantly, they found Mount Valaheim, and decided to build upon it too, something, that would last for generations upon generations, and would, in time, become the wonder of Gaea: The Twilight Fortress.


The Great Cities of the Valtmar

The Twilight Fortress

Where does one begin, when speaking of The Twilight Fortress? It is truly the greatest fortress in all of Gaea, being a watchful guardian on top of Mount Valaheim, at a height of 19,500 feet, providing an encompassing view of hundreds of miles. The Twilight Fortress is truly a wonder of Gaea, with its tall spires, its luscious gardens and tall walls carved with stone. Its foundations were built by the dragon Woatoth the Builder, after the first Valtmar found him on Mount Valaheim. A chandelier of Valkunr's tears hang in the main halls. There are elven runes of Adaenari upon the gate which hum with magical power, and swirls on the walls that make for a powerful sight. The fortress has never fallen out of the hands of the Valtmar, for it is the home of Vaemidia's holy order, The Paledic Order. Devout pilgrims make it their goal to visit at least once in their lifetime. Within its walls are great libraries, with books of lore and history. Truly, this whole Legendarium could be filled with the wonder of the Twilight Fortress, but alas, it cannot be so. But the Fortress still stands today, a monument and truly the epitome, of Valtmar architecture.

Altma

Built as one of the earliest elven cities, Altma was always a magnificient city, but it did not reach its full glory until the days of the Great Valtmar Empire. Ah, Altma, capital of the Great Valtmar Empire. If the Twilight Fortress was the greatest fortress in Gaea, then Altma was the greatest city. It markets known far and wide, Altma was a center of the arts, commerce, crafting and Elvendom. All of the elves were welcome to dwell in this magnificient city, even the Faeran, though some Valtmar grumbled. Altma was another epitome of elven architecture. Situated on the banks of Lake Telkontae, Altma was truly a fair city. It was surrounded by a thick and massive wall of stone, which was as white as stone. Altma was protected by 5 strong, beautiful gates, and as one went through the gates, they went up a level. The city had 20 gardens of herbs, flowers and trees, trimmed to perfection by the elven gardeners. Many a fountain there was in Altma as well, and surrounding the city were statues of famous elves, both men and female. Upon the highest level was the King's palace, in which were chandeliers of pure crystals and gems and there, in the broad courtyard was the Tree of Vaemidia, a massive tree of white and silver, upon which great white blossoms grew and where the sacred Eagles made their eyrie. It was guarded at all times by both the Kings Guard and the Paledic Order. And deep within the city were the tombs of the royal family, also protected by the Kings's Guard. Within Altma were some of the mightiest swords crafted, like Nammalúin, the sword of kings, wielded today by Irithren Terembor, Queen of Menevrion. But also magical toys of great skill and craftsmanship and fair tools were made here in Altma.

And all of these things made its fall so much more painful to the Valtmar. For it was treachery, inside Altma, that felled the great city. For the jealous Sorcalin Empire sent messages to their kin, and there the First Kinslaying took place, the Faeran killing the guards and opening the main gate, letting the Sorcalins in, who had put Altma under siege for several years, but being unable to break the magical spells of protection. The battle raged for five sunsets, before the fire magic of the Faeran overcame the magic of the Valtmar. And so, Altma burned, its great libraries and palaces, destroyed. But the most grievous loss was that of the Tree of Vaemidia. Few of the Valtmar survived that day, but the few that did took many of the great treasures of the city, including Nammalúin, the horn of Saerondr and many ancient relics and crafts of the Valtmar. But the most precious thing that they took was a seed of the Tree of Vaemidia, which the young heir, Saeron carried in his small hands, fleeing with his mother, while the great Emperor of the Valtmar made his final stand before the secret gate through which they had escaped.

But the young elfing always remembered the smoke of a great city beneath the moon, the gardens like torches blazing bright, for he had seen the treachery of fire and a city turned to ash. And when the young prince came to the Twilight Fortress, he told his tale and all of the Valtmar wept. And while running their swords along a whetstone, preparing for the great war that was to come, the Valtmar sang sad, weeping dirges of the fall of that great city, Altma. And so the Valtmar never forgave the Faerans, and they never forgot. The fury, nay, the rage of the Valtmar was unleashed against the Sorcalins, every Valtmar who could bear arms voluntarily joined the army, and so they marched, after the great muster, towards the land of the Faeran, of fire and flame. Their swords, sharp, their bows tall, they marched in silence, weeping in their hearts, but seeking, thirsting, for vengeance. And the Valtmar have hated the Faerans ever since, and always will.

Valtmeris

Valtmeris, translating to City of the High Elves. Nestled within the Asaheim Mountains, the south is guarded by the Twilight Fortress. A better location for such a city could not have been chosen. Valtmeris is large, and like Altma, has a great library of its own, along with abundant fountains and gardens. After the fall of Altma, Valtmeris became the new capital of the High Elves, and though it is does not possess the glory of Altma, it is still a great city. Upon its thick walls, a garrison of High Elves keep vigil over the city, their keen eyes being able to spot any foe. Upon the mighty gate is the Tree of Vaemidia, a symbol of their faith in the Goddess of Life. Both inhabitants and visitors alike have described the city of the Valtmar as glowing with an ethereal light. The houses and stores are multiple colors, and the proud blue, silver and gold banners of the Valtmar wave high, reflecting off the rising sun, which peeks its brilliant light over the mountainsides. Valtmeris dwells in a valley, allowing water to be collected from the silvery slopes of the Asaheim Mountains. The city seems to sing with the soft, enchanting music of Valtmar elves, with bards bearing beautifully crafted instruments of all kinds accompanying them. On rooftops are gardens of fruit and herbs, collecting sunlight and rainfall. Altogether, this city is a great sight.

Azha's Lament

Legend tells of an elven maiden and her love, who was a lieutenant in the Valtmar army. Her father was extremely strict, so every night the young maiden would climb out of her room to a secret vale, where the two lovers would meet. However, one day the lieutenant went off to war. His love was anxious, but confident that her love would come back. But the young man unfortunately died and when the young maiden heard this, she was overcome with grief. Not knowing how she could live without the man she, one last time, climbed out of her bedroom window and ran, weeping to a cliff. There she uttered a cry of pure grief, pain and sorrow. For her grief was so great that unknowingly, she infused magic into her cry. The burst of magic grew louder and louder until it started tearing into her soul. The young maiden continued to weep, and with one last cry, emptied her entire soul of magic, which created an enormous magical explosion. The surviving citizens described it as an earthquake which destroyed the city. Ever since, in the whispering wind and in the blackness of nights, the laments of Azha, the elven maiden are heard.

After 30 years, the city is finally rebuilt and the Valtmar returned to it. Unlooked for and unexpectedly, the Oguin mount a raid on the rebuilt city and destroy it. The Valtmar are completely caught unaware, their armies in the South of the Asaheim Mountains, and the Oguin rape and pillage, and then burn the city. It is said that one can hear the screams and cries of an entire city, which only added to the laments of Azha. And so the city is also called in legend The Weeping Maiden, or Azha's Lament.


The Great Valtmar Empire

The Great Valtmar Empire was created by Saerondor Demren. He united the various high elven realms with clever marriages and diplomacy and soon declared himself Emperor. It was the first time the Valtmar had united under one banner, and though there were difficulties, their strength was considerable. The Empire quickly grew, and Saerondor began the building of Altma, the Empire's new capital. The land and the empire was prosperous, trade was abundant. And then, the Great Conquest began, or so it is called in the legends of Gaea. Saerondor gathered a mighty host at Altma and the mustering of it took 20 years. Every high elf who couold bear arms voluntarily marched to Altma. And at the end of 20 years, Saerondor's Host stood at the gates of Altma, the legions of the Valtmar numbering 500,000. It is said that Saerondor stood on the walls of Altma and stated "Let it begin. The West shall know and fear the blade of the Valtmar. The ground will quake and the skies shall be torn open." And then he unsheathed Nammalúin, Sword of Kings and Emperors and said to it, "You shall not be sheathed until this is done." A glory and might was revealed from Saerondr, and all who beheld him knew that here was an elf to be followed, here was an elf they could call emperor. And just then, a shadow appeared over the Host. Valkunr the Mighty had come, and offered his tooth, claw and fire. And so, indeed, it began.

The High Elven legions marched across the West of Gaea. Men, Oguin, Dwarves and all other races learned to fear the name of the Valtmar, the emperor named Saerondor, who fought with the strength and skill of hundreds, mounted on the mighty dragon Valkunr. At the coming of the Valtmar it is said that cities and fortresses alike would throw down their weapons before the gate and open it. And if that was so, Saerondor would simply incorporate them into the Empire and they would go untainted. But for those who resisted, Saerondor would have the defenders killed and accept surrender. There was no raping or pillaging of the conquered by order of the Emperor, and any elf who disobeyed, regardless of rank would be banished from the Empire's lands forever. And the Empire grew in might.

In 1438 BL, The High Kingdom of the Durognar declared war on the Great Valtmar Empire, claiming that the power of the Valtmar had gone unchecked for too long. It was a bitter, bloody war, but still infused with the honor of old. The humans called it the Elder War, in Durogvem, Inn ríkr reiði,The Great Anger and in Baldul it is known as Buzrâ naibziri, Deep Sadness. There were several small skirimshies, but one of the largest of the battles was the Battle of The Great Vale. The elves, led by Saerondr upon Valkunr, crossed the Palendar River and headed north. The dwarves met them in the Great Vale and there the battle took place. Elves and dwarves, hacking madly, skillfully at each other. And then, the two monarchs beheld each other, each being fierce and skill warriors, Emperor Saerondr Demren and High King Khuzad Falkunzavbrik. By the account of witnesses, Saerondr dismounted Valkunr and the two stood there for awhile, gazing upon each other. And then the battle, between these two kings, beneath the veiled stars began. Their battle was long, drawn out due to the skill of each of the combatants. But it was not the fate of the Emperor to fall here, and so he slew High King Khuzad Falkunzavbrik. But he did not disgrace the body, nor cut off the head of the king. Instead, Saerondr blew his horn, stopping all the elves from their fighting and allowed the dwarves to carry their fallen king away, singing dirge-like, weeping songs. And so Saerondr mounted back on Valkunr and the elves and the dwarves departed from that vale, each carrying their fallen dead. Some time later, The Dwarven City of Dur-Ganar was destroyed by the Great Valtmar Empire after a long, arduous siege. The Dwarves pressed the attack, winning several battles against the captains of Saerondr while the emperor himself was on campaign in the west. The Durognar even made their way deep into Valtmar territory, hammering on the gates of the Twilight Fortress itself, but a Valtmar general came up from Altma with a host and stopped the siege, the host slaying three Dwarven kings in that battle. The dwarves retreated and fortified their cities, and after awhile, Saerondr made peace with them, wanting to focus his armies elsewhere.

After a campaign of 50 years, halted every winter, Saerondor and his Host returned to Altma, and he looked upon his empire, and saw its true glory. He now ruled all lands to Daeynar, north to Valtmeris, east as far as the Atanos River went, and south to the Whisperhead Mountains. The legions were dismissed and everyone who participated won great glory. Saerondr said goodbye to Valkunr with tears in his eyes, as the rider and his mount had become great friends. Saerondor then held a feast for all of the Houses and his valiant generals. And then, he sheathed Nammalúin, and said, "It is done," giving praise to Vaemidia and Taeron. Tales of the Great Valtmar Empire soon spread to the furthest corners of Gaea. All would pay homage to Saerondor, even the Faeran. But in their hearts they seethed, and looked for a way to destroy him. It was said that the rivers and lakes of the Empire ran with gold, and that Altma was the greatest city on Gaea. Saerondr was rumored to be a reincarnation of Taeron himself and was soon called Saerondr the Great.

The Fall of an Emperor

The treachery at Altma began the fall of the Great Empire. When all of his guards were slain in treachery by the Fire Elves and his city burned Saerondr at last stood alone, wielding two swords, for he had sent Nammalúin with his young, fleeing heir, Saeron. But not so easily would Saerondr the Great, Emperor of the Valtmar, Conqueror of Gaea and Dragonrider be felled. Saerondr fought with the strength of many, slaying fire elf after fire elf. Though he was beset by many, the Emperor wielded his blades like the Vaulted Ones. Every time he slew a fire elf he cried out, "Day shall come again!" 250 times did the Emperor utter that cry, but he tired and the fire elves, seeing it, greatened their magic and their assault. But the Emperor took up his sword once more and slew 25 more fire elves. But at last the Emperor fell, attacked from behind by some flanking Fire elves, and so, Saerondr the Great, Emperor of the Valtmar, Conqueror of Gaea and Dragonrider died. But just the fire elves prepared to defile his body with their magical fire came Valkunr, unlooked for. He had heard of the treachery and had beat his wings, flying with a dragon's speed, but he was not fast enough. Roaring, the mighty dragon blasted away the fire elves and took upon the Emperor in his claws, and bore him to the Twilight Fortress. And there, he wept, for the great emperor, and his tears created jewels as they hit the ground, for a dragon's tears are magical. And then Valkunr the Mighty looked earnestly on Saeron, son of Saerondr and bowed his head. The mighty dragon then flew, to unknown lands, overcome with grief for his friends, and the Valtmar have never seen him since.

As for Saerondr the Great, he went to Taeron's domain, the Great Hall of Valgaard, to feast and drink there until the final day, when Saerondr and all those in Taeron's halls shall ride out to do battle with the Dark Ones. But the Valtmar have so hated the fire elves ever since, and still, in the Twilight Fortress and Valtmeris, songs are sung of Saerondr the Great, Emperor of the Valtmar, Conqueror of Gaea and Dragonfriend.

The Sorca-Valtmari War

After Saeron, son of Saerondr came of age, he sat in thought for some time in the Twilight Fortress. The Valtmar and their empire had been splintered by the death of Saerondr the Great. The Empire had fallen, and several divided kingdoms, much weaker than the glory of the empire had arisen. He sent word to all the Valtmar kingdoms, claiming his right as the heir of Saerondr to call them to arms, once more. And so, the second great muster began. But at the end of the muster, when Saeron looked down upon his host, he knew that this was but a fraction of the legions of the Empire. But the Valtmar were still in great number, and the glory and skill of the Valtmar still remained, albeit diminished. No famous words were spoken that day, nor oaths made. The host of Valtmar marched in silence, to the Sorcalin Empire, each of them remembering the glory of the Empire, and what the fire elves had done.

And so, the Sorca-Valtmari War began. No mercy was to be given, no surrender accepted nor given, it would be a bloody war to the very end, and at that end, one would stand triumphant, the other, extinguished.

The Sorcalins were in greater strength than Saeron had expected and the fire elves had a string of victories. Soon, the Faeran began driving the Valtmar back, and Saeron could do nothing, for though he was a warrior to be reckoned with, he was not his father. The Valtmar were pushed back all the way to the Asaheim Mountains, and the once mighty alliance of Valtmar Kingdoms was brought low, and put under siege. But hope remained and the Valtmar had a stroke of luck, the Great Cataclysm of Faera, the eruption of Mount Vulkar, destroying Faera and many of the Sorcalin mages and soldiers. Saeron mustered forth his troops and sallied forth of the Twilight Fortress, while other Valtmar charged out of Valtmeris, slaughtering the fire elves. No quarter was given and the Valtmar soon took the upper hand and besieged the Gates of Fire. After a 2 year siege, the Valtmar broke through and slaughtered every fire elf they could fine. Then Saeron took his elves and raided the countryside, reducing the Sorcalin Empire to a few possessions. After returning to Valtmeris to regather his troops, Saeron followed the Fire elves, pushing them to the Sari Mountains.

Saeron's generals after growing horrified at what they had done, forced Saeron back to Valtmeris, where the Valtmar nursed their woulds and remustered. But Saeron could not be stopped and soon the generals agreed, returning to the Sari Mountains to besiege the fire elves' last possession: Vilvarion Castle. The vast High Elven legions clashed with the powerful Faeran mages in a great battle that lasted nearly five years. The Sorcalins, well-fortified in the towering Vilvarion Castle, butchered thousands...but at an equally devastating cost. In the end, the Sorcalin armies were decimated...and the family's age-old rule ceased to exist.

And so, at last, the Valtmar stood victorious, the Faeran completely defeated. But at what cost?

The Glory of the Valtmar Restored: The Kingdom of Menevrion

The great -great grandson of Saeron had married Yaren Terembor, and their son took the Terembor name. Several generations after, Isebrir Terembor was born. Wanting to see the glory of the Valtmar restored, he took the sign of his inheritance, Nammalúin, Sword of Kings and Emperors to Valtmeris. There, he went to the council currently ruling and proclaimed that he wanted to form a new kingdom. Isebrir, when asked why him, unsheathed Nammalúin. "I am the Heir of Sareondr the Great. Follow me, and I will see our glory restored and a new dawn for the Valtmar!" And so, Isebrir Terembor, Heir of Sareondr founded the Kingdom of Menevrion, in 365 AL. The most noteworthy part of his reign was the reemergence of the Faeran, in the form of Othralas Sorcalin, a young scholar who reached of racial equality and publically revealed his identity as a pure-blooded Fire Elf -- a race thought to have gone extinct many ages ago. His offering of cultural trade gained him scorn from the High Elven elite, whom saw Othralas's coming as a sign of the Fire Elves' return. In fact, Isebrir ordered the young Fire elf killed, but he escaped. Othralas caught the attention of Arcane Duchess Mirian -- the beautiful young daughter of the High Elf monarch's first cousin. Othralas and Mirian fell in love, though Mirian's romance with a Fire Elf was considered illegal. The couple planned to flee for the safety of Vilvarion. Their intricate plan was well-thought out, and it very well could have been a success. However, it was exposed to the High Elven king by Mirian's jealous older brother (whom was thought to have an incestuous attraction to his sister). Mirian was captured by the Valtmeris military and burned at the stake for treason against the state.

Othralas narrowly escaped the clutches of the High Elf soldiers. Stricken with utter grief and thirst for torturous vengeance, he thundered northward for support from his fellow Faeran at Vilvarion. However, he was silently followed by a small Valtmeri war party. Before Othralas reached the peaks of the cliffs, the High Elves raided the unsuspecting Faeran stronghold and butchered every last one of its residents. Upon his return, an infuriated Othralas singlehandedly annihilated the entire High Elven battalion. No mercy was granted.

Soon after these events, Isebrir died in battle to the south. His son Iseril was crowned, who helped the kingdom gain a larger role in the world of Gaea, making it a center of trade, the arts, and skilled warriors once again. Iseril died strangely in a rare disease that only affects high-elves. And so Irithren Terembor became Queen of Menevrion. Within the first weeks of her reign, reports came of the Oguin flooding through the Asaheim Mountains to raid and pillage. The young queen went out to meet them, taking the sword of Sareondr and her grandfather's spear, Siryamíl. And to all the Valtmar who were there, the Queen revealed her heritage and glory as the heir of Saerondr, fighting with the strength of dozens. The Oguin were utterly crushed and Irithren pursued them, and utterly destroyed them, letting only a few survive to tell the tale of glory of the heir of Saerondr. Upon her return to Valtmeris, she was soon named by the people 'Warrior Queen' and served as a inspiration for many female elves, who took up arms. Irithren founded the Queen's Company, her battleguard of female Valtmar swordmaidens, and proclaimed sweeping gender laws, allowing a female to do everything a man could.

Her otherwise peaceful reign was broken again by the arrival of a Faeran coin, hinting at the return of the Faeran, with Orthralas at the head of them. At a pilgrimage to the Twilight Fortress, Irithren met the Wood Elves and revealed the coin and what it signified, leading the Elvenking, Ardruil Illuvien to propose marriage and a union of their two kingdoms. Irithren agreed and so the second Great Empire has begun.

Written by The Starlight, with excerpts and help from Imperialisium and Rudslavia.

Finished! But I need some help with things.
1.Dates!
2. A better name for Skyblade and Riverspear, seriously, those names are terrible.
3. Comments and if I missed anything.

[Imperialisium]

Think I'll take the Moon Elves and have them be a magocracy. It is alright for them to be the most magically powerful of the various Elven races, or at least more skilled in certain areas?

You can have a Magocracy. But Magic in this is not the usual Orthodox magic. Magic in this is extremely dangerous and always costs something to use it. So Magic users for everyone are rare (and skilled ones are far rarer).

So no one is magically more powerful than everyone else inherently, its rather toleration of magic usage. Like how the Paletines pretty much kill anyone using Magic, while say your Moon Elves (if you still want them) are extremely tolerant.

[Lunas Legion]

Think I'll take the Moon Elves and have them be a magocracy. It is alright for them to be the most magically powerful of the various Elven races, or at least more skilled in certain areas?

You can have a Magocracy. But Magic in this is not the usual Orthodox magic. Magic in this is extremely dangerous and always costs something to use it. So Magic users for everyone are rare (and skilled ones are far rarer).

So no one is magically more powerful than everyone else inherently, its rather toleration of magic usage. Like how the Paletines pretty much kill anyone using Magic, while say your Moon Elves (if you still want them) are extremely tolerant.

But process of natural selection means that skilled users survive far longer than unskilled users, and that small select group of highly skilled users would more than likely make up the group from which the ruling mage is chosen. And as being more tolerant of mages increases the number of unskilled users, the number of skilled users increases making a magocracy vaguely viable. I'd call it a mago-meritocracy.

Perhaps it would be better to call them the most magically inclined of the Elven races, rather than the most magically powerful?

[Damak Var]

You can have a Magocracy. But Magic in this is not the usual Orthodox magic. Magic in this is extremely dangerous and always costs something to use it. So Magic users for everyone are rare (and skilled ones are far rarer).

So no one is magically more powerful than everyone else inherently, its rather toleration of magic usage. Like how the Paletines pretty much kill anyone using Magic, while say your Moon Elves (if you still want them) are extremely tolerant.

But process of natural selection means that skilled users survive far longer than unskilled users, and that small select group of highly skilled users would more than likely make up the group from which the ruling mage is chosen. And as being more tolerant of mages increases the number of unskilled users, the number of skilled users increases making a magocracy vaguely viable. I'd call it a mago-meritocracy.

Perhaps it would be better to call them the most magically inclined of the Elven races, rather than the most magically powerful?

A magocracy is viable but since the ruling elite are mages, there would only be a few of them in the society because as Imp has stated, magic users are rare.

As for Paletine, Paletines do not completely turn away from magic. They study it to learn how to neutralize it. However knowledge of magic is completely relegated to the Arcani Order's agents, clerks and sorcerers (yes they field their own magic users). The sorcerers make enchanted items to absorb, disrupt or dispel magic for the agents. As well as items that can track magical energy (to hunt down and eliminate). Finally they enchant certain special and important areas with wards that make it nigh impossible to use magic in that area, attack the structures using magic or repel magical creatures/undead. In this aspect of magic, the Paletinians or more specifically the Arcani, are among the best.

[Imperialisium]

You can have a Magocracy. But Magic in this is not the usual Orthodox magic. Magic in this is extremely dangerous and always costs something to use it. So Magic users for everyone are rare (and skilled ones are far rarer).

So no one is magically more powerful than everyone else inherently, its rather toleration of magic usage. Like how the Paletines pretty much kill anyone using Magic, while say your Moon Elves (if you still want them) are extremely tolerant.

But process of natural selection means that skilled users survive far longer than unskilled users, and that small select group of highly skilled users would more than likely make up the group from which the ruling mage is chosen. And as being more tolerant of mages increases the number of unskilled users, the number of skilled users increases making a magocracy vaguely viable. I'd call it a mago-meritocracy.

Perhaps it would be better to call them the most magically inclined of the Elven races, rather than the most magically powerful?

They'd be still exceedingly rare given the population. But yes you can have a high proportion of users, but by high proportion they'd still be few. As unskilled simply means a mere dabbler, skilled is someone who has some basis of training, experience, or knowledge. Even then magic is dangerous to expert users. As it is an imprecise energy flowing through Gaea and do precise applications can only come in small amounts.

I did this purposely so that magic can never be the end all be all. Especially in war, magic is but a side show in any battle, and players must rely on their own conventional abilities to succeed.

Never the less a magocracy meritocracy ruled by an oligarchy of users is perfectly reasonable.

[Damak Var]

You could always join the Paletinians and help rid Gaea of the vile pestilence that is magic.