The Elvish Princedoms

The elves were the dominant power when the Gods fled the mortal realm in the age of legends. They set up eternal princedoms each centered on a magically protected forest home - called a garden. The Elvish princes and Elf lords rule an extremely conservative culture - stability and endurance are the core values of the Elvish Princedoms.



In response to predation by Ascendant human kingdoms, in particular the kingdom of Mithrine, the Elves banded together in a loose confederacy of mutual protection. They reject the stronger union an empire would provide them, valuing the status quo.

There are subtle differences in culture and rule among the various gardens that comprise the Elvish confederacy, as well as internal rivalry only put aside in the face of an external threat.

Kelwilde:

At the southern border of the Vallarian kingdoms Kelwilde has learned to live in peace with the Kingdom, though it does not trust them. Unique among the elvish princedoms Kelwilde is ruled from a city on a plain rather than hidden within enchanted forests. There are many Gnomish groves and Halfling villages in Kelwilde and along its borders.

Recently Kelwilde closed its borders and has been killing intruders.

Silvarwilde:

The most open of the Elven nations, they were the first to breed humans in the age of legends, and are responsible for the establishment of the human kingdoms of Anadeale, maintaining good relations with that people.

Loriathen: Called the middle kingdom, they are friendly to the human nations to the north, though they are relatively hostile to the Vallarians. Among the Elvish nations they were the most likely to consent to marriages between their subjects and the humans and half-elves of the Liefin empire.

Gothriathar:

Isolationist and fiercely anti-human they frequently clash with their rivals in Rivenfen. Most elven princedoms consider them too hostile and backwards.

Sirithel:

Once the most prominent and prestigious kingdom of the elves, they were devastated by a war with the Human Kingdom of Mithrine. Since then, they have been extremely hostile to the human kindgoms and protective of their borders. They still have much influence when the confederacy meets in council on matters that affect all the elves. The exception to their hatred is their deep dies to the Kingdom of Nogorond, who came to their aid to liberate them from the deprivations of the Mithrine.

They once co-ruled the lands of Mithrine (now Westmarch) with Nogorond until the return of the Mithrine king and the reconquest. A state of war lasted human generations after the reconquest of Mithrine, ending only when the Eastern Realm negotiated a peace between Sirithel, Nogorond, and Mithrine. Peace in return for oaths that the rulers of the newly formed Duchy of Westmarch would never seek a crown so long as the elves and the E.R. kept faith with them.

Rivenfen:

Rivenfen has a dwarven hall within its territories, granting it special place among the elven kingdoms, and making it among the wealthiest. Dwarven goods flow from Rivenfen to the rest of the confederacy, a few making it out into the human kingdoms. They are anti-human and protectionist. They are also the southern most eastern Princedom, and most at threat from the Marches.