The Woodland Realms

Modifiers:
Few to Work With: -2 Army
The low population and small landmass has limited military growth for the Elari.
A People of Taste: +2 Economy
Exotic arts and goods prove to be good products to export.
Naval History: +3 Navy
A long history of building and maintaining ships for Alendron has in extension helped the Elari master the sea.

History:
Long ago, there were three kingdoms, collectively known as the Elari (as they inhabited islands collectively known as Elarmari). Although the people were all genetically the same, each kingdom prized a different trait. The Elari Astorosi, the most warlike of the three, prized smithing and production and lived in sprawling cities often bordering the sea. The Elari Arboria valued harmony and peace, and lived in the deep forests that could be found on Eldar, becoming skilled woodsmen as a result. Lastly, the Elari Adagnare praised knowledge and wisdom above all else, secluding themselves on and around the tallest known mountain on the islands of Eldar.

For centuries, each kingdom continued to refine and develop its different way of life. While they were all genetically the same people, they were often distrustful of one another and fought amongst themselves, creating culture differences that can still be seen today.

However, everything changed when the Empire was formed.

The Elari, quickly recognizing the threat the much larger and much more powerful entity posed to them, united under a common banner. To outsiders, they would now identify themselves as the Elari Unireta. To most of Trevast, however, they would henceforth be known as the Woodland Realms, a reference to the dense forests that covered the islands of Elarmari. In the face of a common enemy, the three kingdoms finally put aside their differences and started cooperating with one another. A small council of the three Elari kings would have joint control over all of Elarmari.

While initially confident in their ability to successfully wage a defensive war against the burgeoning empire, they ultimately decided to turn to the negotiation table as they watched the other kingdoms around them be slowly absorbed. They approached the new empire and were able to come to terms with them.

In exchange for the Elari small council to continue to have self-rule over the islands of Elarmari, the Woodland Realms would allow the Empire to build a naval base on both islands, provide them the needed materials, ships, and men to maintain said bases, as well as pledge fealty to the larger country. In addition, the Elari would have to elect a hereditary spokesperson that would act as both the diplomatic face of the Woodland Realms as well as a mediator between the three kings on the small council.

Despite the heavy concessions they were forced to provide, the three kings of the Elari Unireta decided to agree. They assumed that they would be able to keep the new spokesperson relatively weak and retain their former power. As such, they awarded the position to House Agathos, a relatively minor noble family formerly belonging to the Elari Astorosi. However, through shrewd political maneuvering, the Agathosi seized power from the three kings, becoming the leaders of the Elari Unireta in all but name.

In the following centuries, the Elari thrived. Under the wise leadership of House Agathos as well as the abundance of trade with the outside world, they grew rich despite their relatively few numbers. After a while, the differences between them and the Empire were forgotten, and the Elari Unireta joined Alendron after the Empire collapsed without much dissent or affair.

Political Structure:
The Elari Unireta are lead by a small council of four kings, one representing each of the old kingdoms and one acting as a spokesperson to the outside world. In the past, the three original kings were responsible for internal matters regarding the Elari while the fourth was to act as a spokesperson to the outside world, but due to shrewd political moves, the current political structure gives the spokesperson (now called the Brenin) power over all of the Elari, with the three original kings (now called the Edling) being reduced to advisors and figureheads.

Currently, House Agathos holds the hereditary position of Brenin.

Modern Culture:
Despite centuries of unification, the cultural differences created by the three original Elari kingdoms can still be seen today, albeit to a lesser degree. In fact, most Elari still identify themselves as from the different kingdoms. While most of each kingdom’s respective cultures have become largely ubiquitous among the Elari, the peoples still retain their own values on what is important to them. For example, each one picks a different bird to represent their different values.

The Elari Astorosi
The Elari Astorosi continue to praise strength in both its mental and physical forms. Many Astorosi go on to become things similar to warriors, builders, smiths, merchants, or politicians. An Eagle can be seen emblazoned on their shields, banners, and crests.

The Elari Arboria
The Elari Arboria still find harmony within the intricacies of nature, albeit to a lesser extent than their ancestors. Arboria often become artists, craftsmen, shipwrights, rangers, and sailors. Many of their ships sport a gull’s head, and many of their crafts have a gull sigil of some variant stamped upon it.

The Elari Adagnare
The Elari Adagnare, unlike their peers, have actually become even more extreme in their culture. Due to the fact that they were the smallest of the three kingdoms, they continued their relative isolation even after the unification. In modernity, the Adagnare are almost only seen in vocations related to the collection and protection of knowledge. Each Adagnare always has an owl pendant on him or her.

As stated earlier, however, the three peoples also share a number of cultural traditions. The most important of which is called ‘The Discovery’. Upon coming of age (at twenty years old), all young Elari after the firstborn are embraced by their parents and sent out into the wider world for four years in order to find their true calling. They are forbidden from stepping foot on to Elarmari for the duration of ‘The Discovery’, and are encouraged to do whatever beckons to them. After the four years end, they are either expected to have found their vocation or to return to their family. About half of the people who go on ‘The Discovery’ return, while the other half are spread throughout the world in different jobs.

Military:
The military of the Elari Unireta was and remains a combination of the different militaries of the three original kingdoms.

Army
Due to their relatively small population and the size of their homeland, the army is small but highly trained. The majority of the army is comprised of 3000 Astorosi knights.

They are supplemented by 1800 Arboria rangers, who serve in roles such as light infantry, archers, scouts, and the like.

Navy
The Elari Arboria have grown incredibly skilled at shipbuilding due to the longtime agreement with Alendron. While they build many ships for their rulers, they do maintain a navy for themselves as well.

Sailors are cherry picked from the best of the Arboria, and marines are chosen from the most fleet-footed of the Astorosi knights and Arboria rangers.

The Order of the Owl
A separate institution from the rest of the military, the Order of the Owl is an Adagnare knightly order charged with protecting the knowledge that is stored in their stronghold. They are known as some of the best warriors among the Elari and are only rivaled by a few of the strongest Astorosi. In an attempt to separate the person from their objective, Owl Knights are required to hide their faces while on duty. There are only 200 members of the order at present, an all time low.



Notable Locations:
Due to the relatively few numbers of the Elari and the small size of the islands which they call home, there are only three major cities throughout the entirety of Elarmari. As a result, each of these cities has over the course of time become large, blossoming, complexes known for both their scale and beauty. They are each named after the kingdom which formerly possessed it.

Dum Astorosi

The grandest of the three cities, Dum Astorosi acts as both the main harbor and the capitol of the Elari Unireta. It is moderately well fortified.

Dum Arboria

A previously mysterious location that proved almost impossible to find, Dum Arboria now acts as the production center for the Elari Unireta. It relies on the dense forests around it to protect it from invasion and is thus unfortified.

Dum Adagnare

The smallest of the three main cities, Dum Adagnare is also the most fortified. It acts as a library of all the knowledge the Elari have accumulated over course of their existence and is guarded by the Order of the Owl. It is said that some documents even record the dialogue between the old kings of Elari and Arturas himself, although no one has actually laid eyes on them for thousands of years. Dum Adagnare is only open to the Elari Adagnare or those who have been invited. Without an invitation, one cannot enter the city.