Provinces:
Assanor
OllionTerrain: Asannor is largely flat, with a few mountain ranges dotted about the province. It is densely forested, particularly to the northern and eastern borders. It shares a Great Forest known, to the wood elves as Melhesari, with the neighbouring province of Castien. The cities in Asannor are large, and primarily made of stone, this was originally a ploy to appease the rebellious Wood Elves, who had been angered with the loss of trees in Melhesari, but has now become part of the trend. Most stone is mined by the humans, who live in mountain villages, or imported from Dwarves and Goblins.
Army: The Asannor army has a decently sized standing army. Though the army is mostly made up of Sun Elves, Wood Elves do serve in the Asannor army. A pact drawn up by the fourth Ravenheart Emperor, dictates that the Wood Elves must always answer to the call of the Sun Elves, should they ever need it. As such, in times of need, legions of Wood Elves leave the forest and join up, knowing that should the Sun Elves vanish, their forest would no longer be protected.
Like the Valnaris, the Sun Elves of Asannor are known for their flashy-over the top armour, as symbol and status are particularly important to the Sun Elves. They come with armoured mounts, usually horses. Unlike the Valnaris peace keepers, however, their arsenal is a lot more varied. Sun Elf cavalry can come in three types; Lancers, Chariots and Mounted Archers. The Lancers are known for their long pole arms, when used in a wedge-formation charge, these pole arms rip through the enemy as if they were made out of paper. Chariot cavalry, come on gilded chariots, and usually contain three people. One controls the reigns, and whilst the other two attack from the chariot, either with bows, pole arms or swords. Lastly, the mounted archers are generally light cavalry used as distractions, normally used in ambushes, or to pick off the enemy commanders.
Though Sun Elves, are usually not too keen on the use of magic, an exception has arrived in recent times. Elemental archer brigades have found their way into the army. They are trained in the use of Sun Bows, which are fired with energy, removing the need of arrows. This energy can be channelled into the various elements, though fire is usually the element of choice.
Brief Description:
The Ravenheart Confederacy’s capital Province, Asannor is the pride of the confederacy. In it’s past, Asannor was troubled with wood elf rebellions in response to the rapid Sun Elf expansion and the Human use of wood for fuel. After a long and drawn out war, however, the fourth Emperor of the Confederacy drew up alliances with the Wood Elves, and secured a protected status for the Melhesari forest. Subsequently, the Wood Elf rebellions ceased in the province, over the years this pact began influencing the Sun Elf culture, and their buildings turned from wood, to stone. Now today it sits at the heart of the Ravenheart Confederacy, keeping the Emperor and his family safe from harm. It works with it’s neighbouring provinces, keeping a steady economy.
Castien
The Great TreeTerrain: Castien’s terrain is mostly hilly forests, denser near the heart of the Melhesari Forest, which leaks into the neighbouring Asannor. Mountains are common, but infrequent in Castien, though in the east, lays a large mountain range that almost spans a line between the northern and southern borders, which give way to low lying swamps in the remaining east portion of the province. Wood Elf cities are usually built either on trees or in trees, this varies, depending on the city, town or village, and the native species.
Army: Though the Wood Elf army is fantastic at fighting guerrilla wars, they have been known to fight on the open battlefield with quite some skill. Wood Elves make great hunters or assassins, as their sneaking skills are second only to the likes of ninja. When they’re put in a forest however, their skills are virtually unmatched. They know how to move silently, and can track any creature no matter where they hide.
Accompanying the Wood Elves are the Treants, who are plant-like creatures, who double the number of any Wood Elf army, due to the fact that they have a one to one population with each other. Treant soldiers can come in many forms. Some are soldiers, and act like regular foot soldiers, and then some become beasts, that carry supplies, or act as shock troops or cavalry. Though they dislike fire, this is by no means a weakness, as they are never dry. As the Treant say, “A dry Treant is a dead Treant” as such, they are usually too moist to be lit on fire, unless they have been without water for some time.
Brief Description: Castien is home to the majority of the Wood Elves in the Ravenheart Confederacy. Most if not all Wood Elves bloodlines can be traced back to the forest, though some bloodlines are weaker than others, for whatever reason. Though Castien is the province’s official name, as dictated by the Sun Elves of Asannor, the Wood Elves tend to refer to Castien as Melhesari. This is due to the amount of land that the forest inhabits. Though they had been opposed to the Sun Elves, and had even fought with them for many years, the Wood Elves have come to appreciate their “fanciful” neighbours, and have allowed some to settle in the province.
Elven culture is the biggest here, which is intertwined with nature, and more importantly, the Treants. The Treants are intertwined with the Wood Elves like roots on a tree. They live almost identical lives. Each relationship between elf and Treant is different. Some see it as a blessing, and some see it as a curse. Though their lives are intertwined, one or the other can die, before each other and although this can be a traumatic event, emotionally and physically some do live to have full lives afterwards. As Treants grow and become immobile, due to the weight of themselves, the plant their roots and slowly become trees.
Valnaris
OsyenmelTerrain: Like it’s neighbouring Nephallia, Valnaris is primarily flat, rolling plains.It is however, quite contrasted with Naphallia, as the Valnaris army can be found maintaining the law throughout, especially on it’s borders. Farmland is a constant sight in the country side, many vineyards and pastures can be found in most of the province regions. Market towns are a common sight further in the country, but on it’s borders sit a lot of fortifications. Osyenmel, the capital is a coastal city, and many lighthouses sit on rocks directing the constant stream of ships in the Inner Sea, away from the hazards of Nephalia
Army: Valnaris’s standing army is possibly larger than expected, and renowned for solely being peace keepers. Though it is made up of various soldiers from the other provinces in the Ravenheart Confederacy, the majority of Valnaris’s army is made up of Sun Elves, who come dressed in bright, golden coloured shining armour and long peach-coloured cloaks. The majority of the Sun Elves come armed with a long sword and shield, though some come with bows and enchanted arrows. Though the Valnaris military has never seen an actual war, given the fact that the Ravenheart Confederacy usually fights it’s battles for them, every soldier in the Valnaris military are experienced, all Sun Elf soldiers are required to serve in the Confederacy’s army, before serving Valnaris.
Valnaris mounts, always come armoured, and overly dressy, some armours come encrusted with jewels. Whether this is a statement of wealth, or just to romanticise the military is unclear.
The Valnaris navy, which operates out of the capital, is primarily used to direct ships heading for port in Valnaris, around Nephallia’s mists. Most ships are fast, and small, though there are non-military ships that are used to tow larger ships into harbour that cannot manoeuvre themselves in tight situations. The Valnaris navy is also used to escort key ambassadors to and from Valnaris, and have been seen as far as Stonecrest.
Brief Description: Though it is separated from the main Elven Provinces, Valnaris serves as a diplomatic centre in the lands of Gabriola. The capital city, Osyenmel is known for it’s vast embassy district and its collection of races.
Oshua
Terrain: The terrain of Oshua is simple, yet somewhat unique. The ground itself is flat, however the dense forest blocks out the sun completely. Outside of these forests, in which there is not much land, it’s just mainly flat-land with nothing in particular there.
Army: The army of Oshua consists of Night Elves, and not much else. The Night Elves carry weapons such as Boomerangs, glaives, short-swords, bows and quarterstaffs, while mounting things such as large, black panther mounts. The Night Elves themselves are unique. They have the ability to appear completely invisible while in the shadows, provided they stay still. In addition, they are able to fade into complete shadow to avoid an attack, however this can also only be done in the darkness, and happens to be immensely taxing on the Night Elves stamina.
The last notable thing about Night Elves is that they have a very odd form of magic. Once night has fallen, they are able to summon beams of concentrated moonlight that acts like fire, setting its target ablaze.
Brief Description:
The Night Elves are a very old, yet strong race. Some say the forest they dwell in is older than the world itself. The Night Elves own animal companions through the forest, such as owls, using them to their advantage when possible. This ability is not really used outside of the forest, as animals outside of it don’t seem to care for the Night Elves.
The Night Elves are primarily female, and male rulers are forbidden. Male Night Elves act as blacksmiths, farmers, servants, etc, while females act as political figures and are in leadership roles, but also make up the bulk of the army. Whilst males are not required to join the military, and are actively discouraged from doing so, some join up anyway, to bring honour to their house. An unusual law in recent years has been put into the Night Elves constitution. The law requires that during war time the husband is required to fill the role of his wife, if she is pregnant, thus many males do end up in military service once married.
Night Elves live in treehouses, for the most part, however there is the large city of Devore, in which regular buildings and treehouses are mixed. This serves as the capital of Oshua.
In addition, they are proud members of the Ravenheart Confederacy.
Gammorgen
Terrain: The Bannorn name their mountains Gammorgen, The Father's Peaks. These are the tallest mountain range within what has come to be Ravenheart lands. The greatest peak, Ma'bahelon, is one of the tallest in Gabriola. It is in the valleys of this mountain range that the Dervanen first found the Surface and its inhabitants.
Army: The armies of Gammorgen are the armies of the Dervanen, although each Bannorn City-State will have a retinue of highly trained soldiers and guardsmen they are capable of raising a militia from their homesteaders. These Bannorn Militias are usually poorly trained, but are armed with fine Dervanen-crafted weapons and armour. The independent Bannorn tribes also owe some loyalty to the Dervanen, and can be persuaded to lend their substantial forces of Reavers and Archers who know their mountains well. Often the City-States or the Dervanen will hire the nomadic Bannorn to tackle problem Dragons, or guide groups through the mountains to put down troubles like Gnoll Chieftains.
Brief Description: Gammorgen has since come to house the largest Surfacer Dervanen population on Gabriola, and is of course host to the largest population of Bannorn. Several cities of the mountain men have sprung up around the roads to the Great Thaigs of the Dervanen. In these cities are found many of the races the Ravenheart, including a notable Elven population of dignitaries and diplomats, who regularly make trips into the Deepest Roads to contact the Dervanen.
Gammorgen is also host to a clan of Galar Orcs, the Stormreavers. Far from their homelands, these isolated Orcs are independent of the Horde community and are isolationist by nature, they have been known to war with the Bannorn though. Or raid trade caravans.
Other notable species to inhabit Gammorgen are the wingless Northern Wyverns and their cousins the Basilisks. The bestial High Dragons are also known to roost in the remote mountains, feeding on roaming herds of Gern or Bronto. Troggs, Gnolls, Kobolds, Graugs and many other semi-subterranean or mountainous species live in these mountains too - causing no end of problems for its inhabitants.
Selona
Terrain: Their western border with Castien is covered in a vast swamp, with many wild elf settlements in the area. Further inland, the swamp dries out to a land of endless hills, mountains, crevices and woodland. Tall trees cover a lot of the land, though it is mainly tall grass and meadows. As you get closer to the blackbriar forest, the woodlands thicken and darken, though there has been a perimeter cut in recent years as the confederacy as sought to make a border between the forest and Selona. Near the north and south coasts however sit great port cities.
Army: Selona’s main army is made up of several thousand troops scattered about the province. Moon Elves primarily make up of around 80% of the numbers, whilst the Drow make up 15%, and the Wild Elves a further 5%. Whilst mainly combat forces, the army has a significant support group, including but not limited to; sorcerers, priests and healers.
In addition to the standing army, Selona has detachments of forces from all over the Confederacy in preparation for any possible threat from the Blackbriar forest. Along the border there are many small forts housing the different races, and the number changes regularly, but sticks to around 1000.
Brief Description: The Moon Elves of Selona, are often stated to be the exact opposite of their sun Elf counterparts in Assanor. This seems to be far truer than people believe, if certain records are read and compared. It is said that in the beginning there was only one pure elf, and they found it to be a lonely existence, and so they decided to produce children. In some feat of accidental magic, now lost to time, the elf split his being in two, creating two elves. One was a sun elf, and the other was a moon elf. Whilst being in love, the two eventually found their differences to be too distinct, and as such separated. The Sun Elf moved west, and settled in Assanor, whilst the moon elf settled in Selona. The two then sowed their seeds and created their races. It did not stop there however, as the two races were drawn together over the expanse that was later known as Castien. It is said that it was here, that the wood elves came into being when the two races met. Unfortunately for the two races, the wood elves grew to be defiant in their protection of the land they called home. At around this time the forest of Melhesari grew. This divide would almost permanently divide the races, and they wouldn’t, until recently, unite again.
In their isolation, the moon elves developed their religions and culture, preferring the night to the day. They began to romanticize the dawn and dusk as if remembering the times when they were one with the Sun Elves. Out of their isolationism, the moon elves were said to have created two subraces of Moon Elves. The Drow came first; their rugged darkness was built out of their emotions, seeming morally corrupt, and in some cases, even evil. Second came the wild elves, born to moon elves who sought unity with the wood elves.
The Moon elves over time began to develop skills in enchantments and heavily focused in magic. Moon Elf silver was created, made to be stronger than steel, and deadly to creatures weak to it’s properties (See werewolves and other such creatures of the night).
Leameth
Terrain: There are many ways to describe Leameth. The first would be wet and humid. With the combination of the swamps that cover the majority of the kingdom, there is always water in cold air. Being largely flat with very little hills, Leameth is covered almost entirely in forest. Due to it’s densely packed forest, the second way to describe Leameth would be dark and mysterious. The Melhesari stretches from the eastern border to the cliffs along the coast, with very little break in the canvass. Despite this many features of the old kingdom remain, albeit in ruins. Many of the roads and pathways do still exist and are traversable, though many overgrown roots, moss and vines do make travelling across country incredibly difficult. Some settlements do remain. Most buildings are built around the forest, as messing with the trees causes the the plant life to become hostile, assaulting any nearby.
Army: no real army to speak of, but then again, they don’t really need it. The forest within Leameth has since become quite aggressive defending against any perceived threats, thus negating the need for a standing army. However, Ghost Elves are more than capable warriors, spies and scouts and sometimes when needed will take up such roles within the Confederacy’s army.
Brief description: A once great nation of Elves, the kingdom of Leameth met with an unfortunate end when the Melhesari Forest aggressively seeded the kingdom. No one knows for sure how or why the forest became so insidious when he reached the borders of Leameth, but when it did, trees, flowers and other forms of plant life sprouted. Soon enough the entire province was caught unaware, unable to keep back the forest. It ruined the economy, as many of the industries that kept Leameth afloat were destroyed. Many of the elves that lived within Leameth met their ends at the hands of the aggressive forest.
The elves that remained after the forest’s invasion were taught by a mysterious traveller (now known to be a Ravenheart), to become ethereal, and as such, the Ghost Elves were born. Since then they’ve become a severely loyal member of the Ravenheart Confederacy, though their tribute to the confederacy as a whole is very small. They are intensely loyal to the Ravenhearts themselves as they have realised they owe their survival to them.
