Avangar Empire

Northern of the Kingdom of Tarots and east to the vast Green Oak Forest lies the Avangar Empire.
The Elyrian Marshland is home to the homonymous people, the Elyrians, gaunt, pale skinned humans, who were once an uncivilized swamp people who lived in small tribes within their habitat. Being subjugated left and right by the Tarot Kingdoms and the Platinum Princedom, the Elyrians held great disdain for their neighbours.
Its current emperor is Emperor Ausar I, although his mother, Empress Regent Tamara rules in his stead until he comes of age.
Avangar's Emperor was the eponymous "Avangar" - meaning the bringer of light in Elyrian - a foreignborn western man with an expertise at magic. He managed to unite the tribes of the swamp and built the Tower of the Eternal Fire - a building so majestic that it's now considered one of the thirteen wonders of the world. It houses a magical flame in its center which heats the swamp, reversing the rapid frost that was beginning to take its toll on their lands. That was the feat that got him crowned as the first Emperor of Avangar, his empire taking his own name. Around the Tower was built the city of Alga, one of the biggest cities in the north.
After Emperor Avangar died, the Elyrians (their youth, especially), adopted him as their God, saying that he left their mortal realm to join their primal swamp gods in their own version of heaven.The places they have conquered in their Jihad have gotten a temple built in the name of Avangar, with aims of spreading their religion throughout the Continent. Tales float around in civilizations to the West that place importance on magic (Arangea, the Isle of Wizards, Hithlone and Azan) of a rising shadow to the east. 
Despite being considered one of the fiercest, deadliest fighters in the continent, envied by even the Nerim of the Corteau Canyon, the Elyrians and their Empire have made many enemies around them.
== History ==
=== The Exodus ===
The Empire of Avangar was nowhere near an empire no less than 25 years ago. It was rather a collection of tribes that lived around the Elyrian swamps, near the middle of the Littlestep continent. The Elyrians - as they're called - had settled in that area for more than a few centuries. Oral stories of the Elyrian elders describe that they fled from the west to the east, being subject to slavery and oppression of all kinds. They made the marshes of Elyria their home, as the peaceful people living the woods to the west did not bother them. 
They had developed a distinct culture from the people around them and they made their homes either on huts by the water, or inside damp caves, finding ways to seal them off from the various creatures of the swamp, as well as mosquitoes. The harsh environment they found themselves shaped them like fine clay, with many Elyrians being described as the most fierce warriors in the world, fighting like bloodthirsty demons, by many foreigners who tried to invade their lands. 
=== The Southron Migrations ===
They had been living peacefully until around 150 years ago, when a horde of humans migrated from the south. These humans were not peaceful and swept everything in their way. Although not conquered, a lot of the Elyrians perished in these clashes, with many women and children raped or taken as slaves. These wars hardened the Elyrians even more, and they began conditioning their sons and daughters to be suitable for any kind of conflict.
From that day, every Elyrian child could scavenge by itself in the swamp, camouflage appropriately and use poisonous ranged weapons, as well as finish off the wounded enemy soldiers during wars.
Each territory in the swamp was governed by a Dratko, an elder of the swamps, although the elders held an annual council where they discussed the most important matters of their people.
The Elyrians that lived in caves considered the ones that lived in small towns to be soft and weak, neglecters of traditions, and usually excluded them from their councils.
=== A Foreigner arrives ===
The Elyrians have spoken of many prophecies in the past. One of them describes that one day a foreigner would land in their shores, who would learn their customs and manage to unite the tribes, something that had never happened before. It was around 30 years ago that a boy - no older than 20 years old - found his way in the swamps. His real name has been erased from any records by now, but many scholars argue that he came from the west, reasons unknown, from a hospitable land with bountiful harvest, unlike the Elyrian marshes.
The boy then joined the tribe of the Elder Zvedo, but not without being tested first. He was extremely fast at learning their traditions, language and even taming the beasts of the swamp. From being called a soft outlander boy, the Elyrians started to respect him and his natural abillity at magic, and some even were in awe, whispering of connections to the old prophecy...
The Elyrians were having another problem, however. The marshes and swamps were starting to get colder and colder, with even the caves being harder to live in during the winter months, as even the still waters started freezing. With many animals decreasing in population and trees dying, food became even scarcer, and there were many discussions amongst the Elders of migrating to the west, as there was also rumours of the Platinum Princedom preparing a new offensive campaign against them.
However, these rumours soon turned to reality, as the Princedom's soldiers swarmed the swamps to the south. The foreign boy lead many skirmishers on the side of his elder, Zedko, all being a success, as his use of sorcery was sublime. It had been already 2 years since the boy had been living with the Elyrians, and he was starting to be indistinguishable from the natives. 
The attack by the Platinum Princedom was ultimately a failure, with the Elyrians celebrating a decisive victory, although it had left them scarred once more, with many losses to speak of. The boy quickly started gaining the support of the Elyrian's youth, with many truly believing him to be the man prophecized by the legend. Whispers started to spread that he should challenge Zedko in order to usurp the leadership of the tribe, as that was the only way of succesion, according to Elyrian ways.
=== The Rise of Avangar ===
One day, the boy came to the council of the Elders with a proposition. He were to use his sorcery in order to forge a large flame that would magically heat the marshes of Elyria, making it a hospitable place once more. The Elders were very reluctant at first, as they feared the boy's increasing popularity among the youth, but eventually accepted.
In a construct of unparalleled magnificence, the Tower of the Eternal Fire - as it's now called - was erected no less than a year later. At the top, a flame the size of a house burned. Even though many Elders were superstitious about fire magic, they could only look at astonishment at the Elyrian swamps, slowly being unfrozen and large part of the wildlife's population recovering. The boy was soon given a new name, "Avangar", meaning the bringer of light in the Elyrian language. His real name was never uttered by any Elyrian ever again.
Elyrians from the surrounding villages and even from the caves soon made their home around the Tower of the Eternal Fire, founding the biggest Elyrian settlement yet, Alga. 
Zedko, who had taken the mantle of being the unofficial leader of the swamp people, was pressured into challenging Avangar for the leadership, in fear of being the one challenged first. Zedko, who was one of the finest warriors of Elyria, knew that he would have absolutely no chance against Avangar, even if the latter made no use of his sorcery. But those were the ways of the Elyrians. Only one man would walk out alive, with him being crowned the leader of the tribe.
When Zedko challenged Avangar to a duel, Avangar declined. His magic had gotten stronger, and he started to be able to read the mind and body language of everyone around him with near perfection. He knew that Zedko was afraid of him. But more than being feared, he was respected. Avangar explained to Zedko that the only way for the Elyrian people to prosper was through uniting and settling their differences. These customs of killing one another for the sake of succession only helped in winding down the capable males that could lead the Elyrians.
Through persuasion, Zedko did something that no Elyrian Elder had done before. He defied the sacred customs, and instead declared Avangar the absolute leader of the Elyrians in front of the whole council. Avangar's ascension was celebrated by almost everyone. Avangar taught the Elyrians how to use magic and manipulate the elements, his own skill having grown enormously since his earlier days.
Having been universally accepted as the savior from the prophecies, he was revered as some kind of demigod. People started praying to him for health and fortunes, often forsaking their old gods of the swamp. Alga soon became a bustling city, with many flocking everyday from the swamps to Avangar's Great Hall to ask him for advice and pray to him.
=== The Expansion ===
Avangar would wed Zedko's daughter, who gave birth to twins, Ausar and Aubrianna. Many wars were subsequently started against the Tarot Kingdom to the south and people living in the east, all of them succesful. The Elyrians started to worship Avangar as a god, waving his banner as they charged into battle, shouting their zealous war-cries. Avangar was no more a leader of the Elyrians, but rather a divine figure, an Emperor whose Empire took his own name.
The woodcutter cities of the west recognized the might of Avangar and offered themselves as tributaries, while also adopting the Avangar religion. Thousands of pilgrims visited Alga every month to pray at the temples of Avangar, as well as the Tower of the Eternal Flame, whose light burned brighter than ever.
The life of the Elyrians had changed in less than 20 years. Very few lived in the caves anymore. The youth did not need to learn the ways of the swamp, scavenging off the land to survive. The worship of the swamp gods and spirits had fizzled out, and use of magic was widespread amongst the youth, something that was only reserved by specific elderly women. They saw their centuries old traditions turn to smoke before their very eyes. Many (former) Elders were suspicious of change, but they didn't want to admit it.
One of Avangar's policies was allowing all kinds of magic to be practiced in the Empire, with the capital of Alga being the centre of the dark arts of the world. People from all over the Continent sailed to Alga to study and practice necromancy, pyromancy, blood magic and other horrible arts that were forbidden in most of the world. He also outlawed many of the many brutal and savage customs that the Elyrians would often practice, such as leaving the children born with any deformations in the swamp to die.
=== The Regency ===
It all came crumbling down 8 years ago, when Avangar was blinded by a conspiracy against him. Unwanting to be seen as weak and feeble by his own people, he willingly wandered in the swamp by his own, as the old custom dictated, never to be seen again.
That was seen not as Avangar's death, but his completed ascension towards Godhood. The reigns of the Empire were soon taken by his wife, Tamara, until his son was to come of age. The Royal family was seen as holy and sacred, and Tamara took advantage of this, as she used the abundant riches gained by Avangar to build to expand the Great Hall of Avangar in Alga, turning it into a gargantuan palace, such that could field an entire city inside it. The clergy of Avangar expanded and became the leading force and authority of the Empire, entrapping it in a voracious net of bureaucracy.
Tamara used the clergy as her shield, and being a native Elyrian herself she housed a natural disdain towards any foreigner, unlike her husband. She soon passed a law that demanded of any foreigners who set their foot in Alga to wear a mask that hid their face, something they could prove with no trouble.
As Avangars' 10 year old twins - Ausar and Aubrianna - are showing signs of their father's expertise with magic and are being groomed to rule, Tamara is preparing for an invasion of the Platinum Princedom, aiming to take the entirety of Littlestep's northern coast.
== Government ==
The leader of Avangar is Emperor Ausar I, although Ausar's mother, Tamara, rules as Empress Regent until he's of age.
She has full authority on most decisions concerning the governance, although the clergy mantains a lot of power when it comes to day to day operations, including law enforcement, religious authority and other bureaucratic drivel.
Some of the clans that stayed in the swamps instead of moving to the cities hold some type of unofficial authority when it comes to their tribes but still pay taxes and supply the Empire with men to fight.
=== Administration of the Avangar Empire ===
The nature of the administration within the Avangar Empire is a complicated subject. As the nation’s roots come from the elyrian tribes, the meteoric rise into an empire was something many were not prepared for. Even the mythical founder of the empire, the mysterious Avangar, had trouble establishing a system of governance over the recently conquered territories. As such, most of the administration was built after his disappearance, organized by Empress-Regent Tamara and her advisors. To organize their domains and the recently added territories in Sitrai Martöflu, Tamara imitated the provincial divisions in the nearby kingdoms, particularly Platinum and Poker, but including many elements typical of elyrian culture. The land was divided into different provinces depending on criteria such as population, ethnic composition, geographic makeup and political and economical importance. Each province is ruled by an “avah” (meaning “servant of the light”), a pureblood elyrian ascended to the rank of noble, often coming from the ranks of the army or the Church of Avangar. These individuals have to be zealously loyal to Tamara, as otherwise they will not grant them her blessing and the power to rule. These avah rule the land, being in charge of both defense and taxation, as well as guaranteeing the adequate settlement in the areas that become clear of the swamps. The one exception to this system is the province of the Fire Zealot Ogres, as they are allowed a great deal of self-rule as per their peace terms during the elyrian conquest of the region. 
==== Province of Blessed Alga ====
By far the most prosperous and populated part of the empire, Blessed Alga is the province ruled by the imperial capital of Alga. Before Avangar, it was one of the most wild areas in the region, as the confluence between the waters of the Red Lake and the Iebrum River make for a great deal of humidity, with the land covered in near impenetrable swamps and marshes. However, Avangar saw the area as the perfect place to establish the Tower of Eternal Fire. As the magical flames cleared the land, the region became ideal for the new capital, which grew around the Tower of Eternal Fire. Even to this day, no building within Avangar is allowed to be taller than the Tower of Eternal Fire, not even the Imperial Palace, also in Alga. The region has become an extraordinarily successful farmland, allowing for an explosive population growth, both around the rivers (which needed great groundworks as to avoid the seasonal floods, now that the swamp were no longer blocking the waters) and in the capital itself. The province of Blessed Alga is under direct imperial authority, always guarded by the Urageen, the special elite troops of the elyrian army, dedicated to the protection of Alga, the Tower of Eternal Fire and the imperial family, and only allowed to exit the city during times of war or under a direct order from the emperor. Blessed Alga is also home to many wizard towers, though the dark wizards here are under strict surveillance by the imperial authorities, to avoid any possible threat to come to Alga.
==== Furuga ====
The Province of Furuga is located west of Blessed Alga, and borders the Woodcutter regions of Brussgloff and Bründelbloff. The province of Furuga is also within the Green Oak forests, sharing both oak forest and swampland. During the expansion of the elyrians after the war with the Princedom of Platinum, the elyrians began colonizing this area, which caused a great deal of tension between them and the famously independent Woodcutter Cities, who saw the elyrian encroachment upon the forest as an eventual threat to them. However, the elyrian threat was too big for even an united coalition of Woodcutter Cities. With the Princedom of Platinum having just signed peace and not interested in starting a war soon, the woodcutters had to accept the slow encroaching of the elyrians, with many of them moving away from their lands before the invaders fully took over. Eventually, the Woodcutter Cities signed a series of deals with the Princedom of Platinum, promising intervention if they ever advanced any further beyond the realms already occupied. The threat of elyrian invasion has resulted in some of the Woodcutter Cities also paying occasional tribute to keep the empire from their affairs, something considered incredibly shameful, as the woodcutters have a great deal of pride for their independence. On their end, the elyrians have been heavily pushing the Cult of Avangar in the region, while also bringing a lot of elyrian settlers in the area. The elyrian advance only managed to occupy a settlement, the city of Furugdembërgg, renamed as Furuga by the elyrians, as the local population abandoned the city once it was clear no military aid was going to stop the elyrians on time. Furuga became the capital of the homonymous province, with an increasing elyrian presence as the local populations are discriminated and bullied into submission or exile. 
==== Great Lyria ====
The province of Great Lyria is located at the center of the Great Swamps of Eastern Littlestep. The region is where the elyrians established their homeland after their arrival from their ancient migration, and it is the region of the empire where the elyrians have the most history. It is also one of the areas less affected by the magic of the Tower of Eternal Fire, and as such, most of its population still lives like their ancestors did before the arrival of Avangar. Great Lyria has suffered a constant loss of population since the days of the death of Avangar. With the youth more and more ready to abandon the old gods and customs for the cult of Avangar, many elyrians have moved to the growing cities or to the areas that the empire is colonizing, leaving the harsh swamps of Eastern Littlestep less and less inhabited. Due to the great appraisal of old traditions, the elyrians in this area are the most opposed to the Cult of Avangar and to the authority of Alga, though they do not dare to do anything beyond praise the old days. This atmosphere of tension has resulted in the imperial authorities keeping a lot of soldiers in the province, to keep everything in check. Due to the near constant marshes in the region, Great Lyria is also the poorest province, incapable of developing any kind of modern economy beyond self-sustaining agriculture and hunting. The city of Lyria, named after the legendary tales about the elyrians’ origins, was built as a bastion for the troops that guard the region in one of the less swampy areas of the province, but even then its size is the smallest out of all provincial capitals by a lot. And many locals actually despise the existence of the city, seeing it as an imposition of the new ways over the old ones. 
==== Western Lyria ====
The province of Western Lyria is located between Blessed Alga and Great Lyria. This area of the swamps is quickly being affected by the Tower of Eternal Fire, with the swamp receding into forest and grasslands perfect for husbandry and agriculture. This has brought many people to the region, particularly to the lands around the Red Lake. Imperial authorities have developed a great deal of interest in settling near the Red Lake, as it can be navigated for most of the year, leaving a wide area near the imperial capital quite vulnerable to an invasion from there. As such, the empire has created a small fleet to intercept any attacks from that border. Both the Woodcutter Cities and the Princedom of Platinum have also prepared a fleet in case of elyrian invasion, though on their part of the lake the waters can freeze during winter, so they need to keep the vessels light enough to bring into quick dry dock. This is not a problem for the elyrians, as their side of the lake is affected by the power of the Tower of Eternal Fire, keeping the frost away. The city of Sidria was built as the main port for the elyrian fleet in the Red Lake, and while the ship designs are crude and the personnel on board are inexperienced in comparison to both the Woodcutter Cities and the Princedom of Platinum, the presence of dark wizards adds an unpredictable level of danger to a clash within the lake. 
==== Arafúu ====
The province of Arafúu is located between Great Lyria and the border with the Platinum Princedom. The region saw some of the harshest fighting during the war between the elyrians and the people from the princedom, with most of the area becoming uninhabited. After the war, imperial authorities forced the creation of many watchtowers and fortresses, keeping watch across the border. However, the best defense of the region is the dense swamp full of dangers and diseases, keeping any would be invader on the other side of the border. The region also holds many communities of dark wizards who seek even more extreme forms of sorcery, which is frowned upon even among other dark wizards. Many wizard towers are hidden by the swamps, dedicated to their experiments, from curses to demons. This results in a lot of tension with the Princedom of Platinum, as some of these wizards running amock along the border is not uncommon. To avoid tensions with the Platinum Princedom, from time to time imperial authorities raid some of the most dangerous, though mostly those whose actions can actually pose a threat to Avangar, and leaving the rest alone, while acting like they take care of the border. The city of Arafú was built as a military fortress that grew into a city, though the peoples from Arafúu have more ties to the eastern provinces than to the nomadic tribes of Arafúu. 
==== Demular ====
The province of Demular is located across the western border between Avangar and the Kingdom of Poker. The region was witness to many clashes between the poker and the elyrians during the war between the two nations, especially during the first moments of the war, when the poker tried to arrive to Alga to siege it. Nowadays, Demular has been used by imperial authorities as a place to bring many non-elyrian tribes, both from the Great Swamps and form the Sitrai Martöflu archipelago, as a way to acclimatize them to elyrian culture and to the Church of Avangar. This results in the presence of a great deal of members of the church, constantly practicing public showings of adoration to Avangar and to the imperial family, in which the settlers are obligated to participate. This does not generate a particularly warm opinion on either group towards the other, but this has been justified with the need to populate the southern flank of the empire, as well as to thin the ranks of non-elyrians and to work the fertile lands of the Iebrum. The treatment of these non-elyrians, from the masking edict to the forced worship of Avangar, has resulted in some of the more aggravated groups to try to run away into Poker, and from there escape to Easter Littlestep. However, the more Avangar’s influence grows within its vassal, the harder it is for these defectors to escape, and punishment can be severe. The city of Demulandes was founded by poker troops, using it as a base of operations during the war, and was repurposed by the Church of Avangar to expand their influence over the area. As such, the place is covered in temples, statues and votive offerings, all while armed guards watch over the population. 
==== Gladabar ====
The province of Gladabar is located across the eastern border between Avangar and the Kingdom of Poker. The region saw much less fighting than the western side of the border, as the swamps were much denser over here, and still are. Gladabar was quickly settled by elyrian colonizers once the border was fully secure. It also became one of the centers of magical study in the empire, just behind Alga itself. The region is particularly notorious for attracting renegade wizards and demon summoners, which have created a strange community in the region, ranging from elyrians themselves to other groups that come from afar to study the demon summoning ways, such as drow and witchelven. There are rumors that even some gnoll mercenary groups have been seen in the region, though who they are or how they arrived there is a mystery.  Like the non-elyrian humans, the non-humans within the empire are obligated to wear the masks, on the penalty of exile and eve death if they refuse to do so. Many wizard towers have been built across the province, and the demonic experiments that come from these places have occasionally wrought havoc upon the local populations. Often enough, the Church of Avangar is in charge of bringing these summoned beings back to their realm, which has caused severe tensions between the ecclesiastical authorities and the dark wizards of the region. The city of Gladabandes was created as the capital of the province by the Church of Avangar, hoping that controlling the center of political power would give them a leg up over the demon summoners, though this does not seem to be working. 
==== Amangoves ====
The province of Amangoves is located at the northeastern river mouth of the Iebrum River. The near totality of the province is covered by massive mangrove forests, as the Iebrum Estuaries result in a great deal of sea water going inland, favoring the growth of the mangrove. Despite the attempts of both Avangar and Poker in clearing out the river mouth, the speed of the mangroves’ growth and the seasonal floods have made it impossible, and as such, few people actually live there. However, the area has a great deal of importance, as the quick growth of its trees and their natural resilience towards humidity made them perfect for the elyrian fleet. While nowadays their ships are build with wood from the Green Oak Forest, the fleet with which the invasion of the Sitrai Martöflu archipelago was made of wood from the mangroves. Amangoves is also inhabited by small tribes dedicated to fishing in the area, as the estuaries are full of banks of fish, which they can trade in the cities of the eastern shores. The city of Amangor was one of the earliest shipyards of the empire, since it received many of the engineers and craftsmen brought from Poker to work on the fleet, and since then it has grown into one of the biggest cities in the empire, with the near entirety of the population living in there. 
==== Oshores ====
The province of Oshores is located between Arafúu and Eneshores. Occupying the Northern Clean Fields, it once held many cities across the shores, established throughout a long time between the khenomeric and greater elanxan days. The annexation of these cities by Platinum was short-lived, as the terms of peace between Platinum and the elyrians granted control to the cities in the region to the latter. These cities, while not that big and populated as their northern neighbors, resisted elyrian rule, siding with the people from Tarot once the war between Avangar and Poker broke out. Despite this, the elyrian victory resulted in the Tarot army deciding to burn down the cities before leaving to keep the elyrians from controlling the eastern ports, offering safe passage to the population to the Kingdom of Tarot to protect them from elyrian retribution. Thus, most of the cities in Oshores’ coasts are of new construction, either completely new or built over the ruins of the previous cities. Very little remains of the original population, as the imperial authorities made sure that elyrians would be the dominant force in the area. Going inland, the region is covered by dense swamps, still far from the magical effects of the Tower of Eternal Fire. Thus, most of the economy is located around the coast, with many elyrians and vassal tribes working on the Clean Fields. While agriculture is not that productive compared to the territories under direct influence of the Tower of Eternal Fire, it does serve to maintain a growing population, being one of the fastest growing provinces of the empire. Unusually for Avangar, the number of wizard towers in the region is small, as imperial authority has worked behind the scenes so that no tower gains enough influence to disrupt the rich provinces of the eastern shores. The city of Oshor was notorious as the only city that was not burnt down during Tarot’s retreat, as a heavy storm saved most of the city from being engulfed by flames. While the city was still abandoned for the most part, it was safe enough to serve as the center of governance for the province, seeing as the rest of the region needed extensive rebuilding.
==== Eneshores ====
The province of Oshores is located between Oshores and Amangoves, in the eastern shores. The region held many cities of ancient origins, both from the khenomeric and the greater elanxans, though they never were as populous or as important as those south of the Iebrum or across Northern Littlestep. This area was always hostile to the elyrian takeover, and they resisted as much as possible, even when the Princedom of Platinum left the region after the peace with Avangar. Feeling betrayed by Platinum and disgusted by the barbarian elyrians, they received the armies of Tarot as liberators, and greatly helped them in their war efforts, though they could not make a difference in crossing the great swamps. After the defeat of Poker and the retreat of Tarot, the population was invited to come to Tarot to be safe from elyrian retribution. But while most of the population accepted fleeing, many decided to stay and fight the elyrians in a last stand. These battles marked the end of the war, and once the defenders lost to the elyrians, they burnt their cities to cinders themselves, martyring themselves to keep the elyrians from gaining anything substantial. The elyrians rebuilt the cities from the cinders of the old towns, and the captured prisoners were either executed or put to forced servitude until death. Nowadays, Eneshores holds some of the biggest docks of the Avangar Empire, as they were instrumental for the campaign against the Sitrai Martöflu archipelago. Eneshores holds most of the elyrian navy, as well as multiple wizard towers that train the battle wizards that serve under them. 
==== Western Stór Kartöflu ====
The province of Western Stór Kartöflu was created years after the full conquest of the island by the elyrians. The region was populated by pirates, bandits and malcontents who spent as much time fighting against each other as they did raiding sea trade. During the initial stages of the conquest, the elyrians did a lot of damage to the pirate populations and orc barbarians. From the beginning, the elyrians did not think of assimilating these groups, part due to their long history of resistance against any outsider, as part due to the wave of zealotry that washed the elyrians after Avangar’s exile into the swamps. As such, nearly all the population in the area was wiped out, with the elyrians occupying the now empty settlements. Putting the land to good use is becoming more difficult than imperial authorities expected, as beyond some areas useful for agriculture and husbandry, there does not seem to be that much of use. Even the jungles of the region are not that profitable, since the quality of the trees from Stór Kartöflu is not usable for much. Due to volcanic activity, the trees from the region grow fast but brittle, capable of reoccupying the land after a seismic or a volcanic event, though the sturdiness of the wood is not acceptable for construction beyond domestic use. The capital of Western Stór Kartöflu is the city of Inindomie, by far the oldest city in the island. Built during the khenomeric days as Inindomhket, it evolved into a pirate fort during centuries, and once the greater elanxans took over part of the island, it became their main stronghold in there as well. Inindomhket resisted the elyrian population fiercely, though a betrayal during the elyrian siege resulted in the city falling much easier than expected. Legend says that the traitors were rewarded for their service by being abandoned in the Great Swamps and left to fend to themselves on their own. 
==== Lands of the Fire Zealot Ogres ====
The Lands of the Fire Zealot Ogres is a self-ruling province located at the center of the island of Stór Kartöflu, in the most mountainous areas of the island. The zealot ogres were never truly conquered, as their resilience, knowledge of the terrain and natural resistance to magic put a stop to the elyrian advance across the island. This eventually resulted in the accords between the two factions, in which the ogres would be a self-ruled and self-governed province of Avangar, in exchange of many advantages and rewards for being part of the empire. This would work well for both parties: the elyrians gained control of most of the island, and access to horned ogres mercenaries for their armies. The ogres, on their part, gained access to a great deal of prisoners for their cannibalistic rituals, as well as other tributes, in exchange for very little, as their way of life is not that different from before the elyrian invasion. The conversion into the Cult of Avangar is a bigger point of contention, as the ogres keep fiercely to their beliefs, but so long as they worship Avangar in the most surface way, both sides are ready to sweep this matter under the rug. Most of the province is covered in jungle and mountains, with the volcano at the center spewing cinders and ashes occasionally. The only place where humans live permanently is the city of Kü, an elyrian fortress built during the invasion that was repurposed as the location where the elyrian envoys and administrators live. These individuals are in charge of keeping the different tribes of horned ogres happy, as well as keeping them at least nominally loyal to the cult of Avangar. 
==== Eastern Stór Kartöflu ====
The province of Eastern Stór Kartöflu occupies the side of the island east of the lands of the ogres. This region was the last area conquered by the elyrians during their campaign in Stór Kartöflu, and it was the easiest to conquer. With the elyrian forces already with a strong foothold on the island and the ogres pacified, there was no real obstacle for the Avangar Empire to take over the eastern region. The few human populations surrendered immediately for the most part, fearful of the consequences and being thrown into the ogres’ belly. The only resistance came from a series of orc tribes, who were slaughtered to a man to set an example. As the land had a bigger local population who surrendered, unlike in the west, the elyrians were able to quickly establish themselves using local aid. Fear for the elyrians allowed them to impose the Cult of Avangar with little fanfare, and many of the pirate towns are growing into small cities due to the elyrians. Indeed, imperial interests requires that Eastern Stór Kartöflu to be as populated as possible, since the rest of the Sitrai Martöflu archipelago is rife with pirates. Imperial authorities are building great fortresses all across the region, always watching the seas in case of raids, which are growing in frequency to the annoyance of the elyrians. In particular, the elyrian leaders utterly despise the pirates from Ils Muslík, as they not only attack with impunity due to the protection of their island, but also they were the ones who utterly defeated the by then undefeated elyrian fleet, ruining their goals of an unified Sitrai Martöflu under elyrian rule. The capital of the region is New Inindomie, as the first settlers came from the relatively recently conquered city, and as such, they changed the name of one of the local towns into New Inindomie. 
== Economy ==
The treasure vaults of Avangar are mostly filled by tributaries from the Tarot Kingdoms and the woodcutter cities, as well as taxes from the eastern part of Littlestep and the islands of Sitrai Martöflu.
Trade is minimal, and Avangar mostly buys silver and steel from the Kingdom of Silver, Elanxa and Leng, while they export coal and valuable opioids that are found in the swamp to other nations, such as Luden and Seagard.
Avangar also exploits some of the gold and copper mines that were left behind by the Beliz in the Stór Kartöflu island, reinforcing their economy even more.
== Culture ==
Before the rise of Avangar, the Elyrians that dwelled in the swamp caves and thosed that lived in the towns had distinct cultures. The former held more importance to their tribe and the traditions and worship of their old gods, as well as despising any form of magic and witchcraft. The townspeople were less hostile to foreigners, sometimes even forming trade relations with them. Traditional Elyrian garbs are long sleeved and include head veils that cover everything but the eyes - for both men and women. Those are both ceremonial and practical,as they were used for protection against the mosquito swarms.
Nowadays, however, the youth that live in Alga and the other cities don't resemble the Elyrians of the past. Most have forsaken their own gods, practice sorcery and expand their cities while not caring for the swamps they call their home. They see the past as dark times now long gone, having been absorbed in the prophecy of the Lightbringer and being addicted to their newfound glory and riches.
However, there are still the swamp tribes that have kept to their old traditions and religions. The clan of Dratko Ducha despies Avangar and his family for "killing" their gods and building their palaces and cities and drowning out their swamps. They live in the heart of the swamp and refuse to pay taxes or any kind of dilligence towards the Empire, instead partaking in smuggling activities of the "Demon's Poppy" opioid that only grows in the Elyrian swamps, despite it being considered sacred in Elyrian culture and ritual rites.
== Geography ==
The central area of Littlestep is full of bogs and marshes, which are called the Elyrian Swamps. Most of the Elyrians live around that area, with some communities living in the edges of the swamp, near the plains to the east. In the past few decades the swamps have decreased in size, with many swamps being drained in order to expand the cities and their crops. The result of this is the population of many species unique to the swamps being on the brink of extinction, their numbers reducing dramatically. On top of that, the sacred to the Elyrians "Demon's Poppy" opiod has been getting harder to harvest in big numbers, despite its demand increasing by both Elyrians and foreigners. On the far east of Littlestep there are hills that were populated by foreigners until the recent conquests, with now many Elyrians moving there, as many mines and ports have opened.
== Demographics ==
=== Elyrians ===
They make up the majority of the Empire. The ruling class, as well as the clergy and the millitary are exclusively Elyrian. They mostly live in the Elyrian swamps, with the majority living in the capital of Alga, while the cavedwellers are now few in numbers. The island of Stor Kartoflu is also majority Elyrian, and there have been many immigrating from the mainland in order to help rebuild the island's infastracture.
=== Other humans ===
Most humans that live in Avangar are to be found in Alga. Those are mostly practicers of the dark arts, such as shadowbinders, necromancers and other dastardly sorcerers. Most humans in Alga are from the Isle of Wizards, Arangea, Hithlone, Azan and Mossovy, with few coming from the east. Apart from Alga, the other swamp settlements are almost exclusively Elyrian, while the eastern parts of Littlestep and the Kingdom of Poker being populated mostly by the conquered local populace. The Belizian people of Stor Kartoflu are mostly gone, either fleeing to Vilga, or escaping to the hills that surround cannibal bay. The parts of Avangar that hold the least Elyrians are the lands of the Former Republic of Vilga - especially the island of Zeresh - as well as the middle of Stor Kartoflu island. 
=== Ogres ===
The horned variant of the Ogre live in the Sitrai Martoflu archipelago, mostly in the Stor Kartoflu hills and mountains. The middle of the island holds a large population of ogres, as many have descended from the hills in order to populated the cities that used to belong to the Beliz. They worship a corrupted version of Avangar.
=== Elves and other non humans ===
Most non humans are Witch Elves and the occasional Gnoll. Hobbits, dwarves and halflings barely have any interest in the dark arts, and as such have no interest in living in Avangar. A rare sight in the city of Alga are the nefarious Skeleton priests, disguised as humans using glamor spells. The reasons of visit are unknown, but many suspect that they are recruiting people for their dark armies, while delving even deeper in the art of necromancy. They, like the other foreign humans have to wear masks while walking outside in Avangar.
== Military ==
The millitary officers and commanders of the Avangar army are exclusively Elyrian. Some of the eastern human populations make up small numbers as infantrymen and archers. Cavalry is only now slowly getting adopted by the Elyrians, since they traditionally had little use in the swamps where they lived. Sorcerers also take an importance place, as the abundance of sorcery practicioners in Alga has filled their ranks with people that aren't afraid to exploit magic in order to kill. 
But the most important part of the Elyrian army are the Urageen - short for suicide warriors - infantrymen and the special guard of the Empire, who were the first young Elyrians who supported Avangar. They consume the "Demon's Poppy" drug that makes them absolutely fearless even in the face of certain death. Now grizzlied veterans, their skill in battle is unparalleled. The Urageen banner is enough to make people pray for mercy, from the Gnolls in the east to the Sea Elves in the far west.
== Religion ==
The Elyrians are very spiritual people, to the point of being deeply superstitious. Their religious teachings revolve around laconism and the worship of nature's spirits as well as the swamp itself, as well as several gods of the swamp, such as Velgrod and Sdy. As with many tribal people, prophecies are an integral part of their religion.
However, the average Elyrian nowadays worships their former Emperor Avangar as a God and a Messiah. Although the clergy itself recognizes the old swamp gods alongside Avangar, their worship is almost forgotten outside of the swamps themselves. The Elyrians now pray to Avangar for guidance, wealth and good health. Many warriors scream his name at the top of their lungs as they charge into battle, burning many cities in his banner, a black helmet surrounded by flames.
The opioid of "the Demon's Poppy" holds great importance in Elyrian rituals, being used by their warriors for centuries as a hallucinogenic during battles, as well as in many Elyrian dishes. In result, large part of the population has developed a mild addiction the the Demon's Poppy, while its supply has lessened due to the destruction of the swamp's habitat.
=== The Tower of the Eternal Fire ===
The Tower of the Eternal Fire is considered their holy site, built right in the center of Alga. It's guarded by the most devout Urageen and it's said that not even a god could be able to break in and extinguish the magical flame that heats the cold swamplands.
== Foreign Relations ==
=== Republic of Vilga ===
Last chronogically territory that was conquered by Avangar. Many in the Vilgan council are bribed by the Empire, while the Quamona Tong syndicate is opposed to the occupatio, constantly trying to cause provocations amongst Avangar and Vilga, as well as other foreign nations. Many temples have been built to Avangar's name, but few have converted thus far.
=== Woodcutter cities ===
The cities to the east, near the Red Lake pay tribute to Avangar, having adopted their religion. Avangar competes with the Platinum Princedom and the Orange Marquisates for control over the rest of the cities, dedicating a lot of money and manpower.
=== Platinum Princedom ===
These two nations are hostile with each other, with guards patrolling their borders, where many fortifications have been built. The Platinum Princedom is worried about Avangar's warmongering and rapid expansion and has hired Nerim mercenaries to protect their lands. The Kingdom of Silver has also allined with the Platinum Princedom. The Empire plans on retaking the entirety of the Littlestep northern coast.
=== Kingdom of Tarot ===
A war broke out between those two nations a couple of years ago, with Avangar coming victorious, gaining the Kingdom of Poker as their vassal and subjecting the Kingdom of Tarot to an expensive annual tribute. Much of their trade is controlled by Avangar, although they hope they can gain free themselves from the tribute once the war breaks out.
=== Elanxa Empire ===
The Elanxans are worried about the expansion of the Avangar Empire, although they don't think the Elyrians would try landing a force in their soil. They employ spies and agents in Vilga that push anti-Elyrian propaganda.
=== Orange Marquisates ===
The Orange marquisates are vying for the control of the woodcutter cities against Avangar, although they see their potential war with the Platinum Princedom as an financial opportunity, thinking it might increase their trade power with the northern realms. Despite that, they too have their own internal conflicts, so for the moment they aren't too busy worrying about Avangar's westward expansion.
=== Zeresh ===
Technically an Avangar territory, although a garrison isn't stationed there, just a few guards. The Quamona Tong use it as their headquarters, running a hidden smuggling operation from there.
=== Neraga ===
The Elyrians are aware of the existence of the pirate shanty town of the Dreaded Wharf there, although very few attempts have been made to cease their illegal activities, most centering around apprehending galleys that transfer contraband in Labyrinth Bay. The pirates and smugglers of Dreaded Wharf are of split opinion when it comes to Avangar, some seeing the upcoming war as a hinderance to their operations, while others seeing profit in supplying the winning side.
=== Tower of Insanity ===
Technically part of the empire, although no one has stationed or landed there, since local superstition of the haunted tower is still going strong.
=== Kunt ===
Avangar has been aware of the Pirate Temple's existence for a long time, although their activities mostly concern the eastern seas, with few raids conducted around the labyrinth bay. The Elyrians have rejected the idea of taking control of the island, as an assault or even a naval siege would cost too many men that are needed elsewhere.
=== Blackstone Prison Islands ===
The prisoners often taken by the demonic wardens from the Avangar prisons are mostly petty thiefs and murderers, while other nations give up necromancers and other dark arts practicioners. Many of Avangar's officers are trying to find a way to apprehend the ships that carry these valuable prisoners to the prison, although dealing with the Wardens' fury does not seem like a very attractive option.
Category:Nations
Category:Littlestep