Empire of the Elves

The Empire of the Elves, or the Elven Empire, otherwise known as the Alvyri Vandryl by the elves, was an empire formed in the lands of Arcadia during the waning years of the Era of Discord. 
It was founded by the elves of Elyn Vandryl and at its height grew to encompass most of the continent. The empire was effectively destroyed as a consequence of the Binding, though many successor kingdoms were formed within the lands left vacant by its absence. Notably, these states included the Kingdom of Yndria.
== History ==
=== Elyn Vandryl ===
The city of Elyn Vandryl, which would eventually come to be known as Londorwyn, was located on on the eastern shores of the Meire Hethynama, or the Sea of Life. Folklore later passed on from these ancient years told the legend of the elven god Eren, who created the Arcadian archipelago as a home for their fledgling race.
Scraps of lore that survived the period included mention of the first elven ruler, a semi-mythical figure known as Aeranar. A natural leader, under his reign the elves would expand the borders of their forest city to encompass the surrounding regions. He would rule for at least two centuries, though specific information about his demise did not survive into the Common Era. Following his death, the elves would neglect to choose a successor, instead organising into ruling councils of powerful elves collectively known as moots.
 At this time, around two centuries before the end of the Era of Discord, an influential noble named Lathiel Gelirion would spearhead the industrialisation of Elyn Vandryl, outlining plans for the construction of a great city. It was proposed to be built over the foundations of Elyn Vandryl. She would later gain the popular support of her people and declare the formation of the empire with herself at its centre.
=== Londorwyn and Agaroth ===
Even in its infancy, the construction of the city faced many problems. Despite her initial popularity, the newly-crowned empress soon faced opposition to her plans. After a period of strife, many nobles would be forced to contribute to its construction, but further disruptions throughout the period ensured that the city would not be completed until centuries later. At this time, during the construction of their city, the elves would discover the metal moonsilver, a shining metal that was reputed to have anti-magical properties.
In 178 D.E, patrols off the western heartland met for the first time with humans of the Kingdom of Agaroth. In the bloody struggle that ensued, prisoners were captured and sent back to the heart of the empire. Alarmed by the prospect of a potentially hostile race on her border, Empress Lathiel mustered a large force of warriors, the first of its kind, and marched against the Anari civilisation in a war that would later be known as the War of Ashes.
Following the signing of the Ionna CyIaeva at the end of the war, the Kingdom of Agaroth would be subsumed by the empire. Its human inhabitants were often subject to cruel and punitive governance under successive elven lords. Many would later leave their homeland to live across the lands of the empire, most notably in the region of Taervyran, which then encompassed the lands of what would come to be known as Amareth. Centuries later, during the waning years of the empire, they would grow to be accepted among the native elven population. 
=== Years of Blood ===
During the early years of the Arcane Era, the construction of Londorwyn was completed. The city was grand, finished in white domes and spires of marble and trimmed in glimmering moonsilver. At the time, it was home to a teeming population of humans and elves. Its position at the heart of the empire ensured its regional importance as a centre of trade. The wealth and opulent lifestyle of its inhabitants was so notable that it was later recorded by elven architects in golden bas-reliefs throughout the city. Some rare examples of these survived the fall of the empire, and could be found adorning its surviving structures, telling the story of the golden city destined to be the centre of the world.
Although some elves had always opposed the industrialisation of their native homeland, even more saw the marble city as a cultural blemish. For many, its completion was symbolic of the near-total destruction of their native forests. Many families fled the empire in favour of other lands. These groups included the elves that would later found the city of Elyn Vyr in Asevia, as well as the elves that would form Elyn Estel in the Astran Isles. Other families later followed, including the elves that would settle in Elyn Anore, in the Medolan Isles. 
During this time, the Wayseer Order would be guided by their god to begin the construction of many structures across the Arcadian heartlands. Unsupported by the imperial houses, they often clashed with local nobility in their attempts to erect towers, settlements and other seemingly random structures. The most notable of these structures included the Freehold of Ryn, which contained the holy artifacts that would later aid Emryn Ashbury, Cuthwin Tiller and Árvakr Alfarrsson during the Heartstone Crisis. 
Before the end of the century in 274 A.E, during the reign of the Emperor Talaron I, the Order of Wayseers would foretell the arrival of the great dragon Valumeon, and the birth of an Everchosen sent to defeat him. He first appeared in the Kingdom of Calavyr sometime around 301 A.E, leaving a path of destruction in his wake. The famous Halls of Calavyr would later become his island lair. Despite multiple expeditions to reclaim the island by imperial forces, the black dragon would ward off all attempts at recapture. Three years later, a nameless elven warrior known as the Weeping Knight was sent by the emperor to meet Valumeon in combat. Wielding with the ancient phoenix spear of the Anari kings, he vanquished the black dragon before vanishing into obscurity in the following years. 
=== The Fall of the Empire ===
In 376 A.E, following the death of the Emperor Talaron I with no direct heir, the imperial council convened to choose a new ruler from the nobility. A hot-blooded scion of the line of Vorosaer was seen as the favourable choice, and in the following year Emperor Amras was crowned. In the following years, he would consolidate his power in the upper echelons of society and gain widespread support among his populace.
In 378 A.E, after the sighting of the great Mordant dragon Terminth, the emperor summoned the greatest heroes of the empire, in order to capture and seal away the great creature. Driven by his lust for power and dissatisfied by his mortality, the emperor worked in secret to devise a plan to steal the latent power found within the dragon's soul. He soon found himself courted by a mysterious individual who later revealed himself as the Archangel Netheriel. Under the influence of his celestial benefactor, the emperor called a force of great minds and mages to his capital. Approximately two-hundred figures from various races came together from all corners of the realm in order to lend their magical prowess to the final incantation.
Thusly in 381 A.E, following the Fire Ritual of Londorwyn, the Empire of the Elves was effectively dissolved, all life within its heartland territories having been wiped out overnight. Its vacant shores would remain lifeless for centuries. They would not be colonised again until the Blessed Era, after the formation of the Empire of Ivyrl.Category:Browse