The Duchy of Soreusia

The realm of the dragonlords, where elves and their kin serve and fight alongside the timeless Dragonflights. This land was largely depopulated when Marolian explorers made their way through the densely foliaged valleys and into the wider landscape. They discovered a land of ancient trees, tall spires and cliffs of rock amidst vast waterways. It was here too, that the three Dragonflights found their ancestral home, for whilst individual dragons made their nests the world over, here they lived together in understanding and harmony with each other.

Mortals settling in these lands did not come easy, the landscape was ill suited for farmland and even if they were able to clear and till the land often the threat of dragons driving them from their new homes was a constant looming threat. Yet still the elves sent their people into these dangerous lands, for the rich metals and strong trees were well worth the cost in the homelands eyes.

It has been argued that if the state of things had continued it would have eventually led to a war between elven and dragon kind, for the new settlers found only too late that instead of simple minded beasts the dragons were highly intelligent creatures. Had it not been for the discovery of the draconic language that allowed true communication between the races the mortals of Marolia may have never learned of the hierarchy of the Dragonflights, nor learned to coexist with their neighbours. For the dragons did not complain at these new people living in their lands, simply they took issue with the desecration of their homes, the greed and hunger for the jewels of the earth and giving nothing back.

The Marolians of the Soreusian province began to work alongside the dragons, cautiously at first but with a growing trust over the generations. Nothing was allowed to leave the valleys without first being offered in tribute to the dragons who had first laid claim to it. People were permitted to settle, plant crops and establish villages, on the condition that they would plant an equal measure of nature to replace what was lost. The races of mortal and dragon began to coexist and even intermingle, bringing forth the Dragonborn.

This state of affairs continued for centuries, with the mortals and dragons becoming ever closer with each new generation. Cults that worshiped the dragons began to spring up, the practice of druidism became deeply revered as it enforced the dragons laws and working with their allies new techniques to guard their realm were invented and perfected. It was a true and simple peace and coexistence unlike any in the world and it was one that Marolia eyed hungrily. The magisters of the homeland could not abide a power existing in their lands and so tried to increasingly control their domination of the winding valleys.

Perhaps they might have succeeded in increasing their influence had it not been for the Proctor of the province, a proud member of the dragon cults and due to his position as close confidant and aide to the Golden King Has'kora'nezar. In an unprecedented move, for the first time dragons willingly allowed mortals to ride upon their backs and when the declaration of independence was made it was made with fire and ice, acid and rock, fury and steel. Elf clashed against elf, skyships burned and tumbled from the sky. The War of the Scale lasted only two weeks before the home isle recalled all forces. Marolia officially refuses to acknowledge the conflict but for Soreusia, they were finally free to live in harmony with their dragon masters, a new dynamic having been formed.

In recent years the Soreusians have grown steadily more and more vocal in support of other breakaway states from Marolia, being uneasy trading partners with distant Sland and providing training and refuge for the groups that would eventually go on to lead the Utveremian Uprising. Most shockingly however, Has'kora'nezar has declared that all Marolians must return beyond the valleys and all ties severed with the old homeland of the elves. Many now fear if the Dragonflights are preparing for a second war now that the ancient realm is crumbling, and perhaps they did not forgive those ancient settlers as quickly as they say.