Alevarian Dominions

Gollan

Thurshik

The **Alevarian Dominions** are the territories under suzerainty of the Alevarian Empire. The Empire was, according to legend, founded in 357 BR (year 1 in the Alevarian Calendar), by Elarion-Feyume I, the grandson of Iroxi Feysemeos - the First Elf and eldest son of Iakosa, the Queen Mother of the Alevarians (Elves).

The Empire is ruled by the High Elves, with semi-autonomous territories for the homelands of the Orcs (Thurshald), Firbolgs (Bolga), Gols (Golla), and Wood Elves (Oihan).

## Geography

### Alevaria

Alevaria is the core of the Empire and is ruled directly by the Emperor. Various noble houses rule over vast estates and act mostly autonomously with their rule. All High Elves are considered "nobility" and will belong to a noble house. There are around 130 "Major" houses (with the family head holding the rank of *Salar* or *Jaunari*) and around 700 "Minor" houses (with the family head holding the rank of *Buru* or *Zaldun*). The most prominent houses are House Feyume (the Imperial family), House Mandanari, House Kesteva, and House Arista.

### Oihan

Oihan is considered a part of the Empire itself, as opposed to a Dominion. It is the homeland of the Wood Elves (Nekazari). The region is also home to some of the minor Alevarian houses as well. The Wood Elves differ very little from their ruling cousins, but are considered to be those who have "fallen from grace" in the eyes of the Fey. An Alevarian house that has its nobility "forfeited" will no longer be considered true High Elves, and their descendents will be considered *Nekazari*. Oihan lacks central governance, with the estates of the Alevarian houses present being ruled by Alevarian law and the rest being left to "Natural Law" - that of the Wood Elves. Imperial and Estate law supersede that of Natural Law.

### Thurshald

The Orcs of Thurshald were the first to be subjugated by the Alevarians, around 600 AR. They were given self-governance as a Dominion around 150 years later. Thurshald is the only Dominion not to have the position of Justiciar, it was abolished 200 years ago. The Orcs are ruled under a tribal system - with each tribe ruled by a "Chief" or "Vek", with a "King" or "Batz-Vek" (something that did not exist until Alevarian domination) acting as the ruler of Thurshald. The current Batz-Vek is Magdos III.

### Bolga

The Firbolgs of Bolga were conquered in 1368 AR. A pastoral and peaceful race, the Firbolgs were easily kept under the heel of the Emperor and are often put to work as scribes, farmers, and cooks. Their connection with nature and natural magic makes them ideal for these roles. Bolga is semi-autonomous, with a Firbolg Minister working alongside an Imperial Justiciar to administer the dominion.

### Golla

The Gols were partially conquered around the time of Bolga's fall to the Empire, but the independent Gol tribes managed to stave off Imperial attempts of their family homes for many years. Eventually, a devastating plague wiped out many in the 24th century and, in 2415, they signed a treaty with the Alevarians. They are ruled by a High Chief (an ancient Gollan custom) as well as an Imperial Justiciar. They are cousins of the Firbolgs, but are a far more martial race.

## Government

The Empire is an absolute monarchy. No political parties or national elections are permitted.

In the absence of national elections and political parties, politics in Saudi Arabia takes place in two distinct arenas: within the imperial family, House Feyume, and between the imperial family and the rest of Alevarian society. Outside of the Feyume, participation in the Imperial political process is limited to a relatively small segment of the population and takes the form of the imperial family consulting with the Salar-ranked houses, justiciars and members of regionally important houses on major decisions.

By custom, all males of full age (50 years old) have a right to petition the Emperor directly through the traditional court meeting known as the *Auzitea*. Family identity remains strong and, outside of the imperial family, political influence is frequently determined by House affiliation, with Salars and Jaunaris maintaining a considerable degree of influence over local and national events.

The Emperor is assisted in the facilitation of his rule by the Senate (*Kotzeas*) - a hand picked delegation of nobles, usually from direct vassals of House Feyume. These senators lack any legislative power, but are able to hold the Emperor's ear more effectively than other nobles.

### Religion

Religion is intertwined with governance in the Empire. Elves practice a form of worship known as *Sineskera*. It combines elements of ancestral worship and a loose pantheon of Archfey to which they pledge fidelity. Clerics are able to derive divine power from these spirits and Fey ancestors and Paladins often seek to embody the paragons of virtue set by the Heroic founders of many of the Noble Houses.

The Emperor is seen as both the temporal leader of the Empire as well its spiritual head as the scion of Iroxi Feysemeos, the First Elf and eldest child of Iakosa - the Queen Mother of the Elves. He is able to wield immense power draw immense power from his bloodline.

The focus of worship are the Fey, who live "beyond the Pale" in Erdi, the otherworld. The Fey are the ultimate ancestors of the Alevarians and they believe that when they die they will be returned to Erdi where they will be reborn as Eladrin, children of the Fey. Heroes and Paragons (as well as deceased Emperors) are believed to be reborn as Fey themselves and are worshipped accordingly.

#### Archfey

Whilst there are hundreds of archfey who live beyond the Pale in Erdi, there are a handful of prominent ones whose worship is widespread throughout the Empire:

* Iakosa, Queen Mother of the Elves - the Patron of the Alevarians and the ancestor of House Feyume. Widely venerated.
* Leta, the Steward - she is associated with Bees and is considered their creator. Honey and honeywine is considered a sacred drink to many Alevarians.
* Kulxedros, the Prince of Fools - Iakosa's half-brother who will torment sinful elves and takes their souls to live on the barren island of Xembor.
* Solonor, the Hunter - the brother of Prenez. Worshipped by those who hunt. Often given offerings before a difficult journey through dangerous terrain.
* Prenez, the Gardener - the sister of Solonor. Along with her brother she is a popular deity to worship for the Wood Elves.
* Sabaxias, the General - an Archfey patron of war. She is the ultimate paragon of strategy, valour and victory. She is the mother of Neto and Verab.
* Neto, the Warrior - the son of Sabaxias and half-brother of Verab. He embodies the individual glory and valour of combat.
* Verab, the reaver - the son of Kulxedros and Sabaxias. He is seen as representing the savagery of war. He is given offerings to keep him away (though some do worship him directly).
* Lentzero, the Manic - son of Kulxedros and a mortal woman, said to be "lost" to the mortal world.