Kingdom of Asteria

The **Kingdom of Asteria** is a High Elven realm with dominion over the **Asterian Isles** (otherwise called the **Starry Isles**), an archipelago found in the Eltheric Ocean north-west of the greater Summerset Isles.

## Islands

* **Feranor:** One of the northern islands, Feranor once accommodated the second largest city in the Asterian Isles (and its most thriving port). During invasion of 2E 508, the island was conquered and desecrated by the Sload. The Star Council ordered the vacation and razing of Feranor - decreeing one hundred years of quarantine and purification.
* **Ilumos:** A haven for erudition, the island of Ilumos is home to the prestigious School of Ilumos. The smallest of the Asterian Isles, Ilumos is entirely occupied by school buildings and grounds. Its library is one of Tamriel's greatest repositories of lore.
* **Sirelis:** Found in the south-east of the archipelago, Sirelis is one of *The Tears*. It is famous for its wine-making, producing a popular enchanted sweet wine. Lord Mirano owns large estates throughout the island.

## Government

Since its colonisation in ancient times, the Asterian Isles has been ruled by the House of Orendir - a dynasty descending from the first King of Asteria (see *Orendir*). Whilst the King or Queen theoretically wields autocratic power, the monarch has by long tradition been (often reluctantly) secluded from the outside world. This has significantly impaired the monarch's ability to rule the kingdom independently.

Governance of the realm is thus overseen by the Star Council, an illustrious body of advisers and ministers. Presiding over this council is the Archon - the prime minister - who essentially functions as regent or an *alter rex*. The purpose of the Star Council is to relay the events pertaining to the kingdom and to execute the monarch's decrees. In reality, however, this amounts to the selective divulgence of news and the liberal interpretation of royal orders.

## Nobility

Unlike elsewhere in Tamriel, Asterian nobility is not bound to land. Instead, status is determined by lineage and pedigree. There are numerous ***bloodlines*** in the realm, whose progenitors were the companions of the first King Orendir in ancient times. Almost all High Elven inhabitants of the Isles belong to a bloodline, and thus owe their fidelity to a ***Lord*** or ***Lady***.

Leadership of a bloodline is determined by ***proximity of blood*** - a principle of seniority whereby elder generations are favoured over conventional hereditary succession. A a Lord or Lady's younger siblings succeed in order of age (regardless of gender) before passing to the Lord and Lady's children (whose own children are displaced by the Lord or Lady's younger sibling's children). Thus, at any given time, a Lord or Lady is the closest in *proximity of blood* to the bloodline's progenitor.

## **Religion**

The High Elves of Asteria are religiously alike to their kindred in the Summerset Isles. Auri-El, Magnus, Mara, Phynaster, Stendarr, Syrabane, Trinimac, Xarxes and Y'ffre are worshipped throughout the Starry Isles.

The apotheosis of Orendir, however, is unique to Asteria. He is worshipped as the progenitor of the Kings and Queens of Asteria; observing the Altmeri tradition of venerating the ancestors of their betters. Importantly, Asterian doctrine stipulates that the essence of Orendir abides within the reigning monarch, through the consumption of their predecessor's ashes (a tradition initiated by Orendir's immediate successor). Thus to become the King or Queen of Asteria is not merely a claim to majesty, but also to divinity. The sanctitude of the monarch serves as the rationale for their confinement in the royal palace.

Of the many religious orders in the Asterian Isles, none is more influential than the Cult of Orendir.

*Unfinished*

## **Education**

The island of Ilumos is home to the eminent School of Ilumos. Established during the early colonisation of the Asterian Isles in ancient times, the excellence of the school is maintained by its stringent entry requirements. Only those of distinguished pedigree or exceptional aptitude are deemed worthy of matriculation. The scholars of Ilumos edify their students in diverse subjects, including philosophy, theology, law, mathematics, history, astrology and magic.

Study at the School of Ilumos is regarded by many as a *rite de passage* for Asterian elites: a testament to the reverence the school and its teachers command.

*Unfinished*