Aldara’s Reach

Aldara’s Reach is a remnant state of Elzarrike from Uruldu, containing three of Elzarrike former tribes, the Elzar, Bouzari and Ponzeri. These three split up further into seven tribes, and reformed religiously and politically.

### **History**

#### Uruldu

Before the end of it, Uruldu had a rich history and was the homeland of Elzarrike and Aldara as an extension. Elzarrike, after forming over a period of over a hundred years, united with many of their neighbours, and often played second fiddle to nations like Hanvis, Onytheia, and Haturel. Shortly after Haturel formed, however, Uruldu fell into chaos, and Elzarrike and their five original tribes, the Elzar, Bouzari, Fareilli, Torhaz, and Ponzeri, fled across the Primordial Ocean.

#### The Great Journey

After the Great Disaster, the five tribes of Elzarrike, Torhaz, Ponzeri, Fareilli, Bouzari, and the ruling tribe, Elzar, piled onto ships to escape the disaster across the Primordial Sea. They sailed for many years until they reached Asselia, stopping at a few small islands but otherwise we’re at sea for a very long time. They had many misadventures along the way, but here we will only the major events.

The Aldaran tribes met up with the Varshaelans, a sea-faring elven people, 12 years after Uruldu was destroyed (AU). They befriended the Elzar, and became the sixth tribe of Elzarrike. They also brought their religion, Aldarism, from which Aldara gets it’s name, and which many Aldarans converted to.

The Aldarans fought a brief war with pirates, culminating in the destruction of the pirate crews. The Aldarans find much food and gold aboard the ships, and continue on their way.

In 35AU the Zeryl tribe was recognized as a separate group from the Bouzari and Torhaz tribes, bringing the total up to seven.

Around 40 AU, the group became divided into two groups: the Aldarans, believing that the old system was flawed and Elzarrike had to adapted to survive, and the Toreillis, who believed the opposite. Halfway to Asselia, conflict broke out, and the Oceanic War began, with the two sides making desperate maneuvers to try and gain control of Elzarrike. Two years later, the Aldarans were victorious, and the Toreilli were exiled to three ships and sent away. A small remnant group of the two was renamed the Farhaz, and became one tribe together, lowering the number back down to six.

In 45AU the Neryz arrived at the fleet and befriended the Ponzeri. When the Asir, Numara Yulen, found out, she ordered them removed from the fleet, but protests from the Elzar, Varshaela, and Ponzeri pressured her to allow them to stay, bringing the number of tribes back up to seven.

In 63AU a plague was unleashed by unknown forces into the Ponzeri ranks. The plague, known as the Pothona plague, spread across the whole tribe, but, not being lethal, came as a blessing, giving the Ponzeri and a few Neryz who were quarantined with them better senses, and with the disease persisting but not being contagious anymore, aswell as being hereditary, this gift is still found in Ponzeri today.

In 73AU the Bouzari changed their name to Bowman, recognizing a large drift away from their old culture by taking up a new name and flag.

By 98AU the Aldarans finally spotted the western coast of Asselia, and settled down in the Bay of Aldar.

### Government

Aldara follows the principle that only the strong survive. Therefore, the government is run by a single man, the Asir. The Asir is supported by seven Jiri, leaders of Aldara's seven tribes.

Each of these positions may be challenged by another in the tribe of the Jiri, or any Jiri for the Asir. A formal event takes place where the two duel with equal equiptment, decided by the defender. The location is decided by the challenger.

### Cultures and Tribes

Aldara is made up of seven tribes, descended from the three original tribes of Elzar, Bouzari, and Ponzeri, aswell as the Farhaz, the remnants of the Torhaz and Fareilli tribes.

##### Varshaela

The Varshaela are not native to the original Elzarrike, and met up with the fleets of the refugees a decade after they set sail. These people are elven in nature, and are closely linked witht he supernatural. They taught the Aldarans their religion that they follow. The Asir, Aethariel, is from the Varshaelan tribe.

##### Elzar

The Elzar were the founding state of the original Elzarrike, and are still often defaulted to as the leader when one or more tribes have a dispute. They still hold their warrior values closely, and are devout followers of Aldara. They are close friends with the Varshaela. The current Asir, Aethariel, is thought to have some Elzar blood.

##### Bowtan

The Bowtan are light-skinned, ginger haired Aldarans descended from the Bouzari. They have departed far from their original roots, and no longer have a love of the sea. Instead, they are found of the earth and the species of flora and fauna that live on it, a feeling they share with the Varshaela.

##### Zeryl

The Zeryl are a dark-haired people with light, almost pale skin, descended from both the Torhaz and the Bouzari. After the journey began, many Torhaz and Bouzari intermarried, forming a unique culture over the course of the trip. They love nature, as the Bouzari, but are fonder of the trees and plant life over the animal life. They are often called the last true Torhaz people.

##### Farhaz

The Farhaz are descended from the Torhaz and Fareilli tribes, most of which betrayed Aldara and were exiled, which has given them a bad reputation. They have monchrome hair colours and pale, almost gray skin. The Fareilli side shows more than the Torhaz, which is often why the Zeryl are called the true Torhaz. The Fareilli love the mountain peaks and the caves down below.

##### Ponzeri

The Ponzeri are descended from the original Ponzeri that roamed the plains that share their name back in Uruldu. They have a darker skin from being out in the sun so much out in the plains. They are great with horses and other steeds, and most of Aldara's cavalry force is from here. During the trip, a strange, non-lethal sickness struck the people, and they were quarantines off. The disease, known as Pothanan Plague, was highly contagious, but only for a short period after a victim gets the disease. This causes mild headaches, but enhances the victims senses. The disease is hereditary, and lasts until the victim dies. This gave the Ponzeri a small advantage over other races.

##### Neryz

The Neryz, like the Varshaela, are not native to Elzarrike, and also joined them during their journey across the Primordial Sea. They have a bluish skin, for reasons they will not share, and have a love of the sea. They joined the group 45 years after Uruldu was destroyed, and befriended the Ponzeri. When the Asir found out that a group had snuck into the fleet, she ordered them expelled, but protests from Elzar, Ponzeri, and the Varshaela caused her to rescind the decision.

### Religion

The Aldara follow the religion Aldarism, which believes in a powerful goddess of stars, Aldara, who cares for the people of Uruldu and Asselia aswell as any other peoples that inhabit the multiverse. She has two servants, who are essentially lesser gods: the sun wolf, Sarvan, and the moon wolf, Malon. Sarvan embodies strength and discipline, while Malon embodies freedom and a bit more dexterity, but still strength, as that is the Aldaran's core principle.

As for us on the ground, it is believed that Aldara often sends blessing upon her chosen, which come in a variety of supernatural powers, such as speed, animalist features, or even magic in some rare cases. Sarvan and Malon also often give blessings, with Malon often giving a lycanthropy of sorts, and Sarvan giving healing and guidance. When a follower of Aldara dies, they join the stars above, where all Aldarists live together in harmony. It is unknown what happens to unbelievers.