Eternal Matriarchy of Dryadia

The **Eternal** **Matriarchy of Dryadia** is the oldest remaining nation state on the continent of Elyria, having been founded at the end of the First Age following the fall of the Triumvirate of Beleg'Bar, often titled the End of all Beauty. It sits at latitudes between 50-60° south of the equator and is dominated by a subarctic continental climate. The Matriarchy is governed by the **Eternal Queen Asalre Ashreeh** ever since it's inception, the (likely) last remaining Immortal of Elyria.

## **Geography**

Dryadia reaches from the dead forest of Qualin Delu of the south to the Irissian Sands to the west, the Damal Desert to the north and the Romen coast bordering the Varusian Ocean.

### **Elwenya**

→ *Main article: Elwenya.*

Located to the center-east of Dryadia, Elwenya encompases many of the country's major population hot spots, including the capital city.

* **Ira Serin:** The 'Elder City' is a marvel of archectural ingenuity that was reconstructed after being razed by Laghan hordes during the Age of Devastation. It is considered to be the most beautiful and pure city on Elyria and is amongst the oldest settlements of the continent. Ira Serin is the capital of Dryadia with the Eternal Queen's palace being located here. The city is located at the end of a peninsula that borders the Lake of Sva Tirion, which is protected by heavy fortifications intended to prevented a second fall of the Elder City.
* **Ofvaneas:** Ofvaneas is a city that the Dryadians protect and treasure greatly, for an unknown reason. Theories include that the resources needed to keep the forests of Dryadia alive despite the influence of the South are produced here, or that it serves as some sort of tether to the Feywild and thus the Summer Queen.
* **Elunore:** Elunore is a Dryadian city on the northern bank of Isolviu, which for most of Dryadia's history served as a trading hub between northern nation and city-states. With the rise of the Empire, it's importance has diminished greatly. In the New Age, Elunore is but a shadow of it's former greatness and serves as the primary grounds where the Dryadian legions are trained.
* **Wall of Dryadia:** The wall of Dryadia marks the nation's northern border with the Vurolingian Empire. It was completed during the fifth century of the New Age, following greatly deteriorated relations with the Empire.

### **Rómen**

→ *Main article: Rómen.*

Rómen is situated on the Varusian coast of Dryadia, to the northeast of Ira Serin. It also borders the Afarian desert to the north and is the closest region to the Republic of Afari. The region is the homeland of the Drowadian people, who have inhabited these lands beginning in the Primordial Age. Near zero Drowadians remain there in the New Age, being hunted ruthlessly by the Dryadians.

* **Thelm Dorei:** Thelm Dorei is the longest permanently inhabited settlement of the known world, having survived the many incursions of the Laghan hordes. It seems to even have, in part, survived the Age of Devastation and the many wars that led to the end of all the old empires. The city is situated in the Afarian Desert and houses important quarries and mines that excavate precious materials. Of particular note is one of the last remaining Mithril mines which is used to arm the Dryadian Legions. During the time of the Triumvirate, Thelm Dorei was the hearth of Drowadian culture and society.
* **Lam Alora:** Lam Alora ('Port of the East') is a city located several hundred kilometers inland from the Varusian coast. Despite this, it is the closest major Dryadian settlement to the Varusian Ocean and serves as the central trading hub with the Commonwealth and the Republic. It is of particular importance as both a trading city and a military garrison because it lies on the Rómei River which connects the Varusian Ocean and Sva Tirion (where Ira Serin lies).

### **Endaya**

→ *Main article: Endaya.*

Endaya comprises a large section of the central forests of Dryadia and much of it is only inhabited by tribes of Lower Dryads. It is located to the south of the Damal Desert, although the desert is commonly considered to be part of the greater region of Endaya.

* **Neldië Minassë:** The 'Origin of Three Blades' is an ancient Dryadian settlement. Legend says that the three Blades of Infinity were embued with divine powers here. Thus Neldië Minassë is a central location to the Dryadian faith, covered with temples and shrines.
* **Ondosto:** Ondosto is a city within a massive fortress at the southern end of the Pass of Wedemund, which seperates the Vurolingian Empire and the Matriarchy. It spans the entire pass, and massive slave-powered mines operate within the adjacent mountains. Thereby the city is central to the Dryadian war machine and general economy, in providing valuable ores and resources that drive much of the nation.
* **Damal Desert:** The Damal Desert lies in the rain shadow of the southern Amarantine Alps, leading to a very dry and cold climate. The desert is famous for the Damal Tigers which are larger and more lethal than the tigers of the north. Over the centuries, the Dryadians have managed to tame a breed of these tigers, which make up a part of the contemporary Dryadian legions.

### **Amanandúna**

→ *Main article: Amanandúna.*

Amanandúna lies at the northwestern edge of Dryadia and enjoys the warmest climates of all it's regions. It borders the Tal'Teza Sea, although no major settlements lie near the coast nor employ fishing due to the dangers of those waters. The region is native to the Amanwise Halflings, who enjoy special privileges amongst non-elven ancestries within Dryadia, due to their Fey origins.

* **Enrendell:** Said to be the birthplace of the Amanwise halflings, Enrendell is a secret city on the southern side of the Amaranthine Alps. It's precise location is not known by any outsiders, according to rumors even uninvited Dryadians.
* **Dark Passage:** The Dark Passage lies at the very tip of what is commonly considered the area formally occupied by Dryadia. It seems to lead to the Underdark, although the passage is by a fast flowing river. The journey is said to be very dangerous and few travellers ever return.

### **Irissia**

→ *Main article: Irissia.*

Irissia is located to the far west of modern Dryadia, adjacent to the Tal'Teza Sea. Originally the homelands of the Firbolgs, it was brutally conquered during the Second Age and integrated into the Matriarchy. The river Olos flows through the southern parts of Irissia before exiting into the ocean.

* **Elanora:** Elanora is the ancient capital city of the Irissian Firbolgs and was once amongst the greatest cities of Elyria. When it was conquered by the Dryadians, it diminished greatly in size and remains only a shadow of it's former self by the time of the New Age. Still, it remains an important settlement as it is the only Dryadian one on the western coasts.
* **Irissian Sands:** The Irissian Sands spans a massive 700,000 square kilometers, lying in the rain shadow of the monstrous Irissian Alps. Although evidence of previous inhabitants are coming to light by Dryadian archaeologists, nothing specific is known within the northern nations.
* **Irissian Alps:** The Irissian Alps rise very tall, with Mt Efarius's peak reaching over 8 kilometers above the sea level. This has lead to a significant rain shadow causing the large desert of Irissia.The highest peaks of the mountains are said to be inhabited by the Goliaths which migrated here in mass during the Second Age.
* **Isles of Irissia:** Four major isles and several dozen smaller ones mark the western sea off Irissia. They are difficult to reach due to the unpredictable nature of the Tal'Teza Sea and are said to be inhabited by the remaining Firbolgs that survived the purge of their kind on the mainland.

### **Qualin Delu**

→ *Main article: Qualin Delu.*

The dead forest is an enormous forest that seperates Dryadia from the Laghan Plains. It was once alive and part of the forests of Dryadia but was corrupted by the power of the South and is now a domain of dread and undead. It is very dangerous to travel through Qualin Delu unprepared, as the land itself desires to hold you back and prevent your passage.

This barrier has long served as a protective barrier between Dryadia and the Khaganates of the south, though according to recent rumors the Laghan orcs seem to have found a way of passage through.

## **Politics**

### **Eternal Queen**

The Eternal Queen Asalre Ashreeh has ruled Dryadia ever since it's foundation. According to Dryadian scholars she is a descendant of the Summer Queen Titania and thus granted a divine right to rule. She is an Immortal, possibly the last surviving one, due to the Blade of Eternity that she wields (one of the three Infinity Blades).

Historially, the Eternal Queen has not shied away from leading the Dryadian Legions. She is commonly considered to be the most dangerous duelist and the greatest military strategist on Elyria, and this for more than four millenias. She has slain at least two Immortals in personal combat, and even shot a Vurolingian Emperor but less than a hundred years ago with her Dryadian longbow.

## **Social Structure**

Dryadian society is organized in a rigid caste system, whereby one's ancestry and born gender define one's class and social capabilities.

### **Ancestral Roles**

 Lower Dryad
 Amanwise Halflings
 Everyone Else

### **Gender Roles**

In Dryadian society, traditional gender roles define the expectations for men and women. These are tied to the Creed of Titania.

## **Religion**

Dryadian theology revolves around the Summer Queen of the Feywild, Titania. Other names for Titania include the Faerie Queen and the Queen of Light.

### **Creed of Titania**

The Creed of Titania is a holy book that was supposedly passed onto the Eternal Queen by the Faerie Queen herself, sometime during the Blood War. Ever since, Dryadians and other citizens of Dryadia have followed the guidlines and rules presented within it.

Whilst the Creed contains too much information to be presented here in full, below are some important aspects.