The Co-Principality of Silith Istil

## The Vale of Starlight

**About**: The youngest country on Alden Rhun but also one of the most powerful, Silith Istil is the pinnacle of human ingenuity and Elven esotericism. Despite the country's small size, it is abundant in vast mineral wealth, particularly platinum and the coveted material known as Mithril, major boons that have contributed to Silith Istil having the highest standard of living on the continent. It is a place that the traditionally alienated have come to flourish in, boasting the largest community of Half-Elves as well as entire towns built by Halflings and Gnomes. Valians can be a tad haughty and arrogant because they believe their ways are the best ways, but they are dutiful, creative, and accepting of those who don't always fit the mold. While their military is similarly small, the Silithar Knights are the envy of the entire world, professional warrior-mages sent to every corner of the continent on peace-keeping missions as requested by other countries.

**Capital**: Silith Istil City - *Even by the standards of great kingdoms, Silith Istil City is a modern marvel, boasting the second highest wall in the world next to Iomedae's Curtain. It covers an enormous land area and contains every imaginable comfort the civilized world has to offer. From the modest and charming Angatarn District to the lavish Ilvaran District with its many parks, hunger is a rarity, and security in abundance thanks to a city guard made up of trained full-time lawmen.*

**Government**: Co-Principality

**Military Type:** Defensive

**Rulers**: King Arthfael Claddagh, Queen Duathawen Iavathrond

**State Religion**: Desnian (Worship of Desna, Goddess of the Night Sky and Travel)

* Desna is the patron goddess of Silith Istil and whose holidays are observed with spirited pageantry.
* Other large religions in Silith Istil are those of Iomedae, Cayden Cailean, Sarenrae, and Shelyn, though Erastil, Pharasma, and Nethys also have followings of note.
* Outlawed faiths in Silith Istil comprise the lords of darkness and war such as Norgorber, Lamashtu, Zon-Kuthon, Urgathoa, Asmodeus, and Rovagug. Gorum and Calistria’s faithful are tolerated but treated with suspicion and have no meaningful followings in Silith Istil.

**Chief Exports**: Platinum, fine jewels, Mîr (Elven Wine), enchanted arms & armor.

* For its size, Silith Istil is so rich in Platinum that it rivals the vast wealth of Stormklad. Thanks to this abundance in rare metal and precious minerals, Silith Istil is considered to have the highest standard of living on Alden Rhun.
* Valian winemakers are well known for crafting sweet but pleasantly strong Mîr that is found welcomed on tables of the rich and poor alike.
* Artisans since the last war between the kingdoms of men and elves have settled the land and wrought items of great power. Combining the smithing prowess of the Castilians and the magic of the Elves, Silith Istil has made itself famous for enchanted weaponry. Buyers of every nation have commissioned the smiths of Silith Istil for unique weapons and armor, some of which are worth untold fortunes.

**Climate Type:** Temperate Oceanic

* Silith Istil’s climate is cool year-round with mild clear summers, cold windy autumns, dry frosty winters, and rainy springs. The center of the country has a deep valley for which the kingdom was named and is better shielded from the coastal winds and clouds thanks to the steep mountains surrounding it, thus warmer and more mild weather allows for highly productive farming of all manner of produce. Settlements along the coast provide fish and salt while those more inland or near forests raise beef and other animals for food.

-**Castles:**

* **Taras Ithildin:** The royal palace of Silith Istil is a grand marriage of gleaming white stone and twisted vinewood

* **Castle Vigilia**
* **Calmindon**
* **Minas Hiros**
* **Minas Anducal**
* **Minas Andúnë**
* **Minas Bar-Erib**
* **Minas Axan**
* **Glaurband**

Where as Minas Axan is a prison mainly for the rehabilitation of criminals, Glaurband is a place of punishment. This is not the abode of simple lawbreakers, but of rapists, mass murderers, and cultists guilty of atrocities too dark to be rewarded with the dignity of death. Prisoners here process ore dug out from the nearby mines of Sinqevoite Hall in enchanted stupors to keep them from stealing any of the precious metals and minerals, usually up to 10 hours a day with a brief break for meals in the afternoon and evening. While the inmates’ waking hours are consumed with toilsome labor and bland food, even sleep is used as an instrument of retributive justice, as they are forced each night to experience the horrors they’ve inflicted from their victims’ point of view. Perhaps by design or as a side-effect of the potent cocktail of compulsion and illusion spells, those who seek suicide as a potential means of escape find that they are unable to commit the act, something that only compounds their suffering as their every sober thought is bent on it but incapable to do so. Only the truly penitent are released from this fate early, they are given a meal of their choice, a week to make their peace with the gods, and a painless death.

-**Notable Settlements:**

* **Thon Farnë**

* **Cottonwood**

Not a large town by any means, but very important for the timber industry of Silith Istil. Unlike logging towns in human lands, Valian Law prioritizes the health of its natural resources, restricting the amount of timber that may be harvested at any given time. The Cotton Woods is home to a Druidic coven that cares for the forest itself, accelerating the growth of new trees, while a core of Faradrim Rangers patrol the woods to curb poaching and banditry. The town itself is sprawling and rustic, the people who live here a very self-reliant type and prefer to manage their own affairs with minimal interference from the crown. Skilled woodsmen, trappers, carpenters, and ranchers provide quality goods for fair prices, and inns and taverns famous for their hospitality are welcomed comforts for those on the road.

**-NPCs:**

* **Oatbarton**

A Halfling and Gnome majority settlement, Oatbarton sits in the northern hill-lands afloat upon a sea of grass. The town to most human/elven visitors feels a little cramped and surreal thanks to the scaled down size of the buildings, owing to the fact that the average Halfling is around 4 feet tall (Gnomes 3 feet). Artisanal goods like rare wines, small batch brews, cured meats, preserves and aged cheeses from this region are famous far and wide for good reason. The residents of Oatbarton enjoy days of little concern and live in relative safety being tucked out of the way in the hills with a road cutting through the Cottonwood Forest to the likewise named town in case a hasty evacuation is necessary. Visitors over 5 feet will find few accommodations though the residents are happy to trade with any passersby.

**-NPCs:**

* **Falacrine**
* **Porto Torres**
* **Velumis**
* **Haudh en Arwen**
* **Edhellond**
* **Tûr Haretha**
* **Arta Brethil**
* **Port Athairne**

* **Galetown**

**-NPCs:**

1. Governor Núlelíre Vanisaila: Male Elf, LN
2. Silithar Captain Galfrid Calemirion: Male Half-Elf (Magus/Duelist), LG
3. Captain of the Guard Faen Heleg: (Female Half-Elf) LN
4. Blacksmith Thavron Anchanar: (Male Half-Elf) N
5. Armorer Baen Alumcarver: (Male Dwarf) N
6. Bladesmith Angrenion Seregnir: (Male Elf) LN
7. Master Seamstress Cyna Cadwordes (Female Half-Elf) NG
8. Dockmaster Gila Limdil: (Male Half-Elf) NG
9. Archdeacon Emeline Lott: (Female Human) LG

*Head priestess of Everlight Church, and an Archdeacon of the Sarenite Faith, Emeline Lott is a patient and knowledgeable historian. She often goes to the waterfront to evangelize to the sailors and traders, and offering free medicine to the working girls.*

1. Alchemist Elois : (Female Half-elf), NG

*Elois has a narrow face, with brown hair and bright green eyes. She wears well-made clothing and an ermine fur cape. Elois is bold but helpful.*
-Population: 9,000+

-Important Industries: Fishing, tourism, international trade.

* Cathedral of the Night Sky (Ionath Morinda)
* White Pine Village
* Toa Lumber Camp
* Outpost Vettar
* Sinqevoite Hall