Sivaria

> **Demonym:** Sivarian
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> **Endonym:** Cirion (s), Cirionnath (p)
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Sivaria is the swamp Drow nation located in Palath Nenui made up nearly entirely of Drow and Half-Drow. The color of skin and eye color varies so greatly in comparison to the Drow of Silethil since these Drow have evolved to withstand living in low light, within the swamp. Their keen eyes are not hurt by sunlight, though the light at midday can often be, but they are most comfortable in dim or low light. The Drow of Sivaria have skin color that ranges from a dark bluish gray as seen on the left to a pitch black. Hair color is white to silvery blond, and eye colors vary greatly, from deep maroon to frosty-blue.

#### Politics

This matriarchal society runs under the Queen, or *Bereth.* Slavery, primarily of Half-Drow but sometimes of other Elves and Half-Elves (seen as inferior races by Drow), is the foundation of Sivarian society. The *Bereth* reigns according to bloodline, but usurpation of the throne is not uncommon as bloodlines have been muddied and crossed since the Drow were banished by the High Elves to the west in the Medieval Age. The Citadel of Sivaria is Eylaf.

#### Economy

Sivaria is known for it's many goods such as shrimp, medicines, resins, textiles, and fine salt. A city along Lake Boren, Edra, has grown increasingly progressive though no actual steps of defiance against the *Bereth* have taken place, many societal changes are in great contrast to the rest of the Kingdom. Slavery is looked down upon by many, though there are still traditionalists, more contact is made with the women of Windfell and the Gnolls of Thoviel than is generally accepted. Tensions have risen in the last few years in Edra.

#### History

The Eladrin, the demigod ancestors of the Elves, along with the Gods created the continents of Sefyll and, after a time, granted that the Elves could inherit Sefyll to govern after their departure. There were other beasts in the land as well as flora and fauna, beasts such as goblins, giants, centaurs, lizardfolk, and gnollfolk. Many of these gained sentience throughout the years, being manifestations of the power of the Six and the Eladrin. The Elves were granted dominion over the land and reigned in the Upper Highlands of Merethyl. This period is presently referred to as the Medieval Age, the ancient era before time began.

During this period was the Great Draconic War, two separate major campaigns by the Elves to rid the land of the Dragons, clever and intelligent creatures who despised the entitlement of Elves. The Elves all gathered in various battles against various dragons and ultimately slew all but three, now known as Annyak, Kultva, and Dovdra. In the final battle, the Dragons were chased and beaten back to the Knile Peninsula. The Elves sent ships to line the coast in an attempt to curb escape. During the conflict, Annyak was slain, and the other two dragons were forced to flee over the sea in a desperate attempt to reach any land. The ships pursued them and slew the remaining dragons who, having grown weary from the battle, could not sustain flight for long over the sea. Slowly, fatigue overcame them and the last two great dragons crashed into the sea, lifeless.

After the Great Draconic War, the Elves lived in relative peace with the fellow inhabitants of Sefyll. A group of elves that named themselves "Drow", or *Night* in Sylvan, formed a cult worshipping the goddess Luma. They began to be night-dwellers, seeking asylum from the Sun during the day. They grew to despise the scholarly arrogance of the elves. After several years the cult became aggressive toward other Elves and other races, claiming that all others must change or be destroyed. The High Elf Council deemed that the now-large group of several thousands of members was to be banished Westward. In addition to banishment, praying to Erdra under the domain of knowledge, the Council cursed them with black skin and an aversion to the rays of the sun. This banishment and curse led the Drow to the west, deep into the caverns below the Bariloch Range to form the city-state of Silethil. The Drow were at first very combative one with another. They delved in to dark and evil forms of magic and experimented with it. Through this, the Drow created the race of Orcs. And experimental war machine of a humanoid. There were those who began to use the orcs as slaves and to train them to fight. Many Drow did not approve and this group fled to Palath Nenui to out of fear for their safety and formed the nation of **Sivaria**.

After arriving in the west after banishment by the High Elf Council, the Drow settled in the caves under the Bariloch Range, founding the city of Silethil. Many Drow desired to explore and found that the dense swamp of Palath Nenui as a suitable area to settle. They formed the Kingdom of Sivaria. They soon began to encounter the Oroko, a Lizardfolk nation occupying the swamps. After several years of growing tensions, war came. The War of Palath Nenui lasted for 9 years and lead to the near obliteration of the Oroko. Presently, few Oroko remain, scattered in various towns and small cities that are left to their own by the Drow of Sivaria.

After 150 years or so by man's determining, these Drow realized that their eyes had grown less sensitive to the light, though also they had grown less keen in the dark. However, while shade and dark are preferred still, the Sivarians soon began to build towns in the less dark areas of the swamps and along Point Bay to begin to trade.

In most of Sivaria and Eylaf in particular, the Sivarian people have learned to simply accept whatever happens within the kingdom. Conspiracies and theories about the goings and doings of the governing elite and the royalty are seldom the topic of taverns and groups these days. Simply, the upper class does such a good job of convoluting the truth that the Sivarians are desensitized to the specifics. Their way of life continues, rarely disturbed and so, all is well.

#### Holidays

> **Feast of the Summer Moon**: The Drow of Sivaria savor the delicacy of wild duck and steamed shrimp soup. These dishes are especially prevalent during the Feast of the Summer moon. The commerce of Sivaria is dependent upon the summer crowds that are brought to the great ports up and down Point Bay. The Holiday is reserved mainly for the coastal towns, but is celebrated with food and a hefty import of all types of liquor. It is celebrated on the first full moon of Ander.
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> **Commencement:** The celebration of the new year, or Commencement is slowly gaining in popularity as the stars and the heavens are seeking more to be understood. Saeria, a nation devoted to the study of the stars, holds the largest celebration in Sefyll. Others, especially sea-farers such as many in Norrhal, the Tacuarembo, and the Sivarians, also celebrate the new year, but without such festivity, but still with feasts.
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