Kingdom of Agaroth

## (332 D.E - 381 A.E)

**The Kingdom of Agaroth**, or simply **Agaroth**, was the first developed Human society in the history of Esria. Its origins could be traced back to the small communes of tribes that existed long before their eventual maturation into an distinct cultural entity. It grew to become a sizeable territory in its own right before being formed as the Kingdom of Agaroth in the year of 332 D.E.

Due to the relatively isolated position with regards to its neighbours, it was allowed time to mature for almost two centuries of peace before its discovery by explorers of the Alvyri Vandryl. It was later annexed in the ensuing war and added to the empire as a self-governing territory. The nation and its people were annihilated in 381 A.E during the Fire Ritual of Londorwyn.

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### The Fountain Court

Agaroth's feudal systems bore remarkable similarities to the Human governments that developed on the Astran Isles and Astria, although featured distinct differences that separated them. Not unlike the absolute rule of the neighbouring Elves, the King of Agaroth was, by law, a hereditary position founded and maintained by the royal bloodline.

Under him were the major nobles of the kingdom, often houses that were fiercely loyal to their leaders. Early factional tribalism dominated the political landscape of the fountain court, which would greatly benefit the King, who was expected to maintain the peace between the factions, unless in particularly trying circumstances. The lower nobles were landholders, clergymen and other enfranchised individuals that held power over the lowly peasants and free citizens, as well as the trader classes which held considerable sway in high society.

The Anari, in times of conflict, relied on noble levies to form the bulk of its forces. The king himself rarely contributed, and was in fact prevented from doing so. Emergency measures implemented by King Talancaril I during the War of Ashes removed this restriction, creating the first of the court armies. These were primarily peasants and royal serfs, largely drawn together as a mass solution to the often well-trained and efficient formations of the Elves. After the war, the Empire bolstered these levies with provincial recruits, and implemented regimented training standards, as well as strict magical requirements.

### Society and Culture

Men and women enjoyed relatively equal permissions in society, although great favour was placed on having prestigious male scions, especially in later years under the Alvyri Vandryl, where those with strong Elven features were considered ideal. Commoners were often serfs and peasants, denied freedom in exchange for services, and kept in large villages well within their master's estates. Those born of the noble classes were often free to choose their own lifestyle, although firstborn sons were often expected to ascend to their father's position.

After its annexation, the human population were quick to embrace the teachings of the Pantheon of Eren. By the time of its destruction some centuries later, the people of Agaroth were identifiable by their religious homogeneity with the Elves.

### Lands of the Phoenix

Agaroth was one of the few places in Esria where the aetheric energies of the world's creation could be felt strongest. Its verdant landscape was attributed to the latent magical energies of the land, and Agaroth was considered by the Elves to be a sacred font of great power. However, all of the mortal races of Esria known to the Elves at the time demonstrated an inability to weave the energies present there. Native to the high peaks of Baranar were the Phoenixes, known as *firiothur* in the native tongue. These mythical birds were drawn to the aetheric energies present in Agaroth, basking in its presence and weaving their own magic from its limitless waters.

Phoenixes were wiped out during the Fire Ritual of Londorwyn. The only evidence that they ever truly existed were the incredibly rare feathers that remained of their kind, which were unable to decay naturally. Three such feathers were attached as plumage to the head of Luin, the Phoenix Spear, but no more were ever identified. Even after the total extinction of their species, those three feathers continued to display the majesty of their lost kind, albeit a fragment.