Sylvandale

The **Sylvandale** is a territory of the Maudesian Empire. It is bordered on the west by Nordain and the White Spine. It was the kingdom of the elves from **-165D** to **2A20**, a period of nearly three centuries, until the Second Crusade.

**Aerasala** was its capital.

## History

### The Founding of the Sylvandale

During the centuries of slavery, after their ancient civilization of Elveshaal fell to the Adamantium, the elves lost most of their language, history, and lore. However, after Sibylla, and her husband Thetsoll, led their Drahanim army against the Adamantium in **-180D**, the elven slaves led by Febrion rose up and joined the fight against their former masters.

While Febrion was killed attempting to save Sibylla when she was betrayed by Thetsoll to the Adamantines, in **-165D**, Thetsoll gave the elves the Sylvandale as a reward for their part in the war. At that time, the Sylvandale was on the fringe of Adamantine territory, and was barely populated, with only the Lyriane people to the east, and the Drahanim of the Nordish Valley on the other side of the White Spine. The freed elves set off for their new home from the Adamantium on foot in what would come to be called "The Long Walk". Many perished along the way, but those who survived founded the city of **Aerasala**; meaning "journey's end" in Elder Speech. They were joined by elves from across Morgaea, and began the task of restoring their lost language, religion, and lore.

The Sylvandale was patrolled by a border guard known as the Verdant Knights. These elven warriors protected the boundaries of the realm, riding Elote mounts and accompanied by their steadfast wolf companions known as "Knight's Guardians." These loyal wolves fought and lived with the Verdant Knights and guarded them as they slept.

### The Fall of the Sylvandale

*Main article: Second Crusade*
In their attempt to maintain their independence, and regain the lost glory of Elveshaal, the elves cut themselves off from their human neighbors in Maudet, a nation forged through Volantus's conquests against his neighbors. Throughout the Second Scourge, which lasted for most of the First Age, the elves of the Sylvandale remained neutral and unhelpful. When the city of Montelleu was nearly destroyed by fiends in **1A25**, it is alleged that an elven army watched from a nearby hilltop and did nothing. Their apparent indifference, and non-Sibyllan religious views, fueled increasing hostility between the Sylvandale and Maudet after the Scourge. Rumors also began to spread among the Maudesian people that the heathen elves practiced human sacrifice. According to human accounts, border skirmishes escalated into full-scale war after elven forces attacked the Maudesian town of Rhett's Crossing in **2A09**. The Sylvan claim the war started after the Ministry sent templars into their territory after the elves forcibly removed Sibyllan missionaries from the Sylvandale.

By **2A10**, elven forces had captured Montelleu, and advanced to the doorstep of Ducailles. Elven occupation didn't last long however, and in Maudet's resurgence, the chevalier Ser Oscar de Chevac struck down the elven forces' commander with a shot to the throat at two hundred feet.

At this point, the Ministry called for a holy war against the elves that became known as the Second Crusade. Maudet was the only nation to provide troops. The elves were pushed back to the border by Maudesian forces. Aerasala was conquered, and the elves were completely crushed by **2A20**. The Sylvandale was claimed by the Maudesians, who uprooted elven settlements, and forbade worship of the elven gods. Elves who accepted the Ministry's offered truce were required to accept the Watcher and live in slums, known as enclaves, within human settlements, becoming the city elves. Some elves, however, refused to give up their worship, or their dream of a homeland. They became the nomadic Sylvan, retaining the name of their second lost homeland, and vowing to keep the elven language, history and religion alive.

### After the Fall

Ville Montevale in the Emerald Plains was the first settlement humans established in the Sylvandale following their victory of the Second Crusade. Soldiers were the earliest residents of the village. In **2A21**, Sister Amity, champion of the Second Crusade, laid the foundation stones of the village temple in a symbolic gesture; the construction was completed in **2A22**. Amity laid aside her sword and bow to become Revered Mother Amity; she served in Ville Montevale until she died peacefully in her sleep in **2A64**. Her ashes are interred in the Ministry's vault, where dozens of pilgrims still come each year to pay their respects.

Elven ruins still litter the Sylvandale. Some, like Citadelle du Corben, have been reclaimed and repurposed by humans.

## Geography

### Settlements

* **Aerasala**– the capital city of the elven nation of the Syvandale before its fall during the Second Crusade.
	+ **Verdant Palace** – a palace built on the ruins of an ancient elven burial ground located in Aerasala; seasonal retreat of the Imperial Court under House Pelleneur.
* **Rhett's Crossing**
* **Sarenne**
* **Ville Montevale**

### Regions

* **Emerald Graves** – home to an elven burial site where a tree was planted for each soldier killed during the Second Crusade.
* **Emerald Plains** – where the elves of old made their last stand before they were defeated.