Aloreh

Steward(s)
 Capital
 Language
 Deity

Aloreh is an affluent and cultured nation previously ruled by Thesse, goddess of the winds and sky. It is known for its sprawling mountainside capital of Methes Avonthes, a stunning city which reaches from the breezy valleys and grasslands where the peasants and farmers work to the towering sky-clad peaks where Thesse holds her court. Methes Avonthes is a city of wealth and influence, where a silver tongue can win you anything, and the savvy and well-connected quickly find privilege and power. However, one must always be wary, for the Orator Princes watch from above, eager for any chance to consolidate their power, or to eliminate any threats to it.

## History

The Soaring Dominion of the Wind has always been considered the cultural and political center of A'therys. Even during the Winnowing, when Vrovona and Ithero still existed as a loose collection of military forces serving their god, Thesse had gathered her followers into the center of the Mortal Plane. The spoken word was put upon a pedestal, and winning disagreements through speech-craft as opposed to physical force has always been preferred. Throughout the long Age of Balance, these ideals have been upheld, leaving Aloreh a diplomatic powerhouse as well. All the other gods understood that none could match the silver tongue and sensibilities of Thesse, save perhaps Sav-Synav, and would come to her with their disagreements. Even after the Second Calling, the nobles of Aloreh are often used as impartial mediators in foreign matters. In the absence of Thesse, they also serve as the modern Alor government in the Court of Thesse.

Nearly every member of the Court of Thesse was and is a member of one of the many Noble Houses of Aloreh. These Houses are large, politically-aligned associations of families and merchant endeavors pooling their resources in order to best consolidate their positions in society, and to undermine the other Houses' efforts to do the same. After the departure of the goddess, these Houses, with the cooperation of the otherwise-directionless Cult of Thesse, gained total control of the city, putting down the numerous peasant rebellions which erupted in the weeks following the Second-Calling. Without the threat of divine retribution, these Houses only became more cutthroat in their dealings with each other, with several on the verge of declaring open war upon each other. Even the High Mediator, still nominally at the head of society, faced hostility from some of the Houses, and though all still served the Mediator openly, rumors of dark plots always followed conflicts in the Court. The Cult, the peasants, and A'therys at large all feared what might have become of fair Aloreh if these Nobles had not been put in check.

In AU 259, A'therys saw the beginning of the first exclusively mortal war in its long history. Rising tensions between the superpowers, Ithero and Aloreh, boiled over into full-scale conflict after what was perceived as an assassination attempt on then Lord Admiral Baldassare. Lasting for five years, the War of Eventide cost Aloreh greatly in terms of both resources and humanity. Erassios Shroudbearer, member of House Longweather and High Mediator since AU 257, was able to unify the Orator Princes into action and created an impressive war machine that far outmatched the mighty Itheri Navy. Had it not been for a mysterious disaster in the Bay of Crescents, the Alor would surely have defeated the Itheri in total. As it was, in AU 263 the war ground to a close, with neither side any longer having the resources or drive to continue the fight. Though Ithero declared itself the winner, Aloreh maintains (likely correctly) that it would have been victorious were it not for the event in the bay. As a result of the war, Aloreh has become a shadow of its former self, still standing the tallest on the world stage but not nearly what it was before the Eventide took its toll.

## Geography

Aloreh is the largest contiguous nation in the eastern hemisphere of A'therys, and as such is home to a varied and often dramatic landscape. In the far north is the Winewood, an elevated and sparsely forested countryside known for its moderate climate and world-renowned vineyards. The steep cliffs of its coasts relegate sea trade in the region to the few ports that can claim coastline. It is also in the southwestern part of this region where Cyridon Spire can be found, one of the westernmost settlements in Aloreh. South of the Winewood are the Mistral Downs, a lowlands area with many rivers and rocky outcroppings. The Downs are one of the more popular regions among the Noble Houses, and most of their estates can be found here. A variety of wild game can be found here as well, making hunting a favorite pastime. East of the Downs is Vane, a region known for industry and mercantilism. Most major Alor businesses that are not headquartered in Methes Avonthes can be found in the many modern towns here. Though Vane is small, the region has a higher profit margin per citizen than any other part of the country.

South of Vane is Stormheath, a region of rolling plains and sparse trees. When most foreigners think of Aloreh, this is the stereotypical picture of pastoral countryside and farmland that they envision. Most Alor peasants are from this region, with many rural settlements dotting the flat landscape. On that side it borders the Thousand Veils, which itself is the last land holding in Aloreh before the Selukkite border. The translation of the Veils from Old Alor is something of a double meaning, interestingly enough, referencing both the garb of their goddess Thesse and the seemingly endless hills and vales of the region. The region is also one of the more varied in terms of culture: not only does it share its southern border with Roreg Logh, but it also has an expansive coastline in the west. The final region, far to the east, is Caprice. It contains both the capital island city of Methes Avonthes and a good portion of the northern bit of Shol's Teeth. Most of the country's modern airship manufacturing facilities are in the mountains here, as the enormous trees in the region make for excellent shipbuilding. In the shadow of the capital, eastern peasants try to make a living, serving either in the city itself or on farms to sustain it. Most Nobles' permanent residences are either in this region or in the capital itself.

## Society

Alor society is overwhelmingly stratified, in which all individuals are locked into countless constantly-shifting castes and hierarchies, each with its own laws, privileges, and stipulations prescribed by the Cult of Thesse. Those at the top of society, usually members of the Noble Houses, wield nearly unchecked power over those below them, effectively controlling the distribution of wealth and prosperity in the country. Meanwhile, those dwelling within the lowest castes have virtually no power over their own fates, and few could ever hope to improve their standing in society. This divide even manifests physically in the capital city, where peasants live around the base of the mountain and the higher strata are reserved for nobles and dignitaries. Though this has changed over the past decades, most who are rich or politically tied live in the east, near or within Methes Avonthes, while commoners spread across the country in farms and villages.

One of the most well-known aspects of Alor society is their penchant for formal education. Virtually everyone, even the poorest of farmers, has seen some sort of schooling, though only those who can afford it progress in their studies. Boarding students come from the world over to study in Aloreh, a practice especially common in Daggerlander families. Methes Avonthes itself plays host to many fine institutes of higher learning, which typically have their main campuses located in either Vane or the Mistral Downs. One of the most famous, if not the most unusual, is the Arcane College of the Mages' Guild. With a campus at Cyridon Spire in the west, it is the largest institute of magical learning in A'therys.

## Government

At the highest point of the city sits the towering Court of Thesse. Before the goddess departed during the Second Calling, she would meet in this Court with her favored representatives among mortal-kind. These representatives were known as Orator Princes, and though their position afforded them significant power, they enjoyed this power only at the whims of the ever-capricious Thesse. Thesse delighted in wordplay, flattery, the exchange of gifts and games of wit, and any who hoped to retain their place in her court would be expected to amuse her with these arts. Those who failed to maintain the goddess' interest would feel the consequences of her boredom, which were usually catastrophic. Among all the Orator Princes, one in particular would be chosen as the favorite mortal of Thesse, and be elevated to the position of High Mediator, the sole representative of all humanity in the eyes of the goddess. The Court itself would often choose a Lector General as well, an individual from a lower class who would interface with the general populace so they would not need to.

In modern times, the governmental structure is much the same as it was during the Age of Balance. Those in the lower societal strata have next to no say in the affairs of the government; these matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Court of Thesse. When a Noble House becomes large enough that the Court can no longer ignore it, the House is given a seat in the Court of Thesse. Depending on size, many Houses have more than one seat; members of the House are picked from within to represent the group in the Court. From among the Court, the Orator Princes elect one High Mediator to preside over their debates and to act as their face to the nation of Aloreh. The rank of High Mediator is retained by the individual until the person either resigns or a new one is installed in their place; Orator Princes hold their seats for as long as their House deems necessary. While it is true that the typical Alor citizen does not interact with his government, it is still in the favor of the Court of Thesse to listen to the concerns of the nation. The Lector General position remains, with now expanded duties in the affairs of the capital city itself. The Lector is also responsible for conveying the demands of the people to the High Mediator, whether or not any action is taken upon them.

*Originally written by OccidentalAnvil for the more official A'therys wiki*