Duren

## Map

**Duren** is one of the five Human Kingdoms and is considered the garden of human territory. Its signature colors are blue and white, and its symbol is a flower.

## History

Duren was formed as one of the five kingdoms following the Mage Wars, after the banishment of humanity to the western continent. At a later point, it was involved in further battles at the Border.

Duren was once ruled by a cruel queen who banished anyone who crossed her to the North for them to die. She was eventually overthrown by all the people she had banished, who had rebelled against her.

At some unknown point in history, an impactful battle called the "Battle at Berylgarten" took place inside Duren, though the reason and details of this battle are currently unknown.

Nine years before the birth of Azymondias, Queen Annika and Queen Neha approached King Harrow of Katolis to ask him for aid, as a famine had plagued their kingdom for an ongoing seven years. On suggestion of the king's advisor, Lord Viren, the queens accompanied the Standing Battalion on a mission to harvest the heart of a Magma Titan on the Xadian side of the Border. Said heart contained magic that would revitalize the nature of Duren, and would release it from its struggles. While they successfully found and slayed the creature in question, returning the heart would prove more difficult. During this mission, the intruders were caught by Avizandum, the current King of the Dragons, and were forced to escape. While their allies fled with the titan's heart, the Queens of Duren were crushed by the mighty dragon in battle, taking their lives. Following their demise, their daughter Aanya became the new queen when she was merely a baby. A memorial statue was erected inside the capital to remind the nation of their queens' noble sacrifice. Thanks to the heart of the Magma Titan, Duren would eventually recover and become a kingdom rich in harvest.

Despite Aanya's young age, the kingdom continued to flourish under her leadership. During the battle at the Storm Spire, Duren's army allied with Team Zym's forces, aiding them in battle against Viren's magma monsters.

## Geography

Duren is located in the Northeast of the Human Kingdoms, edging at the Border in the East of the kingdom. It also borders on Neolandia and Del Bar to the West of the nation. A wide collection of farming fields and lush forests can be found inside of Duren, as well as a large pool of water near the city of Berylgarten. Rainwater and snowmelt flow down from the mountains, bringing water to countless farms in the rolling, fertile plains of Duren. The kingdom's land mass borders on Skall's Hook, as well as the Frozen Sea.

### Architecture

Duren's massive stone gardens, temples, and fortresses are overflowing with beautiful flowering vines.

### Wildlife

Wildlife of Duren include domesticated Durenian Bees and occasional attacks of Longneck Hillwolves.

## Culture and Customs

A lush nation considered the garden of the Human Kingdoms, Duren trades their unparalleled harvests with all the other kingdoms. As the breadbasket of the Human Kingdoms, Duren is especially at risk from attack by any vengeful neighbor in Xadia. Duren's people are unfamiliar with Del Bar's customs outside of trade and military cooperation, and even less familiar with all of Evenere, even going as far as suspecting Evenereans to be elves in disguise.

The common folk lives a rural farm life, though are known to be quite inventive as well.

### Government

Duren's form of government is a  hereditary monarchy and was ruled by Queen Annika and Queen Neha until their demise at the Border. Following their deaths, they were succeeded by their daughter, Queen Aanya, as the youngest ruler of the five Human Kingdoms. Her royal line was chosen by the Goddess of the Harvest. Leaders outside of the royal line include scholars, heralds, and beekeepers.

### Military

While likely not as large and powerful as the Katolian military, Duren's armies are a venerable force in their own right. A large number of archers appears to be employed in Duren's forces, while other kingdoms prefer close-range weapons such as swords. Although the nation's military focuses on a more intellectual approach to defense, they are known to be capable of turning even farm tools into weapons, earning them a respectfully feard reputation with their elven enemies. Additionally to their own forces, Duren is allied with Katolis's armies who add extra defense to the East of the nation.

Soldiers of Duren don a set of white plate armor, which consists of a cuirass, pauldrons, short tassets, and a black belt. It is worn over a blue tunic with a white hood, in which a blue helmet with a silver circlet is worn underneath, as well as white pants with a pair of gold-accented black boots.

### Traditions and Law

Winter in Duren is a reflective time in which farming and day-to-day activities slow down, without losing focus on hard work as a priority. A common gift between the inhabitants are materials for crafting, so growth and learning can continue during the holidays. This would mean, for example, a child would receive the materials to craft a doll rather than receiving the finished item.

An annual harvest festival is hosted by Duren that celebrates an event where farmers fed a group of Neolandian raiders that had plagued the nation for years. The festival takes place at the Neolandian border and is celebrated in form of a pageantry of brightly colored flowers, vegetables, grains, and fruit.

### Food

Duren is known for cultivating a large variety of harvest, though it is unrevealed what is grown specifically. Exports into other kingdoms include cheese, which is enjoyed in Katolis during the winter season. A national winter delicacy are braised red cabbage slices and apples served in a bowl. Honey from Durenian Bees is worth as much as gold in the Human Kingdoms.

## Notable Locations

### Allhaven Hill

Allhaven Hill is a hill located in Duren. Located on the top of the hill is a round temple where the summit of the Pentarchy takes place. Although the hill belongs to Duren, a wise Durenian king of the past declared it a neutral territory between the five Human Kingdoms.

### Berylgarten

Berylgarten is located in the West of Duren and is the kingdom's capital. The great palace stands tall at the edge of a large lake, which sits in between a collection of mountains, and is surrounded by smaller houses of villagers, as well as plentiful fields. A memorial of Queen Annika and Queen Neha is erected at a building near the lake. Near its waters, river pirates plague the city, though the city's defenses are legendary. Due to rumors of internal treason, the city has been more fortified as of late.

## Notable Figures

* Neha (Former Queen †)
* Aanya (Queen)

## Gallery

Duren in Callum's SpellbookDuren during winterMemorial of Queen Annika and Queen NehaDurian "Braided Red Cabbage & Apples"

## References

1. ↑ The Dragon Prince Official Twitter - Diyan
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Dragon Prince Official Twitter
3. ↑ The Dragon Prince Official Website - World
4. ↑ Book One, Chapter 1: "Echoes of Thunder" - Intro
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Tales of Xadia - Official Handbook
6. ↑ Book One:Moon - Chapter Three
7. ↑ Book Two, Chapter 5: "Breaking the Seal"
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Book Two, Chapter 6: "Heart of a Titan"
9. ↑ Book Three, Chapter 9: "The Final Battle"
10. ↑ The Art of The Dragon Prince
11. ↑ The Dragon Prince Official Twitter - Braided Red Cabbage & Apples
12. ↑ Book Two: Sky (Novel)