Atralran

Pervou

Rethamia

Vardony

11% Elves

11% Gnomes

5% Halflings

3% Shifters

2% Changelings

1% Others

Ivory

Agriculture

Spellcasting Services

Atralran was one of the Realms of Ahlus.

It was refounded by Eldarion I Goldlor following his ascension to the Gildhearth Throne.

## History

Accelerated into nobility by being granted a drop of the True's lifeblood, a gift supposedly that made the contents of his heart and veins run blue like the rivers of azure upon the gauntlet of the Master of the Hammer, King Gilbert I Goldlor moved quickly to establish Atralran as the central power in Ahlus through the generations, competing directly and indirectly with the contestants of the title in the form of the Empire of Raq and the Duchies of Tynd, particularly so following their unification in the sixteenth year after Aita's Second Gift. For four and a half decades King Gilbert I Goldlor held dominion over the lands bounded by Green River to the north, the Long Divide to the east, the Lotus Run to the west and the might of the Cobalt Sea to the south. The magpie associated with the family line also harkens back to his day, believed to be a messenger from Buwello that showed the King where to plant the first of what would become a vast and bountiful array of apple, pear and plum orchards.

Historically divided into the four provinces of Brurynais, Pervou, Rethamia and Vardony that each were afforded a certain level of self-governance but ultimately still fulfilled duty and diligence to the crown, the emphasis on local governing varied significantly between the long number of monarchs that sat upon the Gildhearth Throne. Some stressed the importance of support from neighbours both high and low, pushing for community-driven initiative and intent between villages, towns and other homesteads, whereas others instead looked to take a more hands-on approach, making their will and presence both felt throughout the Realm. Both had their merits when well-disposed, both had the potential to stir troubles. Local unrest poorly managed by the Dukes could spiral into Realm-wide threats before the response of the monarchy could be spurned, as occurred in 552AG following the actions of Lord-General Kassian Margaste, but likewise reliance on a figure in a palace on the other side of forests, rivers and fields could stall time-sensitive responses, most poignantly so as during the Year of the Creeping Blight and the Haunting of Many Eyes.

Throughout its existance, Atralran remained one of the greatest Realms of Ahlus, and the last to fall to the seemingly infinite strength of the Astedian Empire. Standing fast during the Siege of Iron for nearly two years, upon the breaking of the siege the stewards of Chalimar Palace, the Sanridges, butchered their rulers in the night, capitulating to the Astedians in hope of being granted rule of the Realm under the banner of the Increscent Six.

What was once the eastern border of Atral remains testament to the resolve of the knights and mages of Atralran. The devastation wrought on the banks of the Long Divide and the plains westward were so harrowing that it still festers as a wound unhealed, soil and stone torn asunder by the magics that attempted to hold the advance of the Warforged Legions of the Astedian Empire. A scar on the horizon redefined by the arcane, the Ashenvale stretches for some thirty miles, the land within shrouded in an indispensable thick, muffling mist. Even the might of the Astedian Empire did not seek to discern or dispel it, instead just setting patrols along its borders to dispense with any and all that came creeping out from within. Among the broken and forgotten somewhere within is Bastion, a floating citadel constructed by the Empire, as well as the bodies of all that fell during the final battle - abandoned for all time.

## Society

Very broadly speaking, there are three fundamental groups of that once existed within the Realm of Ahlus.

The vast majority of the population made up a mass of hardworking serfs, tending to agricultural interests bolstered by a combination of temperate climate and fertile soils oft frequented by Buwello. Cheeses, wines and grains in particular were produced in both greater quantity and high quality by the farmers and cultivators of Atralran, the most expensive varieties being that of Allizeaux, Nimante and Thestogeac - all made only at Stalrose Vineyard.

The second constituency of the population was that of the knights and mages of the Atral army. Little distinction was made between the two groups, for in most cases they were one and the same. Eldritch Knights, Wizards trained in War Magic and all manner of Spellslingers and Magewrights served in a martial sense for the interests of Atralran, and all that sought teaching and training in the arcane were expected to enrol for at least three years of military service. The line between military academies and schools of the arcane were subsequently blurred, although a few distinct entities did exist. Most notable amongst these were two of the Ten Guilds, specifically the Guild of the Crimson Blossom, focused on matters of Evocation and Transmutation and the Guild of the Bronze Oak, specialising in in Abjuration. The process of formal knighthood requires fulfilment of the Trial of Spirit, in which an individual must prove they fulfil the Seven Virtues of Chivalry.

The third and smallest group was that of the nobility. Throughout the near-entirety of Atralran existence pre-Astedian Ascension, the Realm was ruled by the House of Goldlor, chosen during Aita's Second Gift to rule from Chalimar Palace, a fortress and chateau alike raised from the soil and stone by the actions of Gaityas. Matters of fashion were found at the forefront of many thoughts within the minds of the nobility - be they from a minor knightly house granted land and a keep or a lofty aristocratic Truetouched family. Bright coloured skirts, coats and cloaks drew the eye, accentuated further by ruffled sleeves and feathered hats. This fashion-conscious sentimentality carried through the classes, although serfs would perhaps own simply one outfit reserved for special occasions or festivals, patched up periodically as to perservere through the generations.

### Last King's Lament

#### Composed by Sílon

*“Gilbert was the final king.*

*Of him the harpers sadly sing;*

*the last whose realm was fair and free*

*between the Mountains and the Sea."*

*"His sword was long, his lance was keen.*

*His shining helm afar was seen;*

*the countless stars of heaven's field*

*were mirrored in his silver shield."*

*"But long ago he was slain,*

*for the Astedians were his bane;*

*and into darkness fell his star*

*down to the crypt where the shadows are.”*

## Religion

While all of the Ahlusian Pantheon enjoyed zealous and dutiful worship within the Realm of Ahlus, there were a few amongst them that were held in particular regard. Buwello, enshrined for his blessing upon the fertile lands throughout the territory, Divinus as the divine creator of the arcane, Gaityas as a purveyor of innovation, Kroai for her dedication to honour and glory, Tohmos, revered for his involvement in all matters pertaining to nobility and Yaldin as master of duty, order and law found themselves offered more prayers than most. Nonetheless, all the Holy Days of the Principal Sixteen were routinely held within Atralran each year, and minor celebrations aplenty besides.