Elfrealm of Moonhaven

**The Elfrealm of Moonhaven** is an administrative region and formerly an Elven Principality in the Empire of Anbennar. Its ports and cities are major hubs of activities for trade and shipbuilding in the Dameshead. It is home to the majority of Elves in the Empire. Its capital is the Eponymously named city of Moonhaven.

## **History**

#### Pre-Landing

The Silverwoods which make up the majority of what would become Moonhaven were sparsely inhabited by the Damerian people prior to the Elven landing, and was part of the corelands of the Damerian Republic and Damerian Kingdom

#### Bluetongue Era

##### Founding

Moonhaven was one of the several Elfrealms created after the War of the Sorcerer-King to serve as a new home for the Moon Elves. It was granted by King Marion I of Dameria in 1021 AA, to his uncle Varilor Bluetongue for his service as Admiral of the Free Realm’s combined fleet. The realm would serve as a vassal to the Kingdom and would remain so under the Jexisian Empire and subsequently the Grand Duchy of Dameria following the formation of the Empire of Anbennar. Varilor’s new realm would be given the title of principality, as all other newly created Elfrealms were. As a prince ranks below a king, the Cannorian monarchs who would grant lands to the newly arrived Elves chose this title deliberately to ensure that the status quo would be kept and Elves would not usurp the possessions of humans. Varilor would name his new lands Moonhaven as a refuge for all Moon Elves. The Principality would follow the electoral succession laws that the Elves had developed at sea during the Great Wander. In practice however, it would be ruled for centuries by the founding Bluetongue dynasty, passing from father to son upon death.

##### Development

Rule under Varilor and his descendants would see the Silverwoods transformed from a sparsely populated backwater to a thriving center of trade and artisanal craftsmanship. Tea seeds from Aelantir would be planted soon after the establishment of the Elfrealm and would grow into a lucrative trade following Cannor’s Elvenization in the 12th Century. The plentiful lumber of the Silverwoods would also be highly sought after by shipbuilders for its durable qualities. Port Munas, initially founded as a supply port during the War of the Sorcerer-King, it would be heavily developed at the mouth of the Luna River. The city is named after the brother of Varilor and recently ascended God, Munas Moonsinger. Humans from Anbenncost would be invited to settle in the city which would lead its human inhabitants to be much more culturally similar to the people of Anbenncost than the rest of Moonhaven’s human citizens.

##### Jexisian Empire

In 1152, the Kingdom of Dameria would elect Jexis Jaherzuir, already empress of the Phoenix Empire, as queen. Fears of an upcoming Iorellian invasion would convince the Silmunas and Bluetongues that her election was necessary to protect their realms. Finorian Bluetongue, younger son of Varilor and Prince of Moonhaven would be chosen as Jexis’ steward and governor of the East Dameshead. His great oratory skills aided by his close proximity in age to Jexis would lead to them developing a close friendship. Upon the Death of Jexis in 1162, Finorian would briefly attempt to keep the Cannorian portion of the empire together, but with the only remaining descendant of Jaher being Elizar the Blooded, his disinherited, infamously cruel,and unstable son, none could agree on the next Phoenix Emperor and the realm would fall into civil war. Dameria would quickly regain independence with Moonhaven as a vassal once again.

##### Integration into Anbennar

Following Dameira’s integration into Anbennar as a Grand Duchy and being granted Electorship representing the Dameshead in 1221, the Prince of Moonhaven would also be granted the status of Elector representing the interest of Elves in the Empire, both inside and outside of Moonhaven. With a great sway over Anbennarian politics, the dual electors would ensure Damerian dominance over the Empire, with Silmunas (rulers of Dameria and a Bluetongue Cadet House) being elected to Dove Throne a multitude of times. These close relations with the rest of Cannor would see the Elves of Moonhaven become highly Cannorized with them adopting the Cannorian Pantheon, customs, and traditions of their human neighbors. Many Moonhaveners would consider both Moon Elven and Common as their native tongues.

#### Dissolution of the Grand Duchy of Dameria and Independence

##### The Lilac Wars and aftermath

The Lilac Wars (1348-1443 AA) would see the Grand Duchy of Dameria and the Kingdom of Lorent battling over the thrones of both Lorent and Anbennar. As a vassal of Dameria, Varion I Bluetongue and his army would participate heavily in the battles against Lorent and their allies. Despite this, Dameria would be eventually defeated and forced to surrender. The final act of the war would be the storming of the Imperial Palace in 1443, where the Silmunas and Varion I alongside them would be murdered by their Cadet Branch of Silmuna-Wesdam.

The treaty ending the war was signed shortly after and in its terms was the dissolution of Dameria by dividing its crownlands among the victors, forcing independence on its vassals, and turning the former capital Anbenncost into a free city. Now unexpectedly independent and without a prince, Varion II “The Young”, son of Varion I was elected as the next elector-prince of Moonhaven in 1444. His rule would focus on reestablishment of close relations with the Elves of Cannor outside of the Empire of Anbennar, the colonization of Aelantir, and alliance with Istralore.

##### Colonial Ventures

Upon the rediscovery of Aelantir by Endral the Explorer in 1490. Many Elves would scramble to return to their homeland of Aelantir by joining the colonial efforts of Cannorian nations. The prince of Moonhaven would also join in this venture by establishing the colony of Varionail on the Ravenous Isle for the purpose of growing tea. Vast tea plantations would develop on the Isle and would form the basis of its economy.

In the 19th Century, Disgruntled with the unresponsive administration due to the ongoing Blackpowder Wars, the colony would declare independence from the now unified Empire of Anbennar. A largely bloodless revolution would ensue resulting from the Lorentish blockade of Anbennar at the time making sending soldiers to suppress it impossible.

##### Unification

In the 17th Century, Camir Silmuna, king of Nurcestir, would be invited by Coronite princes to rule the empire. Under him, Anbennar would be united into a modern nation state and Moonhaven would become one of the many feudal realms absorbed into it.

## Culture and Faith

Owing to their long history of intermingling with humans, the elves of Moonhaven are particularly Cannorized even when compared to other Cannorian Elves. Despite this many Elven traditions are still practiced. The devout worship of Munas among Moonhaveners and their origins in the Remnant Fleet has inspired many to devote their long lives to the mastery of sailing and shipbuilding. The majority of elves living in the rural Silverwoods worship the Regent Court and its gods.

Ravelianism is most present in the city of Port Munas and its mostly human population. The people of the city still retain much of their Anbenncoster origins with the stacked houses of Port Munas being the most distinctive factor. The few humans who live among the elves in the Silverwoods stay true to their East Damerian roots while also participating in elven society with many speaking Moon Elven alongside the Common Tongue.

## Economy

The economy of Moonhaven is primarily focused on agriculture and shipbuilding. As one of the few large scale producers of tea in Cannor, Moonhaven plantations dominate the continent in production and trade of the leafy plant. The previously mentioned lumber and shipbuilding industries are also important parts of the Moonhaven economy. Economic activity centers in Port Munas. Its prime position at the mouth of the Luna River makes all trade heading downstream from the rest of East Dameria and the Borders pass through the port.