Bastions

The bastions of Vireth are the last remaining nations within the landmass free of Infernal control. Nine in number the bastions stand strong, boasting incredible fortifications, magical power, military strength, or inviolable positions. The bastions themselves are mostly human, but hold every race of Vireth within their borders. The bastions of Vireth are listed below with a link to their individual pages, ranked in descending order of power and influence. While each bastion may not be as powerful as the last, each has earned its place on the list as a proud bastion of mortal power; defending itself against the infernal powers that seek to wipe the mortal races from the surface of Vennar or take them each as slaves to their First Gods.

## Iriden

Iriden is the largest and most influential of the Nine Bastions and former capital of the Teluna Empire that ruled all of Vireth. Currently ruled by Despotes Lucius Sergius and his stratocratic emergency government, with some power still held by old nobility and guilds. The city sits upon a massive, artificial connection of two river systems stemming from the far ends of the continent Irida, splitting them towards the north and south to the Grithe and Godwave seas, respectively. This vast and elaborate system of waterways connects the city to every port in Vireth, and grants it the highest position of influence over continental trade.

The bastion leads the rest in terms of wealth, culture, military numbers, and historical influence; still holding many of the ancient noble families who governed the provinces during the Teluna Empire, and the headquarters of the vast guilds that coordinated their economy. While these powers have been subdued under the rule of the Despotes, a thorough purging of their influence is all but impossible.

The current government of Despotes Lucius Sergius seized power during the first night of the Infernal Invasion. When a great portal opened inside the Imperial Estate and the fiends flooded out to enact the Gilded Slaughter, then-Caesar Lucius Sergius rallied the city guard and recalled the city's armies, enacting a counter strike into the estate. Following the defense of the city, Lucius Sergius was declared Despotes and given full emergency command over Iriden and its surrounding polities. The Bastion Council would be formed within months of the Invasion's start, initiated by the Despotes himself.

## Imeana

Imeana is the capital and first home of the elves on Vireth after leaving their city-ships behind in the Alvoran Era, currently without a head of government and reduced to anarchy. The city lies within the Sanctuary Forests, the largest wildlands and wodes of the landmass, nestled in the northern valleys of Naran. Prior to their enslavement by the Teluna Empire the elves lived an isolationist existence for millenia, strictly enforcing their borders through violence and counter-raids. This has provided the elven Bastion with a defensive military tradition that served them well in repelling the infernal forces of the Archdevil of Lies, even after the Burning of Lantares. The loosening of their seclusion during the fall of the Quizon Mandate also allowed them to hold connections with the rest of the world that served them well in joining the Bastion Alliance.

The bastion leads the rest mainly in tradition and experience, with their eldest warriors on a level of capacity far exceeding any of the other races, and their experience allowing a level of strategy nearly outmatching the immortal fiends. Their long history of seclusion and their grievances against the enslavement of their kind have led to a lack of resources and diversity in the Imeanan military and government that has proven a harsh weakness.

With the Coup of Imeana, the bastion is currently leaderless and ruled by anarchy. The Queen and her Court lie dead following the Prince's coup while the Prince's corpse is interred in his crypt upon the Spirit Fields. Now without a leader for the first time since their arrival to Vireth, the elven people of the ancient city must contend with the very concept of self-rule.