Atheluin

Atheluin is a political entity that dominates the Great Forest of Atheluin along the southern coast of the Pyrean Midlands. It was founded by High King Athelrond I, also known as the Fey Touched during the Age of Myth; and it would later grow to become the longest lasting civilization on Penastria, and would be one of the last three surviving elven nations. Although it should be noted that in recent years the nation has entered a state of decline, which many believe may herald the last years of this great civilization. Due to the nature of Atheluin's governance, it is important to note that it does not possess an emblem but rather each city is ruled by a noble house that uses its own banner.

## Description

Atheluin is found within the magical forest of the same name which is said to exist in a state of perpetual change, the forest itself caught between Penastria and the Feywild. Because of this, it exhibits aspects that are endemic to both, such as exceptionally large flora that does however not possess the exaggerated colours of the fey. Many also note that no one can truly know just how large the forest truly is as it seems to change of its own volition sometimes expanding to cover impossible distances or reveal hidden passages through the wilderness. Because of this normal traversal through the forest is almost an impossibility due to the everchanging nature of the forest as well as the many fey spirits that dwell throughout who may help or hinder any travellers they come across depending on their moods. Because of this, many of the forest's mortal denizens have learned to utilize a magical system of transport known as the deep roots which allow one to traverse great distances within the forest in a few moments, although the destinations are very much fixed to key locations in the forest.

The cities found within Atheluin are ancient, and hearken to a time when the elven race was in ascendance with many of the cities exhibiting a mastery over the weave that is no longer possible. Swirling spires of stone that meld seamlessly with the living everbark of the Feywild make up many of the great palaces found throughout. Great Trees rise from the heart of each city, their canopies towering above even the tallest of towers whilst their roots spread out for miles beneath the earth. Animal imagery through either tapestries or statues is a common sight throughout the cities, such depictions serve as reverence towards fey spirits in recognition of the pact struck between the forest's original inhabitants and King Athelrond I. It is unknown how many of these cities exist within the great forest, as it is not uncommon for some cities to disappear suddenly only to reappear decades later. It is also to be noted that the forest is not very welcoming to outsiders, with many a foreign army wandering inside only to disappear without a trace.

## Notable Locations

**Athel Loren**: Known as the city of Athel is the capital of Atheluin.

**Tor Athel**: Known as the port of Athel is the largest port found within Atheluin acting as both a hub for maritime trade and home of the elven navy.

**Toralean Loren**: Once a great city, Toralean was referred to by some as the Gate of Atheluin due to its proximity to the northern borders of the forest, the city would fall during the Decade of Woe when the city's lord, Beluin, summoned a demonic host believing himself capable of outwitting their master and controlling them. He was mistaken, and his hubris would mark the end of this great city.

**The Crescent Tower**: Home to the Archmage, this magical tower serves as a sort of arcane academy for those who seek to master the arcane arts encouraging independent studies where acolytes are allowed to explore different aspects of magic at their own piece under the guidance of more experienced mages. The Crescent Tower was once a very insular establishment only taking in individuals of elven descent, however this mindset was changed during Zefher Morgen's tenure as archmage during which he pushed for more inclusivity and diversity in its selection of students arguing that to limit acolytes by race would grossly limit the tower's understanding of magic and the potential for expansion. This belief would persist after his retirement from the position, and is maintained by his successor to this day.

## Society

Atheluin is composed mostly of elves, with the majority being wood elves. Whilst there is no accurate consensus, modern day estimates place the population at around 400,000. While each city is ruled by a noble, or keeper as they are referred to in Atheluin, the nation's highest authority is that of the High Monarch in Athel Loren, currently High Queen Velennia IV who rules alongside her council (a more recent practice that was adopted from the Draconic Empire).

### The Queen's Council

**High Queen Velennia IV**: Known also as Velennia the Meek (although never to her face) is the current high queen of Atheluin, she ascended to the throne in the year 1878 AoD after her father's passing. Only 24 at the time, her young age at the time led to many questioning her rule and although the queen's council has done much to aid her, the nation's perceived loss during the Draconic Invasion of the Midlands has done little to strengthen her rule. Her tendency to acquiesce to her council's recommendations has earned her the title of the Meek and many of the common folk believe that she is unfit to rule.

**Thelron, Herald of the Queen**: Lord Thelron is the queen's chief advisor and regarded by many as being the second strongest elf in Atheluin. A staunch traditionalist, Thelron is a vocal advocate of maintaining the nation's isolation from the outside world, a sentiment that has grown to be far more popular in recent decades.

**Alarand, the Queen's Champion**: The current captain of the Queensguard, Alarand is as young as his queen having been raised to be her champion from his birth. Like his predecessors he was bound to his monarch at birth through the use of a magical ritual that ensures his undying loyalty to his queen.

**Weavebinder Beranabus**: The current archmage of the Crescent Tower, Beranabus is an accomplished wizard having mastered various fields of magic under the tutelage of Zefher Morgen. He is known as being a resolute individual with a singular focus on his goals to the point that he comes off as aloof and uncaring. As weavebinder he serves as the queen's advisor on matters relating to the arcane arts, he also has a direct hand when it comes to tutoring members of the queensguard on honing their arcane abilities.

**Warmaster Vannion**: Vannion is a renowned general who earned a great deal of acclaim as a renowned warrior at a young age after he defeated a malevolent fey spirit that took on the form of a white lion. This act earned him the title of the White Lion of Atheluin, a title that is only reinforced by the white lion's pelt that he tends to wear as a cloak. He is known as being a warm and charismatic individual, his cheery attitude often times seen as being disarming.

**Shadowbinder Ellana**: Ellana serves as Atheluin's spymaster, commanding the nation's shades, advising the queen on matters of espionage, and overseeing matters requiring a subtler touch. She is a mysterious individual, and in truth little is known about her except that she was inducted into the shades at a young age where she quickly rose through the ranks to earn the title of Shadowbinder.

**Feysinger Adawen**: Adawen holds the position of Feysinger, serving as the bridge between the fey spirits and the elves of Atheluin. Traditionally, a Feysinger is said to rarely be seen at court, instead spending years travelling the forest lost within forgotten glades and hidden groves where she communes with their fey denizens only returning to court in times of dire need. Atheluin's recent reconnection with the elven gods has given the Feysinger another role within the council, serving also as a direct line between the monarchy and the gods ensuring that both sides cooperate to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.

### Culture

The elven culture of Atheluin is one that evolved around King Athelrond's initial pact with the fey spirits of the forest, because of this a balance is maintained between society and nature, with the inhabitants of the forest ensuring that they appease the indigenous fey. This has led to many strange and diverse traditions being practiced throughout their cities, with the vast majority of them occurring close to the Summer and Winter solstices.

In addition, the isolationist nature of Atheluin has led to many elves adopting a xenophobic outlook when it comes to outsiders. The worst of this is the belief that the other races are somehow lesser, a belief that has found much popularity amongst the elven nobility of Atheluin who tend to value the "purity" of their blood. This belief whilst commonly seen amongst the more traditional elven clans has been growing out of fashion in recent decades, due to the increasing effects of globalization.

### Religion

Religion holds a unique position in Atheluin, in that it does not involve traditional forms of worship and in fact there are very few temples within the city. The dominant perspective on the elven gods is that while they are powerful entities they are not infallible or omnipotent, and the fact that they were once mortal only serves to reinforce this.

For millennia, the elves had an antagonistic relationship with "their" gods, a relationship that is heavily tied to their history. The elven gods were originally powerful mortal mages who were masters at bending the weave to their will. Eventually their perpetual search for power drew them to seek apotheosis, and in the process they enslaved their kin. Some elves capitulated whilst others rebelled, leading to the sundering of the ancient elven empire, and its subsequent fall. The would-be gods were betrayed by one of their siblings, Voluthruud, and were subsequently defeated and sealed within the Feywild. In the millennia that followed, the remaining elves shunned their gods, and many saw them as powerful beings to be feared. Their worship was avoided, instead limited to offerings made to avoid their wrath.

This would all change around the years 1130 AoD during a period of time known to the elves as the Decade of Woe when a demonic incursion into the Feywild almost led to the destruction of Atheluin. Equally threatened by this incursion the elven gods rose against this threat and subsequently reconnected with their mortal counterparts. Together they brought an end to the Decade of Woe, and Voluthruud's subsequent reconciliation with his siblings led to the elven gods once more finding a place in elven society. A mutually beneficial relationship was established between them, and the elven gods were gradually reintroduced into their culture, eventually finding a place of reverence in Atheluin.