High Nexus

Ebonhart Palace X737.

**Ebonhart**

* Brosdac Cavern
* Ebonhart Palace
* Elder Post
* Elerion Convent
* Felthas
* Grand Wilds of Plynboar
* Lathander Shrine
* Liberty Passage
* Mythglen
* Order of Plynboar
* Orovos Library
* Thermfrost
* Wolfhold

**Windale**

* Driftwatch
* Littleford
* Terminus
* Windale Keep

**High Nexus**, is a sprawling region in West Vayeron ruled by the current High King, Camus of Nexus.

In it's current form, it holds the title of **High Kingdom of Nexus**.

## History

The land originally existed as the Kingdom of Nexus in X052, ruled by the House Nexus royal bloodline. Over the years, the Kingdom rapidly grew and expanded to form the Nexus Empire with the region of **Ebonhart** as it's capital. At the height of it's rule, the Nexus Empire conquered 70% of Vayeron.

Throughout the centuries, the Nexus Empire slowly reduced in size, gradually losing large chunks of their empire. Some of these lost regions includes the sizeable land that later formed into Astrune and the Fey Crescent which was lost when the Gate of Strays opened.

By X587 the Nexus Empire still covered almost half of Vayeron. Upon his death bed Emperor Wilhelm of Nexus decided to split the empire between his three children. His first born, Claus of Nexus, received the land referred to as **High Nexus**, forming the High Kingdom of Nexus in X587. His second born, Rolfe I of Dinexus, inherited the land known as Lower Nexus, also creating the Lower Kingdom of Nexus in X587. Lastly, his youngest child and bastard daughter, Sylra of Valentia, was given a large region of East Nexus, which she named Valentia after her mother, Raella of Valentia. This resulted in tensions flaring between Sylra of Valentia and her half brother Rolfe I of Dinexus, who argued the land was connected to Lower Nexus and therefore belonged to him. He also argued that as a legitimate heir to Wilhelm of Nexus, the land was rightfully his as a bastard should have no claim to it.

In X588, as tensions reached a boiling point, Sylra of Valentia decided to mould the region into the Kingdom of Valentia. Rolfe I of Dinexus believed this was a decision to directly spite him, however, the real reason was because she wished to create a safe haven for outsiders. Something she had always felt like due to being the result of a love affair.

Over the past 150 years, High Nexus has been split into 3 distinct regions: Windale in the North, Alora in the South and Ebonhart in-between. The High King owns and rules the entirety of **High Nexus**, but has two governors appointed in the North and South of the country to efficiently reign over the sprawling land mass. The North Governor holds the title Duke or Duchess of Windale and has done for centuries due to the longstanding relations between House Nexus and House Windale. The current North Governor is Duke Andor Windale, whose daughter, Freyalise of Windale, is married to the current High King, Camus of Nexus.

After the **Gate of Strays** opened in X625, High Nexus became filled with thousands of Fey creatures, many of which were various types of Elves. The vast majority attempted to settle in the South, resulting in a discourse between the original Human residents and the new Elvish settlers. Over the next ten years, an Elvish noblewoman known as Alora Moonshard helped to bring harmony between the two warring groups, forging the path for them to co-exist through understanding and compassion. She successfully prevented a civil war and turned the region into a prosperous melting pot of Humans, Elves and those of Fey ancestry. To show his gratitude, the High King at the time, Clovis of Nexus, re-named the South of High Nexus to **Alora** and appointed Alora Moonshard the governor of the region, making her first Duchess of Alora. While this decision was generally agreed upon and supported, there were still those who were vehemently against it. Some historians argue that this choice was the final straw for some original Human settlers, being the direct cause for his assassination just three years later.

## Geography

### Alora

#### Arran Landing

A medium sized bustling harbour town mainly used to ferry people and goods to Port Greymouth in Lower Nexus. Although rare, mysterious visitors from Edos have been known to stop by the harbour to replenish their supplies on their journeys.

#### Alora Court

An exquisite, noble city with a white limestone castle at it'scentre. The Court was originally the home to many noble families and councilmen to the High King but has since become the heart of South High Nexus. The residency now belongs to whoever holds the title of Duke or Duchess of Alora.

#### Azure Brotherhood

A rowdy but good hearted brotherhood of fighters. Originally founded by Drest of Felthas. To this day, many graduates of Felthas Academy end up joining the Azure Brotherhood taking an oath to protect High Nexus and help those in need.

#### Il'Dorei

A coastal town founded by Edos migrants. It isn’t as refined as much of High nexus but is homely and welcoming.

#### Islebell

A quaint fishing village along the Nexus Coast.

#### Lilen

A completely human town built by those that didn’t want to integrate with the new arrivals from the Fey Crescent. They have a distaste of Elves, Fey and those of Fey Ancestry. They aren’t in favour of the current High King, Camus of Nexus, due to his strong support of a diverse and unified High Nexus, as well as him being of Elven ancestry.

#### Omarion

A predominately Elven city. It houses various Elven races that generally live in harmony with each other.

#### Seldarine Shrine

A temple frequented by Humans and Elves that follow the Seldarine Pantheon. It was built in honour and celebration of Alora’s newly diverse population and to accommodate for their beliefs.

### Ebonhart

#### Brosdac Cavern

A gigantic cavern tunnelled into the Draken Crag. Rumour has it was once the nest of a legendary creature. These days it is said to be inhabited by waves of monsters ranging from minor evil creatures to truly terrifying beings. As such the people of High Nexus are restricted from entering it for their own safety.

#### Ebonhart Palace

A staggeringly beautiful palace that has been the residence of every Nexian Emperor and every High King of Nexus. It has stood proudly since it was first built in X053 and has seen many iterations with each new owner. The current High King residing here is Camus of Nexus, along with his wife, Freyalise of Windale and their daughter, Camille of Nexus.

#### Elder Post

Built when the Nexus Empire was first split into the two kingdoms. It acts as a passageway between **High Nexus** and Lower Nexus, and is where the majority of trade between the two countries is carried out. Originally a small post dividing the two territories, it has now been fortified in line with the increasing tensions between the two Kingdoms over the last 150 years.

#### Elarion Convent

A convent of female monks famous for their strength and strong will throughout **High Nexus**. They live under a strict ideology of simplicity, obedience and chastity.

#### Felthas

A village renowned for its fierce fighters. It contains the Felthas Academy for those wishing to become skilled warriors.

#### Grand Wilds of Plynboar

An enormous, magical forest filled with giant sequoia trees that has existed since the dawn of Vayeron. It has been the area of operations for the Order of Plynboar for over three hundred years. Originally known as the Grand Wilds, the region has become synonymous with the Order of Plynboar over the past few hundred years, resulting in people calling it the Grand Wilds of Plynboar. While the mystical area is kept somewhat under control by the Order of Plynboar, there are still many dangerous creatures roaming the forest that have managed to evade the order.

#### Lathander Shrine

Ebonhart’s main shrine and place of worship. Although it is a shrine built for Lathander, worshippers of the entire Faerunian pantheon can come here to commune and pray to their Gods.

#### Liberty Passage

The main trade and traveller route between the High Kingdom of Nexus and Astrune. It was forged shortly after Astrune was founded with the two areas declaring a peace treaty. The passage is encompassed by the Grand Wilds of Plynboar.

#### Mythglen

A small hunting village in the North of High Nexus.

#### Order of Plynboar

A large guild of expert hunters, rangers and survivalists. The order started a few hundred years ago by Ansel Plynboar, a legendary ranger, and his group of hunters. He and his Order gained favour with the royal family for his service in keeping the Grand Wilds of Plynboar under control.

#### Orovos Library

The largest and oldest library in High Nexus, with some arguing for it being the most extensive library in Vayeron. It contains a plethora of knowledge, including the ancient history of the Nexus Empire and Vayeron. The library was founded by Orovos Riverlight, pushed by his otherworldly thirst for knowledge. It is currently owned by his descendant Halitos Riverlight but is ran by his second wife, Isena Riverlight and their son, Isaac Riverlight.

#### Thermfrost

An icy, steadfast territory in North High Nexus. It has been occupied by numerous Giant clans since the early ages of Vayeron. While it falls under the territory of High Nexus, the High King doesn’t govern the area, instead leaving the Giants to live in peace provided they do not cause issues outside the territory.

#### Wolfhold

A small settlement joining Ebonhart and Windale. It is the home of the Runewalk Clan, who are rumoured to be lycanthropes.

### Windale

#### Driftwatch

Located along a 100m wall to prevent the escape of Terminus inmates. Duke Andor Windale's men are stationed here to keep watch over the border between the icy landscape of The Devil’s Peaks and the rolling green vale of High Nexus.

#### Littleford

A decently sized, quaint village. The outer perimeter is filled with farms providing Windale with much of its food.

#### Terminus

A hellish granite prison located in the harsh wasteland of The Devil’s Peaks. Only the worst criminals find themselves transported here.

#### Windale Keep

A formidable keep in North High Nexus ran by a long line of Duke Windales. The first Duke of Windale was a close confidant of the first High King, Claus of Nexus. He was gifted with the keep and the surrounding land for his loyalty and friendship. This partnership has been honoured throughout all iterations of the High King and Dukes of Windale to the present day.