Erenastre

Erenastre is a republic located in the continent of Ansella, just west of the Three Kingdoms and north of the Kingdom of Roselia across a large mountain range. It's governed by representatives from different regions of the country and by Sages who are specially trained scholars and law makers. Although they have guards and a military to enforce the law and protect their borders, they also employ a special group of knights known as Marshals who are charged with protecting the people and keeping the peace.

## History

### Langian Era

> *"Some might say the deep forest is a strange place for those who worship the sun, but what is a tree if not a creature outstretched in perpetual praise of the sun's life-giving light? Perhaps the Lang felt they were in good company."*
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> —Grand Sage Arnott Mignella, Erenastrean Scholar
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Around 300 ME, the Langian elves arrived from the east through the mountains and settled in the forests and coasts of the region. Although they were still loyal to their creator, Lumina, they revered the sun and built great white and gold temples whose towers rose out of the canopy of the deep forests.

Conflicts soon began to arise with the fey in the area, as many of the deep woods had connections to the Feywild and the Feymarch. Although the Lang struggled against them in the beginning, several strategic victories allowed them enough of a foothold that they were able to seal away most of the gateways to the fey realms. After centuries of war, with the Langian elves having greatly dwindled in number, a treaty was reached with the fey that allowed them to retain control of what is known in modern day Erenastre as the Deep Wood.

Despite dwelling in the forests, many of the more important Langian structures were built with gold and white marble found and mined in the area, and their holy artifacts were often made with gold and ivory until the elephant herds in the region began to dwindle and die out. While ivory could still be found by hunting elk in the area, later artifacts were made with a white soapstone instead.

### Pre-Unification

Halflings began migrating into the south-western plains of the region around 2650 ME, seeking their own lands away from the prejudice of those living in the territories of Roselia. Humans and non-Langian elves gradually migrated to the forest and coastal regions from the south and the east, either seeking their own fortune or fleeing the warring regions of the Three Kingdoms. Although new settlers sometimes created tension with the Langian elves who lived there, they were more often than not allies in the fight against the fey.

In the 4000's ME, as the Langian civilization dwindled, the small farming and mining towns had grown into loosely affiliated territories and baronies. In 4116 ME, the Kingdom of Roselia began to expand northward across the mountains, and though prejudice against Halflings had largely ended when the kingdom formed, a resentment still lingered among them for the treatment of their forefathers. The people of the region rallied around the barony of Erenia and named the Baron Ralse Alderick, who was a hero of the region and a popular figure, as their King.

As the newly formed Kingdom of Erenia was fighting back Roselia to the south, the forested regions of the northeast were fighting back against the fey of the Deep Wood, who were attempting to seize control again now that the Langians had all but vanished, leaving empty temples to be plundered for their gold and precious artifacts. With the help of the remaining Langian elves who taught them powerful magics, and the leadership of the Knights of Rastre, they were able to reseal the gateways that had been opened by the fey throughout the territory. After that, the last remaining Langians retreated to settle Langia and guard the few temples that had yet to be ransacked.

The region remained a loosely affiliated group of territories until 4405 ME, when a dispute over fishing territory sparked a war with the nomadic Durgali tribes of the Durgali Tundra, known as the First Durgali War. The Knights of Rastre by that point had gained tremendous influence in the region, and their leader Ser Arla Guignira united the territories into the Kingdom of Rastre. Ser Guignira ensured her Kingdom's victory against the Durgali barbarians, and though she was well loved by the people, she refused to be named their Queen, insisting that her trusted advisor, a half-elf named Bennet Ellenroth be crowned instead.

In 4835 ME, Bennet's successor Queen Odella Ellenroth would lead another war against the Durgali, attempting to take the northern peninsula, and drive out the Orcs that had settled into the mountains to the north and eastern regions of Erenastre. Although some progress would be made in the 70 years the war raged on, it would ultimately fail. Queen Odella would also attempt to expand the Kingdom's territory into Erenastre, but by that point the kingdom didn't have enough resources, and the war-weary people threatened rebellion. A more amiable relationship would form between Erenia and Rastre when her son Andlin Ellenroth took the throne.

### Two Kingdoms, United

By 5420 ME, the two neighboring kingdoms were on the brink of disaster.

The proud Kingdom of Erenia had fallen on hard times. The easterly winds brought dust storms from the barren lands of the southwest, making it difficult for crops to grow.

The noble Kingdom of Rastre was fighting a losing war against the Durgali tribes of the north who were back in much larger numbers than ever before, and quickly found they were lacking the manpower to drive them back.

The two kingdoms, having enjoyed very favorable relationships in the past, decided to unite under one banner, and combine their strengths to form the Kingdom of Erenastre. To symbolize and cement this union, Princess Aria Laserie Ellenroth of Rastre was married to Prince Eren Ralse Oliviander of Erenia.

Now united, they drove back the Durgali and weathered the dust storms, coming out stronger than ever. Queen Aria and King Eren proved competent and compassionate rulers, but as the years passed on, the public grew concerned for the lack of an heir to the new throne. The real reason was never officially confirmed, but it was rumored that the Queen had become barren due to her heart belonging to another.

In truth, her heart did belong to another, a traveler from the land of Orden far to the southwest named Mara Ruffolk. In her land she was a Marshal, a special keeper of the peace, and protector of the people. They had met when Aria was a young woman, living in the secluded mountains of Rastre. They spent a beautiful summer there together, but the news of her betrothal to Eren and the importance of their kingdom’s union dashed any hope of their love blossoming further. Word of this relationship would only surface decades after the Queen’s death, but its impact on the realm would nonetheless be unmistakable.

When King Eren unexpectedly passed away due to his weak immune system, all hope of a true heir died with him. Queen Aria felt that Erenastre could not stand together as a Kingdom after her passing, and so set about to dismantle the monarchy and form a republic in its place.

### A Republic Formed

Deep in the mountains of Rastre, Queen Aria founded two schools in the secluded valley of Irimroth (now often referred to as Cradle Valley): The School of Sages that taught the future leaders of Erenastre in the ways of philosophy and diplomacy, and the School of Marshals that taught elite warriors who were sworn to keep the peace and protect the people. These schools would be populated by children from across the realm who are chosen to leave their families at a very young age to serve the greater good.

This change didn’t come without some unrest, as many Erenians saw this as Rastre seizing power over them. In order to prevent a civil war, the capital was moved to Valorith, where King Eren grew up. In the late King’s honor, a statue was erected there, greeting those who visited the city. Later, a similar one was erected of Queen Aria in Irimroth, watching over the future leaders and peacekeepers of the nation.

The transition of power was long and difficult, but thanks to the Queen’s careful supervision, she was finally able to relinquish the crown and retire for the rest of her days. By that time, her age had caught up to her, but she lived for yet another decade, long enough to see her republic thrive and blossom. She expressed the hope that Erenastre would remain strong and united in an address made days before she died peacefully in her sleep. The people of the realm mourned her passing not as Erenians and Rastreans, but as proud and noble Erenastreans.

### Current Day Erenastre

In the nearly 300 years since the republic was founded, Erenastre remained strong, repelling two more Durgali invasions, driving them far enough back the second time that the Durgali decided it was no longer worth it to poke at the bear anymore. Relationships and alliances with neighboring kingdoms and territories were forged, leading to a lasting peace.

While the Sages gained a bit of a reputation for being aloof and overly analytical, the Marshals became beloved and respected by the people, often known to be fair and personable. It wasn’t out of place for a Sage to seek the endorsement of a popular Marshal, and their presence in a town or village would elicit the wonder and excitement of any children in the area.