The Aethelwald

* The Aethelwald
* Cal Araenora
* Lotusbloom Bastion
* Velenthir Estate
* Blinkwind Haven

The Aethelwald is a major faction operating within the continent of Ahlus.

## Description

Spawned by the resolve, will and desires of the Eladrin Aenarion Quelenneth Velenthir, the Aethelwald grew to be from the seeds sown by the so-called Fairy Club, Originally founded by the wood elf Glasfhlaith, who met fate at the hands of the hobgoblin Warlord Agruc Shred - a matter contested by some, whom instead believed the elf simply transcended to an elevated state of being - the Fairy Club held a chapterhouse in Whittengrove for a time, before moving to more permanently occupy the abandoned manor of Starhithe Rest, promptly renamed the Velenthir Estate in Aenerion's honour as he claimed it as his home upon the Material Plane. The attention of the Fairy Club then turned to domination and control of the surrounding forests of Covengrove and Candlegrove, finding frequent quarrel with the denizens of the cursed former.

After Covengrove vanished with the vanquishing and banishment of the Weald Witch, the geography of the region claimed by the Club underwent drastic change, firstly into that of largely featureless farmland plains, then the eruption of the Bristlebacks and the seemingly overnight appearance of the Weald's Wake on their southwestern edge. The scramble for control over these new lands resulted in the Club claiming great swathes of land in the region, as well as further expanding to claim much of the vast Wildwood within the new boundary of their territory.

This growing expanse and empire would catch the eyes of many of its neighbours, with the officials of both Rydoon and Whittengrove, as well as those territories within their domain growing increasingly cautious of the future plans of the Great Leader, the title that Aenarion now claimed. With the eladrin further committing his time to matters in the Feywild and Celestia, control of the lands would largely fall to those of his lineage, the Aeirs of Aenarion, and with it the domain would informally fragment into four, ruled from the capitals of Cal Araenora, the Velenthir Estate, Lotusbloom Bastion and Blinkwind Haven.

## Goals

While fragmented, the factions of the Aethelwald ultimately serve the same fundamental purpose and goal, though seek to achieve it through varying means. Expansion of the Aethelwald's influence, both in terms of lingering at the forefront of public consciousness and through physical, peaceful increase of its borders, remains paramount. Within these lands, freedom of expression and emphasis on collective achievement are held highly, for the Aethelwald seeks to create a domain in which all are welcome, and only strength of character and loyalty are considered in determining one's place.

To this intent, the Aethelwald actively works against those that would bring villainy and wickedness, whether found within its own borders or elsewhere, or those that disturb the natural way of order and chaos for their own selfish intentions. While primarily in service to all good Feyfolk, the Aethelwald has often found itself allied with organisations more mundane and Material Plane bound, striving towards a shared goal. To this effect, many servants of Archfey reside within the region, allowing them to live amongst their kin while having the freedom to stride out into the wider world.

## Tenets of the Aethelwald

* Freedom is the right of all, though an upstanding citizen can spare themselves less freedom than those they work to protect when the need presents itself.
* A stranger is but a friend unmet, for all are welcome in the Aethelwald. No matter race, belief or personal creed, provided that they serve faithfully and wholeheartedly, they should be greeted with an open heart.
* Those that revel in naught but destruction and devastation have no place in the natural order. They are the great enemy, and to be dealt with justly.

## Relationships

While generally viewed as whimsical and eccentric by many, there are those that remain cautiously vigilant when considering the residents of the Aethelwald. Versed with the unpredictability of those touched by the land of the Fey, the inscrutable intentions of the Archfey that so many amongst them serve and the rapid expansion with which the faction came to be, a few groups in the neighbouring regions of the Hollow Concord and the Lotus Basin shun involvement with the lands, while a few others actively conspire to ensure trade deals and agreements steer clear, encouraging contracts to be offered elsewhere.

The freedom afforded by the residents of the Aethelwald has allowed many to travel far beyond the region's territories, petitioned by their companions to seek out experiences anew in the wider world. Conversely, some instead travel to the Expanse in pursuit of a life less governed by bureaucracy. Occasionally conflicts stir when vagabonds, marauders and other criminals escaping the law flee to the region to carve a new niche. Should this niche prove beneficial for the surrounding communities, and the individual's goals find themselves aligned with the Aethelwald's, conflicts have been known to befall those that come to apprehend the escapee.

## Characters

The relative liberty of the region compared to the ironclad rules of other regions usually attracts free spirit and nonconformists, and so nowhere else in Ahlus do feyfolk reside in as great numbers as within the borders of the Aethelwald. Even for those not of fey ancestry, the influence of the Plane is ever present and thus a defining feature of day-to-day life, whether directly or indirectly.

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