Valtavien

The **Valtavien**, also known as the **High Elves** are the most populous of all the Elvenkind factions among the world. The High Elves dwell in the temperate lands of the northern hemisphere and are comprised of five separate Empires, each brought together by their shared interest in art and magic. The Valtavien League was formed by the original Starlight Council, an assembly of the five Aether Empresses now named the Ethereal Founders.

The Valtavien people pride themselves on jewels, finery, artistic talent, magical skill and intelligence yet meditate to ensure humility among their people so they do not cause catastrophic oversights from arrogance, an outcome they know all too well.

## The Five Empires

### **Serin Empire**

The current largest of the five Valtavien empires, the Serin Empire is a colossal sprawling territory who have made advancements in terms of warfare and combat, having the Valtavien’s greatest warriors within. The Serin Empire are pioneers in terms of armour, siege weapons, projectiles, bladesmanship techniques and bladed weapons.

### **Ortheriad Empire**

The Ortheriad Empire is a growing domain of Valtavien dwelling closest to the equator. The domains of the Ortheriad empire are usually lush green grasslands, sprawling jungles and richly diverse waters. As a result of this, Ortheriad are trailblazers in terms of the High Elves' knowledge on magic and it's functions.

### **Yve Empire**

A smaller but hardy and coastal kingdom, the Yve Empire is a colossal sea-power, having the strongest navy, the most prosperous trade routes and holding the title of: those who discovered the world. A gruff and defensive folk, the Yve Empire is very battle-hungry themselves and are commonly stereotyped by other Valtavien as being easily-offended.

### **An-galon Empire**

The An-galon Empire is considered to be a cultural hub for creatives, having produced some of the greatest artists, playwrights, musicians, poets, scientists and philosophers in Valtavien history. Broadly defined as a peaceful Empire, An-galon often encourages free travel into their borders from other Empires and it is often considered a paradise for the creatively inclined. Those of An-galon are often enthusiastic, spritely, highly intelligent and creative but may also be naive and arrogant.

### **Yafendell Empire**

The most northern of the Valtavien Empires, Yafendell occupies a significant space and also neighbours the Faedryn in the continent of Aegura. Yafendell are both a hardy and strong-willed folk but also a trading titan. Covering a large and diverse area of the Globe, Yafendell have access to a large number of vital goods for other elves, be it pelts, wool, metals, glass or spices and have fostered a strong relationship with the Yve Empire so they may distribute these goods.

## Religion

The state religion of the Valtavien League is Cenithism, a polytheistic faith that is widely worshipped with different empires having individual interpretations and creeds. The religion has a vast host of gods, spirits, fae and elven heroes. The names of those figures, gods and places have lived on for centuries  in the form of language, place names and their tales are sung and painted to this day.

## Sex and Sexuality

The Valtavien view sex less freely than the Faedryn do but nowhere near as restrictive as the Volorel. The Valtavien view sex and sexuality in three very different ways, for reproduction, for pleasure and for power. Reproduction is the drive that keeps the elven race afloat and elves are usually very fertile, producing many children in one birth. Some Valtavien view sex as its own art form and some individuals or groups put great emphasis on the pleasure of the act. However, the most perhaps insidious usage of sex is for power; either for some depraved Valtavien to manipulate their partners or for some nobles to bring up their house with sex, forming alliances between other houses

## Military

Individually, each empire of the Valtavien League has a long history of martial exploits, be they timeless victories or notorious failures, some specialising in the art of war more than others. Before their alliance, the Serin Empire was renowned and feared in equal measure, for they had warriors of such a caliber that defeat was merely a distant memory. Meanwhile, the troops of Yafendell won not through particular technique and skill but by through sheer choking numbers.

After all five empires became one, the Scarlet Host was formed, the unified Valtavien Military comprised of all others. The Scarlet Host, after facing some complications and disagreements as far as minutia and logistics, has become one of the most effective, disciplined and triumphant military forces the planet has ever seen. Named so after the colour of Estor, the Cenithist god of conquest and battle, the Scarlet Host has two major divisions, its army and its navy.

### Scarlet Army

The Scarlet Army is the ground-based fighting force of the Valtavien League. yheir banners, fine raiments and greatest armour is forged and woven in An-Galon. Their warriors are trained in the ancient arts and practices of Serin. Their mages and mystics are trained and find enlightenment in the vistas of Ortheriad. However, the manpower is build and bred among all five lands.

### Scarlet Navy

The Scarlet Navy (Lyvasto) is indesputably one of the strongest navies on the planet, having a secure grip over the Astral Sea and the majority of the Eternal Ocean beyond. The Navy is comprised of vessels from two opposing eras; one of relic-craft from an ancient era of warfare and discovery, and the others are fresh ships constructed after the Valtavien Leage was founded. In total, the Valtavien Navy has 800 active craft of varying classes as well as over a million members (including reserves).

## Notable Characters

### Hallitar

The Hallitar is a reletively small council of the League's most elite members, be it through warfare or royalty. The Hallitar is comprised of around a hundred elves, each of which are immensely powerful be it through societal or physical dominance. The Hallitar is lead by the five Aetheric Emperors, those who command the Valtavien League.

* **Raisa Ruthilier** - Raisa Ruthilier, known as the **Scarlet Lion** is the current Aether Empress of the Serin Empire and a member of the Starlight Council. Raisa is a fierce and strict ruler and has been responsible for large-scale expansion of the Serin Empire through conquest and industrialisation. Raisa has kept to her assumed role as a ladylike noble, however, she has trained in swordsmanship with Calathar, a close friend and confidant of hers'.
* **Maeryn Lembant** - Maeryn Lembant is the current Aether Empress of the An-galon Empire
* **Varmai** **Lecton** - is the current Empress of the Yafendell Empire
* **Eleri Stryder** - Eleri Stryder, also referred to as **Grey Whale**, is the current Aether Empress of the Yve Empire. Eleri is a foul-mouthed and well-travelled sailor, being one of the few living elves to have travelled all twelve oceans, be it through war or wonder. Eleri has twelve husbands, each found from one of the twelve oceans of the world. As a noblewoman, she is encouraged to take an Order or Fleet to command and has done so with gusto, poring over great tombs of strategy to be a competent admiral as well as a decisive empress.
* **Ilma Starhand** - Ilma Starhand, also known as is the current Aether Empress of the Ortheriad Empire. Ilma is smitten with the cultures and ways of the Faedryn and has thus integrated many of their teachings and practices into the magical meditations of her people.
* Senior officer woman, Pryde woman
* **Calathar** - best warrior alive.