Sovereignty of Selmar

The Crystal Throne of Laelis'ura

The Sovereignty of Selmar is the ruling government of Selmar. The Sovereignty is largely comprised of Selmari, and is led by the Crystal Council and an entity known as the Lucent.

## History

### **Creation of Selmar (3R-104)**

At the end of the Second Reign, the gods Varen Laelis and Esindil (known in Garn as Ranio and Firsir respectively) traveled beyond their borders and into the southern wild lands of Selmar. They sought to find a private land where they could live alone, free from disturbance. Together they crafted a beautiful new dominion, with Varen Laelis weaving together a vast landscape of floating islands (now known as the Heavenside Holms) and Esindil filling the lands with life. Esindil created many races, like the crystalline Selmari and the lion-like Ven Savali. These races filled the lands of Selmar, and Varen Laelis and Esindil began to watch over the land as their own.

### **Laelis'ura (3R-345)**

For many years, the Selmari lived under the ground in giant caverns of crystals and ores. Varen Laelis, the god of the sun, felt that they were not appreciating the world that he had helped build for them, so he crafted a beautiful floating city at the center of the Varenvissa Mountains. The Selmari began to craft a powerful nation from this foundation, naming the city Laelis'ura after the deity that had built it for them. This city became the capital of the new nation, which called itself the Sovereignty of Selmar.

### **The Assault from Beyond (3R-870-889)**

Near the end of the Third Reign, Slaadar devoured a Heart Gem for the first time, and finally felt his unending hunger subside. Starving for more, Slaadar commanded his children to leave Garn and attack Selmar, and bring back as many Heart Gems as they could. The Slaadi attacked the **Sovereignty**, and a large scale war broke out. The most courageous Selmari warriors were named Sanj Ahari, meaning "The Undying Hearts" in Selmari. Once the Selmari learned that the Slaadi were vulnerable only to the harshest flames, they cast the Heart Gems of the Sanj Ahari into the Screaming Chalice, knowing that the Heart Gems would survive but that Slaadi could not. This meant that nobody could reach the Heart Gems of the Sanj Ahari, and they could continue to die and be reborn as necessary. The Sanj Ahari turned the tide of battle against the Slaadi, and pushed them back to the Lavvernin Rainforest.

### **The Veil of Sedition (4R-524)**

The Beasts Beyond continued to assault Selmar whenever possible, forever hungering for their Heart Gems. Varen Laelis and Esindil feared for their people, and knew that the Sanj Ahari would eventually be overwhelmed by the ever-multiplying Slaadi. The pair traveled to entreat aid from their mother, Enur'el. The Runemother saw the conflict, and saw the growing rage and power of the Selmari. Enur'el removed one of her eyes, planting it atop an icy tower in Elluria. This came to be known as Elluria's Eye, and for as long as it remained closed Garn would be separated from Selmar, Prakk, and Varellia by a magical barrier known as the Veil of Sedition. This was to protect Selmar from the Beasts Beyond, but also to protect Garn from the country that Selmar was bound to become. Still, Enur'el loved her children in Garn, and so she would open her eye once a year in order to gaze upon them and hear their requests. For one day a year, she would commune with the Runepriest and hear their requests, but this weakened the Veil enough for the Beasts Beyond to break through in search of Heart Gems. The Sanj Ahari would prepare for this day every year, and were always prepared to handle the onslaught of Slaadi that would tear through the Veil.

### **War of Thorns (6R-861-892)**

After the desecration of the Temple of Tides, the Sovereignty of Selmar declared war against the Sinful Legion. The War of Thorns lasted thirty years, and largely destroyed the Marsh of Thorns in the process. Near the end of the war, the Selmari called upon the aid of the Sanj Ahari, which turned the tide against the forces of Anterrel. The Sinful Legion was largely destroyed, and Anterrel's followers scattered.

## Politics

The Sovereignty is ruled by a croup of eight Selmari called the Crystal Council, which meditate upon the Lucent in order to guide the nation. The Lucent was born of Esindil and Varen Laelis, the deities of the moon and sun respectively, which are worshipped by the Selmari. The Crystal Council makes all decisions on behalf of the Sovereignty, but they only act when they believe it is in the will of the Lucent.

Laelis'ura is the capital city of the Sovereignty, while the holy city of Moonrest functions as a secondary capital. Moonrest primarily serves the Crown Fields, the Marsh of Thorns, and the Tooth of Onath, while Laelis'ura governs the Varenvissa Mountains, the Tropic of Kososiia, and the Savalin Savannah. These two cities represent the sun and moon, which the Selmari believe are the crystalline domains of Esindil and Varen Laelis.