Elairana (the Elven Lands)

The Elven Lands of Awbor (known by the elves as Elairana) are the remnants of the elven civilisation that existed before the human colonisation of Awbor. Restricted to the North West side of the country, The Human-centric kingdom of Awbor have misunderstood and misrepresented the elven lands for close to a thousand years, an act that is encouraged by the elves to preserve their culture.

## History

Twelve thousand years ago in what will become Awbor, the elven civilisations noticed the arrival of a new race called humans. They were primitive still, but slowly spread across the land and founded several settlements. Over close to 10 000 years the human culture gradually displaced the elves’, though the process was sped up by several violent events. Slowly the humans forced back the elven sphere of influence into the North West side of the country. During the brutal civil war that eventually gave rise to the Awbor kingdom, the council of elders sensed an opportunity to preserve what they had left. They elected the Ambassador, the representative of all elven interests. As the dust of the civil war settled onto the new kingdom, the Ambassador organised talks with King Bryad I. The elven lands became a definitive part of Awbor, the Ambassador becoming (in the eyes of the humans) the lord of the Elven Lands, and gained a seat in the Council of Lords of Awbor.

## Elairana Forest

The Elairana Forest is the current homeland of the elves. The Council of Elders based in Zaruil, the actual cultural capital of the elves, lies hidden in the centre of the Forest. The vast majority of the population is likewise hidden in numerous settlements scattered across the forest. Druids tend to the health of the woodland itself, while rangers patrol the borders, repelling any unwanted visitors. Human adventurers, misdirected by magic and tricks, are guided away from the settlements, and back to the forest edge.

Each Settlement has at its heart a Fey Cherry Tree, one of the largest trees of the material plane. The tree serves as the cultural meeting point for the settlement. Druids encourage and direct the tree and the branches to grow in specific directions and shapes, allowing the creation of houses, hollows, and shrines for the elders, children, or religious functions. These trees have magical properties, protecting whoever lives within its branches from weather events, such as high winds or extreme temperatures. The rest of the elves often live in the trees surrounding the Fey Cherry tree, and it is quite easy for humans to walk through an elven settlement utterly unaware of the significance of their surroundings.

## Baeltas Mountains

The Baeltas Mountains are the ancient relics of a once great mountain range. Humans know very little about them, but it is rumoured that there are still some dwarf and goliath settlements within the mountains, and they trade exclusively with the elves. The Silver Knights obtain mournlode from the Baeltas Mountains.

## Yareen (Cromwell)

Home to the Elven Ambassador, this is one of the only settlements open to the rest of the human population.

## Culture

The elves have kept to themselves. The Ambassador ensures that human politics have as little impact on the elven lands as possible, and the elven rangers ensure that any unwanted visitors are kept well away from any settlements. Between these different actions, the majority of the humans in Awbor vastly underestimate the actual size and population of the elven people. In effect, the elves have constructed one of the biggest double acts in history. By ensuring they have a seat at the table, they have been able to safeguard their culture and help protect the arrangement. Their willingness to trade from Cromwell, their continued aid during dangerous times, and the excellent work from the Ambassadors have kept the other Lords content and supportive of the current arrangements. Knowledgeable humans are aware of the presence of the secretive settlements of the elves, but few humans know of the true extent of the deception.

There is a small but significant sub population of tallfellow halflings living amongst the elves.

### Organisations

The Silver Knights of Sehanine is the military arm of the Church of Sehanine, one of the most prevalent churches in Elairana. They are tasked with defending the forest from the Undead.