Theros

Theros is a nation in the Theros peninsula in southern Faerun. It's ruled by a council called The Trinity, which controls most of the peninsula including the south, the east coast, and central Theros. Their major cities in Setessa, Meletis, and Akros.

Theros is polytheistic. Most Therosians worship all 16 legitimate gods of their pantheon. Some may pray to them every day while others worship them when they feel the need is most appropriate. A lot of Therosians will select one or two gods to hold in the highest esteem. Their choices are usually based on their lived experiences, values, and professions. Those who dedicate their lives to the service of one god in particular rise through the ranks of their temples to become oracles.

## History

In 500, the Heliodson family conquered several rival humanoid tribes in the peninsula through their powerful fire magic. They called their new unified nation Theros after the peninsula it was founded upon. They gained control over most of the land. However, many communities remained independent such as the Leonin, Amazons, Minotaurs, Centaurs, Satyrs, and Tritons.

Understanding that a shared faith system helped keep the peace among the population, the Heliodsons expanded the ruling power structure to include an oracle along with the throne. The first Oracle of Theros came into power in 525.

Seeing growing anger and protests in their population, a third seat was added to the ruling council. This seat would be filled by a member of the population. The first Archon was elected in 610. Voting was restricted to male landowners at the time. It was slowly expanded over the years to include finally include any citizen aged 18 or older in 812.

In 1000, tens of thousands of Therosians left theros and founded the city-state of Verse Sai, a home to all queer people.

## Recent History

Queen Penelope Heliodson died in 1482 alongside almost all of the Heliodson family members. Her son, Prince Demetrius, survived the plague that consumed his house. His uncle Prince Varik, brother of Penelope, was away in the military at the time so he was spared as well. Prince Varik ruled as King Regent until Demetrius' coronation on his 18 birthday in 1492.

Theros is currently experiencing attacks from mysterious undead beings that attacked King Demetrius' coronation.

## Notable Locations

**Akros** is a walled city that sits on the edge of a cliff above the Deyda River. It’s sigil is the ram. The architecture is simple and militaristic with sharp edges and angular shapes. The city is overseen by a Lord Commander. The Lord Commander is chosen by the Lekotoi and serves for one 8 year term.

Akroans are a military people. All of its citizens serve in the city guard, the Strations, when they turn 16 and are released at the age of 21 with the option of continuing on, following their studies, or getting a civilian job. Military training is a large part of the city’s education. Most of Theros’ army comes from Akros.

The Lektoi is the nobility of the city. It’s primarily made up of high ranking city guards, retired military heroes, and athletes. Serfs, farmers, and craftsmen make up the middle and lower classes.

Every year Akros hosts the Iroan games. It’s a competition where athletes from all over Theros come to participate. Winners often join the ranks of the Lektoi.

**Meletis** is the polar opposite of Akros. The city is dedicated to knowledge, philosophy, and magic. It’s the most populous city and the most progressive. It’s ruled by a council of five elected officials called the Philosopher’s Star. Each member is elected to a four year term.

The city’s streets are cobblestones made in interlocking geometric shapes to represent mathematics and magic. Large temples line the streets.
Meletis is a prosperous city with a large middle class. It’s people are educators, storytellers, musicians, cartographers, fishermen, weavers, and magical researchers.

**Setessa** is the capital of Theros. It was founded to be the seat of power for the country so it is smaller than Akros and Meletis. It’s a regal and pristine city with government buildings, large temples, museums, and bathhouses.

The local rule of the city is handled by an elected official chosen by popular vote called the politarch.

**Oreskos** is a valley close to the mountains to the north of Theros. Several dozen prides of Leonin roam the Oreskos.

Most leonin live in cave dens while hunters, explorers, and scavengers, live in large tent cities. They tend to despise outsiders and there’s only an unstable truce among most prides.

The leonin didn't join the rest of the Theros communities in the fight against Queen Nekros. Her undead army blighted the pride lands and eliminated half of the leonin. Some leonin are currently trying to purify their homeland so they can reclaim it. Most now live as refugees across the peninsula.

**The Nessian Woods** is home to the satyrs. These nomads don’t build permanent structures. They're fun a loving people who live to party and dance. They’re usually very welcoming, but they are fierce defenders of their woods - they’ll attack anyone seen harming it or the creatures who live in it.

The woods are sacred to Nylea and Karametra. Nylea allows hunting here, but she is quick to punish those who hunt unethically and unsustainably. The goddesses can often be found here - whether as themselves or wildlife or other humanoids.

**Desmos** is home to the Therosian Amazons and the ancestral home of all of Toril’s Amazons. It’s a society made up entirely of women or whose gender isn’t strictly male. The city is located deep within the Nessian Woods. Nature and society coexist peacefully here as Karametra and Nylea are their patron goddesses. There are no stone paths - well manicured grass covers the city’s grounds. Homes, temples, and other structures are built in and around large trees.

Desmos is governed by a Matriarch. The matriarch is elected by popular vote and serves for five years. They can serve a maximum of two terms. Only citizens aged 50 or above are allowed to run. The current Matriarch is Lezos. The oracle of Karametra and Nylea is the second most powerful position in Desmos. The oracle is chosen among the temples' priestesses. The current oracle is Minerva.

**The Siren Sea** is home to the Tritons. The queendom of Cerulean is ruled by Queen Wavera of house Saedra. Unlike traditional triton laws that dictate isolation from the surface, Queen Wavera seeks an active partnership with Theros. They made colonies on an archipelago just south of Theros' southern coast to establish relations.

**Lagonna Fields** is a massive grassland where nomadic tribes of centaurs live. The centaurs are mostly peaceful but do train fierce warriors for defense. They enjoy competition, trading goods and knowledge, and exploring the natural world. They’re led by a council made up of a courser (leader), an omener (oracle), a barterer (ambassador and master trader), a koletra (general).

**Phoberos** is often called the badlands of Theros. It’s a harsh region of heat and arid canyons. Legend says that the red clay and dirt of the ground is from generations of blood spilled by the marauding bands of minotaurs that roam the land.

Many in Theros believe the minotaurs should be exterminated or driven out of Theros due to their savage nature. No living being outside of the minotaurs have set foot in their city of Skophus. Rumors circulate of its existence but many believe it’s just a myth. The minotaur warlord is Chiron. He believes he’s destined to conquer Theros for the minotaurs.

**Deuteros** was a city-state ruled by Queen Nekros and was home to her Returned and other undead followers. The city fell when the Army of the Living attacked and the Acolytes in Sexy Tights killed the evil queen. Considering it was heavily blighted by The Returned, it now sits abandoned.