Empire of Etraria

Etraria, a Elven naval empire located in the northeastern part of Aitrias, has lived off of trade and industrialism for decades. A united state of the various Elven houses and city-states, Etraria is ruled by the absolutist House of Ilinorin. While its economy, military, and political bureaucracy is extensive, the various factions of Noble Houses is the greatest threat to the power of the Ilinorin Emperors.

## Etymology

Etraria is based on the capital city of Etrar which is furthered located in the province of Etas. Etrar, a combination of the words Etai, meaning "horizon" and Rar, a reference to the sea, its depths and dangers but also reference to the life that relies upon it. Rar holds a significant spiritual and physical meaning to the people of Etraria, as they too are dependent on the sea and the life that it gives.

## History

#### The City-States of Etas

The Etasi States were a collection of about a dozen to two dozen towns and major cities that dotted the Yvenas River watershed. The first of these cities was Yanaes, an ancient and glorious city that was said to be the birth of Elven civilization in the region. Yanaes created an empire from 313 to 951 in which culture, art, and music thrived. However, internal power struggles, plague, and the First Great Flood (which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands) eventually lead to its collapse. Over a millennium of fighting, competition, and development has resulted in these states failing to gain an edge over the other. With them all being highly similar save for the larger ones, the states formed alliances and spheres which stimulated competitive markets and forced them to be on their toes. Eventually, the populace became highly specialized, highly skilled, and their longer-than-average lifetimes allowed plenty of time for this to happen.

What was known as the Post-Yanaes Status Quo was quickly interrupted, however, by the Falmorian War. The War was between the city of Etrar and the Clianian League. In 2135, the Great Sage of Cliana, stole the wife of the King of Etrar, Orist VI Ilinorin, who then called upon the Kingdom's allies to wage war to get her back. The war lasted a total of 47 years and continued well after the death of Queen Aledara. Orist would never stop fighting Cliana until their collapse but when he died in 2253 the war fizzled out. Cliana was devastated and would take over 200 years to recover while Etrar started to establish the first hegemony over the City states since the Yanaen Empire.

In order for any single ruler to unite the people of Etraria, one had to be of descent from the original rulers of Yanaes. These rulers were said to be of House Ilinorin or at least some branch of it. The original house was never named, only descendants of the First Emperor were identified as they were in line for the succession. Most of them died off or were descendants of a woman of the house and thus illegitimate. The main branch is thus only left to the Ilinorins, which solidifies their Gods-given right to rule. The Emperors of the Etraria claim to be descendants of Rilitar, the Moon God.

#### Etraria's Foundation

The Empire in its modern state was found in 2500, upon the ascension of Emperor Elandorr which created a union between Etrar and the Great House of Olavaris. Elandorr's mother was the last of the Olavaris and although that house would die, its legacy ends with the Ilinorins, giving it legendary status. What this meant for Etraria, however, was the first unification of its people in 2 and a half millenniums. The other Great Houses were thus powerless to stop the might of Etrar, its armies, and its economic might. The Yvenas Accords (which kept peace since the Baler War between the Great Houses of the west and Etrar) of 2400 was disbanded and reformed into the Empire of Etraria.

## Religion and Culture

#### Elven Cultures

The Elves of Etraria are diverse and hold various roles in society. There are three distinct races of Elves. While not biologically different, the differences are prevalent in dialect and cultural practices. They are Sun Elves, Moon Elves, and Wood Elves. Being a part of any of these races has no class distinction either, and largely forms the types of factions and Houses of Etraria. The location of cities and elven groups are based upon these clans as well.

##### Sun Elves

The Sun Elves primary god is Jaher, God of the Sun. Jaherians as they are known represent the strongest warriors of Etraria. The vast majority of the Sun Elves are generals, officers, soldiers. They are the garrisons and the hardest workers, as well representing the laborers of the realm. The principal Jaherian House is the Great House of Chaexina and although none of the races are united in any of the political factions, Chaexina's magnates keep a tight hold on the Etrarian army and produce some of the most loyal and professional Imperial Guardsmen and Commanders. The Great Guilds and artisans owe many of their achievements and efficiency to the Sun Elves.

##### Moon Elves

The seamen, merchants, and naval commanders. Moon Elves are the most skilled sailors in the realm and have commenced daring exploration expeditions. Traders at heart, the goods produced by the Sun Elves are quickly bought and sold to foreign markets by the Moon Elves, making them some of the richest men in the Empire. The banking and financial sector also owes its thanks to the Moon Elves, whose mathematic expertise makes them excellent accountants and financial architects. The Etrarian economic system was developed by the Moon Elves to hold a balance between the three races. Thus, no one race could dominate the others, and all would profit tremendously. Whenever the State or other Magnates need funds, it is the Moon Elf Bankers that provide the money. Worshipers of Rilitar.

##### Wood Elves

The farmers, feudal lords, and clergymen. The Wood Elves are worshipers of Yana, Goddess of Fertility and Prosperity. They believe that worshipping the gods and working hard is the best way to contribute to society and enter heaven. They are extremely hard workers and have accustomed themselves well to the fertile grasslands that surround the Empire. They produce our food, manage our livestock, and essentially do any functions not covered by the Moon and Sun Elves. While some would want to look down on them for working the fields, they are renowned painters and artists, attributed to their time spent in nature. While they prefer tradition, they know they can't stop progress.

## Military

The Armed Forces of Etraria are a highly professional and organized force paid for by the Imperial Treasury. The only military forces not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War is the the Imperial Guard, which function as a force directly paid for by and administration under the Emperor and His Privy Council.

### Etrarian Army

Soldiers are classified as either Officers (Infantry or Cavalry), Light Infantry, Heavy Infantry, Light Horses, or Heavy Horses. Their pay and training represents that. The Imperial Army's main line force are known as the