History of Raiaera

Raiaera is an ancient nation and its inhabitation by the elven people spans back over ten thousand years to when they first crossed the ocean from their ancestral homeland to the far east. It has been marked by periods of war, first with the nomadic natives of the continent and later with the dark elves across the Mountains of Dusk, and many of their greatest conflicts have been with the undead hordes commanded by the Forgotten One Xem'Zund.

An Age of Magic

The earliest time spoken of by any race, even the oldest of elven kind, was a time of magic and mysticism unlike any other. The Thayne were but a newly constructed religious belief, founded on the principles that underlined the basics for ancient times and the people that survived in this time day to day. Men and women of the ancient times were god-like compared to how they are perceived in modern times. The Tap was a singular piece, untouched by destructive or divisive means. Feats of wonder were not only prevalent, but also commonplace. It was a time of global change founded by the mere whim of humanity and society. Technology was less than invasive, it was nearly non-existent. In a time when the world was flooded by magic, the means to protect and provide were but a mere thought away, advancements in common society were all but put aside.

Though in these times a written record was scarce, and even rarer was a true historian, stories of the times have been passed down. Mostly word of mouth, these tales are as fantastic as they might be true. Tales of dragons reign supreme amongst current society, stories for the children. Truth to them is up to each person to gain, as one person may see a weakness of the dragon as truth, whereas another would see it as just a storytelling device. These tales do not stop at dragons though; they extend to a multitude of different races, be they humanoid or otherwise.

During this time the elven people spread across modern day Raiaera, warring with the native population called the Durklan, and eventually all but destroying them. Song Magic and Bladesingers were introduced to Raiaera during this period, a staple even until modern Althanas. The human population of Corone, discovered by elven explorers, was little more than nomadic tribes without any form of centralized government. As with most civilized races, the oppressive nature of the elven people during these times got the best of them, and the demands for the fertile and resource-rich island became a place of conflict. Likewise, the dwarven population from the mainland preyed on the human population of Corone. They worked into the mountains and thrived on the ore-rich lands. It was not until Chief Fannos of the Burning River clan negotiated for the four major Corone tribes with a well noted half-elf Aranis Kaledin that the constant struggle was put aside for a long time. The dwarven capital of Teria was established at this time, as well as the trading city of Serenti. The uneasy peace lasted for centuries.

Throughout all of this era, expanding and growing was paramount. Magic was the key to everything, and the world was a place where anyone who wanted power was but a mind-set away. It was this mind-set that triggered the global change, the true conflict that changed how the world worked and made it into how it is commonly known as today.

The War of the Tap

At first the small band of rogue sorcerers were like any other, a minor inconvenience that was dealt with by the only world super-power, Raiaera. Stopping the challenge to their authority, the usurpers to civilized life, was merely a trivial dispute handled by the bards and bladesingers. As the small group grew, extended their claims and undermined cultures, the threat stopped being an underground movement and grew into an expansive dispute, which would later become a full-blown war. This war, between The Forgotten and the rest of the world, continued for what most assume was close to a century.

Denebriel was the Forgotten that pulled the winter cold out of Berevar and swept it across Salvar, but also created the “Cult of the Ethereal Sway”. She was remembered throughout the years to follow by the native population through religion. The Sway became a religion passed from native to future populations that came to Salvar, and the Forgotten was remembered as a savior, becoming St. Denebriel. Xem'Zund attempted to overtake Raiaera, the only super-power of the time, by creating hordes of undead to walk the world. The lasting reminder of his reign of terror was forever memorialized as the Obsidian Tower in Southern Raiaera. Pode was a sorcerer who worked with nature, warping it into a vile state so that it would act defensively and keep people away from territories claimed as well as kick them out of one’s disputed. Her tainted magic touched the world, warping what was once known as the Great Forest into the Red Forest.

By the end of the war, many races had been created by both sides. The original civilized races (humans, elves, dwarves, and an assortment of the lesser prevalent) were no longer alone in the world. In order to truly destroy them, and in turn the true power of the Forgotten, the mightiest mages of the time gathered on the battlefield of the final battle. The raging war was brought to an end when they sealed the five sorcerers in the Anti-firmament for what seemed permanently. However, before they were fully sealed, with one last devious push they gathered their powers and fractured The Tap, forever shattering it so that works of wonder and magic from the beginning times would forever be lost.

The Era of Building Nations

Once the power of the Eternal Tap was shattered, the world was left in a state of confusion. The way of life that had been prevalent for centuries to that point was lost. Feats of magic were diminished greatly, and the powers that were once at the control of anyone who had the gift for bending the state of the world at their whim was no more. The elven people of Raiaera, having been soundly trodden on by the Forgotten, were left with a question that tore their civilization in half. Would the world continue with the study and continuation of magic use? Or was the nearly blank slate created in the aftermath of the war to be taken advantage of by those that sought higher technological understanding? Both questions were at the hearts of the elven people, who split over the decision. What we know as Alerar currently came to being during these times. The elven people that willed to explore technology, and in turn use what little magic they could to advance it, were given little chance to influence the overwhelming majority of the magic devoted elven people of their culture. What came of the split in ideologies was known as The Elven Schism. The future of the dark elven race left the borders of their kin, taking up residence in modern Alerar. The future of the high elven race, which was dedicated to keeping technology from tainting their magical prowess and nature itself, remained in modern day Raiaera. From the Schism onwards the lingering and festering feud between the two remained.

The bards of Raiaera, having removed the influence of their unwanted brethren in Alerar, quickly started their course towards the study and understanding of the fractured Tap. It was in this time that they started a new calendar, and a newly developed system of study. Originally six schools of magic existed. The sixth school, Enarlin, was feared. This distrust and disgust became a war within the nation, and for fifteen years Enarlin and the other five schools of magic warred. In the end, Enarlin was destroyed as a school, the only ones allowed to continue practicing were very high ranking Turlin bards.

The Demon Wars

Nearly a century ago, the second greatest war of Althanas tore across the world. It was an age of darkness, where infighting amidst races was pushed aside in favor of survival. The Demon Wars raged, and humanity was powerless to stop it. Where the demons suddenly arrived from is a mystery. The only guess as to their appearance is by way of the portals to Haidia created by the Forgotten, nearly completely forgotten after millenium.

The elven lands of Raiaera and Alerar fared much better, having established their domains and lands much sooner than any other nations. The first inclination of firearms being established by the Alerar nation is spoken of during these times, rudimentary and crude versions of the muskets the nation is well known for in current times. The first time the term “dark elf” was coined was during the demon wars, when the study of technology caused the tint of the Alerar elves to darken. Raiaera’s famed bards and bladesingers fought furiously against the invasion, seeking shelter in their fortified cities, striking in large armies when fully prepared. It is from Raiaera and Alerar that the savior of these trying times emerged.

Radasanth the Starlight the elves called him, Radasanth the Braveheart the dwarves knew him by, Radasanth the Savior the humans simply called him; he was an elf clad in mythril armor only the Aleraran people could have made so strong, carrying a massive claymore only the people of Salvar could have been known for, wielding magic Raiaeran’s were famed for using. With him came the news of the defeat of the demons on the mainland, with him came troops, food, and hope. At his call the men, elves, and dwarves mustered their strength and valiantly defeated the foe. Teria was re-conquered, and in honor of their Savior renamed Radasanth. He went on to serve as the First Steward of Corone, the first solitary authority figure in the history of the country. At the end of the demon wars, the demons were once again banished to Haidia.

"Coronari Poldora" (The Years of Strength) C.P. 1 – C.P. 1709

The beginning of the Coronari Poldora was the first calendar formally established for the World of Althanas. The “years of strength”, as they are known, was created by the Raiaeran elves. Though the world’s nations were still developing, and only the countries of Raiaera and Alerar were firmly established, the influence of the high elven people was one that easily spread the new name for the years. The Alerar elves, called dark elves, eventually adopted their rival’s timeline and from that point on the calendar in its modern form became about.

At the beginning of the C.P. years, Raiaera established the Tel’Quessir. This organizations establishment was a collective of elves, men, and dwarves set apart from governmental affairs and placed in charge of watching the demon’s activity once they had been forced back into the underworld of Haidia. Whether they were to keep watch through guarding the locked portals to the mainland, or by living on the edge of Haidia to keep personal tabs on the demonic forces, the Tel’Quessir firmly believed in their mission and their purpose.

Clash of the Elven Empires C.P 200 – C.P. 1709

Not much is known about Alerar, as since The Elven Schism the country has long since turned into a more isolationist society. The dark elves love of technology, and their desire for continual development of their interests has created a taboo for talking to outsiders. When after only 200 years since the end of the Demon Wars the King of Alerar is assassinated, the modern society of Alerar begins. The younger sister of the former king takes the reigns as Queen of Alerar. Since the first decrees of the Queen were released, the rest of Alerar became more invested in being the most powerful technological countries while still keeping everything secreted. Many of the area’s within the country were sanctioned off, keeping secrets within and prying eyes – to include dark elf citizens – from knowing exactly what was happening.

Both Alerar and Raiaera continued developing, quickly taking in any imports they could to continue building their lands. As soon as the demonic invasions were thwarted, the bad blood between the two countries continued within years. Skirmishes across the Mountains of Dawn/Dusk between the two countries were bloody, but continued through history. For centuries the two clashes now and again, but neither side went to war until the modern age.

At the end of the seventeenth century, within the past 15 years, new leaders and new ideas emerged within Alerar. A former General takes control of the military and under him come the rising figure of Thoracis, a former drifter who quickly rose through the ranks of The Grand Army. Confident in the new General’s abilities to lead the battle, his strategies, as well as his prowess in battle, the new King sends the forces towards the Mountains of Dusk. As they march, a familiar belonging to a Raiaeran student of magic, is sent to summon an old friend. On its way, it see’s the approaching army and immediately returns to Devon dan Sabriel and gives word to him as well as the renown bard Findelfin ap Fingolfin. The battle between Devon Starslayer and Thoracis results in the leader of both armies clashing over a major city. After a mortal wound, possibly killing Thoracis, the Alerar army is leaderless and a tactical retreat is called for as the Tel Aglarim harries them back to the Mountains of Dawn.

Rise of the Forgotten C.P. 1705 – C.P. 1709

Raiaera is struck with a great plague of undead, hordes of the tainted creatures roam the lands of the high elves and strike fear and panic at the hearts of the people. Cities fall as citizens flee, leaving the newly arisen Xem’Zund free to roam the land and warp the fallen corpses of his enemies into new fighting forces. Amongst those that rise to fight the horde, the relatively young Ingwe Helyanwe rises to assist in killing the multiple generals under the Forgotten one. Alongside him is Godhand Striker, who eventually destroys Xem’Zund and dies in the process. The land of Raiaera is almost completely destroyed though, with the government in tatters and the bards and bladesingers almost all fleeing or dying in battle.

Alerar, unaffected by the rise of the Forgotten, is currently one of the few remaining “super powers” that is unmarred by significant change. Though the new king is still attempting to unify the different paramilitary organizations across the nation – or destroy them, whichever is more beneficial – the general continuity of the region is rather firmly stolid. Airship technology is being developed, as is the technology for firearms. Most recently, musket production has become easier, and the matchlock weapons of the future are readily available to all Aleraran citizens and those willing to fight for the nation. Closely guarded as a secret and a coveted weapon, the use of flintlock (and even the outdated matchlock) muskets and pistols, as well as the use of cannons as artillery and on ships are strictly forbidden outside of the dark elf nation. Once Xem'zund was slain, the Dark Elves saw their chance, and invaded Raiaera.