Raiaera

Raiaera is the name granted to the subcontinental peninsula on the eastern coast of the northern continent of Althanas. Originally populated by indigenous human and Dwarven clans, the lands were settled over ten thousand years ago by a determined band of Elven refugees fleeing some great catastrophe in their homeland further to the east. Over the ages the Elves extended their influence, gradually expanding until they controlled the entirety of the peninsula and forging their nation into the Raiaera we know today. These years were not without trouble and strife, but each time the fledgling realm emerged stronger and reforged from its turmoil, and long too were the ages of strength and prosperity under the wise leadership of the Elven lords.

Raiaera is a land of high mountains and dense forests, sweeping grasslands and stunning cities. Its people are as beautiful as its geography, with Dwarf and human living alongside Elf in peace and harmony. But within the hidden depths of its forests, and beyond the protective cradle of its mountains, many dangerous beasts and foes await the unwary. Rumours of vast treasure hordes and powerful artefacts abound… those who can speak of such things first-hand, though, are few and far between.

Over the ages, the realm has been coveted by many, and numerous have been the times in which powerful warlords have led their hordes against Raiaera in an attempt at conquest and glory. The land has recently escaped the clutches of the Forgotten One Xem’zund, a powerful liche and necromantic demigod in waiting, and his legions of Death Lords and undead monstrosities, only to fall into the hands of the opportunistic Dark Elves of the Kingdom of Alerar. Their ancestral brethren and bitter enemies now occupy the western half of the territory.

Raiaera
Capital	Eluriand
Form of Government	Meritocracy
Ruler(s)	Lady General Nalith Celiniel, High Bladesinger
Legal System	Kritarchy
Official Language(s)	High Elven
Population	Approximately 250,000
Religious Type	Druidism
Literacy	92%
Technology level	Roughly Late Medieval
Major Imports	Meats. Fruits. Base Metal. Liquor.
Major Exports	Fine Wine/Art. Weapons. Armor.
Natural Resources	Lumber. Wheat. Potatoes. Ore.

Geography

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The Red Forest occupies nearly the entire southern half of the subcontinent, with forested land dotting the landscape in other places. A series of watchtowers -- all functioning as beacons -- guard the forest, and lumber villages are scattered on its edges. The plains of Raiaera make good places to raise horses. The main cities in Raiaera are noted here, and are (from east to west), Anebrilith, Eluriand, and Valinatal. Two more cities, not noted here, are New Aurient, on the coastline to the north, and Carnelost, occupying the entrance to the path towards the Obsidian Spire.

Located in a temperate zone, Raiaera gets a fairly good mix of sunshine and rain. The Red Forest in the south soaks up much of the rainfall, but there is generally enough left over to produce a crop large enough to feed the Elvish population. The staple of the Elvish diet is wheat and corn, but the land only rarely yields what could be called cash crops. The primary breadbasket of Raiaera comes from the plains directly to the south of Anebrilith, where the rains most often come in precisely the right increments. In the north of Raiaera, a potato-based diet is more common, as the growing season shortens significantly as elevation increases.

Raiaera is bounded on the north by a virtually impassable ridge of mountains known as the Tennaiglini, or Dagger Peaks. It is unsure whether these peaks connect into Salvar, or whether to the north is a frigid sea -- all attempt to explore that coastline end in disaster. To the west are the Ered Lomei, or Mountains of Dusk. In Alerar, these mountains are the Mountains of Dawn -- Ered Anoron. When speaking of these mountains as a piece, instead of from the perspective of either country, they are the Twilight Peaks, or Uialaglini.

To the east is the sea. Raiaera maintains a fairly bustling shipping industry, as the majority of its exports are refined or processed goods. As a result, the country must maintain a navy, but it is truly more of a merchant marine. It is almost solely defensive, and could not put up a real fight in any major naval skirmish. Anebrilith and New Aurient are the queens among the Raiaeran shipping towns.

There is a small mountain range directly west of Anebrilith. Barely even mountains, with a few solitary peaks here and there, this range is called the Emyn Naug, or "Dwarf Hills," and poses very little challenge to even an inexperienced adventurer. To the east is the Black Desert, a strange place indeed. Rain falls on the Black Desert with as much frequency as any other part of Raiaera, yet still the land remains parched and dry, and strange things roam its silent sands. Why this is so is a mystery to even the wisest of elven scholars.

Economy

Raiaera's economy is primarily driven by the export of fine products and processed goods. Although the country produces a substantial amount of lumber, high tariffs in Alerar prevent it from providing much income to Raiaera and the lumber production of Corone itself cuts into the Raiaeran lumber market; as a result, Raiaera is better served producing goods from its lumber than it is exporting its lumber. Horses are another primary export of Raiaera; Raiaeran breeds are high-quality and sought after in the world market.

The swordsmiths of Raiaera are among the finest in the world, surpassed in skill only by the Elvensmiths of Haidia. Due to a lack of metal mining sites in Raiaera, except for a few sparse locations in the northwest, most of the raw material for this work comes from Kachuck. Due to extensive tariffs levied by Alerar against goods coming into Raiaera from Kachuck, elven blades are quite expensive. Although among the best blades that can be found, they will not come cheap.

Raiaeran bows are also expensive. Not only are they finely crafted, but the very best come from the trees that grow in the Red Forest. Due to the extremely dangerous nature of this forest, woodcutters in the region can charge higher prices. Not all Raiaeran bows are expensive, as bowyers can get wood from elsewhere, but the best cost a pretty penny.

Due to the intense focus on magical arts within Raiaera, Raiaera does a brisk business in enchanted items. Although most enchantments are short-lived, useful for only a couple of times before wearing out, it is possible to permanently enchant a weapon. Such permanent enchantments are restricted by the High Bard Council. Not only is the cost generally prohibitive, but enchanters are banned from selling permanent enchantments except to those who the High Bards declare as having given Raiaera a great service.

Other exports of Raiaera include fine wines and fine art. Raiaeran architects, sculptors, painters, and musicians are in demand among the cultural elite throughout the known world -- even upperclass Dark Elves will sometimes have a Raiaeran bard in their retinue, although they will probably try to keep it quiet. Raiaera regularly imports much of its meat supply and seasonal fruits and vegetables to supplement the wheat-and-potato staples grown within the country. Hard liquor, primarily to serve the Trenycë area, is also imported, generally at a steep price, from Alerar.

The currency of Raiaera is the Raiaeran Mark. Made of mythril, marks come in a variety of sizes, from coin-sized pieces worth small amounts to the larger mythril plates worth up to 1000 gold. Smaller Raiaeran Marks often contain an iron center -- a novelty introduced after a number of elves complained that the light mythril pieces were blowing away in the wind. The larger plates, although still light, have enough heft that they do not need iron cores. Although this is the main currency of Raiaera, elves will still use other forms of exchange generously and eagerly.

Religion

Raiaera, while lacking an institutional religious establishment, does observe certain religious practices and hold to a certain “pantheon” of gods and goddesses. Their religious leaders are generally congruent with the High Bard of Raiaera, who presides at the major events of Raiaeran religious life. Although lacking a concrete schedule of religious observance, there are a few Holy Days of Raiaera that are observed strictly.

Raiaerans could be considered Deist. They do not believe the gods and goddesses intervene directly in the world except in extreme circumstances. Such circumstances have been rare in history; only the creation of the elves and the cursing of the Black Desert are considered to be examples of direct intervention on the part of the pantheon of Raiaera.

Despite this inactive pantheon, Raiaerans still take their religion seriously. Their foundational mythology believes that they are called to spread the light of art, beauty, and song to the world. They are sure that they will, at the end of time, be judged by their gods and goddesses based on the merits of their successes; if they were faithful, they will take their place as the fruits of the Star Tree, Manwelindomë. If they were not, they will forever be bound to the land.

The elvish pantheon is as follows:

• Aurient, the Star Mother. She granted the Raiaerans the benefit of resilience to disease at the creation.
• Galatirion, the Sky Father. He gave the Raiaerans the benefit of extended life, so as to taste part of the immortality of the heavens.
• Earlon, the Rain-Star. He gave the gift of the seas to the Raiaerans, a gift which later vanished when the best shipwrights were banished with the Dark Elves.
• Arddunwë, the Sweet-Star. This star-god gave the gift of physical beauty and an appreciation of art to the Raiaerans.
• Cuarye, the Swift-Star, gave the gift of archery, bowmaking, and dexterity to the elves.
• Megillion, the Silver-Star, whose gift was of working in precious metals and ores, and of swordplay and sword-forging.
• Selana, the Young-Star, gave the greatest gift of all: memory, that the Raiaerans might remember the star-magic and keep alive the melodies of heaven on the surface of the earth.