Laureh'lin

Laureh'lin (also known as Laurelin), is the official state of the Mali'ame, the wood elven people. The state is officially a protectorate of the Kingdom of Oren. Although, its citizens hold much autonomy and keep many traditional elven customs alive. Laureh'lins lands encompass the southernmost and largest of Vailor's three eastern islands, a land of grassy plains and massive old growth trees.

History

The seeds for the eventual creation of Laureh'lin were planted near a century before the state was formed, in a small town called Leanniel. Originally founded by a wood elven pioneer Artimec Camoryn, and later led by the druid Elorna Lli'hileia, Leanniel was an attempt to revive Wood Elven Culture. To turn a disparate and scattered people into a unified entity once more. Leanniel enjoyed a few good years of peace, before facing serious problems. The first being the Conclave; the elven state that had toppled Malinor. The Leannielites considered the Conclave to be an un-elven state, though were eventually coerced into vassalization. Eventually, Leanniel was destroyed by Setherien's black scourge, and its inhabitants scattered.

Shortly after the gates to the Fringe opened, Elorna Lli'hileia, who had largely been the leadership figure representing the disparate remains of Leanniel's population, spearheaded a movement to unite the wood elven people once more under Haelun'or -The High Elven- banner. She believing it the best and safest option for the Mali'ame people. A small district for the mali'ame was founded beneath the towers of Tahn'siol, the high elven settlement, it was named Lin'ame. It was during this time that Phaedrus, a former blacksmith, rose to power as the leader of the Bronze Elves, a largely militant wood elven movement and the main military of Lin'ame. Problems arose soon after this settlement, as it became abundantly clear that wood elves were second class citizens under high elven rule. With no rights to vote, leave their district, or even interact with their high elven cousins, discontent grew. Tensions reached a high point as the Silver Council of Kalenz, led by Kalenz Uradir, began arresting and killing wood elves for increasingly petty reasons, at increasingly frequent rates. Elven Splinter groups such as Talonnii and Norithel were founded, though were eventually absorbed or destroyed. As a result of Haelun'or rule, a majority of the wood elven people left the Silver City and scattered all across the world, with large diasporas settling with the druids, and Alras.

The few remaining wood elven loyalists settled with Haelun'or in Athera, and founded the city of Annil'sul. Phaedrus, who until then had been a stark loyalist towards Haelun'or, had begun growing more and more discontent at his high elven rulers. Openly criticizing the Silver Council's incompetence to defend their own city while the Bronze Wood Elves did most of the dirty work. Following the disappearance of High Elven Sohaer Iatralimar, Phaedrus did the unthinkable and declared martial law on all of Haelun'or. The High elves responded militantly, but, with the help of Dwarven and Orcish allies, the Wood Elves finally threw off High Elven rule, forcing the High Elves out of Annil'sul and claiming the city for themselves.

And thus, the State of Laureh'lin was born.

The government of Laureh'lin deemed the high elves of Haelun'or and their ideals to be poisonous to elven kind. All high elves who renounced their Silver Law and concept of purity were welcomed back into the city of Annil'sul, while those who didn't were hunted on the streets. Laureh'lin enjoyed a few years of peace once more, as many wood elves would begin returning to Elven Lands now the threat of High Elven oppression was no more, but trouble still brewed on the horizon. After 6 years the high elves of Haelun'or returned with their armies and allies and threatened to destroy Laureh'lin entirely if their city was not returned to them. Eventually the two nations worked out a deal with the new leaders of Laureh'lin whereby the High Elves would reclaim their city and the mali'ame would continue to live independantly. A segment of the land that once belonged to Haelun'or was given to the mali'ame to construct a city for themselves which they called Leyulin.

However, the conflict between the elves was not yet over. Tensions grew between Laureh'lin and Haelun'or, as Haelun'or's Evarir'thilln began increasingly aggressive attacks on the wood elven people, as well as kidnapping and torturing civilians by pouring gold in their eyes for their protection of Phaedrus Lle'hielia. Soon the two states reached the level of full blown conflict and the mali'aheral of Haelun'or invaded the abandoned plains of what had once been Leyulin. Though Laureh'lin had moved it's capital, they and the Dwarves hoped to hold the region from high elven influence, the ensuing battle, known as the "battle of Leyulin" was ultimately won by the crushing numbers of the human kingdom of Oren, who aided the High Elves to one-up their long time enemies, the Dwarves. The wood elves, during this conflict, retreated across Fiandria to their new city Cerulin (constructed in the midst of war) before peace was eventually made with the "Treaty of Fiandria". An uneasy peace ensued after the signing of the Treaty of Fiandria, with Phaedrus Lli'hileia being deemed "the most vile elf to ever have lived" and exiled from all elven lands. Begrudgingly so on Laureh'lins part. In this time of peace, Haelun'or continued to push it's advantage against the weakened wood elven state, attempting to stifle it's population by cutting off all roads leading to Cerulin, and setting up checkpoints in front of Laureh'lin lands. Occasionally also demanding the extradition and execution of several citizens of Cerulin for various reasons. The Chancellery of Laureh'lin had taken up a policy of placation at this point, as the wood elven spirit for war was all but dead, and Haelun'or had the armies of Oren at their back...Or so they thought.

Tensions eventually reached an all time high between the high and wood elves, with Haelun'or attempting to mold the elven states into their strict vision, with the wood elves of Laureh'lin staunchly resisting their ideals. Confident in their position as ever, Kalenz Uradir demanded the extradition of former Chancellor of Laureh'lin, Artimec Camoryn, among other heavy concessions. It was then that the King of Oren, Andrik Vydra, issued a cease and desist letter to the Silver Council of Haelun'or, demanding that the high elves cease all their imperialist ambitions. This came as a shock to the world, as before this, the Kingdom of Oren was seen as a staunch ally of Haelun'or, who would always fight the high elves wars for them since the signing of the Crimson-Silver concordat [Link here]. King Vydra had Orenian Soldiers garrisoned in both elven cities in order to ensure peace.

Haelun'ors downfall began on a seemingly passive diplomatic trip to the Silver City, made by King Andrik Vydra and a garrison of his men. Through deceit, the monarch was lured into Haelun'ors courtyard, where the lava trap was situated, and there, he was ultimately burnt alive on the orders of Sohaer Kalenz Uradir. The human soldiers, shocked by the sudden death of their king, proceeded to sack and pillage their way through Haelun'or. Following the abrupt death of their king, the outraged human kingdom immediately declared war on the high elven state, initiating the start of the Oren-Haelun'or conflict. One major battle was fought during this war. In the plains outside the silver walls, a motley garrison of High Elven forces gathered in defense of an approaching Orenian army. Oren won a decisive victory largely due to crushingly superior numbers. Among Orenian ranks were Wood Elven auxillaries, seeking revenge for their poor treatment at the hands of the high elven people.

A period of calm followed after this initial conflict, with Oren offering terms of vassalization to Laureh'lin, and the dark elven state of Ker'nor. Tristin Tresery, the current High Chancellor of Laureh'lin, eagerly agreed to vassalize his nation under the human kingdom, transforming Laureh'lin into the 'Province of Laureh'lin'. While many were hesitant at the prospect of being under a human nation, especially since many various religions had been outlawed, it was ultimately considered a wise choice due to Oren's military protection, as well as their potential wrath should the deal have been refused. Ker'nor quickly followed by vassalizing as well. With the apparent 'murder' and second exile of Sohaer Kalenz Uradir, the new silver council of Haelun'or signed the same treaty of vassalization under the Kingdom of Oren, officially becoming a protectorate of the Human Kingdom and putting an end to the Oren-Haelun'or war.

Government/Leaders

The head of Laureh'lin leadership is Tristin Tresery, who's given title is Praetor. His duties include the maintenance and delegation of all domestic affairs such as labour and housing, as well as the leadership of the military; the Order of Sirame. Another notable figure of leadership is Artimec Camoryn, who's given title is Legislator. His duties include the drafting of laws and implementation of laws. The legislator also leads the Ahviran, an order of Elves who's mandate it is to preserve and uphold the old way. The Order of Sirame serves as a branch of the Ahviran. Many still refer to Laureh'lins leadership by their old title; Chancellors.

Notable Figures

Tristin Tresery - The Prince of Laureh'lin

Artimec Camoryn - Legislator/Chancellor and High Keeper of El'Ahviran

Ac'Aelu Tinuvial - Chancellor/Steward

Elorna Lli'hileia - Hierophant of the Druidic Circle, Keeper of El'Ahviran

Semi-Notable Figures

Kairn Calithil - Designated El'Annil of the Order of Sirame.

Elvrohir Aureon - Designated El'Annil of the Order of Sirame.

Calius Terin'Aureon - Head Steward of the State of Laureh'lin.

Cities/Geography

The State of Laureh'lin comprises Vailor's southernmost and largest eastern island. It is a land of grassy plains shadowed sparsely in the shade of old growth trees. The weather is largely mild due to the coastal climate, with light rain being a common occurance. The city of Laurelin, the capital of the similarly named State of Laureh'lin, is situated on the west end of the island, on a plateau. To the east is a large grove of massive flowers, thick with game and other strange, alien-like lifeforms. The main inhabited settlements of Laureh'lin are:

Laurelin - The Capital and largest city. A settlement built strategically on a plateau for defensive purposes, and next to a fairy ring (A sacred spot for those who follow the old way). Laurelin is a city of intricately build wooden homes, and large trees which form a dense canopy. At the city's center is the mother tree, a massive old growth who's canopy is almost as large as half the city itself. Tinuvial Homestead - A small homestead under the charter of Dwyn Tinuvial, a former Chancellor of Laureh'lin. Home to the Tinuvial family, and the largest stable on the island. The Druid's Grove - Directly south of Laurelin is the druids grove, situated on a hill. The druidic order makes its home here.

Culture

As Laureh'lins population is primarily wood elven, its culture is heavily influenced on ancient wood elven, and druidic traditions. The doctrine of Laureh'lin is known as the 'old way', and it focuses on the upholding of the natural order, and the reverence for the Aspect Spirits which maintain it.

Military

Laureh'lins current military is the Order of Sirame, roughly translated into the 'Honour Guard'. The Sirame is a devout, traditionalist order with a mandate to preserve the traditions and old way of the elves through force if necessary, by killing that which threatens it. In addition, they also perform guard work and keep the city safe by upholding its many laws, cultural or otherwise. The Order of Sirame is a branch of the Ahviran, the over-arching cultural order which facilitating the teaching and spreading of the old way.