The Atraedean Kingdom of Gladewynn

Note: This page contains information on a location from a past map that is no longer inhabited.

The Atraedean Kingdom The Bernun Sigil of Gladewynn by Numirya Capital: Caras Eldar Languages: Common, Elvish Religion: The Wild Path Mortal King: Defunct Heir: Defunct Government: Constitutional Monarchy Preceded by: Dominion of Malin 20px Lathladhen's Revolt

The Atraedean Kingdom of Gladewynn, commonly known as Gladewynn, was an Elven monarchy situated North-West of the Atlas Cloud Temple. The country's borders ranged from the wide and sweeping coasts of the capital city of Caras Eldar to the Barrowlands of San'Kala, and all the space in-between. Despite fierce border disputes with its neighbors, Gladewynn annexed everything between Caras Eldar and San'Kala, and displaced freeholds and farms owned by foreigners whom they derided as failed colonizers.

The first capital of the kingdom was the Conclave of Viralonde, which was established after Prince Kairn Ithelanen declared the secession of the Alder-Gladewynni peoples from the Dominion of Malin over a disagreement regarding the future of the Dominion of Malin and failed operations on part of the Dominion's military junta to effectively combat the September Prince. Upon the surrender of Queen Renn and Queen Awaiti Aureon, the Dominion of Malin was incorporated into the borders of Gladewynn as the State of Irrinor, and the capital was moved to Caras Eldar to better reflect Elven Unity of the decade. At its peak, the Kingdom boasted three major Elven principalities of Vira'ker-Renelia, Haelun'or, and Irrinor, who retained many state's rights and relative autonomy, despite owing allegiance to the King's Council of Gladewynn and the King of Gladewynn.

History

Anthos

The Kingdom of Gladewynn has roots going back as far back as the Imperial Invasion of Malinor some hundred-and-eighteen years before the Horen Restoration. The First Empire led by Emperor Godfrey Horen I and Peter Chivay, the Grandmaster of the White Rose, led the Sack of Malinor and put the homeland of the Elves to the torch. In vain the Elves fought to try and keep their homeland from prying Imperial hands but failed, which led to the establishment of Old Gladewynn by seven displaced Elven Tribes.

Old Gladewynn was immensely conservative and following the destruction of Axios, the Alderfolk passed through the portal into the Thales. Amidst a diaspora, the Alderfolk practiced their Mani worship in private, revering Moccus and Morea. Undisturbed in their conclaves for centuries, they rigidly maintained a practice of disallowing outsiders into the Seven Clans.

Atlas

Founding

Gladewynn was founded on the 15th of the Sun's Smile, 1686. Kairn Calithil founded the enclave after leaving the Dominion of Malin a year prior. The House of Ithelanen and Clan of Torena formally seceded from the Dominion of Malin to form the Enclave of Gladewynn. Intended to be a settlement for people from the Alder Wood Elven ethnicity, the settlement was established in the Barrowlands, adjacent to the Dominion of Malin and bordering on the capital of the Orcs in Atlas, San'kala. The relationship between Prince Kairn and his stepmother Renn, the Queen of the Dominion of Malin and his successor through select succession, remained strained.

The citizens of the Dominion of Malin waned. With time, many clans left to pledge fealty to Prince Calithil, such as the Caerme'onns and Oranors to name a few. The tent camp established atop the peaks of Viralondé sustained a sizable population as immigration increased sharply. Many of the Virarim of the Dominion of Malin's military emigrated from the Dominion and became Immortals in Prince Calithil's personal guard, or the Avchirran, a noble order of Elven city guards that kept the upheld the laws of the time.

Many meetings were held between different clans in an effort to preserve peace, and the Silmas lifted their banners in a truce and held a meeting with Prince Kairn Ithelanen. Chieftain Miklaeil agreed that the Silmas would not get involved in the Elven Cold War that was ensuing. However, Chieftain Miklaeil reneged on this agreement later in favor of helping found Aegrothond alongside Belestram Sylvaeri. Afterwards, the Dominion of Malin was torn straight down the middle by the existence of two fledgling nation-states: Aegrothond, and Gladewynn.

Awaiti Aureon, successor to Renn Calithil and two-time sovereign of the Wood Elves, dissolved the Dominion of Malin and together with Renn pledged fealty to Prince Kairn, leading to the formation of the Kingdom of Gladewynn. With Kairn again proclaimed the ruler of Alder-Irrinite Elvendom, Kairn declared himself King of the Elves for the second time in history.

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Prior to the Third Atlas Coalition War the King Kairn Ithelanen was captured in battle fighting alongside highly-trained Imperial Legionnaires in Nordengrad. The Duke entreated him and then to the bewilderment of his Orcish allies spared the Elvenking's life in a summary display of valiantness and camaraderie, decreeing that because Elves had granted them the land for their first Krag he would be spared summary execution. Returning home, the Avchirran were rallied for battle and fought alongside the Imperials and Haensemen in the war, as well as entreating other Elven powers to participate as well to protect their freedom. The Dominion of Malin, Vira'ker, Haelun'or, and Gladewynn all lent their manpower to the cause of quelling the Coalition's perceived aggressive warmongering, assisting in sacking the new Krag, Krugmar, and Arberrang alongside the Empire of Man.

Arcas

As the nation began to collapse, the King Kaz Ithelanen and his confidants departed the lands prior to the journey to Arcas. Much like his father before him, Kaz viewed there to be a different future on the horizon. His wife, Layla Atraedes, was left with the realm of Gladewynn vested in her control. Denouncing the Monarchy due to its abandonment of the Elven people for lands abroad, she took upon herself the moniker of Empyreal Princess instead and founded Alderyn, which consists of the remnants of Ithelanen, Caerme'onn, and Csarathaire.

Geography

The original capital of Gladewynn was Viralonde, a city atop the mountain peaks bordering San'kala. It started as a war camp for the Gladewynn Company, a band of elven mercenaries with Alderfolk and Wood Elf heritage. Following the climax of the Third Coalition War, the capital was moved to Caras Eldar following the capitulation of the Dominion of Malin in the Elven Cold War. In the surrounding woods of Caras Eldar, there were several hamlets, fortresses, and old ruins from conflicts with Orcs and brigands in the years past.

• San'Kala: The former capital of Krugmar until it was besieged by the Empire of Man and Gladewynn in tandem during the Third Atlas Coalition War. The city was captured thereafter and looted, and it remained a burnt-out shell for the duration of Arcas.
• Talareh'sae: A fortress presided over by Evar'tir Ithelanen, it was between Caras Eldar and the Mother Grove. The land was gifted to the Dominion of Malin by the Archdruid Nivndil and used to erect a garrison to allow for smoother travel and transport of supplies along the road which was often rife with bandit attacks and other instability in the region.
• Haelun'or: A protectorate of Gladewynn and a steadfast, loyal ally to the Alderfolk. At this time the nation was presided over by Sohaer Kiljaerys who served on the King's Council.
• Vira'ker: Another protectorate of Gladewynn until the treachery of their Sable Prince resulted in their people's expulsion from the kingdom's borders in the years of Kaz Ithelanen's reign.

Government

The government of Gladewynn has a check and balance system that mediates its officials and advisors. Firstly, the Royal Family takes precedence and remains at the top, while secondary positions of importance include the Arch-Chancellor and Annilir, whereas the High Steward and Head Priestess are advisory positions on the High Council. The Exarch presides over the Judicial System which directly adheres to the state Constitution, this is used to manage who is sentenced and who qualifies for fines for breaching law and order within the country or its contingent territories.

The Institution of Monarchy

In response to the failed democracies installed in Malinor and the Dominion of Malin, King Kairn Calithil instituted a monarchy and used his dictatorial authority to personally control the economy, military, and political alliances of the elves under his banner on the world stage. At the time it was believed that all elves who pledged an oath to the Crown owed fealty to the Elvenking, and by extension the people living within the territories of Gladewynn. There were still representatives of the common people who were actively sought out to provide a hand in the regulation of government affairs. Traditional laws involving the practice of Void Magic were regulated instead to elven families who decided whether or not their relatives were allowed to practice such profaned arts.

The King was to be selected by Kingsmoot, and the heir at any given time was the Prince of the Alders. The council was selected by the King and all federal decision-making required the King of the Elves' signature to ensure that it met legal status.

Royal Family

King of Gladewynn

Responsible for the upkeep of the entire nation and its political alliances. He relegates duties involving these affairs to his Royal Hands, who are responsible for declaring war and managing internal affairs at his behest.

Prince of Alders

The heir to the Crown of the Kingdom of Gladewynn, the Prince of Alders is groomed to rule for life. Ultimately, they are not just the recognized Heir but the recognized authority on matters of state and foreign affairs as well. Their power is not solely derivative of their King but vested in them by the blood in their veins. The recognized firstborn heir always inherits this title, it is most easily comparable to the role of a High Prince, or Crown Prince in other cultures.

Hands of the Royarch

High Chancellor

The right hand of the Monarchy and its constituent powers, the High Chancellor acts as their chief advisor on internal matters of state and policy. Khaine Csarathaire was the last active reigning High Chancellor of the kingdom.

Warden of the Avchirran

Otherwise known as the left hand, or fist, of the Monarchy. They are the General of the nation’s standing military, easily comparable to that of a Marshal in other cultures. The Warden presides over and the military affairs, both foreign and domestic — including local guards, soldiers, and conscripted levies. Erathon Ithelanen the Warden of the Avchirran met his demise at the hands of an inner-city assassination plot in the late 1600's and was the last reigning Warden of the Avchirran.

The Royal Council

First Scribe

Responsible for tending to archives, records, and assisting in the written work produced by the Crown. These written works include alliances, treaties, and etcetera.

Exarch

The Exarch tends to matters involving written word and acts as an aid to the High Chancellor. They preside over matters of justice, interpretation of the law and written word of official documents.

High Priestess

The High Priest or Priestess presides over the religion and ensures that its Emerald and Ichor interpretations are maintained in their respective communities. They are also responsible for events and ceremonies involving The Wild Faith.

Head Steward

The Head Steward delegates housing, shops and other matters of infrastructure in the city not pertaining to the written word.

Disclaimer on Meetings

Chieftains of any Noble Clan, delegated Regional Lords, and other government officials may sit upon the meetings of the Council to relay advice and input on decisions made by the Royal Family, their Hands, and the primary council itself. Committees may be established to discuss matters of importance involving figures of state, official edicts, and all manners of decisions made by the institution in power.

Society

The citizens of the Kingdom of Gladewynn are divided into three distinct castes. The Municipal Authority, the Clan Moot, and the Citizenry.

• The Citizenry consists of laborers, artisans, and soldiers who are not in a Seed, Clan or House. They perform many of the rudimentary jobs involving crafts, mining, harvest, and druidry. Once upon a time, all citizens were expected to take up arms in protection of the city, but Annilir Erathon Ithelanen ended the practice upon the Kingdom’s assimilation of Caras Eldar. Citizens may take up arms when they deem it necessary or when rallied at their own discretion in a time of war, but they are not mandated to repel raids unless absolutely necessary.

• The Clan Moot is a collective of major families that have pledged an oath to the Monarch, and they are as equally responsible as the citizenry to provide artisans, laborers, and craftsmen. The principal difference is that these families have more political sway in Elven society and are often entrusted with high-prospect jobs in the Stewardry, Military and Labor Force. Each clan has a notable Chieftain responsible for the family’s upkeep and political stability. Furthermore, each Clan may be expected to levy a specific amount of soldiers in times of war with foreign powers.

• The Municipal Authority consists of the Royal Family, the Atraedes, and is spearheaded by the Monarch and their Consort. They are responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations with foreign countries, problem-solving and maintaining domestic relations with the Citizenry as well as mediating the Clans.

Economy

Gladewynn largely exports wheat, carrots and cash crops such as tobacco, cactus green and a plethora of grown alchemical reagents needed for potions, salves, and even weapons. The country imports lots of iron ore to smelt into steel and operates on the Socari Doctrine when managing its own economy with minimal intervention unless it involves “public facilities” such as the buildings in the main square that attract visitors and commercial tourism.

Culture

The practices of the Alderfolk were first codified in the days preceding the Dominion of Malin, but has remained in relative obscurity until the creation of the Free Company of Gladewynn in 1686, and the annexation of the State of Laurelin in 1690 which resulted in the formation of the Kingdom of Gladewynn. Mistakenly viewed to be Wood Elves at first due to the rampant practice of Ichorianism, the Alderfolk hail back to lineages derived from the first Seven Clans that formed Old Gladewynn in the days following the Fall of Malinor. These clans are diverse and have been known to renounce ties to subraces, such as the Clans of Ithelanen, Vanethelan, Corrin and four others lost to the forgetfulness of time, but supplanted later on by Csarathaire, Aureon, Torena, and Caerme’onn.

Art

The Alderfolk prize song and merriment above all else, but it is a hard-fought life. Artistic renditions of conflict are often painted as glorious triumphs over evil, and like other cultures in Atlas subjective to the artist's interpretation.

Literature

The written word exists few and far between besides the laws and treatises binding the Elven peoples in Gladewynn, although writings and pamphlets are common. Most history and fables are communicated by word of mouth and it is not uncommon for oral tradition and memory to take precedence over the written word.

Music

The songs composed in Gladewynn tend to herald back to a time of antiquity, times where events and things of fable were very much alive. There are many litanies to the Mani recited in series, as well as wild tonality with dark themes. The music would be derivative of Celtic, Slavic and Polish themes from the real world.

Religion

The Alderfolk of Gladewynn practice The Wild Faith (Elven: elnarnsae'ame); the traditions, rites, and gods worshipped by the Wood Elves and Alder Elves. Malin was the first to instill the belief of Nature Worship within the Elves. He entrusted tokens of faith to its practitioners and enabled the many branches of its path to flourish and grow as the outside world fell prey to AenguDaemons and Canonism. When Malin disappeared so did the vestiges of his influence except for the faith and its adherents. As his people took up new creeds and beliefs, diverging into two other moieties of elves: the Mali'ker, and Mali'aheral with their own respective philosophies and traditions.

However, the first of Malin's kindred also split apart into two sects, the zealous pale-skinned Alderfolk who took up Mani spirits to worship while seeking to become accomplished conquerors, leaders, and warriors much like their forefather. Then the brown-skinned Irrinites, cultivators, druids, and artisans named for their prophet Irrin Sirame, who bid them to live in peaceful coexistence with the Wild and to live closer to nature.

• The Alderfolk became Ichorians who did not directly worship the Aspects or personify them, instead opting to worship the Mani, The Animal Princes. Among the Alderfolk it is customary to make blood sacrifices and totems to the greatness of the Wild Gods.
• The Irrinites, customarily the followers of the Emerald Way, believe in endurance and suffering as a path to enlightenment and believe that the Aspects are to be personified as the individuals Cerridwen and Cernunnos.

In truth, those ancient Elves had no name for their faith, for it simply ‘was’. The Gods of the Forest were as real and relevant to their everyday lives as a cup of water or a spool of thread. There was no distinction between faith and secular living. They were one with nature. This nature worshipping tradition continued into modern, living memory even as the tribes began to conglomerate and live in cities once more. In the last 200 years, during the reign of Laureh’lin and its successor the Dominion of Malin, the Elves of their forest referred to their faith as ‘Aspectism’, named after the Gods of nature. Aspectism became a rallying cry for Wood Elves everywhere seeking to unify under one cultural identity. Now, it is known as the Wild Faith, the religion of a far-flung people hailing across two different countries, and it is the largest religion in Gladewynn.

War

The country of Gladewynn was founded by Kairn the Conqueror, a King of the Old Dominion. When it was founded the country leased its military to the highest bidder and conducted conflicts alongside the Empire against Sutica and the Coalition formed by Norland, Krugmar and Arberrang. The Elves are besides that a peace-loving people, and conflict is largely constrained to the soldiers in the Avchirran and the Immortals in service to the Monarchy. As of yet, the Kingdom of Gladewynn has only participated in the Third Atlas Coalition War and numerous skirmishes with independent powers for resources, glory and the potential aim of Elven reunification. With the disappearance of the King Kairn Ithelanen, however, his son Kaz Ithelanen took the throne and alongside his comrade, Annilir Erathon arranged more delegations working towards peace. Once a nation of warlike contenders, now a nation of amiable peacemakers.

Random Tidbits

• The Kingdom of Gladewynn was once little more than an Elven mercenary band garbed in the ceremonial Ancient Elven armor of their cultural predecessors.
• Gladewynn maintains a perpetual contract with the Black Reiters, age-old allies who have fought side-by-side since the later days of Axios.

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Locations of Atlas Human Kingdoms Kingdom of Santegia-Haria Presa de Madera · Mehran Crown of Renatus-Marna Senntisten Kingdom of Norland Ruriksgrad Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska Markev Elven Kingdoms Silver State of Haelun’or Okarn'thilln Dominion of Malin Linandria Princedom of Fenn Talar'ikur Warhawke Chiefdom Khel'seth Dwarven Kingdoms Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah Kal'Tarak Orcish Kingdoms War Nation of Krugmar San'Kala Neutral Kingdoms Federation of Sutica Sutica Druidic Order Mother Grove