Fantasy The Real Heroes Are The Friends You Made Along The Way (Lore)

[Sensei Fox]

The Grand Duchy of Britestalia


​

Population: 26,920

Capital: Storm

Ruler: Grand Duchess Firela Stilmyst

Bio:
Britestalia was traditionally Elven land. However, after wars that spawned the Dranderan Empire drove countless demi-human races out of their homes it became a haven for survivors and the new home to the majority of demi-humans in Ceria. The elves have since departed for farther shores save for a few royal families and their courts that remained behind to protect the other demi-humans. Duke Osglold Stilmyst, the very elven king that opened his land as a sanctuary to other races has sadly, and suddenly, passed. Rumors of foul play and assassins from the Empire filled the wake of his passing, casting a shadow over his daughter Firela as she took the throne to become Grand Duchess of Britestalia. While she carries her father's royal blood and blessing, the Duchy is very much fractured by their late leaders passing.

The land itself is dotted with sparse purely elven architecture. Most of Britestalia's walled cities are now intertwined with many different forms of architecture from the other races, using every material from rough cut wood to polished and gilded marble. Storm, the capital city, is a shining example of Britestalia's melting pot. Large grasslands and wooded trails blanket the interior, while tall forests sit along the borders and transitioning into wetlands in the north. The glacier to the northeast supplies most of the rivers in the land, making them crystal clear and a bit cold. The land here is good, seemingly blessed by the gods and the fruits of the elves labor for centuries before.

The duchy is protected by small elven army, all of them descended from or part of the elves that remained in Ceria after the migration. By the decree of Osglold, any elf can be called and pressed into service to defend Britestalia. The Duchy also boasts an irregular volunteer army with ranks filled by the other races, including humans, that call Britestalia home. Britestalia has remained neutral in all conflicts, even befoere the formation of the Dranderan Empire. Their army is exclusively to secure their borders and their sovereignty. Most internal matters that devolve into violence are solved by the employment of adventureres.

Britestalia is a haven for adventure. The wake of magic that the elves left behind and the nature of the land have spawned creatures perfect for budding adventurers and veterans alike. Many guilds host their home base in Britestalia, recruiting and organizing their constituents across the land. Smaller towns are almost always in need of an adventurer of some form, encouraging the profession.

Notable People:
Firela Stilmyst: Newly crowned Grand Duchess of Britestalia. Her beauty and elagence is unmatched, even in the elven world. Her call to adventurers has set the world of Ceria on the edge of its seat.
Qiric Tradan: Captain of the elven royal guard. Known as brilliant military leader and was kept as a close personal confidant to the late elven king.
Bardin Dulbrek: Dwarven commander of the Britestalia's volunteer forces. Often at odds with Qiric although with a healthy amount of comradery.
Calcifer: Court wizard to the late elven king and the newly crowned duchess. Human but with an unusual lifespan and youthfulness.
Orlen Mantix: Guildmaster for the Heroes Guild. A gnome wise past the long years he's lived.
Liana Silxina: Guildmaster for the Order of Dawn. An elven prodigy of magic known for her work as an adventurer in her younger years fighting an ice dragon in the north of Britestalia.

Local Legends:
Some adventurers and scholars claim that the ancient tombs and temples of the elves still house secrets and great power that have yet to be discovered. Some great heroes claim to have retrieved their weapons and blessings from deep within old elven ruins, but almost always at great peril.

A great white stag wanders the tall forests that border Britestalia, guarding the forest and the home of the elves from those that wish ill upon the land. The stag is regarded almost as a deity and is sometimes theorized to be one of the three angels of legend in disguise if not one of her children.

Rumors that Firela spent an unusual amount of time communicating with and seeing a Ghoslandic prince have ciruclated in the kingdom, even before her fathers passing.