ELDURIA
System of Government
Elduria is a decentralized confederation of Free Cities, Dukedoms, Counts, and Kingdoms that all swear fealty to the Crown of Drachen - Whosever head it may rest upon.
Most of these peoples, the divisions in which the Empire collects itself, are often left to their own devices, able to live a life that is of their own making.
Main Religion -
The Faith of Elduria is one of strong conviction and duty. While they worship many Saints, whomst the Gods have given divine ability, they are no where near the greatness and power of the Gods.
The First Light - Erstefen - In all things there is a beginning. The cries of a babe, the excitement of something new, and a new dawn. Where joy, mirth, and healing are to be found so too can Erstefen.
The Setting Sun - Abendar - Work, duty and honor define our lives and how we live. What one's word may carry defines who and what they are. Where one can take pride in themselves, so too can one find Abendar.
The Rising Moon - Calmond - Just as all things begin, so too must they come to an end. Where one finds comfort, the flickering flames of dying embers and last breaths, one can find and be comforted by Calmond.
Eldurian Colors
Aesthetics
Rennaisance-era Germany for architecture, culture and fashion
Important Details
Elduria is not any one people or culture, but rather a collection of many tribes and peoples who have come together. What Eldurians one may find in the Elarik Plains are vastly different than those within the Iron Vale beneath the slopes of the Ardhoroin Mountains.
Traditions and ideas vary wildly between its vast regions with many of the people clinging to the ways of their homelands.
History
Elduria as a nation compared to some of her neighbors is quite young in the grand scheme of it all. Before the decline of the Archesian Empire, Elduria was nothing more than a single tribe in the North-East most regions of the continent.
The Tribe Eldur was one of warriors and those proud of their roots. They occupied the lands furthest North and East of mainland Alfyr. It is because of this that they were one of the last tribes to come into conflict with the Empire of Archios.
The Empire of Archios had since conquered and gained control of most of the continent south of the Ardhoroin Mountains. The scattered tribes of the land were no match for the militaristic and civilized warfare brought down upon them. While rebellions and conflict did arise, this was a period of relative peace. Tribes and regions were brought into the Archesian Empire proper, with the promise of citizenship for ten years of military service. This did not last, hwoever. Where they once ruled peacefully they soon began a campaign of censorship and suppression. It is in response to this violent suppression that the Tribes of Elduria banded together beneath the war banner of the first King of Elduria, Alaric the Bear. He led a terrible host of warriors against their oppressors, and pushed back the Archesian Empire all the way to their mountain fortresses in the Sylia Mountains.
Their warpath from then did not lose momentum. They continued, either persuading, intimidating, or conquering other tribes to join them. Soon, most of the land North of the Sylia Mountains and South of the Ardhoroin Mountains were in Eldurian control - And hence, the Eldurian Empire came to be.
Now it is a loose collection of Principalities, Duchies, and even a number of City States. Each of these lands swear fealty and an Oath to the Emperor of the Eldurians, though such fealty and oaths are fleeting for an Emperor so far away. Often times each Principality or Duchy is given their own autonomy as long as they pay the Imperial Taxes and respect Imperial Edicts.
When one does not respect one, the other, or even both that is when the Imperial fist of the Emperor is brought down upon those who would dare. The Empire, while being able to raise a sizable army of its own, has an even greater weapon - Dragon Riders. Men who swear their allegiance to the Emperor and no on else, to serve as his voice and his hand if need be.
It is under threat of Dragon Fire and Steel that none would dare act against the Crown.