Capital: Elsareth (population: 28,000)
Human Population: 785,000 (89% Vaas, 8% Iskari, 3% other)
Demi-humans: 62,000 (25% dwarves, 43% elves, 32% halflings)
Humanoids: few (mostly goblins)
Government: Theocracy
Current Leaders: A 30-member Council of Grand Bishops
Coat of Arms: a white eagle on a pale blue field
Exports: artwork, crafts, magic items, elixirs, wool
The Theocracy of Derianor is a unique realm, ruled by a council of high priests who worship the lawful Gods of Corwyn. It is the only major nation of the West without a monarchy system in place.
Borders
Derianor's northern borders are the rugged shores of the Frozen Coast of the Sea of Vaas.
Its southern border with Elyria is made up of three distinct regions. Furthest east is Greenwood Forest; in the center is the Almyron Sea, and furthest west is the Surging Run river.
Derianor ’s eastern border with the Wildlands is the Foam River, and its western border is the Jagged Coast of the Iron Sea.
Politics
Derianor is unlike all other nations in western Corwyn, because it is a theocracy.
The country is ruled by an appointed body of thirty senior priests called "Grand-Bishops," who serve for 10 -year terms on these Bishops are carefully selected from the various temples and local orders of priesthoods.
Politically, the country is quite stable, because there are no competing vassal lords here to squabble over lands or resources. This is because all lands are officially owned by the church.
Military
For its defense, Derianor maintains few major fortifications; the most famous is the Blue Keep. Derianor maintains the "Watch;" a small standing force of 5,000 men-at-arms, who patrol the cities and countryside.
The nation's most powerful defense is the Silver Ravens, an order of knights based at the Blue Keep. The order serves as a standing army for the realm, and numbers a little over 1,000 knights. The leader of these knights is given the Title of "Prince," and "Lord-Commander of the Order."
The current leader of the Order; Prince Varoth Penrose, acts as the military advisor to Derianor's Council of Grand Bishops, and assists them in governing the realm.
Varoth also oversees all quests assigned to the various knights as they travel across the continent of Corwyn on missions of utmost importance.
Climate
Derianor has northern climate, which is cold most of the year, except in the summer, when the temperatures are quite mild.
The geography of Derianor is rocky and hilly, with high plains and deep mountain valleys, and much of the northern regions are arctic tundra.
Life & Society
The people of Derianor are very religious, which is expected in a theocracy. The people of this nation came here to escape the evil of the East and live a quiet life of worship, reverence, and study.
Many clerics, monks, and paladins hail from this region, and their reputation is known throughout the realms. Strong warriors and devout priest come from all over the continent to join the Silver Ravens, or one of a hundred other religious orders located with Derianor’s borders.
Because of its national spirituality, devout followers of many religions come here on pilgrimages. The economy of Derianor is largely driven by these religious pilgrims; and the fine artwork and crafts that the artisans of the land sell to them.
Bereft of many natural resources, Dernish folk trade their arts and crafts for what they need. Wealthy merchants in Elsareth buy and sell magic items and elixirs as if they were clay pots. Derianor has a unique market for such exotic craft relics and other religious artifacts.
Geography
Jagged Hills: sharp rocky region of the realm of Derianor, northeast of the city of Elsareth. The region is virtually impassable because of its nearly vertical slopes and sharp peaks among the hills. Only a few hardy souls dwell in this region.
Kor’s Twins: large mountain range dominated by two enormous peaks, named for a Vaas champion of the Third Age.
Nymph’s Forest: small and magically enchanted forest in nothern Derianor.
Thessalan Hills: large hilly region that comprises much of northern Derianor, named for the Thessalan Clan
Important Sites
Academë: the former Ravinian Imperial School of Magic and the greatest university of the Ravinian Empire, now a private monastery, located on a large hill overlooking the city of Derilath.
Academë Road: road that leads north from the Elyrian city of Rilsavar to Elsareth.
Anfala Palace: the former summer retreat of Empress Ravinia, and now the seat of power for the ruling council of the theocracy of Derianor. Located near the city of Elsareth.
Berevrom’s Keep: (the Blue Keep) strong military outpost on the eastern border of the Realm of Derianor, located south of the seaport of Donareth, which is home to the Silver Ravens.
Donareth: (population: 19,000) northern seaport in the realm of Derianor. This seaport lies on the northeastern border with the Wildlands region.
Elsareth: (population: 28,000) capital of Derianor, home to the famous Academë, and well-known for its arts and culture.
Sorcerer’s Sigil: incredibly well stocked magic shop inside the city of Elsareth.
Local History
Over the past millennia, the lands of what is today the Theocracy of Derianor have been home to several different human civilizations, and the history of the region stretches back thousands of years. Each historical era of the region is described below:
Early Settlements
Centuries after the Great Rift of 884/3 devastated the western third of Corwyn, scattered tribal groups began migrating into the region, which at that time was called the "Eastvale."
These early human settlers were called the Vaas, and their people were divided into nine separate Clans; three of which, the Doradans, Harlochs, and the Vesten, settled in the Eastvale.
Once they settled, the Harlochs and Vesten founded several early settlements, including Amhorst, Pike's Ferry, and Stonebridge.
The Cynaran Invasion
The Cynarans were a Vaas Clan who hailed from the Isle of Cynara, with a reputation as great sailors and fierce warriors. For many years the Cynarans raided isolated coastal settlements of the Eastvale. However, by the year 846/3 of the Third Age, the Cynarans became a much larger threat when all their tribes united under Endacil Redmond, who declared himself King of a new nation called "Urland."
Under King Endacil's rule, Urland soon began to expand their holdings. The Cynarans sailed across the Sea of Vaas, and invaded the Eastvale. In the year 830/3, the city of Amhorst was captured and became the center of Urland's power on the continent of Corwyn for the next 300 years.
Establishment of the Kingdom of Harloch
In the year 1170/3, the Cynarans themselves were conquered by the Iskari after the Forty Years War. With the collapse of Urland, the Eastvale became independent once again. In the year 325/4, a great warrior and priestess named Elsareth Van Arden conquered the Eastvale region and founded her own kingdom called "Harloch." After her death, the city of Amhorst, which was the capitol city of the Kingdom, was re-named "Elsareth" in her honor.
the Kingdom of Harloch continued to prosper for another 400 years. But, in the year 763/4, the Kingdom was overrun and destroyed by a horde of barbarians known as the "Ravagers," who destroyed both the city of Elsareth and the fortress of Castle Harloch.
Rise of the Vaas City-states
After the fall of Harloch, the Eastvale fell into anarchy for many years, the Vaas clans continued to fight amongst themselves, and the region became divided into several rival city-states, each controlled by petty Vaas Lords. The strongest of these city-states was Karthis.
The Iron Treaty of 536/4
In the year 536 of the Fourth Age, the city-state of Pike's Ferry signed a controversial agreement with the Iskari Kingdom of Iskandar. This agreement allowed the Iskari to colonize parts of the Eastvale region and develop it for mining iron ore and farming. In return, the city of Pike's Ferry received a handsome percentage of all profits. Lord Cochran of the House of Pike was widely condemned by other Vaas Lords for entering into this agreement. One of those Lords; Ethelred Madrigal was so enraged by the agreement, he declared war upon Pike's Ferry and ordered his soldiers to destroy all Iskari colonies along the Jagged Coast.
The Karthic Wars
By the middle of the Fourth Age, the first Iskari colonists began to arrive from Iskandar. At first, small groups sailed east across the Iron Sea and established small settlements in the coastal areas of the Eastvale. The House of Pike signed treaties with the Iskari for purposes of trade.
However, King Ethelred Madrigal of Karthis; an brash and arrogant ruler, was enraged by what he saw as a hostile Iskari invasion. He then ordered a series of reckless military raids on the fledgling Iskari settlements. One of these fateful raids cost the life of the Iskari Crown Prince; Idris.
The War of Terror
Following the fall of Karthis in 597/4, all organized resistance to the Iskari occupation ended, and a new, dark era came to the Eastvale. The next two centuries became known as the "War of Terror," a period of widespread mayhem and slaughter against the local population that lasted between 597 and 853/4.
The Fall of Harloch and the Era of the Ravagers
The Kingdom of Harloch was destroyed by the Ravagers in 763/4, and its capitol city of Elsareth was sacked and burned.
Establishment of the Freehold of Dorada
Lord Adleroth Penrose moved into the region and founded the Freehold of Dorada.
Over the next few centuries, the House of Penrose became closely allied with Empress Ravinia, and, under their leadership, Dorada eventually joined the Ravinian Empire.
As part of the Empire, the Eastvale grew in importance and population. Many great institutions were built here; such as the Anfala Palace and the Avenue of Deities in city of Elsareth.
The Ravinian Period
During the period of the Ravinian Empire, the the Eastvale was divided into two separate nations; the Freehold of Dorada in the north and the Kingdom of Elyria in the south. Dorada was an important Imperial province, for its capitol of Elsareth was home to both the Academë and Empress Ravinia's Summer Palace. In many ways, this region became the epi-center of culture and learning for the entire Empire.
The Collapse of the Empire and the founding of Derianor
After the Cataclysm, the region was largely laid waste. the region was rebuilt by two men; Grand Bishop Deriyan Montessarë and Lord Thalen Penrose, a former Ravinian knight. Deriyan established a new form of religious government, and Thalen established an Order of Knights to serve and protect the new nation. That new nation was named "Derianor ," in honor of Bishop Deriyan, who devoted his entire life to create it.
The history of modern Derianor begins with the dark days after the Cataclysm, when Corwyn was a continent shattered by war and devastated with the poverty and destruction that came with it. The country was founded in 26/6 by the followers of Grand Bishop Deriyan Montessarë, the last surviving member of the Imperial Ravinian Council of Theos.
Deriyan had wanted a sanctuary for ideas and culture that he knew would be lost elsewhere with the fall of the Empire. Unfortunately, Deriyan died of illness in the year 004/6, and never saw his dream realized. But ten years after his death, the realm of "Derianor" was born, and was named in his honor.
Deriyan’s vision was successful, and the new nation prospered through hard work, devotion to faith, and adherence to principle. Soon its capitol was thriving, with wealthy merchants coming in droves to buy and sell fine merchandise that cannot be found anywhere else on the continent.
