Suldanessellar

Population: 250 (90% elves, 10% other) • Government: Dictatorship (Jon Irenicus) • Defense: Undead controlled by Jon Irenicus, wolfweres controlled by Bodhi Irenicus • Commerce: None • Organizations: Order of Icarus, Raven Circle • Religions: Raven Queen Suldanessellar is an elven city in the Forest of Tethir ruled by Queen Ellesime. It houses the Tree of Life and serves as a meeting place for all of the elvish tribes within the Forest of Tethir, including the Elmanesse elven tribe to the north and the Suldusk elven tribe to the south. Suldanessellar is all that remains of the ancient elven kingdom of Keltormir. The elves of that ancient kingdom were saved from complete annihilation by the great elven hero Tethir—the inspiration for the name of the forest. A seed given to the elves by their god, Rillifane Rallathil, was planted in the spot of Tethir’s death to honor him. This seed quickly grew into the Tree of Life; becoming so massive its branches were able to support the treetop city that would eventually become Suldanessellar. In current times, Suldanessellar is still recovering from a tragedy that nearly destroyed it a century ago. Jon Irenicus, a great elven wizard exiled from the city, tried to use the Tree of Life to complete a ritual that would transform him into a god. With the help of his sister, Bodhi, he captured Queen Ellesime and poisoned the Tree of Life. Jon’s plan was thwarted when he was killed by the Bhaalspawn, Abdel Adrian. But Jon’s death didn’t bring peace to the elves of Suldanessellar. Due to a pact with the Dark Powers of the Shadowfell, his spirit was drawn into a dark reflection of the treetop city. Trapped in this Domain of Dread, Irenicus—with the help of his sister—is still able to inflict misery on the elves of Suldanessellar from his prison. The Shadowfell This dismal echo of Suldanessellar exists in the Shadowfell. This realm is lorded over by the siblings Jon and Bodhi Irenicus. In their version of the elven city it is always night. The city is as beautiful as its counterpart, except for a few places that have been twisted to reflect the inhabitants, such as the palace where Jon rules and the tower where Bodhi roosts. The former House of the Horn has become a lair for the Shadar-Kai, a twisted race of elves associated with the Raven Queen—the dark ruler of the entire Shadowfell. Finally, the branches on the borders of the city are black and malformed, becoming the domain of bloodthirsty wolfweres. The branches grow thicker the further one travels, and only with the permission of either Jon or Bodhi will a path open up for someone to escape back into the real world. Jon and Bodhi lure travelers from across the Forest of Tethir into their cursed domain. They do this by opening pathways in the forest when the moon of Selune is at its fullest. These pathways seem to lead into supernaturally beautiful groves or echo with beautiful fey song. While most of those tricked into the shadow realm are younger elves from the city of Suldanessellar, there are members of almost every race trapped in the elven city’s dark reflection. Those who first arrive find themselves in a place reminiscent to its real-world counterpart. Most of those trapped in the shadow city try to recreate a semblance of a normal life. The majority of the elven population distract themselves with music, dancing under the stars and praying to the Seldarine. For some elves, the despair of the place becomes too much and they either join the Shadar-Kai or wander out into the Black Branches to be torn apart by the wolfweres. Jon and Bodhi are always looking for those who can help free them from their prison. They have founded an organization called the Order of Icarus. Members of the Order are the only ones that the siblings allow to leave their realm. Members of the Order seek out magical secrets or capture learned sages or spell casters to bring back to their masters. Bodhi is the one who identifies those who might have the talents required to join the Order, selecting candidates from newly trapped travelers or children who have grown up in the Shadowfell and have just come of age. The inhabitants of the real world Suldanessellar have been tormented by its dark reflection for the entire century of its existence. When an elf in Suldanessellar goes into their daily trance, they can communicate with the elves trapped in Jon and Bodhi’s realm. Those who have loved ones trapped in the shadow realm can become obsessed, spending all of their time conversing with them