Nation: Council of Ephyr

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Situated in the North-Western expanses of Aesor, the Council of Ephyr, also referred to as the Councilleria, stands as the guiding force that navigates and nurtures the Ephyran cities and communities within the sprawling embrace of the Great Jungles of Mezataan.
Since the shattering Tragedy of Ephyr, which plunged the nation into chaos and destruction, the Councilleria has been tirelessly working to reconstruct and stabilize their homeland. This catastrophe led them on a path to redefine their identity, aspirations, and role in the realm.

Government & Capital

The Councilleria is governed by a collective leadership known as the Keepers. This unique system embodies the wisdom of those who have either witnessed or inherited the memories of the city's cataclysmic downfall. Within this assembly, voting power is primarily vested in those with the most knowledge, often the eldest, creating a representation based on experience.
Foremost among the Keepers is Pylas Ruith Advarin, one of the eldest and most knowledgeable. Despite his frailty, unable to stand or walk unaided, Pylas commands respect. His physical limitations contrast his profound influence, making him a somewhat controversial figure. Sporting silver hair and a meticulously groomed beard, his leadership remains steadfast, even if largely symbolic.
Within the depths of the Great Jungles of Mezataan, the devastated and shielded capital of Ephyr stands tall with the densely populated Ephyrisa encircling it. This city, shrouded in mystery, appears as a colossal glass sphere mimicking a ruined metropolis, encased in a protective glass dome. Access is restricted solely to those who bear memories of the Tragedy of Ephyr, ensuring outsiders are barred entry. Ephyr's reconstruction continues as a poignant reminder of their history.

Society

Ephyr's culture forms a great divide within their society resulting in two distinct groups that emerged from the remains of the capital’s wounds:
House Gardener: Representing the south-western populace, they mirror civilized, Arkey-inspired culture and active marcritic users. Their lifestyle echoes the ancient Ephyran way of life.
House Grove: Symbolizing the north-eastern inhabitants, this faction embodies a more tribal, druidic, and nature-embracing way of life, emblematic of the new Ephyran path.
These divisions do not connote nobility or rank but rather serve to differentiate between differing viewpoints, cultures, and lifestyles. The House Gardener, deeply rooted in the marcritic arts, strives to maintain a secure distance from these potent energies while harnessing their potential. Conversely, House Grove fosters harmony with nature, directing their energies towards community growth and sustainability.
In the 800s, Ephyr and the Mezataan Jungles endured a catastrophic event, the Tragedy of Ephyr, resulting in the city's obliteration and the loss of countless lives and almost the whole of the Jungles of Mezataan. Emerging from the ashes, House Gardener focused on marcritic research to prevent such devastation again. In contrast, House Grove advocates for a cautious approach, believing that refraining from marcritic experimentation ensures the society's safety.
House Grove members live in small, self-sustaining communities, contributing collectively to the nation's welfare. Conversely, House Gardener resides in sprawling cities enriched by marcritic wonders. The governance structure is not overly strict; Keepers act as guides, prioritizing the people's well-being over authority. When faced with national challenges, the Keepers initiate the Hollow Chant, an ancient ritual summoning Ephyrans to address urgent matters. This sacred hymn leads the populace to the luminous Underlight Mountain, guided by the radiant Alvilin and Nanviru rivers.

History

The establishment of the First Council, the first governing entity in the Great Jungles of Mezataan, can be traced back to a remarkable collaboration among three northern coastal marcritic communities. These now-vanished settlements — Silnael, Ephniur, and Ulnia — united their strengths in response to a hostile presence from their newfound neighbors, the Arkey of the Magistrate of Aztheon.
This shared investigation led them to the Whitehail Peaks, even as the Arkey, another emerging race, were already delving into the depths of the Great Jungles of Mezataan. Mutual suspicions flared, with each side claiming provocation by the other. Regardless of the truth, the Year 167 marked the inception of the Hex Wars.
In the face of this escalating conflict, the three coastal communities beckoned the verdant communities of the jungles to action. The Council of Silephnia, a derivation from the names of these founding settlements, rose as a unifying force. Fueled by the fear that failure to unite would lead to annihilation by the Magistrate, many joined their ranks.
After a little more than a 100 years, ravaged by the relentless onslaught of the Hex Wars, both societies, especially the Ephyrans, bore the brunt of devastation. The three coastal bastions, razed by the Magistrate's forces, vanished from the realm, their names etched in memory. The First Council's authority wavered, pushed to the brink of dissolution by this dire turn of events.
Yet, salvation arose from an unlikely quarter, orchestrated by the brave spirit of Enechnia of Ephyr, an influential figure hailing from the rising settlement of Ephyr. Bolstered by her visionary leadership and the devoted efforts of her family, Enechnia emerged as the first Overlord of the rejuvenated Council, known as the Second Council however, more simply put, this was the establishment of the governing entity that we know today as the Council of Ephyr. The Ephyrans, facing her charismatic leadership, witnessed the resurgence of trust, hope, and unity.
Under Enechnia's guidance, the Council underwent a radical transformation. She declared every Council member, community, men, women and children as her own, a move that spurred an endearing familial bond among her people. The very appellation of Ephyran is a tribute to this familial unity that Enechnia initiated. Her influence radiated love, respect, and inspiration, birthing a sense of belonging that knit the nation as one harmonious family.
As the Hex Wars raged on, this reborn government displayed remarkable progress. Thriving on the foundations Enechnia had laid, the Ephyrans achieved unprecedented strides in war strategy, marcry technology, and knowledge.
However, the Council's woes were far from resolved, as while fighting the desolating Hex Wars, a global turmoil swept the horizons of Aesor, remembered as the Struggle for the Sea (Year 203 – 489).
Amid the continuing enmity between the Councilleria and the Magistrate, a realization swept across the peoples of Aesor. The vast potential of sea travel, with its myriad opportunities and advantages, beckoned them. The prospect of asserting dominance over the Lethassa, the expansive seas, kindled a fervor that transcended factional boundaries. This fiery ambition laid the cornerstone for what would soon be recognized as the Struggle for the Sea.
As the tides of rivalry swelled, one war cascaded into another. Both the Hex Wars and the Wars of the Dead Cay, whose origins were rooted in land, now extended their grim grasp to the open waters. What began as regional disputes spiraled into global strife, each faction relentlessly pursuing its own objectives. Suspicion hung heavy in the air, corroding trust among the realms, irrespective of their historical ties.
For the Councilleria, this new reality ushered in a complex web of challenges. No longer could they focus solely on the Magistrate's threats. The need for vigilance multiplied, as the Ephyrans found themselves surrounded by potential adversaries from every direction. As the Struggle for the Sea escalated, even once-allied factions turned into unpredictable foes, especially when it comes the rising Kingdom of Alar.
The Struggle for the Sea thus became a watershed moment in Ephryan history. It marked a shift from localized disputes to a broader, interconnected conflict that gripped the entire realm. The Council's efforts to navigate this turmoil, while contending with its historical adversities, carved a unique path for the Councilleria. As the Struggle unfolded, the Council's endurance, adaptability, and determination to preserve their way of life and identity were put to the ultimate test.

The Tragedy of Ephyr & the Aftermath

In the Year 835 the Ephyr’s history was deeply marked by the cataclysmic event known as the Tragedy of Ephyr. A soundless marcritic explosion of unknown origins, centered on Ephyr, annihilated almost the whole continent of the Great Jungles of Mezataan. Erasing cities and villages, vaporizing trees and fauna, it was an incomprehensible destruction that was never seen before by mortal eyes.
This event, with its waves of chaos and ruin, shook the very foundations of the nation, compelling the Councilleria to embark on an unwavering mission of reconstruction and stability. The aftermath of this tragedy propelled them into a profound journey of redefining their collective identity, aspirations, and purpose within Aesor.
The transformations triggered by the tragedy have resulted in a change of perspectives within the Ephyran society. For many, this change embodies an earnest quest for harmony with theNh'áhrean, the spirit of Mother Nature that envelops the Great Jungles of Mezataan. This side of Ephyran identity praise a deep-rooted connection with the land, aligning their ways with the natural rhythms of the jungle.
Conversely, another facet of this identity seeks solace in marcritic solutions and safeguards. The tragedy’s devastation looms large, motivating many to continue exploring the realm of marcritic arts in the pursuit of protective measures. Through innovation and marcritic prowess, they strive to shield their homeland from future calamities, determined to prevent history from repeating itself.

Geography

• Ephyr
• Vyt Ancora
• Vytgarden
• Fort Zephyr
• Saroan Shore
• Neleeth
• Neos
• Lilaytha
• Sylaril
• Famlyril
• Wellspring
• Tanythil
• Eithla
• K’hinela
• Nanvi Riverfort
• Silvyr Port
• The Gatelift of Ephyr
• Arnephyr
• Halmane
• Liyerin
• The Underlight Crossing
• Trihila’s Tree
• Eleith
• Ishariel
• Myrin
• Vulhyn
• Calariel
• Kinlihis
• Bek’ani
• Burolia
• Tamnarae
• Fort Pylier
• Silmarel
• Ancilie
• Fort Baldove
• Fort Hagas
• Hex Wars Memorial
• Presnewyn
• Ruru Port

Minor Factions

• The Nanren
• The Kin-folk
• The Earthen Pact
• The Linferni
• https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aesor-themadkingloktra/a/-councillerian-faction3A--the-ancorixi-organization|tab|tab]The Ancorixi
• The Chosen of the Howling Dragon

Religions

• The Nh’áhrean
• The House of the Howling Dragon (The Abbey of the Óhin)

General Information

Capital - Ephyr
Homeland - Great Jungles of Mezataan
Citizen Population - approx. 370.000
Religion(s) - Nh'áhrean, House of the Howling Dragon
Leader(s) - Pylas Ruith Advarin
Ruler Type - Keeper
Government Type - Gerotocratic Senate
Founded - Year 150

Rivalries & Alliances

Positive Relations - Kingdom of Alar, Lethassan Commonwealth
Neutral Relations - Gruul Empire, Clans of Vahalzaar
Negative Relations - Magistrate of Aztheon, Realm of Zhor