Principality of Draethlin

Overview

The Principality of Draethlin was a country that had fallen under one of Helia's earliest conquests. The country was short lived, having only existed for one hundred years before being conquered by the insatiable Kingdom of Helia in 1143AGC. It has been called the Hundred Year Principality by most.
The country was located between the Kingdom of Helia to the east, and the Southern Principality of Avistar Twin to the west. The country enjoyed sunny southern coastlines along which a great marble city was being built.

Indulgence of Marble

When the Principality of Draethlin finally achieved their sovereignty in 1043AGC they quickly began work on the country's "magnum opus" - The Marble City of Biser. The city was meticulously planned to include all kinds of buildings and water works that made the city one of the most beautiful on the continent. Within the hundred years the country existed, they had created a city that gleamed from a distance across land and sea alike due to the immaculately polished surfaces of its marble streets and buildings.
A great defensive wall was part of the construction, but constant expansion rendered the walls in a perpetual state of incompleteness. This proved fateful when Biser's weak defenses were exploited by a sudden yet foreseeable invasion from the east.

Conquest by Helia

The Draethlin military was no match for the might of the Kingdom of Helia. Indecisive leadership was partly responsible for the poor condition of the Draethlin military. The country was caught completely by surprise when the Helian's began their assault on Draethlin's capital of Biser. Once the marble city was taken and word spread all members of Draethlin's military either surrendered or fled. It was Helia's quickest and least satisfying victory.

Shadow Market

The Draethlin people would not accept Helian rule. They organized a secret network that helped them gather supplies and recruit individuals for an uprising against their oppressors. This network was called the Shadow Market.
Their efforts ultimately proved devastating to the Draethlins. After order had been restored in the Radiant City of Sol the King Vimak II had made sure that almost every remnant of the Draethlin people was eradicated. It was a warning to others that they must assimilate or face ultimate destruction. Only a few Draethlins survived this purge, some of whom continued to operate secret trade networks in other lands. Their operations soon grew so prevalent that the term Shadow Market had become a generic term. This market is perhaps one of the few lasting contributions the people of the Principality of Draethlin has made to the world.

1043AGC - 1143AGC

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Demonym

Draethlins

Government System

Plutocracy

Location

Continental Island of Lluvia

Controlled Territories

• Cliffview Castle

Note(s) from the Archivists:

So, this is all we have? - Archivist Edward
Yes. - Archivist Enna 
Guess a country cannot contribute so much when they only have so short a time. - Archivist Edward
It depends on what kind of ruler they have. The Draethlins never had an ambitious leader. They were just...  kinda there for a hundred years. - Archivist Enna
What's wrong with being "just kinda there"? - Archivist Theta
Well, I suppose you're an exception. - Archivist Enna
I don't know whether to thank you for that or not. - Archivist Theta