Elystrium, The Old Kingdom

Many nations and countries have risen and fallen across the world of Varda, but it is perhaps the story of a mighty empire once known as Elystrium that is best remembered. To those that reside in modern day Northern Astiria, it is called “The Old Kingdom”, and remnants of its architecture and culture can be found throughout the region.
Much of the region now known as The Northern Wastes and The Orcish Tribelands once fell under the domain of Elystrium, with the central powers residing in where the The Kingdom of Arden is in the current day. A dominant force in the early days of civilization on the continent, the nation was renowned for its military prowess and complex political institutions. Its history is marked by periods of turmoil and triumph, which would shape its future and shift its governance across three distinct eras.

Era of Consulate (1700 BA to 1100 BA)

The formative years of Elystrium were marked by a desire for equality and democracy. Several smaller states, already with alliances in place, banded together to form a burgeoning republic. Elected officials led the country, known as consuls, and in these early days a rapid expansion of territory was achieved, both through diplomatic alliances and rapid military campaigns. With the Codification of Law in 1600 BA, a framework for governance was set in stone. Elystrium fast became a beacon of prosperity, taking centre stage across the continent of Astiria.
Challenges still arose for the fledgling republic. Despite its military and strategic prowess, border skirmishes were common as neighbouring nations resisted Elystrium's expansionist policies. Despite this, some alliances were made, such as the Treaty of Laheria in 1200 BA, which saw the island nation of the High Elves openly agree to trade with a foreign nation for the first time since the The Sundering of Auraiddmir.
However, tensions always simmered beneath the surface. Many species made up the populace of Elystrium, chief amongst them, Humans, Halflings and Goliaths. Cultural rifts between these peoples were influenced by several key consuls, each seeking to further their own goals.
As the Era of Consulate came to a close in 1100 AF, the stage was set for a new chapter; one marked by the rise of imperial power and the pursuit of conquest.

Era of Imperium (1100 BA to 800 BA)

At the start of 1100 BA, a profound shift in governance rocked the country of Elystrium. Moving from a democratic republic to that of a single Emperor was swift but not unwelcome. The catalyst of this drastic transformation came from a neighbouring nation, the Akriteru Kingdom to the south.
A much older and established nation, Akriteru stretched across the desert of south-western Astiria. Such was the renown of Akriteru that the desert nowadays bares the same name. Trade was always welcome between Elystrium and Akriteru, although political disputes around the exact border were always present. Around the year 1100 BA, the Akriteru Kingdom collapsed and fell in to ruin, its lands devastated by a mysterious and catastrophic magical disaster.
The effects of the downfall of Akriteru were felt across the continent of Astiria, especially in Elystrium. The balance of power was disrupted, and vital trade routes suddenly ended. An opportunity arose within Elystrium, and it wasn't long before an influential consul stepped forward. A Goliath known as Othorus Skyborn began a campaign advocating for a single ruler and a centralised form of governance, one that would prevent the effects of the fall of Akriteru from causing further upheaval to Elystrium.
With support from the diverse populace, Othorus promised to usher in an era of strength, unity and prosperity. It wasn't long before influential consuls also backed the Goliath, along with key religious sects. Emperor Othorus Skyborn ascended to the throne, marking the official beginning of the Era of Imperium.
Under the first Emperor, the country underwent a period of rapid militarization and territorial expansion. Borders were expanded both south and east, and Elystrium's influence across the continent grew considerably. Successive Emperor's continued this trend, with the mighty empire poised to shape the destiny of Astiria for centuries to come.

Era of Tribunals (800 BA to 500 BA)

Years of political intrigue and the rules of several Emperors set the stage for the eventual downfall of Elystrium. The vast Empire found itself stretched thin, with centralised governance becoming more of a hindrance with each passing year. Longing for the republic and ideals that founded Elystrium, power was slowly redistributed to regional governance, with each region having its own Tribunal as its ruling elite.
A period of internal fragmentation deepened further as neighbouring nations began to take advantage. To the east, the Greenskin Tribes began to unite and reclaim lands long stolen from them. To the south, the The Wood Elves of Delastari and Dwarves of Rhyk-Durgen became enemies as local authority betrayed long alliances. The magical energies from the fallen Akriteru Kingdom seemed to rise in this era as well, adding to the strife that marks this period of history.
As more regions declared their autonomy from the Emperor, conflicts began. The Tribunal Wars, lasting from 780 BA to 750 BA, marked a period of intense brutality as rival factions sought to claim lands and resources for themselves. The result of this was the death of the ruling Emperor, who would become the last that Elystrium saw.
Sometime in the years 550 BA to 500 AF lies the story of the true downfall of Elystrium. However, this story has become legend unto itself, still being talked about as a warning in the current day. Often going by the name “The First Necromancer”, little is known of how true the fable is. What is known is that the name Calux Valerius was a real figure, a Goliath, who aspired to be the next Emperor of Elystrium. He assembled a grand army to restore the country under one ruler, and if it had not been for the calamity that followed, he may have achieved his goal.
The story of The First Necromancer goes in to more detail of what allegedly happened, but the outcome is still evident; Necromancy on a scale unheard of. From the cold norths, vast armies of the undead were raised up and tore the land of Elystrium apart. Like the Kingdom of Akriteru, so did Elystrium fall.
Not all regions fell to this plague of undeath, as individual Tribunals defended their borders. These fractured states would endure, and the names of these regions still exist in the current day. Dalarn and Valgard are both examples of these, names given over to Provinces within the Kingdom of Arden.

Legacy of Elystrium

Aside from the names found within the Kingdom of Arden, there are many cultural influences from Elystrium that can still be seen in the current day. Many of the major roads across Northern Astiria can be traced back to the Empire, and the great ruins of its marble structures dot the land.
The Goliath's themselves still exist to this day, although a mere shadow of the greatness of their accomplishments. Making up only a small proportion of Elystrium at its height, the Goliaths made up the majority of its military and labourers. The onset of war and the undead all but wiped out the species of Goliath. Those that survive today do so in small, nomadic tribes, ignorant of their own past. If this is through choice or simply a result of the passing of centuries is unknown.
Human refugees and survivors of the war of undeath fled across the sea to the continent of Vastalia. Here they settled, but the legacy of the past changed them forever. The species now referred to as the Kalashtar would be born from the fall of Elystrium, and they would go on to help establish the country of Therrezia.
The region known as the Northern Wastes has seen the greatest change from the fall of Elystrium. With the origins of the undead and Necromancy coming from this region, it is still stalked by all manor of undead creatures; the long, cold winters often preserving the abominations until the spring thaw. What was once the height of a civilised nation is now the frozen domain of the dead.

1700 BA - 500 BA

Alternative Names

The Old Kingdom

Successor Organization

• The Kingdom of Arden

The Gods of Elystrium

Elystrium had a pantheon of unique gods and goddesses throughout its history, and these changed and adapted as the nation progressed. Indeed, it seems as if some Gods and Goddesses were added if and when they were needed, and records have dozens of gods making up the pantheon. Some of these are still worshipped today, although their followers are not as common as they once were. Some examples of the gods are as follows:

• Feranor, the Wolf Spirit
• Cifgral, the Raven Shadow
• Gorsarrf, the Serpent Stormbringer
• Solara, the Phoenix Sunbearer
• Terra, the Earth Mother
• Ventus, the Falcon Windcaller