Arvair and the Arvairian Empire

Historical Summary

An Introduction to Arvair and the Arvairian Empire, by Malune Corrinder, Daemedran Academy historical scholar (required reading for all Academy initiates)

The Arvairian Empire is the undisputed ruling force of western Solitude. Its inhabitants came in the fifth wave of human immigrants to Solitude through the Central Rift Gate. Established by survivors of the much smaller kingdom of Varrus at the end of the last era, Arvair began as a single country stretching from Halet’s Channel in the north, to Costavil in the south.  

Until the formation of the Empire, Arvair was much like its predecessor – a non-aggressive trade kingdom that rarely sought out war. But when rulership switched from the Kyn family to their relatives (and original ruling family of Varrus) the Var, the Empire became much more militant. The first Emperor was a devout worshipper of Tanthik and introduced a new religious order combining the laws of the God of Justice with the Eternal Task given to the elves by Ahmay. The new order required Arvair to enforce this doctrine across the face of Solitude through means either diplomatic or martial. Over the next few decades Arvair absorbed its sister-nation Norvair, confederated with the struggling nation of Costavil, negotiated the Kingdom of Faidmiir into a protectorate, and signed a vassalage treaty with the Kingdom of Akuul. After these successes the Empire spent the next decade developing its new provinces and consolidating power.  

Contrary to expectations from the wider world, the Empire lived up to its doctrine. It kept the peace with a strong but fair hand, prioritized uplifting and providing for the common folk, and expanded friendly relations with non-citizen races (siska, celebrith, dragons etc.) living within the Empire.  

Arvair’s military and economic influence grew, causing other world powers to become nervous that they might be the next target to be brought under the Empire’s control. These fears reached their height when Imperial Princess Alutia Var led a successful retaliatory strike against a dragon stronghold at Scythepeak in the Red Savannah, with the help of the celebrith Skymaster, Zantana. This daring feat led to two incredible outcomes. The first was the negotiation of a non-aggression pact with the dragons of the Red Savannah, which guaranteed that rogue dragons raiding Arvairian territory would from now on be punished by their own kind.  The second was the creation of Razor Company, a collection of elite Arvairian soldiers who rode celebrith warriors into battle. Commonly known as the falcon riders, Razor Company revolutionized the Arvairian military.  

Six months after the strike on Fenthyr’s Jaws, an assassin (believed to be Sabbran) infiltrated the Imperial Palace in Daemedra in an attempt to wipe out the ruling family. In the aftermath the Emperor lay dead, but so did the assassin, struck down by Princess Alutia. In a bold move unforeseen by those who conspired against the Empire, Alutia immediately took the throne, despite the proper line of succession falling to her sister, Korona. Korona did not object to her sister seizing power – to the disappointment of many within and outside the Empire. Though a noted swordswoman, she was known to be a diplomat first and a general second. The same could not be said of Alutia, who immediately dispatched the bulk of the Arvairian military to take and hold the western regions of Sabbré. Soon afterwards she personally led Razor Company to victory against the Sabbran fleet in the Coral Sea. The Sabbrans, unprepared for such an aggressive push, suffered heavy losses but regrouped quickly and pushed the Arvairians back to their own border. But then came what would be regarded as the most stunning military defeat of the new era.  

Empress Alutia led 300 falcon riders and battlemages against the Sabbran capital, using a newly developed mass-shielding spell to easily bypass the city’s outer defences and land her soldiers around the palace of the Sabbran Senate. Razor Company quickly subdued the city’s unprepared garrison, and with their leaders captured the Sabbrans were forced to the negotiating table. Though they stubbornly refused the presence of significant occupational forces, they had no choice but to accept Arvairian rule and dismantle the bulk of their military. No novice diplomats, they also negotiated for the Council of Imperial Provinces to be formed in Daemedra, with a Sabbran ambassador at its head. After the war with Sabbré, Empress Alutia either absorbed or conquered the smaller nations of Tranth, Lumas and Kantle.  

Many view the Empire’s more recent history as a disappointing deviation from its promising start. The recent civil was has done nothing to quell these concerns, especially considered that the leader of the insurrection is the Empress’ own disinherited nephew. Empress Alutia has endured a loss of respect from many of her noble underlings and her fellow world leaders, however she has continued to lead the Empire with the unbending strength and determination characteristic of her linage. Through all of of its recent struggles the Arvairian Empire has remained the dominant force in the west, and the lands under its control have only grown under Alutia’s reign.

Regions of Arvair

Stormcoast

Stormcoast is a province of Arvair and has been ruled by the proud Sedra dynasty for centuries. The province covers more land than many of Solitude’s smaller nations; its border follows the coastline of the Serpent’s Sea from Halet’s channel in the north to Wayport in the south and stretches hundreds of miles inland. Its lands contain many rocky coastlines and broad tracts of mixed-wood forest interrupted by patches of grasslands and marshes.

Varrus

Varrus is the provincial heartland of Arvair. It is the ancestral land of the powerful Var dynasty, who have ruled the Empire since its inception. Varrus encompasses the lands from Halet’s Channel to the Aerie Mountains, and west to the edge of the Redwood Highlands. Its lands are some of the most spectacular in the country, from the tall spires of the Talon and Aerie mountain ranges, to the vast and ancient Redwoods, to the glassy waters of the Silver Lakes.

Verdan

Verdan is a province of Arvair and has thrived under the protection of the Kyn dynasty since the country’s founding. It is the smallest Arvairian province, stretching from the Aerie and Talon Mountains in the north, to the Chasm Lake in the east and the Lake of Clouds in the south. It is also the warmest region of Arvair, boasting fertile farmland, bright forests of maple, ash and sycamore, and many lively rivers that flow from the highlands to the north. Its idyllic natural settings and agreeable climate have made Verdan a popular land to settle in, giving it the largest population of the three Arvairian provinces.