The Flagship Vol. III No. 1: Welcome to Arcas!

[VonEbs 1224]

 

The Flagship

Vol. III No. 1

 

The Descendants Flee Atlas, Find Their Way to Arcas

 

Following the invasion of Atlas by the Vaeyl Order, the Descendants pursued the Red Vaeyl forces through to Serrimor, an land of icelocked ravines. Following a short yet frigid stay in lingo, the Descendants arrived in a new land rich in virgin wilderness and vast resources, Arcas. As the first new issue in some time, the Flagship will attempt to inform and guide any confused Descendants in their first steps into Arcas!

 

The ice ravines of Serrimor.

 

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Contents:

The Descendants Flee Atlas, Find Their Way to Arcas

Guide to Arcas for Returning Readers

Elves, Men, Dwarves, Orcs

What You (the Reader) Need to Know

Editor’s Note

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Guide to Arcas for Returning Readers

 

Any time that the Descendants enter a new realm, it is a confusing experience. Many old and new faces are thrown in the tumult and beings can be forgiven for being a tad bit mystified at how things have changed since they last walked among their kin. In this section of this first issue on a new realm, I will endeavor to inform you of the basics of what you need to know about the nations of Arcas and where things stand politically.

 

Elves

 

The Elves are, controversially, currently split between by most recent estimate five city-states spread throughout Arcas. Though there had been some element of separation between the Elves prior to somewhat recent political events, the true splintering occurred following the collapse of the Dominion of Malin and its transformation into the Kingdom of Gladewynn, which tepidly claims to be the main elven nation. I shall endeavor to cover all of the elven factions in sufficient detail below:

 

The Kingdom of Gladewynn

Primary Culture: Wood Elves

Ruler: Layla Atraedes

Government: Monarchy, Royarch advised by High Council

 

The Kingdom of Gladewynn traces its roots to the fall of the Holy Princedom of Malinor, though the players did not enter onto the scene until late Axios. Its founders were mostly mercenaries, having separated themselves from the Dominion of Malin, and following certain political events, they usurped the Dominion and established their own Kingdom in its place. Though once considered the strongest elven faction militarily, it has seemingly entered a terminal decline, and is characterized by political dysfunction and low levels of civic participation.

 

The Silver Enclave of Haelun’or

Primary Culture: High Elves

Ruler: Dimaethor Visaj

Government: Despotic Dictatorship

 

The mali’thill of Haelun’or suffered greatly during Atlas, with their first city, Okarn'thilln, being destroyed. Haelun’or reconstituted itself a short distance away under new leadership, but the loss of that city dealt a great blow to thill culture. Judging from its public pronouncements, it may entering another reactionary phase, and has been particularly hostile to the Principality of Aegrothond. It is allied with the Kingdom of Gladewynn, though it is unclear how far said alliance stretches.

 

The Princedom of Fenn

Primary Culture: Snow Elves

Ruler: Grand Prince Aelthir Tundrak II

Government: Monarchy, Grand Prince advised by Council

 

The most martial by far of the city-states, the snow elves have had to fight for many years to survive. Though other elves do reside in the Fennic Princedom, it is still primarily the demesne of the storied Tundrak line. Has had an especially acrimonious relationship with some of the other elven factions.

 

Principality of Aegrothond

Primary Culture: Mixed, Primarily Wood Elves

Ruler: Belestram Sylvaeri

Government: Principality

 

Formed by the House Sylvaeri after banishment from the Dominion of Malin, Aegrothond has been very insular during the late stages of Atlas. Having faced outright aggression from Gladewynn and Haelun’or, this position is perhaps understandable. The population is primarily of the Sylvaeri (Elder Elf) and Silma (Wood Elf) Houses, though the Principality appears to be diversifying and expanding its citizenry greatly.

 

Sable Principality of Vira’ker

Primary Culture: Dark Elves

Ruler: Vulnir Syllar

Government: Clan Confederation

 

The Dark Elves spent much of Atlas plagued by political dysfunction, but Vira’ker is a newcomer on the scene. Not as well established or defined as the other states, it however does resemble previous attempts to establish a strong state based around Dark Elf clan culture. It initially appears to be alligned with Gladewynn, and will at least temporarily be residing in the new capital of Gladewynn.

 

Men

 

It should come as no surprise that the Empire of Men has reconstituted itself after spending much of Atlas broken up into several lesser factions. It seemed inevitable following the joining of Renatus-Marna that a Horen-lead Empire would rise again, but the real shock in human politics during Atlas was the return of the Duchy of Adria to the scene. Adria, which traces its roots back to the Adria (and House Carrion, now Sarkozic) of old, was consistently the most powerful human faction throughout Atlas. Loyal to the Horens, they vied with the Imperial Capital for cultural supremacy within first Renatus-Marna then the Empire. As will be discussed below, the other major human factions have been brought under Imperial authority, including Curon and Haense, once independent realms.

 

The Imperial Capital, the Crown of Renatus-Marna

Primary Culture: Heartlander, Mixed
Ruler: Augustus Horen
Government: Absolute Monarchy

 

House Horen, as always, rules from the Crownlands, formed from the Crown of Renatus-Marna. The center of the Empire of Man, and some might argue, the world, the Crown has a relatively diverse population and has, in recent years, become more open to non-human residents. Politics have become more open in recent decades, with an actual elected Parliament being created, though it is unclear just how much power said parliament has. The crownlands are certain to be a center of culture and political intrigue for humanity going forward.

 

Duchy of Adria

Primary Culture: Highlander, Raevir and Auvergnian
Ruler: Paul II Sarkozic
Government: Elective Duchy, Vassal

 

Rivalling the Crown of Renatus-Marna in population and martial might if not necessarily in influence, the Duchy of Adria was reconstituted by Duke John Sarkozic in order to rehabilitate lands adjacent to Renatus-Marna at the Whispering Crossroads. Through good leadership and unexpected openness, Adria prospered during Atlas.

 

Kingdom of Haense

Primary Culture: Highlander
Ruler: Robert I Barbanov
Government: Constituent Kingdom, Vassal

 

Haense, tracing its origins back to Hansetti and currently ruled by another cadet house of Carrion, Barbanov, has often been under the Empire of Man. Having been independent for most of Atlas, it often struggled under the shadow of Renatus-Marna, and many of its Kings were murdered during political conflict before ultimately being incorporated back into the Empire.

 

Kingdom of Curonia

Primary Culture: Heartlander
Ruler: Regency
Government: Constituent Kingdom, Vassal

 

Curon, with its capital in Cyrilsburg, was the site of much political drama during Atlas, including being the site of the ill fated Global Assembly. It was typically a junior ally to Renatus-Marna during many of the wars. Destroyed at least once, it was incorporated into the Empire of Man following the Declaration of Empire. Curonia has recently passed into a Regency headed by the son of the elderly king Wilhelm I, Jarrack of House Devereux.

 

Dwarves

 

The dwarves, after the elves, had perhaps the most tumultuous stay in Atlas, with the usurping state to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, the Kingdom of Kaz’Ulrah, collapsing due to violent conflict. First known as the Confederation of Hammers, the relatively newly minted Kingdom of Agnarum has now taken the primary position in Dwarven affairs, with some even speculating that it may retake the name of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. Clan Irongut spent most of Atlas established near the Whispering Crossroad in the Counsalary Republic of Holm, though by the closing days of Atlas Holm seemed abandoned and prospects for its continuing in Arcas are unclear.

 

Kingdom of Agnarum

Primary Culture: Dwarf
Ruler: Fimlin Grandaxe
Government: Constitutional Monarchy

 

Founded recently through the confederation of several Dwarven factions for protection, the Kingdom of Agnarum appears to be finding its feet. Acrimonious relations with the Frostbeards, who controlled Kaz’Ulrah, are a given, but Agnarum appears to be positioned to rebuild some of what has been missing from dwarven society for some time.

 

Orcs

 

The situation in orcish lands is opaque to outsiders at the best of times, and now is certainly no different. The orcs have been unsettled in recent decades following the loss of their lands to the now defunct Dominion of Malin following a pair of controversial duels. Now, after years attempting to rebuild their strength, there appears to be a dispute with the Ugluk clan, of what nature the author cannot speculate. Whatever is going on, certainly the orcs hope that they will prosper more in Arcas than they did in Atlas.

 

Rexdom of Krugmar

Primary Culture: Orcs

Ruler: Mûrak'Gorkil

Government: Wargoth Council

 

Others

 

It would be remiss to mention that there are likely to be other options if none of the above nations sounds like a good fit. The Halflings, of course, will have their own village, though typically “big’uns” are not permitted to reside there permanently. There are a couple of nations that are worth elaborating on, however:

 

The Federation of Sutica

Primary Culture: Mixed

Ruler: Lily Helenson-Anarion

Government: Monarchy

 

Sutica, originally a small outlying settlement of the Caliphate, has survived many upheavals through Axios and Atlas. Primarily a destination for political dissidents, disaffected elves and magic users, Sutica tries to be many things to many people.

 

The Kardasi Sultanate

Primary Culture: Human, primarily Farfolk
Ruler: Abdullah Kharadeen
Government: Monarchy
 

Though the Kardasi tribe is a somewhat recent addition on the scene, the Kharadeen tribe has been involved in politics for some centuries, primarily as the leaders of the Caliphate and then Vandoria, at times coming together as allies and vassals of the Empire. They have struggled for recognition in Atlas, and have much to prove as the Descendants emerge into Arcas.

 

The Druidic Order

Primary Culture: Elves, Mixed
Ruler: The Archdruids
Government: Druidic Council

 

The Druidic Order has inhabited numerous groves over the years, but its dedication to maintaining the natural balance in the realms the Descendants have inhabited has not wavered. Having become much more insular over time, especially as their political influence in elven affairs has waned, they have recently undertaken reforms to revitalize their structure and expand their depleted numbers. One thing is certain to be true: the most dreaded thing a person could hear is the word “MOOOOOOOOOOT!” 

 

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What You (The Reader) Needs to Know

 

A couple points worth mentioning:

There is no resource island this map. Instead, the Cloud Temple Monks have established resource pits near the Cloud Temple for your convenience.

War has been banned by the Cloud Temple monks for an elven month in order to let everyone get situated.

If you are looking to set out on your own, there are Wildlands beyond the ring of nations, to the West.

 

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Editor’s Note

 

Thank you for reading The Flagship. The plan is to publish weekly, but do not be surprised if there is another issue to mark the beginning of the map, covering any breaking news events. Also, The Flagship will be including Letters to the Editor going forward, should any Descendants wish to have their views be heard in these pages.

 

~Ebs Telrunya

Editor in Chief

[amyselia 2962]

(( This is extremely helpful for new players!! Thank you for making this. ))

… I can’t stop thinking like a CT member.

[Zacho 2177]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.