The Elemental Enclaves

The Elemental Enclaves have a Federalist system of government that developed organically throughout their history.

Top Level: Steward of the Seasons

The Steward oversees the entire Enclave from his seat of power, Mauribon. The Steward generally remains focused on inter-provincial cooperation, foreign affairs, and the valley's defense.

Council of Mauribon

The top advisors to the Steward who help him lead the Enclaves.

• Councilor of the Maiden
• Councilor of Defense
• Councilor of War
• Councilor of Justice
• Councilor of Health
• Councilor of Coin

Middle Level: Winter Warden, Spring Guardian, Summer Keeper, Fall Sentinel

This dates back to the first age, when each 'Providence' was ruled by one of the Ancient Houses of Rylin, Daenor, Calior, or Saelsir, which governed its tribe. These Great Houses, or Liege Lords, are responsible for overseeing their territory like a governor would in other systems, ensuring that each time is productive and helping the Enclave, and mitigating any conflicts within their borders.

The current Great Elven Houses are:

1. House Rylin - The Winter Warden
2. House Daenor - The Spring Guardian
3. House Saelsir - The Fall Sentinel
4. House Calior - The Summer Keeper

Bottom Level: City/Towns

Each Noble House rules over one of the Cities/Towns/Settlements throughout the Freeholds and, during peaceful times, is largely left responsible for their governance, with the Steward stepping in as needed. During times of trouble, the Steward takes on a more direct role in governance, particularly when he calls the banners.

Under the Winter Warden: House Deigh, House Faerkey, House Sneha, House Treth, House Uisge

Under the Spring Guardian: House Alkan, House Coran, House Morag

Under the Summer Keeper: House Argrian, House Ranor, House Teine

Under the Fall Sentinel: House Adhair, House Aerlon, House Chaelen

Elemental Elven

Formation

In the wake of the Great Storm, and the Miaden's disappearance, the four Great Elven Lords agreed to not just continue the Elemental Alliance but to expand it into the Elemental Enclaves. Through the The Elemental Covenant they created a new Federalist system ruled by the Steward of the Seasons and appointed Auradir Rylinneaer as the first Steward of the Seasons.

Stewards of the Seasons

Argader Raids

Most of the population is Elven, with humans and dwarves settling in the Enclave over the centuries.

Population: 2,256,847

Maiden's Enclave

The Blue Guard

The Eldar Watch

The Flow of the Maiden - Worship of the Elven Deity, the Maiden, is the primary religion in the Elemental Freeholds.

Worship of the Warrior or the Smith is accepted.

Athesism and Agnositism are tolerated, but many look down on these view points outside of the main cities.

Worship of the Fallen is forbidden

The Enclave makes the majority of its wealth through trade and also in accordance with the Maiden's request, seeks to have peaceful relations with any who also seek peace with them.

Elemental Covenant

The Steward's Authority

The Covenant establishes the Steward as the supreme executive authority over the enclaves, equivalent to a King in other societies.

By ancient rite, each minor house owed allegiance to one of the four Great Elven Houses, and through the covenant, each elven house swore allegiance to the Steward.

"Every noble and landholder owes solemn fealty and service to their liege, and ultimately to the Steward. Oaths sworn before the elements are binding and unbreakable."

Laws of the People and Personal Conduct

"No life shall be taken unjustly. Murder is a capital offense before your peers and an abomination before the Maiden. Those who commit murder shall face the harshest judgement, either banishment or execution."

"The lands, goods, and homes of the Enclave's citizens are sacred. Theft, trespass, and destruction of property shall be punished according to their severity and the harm caused."

"False witness, slander, and malicious deception that impugn the honor of another shall be met with restitution and public disgrace."

"Whosoever disrupts the natural balance of the elements, whether through reckless magic, excessive mining, or wilful pollution should be held accountable for any imbalance created."

"The sacred groves, hallowed waters, sky temples, and fiery hearts of the Enclaves are to be protected. Desecration of these holy sites or disruption of seasonal rights is a grave offense."

"All citizens and landholders shall render their duties to their respective liege lord through due tithes and taxes, who shall in turn deliever the agreed portion to the Enclave's treasury, as is right and just for the common good."

"Commerce shall be conducted fairly and honestly. Guilds recognized by the Steward shall regulate their crafts, and those who cheat or defraud in trade shall face restitution and public censure."

"In cases where earthly evidence is wanting, or the accused's innocence is proclaimed against heavy odds, the accused may appeal for judgment by the elements, as determined by the Steward or their appointed Councilor of Justice."

"All relics, being imbued with divine energy from the Maiden and her siblings, are ultimately sacred and thus a privilege. No relic shall be treated as a common chattel or be used for profane purposes. The Steward and his council reserves the right to declare those convicted of any offense have forfeited their rights to own and use any relic while in the lands of the Enclave."

"Any citizen discovering a relic, or becoming aware of its location but unable to claim it, is duty-bound to report its existence to their local lord for cataloguing. Unless the Steward and his council have previously handed down judgment, no liege lords can claim another's artifact without due compensation."

"Relics shall only be employed for purposes that serve the welfare of the Elemental Enclaves, its people, and the degrees of the Maiden and the Steward."

"Only individuals explicitly sanctioned by the Steward, having undergone rigorous training and proven their devotion to the Maiden's mission, may bear and utilize relics against another living being."

"Relics are considered heirlooms to be passed by birthright, unless otherwise stated by the current or previous owner of the relic."

"The theft, deliberate damage, or destruction of a relic shall be considered an act of sacrilege against the Maiden and the Steward's divine mandate, punishable by the severest penalties, including dissolution of lineage or death."

The Enclaves have a litany of industries, from multiple types of agriculture (farmers, shepherds, fishermen, and foresters) to trading to manufacturing (smiths, mining, etc.).

Mauribon is largely a trading city with top-quality smiths and artisans.

Eileamaid is a large farming settlement that plants crops and raises animals.

Gwenerh is a series of mining settlements, and largely mines and refines ores and minerals

Glasarin and Pineburgh is a forested settlement where lumberjacks work on planting and cutting down trees for exporting outside the Enclaves

Cuanaur is a large fishing city that makes a living from marine exports.

Mauribon is one of the largest trade cities in Eldux, and as such, helps the Enclave with a strong trading industry. With six coastal cities having 10 ports among them, and rivers running throughout the valley, many resources found in the Enclave can be shipped out. The Enclaves have trade deals with the League of Valtameric, the Republic of Cerania, the Duchy of Malainn, the Siorain Empire, and the Kaulainia Isles. These various deals allow for a litany of imports into the Enclaves.