Embergarde

• Ruled by Ignis, the Flame Elf Sovereign, advised by the Council of Embers with representatives from major species. Regional lords (Pyreclaves) govern settlements and keep local militias. Guild Conclaves manage industries under royal charter. The Order of the First Thought holds immense influence over magical education, religious rites, and arcane law.

Embergarde’s people believe deeply in transformation through fire—both literally in the forge and metaphorically in personal and communal trials. Festivals often involve ritual burnings to ward off misfortune. Oaths are bound with runes, and ancestors are honored through cremation and stored ashes. Loyalty, craftsmanship, and service to the realm are paramount.

Maintain unity among diverse species, continue prosperity through trade, and guard against leyline or extraplanar threats that could destabilize the region. Externally, they seek favorable trade pacts and remain vigilant against encroachment.

Vast mines, enchanted forges, molten wealth in vaults beneath Emberforge, armies of flame knights, drakes, rune-guard constructs, and well-defended mountain passes.

Founding Date: ~800 BVE
Founding Event: Arrival of flame elves in the Ember Range.

Major Historical Events:

• ~600 BVE – Alliance with molten dwarves strengthens forge culture.
• ~400 BVE – First Salamander War leads to salamander integration.
• ~250 BVE – Dragonborn clans unified under royal pact.
• ~150 BVE – Emberbloom Conflict with the Lilted Vale over ley sites.

Modern Era:

• 20 BVE – Ignis crowned Supreme Sovereign.
• 12 VE – Embergarde watches Vale’s leyline advances with caution and ambition.

Populated by fire salamanders, kobolds, fire genasi, molten dwarves, metallic and red dragonborn, flame elves, and smaller groups like magma mephits and ember sprites. Long-lived species dominate, with average lifespans from 90 to 400 years.

Controls the Ember Range, Sulfurian Reaches, and surrounding valleys, claimed through ancestral forging rights, alliances, and past conquests. Natural lava flows and high cliffs serve as strong defenses.

Includes elite Pyrelegions, rune-carved knights, summoned elementals, and drake-mounted Skyflame Cohorts. Feared and respected beyond their borders.

Highly advanced in elemental metallurgy, rune magic, lava and steam technology. Less focused on agriculture or biological sciences.

Dominated by the Order of the First Thought, dedicated to Aurenos as the Eternal Forger. They oversee magical education, law tied to arcane ethics, and maintain great lava-temples. Smaller secret sects venerate ancient primordials, seen as heretical.

Trade-driven relations with the Lilted Vale and Virellia, carefully maintained. Hire mercenary companies to explore threats and protect trade routes.

Laws are codified in the Flame Tablets, stored in Emberforge’s Grand Hall. Enforced by Pyreclaves and Emberguard, with punishments ranging from fines to exile into the Sulfurian Reaches.

Little agriculture beyond lava-heated fungi and root crops. Industry centers on mining, metallurgy, rune-forging, and alchemical refinement.

Ore and goods are moved via steam lifts, lava flumes, and stone caravan routes. Internal roads are well-guarded, with enchanted stone barges on lava flows for heavy freight.

Focus on magical and technical training. The Order of the First Thought oversees most advanced education, ensuring new generations of smiths, rune-mages, and strategists.

Cities blend into mountainsides, cooled by engineered water-lava systems. Monumental statues honor past rulers and gods. Forge-halls also serve as public forums and social centers.