Mistvall
The Pale Halidom
Situated throughout the northern snowy plains and taiga of Sol, Mistvall is the ancient queendom of the Snow Elves. Often referred to as a Halidom, it is traditionally viewed by its denizens as a realm of peace, a safe haven from the troubles beyond its borders rest of the world. Internally, the Queendom is ruled by a single monarch who is also head of the Church of Mistvall. As both Queen and High Priestess, she is considered the highest authority for both state and temple affairs. She is advised by a council of high priestesses and other advisors.A Castle Atop a Hill
Having somewhat of an isolationist tendency, Mistvall has tended to keep to itself, even when provoked by some of its more boisterous or even hostile neighbors. Preferring diplomacy to warfare, Mistvall has mostly managed to resist or avoid large-scale invasions by foreign powers. However, it has not been so lucky when it comes to slave raids from the east. The halidom has an ancient history with the Dark Elves of Daeruin as being a primary target for coastal slave raids intended to kidnap Snow Elves and take them away from their homeland in bondage. Generations later, this malicious practice continues and serves as a festering wound of resentment among the Snow Elves. Mistvall has either never been strong enough or strategically inclined to militarily challenge the Dark Elves directly, attempting diplomacy and rescue missions, knowing their smaller army would not be able to effectively subdue Daeruin. This historic isolationism among the Halidom's rulers has caused resentment among the Snow Elves. Though in recent times, with the revival of The Infernal Order, disorder and strife plague Daeruin, offering a singular opportunity to strike for the Snow Elves. This war's conclusion remains to be seen.Demography and Population
Snow Elves
The natives of Mistvall as well as the majority, ruling class, and primary makeup of the citizenry of the kingdom. They can be found all across Mistvall, in all sectors, and form the majority of more or less every settlement. The natives tend to get along well with the foreign races found in the kingdom due to their naturally friendly and cosmopolitan demeanor.Northmen
A minority race in Mistvall, the Northmen are found all throughout the kingdom in both urban and rural locations. They can be found in most sectors, but the majority tend to fall into jobs that favor physical prowess that can't be filled by the average Snow Elf. A Northman will often find work as a stableman, mercenary, bodyguard, sailor, blacksmith, or simple work. In a kingdom of all kinds of elves, the Northmen sometimes feel alienated from everyone else, but they tend to have more in common with the more raucous Desert Elves and Orcs in comparison to the more bashful High Elves and Snow Elves.Other Elves
Other races of elves can be found within the borders of Mistvall, particularly in bigger cities as they're more cosmopolitan. In the south, significant pockets of Desert Elves, Orcs, and High Elves can be found. Desert Elves tend to ply their trade as weaponsmiths, traders, and military engineers, while High Elves can often be found in more specialized areas in shops or institutions relating to magic, especially alchemy and the restoration school of magic. Orcs, on the other hand, can mostly be found as either mercenaries or off in their own strongholds.Friendly
The Snow Elves have historically had fair relations with their Desert Elven neighbors to the south, well before the creation of the Empire of Asvathas. When the tribes and city states unified into the empire under the proud Sabah the Conqueror, many in Mistvall felt wary at the belligerent imperial force to their south, seemingly bent on further conquest. However, with Asvathas' attention seemingly more on their eastern and western neighbors, Mistvall has had time to secure the south and focus on trade rather than hostilities. So far, peace has prevailed, and trade has continued flowing.
Peace
Since the rise of Ayrith a couple of centuries ago, the diplomats of Mistvall have fallen into two schools of thought. Some have reasoned that due to Ayrith's fear of Daeruin, the two nations are natural allies. Others have advised caution, warning that these upstart, ambitious humans have no respect for nature nor tradition and will only prove an unreliable neighbor. Nonetheless, trade persists between the two nations but only through the southern Mistvallic town of Marabel. The traders of Ayrith hunger for more access to Mistvall's markets, but alas, the halidom has been slow to warm.
Peace
As neighbors in the northern reaches of Sol, the two nations have been through several periods of war and tension. These days, Kjarra is focused inward with whispers of civil war threatening the stability of the old kingdom. During this period, Mistvall has turned its attention to the east, to deal with the Dark Elves and their historic oppression of their kin. Otherwise, business as usual persists between Kjarra and Mistvall with trade flowing as normal. Deeper relations have faded over the years as both nations have turned more reclusive.
War
Mistvall and Daeruin have always had abjectly hostile relations. Daeruin's size and power allowed its people to raid the coasts and villages of Mistvall for slaves for centuries. Though this has always caused resentment, Mistvall has never had enough power to truly challenge Daeruin. This changed in recent times, as Daeruin has faced catastrophes at every turn, spreading its resources thin and weakening the empire to the point that Mistvall has become equally matched for a fight. Mistvall declared war, sending arcane brigades, pegasus knights, and warships as the vanguard of an invasion with the stated goal of liberating the slaves under bondage in Daeruin. Still in the early days of the war, superiority has not been proven on the battlefield.
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