Thaloris

Thaloris was founded in the early Mortal Interregnum, when the Thalori people under the guidance of Thalor the Seer migrated west from the Wastes of Harlak in the aftermath of The Mortal Wars. Established in the mountains of the northern Velvet Coast, Thaloris was a formidable fortress renowned during the early years of the Elven Age as being practically impregnable.   In the centuries that followed, Thaloris became the beating heart of the Kingdom of Val'Thaloris, a city of warriors and magisters. From its armouries marched the bronze-clad hosts that subjugated the tribes of humans that made their home in the northern Velvet Coast and southern Novaya, and from its libraries flowed the lore of the Archonic council. The city’s wealth was drawn from its mastery of bronze. Spears and cuirasses gleamed upon its terraces, and even its temples rang with the sound of hammers striking the forge.   At its height under Archon Elandor Velcaryn, Thaloris shaped the future of the world. From its gates marched the army that brought ruin to Varenthia, jewel of the early human realms, a conquest that marked the Bronze Elves forever in human memory. The victory secured both Thaloris’ fame, and Elven domination over The North, but it also sowed the seeds for humanity's undying hatred.   The reckoning came at Jaryanne. The Thalori marched eastward to crush the desert tribes, seeking to cement their rule. Yet the army that had once broken cities found itself undone not by pitched battle, but by attrition. The Varenthian survivors, who had fled into exile after their city’s fall, had settled among the Jarayannese and brought with them bitter experience of war. The Varenthians and Jazareen taught the Thalori a deadly lesson in the arts of ambush, of striking at foragers and baggage trains, of denying water and harrying columns across the desert. For a year, they waged a relentless guerrilla campaign.   The Thalori found themselves starved. Their supply lines collapsed, their legions withered, and at last the campaign faltered, the army withdrawing in ruin. Jaryanne became the scar that marked the beginning of decline, proof that men, though scattered, could bleed Elves dry.   Despite its wealth of knowledge and the strength of its walls, Val’Thaloris never recovered from Jaryanne. Its armies had been drained, its prestige broken. Rival Elven powers saw opportunity. Both Lorintha and Halentha pressed upon the city binding it into their spheres of influence.   By 1200 EA, Thaloris had been reduced to a puppet state of Halentha, its Archons no longer sovereign rulers but functionaries caught between greater powers. Bronze was laid aside for Halenthan steel, the old traditions faded, and though the city still gleamed, it was a hollow echo of its former glory.   When humanity rose under Alerio, Thaloris was already weakened. While Alerio marched south toward Skyreach, the siege of the Bronze City fell to the warlord at the head of the Holzen Rebels, Artur Prager. With him fought Novayan horsemen and Dwarven mercenaries. Powder breached the gates, Holzen infantry stormed the breach, and Novayan horsemen flooded the streets. The city was consumed in slaughter and flame The Bronze City burned, its people slaughtered, its citadel torn stone from stone.  

Imperial Era

See: Solova