Empire of Drekaya

The Empire of Dragons. Controls the entire region of Eren. A powerful and prideful nation led by a legendary Queen with ancestry to Eldra the Black. Huge in size and diverse in it's people, with a legacy retribution, growth, and resolve.

Eren is the heartland of the dragonkin, built in the Jade Valley atop emerald hills and mountain stone. Following the fall of Eldra, the Dragon Unifier, the dragonkin established their permanent home here, drawing strength from the surrounding mountains that inspired their architecture and provided vital resources. The royal family resides within the mountains, overseeing their people in the valley below. For decades, Queen Shynday Sulon, Eldra's granddaughter, has ruled Eren with a firm hand, leading the Drekaya Empire to prominence. Feared for her bloodline yet respected for her power, she has ensured Eren's dominance in trade, protection, and progress across the region. As her reign nears its end, her daughter, Princess Felin Sulon, is poised to inherit the throne. While few know whether she will be a capable queen, what is clear is that her leadership style remains uncertain, leaving Eren's future open to speculation.

Government

Queen Shynday holds absolute dominion over the Empire. Her family line is the only to have sat on the throne, and each monarch has made every effort to be worthy of the mantle. Underneath the Queen is a cabinet of advisors, specialists, a Royal Executioner, and three appointed Barons picked out of the denizens of Drekaya's upper class. Drekaya is divided into three provinces, each overseen by a Baron who governs the region on behalf of the crown. Despite their authority, the Barons remain under the direct control of Queen Shynday, ensuring a centralized and cohesive rule.

History

The Drekayan Empire, an ancient and enduring civilization, has expanded significantly over centuries while changing very little. Its origins trace back to the ancestors of its royal bloodline, who settled in the emerald valleys of central Eren after the dragons of Eldra's horde were decimated by the Earth Guardian and the Ember Rage affliction. Its history is both a source of inspiration and sorrow as the people of Drekaya continue to reflect on a great tragedy in their past that has shaped their identity. Leelah, the daughter of the legendary dragon Eldra, united the disorganized dragonkin of the valley. She laid the foundations of the empire by establishing a loyal group of warriors and sages. Initially focused on consolidating power among local dragonkin, she expanded her influence by proving her strength. Leelah took the title of queen and military commander. The fledgling Kingdom of Drekaya faced an uncertain future. With their leader gone and their forces still recovering from the devastation wrought by the Earth Guardian, the dragonkin found themselves fragmented and vulnerable. It was during this period, later known as the Era of Consolidation, that Drekaya embarked on a campaign of growth that would transform it into the vast and powerful kingdom it is today.

Under the guidance of Leelah, Eldra’s daughter and successor, Drekaya adopted a dual approach to expansion: persuasion and conquest. This strategy allowed the kingdom to grow steadily, balancing diplomacy with military strength to bring the disparate towns and cities of Eren under its control. Leelah’s early efforts focused on negotiation and alliance-building. Smaller towns and independent villages, weary from years of instability and raids from marauding forces, came to see Drekaya as a beacon of strength and protection. Leelah emphasized the kingdom’s draconic heritage and how it had changed over the time between the defeat of Eldra and now, presenting the dragonkin as enlightened in their visions of civilization, protectors, and leaders destined to bring unity and prosperity to the region, not just dragons. Not everyone in Eren welcomed Drekaya’s rise. Coalitions of independent cities, elven enclaves, and dryad forests were occasionally formed to resist the kingdom’s expansion. These coalitions, though formidable, were often plagued by internal divisions and failed to match Drekaya’s cohesion and draconic might. As towns and cities fell under Drekaya’s banner, the kingdom focused on integration and stabilization. Leelah introduced systems of governance that balanced local autonomy with central authority. Prominent leaders in conquered territories were offered noble titles within Drekaya’s hierarchy, fostering loyalty while maintaining order. Drekaya’s fertile valleys and abundant resources were shared across the growing kingdom, ensuring economic stability and incentivizing further loyalty. The dragonkin encouraged pride in shared draconic heritage while respecting local traditions, fostering unity among diverse populations.

Drekaya had its growing pains, and even after it had planted itself as the soul power in Eren, other regions naturally began to rub shoulders with the dragons. The Drekaya-Suna Territorial Conflicts were a series of skirmishes and political standoffs between the powerful and proud Drekaya and the seafaring, island-bound nation of Sirelina from Suna. The root of the tensions lay in the Isles of Tyalas, a chain of fertile and strategically valuable islands situated along major trade routes. Though historically unclaimed, both nations viewed the isles as critical to their respective expansion plans. Initial disputes began when Drekayan settlers attempted to establish a foothold on one of the larger islands, claiming it under the crown's authority. Suna’s navy quickly intervened, dismantling the settlement and sending an emissary to Drekaya with a warning to respect Suna’s territorial waters. This affront to Drekaya’s sovereignty was seen as an open challenge, escalating tensions. After years of intermittent conflict, both sides recognized that prolonged hostilities were untenable. The Treaty of Tyalas, brokered by neutral mediators, established a joint stewardship of the isles, allowing both nations limited access to resources and trade routes while prohibiting further military build-up in the region.

Leelah’s daughter, Shynday, was born into an era of glory and strength. Taking the throne after Leelah's death, Shynday proved a capable leader. Under her reign, the Drekayan Empire expanded across the continent, becoming a monumental power with global influence. Today, the Drekayan Empire is a testament to the resilience and unity of dragonkind, a force that shaped both Eren and the broader world.