Eltherean (ELLTH-ee-ree-en)

The Elven nation of Eltherean is the Southernmost country on the continent of Asuris. The country is largely dominated by forest, with about three-quarters of that being rainforest; it is a primarily tropical country. Eltherean has very closely guarded borders, especially since Gochanrall was formed. This is despite the fact that the country has the entire Asurisian Waste and the peaceful nation of Zekalah between it and Gochanrall. The Elves still remember how Koledariel was betrayed/infiltrated from within; they pay very close attention to everyone who enters the country, and non-Elven communities are always surrounded by Elven ones.

The Elves of Eltherean are a very proud race, largely considering themselves superior to the other races; this is particularly true among the nobility, but there are a few who believe more in equality, especially among the church of Corellon Larethian. Dwarves are very rare in Eltherean, and Kender are often turned away from the country's interior. The latter group are permitted in certain sections of Thereala, but they have no permanent residences and are often hastened away with the ships.

Eltherean's Elves are shocked by the Elves of the Cremaian Verde; those Elves actually accept and tolerate human rulership in both Crandol and Llafwanwyr. To the vast majority of Eltherean Elves, this is almost akin to heresy. They accept human rulers of human countries, but the idea that Elves would be subject to the human laws seems like madness.

There are some, however, who seem to have a more open mind to the other races. Interestingly enough, the current queen, Al'therea, is one of these as are many among the upper echelons of the priesthood of Corellon Larethian. The latter group counts among its number Queen Al'therea's key religious advisors. Whispers of the Queen having a non-Elven adviser have spread well beyond Eltherean's borders, and the majority of non-Elves assume that the adviser is human or half-Elven.

There have been only four monarchs of Eltherean: Queen Therea (ruled TY 214-583, died at 604), Queen El'lerea (ruled TY 583-697, died at 336), King El'therian (ruled TY 788-1043, died at 571), and Queen Al'therea (ruled TY 1043-present). There was no monarch between the assassination of Queen El'lerea in TY 697 and the ascension of King El'therian in TY 788, following the Second War. During the war itself, a military tribunal ruled since El'lerea was not on the throne long enough to appoint an heir. El'therian had been key in forming Eltherean's defenses during the war and was instrumental in developing the treaties that ended it.

Queen Al'therea herself is 724. She seems to have no health issues, but she is approaching the upper limits of an Elf's lifespan. She took the throne in TY 1043, after having been appointed the heir apparent in TY 926. She was rewarded with that role following her successful efforts in helping the fledgling nation of Zekalah form. She has maintained positive relations with that country, and she aided the first Ellowyn King, Deyami, as he formed Llafwanwyr.

The monarchy is non-hereditary; instead, the ruler chooses her or his heir. Thus far, Therea chose a granddaughter, El'therian was El'leria's cousin (although not an appointed heir), and Al'therea was El'therian's niece. Each had over a century in which to prepare for the role of monarch (El'therian's training was unofficial). Heirs are usually chosen based on a complex assortment of factors, including lineage, skill, knowledge, the people's opinion, and others. Al'therea was already quite old, over 700, when she announced her heir to be Mar'sellea Moonshadow, but the lateness of the appointment suggests that her heir will have less than half a century of official training, and this fact causes great concern among the Elves.