CHAPTER 2 | VALENAR 37Valenar ......................................................................
Capital: Taer Valaestas
Noted for Elves, mercenaries, horses
In the midst of the Last War, an army of warrior
elves seized this region from Cyre, invoking a
claim to the land from long before humanity’s
arrival on the continent. The elves of Valenar are
utterly devoted to the arts of war. Their cavalry
has no equal in Khorvaire, and they combine a
talent for magic with stealth and swordplay. Cyre
employed the Valenar as mercenaries and was
entirely unprepared for betrayal. When Cyre was
destroyed in the Mourning, no one wanted to
challenge the Valenar; in the interests of peace,
this elf kingdom was recognized by the Treaty of
Thronehold.
The elves are already pushing the limits of
the treaty. The Valenar constantly search for
worthy challenges. While some venture into the
Mournland or the untamed jungles of Q’barra,
Valenar warbands have launched raids into
Darguun and even Karrnath. While High King
Shaeras Vadallia has promised to rein in his
warriors, some believe that the elves will continue
\PQ[XZW^WKI\QWV°\PI\\PMQZUIQVQV\MZM[\Q[
KWVÆQK\_Q\PI_WZ\PaNWMIVL\PI\\PMa_IV\
Darguun or Karrnath to declare war.
Valenar is a feudal kingdom. The elves are
warrior princes, but they spend little time at
rest. They operate in small units called _IZJIVL[,
and those that aren’t patrolling the kingdom
are abroad seeking adventure. Most of the civic
administration is handled by half-elves. Some
of these are the children of Valenar elves, but
most are immigrants who’ve come from the Five
Nations in search of opportunity. Below this are
the natives. Once vassals of Cyre, now they’re
vassals of Valenar. Some hated the Cyrans and
welcome the elves. Others despise their new
leaders and are plotting against them. But life
hasn’t changed much for the commoners, and
most don’t actually care who wears the crown.
INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT VALENAR
- The dragonmarked House Lyrandar has
helped the elves build the infrastructure
of their kingdom. The half-elves have no
homeland, and some believe that the half-
elves of Lyrandar hopes to make Valenar a
haven for their people. - The ancestors of the elves fought the
ancient goblins for control of this region
many thousands of years ago. Relics of
that struggle can still be found scattered
across Valenar and the Blade Desert: ruins,
PI]V\MLNWZ\ZM[[M[JI\TMÅMTL[\PI\PI^M
slipped out of alignment with time.
VALENAR CHARACTERS
The elf section of chapter 3 provides additional
information about creating Valenar elves.
Whatever kind of character you’re creating,
consider the following.
Martial Role. Valenar has always been
on a war footing. As an elf, consider your role
in a warband. Are you a simple soldier? An
outlander scout? An acolyte devoted to the elven
ancestors, or a sage familiar both with Valenar
history and the lore of potential enemies? As a
half-elf you might be an entertainer, a sailor, or
IO]QTLIZ\Q[IV_WZSQVO\W[]XXWZ\\PMMTNIZUa°
or a charlatan seeking seeking intrigue and
opportunities. As one of the vassals, you could be
a guild artisan working for the elves, an urchin
born in Taer Valaestas, or even a folk hero
ÅOP\QVO\WXZW\MK\\PMKWUUWVNWTS
Dreams. What is it you hope to achieve as
an adventurer? Have you left Valenar behind,
or are your aspirations tied to the kingdom?
As a half-elf with Valenar blood, do you want
to be recognized as a true Valenar—granted a
bond to a patron ancestor, a place in a warband,
and a chance at immortality? Or are you more
interested in building a homeland for your own
people? As a native, do you want to work with
the elves or do you want to drive them out—and
if so, who do you want to replace them?