Kethraelm

Land of the Ice Queen

Some say that the frigid cold of Kethraelm is a reflection of Vonryl Kethalon's influence. Regardless of myth, Kethraelm is a wilderness of ice and snow. A fitting home for the Elves and their chosen patron deity.

Culture

The Elves that reside in Kethrael are very protective of their lands and are not eager to allow free travel to non-natives. Though dominated by traditional Elven culture, there are pockets of Kashite natives that live isolated in the forests and mountains.

Traditional Elves are ritually canabalistic, consuming their enemies in order to absorb their power and spiritual energy. Though this happens less often these days, since the last of the great wars is a few hundred years past.

Martial prowess is the most important virtue to the people of Kethraelm, a historically Elven tradition, though embraced by all who call the frozen north their home. It is an important discipline that conditions the body for survival and many non-natives seek out the elusive monastaries of the Winter Touched to train with the Elven monks who practice the ancient ways.

Ecology

Kethraelm is a large, isolated island covered in tundra and glaciers. A few lakes and rivers flow in it's south, though they are mostly covered with ice all year round. Boreal forests of conifer trees cover most of the inland region, broken only by the steep inclines of the mountains that rise from it's heart.

Typical arctic fauna can be found here, inluding giant moose, boars and bears. In the forested areas can be found many birds of prey, including giant Snow Owls.

History

Kethraelm is the homeland of all Elves, though it unknown if they originate from there. According to the Elven creation myth, the first Elves were born from the Seed of the Moons, and scattered across the world as falling stars. Historically though, there has always been a large population of Elves residing in Kethraelm.

With the founding of Tel'Shinon in 950 NOR, the realm has always been a holy place to Elvenkind, with the construction of first monastaries of the Winter Touched not far off and driven from this cultural heart. No force has ever been able to penetrate the realm for conquest, with the Dver navy of ancient times not able to cross the Sea of Crystal Rain effectively.

Settlements

Settlement	Description	Size	Authority	Government
Afvetheas	A grove sanctuary dedicated to the moons and their cycles. A refuge for Elven lycanthropes.	Small Grove	Alwin Urilana	City State
A'ren Alari	A grove sanctuary and library, dedicated to scientific advancement and the analysis of myth.	Large Grove	Lixiss Kelfiel	Duchy of Tel'Shinon
Ilslenor	A port city open to to trade with most of the Central Continent.	Large City	Belanor Qinlar	Duchy of Tel'Shinon
Ishe Aethel	The only non-Elven town of Kethraelm. Rumoured to be a pirate haven.	Large Town	Uloth Bloodhand	City State
Mathen Thalor	A trade hub with a river port for trade with Halharent and Kalbaek.	Large City	Aerith Loralen	Duchy of Tel'Shinon
Roketh'tel	A mountain fortress guarding the southern lakes, and regulating passage of non-natives	Medium Fort	Commander Gorlag Irontooth	Duchy of Tel'Shinon
Rokiiravae'en	A fort just below the peak of the Mountain of Ancients, and last stop en route to a well known monastary of the Winter Touched.	Small Fort	Elion Omasys	Duchy of Tel'Shinon
Roniffelvon	Historically a fort aligned to Tel'Shinon, now an independent town that has opened their borders to all species.	Small Town	Dasyra Dorneiros	Democracy
Rovaeteil	A breakaway group of Elven elitists who believe that Tel'Shinon is too open to the rest of the world.	Large Town	Glanduil Craven	Kraterocracy
Tel'Shinon	Tha capital of Kethraelm and throne of the Elven Monarchy.	Metropolis	Queen Alvaerelle Kythaela	Absolute Monarchy
Thilendorei	A grove dedicated to the study of magic and the Myst Aether.	Medium Grove	Alyndra Zyldi	City State