Kingdom of Dawnstar

Year founded: 431 A.I.

Capital: Kaltamerri

Estimated population: 20,000 + Unknown native tribespeople.

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Founded in secret amidst clandestine talks between the King at that time Scrios III and Hand of the King Samaia Almandine, Duchess of the Ilmenite Coast, the Grand Duchy of Dawnstar was agreed upon as a natural evolution of the Greater Realm of Valyria and of its Valyrian Brothers and Sisters. A small portion of Northern Perth was sectioned off and granted to House Almandine, in addition to an agreed upon portion of the lands from the Kingdom of Isilioth after a number of Royal meetings with King Isaac. Similar talks were conducted with geographical neighbour Asredai (Now Vaneth) of Hellasburg, concerning the drawing of territory lines and taking lands from the older Kingdom of Isilioth.

With the territories agreed upon and all parties satisfied with the outcomes, The Grand Duchy of Dawnstar was proudly announced in the year of the Emperor 431 as an Independent Nation under the Council of the Crowned. From the first fortified outpost of Stromgart, the unforgiving wilderness of the new realm beckoned with potential. With sights set on becoming more than just the Hand of the King to Lord Scrios, Samaia of House Almandine took to the task of becoming worthy of the divine rights of Queenship with clear purpose. Having assembled a number of new Serf arrivals, humans Seph and Jaeger in year 445(roughly) and Dark Elf Emsa in 473, progress continues.

Having begun recently, relative to the ancient history of the established Kingdoms of New Hermertia and the Old World, Dawnstar is an result of decades of personal sacrifice and diplomacy between House Almandine and the native Snow Elf clans that roam the hinterlands in remote areas of Hermertia. Since before the founding of Stromgart, the first presence of the Dawnstar by non natives, there were delegations sent out headed by Duchess Samaia. Her half Snow Elf, half human status did not deter her from attempting to bring together her people from both sides of her heritage to live in peace. First contact was a result of living Talvilainen relatives having a connection with House Almandine, Samaia's Snow Elf father was brought in to devise a strategy to bring a peaceful resolution to the coming of her people. Eschewing diplomatic and military assistance from the Royal House of Perth, it was decided that a more tactful approach with Almandine family members or only the closest Human advisors to attend meetings with various clan chiefs. Not every meeting was peaceful, with tempers flaring at the peoples of an 'outsider' nature wishing to stay within ancestral Snow Elf lands, Samaia sustaining more than one injury in the process. Such hostility did not deter her, knowing that if she could bring peace to the obscure and relatively isolated Talvilainen Snow Elves of what is now known as Dawnstar then a larger vision of peace could be possible in the Empire.

Having accomplished a version of her ideal for her new nation, Samaia visited in year 436 to bring her House's naval genius to the Southern Ocean, completing a ship and travelling into Gallen on its maiden voyage, cementing good relations with the nascent Eastern Duchy of Wysteria.

The people of Dawnstar now tolerate the presence of a number of Humans in amongst the people of House Almandine and their followers, and after fire and blood and heated exchanges, an accord was drawn up. The peoples of Dawnstar were convinced that should the barbarian hordes of Khabranth ever become unstable following a power vacuum from one of their great Warlords passing away or disappearing, then there should be be a safeguard in place to stand against them. Reluctantly agreeing that having a member of Valyria as an ally and close geographical neighbour, the Talvilainen Snow Elves welcome the construction of fortifications to defend their heritage.

Samaia Almandine wishes nothing more than for peace and prosperity for her people, Elf and human, and to preserve what makes the Talvilainen unique. Ties with the Aethen Snow Elves of the Grand Duchy of Dôr Eryn, under Lady Aeries Rua, formerly under Atryl Rua, have been expanded further, bringing the two cultures together.

The Greater Realm of Valyria is made up of a number of separate Realms, Perth, Valtoros and now the addition of the new nation of Dawnstar. Having proven her worth like her forebearers, Sameria her mother and Sir Digby Wellington many years prior. Being a Sister of Valyria affords her protection and respect of the other Valyrians, bringing a solid presence to an untamed and wild part of the Empire.

As the people of Dawnstar have for centuries or longer been part of a nomadic culture in the wilds of the heartlands of their ancestral lands, their form of government has not coalesced into something more advanced like a significant number of other Realms within the Empire.

Each tribe is led by a chieftain, who in turn leads the tribe until they step down, or are challenged for leadership by a rival in a number of possible contests. The Tribal chieftains meet once every vernal equinox, when the snows relent and travel is more accomodating, to take part in a grand assembly of warriors and leaders. Here, oaths are sworn in friendship, rites of blooding are made for younger members of the tribes, disputes settled, and the following year's important points discussed.

This grand assembly takes place within the vicinity of one of the ancient cultural icons of the Talvilainen, the most notable of which is the Sword in the huge sheer cliff opposite the bay in the now-Capital of Dawnstar, Kaltamerri. These sites were made by ancestors in times past, and remain a keystone in the culture of the Talvilaien Snow Elves. Rotating usually every year, the Snow Elf's form of governance shows no particular favouritism or preference to the location each year.

In more recent times, a delegation from each tribe arrives at the largest of the few static settlements in Dawnstar: Kaltamerri, during the autumnal equinox, to honour the time keeping tradition of the gathering of chieftains and to create a new tradition to represent their unity and place within the larger Empire.

The economy of Dawnstar is not the same as more developed Realms. Given the nomadic nature of their overwhelming majority of their people, industry or trading simply does not occur in a similar fashion.

In the few static settlements that do exist however, with Kaltamerri being a prime example of such a place, there is an inflow of goods, and an outflow of native goods to the wider Empire.

Cherry Blossom trees, only known to be found so far in Dawnstar are grown for their cherries, and later pink tinged cherry wood. Wine is bottled on site, with several other kinds of wines grown in sheltered gardening structures. Cherry wood is supple and bends relatively well, making it an ideal choice for bows and ship's hull material. With it's distinct colour, it is sought after Empire-wide.

Skyfire Guildhall location. The first such location from the home of the native fliers of Dawnstar, the Guild post offers training over the (relatively) soft landing of the bay for new comers and those in training. Exporting their limited yearly supply of wings, and the occasional dragon's leather wing harness, the Skyfire Guild has had a positive effect upon the economy in Kaltamerri.

The various habits, quirks, and traits that define the people of this realm. Languages spoken in the realm. Religions practiced in the realm.

The various holdings of this realm, with subheaders for each duchy and county.