The Beginning

The story of Sindare truly begins in the Age of the Lost. While it is accurate that many creatures inhabited the realm before the birth of elvenkind, particularly fairy-like beings known as "the fey," the emergence of the elves would ultimately alter the fate of the realm. Contrary to the modern perception of elves as solitary or individualistic, the Ancient Elves were highly communal. Today, Sindare's environment is relatively tame; even the once wild lands under the Erael and Modrazen Kingdoms have been civilized. Despite the apparent hostility of Southern Sindare, environmentalists from the Erael Kingdom have made peace with nature, while the Despots from the Modrazen Kingdom have bent it to their will. The northern regions of Sindare have never been particularly hostile, so the landscape required minor modifications to accommodate civilization. Although not hostile, the northern landscape is not as bountiful as the south. As a result, large-scale agriculture became one of the few ways for the Northerners to sustain themselves, leading to the establishment of small farming communities throughout the area.

Nothing particularly significant occurred during the first 5,000 years of elf life in Sindare. Languages developed, and the essential elements of society began to take root in this emerging realm. Small communities formed, although archaeological evidence suggests civilization remained primitive across the other realms. Interestingly, these studies also indicate that societal development in Sindare progressed more rapidly, as a more significant number of relics and ruins implies a higher output of tools and structures in Ancient Sindare. Numerous artifacts recovered from the region suggest the emergence of an artisan culture. The vast majority of these items—such as pottery, tools, and hunting equipment—exhibit a level of artistry and skill that surpasses that of their counterparts from other realms. An unknown event would later catalyze the Ancient Elves of Sindare to begin forming larger communities.

The First City

The first community modern scholars recognize as a "city" was established around the 6100th year of the Era of the Lost. Though we know very little about this settlement, archaeological studies suggest it was a city-state similar to those in The Shattered Peaks today. It is believed to have been quite large, and stone dating provided to Luthanan archaeologists by the Dwarves in Gold Rock indicates that the city was constructed over a span of 1,000 years. Today, almost nothing remains of this city, now referred to as Lindest, except for a few crumbling ruins. The rise of Lindest is significant because other similarly sized cities did not emerge in different realms until roughly the 37,000th year of the Era of the Lost. It is speculated that the artisan culture of Sindare played a crucial role in facilitating the formation of such a settlement. Various archaeological findings across the northern plains of Sindare suggest that a substantial empire arose from this small city-state, and it is believed that this mysterious empire eventually conquered the entire realm before falling apart.

No empire in recorded history has ever controlled an entire realm, so it would be groundbreaking if this mysterious empire were able to capture all of Sindare. However, there is a significant challenge: no written records about this enigmatic empire exist. Even more perplexingly, all evidence suggests that it collapsed over a span of just a couple of years, and any mention of it has disappeared from ancient oral traditions. We are left to ponder the fate of this mysterious empire, leading to rampant speculation about its demise.

The Dark Founding 

The events leading to the founding of The Modrazen Kingdom were far from peaceful. Around the 12,000th year of the Era of the Lost, two kingdoms had emerged in Southeastern Sindare, with numerous smaller independent counties in between. At that time, Orks were still rampaging through Felder, often half-naked, while Humans had just started to establish small tribal villages. The only region comparable to Sindare in terms of rapid societal development was The Shattered Peaks. The Shattered Peaks were led by the Ancient Dragons, who were living gods who shepherded their people. However, these two kingdoms were fated to clash due to their vastly different economies, societies, religions, and political doctrines. The Hailer Family ruled a despotic, slaving, bellicose, and authoritarian kingdom in what is now Kargrave. In contrast, the Crodaza family governed an egalitarian, peaceful, and mercantile kingdom on the eastern shore of Sindare. Conflict broke out between them in the 12,364th year of the Era of the Lost, leading to a war lasting 509 long years. Ultimately, the war ended in a stalemate, resulting in an inconclusive white peace.

The post-war period in South Eastern Sindare was one of renewal, with almost everyone striving to make amends for the 500-year-long conflict. However, one family stood apart in their reluctance to leave violence behind: the Modrazen family, who governed the small town of Ghast. Kaliss, a young Drow, became the family's matriarch at the age of 26. Known for her cruelty and ruthlessness, she skillfully employed blackmail, espionage, and cunning to forge alliances with the small surrounding counties. As a result, she amassed resources greater than anyone else in that part of Sindare had ever accumulated, creating an information network that was intricate and wide-reaching, much like a spider’s web. In the year 12,913 of that era, Kaliss Modrazen leveraged her connections to provoke the Crodaza and Hailer kingdoms into starting another war. Both kingdoms were already weary before the conflict began, and the fighting lasted fiercely for ten years. By the year 12,923, both kingdoms were exhausted and eager for peace. Seizing this opportunity, Kaliss raised an army larger than any other force in Sindare at that time and unleashed it upon both kingdoms, wreaking havoc.

A harsh period had descended upon South Eastern Sindare, as Kaliss Modrazen subjected the entire region to her rule. To make an example of both kings she had defeated, she had them publicly hung by their crowns. Scores of onlookers watched as the old Kings were dangling in their streets, gasping and choking for air on the crown they had so proudly worn on their heads. Following this, the Modrazen family maintained uncontested control over the territories they possess today. A rebellion would eventually ignite a civil war in the seventh year of the Era of Gevadun, but this conflict would last only 30 years. Order was restored after the civil war, but it is worth noting that more people died in that civil war than in both wars that contributed to the founding of the Modrazen Kingdom.

The Luthana Prophecy

The unification of Luthana was marked by conflict, but it was not between the Elves themselves. Luthana is an older Elven Kingdom in Sindare, established in the 19,362nd year of the Era of the Lost. Its path to unification was tumultuous. Initially, the regions that now comprise the Luthana Kingdom were disconnected and isolated. A coalition of towns and small cities formed a trading pact, but they had little interest in interacting with one another unless it involved trade. In the location where modern-day Ellabore now stands, a small village developed around a large cave. The early settlers used the cave for shelter, and it eventually became a sacred site, serving as the town center as it grew. Inside the cave were inscriptions in an ancient Elven dialect that have been roughly translated as, "When the sky opens, and Iharill boils, a great king will be born." The Sindarian society held this prophecy in high regard, and its fulfillment occured sooner than most expected.

In the midst of a brutal Sindareian summer in the 19,242nd year of the Era of the Lost, a thick storm brewed over the Iharill. After sitting stagnant for three days, the dense, black, billowing thunderclouds turned a deep red. Lightning storms and flay winds began to emanate from this hellstorm, devastating the surrounding landscape. Notably, only Northern Sindare was affected, as the Erael Kingdom and the Modrazen Kingdom had powerful wards to repel the incursion. As the storm unleashed its fury, a beam of dark light shot down into the Iharill, and legions of the Foul began to march from the sea onto the land. The waters boiled as the Foul ran rampant across the countryside. On the third day, a mother gave birth to a boy. He was born to seemingly normal high elf parents but had striking features: blood-red hair, a tan complexion, and sparkling white eyes.

After 23 years of war and bloodshed in Northern Sindare, the loose coalition of Elven towns had fallen apart. The Elf boy, born 23 years ago, was fully grown but not mature. He hated having to be at least 100 to get a proper last name, so he made up his last name. He went by the name Adrian Illianaro in honor of a good friend who had passed away in a tragic field accident. Adrian was constantly recoiling against the culture of his people, and he hoped to live a free and fulfilling life. Adrian would spend his time in the town's cave, a very sacred place. One day, he was sitting idly in the cave when a foul band attacked the town. The town guard fought bravely, but they were slaughtered in minutes. Adrian heard the noises of death and despair coming from the town, and the sounds of slaughter filled him with terror. While hiding in the cave, he began to feel a presence overcome his body, and he feared that some foul possession was about to take his soul. At that moment, Trinder the Sword Singer filled him with divine energy and granted him a mighty sword handcrafted by the master of blades himself. Adrian emerged from the cave, blade in hand, and chopped down the foul. The more he killed, the stronger and faster he became until he killed all of The Chasm spawn. He killed all of them, save for one massive beast, which stood at least 30 feet tall. With the remnants of the town behind him, Adrian charged the beast. Right before clashing with the monster, a flash of white light filled the field, and when the dust cleared, Adrian was standing atop the beast. He was different; he seemed taller and more muscularly defined, a gold aura emanated around him, and he had four massive angelic wings sprouting from his back.

After the victory in his home village, Adrian set out across Northern Sindare, gradually assembling an army to combat the foul creatures that had spilled from the tear in the sky. Every town that had once been part of the trade alliance pledged allegiance to Adrian, and he marched throughout the continent, rallying support for his cause. After a prolonged campaign, Adrian reached the shores of Iharill, where he flew up to the hellstorm and sliced it in half, splitting the sky and banishing every foul spawn back to the depths of the Chasm. Adrian returned to his army and declared victory for Sindare. They marched back to his hometown to honor this achievement, beginning the construction of a grand capital to celebrate their new alliance. Adrian named the city Ellabore in honor of his lover, who had been slain during his crusade. He then proclaimed Ellabore the capital of his new kingdom, which he named Luthana after his deceased mother. Adrian would rule for the next 700 years until he died peacefully in his sleep. It is worth noting that Adrian was only 27 years old when he banished the hellstorm and saved Sindare. He bore no children, as his true love had died in the conflict, so his sole interest remained the prosperity of his people.

Of Elves and Beasts

In ancient times, the southwestern corner of Sindare was a wild and untamed place. While it retains some of these qualities today, it was truly wild before a series of settlers constructed towns and villages in the region during the 37,000s of the Era of The Lost. The development of the Erael Kingdom began in this ancient history, yet it is essential to note that it is the youngest kingdom in Sindare by a wide margin. Prior to this period, the region was home to tribes of Wood Elves who lived simply, yet they managed to thrive. During this time, the area was incredibly verdant, and Sindare's mild winters allowed foraging to be the primary source of sustenance year-round.

In the year 35,982 of the Era of the Lost, a blight began to spread across Southeastern Sindare. The land started to wither and die; old groves that had flourished for years began to rot, and thickets rising as high as 20 feet vanished. The forests were among Sindare's most magical and striking features, essential to the realm's health and identity. This disease started to scar the landscape, leaving the once-bountiful terrain barren in comparison and bringing hard times to the Wood Elves, who had dwelled in the area for thousands of years.

The blight was caused by an infestation of both Bullywugs and Gnolls, which thrived in the forests, an environment that could comfortably support both creatures. Known for their violence and destructive tendencies, these creatures began to spread rapidly, choking the landscape and raiding the small villages scattered throughout the forest. Their ruthless actions instilled fear in the Wood Elf population, and for years, they ravaged the forest, causing damage that would become irreversible unless they were stopped.

The Erael Clan, a group of skilled Wood Elves, took a stand against the corruption threatening their forest. As expert trackers and hunters, they refused to allow the disease to spread. After a day of raiding, the Bullywug and Gnoll menace would retreat to their camps for the night. In response, the Erael Clan launched nightly raids on these disgusting encampments, striking down the creatures under the moonlight. Their campaign to drive the invaders from the woods began to attract support from the various tribes living there. Day by day, their resistance grew in strength while the invading creatures lost more and more territory over the years.

In the 35,996th year of the Era of the Lost, the last of the Bullywugs had been driven from Sindare, and the Gnolls, fleeing from the forests, were cut down by the other kingdoms of Sindare. This resounding success was the result of the Erael clan's leadership, hunting skills, intelligence, and deep connection to nature. The alliance the clan had built was so strong that disbanding it would have been unwise. After much deliberation among the gathered clans, the Erael kingdom was founded. The Erael clan has ruled the kingdom since, maintaining a unique bond with nature and the natural world.

Conclusion:

The various stories about the origins of the great kingdoms of Sindare range from the ordinary to the mystical, but they are likely authentic. The ancient elves were particularly known for their record-keeping, whether through oral tradition or rock paintings. The lands of Sindare are rich in history and mystery, offering endless opportunities for discovery.