Overview

The Protectorate of Hlaugwendyn is a land of twilight and tension, a region where dark elves hold the reins of power and human enclaves – Shavenmound, Brites, and Swancairn – exist as tolerated but precarious holdouts. Once a battleground for ancient wars, the Protectorate is now a patchwork of uneasy alliances, where the silence of the gods and the whispers of ley lines make every day a gamble.
Here, the dark elves are not the monstrous invaders of legend, but calculating rulers who see humans as tools, nuisances, or pawns – depending on the day. The Protectorate’s borders are fluid, its laws flexible, and its future uncertain.

Geography

Landscape: A mix of dense, ancient forests (home to the dark elves’ hidden cities) and fertile river valleys (where the human enclaves thrive).

Key Features

The River Shale, which flows from the human enclaves down to Meriz’rir, the capital. It serves as a vital trade route connecting the Protectorate to the lowlands.
Wethaioriath Forest, a ley-infused woodland in the northeastern region of the Protectorate. Here, the trees whisper secrets and the dark elves hunt those who trespass.
The Ashen Wastes, a scorched plain to the northwest of Meriz’rir, bordering the Principality of Morn. The land is cursed and barren, a remnant of a long-ago war.

Society and Culture

Dark Elf Rule

The dark elves of Hlaugwendyn are not Drow. They are pale-skinned and silver-haired, with eyes like polished obsidian, and they wield magic as easily as steel. Their society is matriarchal and hierarchical, with Houses competing for influence. The current ruler, Matriarch Veythari, governs from Meriz’rir, a city of black stone and silver spires, and sees the human enclaves as either assets or liabilities.

Magic is commonplace – dark elves use ley lines to power their cities, and their seraphim messengers (now leaderless, with the gods trapped) are feared and respected.

Human Enclaves

The humans of Shavenmound, Brites, and Swancairn are descendants of old kingdoms that once ruled the land. Now, they cling to their burgs, paying tribute or taxes to the dark elves in exchange for protection (or at least, non-interference). Trade is tense but necessary – the dark elves need human labor and goods, while the humans need dark elf magic and protection from the undead and other threats.

The Divine Silence

With the gods trapped, the dark elves have turned to old rituals and forbidden magic to fill the void. Some whisper that Matriarch Veythari has pacted with devils to maintain her power.

History

The Old Wars

Centuries ago, the land was contested between human kingdoms and dark elf clans. The humans lost, and the Protectorate was born from the ashes.

The Border Shifts

The Protectorate’s borders have ebbed and flowed over time, with human settlements absorbed or abandoned as the dark elves’ whims changed.

The Divine Silence

Fifteen years ago, when the gods were trapped, the dark elves seized the opportunity to tighten their grip. Without divine magic, the humans were vulnerable, and the dark elves moved to consolidate power.

Current Tensions

The Undead Threat

With the gods silent, the undead of Ahetheinas have grown bolder. The dark elves blame the humans for attracting the dead, while the humans accuse the dark elves of necromancy.

The Human Enclaves

Shavenmound, Brites, and Swancairn are tolerated but not trusted. The dark elves watch them closely, waiting for an excuse to crush or absorb them.

The Ley Lines

The Protectorate’s ley lines are unstable, and some fear they may awaken something ancient – or worse, attract the attention of trapped gods.

Rumors and Secrets

• Matriarch Veythari possesses a relic that can free the gods – or doom them forever.
• Wethaioriath Forest is home to a hidden seraphim, the last messenger of Lumines, who whispers to those who dare listen.
• The Ashen Wastes are not barren by accident. Something stirs beneath the soil.
• The dark elves are not all united. Some House leaders secretly aid the human enclaves, while others plot their downfall.

Contents:

• Meriz’rir
• Shavenmound
• The Ashen Wastes
• The River Shale
• Wethaioriath Forest