Aluvia

The Aluvian Kingdom on Ispar lies east from Viamont. To the south lies the Luparvium Mountain Range which constitutes a natural border with Milantos. The Canfeld River flows from the Luparvium Mountains to the Ironsea. Along its shores, the great forests of Aluvia lie, which provide Ispar with the vast majority of its building lumber, but are also home to highwaymen, bandits, and thieves. One of those forests is Lellen Wood.

Important cities and fortifications include the city of Celdon, the fortress of Thrushhaven and Castle Holdfast.

History
In olden days, the land now known as the High Kingdom of Aluvia was home to feuding clans of warriors. When the Rouleans brought imperial order to most of the lands around the Ironsea, they saw no benefit in conquering the Viamontian peninsula, and the tribes that would become the nations of Viamont and Aluvia remained chaotic and disorganized.

During the invasion of the Viamontian armor of King Elous VI, High King Pwyll II was slain and his army was defeated by the Viamontians on the battlefield of the Plain of Ayrifal. The sons and male cousins of the High King had been slain in battle at his side. His bloodline was rounded up and executed by the Viamontian Royal Governor, Alfric immediately after his victory.

During the rule of Queen Alfrega, granddaughter of Alfric and daughter of Theolaud, the Aluvian resistance against the Viamontian occupation became more organized. An important faction were the Orts under the leadership of Hendac Tharesun and Harlune.

Only during the rule of Osric, peace was established. By the time of the rule of his son Pwyll III, the peoples of Aluvia had united as one, prospering under the High King's kind and just reign. Pwyll III banded together the kingdom's knights, forming an order of honor and chivalry, and so began a golden age.

When Pwyll III was slain by an ambassador from Viamont on the eve of war between the two nations, Aluvia's knights and commoners alike fell upon their enemies and destroyed them. With Pwyll's death, Aluvia's glory began to wane, but it is said that, when the kingdom is at its greatest need, he and his knights will walk the land once more.

Aluvia remains a strong nation, though it shines less brightly than before. King Cedraic opened up trade with nations across the sea including the Gharu'ndim and the Sho and with that trade has come prosperity. After years biding their time, the Viamontians under King Varicci I started a second wave of invasions of the other Isparian countries, also invading Aluvia. This time however, the Aluvians, having learned lessons from the past, managed to keep the Viamontians at bay, be it with heavy losses. The Aluvians put up a tenacious resistance against the superior numbers of their old foe. To this day the war in Aluvia continues, locked in a stalemate.

Royalty and Rulers
Early rulers of Aluvia are unknown, put it can be assumed that Pwyll II was not the first king, by the fact that he is the second to bear that name, and by the fact that when Viamont invaded in 804 RC, Thrushhaven was referred to as the traditional highland fortress of the Aluvian Kings. .

* This event comes from beta information. Being a current event of the time, this would be placed at 1286 RC (10 PY), but the more recent lore from Throne of Destiny has placed the latest war between Viamont and Aluvia at 1272 RC. So it has instead been placed at 1261 RC (-15 PY), the year when Aluvians first came to Dereth. This is possibly Cedraic III. ** If the date given is correct, this event has not occurred yet, and will not occur until PY 35 (2024 Earth). It is more likely that, since the years of the Aluvian rulers were written in Beta and the Ages of the Empyreans (from which we derive the PY to RC conversion) were created post-release, that the date is incorrect.

In Dereth
When the first Aluvians came to Dereth Island, they were enslaved by the Olthoi. Two of their number, Thorsten Cragstone and Elysa Strathelar, fought to liberate their people with the help of Asheron. Though Thorsten did not live to see the end of the campaign, the Aluvians became free once more. Elysa Strathelar founded New Aluvia and became its Queen.

Culture
Aluvians are a fiercely individualistic and warlike people, quick to anger but with a strong love of justice and fairness. Though often suspicious of things new and strange, they are friendly and always prepared with a little help if they can spare it. They are loyal to their feudal lords, but expect to be well-treated in return.

Religions and Beliefs
One of Pwyll III's greatest achievements was introducing the notion of nobility to the ruling class. In his time and since, The Code of Pwyll has dictated the conduct of both lords and knights: the common folk of Aluvia have come to expect no less.

Customs and Traditions
In the Winter Season, the Aluvians celebrate the Solstice, that day of the year in which the night lasts longest. The Aluvians respond to the oppressive darkness and feeling of isolation by gathering together in good cheer. Illuminating their houses with colorful candles, they prepare the harvest into vast feasts. During the Solstice, all Aluvian towns are warmly lit, and the normally cagey northerners make a habit of cooking hearty food for one another, buying one another strong drink, and sharing both around the hearth, accompanied by the funniest jokes of the preceding year. The monastic orders of Tirius the Lightbringer, Solvus Mistdweller, and the Dark Lady Meerthus walk abroad in their dun robes, distributing food and the blessings of their aspect of the Triple Mother. Travelers in the Aluvian Kingdom will find themselves treated to their fill of food and drink, with no payment asked. For the Aluvians, Solstice is the time of brotherhood.

Internet Articles

 * Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Aluvian
 * Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Aluvian/Aluvian Factions
 * Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Aluvian/Loredane's Invitation
 * Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Aluvian/The Underground City
 * AC:DM CD Lore - Aluvian Heritage
 * Character Creation - Racial Lore: Aluvian
 * Character Creation - Naming: Aluvian

Factions

 * The King's Men
 * Knights of the Golden Flame
 * Knights of the Shield
 * Order of the Gauntlet
 * League of Merchants
 * Scholars of Pwyll