Alderos, Barony of
Ruler: His Luminous Highness, Baron Olaf Heinstal, Lord Sentinel of the Vast Mires
Capital: Aldera (pop. 20,000)
Approximate Population: 184,575+/-
Demihumans:
High Elves: 2,000 (Elderwood Forest)
Resources: Spices, herbs, rare fauna
The nation of Alderos can trace its origins back to the year 223 CY. Alderos was once the southernmost reach of the magic-rich nation of Sorlaine. In the year 222 CY, within the lands of Sorlaine, the throne was disputed between prospective ruler Lord Mage Reznor Aldera, and the forefather of the current Sorl High Sorcerer Malderian Stentfal.
During these times of contention the lands were split in feud. In the southern lands Reznor Aldera declared cessation from Sorlaine and after a brief period of civil war formed the lands of Alderos.
Alderos is primarily composed of humans of Sorl descent, giving its people the fair features of those with elven blood somewhere in their lineage. As in their formers lands of Sorlaine, magic here is viewed in high regard and it is in Aldera that the philosophy of Elementalism is believed to have been born. In Sorlaine the mystical arts of wizardy and sorcery are common, while in Alderos the arts of Elementalism take precedence and many speculate these differences of philosophy to be the hidden reason behind the splitting of the lands of Sorlaine.
Relations have improved over the years, and while neither country is on particularly friendly terms with one another they do support open trade. As their people share similar bloodlines it can be noted that they will race to the defence of one another in times of crisis.
The primary reason, however, for continued relations between Sorlaine and Alderos is the section of the eastern border up which rests The Great Marsh. The Marsh had originally been a portion of Alderos at the time of cessation, but had been lost to Sorlaine during the conflicts. The Great Marsh is a source of fell creatures and great evils and is watched with careful vigil by both nations as more oft than not warring bands of lizardmen, trolls, or much worse creatures make their way out of the thick waters of the bog to attack and raze the surrounding lands.
The forces of Alderos consist primarily of human medium cavalry, and a sizeable force of men-at-arms, most of which are nestled in small keeps along the land's northernmost borders where they watch with sharp eyes towards the lands of the Great Swamp. The special fighting forces of the realm consist of their elite Elementalist Knights who are masters of their art and reknowned for their abilities and unparalleled expertise in the ways if Elementalism. At present their are approximately 12 such knights within the realm
