Theria

The Kingdom of Theria is a large city-state that enjoys the protections of its location, the mountain Tarian, with its especially difficult to travel terrain. There are also several towns and villages within the region that are under the rule of Theria. It is most known for the stronghold at the peak of the snowy spire, led by a number of warlords who represent different factions that have prominence in the territory. As of the late 1680s, following the events of the Reckoning of the Great Dragon Garljing, the kingdom also has a large population of Drakanites, and many dozen dragons that dwell within its caverns. It has consolidated itself as a a considerable force of power and influence in Esshar.

Foundings

A number of mercenary companies that were caught between the civil war of the Bastard Rebellion, on the losing side, were declared as enemies of the state and fled to the mountains. Considered somewhat low priority given the instability of Osrona and its city states at the time, they were able to rebuild in exile and took over the few dinky villages in the region. The few attacks that there were, the Therians had the benefit of the terrain where the narrow pathways up the cliff would not allow a sizeable force to cross. Over time, this formed into its own city-state.

Reckoning of the Great Dragon Garljing

There was a consolidated effort to appeal to the nation of Sluthia by the dragonborn Warlord Seneca in the late 1680s. Diplomats were sent brandishing gifts and a humble desire to form an alliance of trade and other dealings. Given its aberration for all things Esshar, including its mountains and the mercenary companies within, the Sluthians respond with a show of force. A number of their Dragonlords travel directly to Theria, and overhead a flock of dragons flew, almost a hundred of them, easily contending with any army that could be mustered by humanity.

The initial talks were tense. The Dragonlords asked the people plainly: Why would they ally with any Essharan, regardless of their motives, after Ersen Astor slew their leader and Great Dragon, Myndrerrag? The Therians argued that they are not an ally to Osrona and while the blood of Esshar does run through most of them, there is more to be considered, especially since it was over a millennia ago. The negotiations continued to sour as the invited party found it difficult to trust mercenaries, many of whom were former thieves and turncoats. It worsened a day later when one of their dragons flew somewhat astray to nearby farmlands and was attacked, to which it responded by attempting to burn the people and the land there alive.

That dragon, which was killed in the skirmish, happened to be the child of Garljing, a direct son of Ryujin and by all merit, one of the most powerful figures in Sluthia with various legends across the world referencing him. In retaliation, the red-scaled titan immediately razed a number of villages, killing hundreds and forcing Theria to amass its army, leading to a violent (but reasonably brief) conflict. As this happened, the scattered drakanite people across Esshar, after hearing of these events, travel in mass to Theria and seek to appease Garljing.

The vistors are impressed by the resolve of the native dragonborn, and a change in direction was considered: There would be no alliance, nor any further deaths, and Garljing would choose to remain behind. To replace what he had lost in his murdered son, he will create many more in Esshar and guide them, granting humans the blessings of his father, Ryujin... thus beginning the rise of the Fireblooded and its influence in Theria.

Religion: Fireblooded

There is no one religion in Theria, and people are generally free to believe what they please.

Unique to Theria, the practices of the Fireblooded has a significant presence within the kingdom, with a number of temples across the land. While it is primarily a Drakanite religion, humans also follow it and are encouraged to do so. The tenets of the faith and their beliefs are as follows:

• The world begun with a spark of life, and the element that ushered in Eternia was fire, filling the endless void with its warmth. It is the driving force behind every human and is central to their soul. It is their passion, their ambition, and their will. The divine spirit that breathed these flames of life was Ryujin, the greatest of all dragons, and the forefather of every drakanite to date.
• Once the netherworld was established, Ryujin took his place as the Spirit Lord and the overseer of all of Eternia's immortals. The first Dark Lord of Helheim was said to be a remarkable knight that wanted nothing more than to slay the greatest dragon of all.
• Dragons are naturally revered and to be protected, and any human that brings harm upon one should be put to death. As a dwindling species compared to millennia past- prized for the potency of their magical scales and teeth- the primary mission of Fireblooded is to ensure the wellbeing of dragons and the rise of the drakanite race.
• Followers might seek to accrue wisdom by watching fire in a trance-like state, a form of meditation. Some even claim to see visions in the flame. Another practice in self-discipline is calmly walking across hot coals.

Structure

Theria is ruled by a Council of Warlords. To become one, a magi must prove their loyalty and swear fealty to the City. Their influence varies depending on the men following them and their own power.

If a warlord is also a Drakanite, they are referred to as a Dragonlord.