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 travelled directly to Theria, and overhead many dragons flew high, 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 warriors, leading to a violent (but brief) conflict. As this happened, the scattered drakanite people across Esshar, 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.

Garljing

A behemoth and a son of Ryujin, said to be thousands of years old, the red dragon lives at the peak of Theria's mountains where the air is thin and the cold might freeze any ordinary human before they can reach his cavern. The dragon is true to his kind's nature, a hoarder of treasure with a great thirst for knowledge and objects of worth. Garljing expects tribute from Theria and he does not discriminate if the Warlords lack treasure; humans can also be offered up as a sacrifice, the fortunate of whom he transforms into drakanites, whereas the rest (almost all of them) are eaten by him and his children.

Garljing respects strength, tenancy, and ambition. He praises those who explore and expand their influence, especially if it involves pillaging. Very few have been known to leave his den alive, but those that do are considered exceptional and blessed by the Drakanites of Theria. After all, if the dragon did not kill them, it means that he spared them, and by extension they're worthy of Garljing's acknowledgement.

Every five years, the dragon permits a group of Therians to deliver his tribute. This tends to be coffers full of treasure, and depending on who's in charge at the time, the offer of human sacrifices. The sacrifices can range from captured enemies to willing servants wanting the opportunity to serve Garljing. (OOC Note: This can be hosted as an event by a DM, otherwise it occurs in the background)

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.

Notable Figures

• Teodor Hargrave: The leader of the Thunderbirds, and a Warlord of Theria. Teodor renounced Theria after his sister-in-law, Holly Hargrave, was killed in the war against the Elysium Coven. He headed to Osrona and submitted himself for arrest to Elijah Soleis, who instead told him: "Your punishment is to slay ten demons. Until you do so, may guilt and shame will hang over your head as a heavy burden." It is believed that not only did Teodor meet this quota, but exceeded it, earning the title of Thunderlord as a valiant hunter of demonkind. Ultimately, he died as he lived in his final days, succumbing to prior injuries and being felled by the Abyssal Lord Veles.
• The Black Knight: The leader of the Black Order, and a Warlord of Theria. Known for his exceptional mentorship and guidance for several dozen magi during his time as Warlord. When Theria's Council tried to form an alliance with the Elysium Coven and its demons, he stood against this but was ultimately killed in battle by the assassin Sajid, also known as Mister Glass. After their passing, his guild sought to make strides with his spirit by resisting the decisions made by the Therian council and fight of the plague of demon kind across Esshar.
• Sarasha Fenrir: The leader and Matriarch of the Fenrir Clan and family. Sarasha was also the woman who organized the alliance with the Elysium Coven for Theria. She hired the assassin to kill the Black Knight. Sarasha eventually left Theria, along with her supporters. Lumi Fenrir's challenge was soon extended to her for the position of Warlord officially. After the engagement and later on despite the results, the former Matriarch had sought asylum in Osrona. This is when her skills and assistance were offered to fight the nightmare of Witches and Demons plaguing the land to repent for her transgressions around the country and Osrona specifically. This divided the Fenrir family creating two separate branches of the family. One in Theria and the newfound one in Osrona. Wielder of the Winter's Eclipse, a bladed mace with the capability to enhance ice magic as well as reduce temperatures around it into the extremes. Rumor has it, this relic of the Fenrir was passed down within the Capital.
• Dun Task: Former commander of the Royal Osronnan Constabulary from 1664 to 1674, Warlord of the Circus. After inconsolable differences were found with the Order of the First Light, the once-commander joined the Ardent Shields and became its warlord through brute force and charisma. Through his machinations, including the mentorship of Lumi Fenrir to seize the Fenrir seat from Sarasha, the council was forcibly shuffled in 1680, leading to his reign as the most influential warlord in the city until his retirement to Therian priesthood at the age of 50.
• Sajid Lovain: Mercenary turned Warlord of the Abandoned Glass Lotus. Assassin of the Black Knight after he turned against the council of Warlords in hopes to defeat the demons which lead to their Order being disbanded. The second wielder of the Ambassador and the one known as Mister Glass. After the death of his brother, Proteus by the hands of Douma and Illyasander, Sajid joined forces with the Order of The First Light to push back against the Demons until the old age of fifty. Mister Glass was able to live a retired age of a warlord until his assassination by Dusk at the age of 65.
• Seneca V Shar: