The Elven Eternium


 * A Faction
 * For the realm, The Eternium, click here

Overview
High Elves dominated Adaam for almost four thousand years. Concerned about the development of younger, more careless races, they reorganized their society into a protectorate, ostensibly to guide and teach the emergent civilizations—humans, in particular, in whom the elves saw the most potential, for good or for ill. Over time, however, the humans chafed under the watch of the Eternium (as the elves’ protectorate came to be called) and began to lobby for independence and reorganizations into their own sovereign nations. For nearly sixty years, the humans attempted to peacefully make their case for autonomy, grateful for the elves’ tutelage but ready to stand alone. Yet the elven leadership, represented by the Guardian Council, did not believe the humans ready, thinking they might be after a few more centuries of maturation. Tension rose in the ensuing decades, as humanity struggled beneath increasingly strict elven oversight. Eventually, war broke out, and after a twenty-year conflict, the humans seceded from the Eternium, eventually founding the Free States.

Arcane Magic
Obviously, the elves, to whom the discovery of the Surreal is most often attributed, having a long and storied tradition of arcane magic. Elven wizards were essential in building the elven Eternium into the dominant power that it became. Even now, a thousand years after relinquishing their human vassals, the elves are still a force to be reckoned with. Signatories of the Galen Accords, elven wizards of the Eternium are free to identify themselves openly in the Free States—to the extent that any elf is able to do so. The States have a long memory, and very few look upon elves without a degree of resentment or mistrust. At best, people are cold and unfriendly; at worst, they might become openly hostile. Of course, a good many will think twice, especially if they believe the elf in question to be schooled in the art of wizardry.

Gnomes
The Gnomes separated peacefully from the Eternium nearly two thousand years ago, having earned the right to live autonomously, even impressing the elves with their commitment to life and nature.

Gnomes, with their innate connections to the Fey and the Surreal, count a not insignificant number of arcane practitioners amongst their population. However, gnomes are perhaps the least threatening foreign race commonly seen in the Free States, and they are often overlooked by the milling masses. While some gnomes may from time to time be a little put off by this, gnomes wizards find that this is to their advantage. Those who do attract attention, however, are often seen as a sort of spectacle, for the gnomes’ facility with illusion is commonly known (if not necessarily understood), and most people would attribute most benign spells as just that. An easy out for the budding practitioner.

Many gnome mages join the ranks of the Learned Circle.

Orcs
The Elves attempted to cultivate the Orcs the same was as the Gnomes, but to no avail. The race was simply too bellicose and prone to infighting—when not attempting to rebel against elven guidance. Eventually the high elves were forced to abandon the orcs, and following a brief conflict, they scattered the violent race into the Barrens.

Halflings
Most Halflings remain under the aegis of the Eternium to this day, and by and large they seem very happy with the arrangement. They dwell in peaceful communities on the fringes of the elven lands.