Illystra

Land Origins
The land that is today known as Illystra has a rich history dating back to the emergence of Eldham's first civilizations. Illystra gets its name from the Illystran Dynasty, the ruling, noble house of Rathnir's late Greater Volkyria. However, unbeknownst to most, long before said dynasty spread its influence across the Rift and into Eldham, elder races reigned supreme.

An Elvish race called the Drev'Shari were the first to settle what is now the Illystran mainland, for they had followed the glaciers northward as they melted. In these lands, the Drev'Shari relinquished their nomadic ways, and cultivated sedentary societies along the region's many rivers. The Elvish settlers lived in symbiotic relationships with the primordial spirits of old, and for this were able to harness immense power. With these Primspawn spirits at their disposal, the Drev'Shari were able to spread their influence to the farthest reaches of Eldham and various other realms.

For a time, there was peace, and the Empire of Drev'Shalar became a wellspring of knowledge and might. However, even with such great power, greed remained, and the once-great Elves of the north soon lost their way. The debate of whether or not they should use Primespawn magic to uplift the few or subjugate the many rocked the Empire of Drev'Shalar to its very core, and eventually led to a civil war. Arcane Nether magic was unleashed upon all of Eldham, and, when the ashes cleared, there was not a single Primespawn seen and the Drev'Shari imperium was no more.

Although a vast diaspora of Drev'Shari Elves remained after the bloodshed, they, like the lands around them, were forever changed. Without the Primespawn essence for which they had so long depended, most of the scattered Drev'Shari became corrupted wraiths of the night; forever banished from the sun's grace for their crimes against life itself. However, those who maintained their Primspawn Reverence, although still shameful of their forefathers' mistakes, remained unaltered by this curse, and gradually integrated into other Elvish tribes.

Illystra's Inception
Although Drev'Shalar's chapter of history ended long ago, its climactic collapse opened the door for new opportunity. The first to jostle for dominance amid this power vacuum were the Goblin tribes the Drev'Shari used for slave labor. These were eventually supplanted by Dwarven raiders advancing from the west, who themselves were later replaced by hybrid Elf-Dwarf Gnomes claiming to be the rightful heirs of Drev'Shalar. Off-and-on cycles of interspecies wars erupted throughout the centuries leading up to the modern era, leaving all involved severely weakened and wholly unprepared for what was to come.

When human, Volkerst settlers arrived in modern Illystra after fleeing Bardonian oppression, the natives initially met them with mixed feelings. However, after Baron von Elric Illystrus, successor of the late Djonsen Illystrus, demonstrated his defensive prowess against Goblin raiders, many a native began to view the new arrivals from Volkyria in a positive light. With the subsequent establishment of the Volkersts' Fort van Prins (named after von Elric's son, Arlyn Illystrus II) on 6/3/21 and the declaration of Illystran nationhood, it became apparent that the Volkerst pilgrims were here to stay.

Early Foundation/Regency Period
As more and more Volkerst settlers poured in through the northern mouth of the River Illystrus, the former heartland of Drev'Shalar began to be gradually transformed into an opulent extension of Volkyrian civilization. After the untimely death of Baron von Elric under mysterious circumstances, sovereignty over the young settler-state passed to his wife, Baroness Myriam Illystrus. With Arlyn II not yet of age, the mournful Baroness reluctantly accepted the title of Queen-Regent of Illystra, thus catalyzing Illystra's Early Foundation Period, otherwise known as the Regency Period, during which time the lands surrounding the River Illystrus underwent significant social, political, and topographic change.

Early Illystran Society
The first of these changes was of the social nature. Spurred by the belief that the late Baron was betrayed by his Gnomish guides and slain by vengeful Goblins, a number of prominent Volkerst land owners set about concocting methods through which the native populations could be subdued and put to use. Their intent was to divide and conquer, and, with the initial backing of the mournful Queen-Regent, divide and conquer they did.

The system decided upon was one of "social stratification" in which Volkerst humans (both free and indentured) were placed above multiple castes of "Defiler" species in perpetuity. Among these species are Goblins, Drev'Shari night wraiths, and other "horrid aberrations." The implementation of this system was slow at first, and went largely unenforced, but gradually succeeded in deterring various Defiler groups from collaborating with one another in armed resistance.

Following Baron von Elric's supposed murder at the hands of said Defilers, what could not be enforced with pen and parchment was often settled by sword and blood, with vengeful mobs of settlers frequently taking matters into their own hands. With Volkerst hunters encroaching upon the lands of their livestock, many Defilers starved and often resorted to cannibalism. The brutal effectiveness of gunpowder technology dealt a death-blow to numerous Goblin warbands that had roamed the land for centuries, displacing thousands of Defiler women and children "well suited" to replace human indentures pouring in from Rathnir.

In these ways, Volkerst supremacy was virtually assured throughout the center-north of the continent of Elastra (a foreign translation error of the name Illystra), or Avalof as the natives called it, and the Queen-Regent was steadily able to consolidate Illystra's claims across the region. Soon the Baronnenvlag would fly from the verdant plains of Lyristaat to the dense woods of Zuidenfort, and from the winding coast of Elrendorf to the rocky shores of New Arlynstaat. After years of exploration, consolidation, and civilizing initiatives, the initial six Enclaves, one Distinct Enclave, and two recognized territories of Illystra were proclaimed (on 7/18/21), and the Volkerst people finally secured a true place under the sun.

Although much must still be done to allow the United Enclaves of Illystra to flourish, the foundations have been laid to ensure its place amongst the nations of Eldham. The natives remaining within her bounds still prove to be a thorn in her side, but it is hoped that, with time and stability, Illystra will be well suited to handle issues both foreign and domestic. If the prayers of Volkerst pilgrims were not in vain, Illystra to Volkyria will be like a phoenix is to ashes, and the legacy of Arlyn the Great will stand the test of time.