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Discord 6/10/19

Just jumping in to address an above comment about the Valenar. On the one hand, the Valenar are very inhuman in their psychology. But the critical point is that as a rule, THEY DON'T LIKE UNNECESSARY SLAUGHTER. They are devoted to emulating their ancestors... and their ancestors were heroes fighting powerful oppressors, not brutal conquerors. I seriously disagree with the thing that depicted them as slaughtering Cyran refugees. It is something that could happen if they had a "Butcher" ancestor, but those are RARE; the ancestors, are for the most part, heroes. The Valenar want to provoke someone into attacking them in part because they don't actually want to INVADE someone else. And they're keeping their own civilian infrastructure out of Valenar so that they can retreat when they're done with it. As was called out above, it's largely up to you to decide whether your Valenar PC is a creep or not, because it really depends on their ancestor. Some are creeps, and in fact have a religious duty to BE creeps. ... But others have a duty to be compassionate and protect the innocent.

Q: I feel the books have done a poor job of conveying that a "Valenar PC" would've grown up in Aerenal, not Valenar

A: You're correct: they would grow up in Aerenal, and the books have done a poor job of presenting that.

Q: Some of this is the timeline thing - the Valaes Tairn invaded what, little over 30 years prior? Which for a human is a very long time, but for an elf would be not long at all

A: That's correct. Like I said, they'd be perfectly happy to generally annoy people for another 30 years until Karrnath, Darguun, or even a reunited Galifar is ready to take them on.

Q: Re: Tairnadal overall. Would it make sense that they do have scholars and sages, but they just stay in the northern isles of Aerenal rather than joining one of those three named warbands traditions?

A: I would NOT call them warbands, as "warband" is a squad of Tairnadal warriors. I'd call them traditions.

Q: So kind of like adrenaline seekers then, but to the extreme?

A: Essentially, yes to adrenaline seekers. Their ancestors faced nearly impossible odds. They want to face a similar battle. They don't want to conquer or seize land; they want to face an overwhelming force to see if they can beat the odds as their ancestors did. So the point is that they DON'T actually want, for example, to slaughter Karrnathi civilians. But they'd love for Karrnath to commit its full military force against them.

Source: ECG

Valenar has a diverse environment, including forests, rolling steppes, fertile plains, and barren desert. The key to traveling through Valenar is not to appear to be a challenge to the Valaes Tairn. The nation is on a war footing, and young warriors are always looking for a chance to prove their skills. Warbands won’t challenge peaceful caravans within their borders, but well-armed soldiers or adventurers invite attack, especially if they present themselves with a bold and defiant demeanor.

House Orien runs trade roads between Taer Valaestas, Pylas Maradal, and the two largest fortresses in the realm. House Lyrandar has been using the plains of Valenar as a testing ground for its airships, and Valenar serves as a nexus for this form of transportation.

Source: PGTE

While much of Valenar is plains and steppes, the realm has a variety of more hostile environments. The Jungle of Scimitars holds many dangers for the unwary, and anyone who seeks to approach by land must cross the bitter sands of the Blade Desert. The elves themselves rarely trouble travelers, provided that there is no hint of horse-thievery and that the party presents no challenge to the realm. Adventurers who are antagonistic or overly fl amboyant draw the attention of elf warbands and glory-seeking warriors, but a group that conceals its weapons and keeps its eyes on the earth is left alone as an unworthy challenge.

Valenar is sparsely populated, with a handful of hamlets and villages scattered across the plains amid decrepit elf and goblin ruins. In the last forty years, the elves have refurbished a number of their ancient fortresses, which now provide sanctuary to the roving warbands. Travelers are never allowed into the heart of an elf fortress, but local crafters maintain temporary trade villages outside their walls, catering to the needs of strangers.

Source: Politics of Valenar

Northern Valenar

The arid north of Valenar has always been home to halflings, distinct from the grassland-roaming tribes of the Talenta Plains. Despite the coming and going of goblins, elves, and humans, the region has never truly been controlled by any central power. Even today, the elves do little to administer justice or raise taxes, basic tasks one would expect of a national government.

Prior to the Mourning, the Blade Desert served as an important corridor for travel in southeastern Khorvaire. The destruction of the heart of the continent has dramatically reduced the flow of caravans, isolating communities near the dead gray mists.

Terrain. Despite the images of elves on horseback cutting through sandy dunes used by the Korranberg Chronicle, the Blade Desert primarily consists of dry tablelands filled with low shrubs and cacti. Even without extraplanar influence these arid scrublands can grow blisteringly hot during the day and freezing cold at night, quickly killing unprepared travelers. When rain does come, the desiccated ground is ill-suited to absorbing it, potentially sweeping up travelers in lethal flash floods.

Beyond the mundane threats of heat and thirst, travelers must contend with supernatural terrain. The Desert Manifest Zones table provides some examples.

Desert Manifest Zones

Settlements. The most prominent permanent structures of Northern Valenar are the tower forts. In their first colonization attempt the Valaes Tairn with the help of Maezan Shal built a series of border forts to watch for and guard against Dhakaani invasion. The Host of Valenar has restored most of them, but Taer Zanathar and Taer Elladorn remain in ruins, filled with angry ghosts and other threats. The clans camped near these ruins have been stymied not only by the inhabitants but more powerful magics permeating the spaces.

Things to do. The Blade Desert is a harsh and unforgiving environment, but this very fact means many of its treasures remain buried. Alternatively, a party of adventurers might be contracted to provide an escort through the desert to sneak past the watchful eyes of the Host of Valenar, who closely monitor cargo coming into the ports of central and southern Valenar.

Central Valenar

The grasslands of central Valenar have historically formed the basis of groups that settle in the region. Goblin and elven ruins tell the story of the conflicts that raged here before the fall of the Dhakaani empire and the immigration of humans from Khunan. When Shaeras Vadallia annexed the region, the druids of the Siyal Marrain reclaimed the ruins of Taer Valaestas as the capital city of Valenar to unite the grand duchies of Keth and Southport, the latter of which was renamed to Pylas Maradal.

Terrain. Irrigated grasslands and steppes dominate central Valenar. House Lyrandar’s interventions have rejuvenated the failing farms of Valenar, dramatically improving the land’s capacity to support the population.

The most prominent features of the region are the Old Road and the Redwater River. While House Orien and House Lyrandar maintain those trade routes respectively, neither route sees very much traffic.

Some elves have tried to introduce some of Aerenal’s more exotic woods to the region, but central Valenar lacks the manifest zones to sustain large groves of the trees. Still, House Lyrandar is continuing to see if their raincalling can support new groves of soarwood, an essential resource for both airship and elemental galleon construction due to its lightness and strength.

Settlements. Shaeras Vadallia centralized control of Valenar in the new seat of Taer Valaestas, with the dukes of Pylas Maradal and Keth technically answering to him. Of course, the reality is that the administration is carried out by the khoravar immigrants, but the administrative flow remains similar with Keth and Pylas Maradal serving as loci of administration and governance.

Things to do. While the region is increasingly settled, it is still dotted by ancient ruins the locals do their best to avoid. Furthermore, wild creatures such as displacer beasts scavenge on the outskirts of villages, threatening the farmers and their livestock.

The Dragonwatch Isles lie off the northeast coast of Valenar adjacent to the Q’barran border. Home to Draleus Tairn ruins, the forts here once formed the launching point for raids against the Dragonborn empire. Since the Dragonborn put themselves back on the map with the Treaty of Thronehold, the Draleus Tairn have returned to the isles to reclaim them. This activity has not gone unnoticed, and any number of wealthy “collectors” or arms dealers might be interested in sending groups to recover ancient weapons and armor before the elves.

Southern Valenar

A truly wild place, the jungles of southern Valenar have resisted settlement for millennia. These dangerous and enchanted woods were little explored even in the days of Galifar, but news of successful elven expeditions have begun to pique interest amongst potential patrons.

Terrain. The ground here sits at sea level, flooding based on the movement of the tides. The mangroves are adapted to the briny water and are home to a true abundance of life, from dolphins and crocodiles to deadly diseases. On the material plane, tides are controlled by the collective action of all twelve moons, but Zarantyr holds the greatest sway. The dramatic action of the moons on the tides is a constant concern here, with easily passable terrain transforming to several feet of murky water in a matter of hours.

The weather is regular and predictable – while storms bring enormous amounts of rainfall, they rarely have the high wind speeds that define the destructive storms in the Shadow Marches. Furthermore, while lightning is a common occurrence the constant flooding dramatically limits the impact of fires.

The jungle received its name from the prominent influence of Shavarath.   Swarms of animated swords roam the jungles, eviscerating any who cross their paths. On occasion other creatures slip through as well – fiends and celestials that represent all aspects of war. The influence of other planes can be found in scattered pockets, either by themselves or in conjunction with Shavarath.

Settlements. Sitting on the edge of the jungle in a hospitable cove, Pylas Maradal (discussed further below) is the only major settlement in the region. Attempts to settle the jungle itself are stymied by the intense extraplanar influence in the region.

Things to do. While the persistent and fearsome threats are a welcome challenge for the Valenar, other groups have plenty of reasons to venture into the hostile territory. Shavaran immortals often carry potent magical armaments, their capabilities beyond what is available in the Five Nations. Artificers hoping to implement their own designs for weapons of war find the manifest zones inspirational. Furthermore, while the events of the Last War have pockmarked Khorvaire with manifest zones of Shavarath, the Jungle of Scimitars is the only one that is a reliable two-way planar passage.

The Water

Valenar is bordered by water on three sides – Kraken Bay to the west, the Aerenal Channel to the south, and the Dragonreach to the east. Due to its proximity to the equator, the winds here are unreliable but mild, greatly diminishing the effectiveness of large sailing ships.  The Tairnadal’s relationship with House Lyrandar has upended this basic geographic constraint, as elemental galleons and the mark of storm obliviate concerns about dead winds.

The Dragonreach. While the Tairnadal lack the strong sailing cultures found in Lhazaar, Zilargo, or amongst the khoravar of House Lyrandar, they did settle the isles immediately to the northeast, such as Valen’s Isle and Thal Eledar. Over time these islands have been converted into defensive positions in conjunction with the line of Maraen to defend against draconic aggression.

Lhazaar captains making their way to southern Khorvaire typically hug the Valenar coast, not only to take advantage of the winds and currents but also to avoid the variety of scaled underwater threats. Pirates who take this route sometimes raid coastal villages, but Lyrandar and the Host of Valenar have been working together on a variety of anti-piracy missions.

The Aerenal Channel. This deep channel hosts a strong east-to-west current, expediting travel to southern Khorvaire but slowing ships making the return trip. While the distance between Aerenal and Khorvaire here is short – only some 100 miles – the alliance with House Lyrandar has made the trip much easier and facilitated the entrenchment of the Host of Valenar.

Kraken Bay. Despite the seeming proximity of Valenar and Darguun, Kraken Bay was historically difficult to cross. The lack of winds or useful currents made direct crossing difficult, forcing any ships to hug the coast – negating the main military advantage of a naval assault compared to a land-based army in the Dhakaani-Valenar war. Furthermore, the bay’s unusual depth has kept it a home for all sorts of creatures who feast on sailors stuck in the doldrums. The advent of elemental galleons has enabled House Lyrandar to dramatically cut travel time along the southern coast of Khorvaire by going straight across, something that is even more useful with the elimination of Seaside as a viable port.

Player's Guide to Eberron

Tairnadal warriors typically wear loose silk clothing and light armor, and favor elaborate engraving and embroidery. They make use of red or brown patterns mimicking blood spatters or stains, so that the gore of battle blends with the elf’s clothing. Beyond this, two critical accoutrements define a Valenar warrior: the zaelta and the zaelshin.

The zaelshin (“spirit bond”) is an amulet that bears the seal of an elf’s patron ancestor. It is usually worn as a brooch but can be placed in a warrior’s helmet, at the center of the forehead. A zaelshin is usually formed from silver and inlaid with jet. A revenant’s zaelshin is formed of platinum and inlaid with precious stones that have a specific tie to the warrior’s patron ancestor; this piece of jewelry costs 150 gp.

The zaelta (“spirit mask”) is a veil that covers the lower face. While this item is useful in the harsh environment of the Blade Desert, it is intended to help the wearer submerge his identity within that of his ancestor. With the wearer’s face hidden, an observer views only the zaelshin, thus seeing the ancestor instead of the descendant.

Zaelshin Tu

Every Valenar warrior reveres his ancestors and carries a zaelshin amulet bearing the sigil of his patron ancestor with him at all times. With a zaelshin tu, you do more than that: You carry a physical relic of your patron ancestor—a tooth or sliver of bone brought from Xen’drik to Aerenal and encased in your zaelshin amulet.

Description: A zaelshin tu looks much like a mundane zaelshin. It is an amulet, formed of platinum and inlaid with precious stones that carry spiritual significance to the ancestor whose sigil is emblazoned on it. It can be worn as a brooch or attached to your helmet at the center of your forehead. No matter how you display the item, it takes up space on your body as an amulet, which means you can’t gain the benefit of any other amulet at the same time (or even another zaelshin tu, if you have more than one).

If you use the revenant blade’s ancestral guidance ability while wearing a zaelshin tu, the gemstones set in the amulet are briey with a dim light.

Eberron Campaign Guide

The only elven nation in Khorvaire, Valenar was born in the heat of the Last War. High King Vadallia came from the elves’ home continent of Aerenal as the leader of a host of elf mercenaries. Although humans and half-elves still reside in Valenar, most of these folk are former subjects of Cyre who now give fealty to foreign rulers.

During the Last War, the leaders of Cyre bought the allegiance of the Valaes Tairn—the largest faction of the Tairnadal, the elven warclans of northern Aerenal. Establishing their war camps at the southern tip of Cyre, the elves quickly became the most devastating component of Cyre’s cavalry and commando forces.

Led by Vadallia, the elves targeted halfling war bands, hobgoblin mercenaries, and the forces of Breland and Karrnath. Though Cyre’s enemies tried to buy the elves’ services, the Valaes Tairn stayed unfailingly loyal to Cyre for over thirty years. It was thus a shock when elves turned on their Cyran paymasters and seized the lands they had defended for decades. Shaeras Vadallia proclaimed himself high king of the new nation of Valenar, using an ancient elven claim to the land to justify his actions.

Tracing their roots to the island nation of Aerenal, the Tairnadal elves of Valenar are a militaristic offshoot of the dominant Aereni culture. These warriors revere the heroes of the elves’ ancient struggle to free themselves from slavery on Xen’drik, and honor their ancestors by emulating their deeds.

Young elves sometimes leave Valenar to further their military experience abroad in Khorvaire, hiring themselves out as mercenaries or joining adventuring bands. In the aftermath of the Last War, the Valaes Tairn remains the deadliest cavalry and commando force in Khorvaire. Though their betrayal of Cyre earned the elves a measure of distrust, individual Valenar war bands are often hired by other nations for specialized assignments.

Though it has a high king, Valenar is less a nation than a league of individual warclans. As proof of their title in Valenar, the members of the Valaes Tairn speak of an ancestral connection to this land, and of an elven dominion in southern Khorvaire contemporary with the goblin Empire of Dhakaan.

More than forty of Aerenal’s warclans are repre sented in Valenar. However, most of the elf noncombatants remain on Aerenal, making Valenar more of a military staging ground than a country. Although High King Vadallia rewards bravery with title and territory, few elves take up the life of landed nobility. The pursuit of battle is the Valenar elves’ only focus, and they are happy to leave their lands in the care of the humans and half-elves who work it.

For their part, the peasants and farm folk of Valenar live their lives as they have for centuries, noting few differences between Cyran rule and the new elf regime. If anything, life under the Valaes Tairn is easier. The elves tax less harshly than Cyre once did, since the self-sufficient warclans have little need for material wealth or tribute. As such, Valenar’s nonelf population is largely left in a state of benign neglect.

Over the last few decades, House Lyrandar has formed an alliance with the elves of Valenar. Lyrandar half-elves have taken on many administrative positions within the nation, and some claim that Lyrandar is creating a half-elf homeland under Vadallia’s nose.

At the height of the Dhakaani Empire, the elves of Aerenal founded settlements on the plains north of Ravar Orioth—sites that coexisted and traded peacefully with the goblins for nearly a century. Eventually, the goblins came to distrust and fear the militaristic elves. The war between the Valaes Tairn and the Dhakaani goblins was hard-fought, with the skill of the elves offset by the numerical superiority of the goblins. In the end, a draconic attack on Aerenal itself forced the leaders of the Valaes Tairn to sue for peace and abandon their holdings in Khorvaire in order to focus their efforts on defending Aerenal.

When Vadallia led his warriors to Khorvaire to fight under the flag of Cyre, it was for the glory of war. The Tairnadal elves devoted their lives to martial training, but war games were no match for a chance to engage in true battle. War in Khorvaire promised the elves a chance to win glory in their ancestors’ names, even as entering the fight on the side of beleaguered Cyre provided a fine opportunity to hone the skirmisher tactics they had perfected over generations.

For five decades, the elves fought for Cyre and found the glory they sought. But as the struggle settled into a routine, the challenges faded. Some say the Queen of Cyre insulted Vadallia, but most believe that it was the desire for glory that drove the war leader to turn on Cyre and annex the lands he once defended. In the wake of this betrayal, the elves of Valenar sold their services to every nation, though few would employ them in large numbers. Today they continue to launch raids into neighboring nations, and it is certain that they hunger for new opportunities for glory.

Eberron Campaign Setting

Ten thousand years ago, the elves of Aerenal established a settlement on the southern shore of Khorvaire. Initially, the hobgoblin emperor was pleased to have a center for trade with the elves, but over the course of the next century this relationship soured and turned to war. The elves could not match the numbers of the goblinoids and were driven back to Aerenal. War between the empires continued sporadically over the next few centuries. Ultimately, both hobgoblin and elf agreed to respect the current borders—the elves would hold their island-continent, and the hobgoblins would continue to dominate the mainland.

Millennia passed, and the hobgoblin Empire of Dhakaan crumbled to dust. By the time of King Jarot of Galifar, the land once contested by hobgoblins and elves was part of the realm of Cyre. Much of the region was sparsely populated, with the occasional human village, migrating halfling tribe, and a handful of hobgoblin clans hiding in the shadows. When the Last War began, Cyre came under attack from all sides and quickly sought allies. While the Undying Court of Aerenal had no interest in returning to Khorvaire, the Cyrans drew the interest of the Valaes Tairn. These militant elves had long sought an opportunity to test their blades in epic battle, and they were only too willing to enter the fray.

For decades the elves fought on the side of Cyre, battling Talenta warbands, hobgoblin mercenaries, and the forces of Breland and Karrnath. They fought for the love of battle and gold, not loyalty to Cyre. Then, in 956 YK, the elves took action that surprised the Cyrans and the other Five Nations. War Leader Shaeras Vadallia proclaimed that his people had ties to the land from a time before human feet touched the soil of Khorvaire, and that his soldiers had restored those ties with spilled blood. Vadallia declared himself high king of the new nation of Valenar, and his warriors have been fortifying their position and slowly expanding their borders ever since.

The Valenar elves have no interest in peace, but they participated in the talks at Thronehold to gauge the measure of their enemies and to gain acceptance in the human courts. Today, Valenar warbands continue to clash with Karrnathi forces, and raids into the Talenta Plains and Q’barra occur on a regular basis. Now that the Last War has come to an end, it remains to be seen whether the Treaty of Thronehold can end this elven aggression.

ECG

Onward to Glory: The easiest place for PCs to face off against a Valaes Tairn war band isn’t deep within Valenar but along the borders with the Talenta Plains and Q’barra. Valenar raiding parties cross into both nations with great frequency, and the PCs might easily be caught up in one such incursion. Whether the elves are in search of supplies, seeking vengeance for a perceived slight, or simply spoiling for battle, PCs who stand against a war band are in for a memorable fight.

Breeding Stock: The warhorses ridden by the Valaes Tairn are all geldings, and the elves are deadly serious in the protection of their brood mares and stallions. However, a high-ranking operative of House Vadalis believes that she has found a way to magically infuse the bloodline of Valenar geldings into magebred horses. Testing her theory requires only a dozen or so warhorses to be stolen out from under the Valaes Tairn and transported from Valenar to the Eldeen Reaches. Stealing even a single Valenar warhorse is not an assignment for the faint of heart, but the house will pay handsomely for delivery.

Nation Building: The Valaes Tairn is perhaps the best band of warriors in Khorvaire, but these elves are notoriously indifferent to the plight of their nonelf subjects. Peasants from Valenar approach the PCs to beg for their aid, whether against monsters plaguing local farmsteads or a group of bandits too unskilled for the Valaes Tairn to consider an honorable challenge.

In Service to the King: The elven penchant for violence means that few civilized nations allow an unescorted Valaes Tairn war band to freely enter or cross their territory. When High King Vadallia has important business needing attention in the Five Nations, his operatives must seek out adventurers to see it done. The PCs might be approached by a representative of the king, or could even be invited to the court at Taer Valaestas to be engaged in high-level intrigues

Races of Eberron

Valenar elves have been seen moving through Q’barra in small groups, but this is no raid. The elves seem intent on stealth. Although no one is certain of their purpose, most think that the elves seek some item of power left from the Last War. Someone must follow their journey through the countryside and discover what they are seeking.

The characters learn of Taer Dalan, a ruin built during the Age of Monsters and linked to the elves’ giant-slaying ancestors. Filled with powerful magical energy and the lingering sprits of the ancient elves, Taer Dalan holds great secrets. The Valenar elves, including both the Keepers of the Past and the Dalan Rae cult, would go to great lengths to learn of the location of Taer Dalan and keep adventurers of other races out of the ruin.

ECS

There are a number of ranches across Valenar where the elves’ horses are bred and trained. These fine steeds are worth a fortune, and an ambitious heir of House Vadalis has a plan to raid a ranch and drive a herd of horses back to the border.

A Valenar warband raided a caravan crossing the Talenta Plains. Among the captives taken by the elves is the son of a Karrnathi noble. Adventurers are hired to track the warband and rescue the young heir before the elves get too deep into Valenar and rejoin with their warclan.

Expeditionary Dispatch: Crossing Valenar

• House Vadalis believes that the Kel Gryfaen are using druidic magic to breed a superior form of griffon, and they hope that this secret will be easier to crack than the mystery of the Valenar horses. Can you penetrate Griffonclaw fortress, charm a group of griffons, and reach safe haven before the riders find you? Are the griffons of the Valenar mundane creatures, or do they have some magic uncommon among their kind?
• One night, when the party is camped alongside the Old Road, the sentry spots stealthy figures at the edge of sight. Most likely, these are Valenar hunters testing the PCs to see if they pose a worthy challenge. Of course, it's possible that they are bandits … or something worse.
• While crossing the Blade Desert, the adventurers find the corpse of a hobgoblin warrior, including a beautiful greatsword, with enough magical power to appeal to the party. This might be just as it seems -- a fortunate find. Or it could be a weapon of legacy with a fearsome history and a grim destiny. Forged to battle the Valaes Tairn by the ancient swordsmiths of Dhakaan, it will drive its user to battle the Valenar. It will also bring trouble from Darguun, as hobgoblin and bugbear heroes seek to reclaim the blade of their ancestors. While it holds great power, is it worth the danger?
• In 994 YK, thousands of Cyrans were killed as they sought to flee the mists of the Mourning. Some were killed by the Valenar guardians of Griffonclaw and the western fortresses. Others were slain by humans –- the khunan people who live in hamlets close to the taers, who sought pointless vengeance for the indignities suffered by their ancestors. It was a time of panic and madness, and an incident that left deep scars on those Cyrans who survived it. Now an elite unit of Cyran avengers (Five Nations page 86) is preparing to take revenge, slaughtering as many khunans as they can before they are forced into conflict with the Valenar. None of them expects to survive this campaign -– but they hope to massacre multiple hamlets before they are brought down. What do the PCs do when they encounter these psychotic soldiers? If any of the PCs fought for Cyre, they might have served alongside one of the avengers during the war; the PC might have lost loved ones of his own at khunan hands. Will the PCs help the avengers carry out their vendetta? Will they work with the Valenar to defend the villagers? Or will they try to turn the Cyrans away from this suicidal quest?

Eberron Campaign Setting

The Valenar elves demonstrate an uncanny knack for the art of war and the breeding of horses. The bloodline of Valenar horses can be traced all the way back to the warhorses of ancient Xen’drik, and the creatures have no equal among the native horses of Khorvaire. The weaponsmiths of Valenar create masterwork bows and fine densewood weapons. Beyond this, Valenar primarily exports the service of its warriors, brokered through House Deneith. Few people trust the Valenar elves or are comfortable hiring them in large numbers. Valenar elves, however, are the most talented cavalry troops in Khorvaire, and small units are often hired for specific tasks.

Dragonshard

The Valenar are a martial culture. Members of a warband are always searching for glory. To the Valenar, war is an art and a game. The heroes of Xen'drik relied on guerilla tactics in which stealth and skill were more important than raw strength. When fighting a weak foe, the Valenar may engage in straightforward battle to eliminate the enemy quickly before moving on to more challenging enemies. When dealing with a challenging opponent, however, the elves take their time, stalking, weakening the enemy, and enjoying the game. This is true on all levels, including society, which is why wars among the elves can last centuries. With their long lifespans, the elves do not see history in the same way as humans, and they rarely feel a sense of urgency.

The predatory nature of the Valenar is reflected in all aspects of life. Whether a Valenar elf is engaged in a philosophical debate, bargaining with a merchant, or searching for an ancient treasure, the elf always views the situation from the standpoint of hunter and prey.

Valenar are organized into warclans and warbands. These are military units that also incorporate strong emotional bonds. A Valenar puts his patron ancestor above all things, followed by members of his warband, and only then by members of his blood family.

Valenar typically wear loose, silk clothing and light armor decorated with elaborate engraving and embroidery. One unusual tradition is the use of red or brown patterns mimicking blood spatters or stains so that the gore of battle will blend with the elf's clothing. A common accoutrement is the zaelta -- "spirit mask." This veil is practical in the harsh environment of the Blade Desert, but it also helps the wearer submerge his identity within that of his ancestor. A Valenar warrior usually wears the sigil of his ancestor on his helmet or as a brooch; thus, those looking at the elf see his ancestor, not the mortal warrior.

Player's Guide to Eberron (A Legacy of War)

The culture of the Valaes Tairn is based around the heroes of Xen’drik— the champions who fought back against an empire of giants and freed the elves. When a child is born among the Valaes Tairn, the priests of the Valenar—the Keepers of the Past—read the signs to determine the patron ancestor that will guide him through life. It is each child’s duty to honor and emulate his patron ancestor, even as he strives to bring glory to his family. Many elves can share the same patron ancestor, leading to competition among them as each strives to be the perfect embodiment of his or her patron. Most of these patrons are mighty warriors, but a Valenar might just as easily follow the path of a weaponsmith, a siege engineer, or a war wizard. There are even elves whose patron ancestors are civil engineers or laborers, and while they are rarely the subject of song or story, they play a significant role in Valenar society.

The Valenar tradition of war is one of speed and stealth. Most Valenar soldiers are rangers—deadly stalkers who can live off the land, and who have an almost mystical connection to their remarkable horses (usually their animal companions). Some Valenar supplement these skills with levels in wizard or fighter. The Keepers of the Past can be clerics or bards, and a Valenar bard following this faith can take spirit steed as a 4th-level spell. A cleric of the Keepers of the Past can choose from the Destruction, Protection, and War domains. As a pantheon, the Spirits of the Past are neutral in alignment, and their favored weapon is the double scimitar.

While they are best known for their cavalry, the Valenar take great pride in their skill with the weapons of their people. A Valenar elf receives the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the shortbow (including composite shortbow), scimitar, and Valenar double scimitar. This replaces the elf weapon proficiency racial trait described in the Player’s Handbook.

Eberron Campaign Guide

The Last War is over, but the elves of Valenar show no signs of giving up the lust for battle that brought them to Khorvaire. Elf war bands routinely raid into the neighboring territories of the Talenta Plains and Q’barra, and range far enough north across the Plains to strike at Karrnath.

Valenar’s government is tightly organized around the military structure of the Valaes Tairn. The warclans account for the entire elf population of Valenar. The nonelves who make up the farming and crafting classes have little standing, but they enjoy more freedom than they did as subjects of Cyre. In recent decades an alliance with House Lyrandar has drawn many half-elves to the Valenar, and most civic administration falls to this half-elf middle class.

The elves’ disinterest in their subjects makes the borders of Valenar relatively easy to breach, provided that the intruders are willing to wear a humble disguise. A party whose members pose as common laborers can gain easy access to most parts of the country, while travelers who display a warlike demeanor can expect to be challenged on a regular basis.

Members of the Valaes Tairn dedicate their lives to valor and martial skill. They are warriors with a long and proud tradition, and they make a strong distinction between honorable combat and meaningless brawling. If a foe or a situation is deemed unworthy, a Valenar elf is more likely to walk away than to engage in a fight beneath his dignity.

The end of the Last War has seen many Valenar elves granted leave from their warclans to put their skills to use in the wider world. Such elves become mercenaries or join adventuring bands, seeking out danger by which their bravery might be tested.

Valenar is a young nation, and the elves have little interest in pursuing official relationships with Khorvaire’s other powers. Elven raids into the Talenta Plains, Q’barra, and Karrnath put Valenar on poor terms with its closest neighbors, and most dragonmarked houses have only a limited presence in Taer Valaestas. House Vadalis operatives are banned from Valenar on pain of death because of the house’s incessant efforts to obtain elven warhorses and breeding stock, and the spies of Thuranni and Phiarlan are universally shunned by the Valaes Tairn. However, the half-elves of House Lyrandar wield significant influence in the court of Vadallia, and they have been granted extensive territories within Valenar.

All Valenar elves are part of active military units, whether in service to the high king or undertaking the border skirmishes of individual warclans. Any elf not fit and willing for battle is repatriated to Aerenal. Valenar raids against neighboring territories are typically quick strikes and sorties that make the most effective use of the elves’ advanced cavalry skirmish tactics. The elves make token raids for supplies or trade goods, but their primary goal is glory in the defeat of an equal or superior foe.

Each of the forty-five warclans of the Valaes Tairn is obligated to take a turn serving High King Vadallia as part of the Host of Valenar. The host consists of twenty warclans—ten tasked with maintaining order throughout the realm, and ten engaged in military operations as directed by the crown. A warclan serves on the Host of Valenar for ten years before being released to conduct independent operations and raids, though warclans can be recalled to assist and support the Host of Valenar by the high king.

Valenar is a land built on preparations for war, and even after the peace of Thronehold, the nation of the Valaes Tairn resembles a military staging ground more than a country. Permanent elven settlements are few in number and uniformly fortified, both along Valenar’s northern borders and deep into the safer lands of the south.

The warclans of Valenar have only one goal—glory in combat. And while the Valaes Tairn’s border raids are seen as little more than posturing by disaffected troops, it has been suggested that High King Vadallia has an ulterior motive. Valenar’s raids are carried out by independent warclans, never by the Host of Valenar. However, Vadallia makes no real effort to stop the incursions, and many believe that with the Last War ended, the Valaes Tairn are attempting to goad Valenar’s neighbors (particularly Karrnath) into a full-blown military response. If war does erupt again in southern Khorvaire, the elves are well prepared for a long and glorious campaign.

Dragonshard

The Valenar are peerless warriors. Sword for sword, they have no equals in Eberron. Their low population is the greatest factor holding them in check. This skill is represented by the use of PC classes and high character levels. Most veteran Valenar soldiers are rangers of 4th to 6th level. With this level of skill, even a band of eight to twelve elves can pose a significant threat.

Valenar soldiers prefer light armor and rely on speed and skill as opposed to pure force. The Valenar are renowned for their cavalry; most soldiers possess a deep bond with their mounts. Common feats include Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mounted Combat, and all of the feats that build on these foundations.

While they are best known for their cavalry, the Valenar take great pride in skill with the scimitar and double scimitar -- so much so that all Valenar receive their racial Weapon Proficiency bonus in scimitar rather than longsword. Foremost among their swordsmen is an order of blade specialists known as the Jaeldira, "blade dancers." These are monks who often advance using the dervish prestige class presented in The Complete Warrior. Jaeldira monks may take Double Steel Strike as their bonus feat at 2nd or 6th level, applying this feat to the double scimitar instead of the double-bladed sword.

Magic also plays an important role among the armies of the Valenar. The ancient elves took the secrets of magic from their giant masters, and many of the heroes of old were wizards. Most Valenar warbands include at least one evoker or conjurer. Valenar of other classes often take a level or two of wizard. Many Valenar rangers prefer mage armor to leather or steel, and mount is an invaluable aid to a cavalry master whose steed falls in battle (this spell is seen as calling on the spirit of a Valenar warhorse, even though the abilities of the shadowy steed are far more limited). Most Valenar wizards have birds as familiars because these creatures are so useful for scouting fields of battle.

PGtE (Revenant Blade)

Playing a Revenant Blade

You are one of the deadliest warriors of a military culture. Your blade is the focus of your life, and from the moment you could walk you were taught the arts of stealth. You are cool, wary, always watching for the next threat—in part because of your militant training, in part because you feel most truly alive in battle.

Beyond this general attitude, your personality is shaped by that of your ancestor, whom you idolize and seek to emulate in all the ways you can. Since you are a revenant blade, your ancestor must have been a master swordsman and deadly stalker. But what was he like? Was he a grim killer who rarely spoke and only smiled when hunting a foe? A tortured poet whose skill at bloodshed was matched only by his hatred of violence? A former slave, a warrior princess, a romantic explorer? Determine the nature of your ancestor, and as you rise in level consider ways you can mimic him. Dress, speech, mannerisms, hobbies—as time goes by, you slowly become your ancestor, so look for ways to represent this.

The host of the Valaes Tairn is an army, organized into warclans and warbands. The revenant order stretches across the bounds of clan and bands. Your status is indicated by the zaelshin that you wear—a special brooch that indicates the identity of your ancestor and your role as a revenant. At the moment the revenants are a loose society, always searching for glory and awaiting the word of the High King.

Combat: Your ancestors fought an empire of immeasurable power. You have inherited the skills of your patron, but also his wisdom—and the knowledge that stealth and cunning are just as important as strength and steel. Take your time in battle. Stalk your enemy and learn his weaknesses. When you strike, do so on your terms.

As a revenant blade, your greatest strength is your versatility. Ancestral guidance allows you to adapt your tactics to suit the needs of the day. This versatility helps you most if you have extensive knowledge of your foes before you enter combat. Try to evaluate your enemy and the skills of your opponent long before you ever close in combat, and adapt your strategy to exploit these strengths and weaknesses.

Advancement: All Tairnadal elves are assigned a patron ancestor at the moment of birth, and all seek to honor this ancestor. Those with the potential to become revenants feel a closer bond than most. From childhood, your patron ancestor was more than just a name in song and story. You’ve had visions of the battles that she fought, seen the lost wonders of Xen’drik and smelt the burning flesh of giants. Sometimes you have found yourself spontaneously quoting your patron, astonishing your elders by repeating ancient speeches you’ve never read before.

The Keepers of the Past watch those who show such promise. As you adventure, you grow closer to your ancestor. When the moment strikes and you are ready to touch the spirits of legend, you must make your way to one of the great fortresses of the Tairnadal—Taer Valaestas in Valenar or Taer Senadal in Aerenal. There the elder revenants guide you down the path, teaching you to submerge your thoughts in the memories of the past, and to let the spirit of your patron guide your hands.

Once you have been set upon the path, it is up to you to find your way closer to your ancestor. Consider his personality and choose your skills and feats accordingly. If he was renowned as a hunter, seek the deadliest game you can find. If he was a soldier first and foremost, find your way to the battlefield!

Resources: The revenant order provides few resources for members. You have your blade and ancestral guidance: You should be out bringing glory to your ancestor’s name, not begging for scraps! However, the orders do have a few relics of the ancestors—zaelshin tu and similar items—and if you bring honor to your ancestor and warclan or perform a great service to the Valaes Tairn, you might be given one of these items.

The greatest treasures of the revenants are the actual swords of the ancestors. These mighty artifacts were all lost in Xen’drik. Finding your patron ancestor’s double scimitar—or recovering it from looters or grave-robbers—is a worthy quest for a revenant blade.

Revenant Blades in the World

“The revenants are the treasures of our past and the shapers of the future.” —Ilaen Coeliras, Keeper of the Past

The elf heroes of Xen’drik are the stuff of legends, possibly the most deadly warriors of history. In the revenants of Valenar, these fearsome soldiers live again. It took the destruction of Xen’drik to defeat these elf heroes in the past: What impact will the revenant warriors have on this current age? Daily Life: A revenant blade is called to become a hero—to glorify her ancestors and bring honor to their names through her own deeds of bravery. Revenant blades are never sedentary. Anyone who walks the path of the revenant either fights on the front lines of battle or wanders the world seeking an opportunity to prove her worth—and her ancestor’s. Revenants lead raids out from Valenar into the Talenta Plains, Q’barra, and the Mournland, even up into Karrnath. Others make their way to Xen’drik, to fight the descendants of the ancient giants or unearth some lost ancestral artifact. Every day brings a new opportunity for glory and honor.

Notables: Taerdra Jennaris (N female elf ranger 7/revenant blade 5) is one of the most respected revenants in Valenar today. She is the chief of a large and powerful warclan that frequently raids into Q’barra at her command. Some suspect Taerdra of resistance to the rule of High King Vadallia, and this situation is expected to come to a head within the next year, when her clan is due to be called up for service to the High King.

Jumall Threnell (CG male elf ranger 5/wizard 3/revenant blade 3) leads a small band of revenants in exploring Xen’drik. Jumall is particularly well known in Stormreach, although his reputation there is mixed: All acknowledge his band’s heroic deeds, but Jumall himself has stirred up trouble with hill giants who were visiting the city peacefully or even working as part of the city watch.

Haverra Phasha (CE female elf ranger 3/fighter 5/revenant blade 3) has brought a measure of disgrace to the revenant blades’ nascent organization by making an attempt on High King Vadallia’s life. She escaped the angry High King and his bodyguards, which certainly helped her notoriety, but people seem to blame the revenant blades as a whole for the actions of this renegade. Other revenant blades have sworn to bring Haverra to justice, but she remains a fugitive, supposedly lurking inside the Mournland.

Organization: The revenant order is a evolving fraternity. The art of revenant channeling is a recent development among the elves. Some believe that this is a result of the millennia of devotion of the Tairnadal, and that the spirits are gaining strength from this reverence. Others say that it is destiny—that this is the age of the elves, and that the heroes are returning to lead the Valenar to glory.

The Keepers of the Past train new revenants and help them find the way onto the path. As part of this training, a revenant must swear an oath of loyalty to Valenar and the High King, promising to answer any call that comes from the Dark wood Crown. As such, the revenants are an elite unit waiting to be called together. As a revenant, you could receive this call at any time—a summons to return to Taer Valaestas, or a call to a distant battle.

At the moment the revenants receive their orders from the High King. But some wonder if the revenants actually represent a threat to Vadallia, particularly in light of the recent attempt on the High King’s life. As the revenants regain the memories and skills of the great heroes of the past, will they be content to follow the king? What if the ancestors have old feuds never recorded in legend—or ambitions to rule empires of their own?

NPC Reactions

The revenants channel the greatest heroes of the elves, and Valenar or Tairnadal warriors have a friendly attitude toward revenants. Typically, the other inhabitants of Khorvaire don’t have the knowledge required to recognize a revenant. The key feature that identifies a revenant is the zaelshin amulet, and humans rarely understand the meaning of the brooch. However, the Darguuls have come to despise these Valenar warriors, and goblinoids from Darguun typically have an unfriendly attitude toward revenants.

There is also the chance that a revenant will encounter an elf—revenant or not—whose patron ancestor holds a deadly grudge against the patron of the revenant. This could result in a direct challenge or a more subtle form of attack, and at the least an unfriendly reaction.

Revenant Blades in the Game

Valenar is an aggressive, expansionist nation, and Valenar warbands constantly raid neighboring regions. A revenant blade can be found as the leader of a warband, inspiring his soldiers with his bond to the past. Adventurers exploring Xen’drik might encounter a warband entirely formed of revenant blades, an elite force sent to reclaim lost relics of the elf age of glory. Of course, the Valenar still sell their services as mercenaries—the Aurum (see page 146) could hire a revenant blade to stalk a troublesome group of adventurers.

In an adventuring party, a revenant blade provides a DM with two paths to explore. The character’s ancient visions could draw the party to Xen’drik, searching for ancient relics or forgotten secrets of the elf-giant war. Alternatively, the revenant and his allies could be drawn into the evolving politics of Valenar: Perhaps the character’s ancestor wants her to lead the elves down a different path from the one High King Vadallia has chosen.

Adaptation: The revenant blade is merely one of the revenants found in Valenar. By adjusting the class prerequisites and the feats the character can mimic using ancestral guidance, this prestige class can be adapted to reflect other elf ancestors. Revenant bowmen gain access to archery feats, while revenant riders have access to mounted combat feats. Revenant scouts emphasize the stealthy surveillance of enemies and guerrilla tactics.

Encounters: When encountered with a warband, a revenant blade might confront her enemies in open battle. Given the choice, she prefers to stalk her foes, taking the time to carefully evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

Rising

There’s a popular saying in Taer Valaestas: “The shadow of war hangs long over Valenar.” War defines Valenar culture. The Treaty of Thronehold recognized Valenar as a sovereign nation, but the elves are already pushing the limits of the treaty. Some venture into the Mournland or the untamed jungles of Q’barra, and Valenar warbands have launched raids into Darguun and Karrnath. High King Shaeras Vadallia has promised to rein in his warriors, but many believe that the elves will continue their provocation. Their main interest is conflict with a worthy foe—and they might want Darguun or Karrnath to declare war.

Because of this, the nation remains on a war footing. Villages find it challenging to produce the supplies required to maintain the elf army. Still, the Valenar are rarely cruel overlords. As long as a village can meet its quotas, the elves leave it alone, though villages that fall below expectations are more likely to receive assistance from druidic advisors than punishment.

The people of the Five Nations know little of Valenar, and if you intend to travel to Taer Valaestas, you would do well to learn the history of this land. Human, elf, or Khoravar, the people of Valenar are proud folk, and their ways are quite different from those of the Five Nations. The differences between villages are remarkable; the khunan people of Ariolan still speak the Old Common tongue their ancestors carried from Sarlona, while Moonshadow is a new settlement founded by House Lyrandar and populated entirely by the Khoravar.

Valenar is home to two sorts of people: the restless and the anchored. The warbands of the Valaes Tairn remain in constant motion, traveling along the Old Road and through the wilds. Even those who serve the Darkwood Crown as defenders of the kingdom rarely dine in the villages they protect, preferring to live off the land using their skills and cualra. But while you may not see elves in the villages of Valenar, you will certainly encounter a warband before you have spent a day in the realm. Expect to be stalked by the Tairnadal as you travel across the land. Some will act openly, while others will watch you from the shadows. Unless you actually seek battle with the Valaes Tairn, your wisest course of action is to ignore any provocation. Act with humility. Conceal what gifts you have, and pretend that you do not see their hidden scouts. Don't make the mistake of thinking yourself so mighty that the elves pose no threat to you; it was this pride that laid low the giants of Xen'drik. Your magic and mettle may be more than sufficient to overcome a warband in fair combat. But the Valaes Tairn love nothing more than to find a worthy foe, and many of their greatest warriors care nothing for honor in battle -- only victory. If you make yourself a prize, you will face ambushes and challenges from one end of Valenar to the other, and each victory will simply draw the attention of more talented elves and teach them your strengths and weaknesses. Show humility, pose no threat, and the Valaes Tairn will pass you by.

Where the restless elves hate to stand still, most of the other people of Valenar might as well be rooted to the earth. The humans of this land live in villages, hamlets, and thorps, and few of these people have ever traveled farther than ten leagues from the ground on which they were born. By and large, the only traditions the people of Shivairn have in common with the folk of Norinath are those forced upon them by the lords of Galifar –- including distrust and sometimes open hostility towards westerners. Those who venture off the Old Road will find a cold welcome in Valenar villages, along with few services for travelers; the humans of Valenar keep to themselves and expect the same of their neighbors.

Most of these anchored people of Valenar are humans and half-elves. Most humans can trace their roots back to the fallen nation of Khunan in Sarlona, and they are proud of their ties to the soil of the east; along the old road, Shivairn, Keth, and Norinath are largely human communities. The Khoravar are more recent arrivals, who have traveled east over the course of the last four decades. Some have founded new communities, such as Moonshadow. Others have settled in Jal Paeridor, Taer Valaestas, and Pylas Maradal, and it is these newcomers who maintain these cities. With that said, there are a few elves among the anchored population. The stories that reach the west paint the Tairnadal as warriors hungry for battle, and for the most part these tales are true. But where do the Valenar get their fine weapons and armor? Who raises their legendary horses?

Source: Crossing Valenar Expeditionary Dispatch

While the Host of Valenar claims rulership over Valenar, the occupying elves only make up less than a third of the population. The plurality of residents are humans who have lived in Valenar since Lhazaar’s famous voyage. Halflings and goblinoids, despite making up a much smaller percentage of the population, have lived in these lands since before humans even arrived in Khorvaire. Finally, the Khoravar, led by House Lyrandar, have begun to transform Valenar into their homeland.

The Elves

The nominal lords of Valenar are the elves, who maintain a feudal structure of lands and military obligations. High King Shaeras Vadallia rewards successful commanders with lands and titles in elaborate ceremonies. The truth of these actions is they are ultimately a show for outsiders – the military hierarchy of the Tairnadal defines their relationships, not fanciful mockeries of the titles of Galifar that the elves have replaced.

The elves have replicated their nomadic lifestyle in Valenar, living off the land that they have carefully cultivated over the last five decades. The druidic magic of the Siyal Marrain allows the warclans to patrol Valenar without worrying about replenishing food supplies, allowing the farmers to live unmolested, unlike the farmers in occupied territories in the rest of Khorvaire. 

Half of the warclans are under the direct command of var-shan Shaeras Vadallia, patrolling areas assigned to them. Warclans assigned to guard the borders are eager to prove their worth, sallying forth and picking fights with whatever they find. Clans assigned to the interior are less able to find immediate threats. While some bands choose to pick fights with worthy foes who wander through their territory, others have spent decades restoring elven ruins to their former glory.

The half not under the direct command wander freely throughout Khorvaire, with many contracting through Deneith. Clans that are not contracted this way proactively search for fights beyond Valenar’s borders, striking north through the Talenta Plains into Karrnath or northeast into Q’barra. These wandering clans still operate with the same goals as the ones directly under the High King’s command but have more room to interpret the objective. 

The Khoravar

Three thousand years ago, the Undying Court exterminated its rivals – the line of Vol – and triggered an exodus of refugees and dissidents. Since then, the half-elven descendants have graced the finest halls of Khorvaire, even having a significant presence amongst the nobility of Aundair and its predecessor nation, Thaliost.

Despite never facing open discrimination, the Khoravar have always stood apart. On a biological level, a khoravar has twice the lifespan of the average human but only a third of the lifespan of an elf. As such, a khoravar will see their human friends age and die in front of them, while the reverse happens with their elven friends. Despite this isolation, khoravar have found incredible success – a thriving combination of the proactive drive of humans with the patience and persistence of elves. 

Still, without a nation to themselves they have remained a distinct minority subject to the rule of other races, never finding validation at the highest levels of government. The half-elven King Laeran ir’Wynarn’s betrayal by his younger (human) brother in the seventh century ignited a movement from the sparks of discontent that had long smoldered. Laraen’s Dream called for a separate home ruled by Khoravar, equal to the Mror and Zilargo duchies.

The annexation of Valenar was an opportunity for a proper Khoravar state to replace the human lords that had ruled during the Kingdom of Galifar. Through House Lyrandar, these activists have seized control of the administrative state in Valenar. Formally, the elves hold the titles the thrones once held – for example, the human Duke of Southport has been replaced by the elven Duke of Pylas Maradal. In truth, the elven “nobles” delegate the entirety of governing to the khoravar stewards. Laeran’s Dream has latched onto House Lyrandar as a way to gain the lands they’ve long desired, but this is limited to the shared goal – the followers of Laeran’s Dream aren’t interested in helping Lyrandar with its other projects unless the house reciprocates the favor.

The khoravar immigrants have pursued a mix of founding their own settlements and acting as a bridge between the Host of Valenar and the human civilians. Although the Tairnadal do not believe khoravar are worthy of the patron ancestors, the khoravar’s longer lives and cultural hospitality have ingratiated them to the High King

The most important cultural and political event amongst the Khoravar is the weekly unity meal. The intricacies of these events vary, as each gathering has its own pecking order. In the newly founded communities like Moonshadow, the unity meal is an open event in the largest building in the town, reminding the immigrants of the importance of sticking together. 

By contrast, unity meals in the majority-human villages and towns are closed, invite-only affairs. While a traveling Khoravar can always join, their companions are much less likely to be welcome. Here, the unity meal serves to keep the Khoravar identity distinct from the human majority, while providing an opportunity to coordinate the administrative relationship with the ruling elves. 

House Lyrandar

Lord Seneschal Enilam d’Lyrandar is the leading member of the house in Valenar. While not all Khoravar in Valenar are members of the house or work for one of its guilds, the house is understood to speak on behalf of the community to the High King. These relationships go back to the start of the war when Queen Mishann in a desperate search for allies used the House to entreat the elven warriors. When King Vadallia annexed Eastern Cyre, Seneschal Enilam stepped in and offered the services of the region’s khoravar as a replacement for the now-deposed human lords. This support for the Valenar conquest drew heavy criticism throughout the five nations, but none had the resources to sanction the House’s actions.

Even though the house’s operations in Stormhome absolutely violate the Korth Edicts, if brought to trial the House would still argue that it pays a paltry sum of rent to the Aundairian crown each year. By contrast, the Host of Valenar does not bother with the formalities and has granted the house not only land but broad administrative control within Valenar. Conspiratorial newspapers (such as the Five Voices) have seized on this alliance to label all members of the house as traitors working to weaken their nations from within to prepare for the elven invasion. 

House Lyrandar’s alliance with the Host of Valenar not only involves civic administration but military matters. While the Tairnadal have many renowned riders and mages, cavalry and magic are no replacement for engineering. As such, the Host of Valenar has grown dependent on the ships of House Lyrandar to transport its forces to Valenar and elsewhere.

The Humans

Long ago on the far away continent of Sarlona, the magical might of the nation of Khunan awed its neighbors into submission. Despite this strength, the Khunan wizards made a deadly mistake in invading its agrarian neighbor Lamecha. This invasion united Khunan’s neighbors, igniting the first of the magewars that would reshape the face of Sarlona. Khunan was the undisputed loser in this conflict, reduced to ruins and rubble by united opposition.

While many survivors fled to elsewhere in Sarlona, some fled across the Lhazaar Sea and landed in modern Valenar. Here, the survivors built a life for themselves, scavenging from haunted ruins of elves and goblins. These settlers relied on the Blade Desert to ward off neighboring Metrol. Despite this geographic independence, the humans never organized themselves into a greater kingdom, content to live in their established villages and towns without broader integration. It was during this time that the Khunan humans solidified a distrust of magic, the stories and myths from Khunan transforming into warnings about the dangers of neighboring Metrol. Some mythology tracing to this time seemingly predicts the Day of Mourning – the Mournland mists allegedly matching the borders of the old kingdom of Metrol.

This era of relative freedom came to a violent end when King Galifar conquered Khorvaire. To appease the nobles of defeated Metrol, Galifar granted them dominion over Eastern Cyre – modern Valenar. These “thrones” divvied the land up into only a pair of grand duchies, based out of Keth and Southport (now Pylas Maradal). The two nobles then divvied up Eastern Cyre, with the Duke of Keth governing the northern half and the Duke of Southport governing the southern half. 

Within these autonomous regions, counts freely abused their power and the people. Centuries of mismanagement drained the soil of life, as feckless lords leaned on Deneith mercenaries to enforce order and quell rebellions. While there were several uprisings throughout the Kingdom of Galifar, none were successful until the elven annexation of the region during the Last War, when the human serfs gladly accepted the Host of Valenar as their new lords.

This change has led to a flourishing of the traditional Khunan faith, which was historically suppressed by the thrones. Rather than worshipping a pantheon of nine or fifteen deities, the Khunan religion believes in a great cycle of reincarnation. Particularly important and holy ancestors are believed to have escaped the cycle and ascended after “finding the spark of divinity”, continuing to guide their modern descendents from beyond this world.

Religious scholars might note that the cycle of rebirth bears some similarity to the Path of Inspiration. In truth, the Quori found it easier to corrupt existing institutions and beliefs than form new ones – the Khunan religion included, where the Quori grafted on a caste system. 

While the humans of Valenar generally distrust arcane magic – believing that all arcane magic is just magic with a less understood power source, and thus an avenue for the corruption that befell the mighty wizards of Khunan – they are far more accepting of the Dragonmarked houses. The power of the houses is both limited and clearly comes from their marks, rather than unidentified eldritch horrors from the planes or stars.

Other Residents

While elves, half-elves, and humans make up almost the entirety of the population of Valenar, two minorities also bear mentioning – halfling immigrants from the Talenta Plains, and the dar who have lived in these lands since the Dhakaani Empire.

Not all halflings are happy with the permanent nomadic lifestyle of the Talenta Plains. The tribes that occupy the southern reaches sometimes venture through the Blade Desert to trade with the settled inhabitants beyond the desert. The halflings who chose to stay make up a notable minority in the northern reaches and are often the most accessible guides through the desert.

Goblinoids have existed in Valenar since the height of the Dhakaani Empire, and their ruins are scattered throughout Valenar. The beginning of the fall of the empire drained soldiers away from the outposts, and the Kapaa’vola reduced the remaining commanders to fractious warlords, easily pushed to the fringes and enslaved by the human settlers. Galifar’s edict of freedom rang hollow in a land that swiftly replaced slavery with a legal system that privileged humanity over goblinoids.

When the elves returned at the start of the Last War they hoped they could find leftover Dhakaani, but have thus far been unable to do so. The new administration has generally been kinder to goblinoids but is far from establishing real equality. Some Khoravar have begun to act as a bridge between peoples, listening to the concerns of the dar. Unfortunately, some of the more militant activists of Laraen’s Dream have simply replaced the human-favored administration of justice with a Khoravar-favored one that maintains systemic discrimination against the “monstrous” goblinoids.

Kech Nasaar

What the Host of Valenar does not know is the goblins are being secretly organized by the Kech Nasaar, the “Keepers of Night”. Led by the millennia old vampires Iraala and Muurat, the Kech Nasaar have found the ruins of Valenar ideal for a resurgent Dhakaani empire. While the Host of Valenar has spent decades preparing the local terrain for success, the Kech Nasaar have the element of surprise and a similar ability to seed the battlefields with their own inventions and schemes. 

More dangerously, both the Valaes Tairn and the Kech Nasaar are willing to achieve victory through any means necessary. One of the most dark and dangerous magics the Keepers of Night could use is a repurposed form of the Kapaa’vola to sever the Tairnadal from their patron ancestors, replicating the cataclysmic destruction of the Dhakaani’s bond with the Uul Dhakaan.

Source: Politics of Valenar

Source: Chronicles of Eberron

Some canon sources lay significant atrocities at the feet of the Valenar elves. In particular, Forge of War describes Valenar warriors massacring countless Cyran civilians fleeing the Mourning. How does this incident fit with any of the other ideas presented in this chapter? The short answer is that it doesn’t, because canon is inconsistent. Many different authors have worked on Eberron over the years, and inconsistencies occasionally arise when authors were unaware of details established in prior canon or intentionally changed them. A core principle of Eberron is that canon should inspire you, not hold you back; use what makes sense to you and ignore what you don’t.

In the case of the Valenar, the ancestors they seek to emulate were rebels who rose up against tyrants and cruelty. Tairnadal revenants don’t want to conquer or oppress; they want to fight conquerors and oppressors. Even now, the Tairnadal don’t directly rule Valenar, instead leaving administration to the Khoravar. In my Eberron, the Valenar don’t actually want a kingdom; what they want is to provoke a powerful nation into attacking them because that’s what can most closely replicate the conflict with the giants—guerrillas fighting against overwhelming odds. I believe they’ve claimed Valenar solely because they want Karrnath or Darguun to try to take it from them.

Could the Valenar have slaughtered a massive number of civilians? Small-scale atrocities happen in Eberron, just as in wars throughout our history, because people—elf or human—can do terrible things. So this massacre is possible if it helps drive your story, but I’d want to know why. Did they mistakenly see the refugees as a threat, perhaps thinking they caused Mourning? Were the refugees truly helpless civilians, or had they already been corrupted by the Mourning into a horde of mutated ghouls? Or could the Valenar have been struck by a form of the infamous Du’rashka Tul curse of Xen’drik, driving them into a murderous frenzy? So while it’s possible the slaughter was set in motion by revenants whose ancestors were known for cruelty, even Vadallia was ruthless only in protecting her people—so why were these refugees a threat?

The recognition of an outright invading army as a legitimate nation in the Treaty of Thronehold was a necessary concession to the Host of Valenar’s military might. The annexation of territory from Cyre, while a welcome gift during the war, inspired more distrust and fear than any sense of obligation or gratitude.

Cyre

The betrayal of Cyre by High King Shaeras Vadallia was the beginning of the end for Cyre. While Cyre is no longer a country, almost all Cyrans have a learned distrust of both the elves and humans of Valenar.

One of the most prominent rumors about Valenar is that the elves slaughtered Cyrans fleeing the Day of Mourning. Like all rumors, it contains a grain of truth – the vast majority of Cyrans who crossed the border into Valenar perished. However, the elves generally seek out worthy foes, not civilians. While many of the refugees perished from the arid Blade Desert, the real killer was the human population that already lived in Valenar. Some border villages whipped up armed mobs against the “cursed” survivors, while others simply turned the refugees away and let them die of thirst and starvation.

Dragonmarked Houses

In addition to the previously mentioned antagonism with House Vadalis, the Valenar have little love for Houses Phiarlan and Thuranni. The shadow-marked elves abandoned not only Aerenal but its traditions, an unconscionable failure. Furthermore, while both houses pretend to maintain history in their artistic endeavors, those retellings come with tactful artistic license that alters the truth of the past and grates against the Tairnadal’s rigorous accuracy. The two house’s covert operations only exacerbate the strained relations with the Host of Valenar. While both houses have operatives throughout the nation, they operate in complete secrecy, using illusions to disguise their marks.

Karrnath

While the Treaty of Thronehold replaced the open hostilities of the Last War with a cold war in western Khorvaire, little has meaningfully changed in the east. The elves of Valenar continue to roam not just through the Talenta Plains but into Karrnathi territory, striking at the still-recovering farms of southern Karrnath as they try to bait the Karrnathi military into war.

King Kaius’ attempts to negotiate a peace with High King Shaeras have proven entirely futile, despite Queen Etrigani’s assistance with the intricacies of elven culture. The pair know that Shaeras is too dedicated to provoking a war with a formidable military power to avoid all conflict forever, however both hope to delay the war until after Lady Illmarrow has been dealt with. As such, both royals spend considerable time managing the southern warlords, focusing their efforts on bolstering defensive and reactive forces but reducing aggressive forces. Fort Bones is kept on a particularly tight leash, as the undead cavalry stationed there are a direct affront to the elves.

The Talenta Plains

Despite the constant incursions on their territory, the halflings of the Talenta Plains know better than to go to war with the Host of Valenar. Occasionally a group of young halfling warriors will take the bait and attack the elves who picked off a tribex. If they are lucky, the warriors will return home with broken bones and cuts that will heal. If they are not, they will win their first confrontation – drawing the attention of several warbands, each eager to prove themselves.

Unfortunately, the escalating conflict between Karrnath and Valenar has forced Lathon Halpum to reconsider the retirement he hoped for with the end of the war. While it is unlikely the elves would be interested in an alliance with the halflings, an alliance with Karrnath would only paint a target on the nomadic halfling tribes. Without an alliance, the halflings lose their ability to influence the destructive march of the Karrnathi military were it to fully mobilize.

Q’barra

Dragonborn and elves clash in the colonial region of Hope, their militaristic cultures inciting escalatory displays of martial might. While most of the settlers are passive enough to avoid directly drawing the attention of either group, the occasional collateral damage has the settlers pleading with King Sebastes to do something. The King is torn between the risks associated with interceding in the conflict and earning a reputation as a just and caring ruler. The nobles of New Galifar, far away from the conflict and safe in the Adder River Valley, are generally opposed.

Aundair

Aundair was amongst the first nations to legitimize the annexation of Eastern Cyre as Valenar. In turn, High King Shaeras Vadallia backed Aundair in denying the Cyran refugees a voice in the creation of the Treaty of Thronehold. The two countries continue to have a friendly relationship, despite the queen’s consort’s former membership in House Vadalis. The Knights Arcane have set up mutual training agreements with Valenar mercenaries, sharpening the skills of both.

Breland

Long ago, in Boranel’s youth, the young prince trained under a Silaes Tairn mercenary named Eliri. The third son, Boranel fulfilled his obligations to prepare for the duties of kingship but never seriously expected to bear the crown and was still adventuring when Valenar was annexed.

When Boranel took the crown five years later, his experience with the Tairnadal greatly aided in diplomatic overtures. The stories of Boranel’s prowess impressed the High King and many clans, whose eagerness to fight under the Bear King earned the Brelish army a steep discount on the elves’ services.

Darguun

Always eager for a challenge, some elven warclans have made their way across Kraken Bay into the land of goblins. The Tairnadal’s expertise in jungle warfare has made them well-suited to the Khraal, where they provoke the goblins by disturbing ancient Dhakaani tombs.