Exilidor

Overview

The Republic of Alpa (pronounced /Al-pa/, Fae: Seluëth) is a sovereign state located in the northern region of the continent of Culcall. It shares borders with Thieor to the east, Antrii to the west, and Poera to the south, with the latter separated by the Poeran Channel.

Covering an area of approximately 663,268 mi² (1,717,856 km²), Alpa has an estimated population of 5 million. Approximately 78% of the country consists of wilderness, predominantly situated in the northern territories.

Before the year 421 SpE, the region now known as Alpa was inhabited by various Fae tribes. It was subsequently explored and claimed by Poeran expeditions on behalf of the Kingdom of Poera, under which it remained a colony until the 12th of Vaal, 140 Illusion Era (IlE). The nation's capital, Dustan, was founded on the 6th Beza in the year 445 of the Separation Era (SeE), by one of the first expeditions to the territory.

The year 140 IlE marked the conclusion of a prolonged struggle for independence, culminating in a successful rebellion against Poeran rule. Following its liberation, Alpa was governed as a military dictatorship for 162 years, led by the Knights of Freedom, the principal faction in the independence movement. This group assumed control of the former Poeran administrative infrastructure. On the 22nd of Sacha, 303 IlE, a civilian uprising led to the establishment of a federal republic, marking the transition to parliamentary governance.

Alpa is currently organised as a federal republic comprising 15 provinces and one federal district. It operates under a parliamentary system. The country is characterised by its cultural and ethnic diversity, with a population primarily composed of Fae creatures. However, significant communities of Elves and Humans are also present, particularly in urban centres.

Etymology

The name Alpa is derived from the Hedrian word Alph, meaning north, a reference to the country’s geographic location on the continent of Culcall. The term was formally designated by the Poeran authorities during the initial colonisation of the region and has since remained in widespread use. As a result, inhabitants of Alpa are commonly referred to as Alpans. In Poeran vernacular, however, Alpans are also colloquially known as Wildings, a term that reflects historical perceptions of the region’s rugged wilderness and its indigenous populations.

The name "Alpa" has become standard among most civilisations across the plane of Exilidor, both in cartographic references and common speech. It is recognised internationally and remains the default demonym in diplomatic, academic, and cultural contexts. Despite the widespread use of the colonial name, the Alpan government officially refers to the country as Seluëth. The term Seluëth can be loosely translated to the Frozen Realm, a name that reflects both the country’s often harsh northern climate and its deep cultural heritage. The word has its roots in a modernised synthesis of several Fae languages historically spoken across the region. These languages commonly included the root Ikk, meaning Fey or Fae, a linguistic marker of the region’s original inhabitants. Inhabitants who identify more closely with the indigenous Fae culture, particularly those living in wilderness provinces and autonomous regions, frequently use the name Seluëth and refer to themselves as Seluven.

The term Seluven emphasises their cultural distinction from the colonial identity of “Alpan” and highlights a continuing legacy of linguistic and ethnic diversity within the republic.

History

Ancient Alpa

The initial settlement of what is now the Republic of Alpa is traditionally attributed to the arrival of the Fae, one of the three original species said to have been created during the formative period of Exilidor.

According to mythological tradition, the Fae were introduced to all corners of the world by Emria, the God of Life, who sought to cultivate diverse and self-sustaining ecosystems across the realm, including the frigid and untamed northern lands that would become Alpa.

In Alpa, three primary subspecies of Fae established themselves: Dryads, Faeries, and Fauns. Each group adapted to distinct ecological niches within the region’s varied terrain. The Dryads and Faeries predominantly inhabited the dense forests and mountainous taiga, often migrating in response to seasonal changes and the availability of flora. In contrast, the Fauns formed nomadic pastoral communities across the vast steppe regions, tending herds of native animals such as griegoats, forein, and waxara, the latter prized for their milk and furs, though not traditionally slaughtered for meat.

The subsistence practices of the Fae subspecies were diverse and reflective of their environments. Dryads were primarily vegetarian, subsisting on roots, fungi, and other foraged resources from forest and cavern ecosystems. Fauns maintained an omnivorous diet that included dairy, fish, grasses, and root vegetables, supplementing their needs through semi-domesticated animal husbandry. Faeries, by contrast, exhibited predominantly carnivorous behaviour. Known for their use of illusion and enchantment, Faeries would often lure prey by manifesting their target’s deepest desires, only to ensnare and kill them, commonly by drowning or freezing. Despite this predatory tendency, many Faeries also consumed fish and other aquatic life.

By the time of the Poeran exploration and colonisation efforts, it was estimated that Alpa supported a Fae population of approximately 2.1 million. While many Fae communities were peaceful and reclusive, Poeran records detail encounters with hostile factions, particularly among some Dryad and Faerie groups. These groups were known to resist foreign encroachment aggressively. Certain Dryad enclaves were documented as having taken explorers captive, using them as leverage to secure territorial autonomy. Meanwhile, more militant Faerie clans exhibited overt hostility, engaging in lethal confrontations with settlers and patrols, often leaving no survivors.

The legacy of the Fae remains deeply woven into Alpan culture and identity, particularly in the rural and wilderness regions where descendants of the original tribes continue to reside and preserve their ancestral practices.

Poeran Colonisation

The colonisation of Alpa by the Empire of Poera began on the 5th of Ruix, 421 SeE, marked by the arrival of the first Poeran naval expedition across the Poeran Channel.

This narrow and treacherous body of water, characterised by frequent icebergs and volatile tidal patterns, posed significant navigational challenges. Numerous vessels were lost during the initial crossings due to severe weather conditions and uncharted waters.

The initial fleet, commanded by Naveen Calevo, established the first Poeran settlement on the western coast of the Alpan territory. However, the settlers were met with fierce resistance from the indigenous Dryad and Faerie tribes, who actively defended their ancestral lands.

Communication between the Poerans and the Fae was hindered by significant linguistic and cultural barriers. In response to ongoing hostilities, the Poeran colonisers implemented punitive measures, which included the imprisonment and forced enslavement of resistant Fae. Many of these captives were transported to Poera, where they were either displayed as curiosities or sold to wealthy buyers.

A pivotal moment in the colonisation process occurred on the 7th of Tuvi, 445 SeE, when a Poeran scientific expedition discovered widespread flora imbued with magical properties throughout Alpa. These findings prompted the Poeran government to officially recognise Alpa as a land of high strategic and economic value. As a result, the settlement of Dustan, which would later become the capital of an independent Alpa, was formally established. The exploitation and export of Alpan's magical flora became a cornerstone of Poera’s colonial economy.

While Poeran forces faced ongoing resistance from certain groups, particularly Dryads and Faeries, they experienced relatively amicable relations with the nomadic Faun tribes. Unlike their more combative counterparts, Fauns engaged the Poerans peacefully, offering gifts and basic supplies upon first contact. In recognition of their cooperative nature, Fauns were designated a protected Fae species under Poeran colonial policy.

Some Fauns gradually acquired proficiency in the Poeran language, facilitating trade and diplomacy. Faun communities exchanged milk, wool, and fish for Poeran protection, tools, and refined goods. These early trade relationships helped to stabilise portions of the frontier and served as a model for later efforts at assimilation and governance.

Despite these pockets of cooperation, the broader colonisation of Alpa remained fraught with conflict and exploitation, setting the stage for future resistance movements and the eventual struggle for independence.

The Growth of Dustan

By the 24th of Arha, 522 SeE, the Poeran colonial administration had established a network of settlements across the territory now known as Alpa. This included three major settlements strategically located in the north, south, and west, along with an additional fourteen minor outposts dispersed throughout the interior. These smaller settlements primarily served as mining stations, arcane research facilities, and military forts tasked with monitoring and controlling the indigenous population.

The original settlement of Dustan, founded in 445 SeE, experienced significant growth during this period. It evolved from a rudimentary outpost into a developing colonial hub. Government buildings, mercantile establishments, and residential quarters were constructed to accommodate the growing influx of settlers. The city soon became a destination for wealthy Poerans and individuals from neighbouring countries, many of whom were drawn to what was popularly dubbed the "New Land."

Within Dustan and other settlements, Fae creatures were frequently exhibited as curiosities, their presence commodified and framed as evidence of the land’s exoticism and supposed savagery. As Poeran control expanded and settler populations increased, tensions between colonisers and indigenous Fae communities escalated. Even the Fauns, who had initially maintained cooperative relations with the Poerans, began to experience betrayal and persecution. Numerous Fauns were captured and sold, either into labour or as living specimens to collectors and academics.

Governance during this era was carried out by a loosely organised colonial authority composed of Poeran officials. This administration frequently abused its power, consolidating wealth and influence while engaging in exploitative practices. The natural environment of Alpa, particularly its magically infused flora and fauna, was heavily exploited for export and research, often without regard for ecological balance or Fae cultural significance.

As the colonial regime deepened its grip on the land, systemic marginalisation and commodification of the Fae led to widespread resentment and unrest. Cultural artefacts, traditions, and beings deemed "abnormal" or "non-compliant" were either forcibly removed, destroyed, or ostracised from colonial society. These developments laid the groundwork for the rise of organised resistance movements in the decades that followed.

Ikk Rebellion

By the year 140 of the Illusion Era, discontent toward Poeran colonial rule in Alpa had reached a critical point. Fae communities, once autonomous and culturally rich, had been systematically stripped of their rights and freedoms. Reduced to second-class citizens under Poeran governance. The Fae were subjected to severe legal and social discrimination. Some were enslaved outright, with their well-being wholly dependent on the disposition of their Poeran "owners." In some cases, sympathetic Poerans, disturbed by the harsh treatment of the Fae, covertly facilitated their escape into neighbouring Thieor and Antrii, where they were able to live free lives.

By this time, many Fae family tribes had been dissolved, either scattered or annihilated for resisting colonial authority. The overall Fae population had declined sharply, with little to no intervention from Poeran officials to address the deteriorating conditions.

The Emergence of Nesilla Graymoon

The turning point came with the return of Nesilia Graymoon, a Faerie outlaw who had fled Alpa a decade earlier and reentered the region to incite rebellion. Known for a series of high-profile raids on government convoys and mining operations, Graymoon rapidly gained notoriety as both a freedom fighter and an insurgent. Her tactics included targeted assassinations of Poeran soldiers and civilians, actions which were widely condemned by Poeran loyalists but celebrated by many Fae as acts of vengeance and resistance.

Graymoon soon formed an organised militant group known as the Knights of Freedom, a diverse coalition of Fauns, Dryads, Faeries, and even anti-colonial Poerans. This alliance began disrupting slave routes, sabotaging supply chains, and directly confronting colonial patrols. The group grew rapidly, with cells forming throughout Alpa in what became an expanding grassroots movement.

The Freedom Uprising (Battle of 140IlE)

Hostilities culminated on the 8th of Yris, 140 IlE, in what came to be known as the Freedom Uprising or the Battle of 140. This large-scale revolt involved coordinated assaults on the Poeran government facilities across Alpa. Fighting lasted for over a month as rebel forces overran key military installations and government outposts. High-ranking colonial officials were captured, and many were executed publicly, including judges, commanders, and bureaucrats accused of crimes against the Fae.

The rebels demanded the surrender of the Poeran Minister of Alpa, the highest colonial authority in the region. By the time rebel forces reached the central government complex, the Minister and his family had fled to Antrii and were eventually repatriated to Poera.

With the colonial regime dismantled, the Knights of Freedom assumed control of Alpa. The power vacuum was quickly filled with revolutionary justice. Collaborators with the Poeran regime were labelled enemies of the state. Some were executed, while others were sentenced to forced labour in deforestation, mining, and infrastructure rebuilding projects.

The Dark Year and the Rise of Rebel Silla

The period following the uprising, later termed the Dark Year, was marked by widespread instability and internal purges. Rebel Silla (the name by which Graymoon was referred to), one of the movement's most influential leaders, declared herself the ruler of Alpa. Under her leadership, the revolutionary government adopted increasingly authoritarian practices. Paranoia over Poeran infiltration led to mass surveillance and the public denunciation of suspected traitors. Many were executed without trial, while families were broken apart, and thousands were sent to expanding labour camps.

Mandatory military conscription for all citizens reaching adulthood was introduced, with refusal resulting in punishment by death or forced labour. Over time, Rebel Silla's rule became increasingly despotic. Collectivised farming systems were implemented, and reports of widespread abuses by her top generals became commonplace. Lower-ranking soldiers were often coerced into carrying out executions of civilians for entertainment or as displays of loyalty.

The regime reversed many of the injustices faced by Fae under Poeran rule, but in doing so, persecuted non-Fae civilians, particularly Humans and Elves, some of whom had formerly held privileged positions under the colonial administration. These individuals were frequently demoted, imprisoned, or enslaved, with their fates echoing the very oppression the uprising had sought to end. While some viewed these actions as justified retribution, others—including members of the rebel movement—became disillusioned with the new order.

10‑Year War

By Year 303 IlE, Rebel Silla had created a monitored state. Births, deaths, and records of all kinds were kept. There were regular Night Patrols, and each citizen had to attend a regular count twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. Families were assigned jobs, and even marriage was regulated by the government. Specific family lines were chosen to be married and have a certain number of children. Wardens made sure all these rules were put in place. By now, labour camps had been abolished, and those who disobeyed were publicly hanged.

Slowly, a band of rebels started forming. They planned their meetings in silence, and the new Free Code was created. They took the name The New Knights of Freedom and started ransacking government buildings. It seemed like a repeat of history, but Rebel Silla met their attacks head-on. Unlike before, where the Poera government did little to fight back, Rebel Silla sent as many soldiers as possible to curb this uprising. Within a few years, all but one of the New Knights of Freedom leaders had been captured and executed. The rebel army had been beaten over and over by Rebel Silla’s soldiers.

The final leader, the one who made a stand, was a young Faun by the name of Renal of House Corrin, the last of the large Faun houses remaining in Alpa.

It took 10 years before the fighting finally stopped. The 22nd of Ruix 303 IlE, Renal himself, as well as a small guerrilla group, stormed the main parliament building and killed the workers. They cornered Rebel Silla, and a public hanging took place, like she had done with the old government many years before.

Creation of States

Following the collapse of Rebel Silla’s authoritarian regime and the end of the internal conflict, Renal initiated a peaceful transfer of authority to surviving Fae family lineages.

In the immediate aftermath of the rebellion, over 100 Fae families came forward to claim ancestral territories across Alpa. However, the legitimacy of many claims was contested due to the lack of documented or magical evidence, which was required to affirm lineage ties to specific ley lines, mystical connections believed to bind Fae to particular regions. Because many descendants, particularly great-grandchildren, had been born in exile or distant from their ancestral lands, their connections to these ley lines could not be proven. Only 15 families, represented by children and grandchildren with verified ley line bonds, were officially recognised and granted dominion over their traditional homelands.

On the 23rd of Ruix, 304 IlE, precisely one year after the public execution of Rebel Silla, the newly reconstituted states held the first election. Each of the 15 family leaders, now acting as heads of their respective territories, participated in a unified vote to select a central governmental leader.

Renal received the support of 13 out of 15 houses, affirming his leadership for an additional eight-year term. He declined to run for a second term, later stating his desire to allow new leadership to guide the republic’s development and ensure the flourishing of Alpa’s democratic institutions.

With the reinstatement of the 15 ancestral houses, each began to re-establish settlements in their respective territories. These communities revived traditional governance structures and localised laws, often drawing inspiration from pre-colonial Fae customs. To ensure national unity, Renal convened a federal council composed of the 15 leaders. This council was responsible for drafting foundational civil rights laws, interracial protections, and a framework of shared governance that would shape the republic's political future.

Although the name Alpa, originally assigned by Poeran cartographers, remained widely used in international and diplomatic contexts, the newly formed Fae-led government officially reinstated the indigenous name Seluëth.

Derived from the ancient Ikk language of the Fae, Seluëth translates roughly to “Frozen Realm”, a reference to the land’s northern climate and deep-rooted spiritual connection to Fae identity. The revival of the original name was a symbolic act of cultural restoration, signifying a decisive break from the colonial past and a reclamation of ancestral heritage. With the establishment of democratic institutions, codified civil rights, and regional autonomy under a federal council, the modern Republic, recognised internally as Seluëth, was born.

For the first time in generations, the native population entered a new era defined by peace, freedom, and self-governance.

Geography

Alpa is a geographically diverse nation located on the Alpan Peninsula in the far north of the continent, Culcall, occupying the entire peninsula and bounded by natural and maritime borders. It is bordered by Thieor to the east and Antrii to the west, while the Poera Channel to the south separates it from the Empire of Poera. The country is flanked by two significant bodies of water: the Erc Ocean to the west and the Bay of Silver to the southeast. The Bay, known for its calm tides and reflective waters, serves as a key site for fishing, trade, and coastal habitation.

Topography and Geological Features Alpa's terrain is predominantly rugged and mountainous, especially in the northern and central regions. The country is traversed by the Selukhar Mountain Range, which spans much of its northern interior. In the south the Karuvaen range rises from the coast. Among these peaks lies Mount Rathkaelen, the largest and most active volcano in northern Exilidor. Revered by locals and Fae cultures alike, Rathkaelen, often referred to as the "*Mountain of Fire*", is steeped in myth and is believed by some to be a passage to Ignan, the plane of elemental fire.

The volcanic region surrounding Rathkaelen is rich in geothermal activity, featuring hot springs, geysers, sulfuric vents, and steam fields. These natural features not only shape local ecosystems but have also made the area a popular destination for those skilled in restoration magic, who travel to the region for its reputed healing energies. Several therapeutic retreats and magical sanctuaries have been established to accommodate these visitors.

Beyond the mountainous regions, Alpa includes expansive subarctic taiga forests, glacial lakes, steppes, and tundra plains, particularly in the north and interior. The nation is also home to numerous crystalline cave systems and magically attuned ley lines, especially significant to the native Fae population.

Climate

Alpa’s climate is classified primarily as subarctic (Dfc), with pronounced seasonal variation. Firespirit in the southern and central regions of the country are cool, while the Icetide months tend to be harsh. During the Firespirit months, temperatures typically range from 14°C to 19°C (57°F to 66°F). Despite the mild warmth, most of Alpa’s annual precipitation occurs during this season, primarily in the form of rainfall and heavy fog, especially near coastal and forested areas.

In Icetide, the nation sees severe cold, with average temperatures falling between −13°C and −18°C (8°F to 0°F). Heavy snowfall is common, and the northern regions, along with the upper stretches of the Erc Ocean, are covered in ice for nearly seven months of the year. These frozen zones are largely uninhabitable and are accessible primarily by sledge or magical transport during the coldest months.

The western coast, including parts of eastern Antrii, is frequently affected by seasonal storm systems that can persist for weeks or even months. These weather events bring torrential rains, hurricane-force winds, and dangerous sea conditions, complicating navigation and trade in the region.

Celestial Phenomena

Alpa is one of the few nations on Exilidor that experiences the rare celestial phenomenon known as Thaliraen, a seasonal occurrence shaped by the intricate movements of the realm’s three light-bearing celestial bodies: Thanaroa, the radiant sun; Ariel, the greater moon known as the Mother; and Aliel, the lesser moon referred to as the Daughter.

During the Firespirit months, a unique alignment occurs in which Thanaroa remains perpetually above the horizon, while Ariel and Aliel arc closely across the sky in tandem. Their combined radiance results in a period of unbroken twilight and daylight, particularly across Alpa’s northern and central regions. This season, revered as Kaelthir, is marked by constant solar-moonlight and golden mist, often accompanied by magical surges in ley line activity and widespread flowering of luminous flora.

In contrast, the Icetide months bring about Lothaeneth, when Thanaroa dips below the horizon for extended periods. In its absence, the land is bathed only in the pale, drifting glow of Ariel and Aliel, casting the world in a silvery dusk that may last weeks without a true sunrise, particularly in the far north. This phase is steeped in stillness and reflection, often observed through solemn rites and hibernal retreats.

Thaliraen exerts profound influence over agricultural rhythms, seasonal migrations, and especially the magical practices of the Fae, who incorporate these celestial phases into ritual calendars, ley line harmonics, and prophecy. Temples, waystones, and sacred groves across Alpa are aligned with the annual paths of the three lights, reinforcing the cultural and spiritual significance of this cosmological cycle.

Fauna

Alpa is home to a diverse array of native animal species, many of which have adapted to the nation’s subarctic climate, geothermal activity, and varied terrain ranging from tundras and taiga forests to volcanic highlands and glacial coasts.

One of the most iconic predators of the region is the Kaelseik, a large, elusive carnivore native to the slopes of Selukhar mountains and the northern coastal regions near the Erc Ocean. Kaelseik are known for their thick fur, elemental resistance to cold, and nocturnal hunting patterns. Their primary prey includes the Thalvenil, a semi-aquatic hoofed animal, and the Lowin, a seal-like marine species commonly found in the icy waters surrounding northern Alpa.

While much of the country's wildlife remains wild and undomesticated, several native species have been integrated into nomadic Faun culture, particularly for their sustainable utility. These include the Griegoat, Forein, and Waxara—three herbivorous species that are bred primarily for milk, wool, and hides. These animals are traditionally kept by Faun herding communities across the steppes of central Anireth, where they serve as both livelihood and cultural heritage.

Alpa is also rich in freshwater ecosystems, with numerous rivers, streams, and glacial lakes scattered throughout the countryside. These waters are populated by various fish species, the most notable being the Venael and Othural. Venael, a silvery, cold-water fish known for its delicate texture and high magical protein content, is a staple food source across all regions. It is also the cornerstone of Seluëth’s fishing industry, which is considered one of the nation’s largest economic sectors. Alpan Venael is especially prized and is regarded as a luxury export, sought after by chefs and alchemists across Exilidor.

Fishing, both artisanal and industrial, is heavily regulated by the federal council to preserve the balance of natural ecosystems and ensure the continued health of magical waterways. Seasonal bans and leyline-aligned harvesting are common practices, particularly among Fae-led provinces that view river spirits and fish populations as sacred.

Regions

Following the restoration of Fae rule in the aftermath of the Illusion Era conflicts, the Republic of Seluëth was reorganised into fifteen semi-autonomous provinces, each governed by one of the recognised ancestral Fae houses. These provinces were distributed across three major geographical regions: Thalvethar (the Northern Territory), Anireth (the Open Expanse), and Selothar (the Southern Territory). Though united under a federal system and represented in the Council of the Veil, each province maintains strong cultural, magical, and territorial identities tied to its ruling house.

Thalvethar - The Northern Territory

Thalvethar, the largest and most sparsely populated of the three regions, encompasses the icy tundras, glacial valleys, and the towering Selukhar Mountains, which act as a natural barrier against the encroaching arctic winds. Despite its harsh conditions, the north remains spiritually significant, believed to be the origin point of ancient ley lines that pulse with untamed elemental power.

Only three houses settled in Thalvethar, drawn by ancestral ties to the frozen expanse and its deep magical resonance:

Anireth - The Open Expanse

The central heartland of Seluëth, Anireth, is home to the majority of the population and includes most of the nation’s urban centres, market towns, and trade routes. The expansive Syliraeth Forest, once scarred by colonial deforestation, has since been restored and now flourishes with enchanted pine, spirit flora, and ancestral groves. Anireth remains a fertile, contested, and culturally vibrant region.

Seven houses established their provinces within Anireth, drawn by the promise of trade, influence, and spiritual heritage:

Selothar - The Southern Territory

The southernmost region, Selothar, borders the Poera Channel and enjoys a more temperate climate, with milder winters and fertile coastlands. It is characterised by volcanic hot springs, rolling hills, and coastal plains, making it both agriculturally rich and spiritually grounded. Five houses make their home in Selothar, known for their cooperative governance and shared stewardship of land: