Ashta'Arda

Another of the Elven countries, Ashta’arda is lesser known outside the Confederacy, though still significant. Lacking the same natural splendor as Varden, Ashta’arda is instead renowned for its swordsmen and the main workers of moonsteel. There is a major culture focused around swordsmanship and the art of forging moonsteel. In Ashta’arda and the capital, Corlond, especially, moonsteel swords are common equipment for master swordsmen. These fine blades are the token weapon of the royal guards in Corlond.

Ashta’arda is one of the more northern countries of the Confederacy, characterized by a pair of mountain chains that create a noticeable difference in climate across the nation. In the mountains it tends to be on the cooler side even during the warm seasons, unless the sky remains clear where some remark it can become unseasonably warm. In the winter however snow is common and even plentiful, while in the valley it remains comfortable for most of the year, though summers can be a bit more intense. Because of this there tends to be a migration pattern, many noble families having a ‘summer home’ in the mountains to retreat to, returning home to the valley when winter sets in.

The capital Corlond is quite particular in the way it is built to be circular, concentric rings making up the inner streets. A main road breaks the city in two, starting at the main gate and ending on the opposite side with the palace. Corlond sits near the base of Mount Faunsarn, not far from some of the country’s main mines. Corlond is predictably the capital of the moonsteel industry as well as home of the royal family. Much of Ashta’arda is populated by the Isilmeran (‘Moon Elves’), who also make up the royal family. The history of Ashta’arda’s royal family is one filled with disagreements and dramatic flair, the family notorious for infighting. They are also famous for managing to rule in an orderly fashion, never letting such interfere with the lives of the citizens, or at the least doing their best not to. The current ruler is the young swordsman, Prince Arastos, much to the joy of the citizens who long favored him over the previous Queen Indoriel, his somewhat overbearing mother.