Teyra

""What shall we call it?''" "Teyra." "Hmph. 'Twould be a good way to honor her." "''It's hardly enough.""

- Arenar Vermillion and Derizal

Teyra is a small nation located in the Audean West Coast, known for its founder-turned God Derizal and its widespread militia, the Custodians of Derizal.

It is the birthplace of Merek Radomir, Persephone Otham, Paderin Parona, Q'urin Vermillion, and Fenrir, among others.

Description
Teyra is located in the midst of the west coast of the greater continent of Audea. It has a temperate climate and was covered in forests, rolling hills, and plains. One major city is Lyrencaster (also the nation's capital), which was home to the College of Lyrencaster, an academic institute home to many scholars, but also Dragonborn Mages and others with magical talents.

The nation's inhabitants are called Teyrans and were known for their piety toward Derizal, and their disdain for necromancy and slavery. While a majority of their population is Humans, Teyra is also inhabited by several non-human races, such as Elves, Ahri, and Halflings. Separated populations of Lupine, living in clans, often roam the northern woods of Teyra.

Early history
The region Teyra now occupies was once a portion of an ancient Lupine empire, where non-Lupine were slaves or second-class citizens. Predictably however, these non-Lupine races rose in rebellion against the ruling Lupine during a time of waning power and stagnation. This insurrection, led by a Human named Derizal and his allies, brought about the end of the empire and the founding of Teyra along the coast. Derizal was proclaimed its first king, and his closest companions became his generals and advisors. Two decades after its founding Arenar Vermillion and Nilenas Tolewynn, two of these advisors, created a national militia known as the Custodians of Derizal, which would supplement its standing army in times of conflict along with the guardsmen of the nation's respective settlements.

After thirty years of rule over the burgeoning nation, widespread worship of King Derizal allowed him to ascend to Godhood. Taking up this mantle, he selected a successor to assume his place in the Teyran government before he and many of his advisors left the Prime Material plane to establish a heaven for the people of Teyra. This line of succession would continue for approximately 200 years.

Teyran Civil War
During the rule of King Ferrand and a time of economic and cultural stagnation in Teyra, a foreigner named Quinnira arrived in Teyra and quickly courted the young ruler. It is revealed in time that she is a dragon from the western continent of Estium, and many within the nations are apprehensive or excited by this news. Not long after their meeting, they marry, and only two years into their marriage King Ferrand passes to an illness. Quinnira becomes Queen of Teyra without having borne children from Ferrand, breaking the line of succession from the original chosen king. Quinnira's rule was tumultuous, as she declared worship of the gods second to worship of her, and it became clear of her intentions to ascend as Derizal once had. She brings three large orcish clans under her control to act as the majority of the Teyran army, along with many Lupine clans who willingly offered their fealty. Fear of the Dragon Queen and dislike for the Lupine and Orcish enforcers sparks thoughts of rebellion, and four years into her reign, many lords and nobles in Teyra declare secession from the nation. This begins the Teyran Civil War. The Teyran Civil War, also known as the War of the Dragon Queen, took place approximately twenty years prior to the present day, and was waged for approximately 9 months. This conflict began with a declaration of secession by several allied rebel lords and nobles - led primarily by the then Lord Merek Radomir of Vessmore. Backed by hundreds of Orcs and Lupine along with a fair portion of the Teyran population who preferred her rule, the war swayed heavily in favor of Quinnira for the first half of the conflict. However, the tide turned swiftly after the arrival of a group of foreigners from the east, who claimed to have ties to Quinnira and also sought to end her rule. Among them was a Dragonborn mage who would come to be called the ‘Champion of Teyra’ for his defeat of the Dragon Queen, who played a pivotal role in the war. The Elves of Alam-Ellari allied with the rebels during the war, committing much of their army to the effort, including one of their Valley Protectors.

During the war, several figures came to prominence for their roles in the conflict. Persephone Otham and Theodore Harrun, two native Dragonborn mages, fought in many decisive battles on the side of the rebels, and were granted the title of Grand Mage of Teyra for their service. Generals Ardem Dhane, Martin Threebraid, and Etlaros Seras were named heroes after the war for their successful strategies, though Martin Threebraid had lost his life by the end of the fighting. One of the Dragonborn mages from the east was granted the title of Champion for his service, though he did not remain in Teyra after the war.

This brief period of Teyran history is regarded in varying ways by outsiders and Teyrans. Foreigners in the region at times look down on Teyrans for making themselves susceptible to Quinnira and her relatively quick takeover, along with her seduction of many Teyrans to her power-hungry ways. Quinnira took power at an uncertain time in Teyran history, as they had been in slow decline for several decades; loyalist Teyrans believed Quinnira’s willful leadership and raw power to be a way for the nation to return to glory and strength. Presently, Teyrans often take to the viewpoint of the rebels, blaming the greed of those who sided with her, and the populace’s reluctance to act for Quinnira’s successful rise to power. Universally, King Ferrand is regarded with disdain for his relationship with Quinnira, and thus her eventual ability to lawfully take over. Moreover, the war is not often spoken of casually by Teyrans, even those who directly participated in it.

The end of the war and Quinnira's uncertain fate brought about new leadership in Teyra, with Lord Merek Radomir, the leader of the rebellion, being established as the new King of the nation.

Rising from the Civil War
Following the Civil War, Teyra was without a substantial standing army, and lost a portion of their most significant military asset to the Dragon Queen, their naval airships. In the two decades leading up to the present day, Teyra has been reconstituting its strength, relying largely on the Custodians of Derizal to defend the territory and police its settlements. Loyalists to the Dragon Queen have since fled the nation or quieted about their opinions, leaving changes to the status quo relatively uncontested. One such is the establishment of a small council that serves as a foil to the King, which includes prominent lords, the spymaster, and army generals.