====== Prelude ======
As the tale of creation goes amongst the mature and elegant race, The most loving Creator El Elyon breathed the blessed gift of life into the first of Elven kind in the lush valley situated between what is now the nation states of Quelsuranh and Shandaria. The Creator provided for all needs and led them to grow in His perfect love. Elves were granted long life and encouraged to grow and expand.\\ \\ 
The young Elves began to organize themselves into fiefdoms for a time. Eventually, they started forming nation states. More to work and grow in harmony with the Creator than for any other reason. The early Elves grew in harmony with creation, never destroying but guiding plants and animals in harmony for the common good. The result was a race of people living with nature, homes and businesses located within the enormous forests and trees growing naturally all over the planet. Today’s capital city of Quelsuranh is the best example of Elves and creation growing together, a thriving city growing out from the edges of the mighty forest covering most of the state of Quelsuranh. Yes, these Elves generally refer to the capital city of their nation and the nation state itself as the same. For some reason, Elves never get confused about it.\\
As happens with all Creation outside of Heaven, evil always exists somewhere. Over time two of the Elven nation states, Dumar and Shandaria, join forces in an attempt to impose their rule over all twelve of the Elven nations. In addition, the easily swayed nation of Moldovar pledges its support to Dumar and Shandaria in the interests of Elven unity.\\ \\ 
Difficult times grow strong leaders. The best example in Elven history is Umbarni. The attempt by the nations of Dumar and Shandaria to control all Elves eventually brings about the Elven Age of Unification as the Lord of Quelsuranh, Umbarni, boldly stands against the attempt at tyranny. Umbarni succeeds in uniting the other nine nations against the three evil states. After the defeat of the three misguided nations, at the young adult age of one hundred-fifty, Lord Umbarni of Quelsuranh unites all Elven kingdoms and establishes a democratic council where each Lord Regent of their nation meets together to make decisions for all Elves. Umbarni is overwhelmingly appointed by the newly formed council of regents to serve as the first Lord Regent.\\ \\ 
From an early age, Umbarni closely followed and worshiped The Creator. Once installed as Lord Regent he begins the tradition of also serving as the Elven High Priest. In this role Umbarni serves more of a spiritual leader of the Elves than a church leader. Lord Regent Umbarni is also credited with the establishment of several other Elven traditions practiced to this day. The first Lord Regent serves sixty years.\\ \\ 
Lord Regent Vairanoth is a long time understudy to Umbarni and is voted to succeed him at the end of his tenure. The major theme of his reign was discovering the race of short people living way to the north of Elven lands who viciously carve and mine out their precious metals from under the ground. The accumulation of these minerals consumes their souls and Elves in the northern nations fight constantly against raids aimed at their northern borders. Lord Regent Vairanoth reigns a total of forty years.\\ \\ 
Lord Regent Uveraneen is somewhat unique in his style, blazing a new trail but not able to drift as far as he would wish from Umbarni’s and Vairanoth’s successful example. The council of regents still has some say in matters. During Uveraneen’s service, he establishes seaports to explore the vast areas of water surrounding the Elven kingdoms and some Elves even gain skill in fishing. Also during this time preliminary contact is made with a somewhat immature and greedy race of beings similar in size to Elves, maybe even a bit stouter. These people have established large areas to the west of the Elven kingdoms. Lord Regent Uveraneen reigns fifty years.\\ \\ 
The esteemed father of our present Lord Regent was a well-loved Elf named Lord Regent Gustav. Gustav was a welcome change from Uveraneen’s unexpected path. He was always jovial, never stressed. Gustav acted completely as expected and his son Alvenon was groomed for Lord Regent from the beginning. His family followed the plan and never deviated. Gustav was able to positively enhance relations with the people to the west, now formally known as humans. Formal trade relations with the humans began to the benefit of both races. With the diplomatic relations forming with races outside of Elves, Gustav saw to the establishment of the Elven intelligence service. Charged with protecting the council of regents and keeping them informed of events in the lands. Also charged with the responsibility to watch over the Elven people. It is during the latter years of Gustav’s reign that the nations of Dumar and Shandaria find out about the secret intelligence network and begin turning trusted agents to their cause. They remain bitter about the crushing defeat that led to Elven unification and are always watching for weakness and a chance to strike. Gustav reigns seventy years, leaving the kingdoms in a most prosperous and hopeful state.\\ \\ 
Fast forward about forty years to today. Lord Regent Alvenon continues his father’s successful legacy and life for the Elves goes on as expected. He is just hitting his stride when tragedy strikes the Elven kingdom and the races very survival is put to the test. It is here that our saga begins.\\ \\