Raytha

=Raytha= History The fathers of modern-day Raytha were descended from the first human tribes created by Tellenil. This first generation traveled along the course of the Ironwater river, splitting off into family groups as the generations extended. Many began to branch out across the continent, following tributaries and lakes. When those of other races came to the land, many small tribes of humans made trade with them and learned from them. The Wilder Elves in particular, visited the the large forests that grew around the junction between the Ironwater and the Wellspring. The humans that resided here formed a close bond with the Wilder, and the two shared the forests for many years. These humans had the benefit of much of the Elvish wisdom and history, learning to read and write the Elvish runes from them, and hearing much of music and art. From this friendship came many of the first half-elves.

As the tribe grew, other tribes interacted and associated with it. Some settled nearby and also learned of the Wilder Elves's ways. But some came in force, and wished to take the fertile ground and green forests from the Ironwater settlers. And the Wilder Elves were not the only ones imparting information. From the dwarves, some tribes had learned the art of smithing. From the Elder and Shadow, some had learned how to harness Spectra. The Ironwater-Wellspring junction's time of peace was nearing its end.

The Wilder left it as the early Ironwater War unfolded, and lasted for several years. Near its end, a man was born to the original Ironwater settlers, by the name of Sirian Raytha. The man was a natural politician, leader, and warlord. He ended the Ironwater War by uniting the allied tribes under one banner, and absorbing those neutral tribes on the east side of the river. Those enemies who would not surrender were absorbed, and at the end of the Ironwater War, the settlers, who began to call themselves the Raythians, were much larger than they were before the war began.

The collective knowledge of the tribes worked together, and Raytha traveled to many lands and saw how civilization in them came to be. He returned with scores of books, and appointed scribes to copy and distribute them, saturating his land with knowledge. He began the building of towns and cities; permanent dwellings made of stone rather than of wood and sod. By the end of his life, Raytha was a small kingdom, centered with its capital on the same Ironwater-Wellspring junction.

It continued to grow over the next thousand years, with the descendants of Raytha guiding it, sometimes into great prosperity, and sometimes into war. But with each generation, it's territory grew, until it encompassed most of northeastern Aravin.

While sometimes not even a part of the original Raythian tribe, most humans became known eventually to other races as 'Raythians'. The exceptions were the Yanthians, the members of a long-forgotten tribe that never stopped moving, and the Derians, early Raythian colonists who crossed the sea and made a life for themselves in the frigid northern steppes of Gardann. Raytha also birthed many satellite nations, such as Kinndel, which have either remained loyal or claimed their own independence.

Geography
Raytha is situated in the northeastern curve of Aravin, and is the largest single nation in Ardus. Its border stretched from south past Theryst and curves in a winding northeastern direction past Kinndel. It includes the tip of the Dharzadian mountains and the bulk of the desert that resides in their shadow. The border curves slightly back south, looping aroundHatar.

A variety of terrains and landforms permeate Raytha, from mountains in the north and mideast, to deserts, to forests, to rivers, to plains. Most of the inhabitants are centered along the eastern and southern coasts, and along the two large, intersecting rivers. The Wellspring flows out of the Dharzadian mountains and meanders steadily south. The Ironwater flows southwest out of the springs of the smaller Ironlode Mountains. Just north, at the junction of the two is the city ofReletheon, the center of government for Raytha.

 Religion Raytha is religiously diverse, and there are cults and sects loyal to every god and method of worship in the West. The welcoming of visitors into the land has brought religious ideals and ideologies in abundance, and all races are free to worship how they please, within the bounds of the law.

The official religion, however, recognizes Shareia as the mother of the living, and Kysor-Myr as the upholder of laws. They are given express mention in the lawbooks of Reletheon, more than any other gods. The tenets of their most widely-accepted teachings are recorded and used in the governance of Raytha.

 Government Raytha's government is set up as a constitutional monarchy. Succession to the throne is determined by blood. The firstborn male of every monarch has the right to the throne. If the firstborn is killed, the birthright is passed to the next son. If the monarch begets no sons, his daughters gain the birthright. If he has no children, his eldest brother's sons gain the right to the throne.

Before being crowned, every monarch must read through Raytha's lawbook, and swear on his coronation that he will uphold and obey them. During the first several generations of kings, loyalty and duty alone compelled them. But as the kingdom grew, corrupt and greedy kings came to power, viewing the oath as merely ceremonial. Thus, when the people rebelled against the monarch and selected Lennius Dirlain to head a new Line of kings, they also effected the creation of the Royal Council, a body of advisors selected by the people to present their concerns. Under a unanimous agreement, the Council had power to force the king to step down, and a new king to be appointed.

 Culture While Raytha's culture is diverse, and recently has been mingled with many other ideologies and customs, it was based primarily on a system of law, order, justice, and honor. Oaths of Knights and Kings were taken to be sacred bonds, not ever to be broken. Those with power in Raytha were expected to conform to a code of chivalry, as well.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">In recent years, however, this has broken down to a degree. People have become cynical of Raytha's traditions, and they turn to other customs brought in by traders and travelers from afar. Corruption had spread amongst the Knights, the Council, and the monarchs slowly. King Whyte is attempting to remedy this and bring back the old codes of honor.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">This, at least, is the state of affairs in Raytha's major cities. The smaller communities and villages of Raytha have remained relatively unchanged for centuries. They are conservative in their beliefs, preferring the old ways typified by hard work and taking initiative to achieve goals.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">

Groups/Societies
<p style="line-height:1.5em;">The Knights of Raytha - Grouped into several Orders each given different regions of responsibility, the Knights are charged with keeping the peace, and acting as one of the nation's greatest weapons.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">The Royal Guard - A group of specially-trained guards, usually selected from among Knights, responsible for keeping Reletheon's Keep, and the royal family, secure.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">The Blackwater Syndicate - An organization of traders and merchants who value profit above all. They have known to resort to militant measures in the past to keep their avenues for profit secure.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:1.5em;">