Midboria

Much of Midboria's early history, like many of Tyrrell's oldest nations, is heavily interspersed with myth and legend. The earliest records of inhabitants of the land date back well before the First Age, when the Forgotten ruled Tyrrell. 

According to Midborian legend, the capital of the Forgotten's globe spanning Empire was located within the nation's current borders. Here, the Forgotten enslaved the Midborian people; Elves, Dwarves and Cyclopes mostly. By all surviving accounts these proto-Elderkin were treated extremely harshly. 

The lands that would become Midboria were also where the First Gate was constructed, likely due to the Fieldic strength of the region. 

When the Forgotten were ultimately sealed behind the great Gates, an event commonly called the Blessed Nightmare, Midboria was left in a vulnerable position. Though legend claims the mythical figures of Illain, Mercule and Tiriel led their people throughout the turbulent times, history paints a picture of a more divided society recovering from the trauma of the Nightmare. 

The nation properly began as little more than a military outpost constructed around the First Gate, to watch for Forgotten incursion. However, the Fieldic strength of the region was undeniable, and soon more wandering Elderkin tribes were drawn to the lands. The small outpost expanded and eventually grew to become the first Midborian Dwellerdon, known as Lasukahvel.

The growing nation slowly expanded outwards, creating more Dwellerdons as noble families of the strongest Fieldic Mages began laying their claims. Ultimately, Midboria would butt against the border of the Elruth Empire and the mountains that would later become the Union of Great Holds. 

Though there is record of wars between these two powers, they would ultimately agree upon a shared border, as Midboria was focused on consolidating the power of their sacred, Fieldic, lands, rather than further national conquest. 

As time wore on, Midboria would fall into a state of hubristic excess. Their magical strength and connection with the Faera of the region meant that farming and construction was a relatively simple affair. Most of their population focused on scholarly and artistic activities, as well as desiring more carnal pleasures. 

This arrogance led to the Guards of the First Gate being relegated to a more ceremonial status – a position of loyalty and political power, rather than skill. Due to this, the Gate was left relatively undefended in the later years of the First Age.

In the Last year of said Age, a Lesserkin, likely a human, was able to sneak into the Gates forest. It is rumoured they were actually a vampire; twisted by whispers of the Forgotten or some other dark spirit. 

This human somehow unbound the spells keeping the Gate closed, breaking the seals and calling for power. The eldritch might of the Forgotten swarmed into the human, corrupting them fully. They became the first Dark Lord, also called the Walking Curse.

Within three days of the First Gate beign opened, Lasukahvel was reduced to rubble and the Forgotten’s forces, led by the Curse had spewed into Midboria and, eventually, the wider West and East Ciradon basins. 

The war against the Curse lasted over a decade, and only a combined Elderkin and Lesserkin offensive, from multiple nations, managed to reseal the Gate and force the Forgotten back to the land's beyond. 

Though much of their lands were now ruined, the people of Midboria rallied and began dedicated more time to the study of the Field, utilising knowledge and communion with the Faera spirits. As the great Empires of the Second Age fought, died, and twisted against each other, Midboria was often regarded at producing the most powerful mages in terms of raw strength.

Midboria didn’t enslave the Lesserkin, but they did make protectorates of many Vosk Basin human nations, using them to protect their homeland directly.

The Magisters of the Dwellerdons are the primary rulers of Midboria, selected from within powerful and ancient families that own and operate the lands and lakes of the region. Each Magister must prove themselves to be a powerful Fieldic practitioner and must demonstrate that they are able to maintain a good relationship with the Aurafae of their Dwellerdon.

Because Fieldic power and Aurafae friendships can be found at any social level, those that prove themselves strong are often adopted by, or marry into, the powerful noble Midborian families.

A Magister may be removed from office for a number of reasons, including if their Fieldic Aurima begins to fade. They can also be removed if they upset the balance of nature too highly; ie, by deforesting large swaths of land without replanting and regrowing replacements.

Midboria is strongly an insular economy, not heavily reliant on trade outside of it’s borders (though this does still occur). However, trade between the Dwellerdons is vital, due to each region specialising in different natural resources or Aurafae skills.

Much of Midboria’s culture centres on the Aurafae, the semi-sapient spirit like entities made entirely of condensed Fieldic energy. Though they are found across Midboria, connected to several different phenomena, the most powerful are located within the lakes and rivers of the country.

Each Dwellerdon will have its own connection and rituals associated with the local Lasurafae (literally Lake Fieldic spirit) but they all feature prominently.

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Midborian garrisons tend to mostly focus on magic over martial skill, with most enriching their own strengths and abilities to get through through a battle. They also rely heavily on creatures and Aurafae to break apart enemy lines.

The Lasurafae have been used in times of war as well, unleashing great arms of water that have swallowed entire companies of troops. However, they are bound to the lake of their birth, and difficult to weaponise broadly.