The Emerald City 🏰 Valcanne's Guide to Keltorin
The following is a brief historical record, about the Kingdoms surrounding Valcanne and has been written by King Raughn's first Master of knowledge Rickharton.
This historical record has been edited by King Raughn's current Master of Knowledge Eligeah, it has only been adjusted to correct any errors found and to add new information discovered.
Location and Land:
The Emerald City is located somewhere to the south west of Valcanne, it is situated somewhere deep within the Emerald Forest.
Even after many years of trade no one from Valcanne has ever traveled to the Emerald City, it is said to be impossible to find unless you've already been - and we haven't.
We do know that the city is said to be built within the forest itself, not clearing away the trees to build shelters but building them within and around the trees and nature as it exists.
Basic History:
Valcanne's knowledge of of the history of the Emerald City is extremely limited, most of our information comes from people sent to trade with us and from our late Queen River.
The Lady River of the Emerald City became our beloved Queen when she married King Raughn 17 years ago, she provided us with most of the details we have on the Emerald City.
We learnt that the people of the Emerald City have suffered great tragedies over countless generations, which has resulted in a massive loss of life and why they don't permit anyone outside their people to visit their city.
Since we started trading with them over a hundred years ago, no man or woman has travelled to the Emerald City - our trade arrangement have always seen their riders deliver and return with the goods.
We know that there suffer constant attacks from a powerful enemy and that is what drew their people into seclusion, we also know that they still suffer attacks when venturing outside of their city - mostly from the Tribe Lands of Melatah located to the south of the Emerald Forest.
We were friendly neighbours who traded occasionally to keep up contact more than an alliance or trade deal, until 23 years ago when the then Lady River came with the prospect of a full trade agreement.
Social Structure:
Again our information on the Emerald Cities social structure comes from our late Queen River, apparently there is a royal family though they don't have a king or queen as such.
Royalty is commonly referred to as their individual names with no title, title's are only used during times of formality - at these times they are called Lord or Lady, our late Queen River was known as the Lady River.
Queen River described the Emerald City as unified group of people all working towards a common goal, they live in unity with nature and all work as equals - even the royal line is expected to participate in all aspects of work.
All people are expected to help them survive and prosper, if anything more pressure and expectations are put on royals to prove their worthiness of their station - and also to prove they understand that with this honour comes great responsibility.
Relationships and Trade:
Until trade relationships commenced with Valcanne the Emerald City had no trade partners, according to the late Queen River.
Official trade between Valcanne and the Emerald City only began 23 years ago, when the then Lady River, Gorum (now our Master of Hunt) and a small group of men entered our southern borders transporting wagons of goods and the proposition of trade.
The Lady River and Gorum met with the late King Henry and the then Prince Raughn, Eligeah Master of Knowledge and Marcus Master of War.
A treaty was negotiated and an agreement made, since this time Valcanne and the Emerald City have grown closer as countries, trading partners and allies.
Since this time they have also established a trading relationship with a tribe from Melatah, we know the tribe is called the Quimbeli Tribe - other than this little is known of them or their relationship and trade.
We also learned that other tribes from Melatah attack them when they linger in the Emerald Forest outside of their borders, but they don't know the name of the tribe or how many they number.
The late Queen River also mentioned another foe of her people, she did not name them - she only described them as fierce, powerful and ruthless enemy that has attempted to eradicate her people from Keltorin.
They are the reason why as a part of our trade agreement we were forced to agree to never set foot in the Emerald City, all trade shipments both to and from the Emerald City would be under their control.
It is important to note that before our trade agreement with the Emerald City we have had ties with their people in the past, for countless generations we have had people become live in Valcanne and even become citizens that once came from the Emerald City.
The People and their Skills:
The people of the Emerald City are known for their many skills especially their unprecedented skills in fighting, hunting, tracking and their phenomenal speed and grace.
Our own late Queen River was spectacular with a bow and a blade, she displayed all of the characteristics of someone from the Emerald City - she was also reputed to have remarkable skills with hand to hand combat.
As a people they are also known to have amazing skills with all animals but specifically horses, breeding the beasts large, strong, yet fast and agile - it's said they talk to their animals and in turn they seem to respond as if understanding the instructions.
Most of the horses in Valcanne today have been horses from the Emerald Cities lines, a major focus of their trade agreement was to ensure that the horses required a horse master that will follow their training and treatment of the horses - and that all that ride them have the proper instruction and follow it to the letter.
The people of the Emerald City also supply Valcanne with beautiful crafts and wears from intricate and vibrant silks to hand carved sculptures and goods - the likes of which have never been seen in the Five Kingdoms before or since.
Emerald Cities relationship with the Gods:
The late Queen River only ever said that she was aware of our customs and traditions regarding the gods but never offered any further information on her own peoples views or traditions.
Summary:
The people of the Emerald City have been loyal and trusted allies with Valcanne, for many years prior to when we established official trade with them 23 years ago.
The people are skilled fighters and have astonishing speed and agility, they supply amazing quality wears and offer fair and honest trade negotiations.
Since our alliance they have honoured all terms and even aided us with food, when we lost a large portion of our crops to a severe storm 10 years ago.
They are a kind and honest people who seek to remain hidden from the world due to persecution from a fierce foe that has plagued their people for generations in their attempt to wipe them out.
Given the level of their peoples skill we are glad to have met them on peaceful terms and were honoured to receive the Lady River as our Queen - may she live on in memory and lore.
or follow me on twitter @krystlehaines