Voras'Kir

On the south western area of Stridia is a region of imposing mountains, rolling hills and a few settlements of Dwarves, Humans, Halflings and other races. It would seem an empty and undefended region to the unaware, but beneath those gentle hills and beautiful mountains is an ancient kingdom that has been studying the secrets of the world for generations.

Voras’kir is an underground Kingdom that spreads across most of western Stridia, even beneath the Hellion Ascendancy’s lands. It is home to the Dark Elves, also called Drow Elves, as well as many clans of Dwarves, Gnomes, Kobolds and more. Deep beneath the earth this kingdom anvils ring as weapons and armour are forged, and scholars study the Harbinger Vaults and unlocks their secrets, both mundane and magical.

Voras’Kir is led by the Shadow Queen whom is always a Female Drow Elf. The royal line is followed by the female heirs from a single ancestor, chosen by Maeliah herself at the dawn of Civilisation. Noble families have developed as the royal line has split off, with several able to claim potential legitimacy for the throne. Each noble house is usually led by the head female member, but being a woman is only a requirement for Royal lineage and the title of Shadow Queen. Men are treated with respect and understanding and not as second rate citizens, often forming a political or academical backbone of every house.

Dwarves, Gnomes and other races live in Voras’Kir as a merchant, and labor class. Unlike the Iron Dominion’s vassalation and serfs, the non-Drow are free to move between different regions. They are all subject to the Shadow Queen’s laws and rule, but they are not owned by the nobility. However, many will choose to serve a particular noble house that has earned their respect and earn a fair wage for work or services.

Rather than land, the noble houses hold ownership of caverns and a certain radius around them. With fewer natural borders the houses often get into disagreements over when a mine shaft or expansion infringes on territory. Newly discovered Caverns are property of the crown, and can be awarded to those who can contribute the most to the kingdom’s coffers or resources. Some ambitious non-Drow have pooled resources, taken loans from the Bank of the Silver Bell, or other methods to secure caverns for themselves and created small settlements for themselves. These settlements elect a Foreman who reports to the Shadow Queen’s council.