In ages long past, even as elves see things, there was but one elven kingdom. Valesti. Things were peaceful, even if the politics between noble houses were intricate and occasionally bloody. This changed when in the dark of night an unknown force robbed the entire House Royal of their lives. Each noble house claimed to have the right of succession. House Mystic claimed they alone could find the killers. House Militant argued for stronger patrols, to keep citizens in line when word spread. House Justice said that only they could see the balance well enough to lead. House Verdant had the support of the common elf. Due to intermarriage between the houses, each even had the blood tie to the royal family. The daily life in the noble courts became hectic, as new elves would step forward to try to claim the throne. Through right, or might, almost all methods were seen as acceptable. The chaos lasted nearly a hundred years, threatening the kingdom before it was over.
In the end, a young sorcerer of House Mystic would step forward. His powers were advanced for one so young, and his impassioned speeches of unity drew many supporters. As his political support grew, people would enact his will. Usually, the plans he laid down were successful. Valesti was again growing in power, with government directing agriculture, mining, trade, and education. Before long this young elf, Sinoth Loren, would be made the first Dragon King, carried by popular support of the noble houses.
But the common elf had a different problem. The actions taken by the nobles were often labor intensive, and the newly crowned King often failed to take into account the failings of those without powers such as his own. Many of those who failed to meet his demands found themselves arrested or without jobs. The dissent grew, and with the separation between nobles and commoners, very few of those who could have spoken to the King failed to notice it. Of the few that did, only the Patriarch of House Verdant, an elderly elf named Paron Vor voiced concern.
When he came to the Senate Court and gave a voice to the distress of the common man, the King waved it off. "These projects must get done, for the good of the Kingdom. Put more men to work, or punish those who do not hold their own," was all that was said. The rift began to open wider between the workers and the nobles, with House Verdant doing all they could to support the workers. On several occasions, violence threatened to erupt in the streets and bring chaos once more. It came to a head in the center of the city. The workers had gathered into a mob, and were facing the ordered ranks of House Militant's elite Castle Guard. Sinoth came to the front to speak to the mob, but they wouldn't have any more words. Paron came forth, but only shook his head as if to say 'I told you so.'
The Dragon King raised his staff of office, summoning magics to destroy the Patriarch and the rebels. But there were spellcasters among the common folk too, for House Verdant had a number of powerful druids in scattered about in the crowd. Their magic came up to defend their leader, and the forces raged against each other. The ground cracked and split, the rift that had formed between the common folk and the nobles being echoed by one that split apart the city and the land beyond the walls. The two sides pressed further and further apart. Eventually the sea pushed into the gap, forming a new sea between the two halves of what was once a single kingdom. Elves fled the now ruined city that had once been their capital, and two nations formed.
In the North, Drachne, ruled by the winner of a magical duel who holds the title of Dragon King to this day.
In the South, Sylva, led by a council of 13 druids who hold power by popular elections.
Now, several thousand years later (by the start of the campaign), the two nations have warred and been at peace. Finding that the latter was better for both of them, several treaties were signed, and political intermarriages have been arranged, furthering the cause of mutual understanding, even if it is something that leaves most elves ill at ease.
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