# High Salen > [!info] Quick Facts > | | | > |---|---| > | **Type** | Nation | > | **Continent** | [[Continent - Edaria\|Edaria]] | > | **Government** | Ultra-militaristic theocracy (Salenian Church) | > | **Religion** | Church of the Lords of Light (Taron, True God of Order) | > | **Leader** | Almighty Pontifax Satarr (figurehead); Council of Exarchs (administration) | > | **Known For** | Radiant Mandate, Darkwatch crusaders, The Beacon mega-library | > | **Great Wonders** | Govaerth (Last Shadowgate), The Beacon at Pilgrim's Rest | > [!map] View on Map > [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=High%20Salen) ## Overview High Salen is currently one of the most formidable powers on the world stage, having undergone a radical transformation from the democratic Salen Republic into a rigid, ultra-militaristic theocracy. Over the last two centuries, the nation was subverted from within by the Salenian Church, officially the Church of the Lords of Light. Society is now defined by an inflexible, ritualistic hierarchy that dictates every aspect of life, leaving no room for social mobility or dissent. The geography is remarkably diverse, with a southwestern coast warmed by Southern Ocean winds and a colder, snowy north dotted with dragon-ruled mountains chilled by winds from [[Continent - Norn|Norn]]. Historically, the region served as a retreat for Eldari royal forces; consequently, the nation retains a lingering anti-elven sentiment, though the Church has largely supplanted this with a broader anti-religious fervour targeting any faith outside their own. Goblins and Orcs are particularly reviled, viewed as inherent abominations created by dark gods. The Church's theology centres on the **Lords of Light**, a pantheon of good-aligned deities presided over by **Taron, the True God of Order**. Within this belief, Taron's victory in the Divine War granted him authority over all other gods. **Enja** is seen as his sister wife, a commonly held belief across [[Continent - Edaria|Edaria]]. ## The Radiant Mandate In the past 30 years, High Salen has formalised its aggression through the **Radiant Mandate**, a three-part doctrine governing its interaction with the rest of Gryth. ### The Eight Blights The Church has identified eight regions requiring their "light." Military commitment varies: - **Active Crusades:** Okrum and the Redlands — three crusades launched, successfully weakening these neighbours - **Secondary Focus:** [[Region - Pymandi]], the Dark Tribelands, and [[Region - The Deadmoors|The Deadmoors]] - **Emerging Interests:** Zadath Vagor, the [[Region - Remnants of Hatred]], and the [[Region - The Bleeding Isles]] ### The Prayer of Heart A literal and metaphorical source of power for the Church's elite. The prayer is etched directly onto the physical hearts of Clerics and Paladins in a secretive ritual, granting divinely infused abilities. The text remains a guarded secret known only to the highest echelons of the clergy. ### The Liturgy of Light The formal written and spoken holy text of the nation, serving as the primary tool for High Salen's emissaries and diplomats. When a Church representative speaks, they do so through the Liturgy, ensuring even diplomatic efforts are steeped in the rigid dogma of Taron. ## The Council of Exarchs At the apex of the Church sits the **Almighty Pontifax Satarr**, a mysterious figurehead who rarely appears in public, leaving administration to the **Council of Exarchs**. These six individuals each represent a specific Lord of Light: | Exarch | Lord of Light | Race | Notable Traits | |--------|--------------|------|----------------| | **Sir Thomas** | Taron (Order & Clarity) | Human | Presents as kind; secretly ruthless, running clandestine destabilisation sects | | **Felicity Highwell** | Enja (Life & Nature) | Human | Cleric/druid; kind and shrewd with a calculated edge | | **Mistress Eveline Cutoire** | Jahaara (Seeing & Foresight) | Drow | Rare Drow within the Church; exceptionally gifted in foresight | | **Ser Abora Kasoon** | Justrana (Justice & Holy War) | Celestial-human | From Koro Taro in [[Continent - Q'Shar\|Q'Shar]]; glowing orange eyes; armour perpetually on fire | | **Highlord Strannis** | Karacgas (Divine Space & Judgement) | Unknown | Vow of silence; white eye with silver pupil reads a person's entire future | | **Ana** | Sisters of Mercy (Healing) | Human | Most skilled healer in the world; devoted to gentle care and motherhood | ## Govaerth, the Last Shadowgate One of the **Great Wonders of Edaria**. Govaerth is the final active gateway to the **Shadowfell** in all of Gryth. Historically, Shadowgates existed on every continent, serving as arcane pathways between the Material Plane and the Shadowfell. After Utaz caused **The Shattering**, the gates became permanently open, unleashing a tide of shadow demons, ghosts, vampires, and rogue Shadar Kai warbands. The gates were systematically destroyed over the following century until only two remained: one in [[Continent - Norn|Norn]] (within ancient Tal-Therria) and one in High Salen. When the last Snow Elf house faded, the Tal-Therria gate was demolished, leaving Govaerth as the sole survivor. High Salen chose to keep their gate open as a defiant show of strength. They established **Darkwatch**, a massive permanent military encampment around the gate's entrance, protected by over 50 **Lancer Towers** — turret watchtowers infused with concentrated light magic. Rather than merely defending, the Salenian Church launches aggressive counter-attacks and full-scale invasions into the Shadowfell itself. The **Darkwatch Paladins** have become a feared elite force, notorious for absolute commitment to brutal warfare. ## The Beacon at Pilgrim's Rest The second **Great Wonder of Edaria**. A mega-library and church on a small, isolated island between High Salen and the southeastern shores of [[Continent - Norn|Norn]]. The Beacon houses a vast library containing manuscripts from every major religion in Gryth, secret diaries of ancient scholars, and — according to legend — original writings from the gods themselves. It was commissioned nearly a thousand years ago, during a more tolerant era. > [!warning] Internal Conflict > Militant clergy advocate scouring the library from the map, denouncing its diverse texts as heresy. Progressive sects argue the ancient knowledge is essential for understanding the world. Despite the controversy, the island remains a site of profound spiritual significance. Exarchs and clerics from many of the world's major religions continue to make pilgrimages to Pilgrim's Rest. ## Connections - [[Continent - Edaria]] — Parent continent - [[Region - Pymandi]] — Marked as a secondary blight target - [[Region - The Deadmoors]] — Marked as a secondary blight target - [[Region - Remnants of Hatred]] — Emerging blight interest - [[Region - The Bleeding Isles]] — Emerging blight interest - [[Continent - Norn]] — Northern neighbour; winds chill the north; last Snow Elf Shadowgate was there - [[Continent - Q'Shar]] — Ser Abora Kasoon hails from Koro Taro --- ## Gallery ![[Pasted image 20260222201129.png]] ![[Pasted image 20260222201137.png]] ![[Pasted image 20260222201144.png]] ![[Pasted image 20260222201150.png]] ![[Pasted image 20260222201200.png]] ![[Pasted image 20260222201206.png]] --- *See also: [[Regions]]*