SHIYE-LAWR (Kingdom of)
Location: Forests north of Haven, east of the Kerothar Mountains, south of Blackheart, and west of Alphas'ar. HW
Area: 91,785 sq. mi. (237,725 sq. km.).
Population: 55,000, including Alfleish (pop. 12,000). [Population figures are tentative, pending census. Ed.]
Languages: Elvish (Shiye-Lawr dialect), Alphatian (Vertilian dialect).
Coinage: Alphatian Standard: crown (gp), mirror (sp), judge (cp). Shiye mints no other coins.
Taxes: 15% income tax on everyone of servant status or higher. Slaves are counted as the property of the owner and the product of their labour is taxed as income for the owner. They also impose excise taxes on exports to other kingdoms, and severe surtaxes on those non-elves who are (rarely) permitted to live within the kingdom.
Government Type: Monarchy, member of the Alphatian Empire.
Industries: Crafts (jewels, woodworking, leathercraft, gold smithing).
Important Figures: Acroshiye (King, elf, male, F10/M11).
Flora and Fauna: See Alphatia.
Further Reading: Dawn of the Emperor boxed set, previous almanacs.
Description by Gerta Knutsdotter.
It is said, according to the histories of the Alphatians which I believe to be most accurate, that five centuries after the Landfall of the Alphatians near what would become Sundsvall, the Shiye-Lawr elves were permitted to migrate to Alphatia and establish a kingdom here, swearing loyalty to the empire but living in their own ways. Many Alphatians seem somewhat irritated by the Shiye, on account of the occasional raids they make on nearby kingdoms, but also apparently for another reason. According to those who believe that Alphatia was once elsewhere and was destroyed in a recent war, the Shiye elves were opposed to the war and did not give their usual loyalty to the empire. This may contribute to the impression most Alphatians have of them being not only cunning but malicious, and it is true there is an air of mystery about them, and they are highly insular. These elves and the Alphatian people share similar tastes and attitudes towards life overall, and many Alphatians also point out that their presence has enriched their empire, but while also seeming content that the Shiye largely keep to their own kingdom. Many Shiye are respected as skilled artisans. Some of these have helped with artistic and architectural projects in Haven and Alphas'ar. These are held in particularly high regard, and their style blends well with that of Haven's own artists. The rest of the Shiye keep to themselves in the depths of the forests.
[The Shiye have always
been a mystery to me. They are a
valuable addition to the empire, but sometimes they act in strange ways. I was constantly surprised at their
resistance to aid the empire during the war with Glantri, yet I understand well
their hostility toward their neighbours in Blackheart, which has frequently
caused problems within the empire as some of them went on quests of vengeance
against Blackheart after some monstrosity of a failed experiment caused havoc
in their forests. Still, after the war,
the elves seem to have returned to their former support of the empire, and the
fact that they prefer to keep to themselves is to be respected, I think. After all, Alphatia is strong because we
pursue our individual strengths, so most of us are content to let the elves do
what they are good at, which is their unique arts and magic. Aritmanes.]