Overview
Ereshval is a desert nation in eastern Valrindor, bordering Ulzathir, Varnhallow, and the northern reach of the Plains of Eternity. Its capital is Qarezh, a coastal desert city, and its settlements include Qirath and Narqesh.
The nation is remote even by Valrindor's standards. Outsiders rarely visit because of its geography, and outside knowledge of its inner workings is limited. Despite that isolation, Qarezh becomes the launch point for the official expedition into the Plains of Eternity when Kallion, John, Drashir, Vashir, and Sultan Tharezh organize it from the capital.
Geography and Travel
Ereshval is a hard desert country of dunes, mountain passes, rivers, palms, coastland, and rough ocean waters. Routes through the interior pass from palm and dune country into colder, higher desert, then through rocky slopes and settlements that follow rivers and mountain passes. Sandships cross the dunes, and some roads are protected by high stone walls against the region's sandstorms.
Ereshval's northern border faces the Plains of Eternity, where the plains' expansion, strange beasts, and unstable essence pressure the country's defenses. Farther west, a narrow ocean separates Ereshval from Vintergard, whose rock walls and snowy mountains rise beyond the water.
Narqesh is a city on the route from Qirath toward Qarezh. It lies beyond dunes, trees, and dense greenery, with domes and rounded structures similar to Qirath's architecture.
Society
Ereshval's people speak Malverine, preserving speech from old Malverand. Qirath is a tight-knit mining community where the inn charges visiting guests no payment, citizens use free local goods and services, and high-quality essence cores supply cities across Ereshval.
In Qarezh, Qirath, and Narqesh, architecture favors light-brown or smooth brown stone, rounded buildings, domes, bronze trim, reflective windows, and crystal lighting. Clothing is adapted to desert heat and light: common citizens wear white robes or hooded garments. Palace workers, officials, and honored magecorps members wear bronze formal robes, often with black embroidery.
Ereshval has practical desert and coastal technologies, including sandships, water filtration, sea-water separation, crystal-lit cities, and sturdy ships built for harsh waters. Its magic culture includes sand, water, earth, and temporal mages. Before Kaelion's training, Ereshval's temporal mages have limited proficiency.
Government and Military
In 2107 AX, Ereshval is a sultanate ruled from Qarezh by Sultan Tharezh. His government includes viziers, palace guards, frontier commanders, and the sultan's magecorps. Tharezh can approve expeditions, assign mages, order evacuations, negotiate with foreign armies, and commit Ereshval ships and soldiers.
The northern frontier draws state walls, patrols, and mage defenses against the Plains of Eternity. Drashir and Vashir are high-ranking mages there. When the northern wall is overrun, Tharezh orders an evacuation and authorizes the expedition into the plains after Kaelion agrees to train Ereshval's temporal mages.
Ereshval's forces later fight near the source. Drashir and Vashir command the smaller Ereshval fleet and lead Ereshval soldiers and mages against Myrravel's army and the Ulzathir traitors, using sandstorms, water magic, and earthwork.
History
An older version of Qarezh exists long before the developed capital of 2107 AX. When Eira reaches it in the deep past, it is a small settlement of makeshift rock structures and tents, with people who use limited water and earth magic and speak a different Malverine dialect.
By 2107 AX, Ereshval is a developed desert nation with Qarezh as its capital. Kaelion and Jin enter the country during their time displacement, pass through Qirath, and travel by way of Narqesh toward Qarezh. In Qarezh, they meet Drashir and Vashir, prepare ships for the plains, and persuade Tharezh to authorize an official expedition.
The expedition leaves Qarezh with Ereshval ships and personnel, enters the Plains of Eternity, and joins the struggle over the source. Ereshval's mages and soldiers hold back Myrravel's forces. Isandriel's allies fight near the source.
The Thalion-Abraxas War destroys Ereshval's capital when Thalion is hurled into Qarezh and void rays vaporize the city. Tsunamis, molten glass, lava, and sand waves devastate the surrounding land. Drashir and Vashir survive, and Ereshval's survivors begin rebuilding Qarezh with aid from Nahm and Haverloch.
After Qarezh is rebuilt, it remains Ereshval's capital. Bronze statues outside the Sultan's palace depict Vashir and Drashir. The inscription names them twin sultans and founders of Ereshval and credits them with rebuilding the capital after the Thalion-Abraxas War devastates the land.