Odesh

Odesh emerged as a solidified empire roughly 300 years ago. The drow who live there are naturally disinclined towards the oppressive sunlight, accustomed to the shade of the Ardan Forest. In response, Empress Nalvir completed a great ritual casting eternal shade over the capital city and the surrounding area. The city of eternal twilight, Odesh exists between night and day regardless of the hour granting visitors an eerie feeling and difficulty tracking the passage of time.

Government
Odesh has known no ruler but Arris Nalvir, the Immortal Empress and her consort Arros Stormbringer, the Sapphire Prince. History does not formally recognize how the pair rose to power, instead numerous mythos have developed around their ascension. Some tales claim the lovers are demigods sent from above to rule, while other more nefarious mythos claim them to be Vampiric rulers who have simply formed the empire as a means to sustenance. The only certainty is that the two united the quarreling drow clans into a single nation, annexing a few other nomadic races along the way. Regardless of their origin, they have shaped one of the greatest empires to ever grace Altea. Nalvir and her consort have no known children.

People
While not as racially diverse as Esparia, Odesh is home to the Drow, Leonin, Tabaxi, and even some Loxodon and genasi. The Drow of Odesh take great pride in their empire, of which they are quick to remind the other nations that they stand alone in that title. Odesh's origins however are quite humble, the Drow were originally exiled elves from the Ardan Forest who migrated south from the forest a millennia ago. The purpose for their migration is only known to the Drow and the Ardani, though retellings of the events may differ between the groups. The drow clans wandered for centuries, suffering beneath the desert's sun before Nalvir's ritual was completed. While officially an empire with land claims beginning just beyond the Crimson Peaks and extending all the way south to the southern ocean, much of Odesh's land remains untamed except by the many nomadic clans who exist within Odesh. Prideful are the nomadic Leonin tribes, a strong warrior people, the Leonin live for the thrill of the hunt and are some of Odesh's fiercest warriors and scouts. While initially against the Odeshen conquest, Arros Stormbringer gained his title when he rained lightning from the sky onto the Leonin warriors, earning the respect--and fealty--of the Leonin people to this day. The Tabaxi are nomadic travelers and merchants, and quickly accepted the protection offered by the Odeshen army, some of them are even rumored to serve as spies throughout Altea.