The Runewing Sovereignty

Population: Approximately 72 million
Former Population: Over 300 million
Territory: The Runewing Sovereignty
Government: Monarchy, ruled by the Runevar Queen
Allegiance: Allied with the Aurelian Kingdom and the Kingdoms of Valdorn

The Runewing Sovereignty is an ancient civilization of dragon riders, rune warriors and powerful traditions, occupying a vast territory of towering mountains, emerald valleys, ancient forests and colossal fortresses carved into the living stone of the continent.

For thousands of years, the Runevar have forged their civilization around the sacred bond between rider and dragon. Their enormous cities rise beneath mountain peaks, surrounded by dragon nesting grounds, fortified sky harbours and towering basalt strongholds. Great aerial fleets patrol their territories, while rune-etched warships and dragon squadrons guard the approaches to their kingdom.

Unlike the Aurelians, the Runevar are not born with the Seven Arcs. Their extraordinary abilities are earned through ancient rituals, during which sacred rune tattoos are inscribed upon their bodies. These markings become permanent vessels of magical power, allowing trained warriors to command elemental forces, strengthen their bodies and channel powerful abilities through their weapons.

Among their most revered traditions is the bond between a Runevar warrior and a dragon. The strongest bonds allow rider and dragon to channel their power together, combining their abilities into devastating attacks of fire, ice, storm and other elemental forces. Dragons are deeply woven into Runevar society, regarded as companions, protectors and honoured partners rather than ordinary beasts of war.

The Sovereignty is governed by its Queen, whose authority extends across its great cities, military strongholds and ancient territories. Beneath the Crown serve powerful military commanders, Wing Leaders and the renowned Runewing Riders, warriors trained in aerial warfare, rune combat and the demanding traditions of dragon bonding.

The great Runewing War College stands among the civilization's most prestigious institutions, an enormous basalt fortress where generations of warriors have trained alongside their dragons. Beyond its walls, other military strongholds defend distant territories, supporting the Sovereignty's extensive network of fortified cities, dragon squadrons and aerial fleets.

Runevar culture places enormous value upon discipline, courage, loyalty and strength earned through dedication. Their warriors take considerable pride in their abilities, having devoted years to mastering powers that others may inherit naturally. Yet beyond their martial traditions exists a civilization of ordinary families, scholars, merchants, craftspeople and communities whose lives have long been shaped by their extraordinary relationship with dragons.

Once home to more than three hundred million people and vast populations of dragons, the Runewing Sovereignty was counted among the great powers of the known realm. Its military traditions, magnificent cities and renowned dragon riders made it a formidable civilization whose influence extended far beyond its borders.

The Blood Legion War

The Runewing Sovereignty suffered one of the greatest catastrophes in its history when Rose, seeking to expand the Blood Legion's growing military power, turned her attention toward the extraordinary dragons inhabiting Runevar territory.

As the Blood Legion continued its conquest of distant kingdoms and civilizations, the Runevar dragons presented an opportunity of immense military value. Their enormous size, elemental abilities and powerful bonds made them especially desirable targets for Crimson corruption. Under Rose's command, the Legion launched a devastating campaign against the Sovereignty, determined to seize its dragons and transform them into weapons for its expanding imperial armies.

The invasion became a massacre.

Crimson fleets descended upon Runevar territories, overwhelming distant strongholds and unleashing Blood Legion armies against cities, villages and ancient dragon sanctuaries. Dragon riders rose in enormous formations to meet the invaders, filling the skies with fire, lightning and ice as Runevar warships fought desperately to defend their homeland.

Entire dragon populations were slaughtered or captured. Those taken alive were subjected to Crimson corruption, their natural abilities twisted into the monstrous Blood Dragons that would later become among the Legion's most feared military assets.

The Runevar fought with extraordinary determination. Their Queen rallied the remaining kingdoms and military commanders, while dragon squadrons defended their cities and soldiers held the mountain fortresses against overwhelming assaults. Yet the destruction continued across their territories, devastating entire generations of riders and the dragons bonded to them.

The Aurelian Kingdom and the Kingdoms of Valdorn eventually joined the struggle, committing their own forces to prevent the Sovereignty's complete destruction. Their combined armies fought alongside the surviving Runevar, breaking the Legion's advance and helping preserve what remained of the kingdom.

By the end of the war, a civilization once numbering more than three hundred million had been reduced to approximately seventy-two million survivors.

Countless dragons had been lost, entire cities lay in ruins, and ancient bloodlines of bonded riders had disappeared. Great military strongholds that had stood for thousands of years were destroyed, while the surviving population faced the enormous task of rebuilding a kingdom that had nearly ceased to exist.

The Runewing Sovereignty endured, but the devastation permanently changed its place in the world. Its surviving warriors continue to honour the dragons and generations lost to the Crimson invasion, while the bonds forged with Aurelia and Valdorn remain among its most important alliances.

For the Runevar, the war was not merely a defeat or the loss of territory. It was the near destruction of their civilization, and the terrible knowledge that many of the dragons now serving the Blood Legion were once the beloved companions and protectors of their own people.