Duchy of Elwynn

Froyalan (Elwynn)
	[[Image:{{{coat of arms}}}|100px]]
Feudal Status:	Duchy
Capital:	Eliria
Largest Cities:	Eliria, Ardashirshahr, Caligae
Local Leadership Title:	Duke
Local Government:	Ducal
Current leader:	Harald of Ettlingar Freyu
Local language:	Shirithian English, Elwynnese
Local Religion:	Treesianism, Zurvanism, Ásatrú

The Duchy of Froyalan (generally and formerly known as Elwynn) is a Shirerithian duchy in northern Benacia, historically lying between the two forks of the River Elwynn. It is one of the oldest duchies of Shireroth, being founded by Scott Alexander in 2001.

History

Elwynn was founded 4 March 2001 by Scott Alexander. This began a peaceful era in Elwynn's history. Not much happened except for a brief period when Ivan Ventura was named duke (although he never really turned up). Scott made a coup and reinstated himself as duke. Later, Sirithil nos Fëanor was made duchess for a short while before being exiled due to tri-citizenship laws. She named Mari Greenwood her heir. During the rule of these two "women", the culture of Elwynn began focusing on Elves and Elvish magick. A legend unfolded around the White Stagg, a mythical creature for the Elves of Shireroth. Elwynn had become a home away from home for the Menelmacari diaspora.

Hyperborea, then a barony under Elwynn, was getting more and more active, more active than Elwynn itself. Kaiser Mors III, in a highly contoversial move, proposed a bill to the Landsraad to make Hyperborea a duchy and Elwynn a barony, and, after heated debate, it passed. Mari Greenwood left the nation and Ardashir Khan was promoted to Baron of Elwynn.

Ardashir began a vast "de-Elvenization" of the lands. In fiction (it should be said, of good quality) this amounted to a genocide of the Elvish population (now termed Elfinshi). The Hyperborean rulers grew weary and tried to stop Ardashir from "destroying" the culture of Elwynn. He was removed as baron, but quickly reinstated after calls from the Babkhan Shah and other pressure groups. Ardashir was free to continue doing his work.

Eventually, Ardashir left. Elwynn was demoted to a county. Ric Lyon joined Elwynn and was appointed Count of Elwynn by the Pan-Hyperborean Council. He quickly began work on cultural projects, trying to reconcile and conjoin the different cultures of the county. Soon, Arminy joined, and Elwynn was transferred to Arminian rule under the Barony of Hurmu. When Arminy left, Elwynn was made a barony under Brookshire with David Beckford as the first baron. The population of Elwynn grew larger and larger, and it did not take long until Elwynn was made a full duchy again, now with Ric Lyon (Andelarion) as duke.

With Elwynn being so strong in population terms, there were concerns from some, particularly Kaiseress Semisa I and Bill Dusch, that Elwynn would declare itself disloyal to the Kaiser(ess) and even independence from Shireroth. Their fears were not realized.

There were now in Elwynn strong cultural projects. The Phoenix Forest story was written by Ardashir, Ozarka Monto and AngelGuardian93 and revolved around a fictitious hypothetical return of the Elfinshi people to Elwynn. Other stories were being published, from authors as diverse as Scott Alexander and Ryan Caruso.

Now, Shireroth fell inactive, but Elwynn remained a duchy. After the short era of Mahamantot I, Shireroth became active again. As Duke Andelarion being absent, the Kaiser decided to give the ducal throne of Elwynn to Harald of Ettlingar Freyu, who quickly changed the name of the duchy from Elwynn to Froyalan ("Freya's land" in a Norwegian-Frisian hybrid), something that did not come without opposition.

Administrative divisions

Elwynn, or Froyalan, is divided into three baronies, namely the Barony of Fórntida Kærleikalanden, the Barony of the Elw, and the Barony of Opplysta Smørvirket.