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Description
Instagram: www.instagram.com/5martist/
Artstation: www.artstation.com/smartist
Twitter: twitter.com/Seraphandreyl

Iskara is a place of magic, politics, and ancient secrets. Various nations and races call the world home, all with their own beliefs, goals, and cultures.

Depicted here is a concept for the Sareni, a people who pride themselves on a history of unity but now find themselves fractured. Once known as the Anrivari, the Sareni became what they are today following the actions of the first Ascendant, Tarek Varro. Through his actions, the world was freed from the claws of the Dro’Rava, the Dragon Lords, and the First Empire was formed. With newfound freedoms, the Anrivari were taken under the azure wings of Saren, the god of war, knowledge, honor, and unity, and reborn as the Sareni. With this rebirth, the Sareni were bestowed with natural markings to signify their new god. During this time the Sareni were a proud and unified people that led the new world through a time of prosperity, a golden age. However, this all came to an end with the Incursion, a near-apocalyptic event that saw the Ventara, dark gods of the Void, breach the material realm and wreak untold havoc. And while the gods and mortals eventually drove the Ventara and their hordes back, the world was left gravely wounded and the Sareni, taking the brunt of the assault, were nearly exterminated. For decades the world tried to rebuild, and soon thereafter the Elves of the southern provinces invaded Sareni lands and enslaved them along with the Arikiri. For centuries these peoples lived under the rule of new Elven masters and many lost their connection to their cultural roots. In time the Sareni and Arikiri would lead a successful revolt against the Elves. Free once more, new tribes, clans, and cultures among the Sareni emerged and these new cultures continued to diverge and new wars erupted. Eventually, through the immense efforts of several key figures, two major nations would be founded, Nekova and Valaren.

Nekova is a militaristic and imperialist nation that was born through the endeavors of the Nekovi tribe, alongside the Navo Kith of the Arikiri. Together they formed alliances with other clans and waged war on their neighbors, quickly securing the western heartlands of Teldara. In Nekovan society, everyone is required to go through years of training to ascertain where their natural skills would be most effective, and upon the completion of said training they are assigned their new role, and it is very rare for one to be allowed to deviate from it.Valaren prides itself on the pursuits of progress and freedom, though its feudalistic structure and religious sects have hampered such lofty ideals. Valaren was born from an early tribal confederacy that eventually developed into what it is today, with lords, ladies, and the High King holding the most power. Unlike Nekova however, the creation of Valaren excluded the local Arikiri tribe, the Camurai, and its Kiths. And while friendly relations have been maintained with this more nomadic sect, Valareni expansion has led to some friction brewing.Aside from these two powers, one can find Sareni in most other nations, particularly in those of the Nysarean League, a collection of small nations and city states just to the north of both provinces. Most of these Sareni in particular are the descendants of those who fled both the Incursion and the subsequent subjugation and the hands of the southern Elves.

To the outside world the Sareni appear to be obsessed with their past glory but the two major nations take different approaches and hold differing perspectives. The Valareni are almost trapped by it. They try to live up to the ideals of their forefathers and try to embrace the progressive culture they once had, but recent history and the lack of divine guidance has left the Valareni with an uneasy peace. The Nekovans on the other hand seek to rebuild but most importantly, reshape the old Empire into something formidable. While many other nations and races see Nekova as a nation of brutalists and bloodthirsty warriors, to the Nekovan peoples there is a clear purpose.

Description
Instagram: www.instagram.com/5martist/
Artstation: www.artstation.com/smartist
Twitter: twitter.com/Seraphandreyl

Iskara is a place of magic, politics, and ancient secrets. Various nations and races call the world home, all with their own beliefs, goals, and cultures.

Depicted here is a concept for the Sareni, a people who pride themselves on a history of unity but now find themselves fractured. Once known as the Anrivari, the Sareni became what they are today following the actions of the first Ascendant, Tarek Varro. Through his actions, the world was freed from the claws of the Dro’Rava, the Dragon Lords, and the First Empire was formed. With newfound freedoms, the Anrivari were taken under the azure wings of Saren, the god of war, knowledge, honor, and unity, and reborn as the Sareni. With this rebirth, the Sareni were bestowed with natural markings to signify their new god. During this time the Sareni were a proud and unified people that led the new world through a time of prosperity, a golden age. However, this all came to an end with the Incursion, a near-apocalyptic event that saw the Ventara, dark gods of the Void, breach the material realm and wreak untold havoc. And while the gods and mortals eventually drove the Ventara and their hordes back, the world was left gravely wounded and the Sareni, taking the brunt of the assault, were nearly exterminated. For decades the world tried to rebuild, and soon thereafter the Elves of the southern provinces invaded Sareni lands and enslaved them along with the Arikiri. For centuries these peoples lived under the rule of new Elven masters and many lost their connection to their cultural roots. In time the Sareni and Arikiri would lead a successful revolt against the Elves. Free once more, new tribes, clans, and cultures among the Sareni emerged and these new cultures continued to diverge and new wars erupted. Eventually, through the immense efforts of several key figures, two major nations would be founded, Nekova and Valaren.

Nekova is a militaristic and imperialist nation that was born through the endeavors of the Nekovi tribe, alongside the Navo Kith of the Arikiri. Together they formed alliances with other clans and waged war on their neighbors, quickly securing the western heartlands of Teldara. In Nekovan society, everyone is required to go through years of training to ascertain where their natural skills would be most effective, and upon the completion of said training they are assigned their new role, and it is very rare for one to be allowed to deviate from it.Valaren prides itself on the pursuits of progress and freedom, though its feudalistic structure and religious sects have hampered such lofty ideals. Valaren was born from an early tribal confederacy that eventually developed into what it is today, with lords, ladies, and the High King holding the most power. Unlike Nekova however, the creation of Valaren excluded the local Arikiri tribe, the Camurai, and its Kiths. And while friendly relations have been maintained with this more nomadic sect, Valareni expansion has led to some friction brewing.Aside from these two powers, one can find Sareni in most other nations, particularly in those of the Nysarean League, a collection of small nations and city states just to the north of both provinces. Most of these Sareni in particular are the descendants of those who fled both the Incursion and the subsequent subjugation and the hands of the southern Elves.

To the outside world the Sareni appear to be obsessed with their past glory but the two major nations take different approaches and hold differing perspectives. The Valareni are almost trapped by it. They try to live up to the ideals of their forefathers and try to embrace the progressive culture they once had, but recent history and the lack of divine guidance has left the Valareni with an uneasy peace. The Nekovans on the other hand seek to rebuild but most importantly, reshape the old Empire into something formidable. While many other nations and races see Nekova as a nation of brutalists and bloodthirsty warriors, to the Nekovan peoples there is a clear purpose.