Nature rules all in the faction of Esmera. Here, druids, rangers, elves, and fairies cultivate the wild forests of Prismatia, from the beautiful Misty Willows, to the deep Ancient forests of the Elanorien, to the shining solar powered city of Verdanti, Eldritch secrets are kept hidden beneath the dense canopies, and the Esmera keep them. Founded by the great high elf, Orchid Moonshadow and the high council, Esmera strives to help maintain the delicate balance between nature, civilization, and everything in between. Flora and Fauna have helped Esmera protect Prismatia for millenia, under the careful and watchful eye of the benevolent god of nature, Rillifane Rathathil. The Esmera are always striving to preserve all that is good and true. Do you have what it takes to help restore harmony?
The daily lives of the Esmera are diverse. Many prioritize solitude, peace, and righteous conduct, leading to a strong presence of paladins, priests, acolytes, and nature experts within their ranks. They value time spent in nature, reflecting on the world’s beauty, and often embrace provincial, cottagecore, or simple lifestyles in rural settings far from urban centers. While they champion the greater good and equality, sometimes to the neglect of individual needs, few Esmera are part of the formal ecclesiarchy. This creates a stark contrast between their tranquil countryside and more developed cities.
The Esmera offer various expert services such as herbalism, guiding, adventuring, hunting, and animal handling. Primarily farmers, they are the agricultural backbone of Prismatia. Their economy is largely sustained by tithes and donations to their significant churches. Furthermore, a network of religiously trained knights, paladins, and soldiers operates as mercenaries, dedicating their earnings to these religious institutions.
The Esmera prioritize harmony with nature, leading them to eschew advanced technologies they deem unnecessary, though they do appreciate modern comforts. This technological restraint has fostered distinctive machines and architecture. Their primary energy source is Esmerald, which stores power gathered from solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower. This energy fuels both potent magic and their unique devices.
The Curia, a democratic council akin to a Senate, comprises representatives directly elected by the Esmera’s various tribes and communities. In practice, these representatives are typically clergy from the seven dominant churches. Unique among the factions, the Curia selects the conclave representative. While they lack legislative or executive authority at the faction level, their primary role is to serve as the Conclave representative.
The Esmera faction is heavily influenced by seven major churches, each representing a consolidated congregation dedicated to one of Prismatia’s gods: Eldari, Ama, Rillifane, Lenora, Kejrah, Va’lufeh, and Corvea. Although the All-Mother has many worshippers, it is against Prismatian law to collect tithes in her name. These churches maintain control over the populace through subtle fear tactics and outdated bureaucratic systems.
The Esmera excel in guerrilla warfare and insurgencies, leveraging their society of survivalists, foragers, and rangers. Boasting the largest reserve army officially, they capitalize on the collective strength and varied skills of their Kindred. Their standing army comprises theocratic warriors who undergo continuous, intense training to spearhead the defense of their lands. Highly adept at setting up and managing supply lines, the Esmera possess deep knowledge of terrain and topography. Their weaponry includes large animals for armored assaults and extensive use of plants for poisons, fuels, and field medicine.
The Esmera maintain strict secrecy regarding their transportation networks, omitting even major trade routes from official territorial maps. Security patrols are, however, extensive. Within their primarily subterranean tunnel systems and wooded, heavily canopied trails, the Esmera predominantly utilize unpowered vehicles or beasts of burden for transport. Similar to the Everstar, walking and hiking are strongly emphasized for movement within Esmera cities and towns.
Esmerald serves as the bedrock of Esmera society, similar to Almasium for the Sapphi or Dragonsclaw for the Obsydia. However, unlike those materials, which support economies and industries, Esmerald is used minimally by the Esmera. It is a religiously significant substance, handled with profound respect. The limited technology the Esmera do possess relies on Esmerald at its core, adorned with sacred symbolism and religious texts.