====== Formation of the Great Elven Empire ======

**Early History and Population Growth**
The elves of the star system of Sylvan have long been divided into three distinct realms: the High Elves of Glendor, the Wood Elves of Verndale, and the Nythari Elves of Duskara. Blessed with lifespans of up to 600 years, elven societies experienced rapid population growth due to high birth rates and low death rates. This growth eventually led to significant interactions between the three realms, especially during a great cosmic event that occurs between these worlds once every 100 years.

**The Convergence**
Every century, the three planets—[[locations:realm_of_glendor|Glendor]], [[locations:realm_of_verndale|Verndale]], and [[locations:realm_of_duskara|Duskara]]—would align in such a way that their oceans would form a magical bridge, allowing for direct travel between the worlds. This event, known as the Celestial Convergence, facilitated early contact between the different elven races, well before the advent of advanced technology and modern magical understanding.

**Early Conflicts and Wars**
With the bridges formed by the Convergence, the elves soon began to interact, but these interactions were not always peaceful. Ambitious leaders and warlords from each realm saw the convergence as an opportunity to expand their influence and territory. Armies sailed across the oceanic bridges, leading to centuries of intermittent warfare and conflict.

**The Rise of a Great Leader**
The tides of war shifted significantly when a powerful High Elf leader rose to prominence on Glendor. Known for his strategic brilliance and charismatic leadership, this leader united the High Elves and launched a massive siege on Duskara. The campaign was swift and brutal, resulting in the conquest of the Nythari Elves' desert homeworld. When the next Convergence occurred, the combined might of Glendor and Duskara was too formidable for Verndale to withstand. The Wood Elves were eventually conquered, leading to the fall of Verndale.

**The Formation of the Great Elven Empire**
In the aftermath of these great wars, the leaders of the three elven realms recognized the futility of endless conflict. They came together to form a council, drafting new codes of law and establishing a unified government. Thus, the Great Elven Empire was born, the oldest and most enduring government in the galaxy.

**The Age of Exploration**
With the dawn of a more modern era and the introduction of space-age technology and advanced magic by the[[factions:explorers_guild| Explorers Guild]], the elves took to the stars. This period of exploration led to a massive population spike, fueling an era of expansive and rapid colonization. The Great Elven Empire spread across the galaxy, its borders expanding to encompass a vast section of the cosmos. However, the rapid expansion soon brought challenges. Food and resource shortages became rampant, threatening the stability of the empire. In response, the council enacted a new law limiting the number of children an elf could have. This policy, though controversial, was swiftly adopted by elven society as a necessary measure to address the great famine.

**Modern Era and Future Ambitions**
Today, the Great Elven Empire remains the largest faction in the galaxy, with more territory than any other. While their ambitions still lie in expansion and the claiming of new worlds and systems, the elves have learned the importance of a more measured and methodical approach. The rapid expansion of the past has taught them the value of sustainable growth and the maintenance of internal infrastructure. As they look to the future, the elves of the Great Elven Empire remain a formidable force, their eyes set on the stars, ever eager to explore and expand their dominion across the galaxy.