The Holy Realm of Essedris was a theocracy ruled by the High Priestesses of
Direnna, the Dawn. All denizens of Essedris were required by law to profess
faith in the goddess, though some still worshipped other deities in private.

Essedris was a culture that proclaimed the virtues of righteousness and a
strong moral compass. Those who followed the path most piously were believed
to be granted the greatest of blessings and wealth in life and beyond. This
resulted in a society that aimed to be equitable and prosperous, though in
practice occasionally fell short of its ideals as it got pulled into the
continual wars with its neighbors like the Empire of Galrathia.

When the power of the Dawnlight suddenly failed in the face of the Blight,
it seemed as if the goddess herself had vanished, leaving clerics and
priests who had no miracles or even hope for the terrified masses. The law
and order of the Holy Realm came crumbling down, with many of its citizens
having their faith shaken beyond repair. Why had the Dawn abandoned them in
their greatest hour of need? Was it possible... that the Blight could
consume even a god? There were no answers from the silent altars, and no
saving the Realm as its light vanished beneath an unsatiable tide of Beasts.

Essedrians often miss the ideals of their former home, even if their society
didn't always live up to them. Many have come to recognize imperfections and
the value of trying to improve, and some continue to seek the path of the
light in whatever way makes sense in a Blighted world.

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