A Harpy Matriarchy is a form of government common between the Bulwari harpies during most of their history. A Matriarchy consists of a group of flocks that swear allegiance to a singular matriarch, usually through diplomacy. In modern times, Harpy Matriarchy refers to the constituent Harpy states of Harpylen.
History[]
The first matriarchies were founded after the fall of the first Harpylen Queendom in 817 BA, but with some notable exceptions, like Nanšalen or Firanyalen, the matriarchies in the Harpy Hills seemed to change very frequently, one such example being the matriarchies of Thiššilen and Rianelen, that alternated dominance in the northwestern hills every 50-100 years. The Hytiranyaleni Matriarchy is unique, as it was established by a foreign flock: the Hytiranyan Harpies left the hills after the collapse of Harpylen, but returned during the Second Great Cleansing, taking over some of the weaker flocks in the southern hills.
By the Day of Ashen Skies we see the rise of the Ayaralleni and Mišaralleni flocks, which remain as the dominant flocks in the region to this day.
The younger matriarchies were established after the Sundering of Siadanlen, when the queendom was divided into the matriarchies of Siádan, Mulén, and Elaiénna. Traditionally, the Siádan flock kept a tight control over the other flocks of the Šad Siadan, but they failed to assert dominance after the fall of the Phoenix Empire. When the Jadd Empire was established, the Šad Siadan, under the Elaénna Matriarchy, became a vassal of the empire, until it was disestablished in the 19th century.
Harpy Matriarchy is currently used by the Queendom of Harpylen to refer to its constituent states that were originally independent Matriarchies that joined the Ayaralleni flock.
Historical Matriarchies[]
Thiššilen, located in Qasnabor, north of Azka-Evran. Fell during Amarien’s conquest of Harpylen, after the Sun Elves built a bridge over the (river) gorge, allowing the Sun Elves to take their roost.
Rianelen, located in Azkašad, east of Azka-Evran. Fell during Amarien’s conquest of Harpylen. After the fall of their rivals in Thiššilen, and without reinforcements from Heunthume, they surrendered after a 3 month siege.
Tousavellen, located around lake Garlas, known as Jarmevain to the harpies. Fell during Amarien’s conquest of Harpylen. They resisted to the last harpy in their roost of Tounafira, and the few that managed to escape joined the Hytiranyaleni Matriarchy. The fortress of Kuzak was built over the foundations of their roost.
Šumiryalen, located in the central Harpy Hills, with their roost on Heunthume, the traditional capital of the Harpy Queendoms. After the Day of Ashen Skies, the Šumirya flock took over Heunthume, and united the Harpy Hills into the Second Harpylen Queendom, which lasted until 487, when Heunthume was razed by Aakhet the Bronze.
Mulén, located in the northern Šad Siadan. Established after the Sundering of Siadanlen and the dissolution of the Phoenix Empire after Jaher’s death, when the Muló flock rallied the northern Siadan Harpies against Siádan. Fell during the Jadd conquest of the Śad Siadan.
Siádan, located in the central Šad Siadan. Successor to the Siadanlen Queendom, it was established after the Sundering of Siadalen and the dissolution of the Phoenix Empire after Jaher’s death. They kept control over the former Queendom core territories, and fell during the Jadd conquest of the Šad Siadan.
Elaiénna, located in the southeastern Šad Siadan. Established after the Sundering of Siadanlen and the dissolution of the Phoenix Empire after Jaher’s death, when the Elaíenna flock and their Desert Elves allies defeated the Siádan. As allies of the Jaddari, and later a vassal of the Jadd Empire, the Matriarchy controlled all of the Šad Siadan, until the 19th century, when the Matriarchy was dissolved.
Harpyleni Illustrious Matriarchies[]
The term Illustrious Matriarchies is used to refer to the Harpy Matriarchies that joined the Ayaralleni Matriarchy against the Sun Elf kingdoms, and later became part of the Fourth Harpylen Queendom. Illustrious Matriarchies have their own laws and autonomy, with the ruling Matriarch being part of the Council of Matriarch, a parliament-like institution that serves as advisors to the Queen.
Illustrious Matriarchies[]
Ayarallen, located in the southern Harpy Hills, while also in possession of Heunthume. The Ayaralleni flock rallied the Matriarchies of the Harpy Hills in the 14th and 15th centuries, after defeating the Sun Elf kingdoms. They established the Fourth Harpylen Queendom after securing the allegiance of the Gelkar and the other Harpy Matriarchies.
Lisinyalen, located south of Heunthume. Alongside Hytiranyalen they established the Third Harpylen Queendom, known as the Dual Queendon, which lasted until the Amarien conquest of Harpylen. The Lisinyaleni flock later joined the Ayaralleni Matriarchy, and were given Matriarchy status again upon the establishment of the Fourth Harpylen Queendom.
Hytiranyalen, located in the southern Harpy Hills south of Heunthume. Alongside Lisinyalen they established the Third Harpylen Queendom, which lasted until the Amarien Conquest of Harpylen. The Hytiranyaleni flock is known for their scholars and their libraries.
Nanšalen, located in the eastern Harpy Hills. Traditional allies of the kingdom of Akalšes, they conquered most of the eastern Harpy Hills during the Age of Petty Kingdoms, before being subjugated by the Sun Elves. They were one of the last matriarchies to join Ayarallen.
Mišaralen, located in the northern Harpy Hills. A matriarchy known for their patronage of the arts and their songsters, they were one of the first flocks to join Ayarallen.
Firanyalen, located in the northern Harpy Hills, surrounding lake Firanya. Allegedly the oldest harpy flock, they joined Ayarallen against the Sun Elves, but later rebelled when the Ayaralleni harpies proclaimed a new Queendom. Despite being defeated, they kept their Matriarchy status, albeit under the rule of a loyalist flock.