Editing Thousand Cities:Kingdoms (section)

===Ildur and Ildrin===
:The twin cities of Ildur and Ildrin share the island of Nerethain, in the central Southeast. Separated by a steep mountain range, both cultures are entwined closely throughout their long history. Their relationship is defined by their intense competition in all aspects of life. Outsiders often have difficulty distinguishing between the two groups when outside their cities, as they appear to dress and speak in a similar fashion. While the cities share a common root language, attempts to speak the local dialects are fraught with danger, as slight differences in meaning can twist a casual comment into a killing insult.

:Unsurprisingly, the God [[Thousand_Cities:Cypher|Cypher]] has played a role in the development of the twin cities. Both cultures are warlike and volatile, quick to avenge a perceived insult. The two royal families are deeply intermarried, as tradition dictates that a victorious army should seize a royal son or daughter from the defeated city for a forced marriage with the victor. Despite their intermingled blood, the inhabitants of both cities would sooner die than give their rivals any advantage.

:Constant conflict has driven great advances in engineering, especially in the field of warfare. The Sea Wall of Ildur is considered a marvel of Creation, rendering the city's central port almost impregnable by naval assault.

:In 1265AF, Ildur seized the upper hand after acquiring a large number of essence gems from [[Thousand_Cities:North#Cinnador|Cinnador]]. In response to this, the general Ariach Dawn-Treader, born to Ildrin in 977AF, sent his agents to seek out Exalted allies, reasoning that mortal troops would not be sufficient to turn the conflict. Ariach is widely considered the greatest strategist of his era, bearing the favour of [[Thousand_Cities:Roane|Roane]] herself.

:In 1275AF Ildrini troops, aided by a cadre of young Exalts, successfully breached the Ilduran defences. During the conflict two Ilduran heirs were slain, and the youngest was chosen to marry the Ildrini heir. With the Ilduran line crushed, the two cities were joined for the first time since their founding.

:In 1282AF, an assassin entered the Ildrini palace and slaughtered the Anjou family members present. As the alarm was sounded, a vast Regolean army attacked both Ildur and Ildrin. Despite taking vast casualties in Ildur, the Regoleans successfully captured the island. It is currently under their control.