The kingdom of Casatera is divided by one border. One side of the border, the east, holds the lands and cities of the people of the light. Then west side contains the lands and cities of the people of the shadows. With so many differences these two worlds have collided many a moon. So much death, so many wars. The fighting has been never ending. In fact, many of the citizens can not even remember a time of peace. Finally, a treaty was initiated. The first born daughter of the Lord of Light was to marry the first born son of the Lord of Shadows. They are to create peace, to start a new beginning for their people. To destroy the border that separated the two lands. Their union will seal a bond between the light and the shadows and make an everlasting peace. Of course, this is a very uneasy arrangement.



Valera (Princess of Light)

Race: Light Elf
Age: 598 (Or 23 in human years)
Biography: Coming Soon



The Kingdoms
Just for ideas. :)

The Land of the Light

Brighter colors and architecture used throughout the city.


The Land of Shadows

Darker, bolder colors similar to this, but the design is a bit pointier and more goth like.



Forests Between

Just more ideas. :)

(No problem. Take your time.)

Rhydian (Prince of Shadows)

Age: 639 (equal to around 27 in human years)
Race: Shadow Elf
Background/Bio: Rhydian grew up in the royal castle of the Shadowlands and was raised the same as all royals are raised. Pampered, trained, schooled, and never yearning for anything. Being raised for over 600 years as a prized son to the Lord of Shadows, Rhydian has developed a talent for being egotistical and arrogant. He is a skilled warrior and has mastered the way of the sword, spear, axe, and even the bow. He is fluent in the various languages of the other shadow races that dwell in the Shadowlands and a celebrity to the people.

Rhydian is first born of ten other siblings. He is well respected and had hopes of one day inheriting his father's throne and his legacy. When his father told him that the Great Council has finally come to begin a peace treaty, Rhydian was just as hopeful as the rest. Finally an end to the war, an end to the bloodshed. Just because they were considered Shadowfolk didn't make them evil. But once his father told him what it would take to complete the alliance, he felt mixed emotions. He would have to marry the Light princess? To breed with her? That's unheard of. There has been NO other mixed couples in history. The Prince of Shadows had heard the princess is as fair and beautiful as the full moon, but the Lightlands had never been very interesting to him. It was too bright, too colorful, but this was not something Rhydian could deny. He must do his duty even if it meant to marry her. Afterall, their family had been at wars ever since he could remember. How could so much hate be forgotten?

It was a very important day. In fact, the day was so important that it will forever go down in history as the day that completed the peace contract between the Light and the Shadows. Every creature, every race, every citizen of the kingdom of Casatera depended on the peace that was beginning its uneasy creep upon the realm. The Princess of Light played an important role in insuring that this peace would be permanent.

The heir to the kingdom of Light stepped forward towards the great gate that separate the border between the Lightlands an the Shadowlands. Valera smoothed down the great golden gown the council had asked her to wear as the huge golden doors began to creak open. These doors haven't been opened in peace in hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The Princess of Light swallowed the emotions she was going through, burying the anxious feelings, the fear, and the revulsion of being betrothed to the Prince of Shadows. A different race of elven folk. Such relations were so unheard of, but this relationship was to be the bond that seals the peace. If the great royals could set aside differences and bear children, then the whole realm could start anew. So much weight upon their shoulders. Valera muffled a sigh and prepared to meet her betrothed. Her dark hair was fixed in the latest trends of the Shadowlands. It certainly felt strange to have her hair in such an updo on top of her head. Long dark spirals trailed down her shoulders and black diamond roses pinned her hair into rose shape curls on top. The hope was to inspire the citizens and perhaps woo her fiance. A mix of Shadow fashion and Light fashion was astonishing and surprisingly lovely.

The golden gown was complimented by black diamond studs, a black diamond necklace, and armlets to match. Feeling strange in such dark colors, Valera stood proudly, holding her head high and prepared to meet her future. Hopefully, he would be bearable..

The Prince of Shadows sat impatiently inside his royal carriage drumming his long thin finger on his knee. He should be arriving any minute now at the huge gate that divided the kingdom. He had been told not long ago, a week in fact, that was was engaged to the Princess of Light and their matrimony would unite the kingdom and bring peace throughout the land. He sighed and frowned. Why me? Why not my uncle or my brothers or even my sisters? He did not relish the idea of having to marry someone so different from himself. Someone so..so foreign. In fact, the idea revolted him, but it was his duty nonetheless.

The carriage came to a halt before the huge gate. He peered out the window and stared, marveling at the giant structure that divided the lands. "Rhydian, Prince of Shadows, first born of the Lord of Shadows, heir to the Shadow throne." A serving shadow elf boomed loudly as he opened the carriage door to calling for the prince to step out. As he was stepping out, the gate was opening and he could see his fiance off in the distance. Everything around her was so bright, even the trees, the road, the grass. Everything. Inhaling deeply, Rhydian stepped from the black carriage and elegantly strode forward an inch. Apparently the betrothed were supposed to meet at the middle of the gate, right on the dividing line. For no one has stepped foot on the opposite sides (save for the selected few high council), in hundreds of years. As he walked closer, alone, he also noticed his fiance closing in. He narrowed his dark gray eyes and smoothed down his rich black leather armor...

How am I supposed to do this.. I mean look at her.. All bright and glowing. Wait, she is wearing some dark colors. Rhydian studied his fiance as he grew closer an closer to her. Maybe she doesn't look so bad. Her skin is a bit light and seems to glow. Most unusual.. Too bright though...Ehh. When they finally were standing only a few feet apart from each other, the Prince of Shadows nearly smirked, but managed to compose his expression. So the rumors of her beauty are correct. She is rather fair. "Your grace." Rhydian bowed gracefully, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Rhydian of the Shadow lands, heir to the Shadow throne. It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I do hope you will share the same feelings considering we shall be spending the rest of our days with one another." The prince put on his best and most royal voice, just as he was raised and taught to do. Maybe.. Maybe it won't be so bad. She is strange looking to me, yet seems lovely.. I'm sure she is to her own people.

The walk to the gate seemed long and Valera had to force herself to take step after step. The elven prince heading towards her seemed gloomy, exotic, and dark. Not even similar to the Light elf she had already had feelings for. Yes, the Princess of Light had developed feelings for another elven boy over a hundred years ago, but the relationship had been forbidden. He was just a simple commoner elf who hunted for a living. That was how she met him, for the princess loved to hunt. Her parents had immediately interfered when they discovered the budding relationship, but Valera had ignored their rules and distaste. And then after certain intimate actions, the King of Light forced the boy to join a part of the army that was being sent to the other side of the Kingdom of Light, which is thousands of miles away and Valera hadn't seen him since. And even after a hundred years, the princess hasn't forgotten him or she love she felt. That made this pairing even more difficult.

Deeply inhaling, they finally came face to face. Her betrothed was different than her in so many ways. His skin was pale, like death, his features mostly dark and bold, but his eyes were almost a lovely shade of gray, though she also found them dull and gloomy. How was she supposed to wed him? To live in his dark city for time? The arrangement was for her to live in the Kingdom of Shadows for several months and then the couple would live in the Kingdom of Light for a while as well. Eventually there would be a wedding and a grand castle of both Shadow and Light would be built across the border. It was to be the most grand castle ever known and from there, the Light and Shadow realm shall begin mixing their customs and fashions.

When they came face to face, she forced herself to smile politely and listened as her fiance introduced himself. Finally she spoke, her voice soft and silky, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, my prince. I am Valera, Princess of Light and heir to the Light Throne." She curtsied gracefully, "And I am glad you think that way. Perhaps our arrangement will be easier." She smiled once more, "I, too, want us to get along well. We are to be the icon, the models for our people." She had been trained since birth to be courteous and wise. She pushed back a strand of golden brown hair from her eyes causing the golden rings wound through her hair to chime.

A light breeze danced its way across the trees as the Shadow Prince offered the princess his hand, "Well then, Princess, we should probably get started." He flashed a smile that was both radiant and charming. Was this princess simply acting the part or was she truly so kind, so pure? Rhydian didn't know, but for now he was forcing himself to put on a good show for the people. They were obviously going to be two very different people. The biggest question that lingered on everyone's mind is whether or not they would be able to pull this marriage off. Being so different in appearance and culture and lifestyle would certainly be difficult.

"I was informed that we are to return to the castle in the Shadowlands where arrangements have been made to cater to your needs and rooms have been prepped for your personal handmaids and servants."The tone of his voice was smooth and perfect, "You shall have your own personal space as well.. Your room is across the hall from my own, so you shall be safe at all times. I do sincerely hope you can find some joy in your stay." The prince flashed another dazzling smile.

In his many years the Prince of Shadows has known other women. None that he was really serious about. They came and they went. Maids, noble girls, even common girls. They didn't always end in between the sheets, but Rhydian was known as a flirt and not the type to be in a serious relationship. His brothers and sisters had mostly settled down and had children of their own, but he preferred to remain open. Until now. Now he was being forced into a marriage, but aren't kings allowed to have mistresses either way? The prince had simply shrugged t the idea and planned to do as he pleased either way.

Glancing only momentarily at the Prince's hand, Valera reached with her own without hesitation. Remaining calm, confident, dutiful, and polite were just a few of the things she had learned in her early years that she carried with her each and every day. Her mother, the Queen of the Light, had taught her all about grace and manners when the princess was barely walking. It was expected of all royal subjects, especially those as highborn as they were. The moment their hands grazed each other, Valera felt a strange spark. It was nearly alarming, yet she remained calm all the same. The spark sent a strange jolt of energy burning through her veins. It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling, however, just strange. "Oh.." Was all she could say.

Behind her, she could hear the clapping of her citizens who had gathered to see such an event. There were also cheers, "Valera, Valera, Valera!" They were calling, "You can do it, your grace!" Their encouraging words made Valera smile back at them. A bright and radiant smile that could always her subjects swoon.

"Well, there you have it, my Prince. The Light folk are rather loving this." The princess giggled softly, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink, "Oh, forgive me for being so forward. I'd hate you to think of me as rude." Her cheeks darkened when she realized they were still holding hands. Such a strange feeling. The prince was handsome in a strange way, but he must have been such a ladies man.. How could she compete with that?

Suddenly thoughts of whether or not she would be able to please Rhydian was drifting through her mind. Would he find her comely enough? Would he take other women since she was not a Shadowelf and not up to their ideal of beauty? Why should she care? She was only doing her duty. That was all. She could find some sort of happiness just by knowing that she helped to bring peace to the kingdom even if it meant she would never have a happy marriage.

The prince smiled when he felt the princess' skin against his own. Before he could comment on the strange sensation that went through him as they touched a crowd of commoners began shouting for the Princess of Light. "How touching." His voice had almost turned dark, "The common folk seem to be taken with you, my lady." It wasn't that he disliked commoners and poor folk, but he was unsure how his own people would act towards their new princess. They weren't there to cheer their prince on, after all. It was more unsettling in the Shadow realm for the Shadow elves have always been seen as dark and gloomy. He understood their concern considering the Light elves looked down on them so much.

Before waiting for a reply, Rhydian escorted Valera to the carriage where a young and handsome serving boy opened the door and set down a rather lovely dark step for the princess to use as she stepping into the carriage. Inside the carriage was incredibly elegant. The curtains made of intricate lacework, the seating was made from a lush velvet with fancy designs. And the colors were surprisingly bright against dark. Flashy red on black with golden stitching thrown in. "I hope the carriage ride to the castle will be pleasant for you, Princess. It was made with you in mind." His smile was dazzling.

(Sorry it took me so long to reply!)

When Rhydian opened the carriage door for her, Valera let out a little, "Ooh". Inside was beautiful. "It's very lovely, indeed." She stepped inside and carriage and sat down on the exquisite cushions on one side of the carriage. She hadn't expected this. Everything she had heard about the Shadowelves always involved gloom and dark shades. The thought had been very depressing and distressing, "Thank you for being so thoughtful." She smiled warmly at Rhydian as she brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Valera as a bit unique to her own race, most of he Lightelves were fair headed with light complexions. She had inherited the rare gene which gave her dark hair and her skin tanned easily under the sun, which she would spend hours under everyday. At first, she always felt uneasy with her appearance and would shy away from company and public. The citizens of the Light were also a bit shy of her. They thought of her as an outcast, strange, and untrustworthy. Why was she deemed such dark hair? Did she belong to the shadows? But once Valera's true colors radiated from her, the public fell in love. The princess was a natural born alchemist, great with a bow, graceful, and full of warmth. Above all, as she grew and aged, her unnatural dark hair and complexion made her beautiful and radiant. Many suitors came, but she was never satisfied in the ones she was allowed to have.

She princess smoothed down her and wondered when she would be able to take it off and put something more comfortable on.

Rhydian entered the carriage after the princess and sat on the opposite side facing her. He was still smiling when he studied her features. Her skin was flawless and seemed to radiate its own light. She was truly beautiful in a way, not the same way as the women he has been with before, but there was just something about her.

The carriage began to move as the large black horses started trotting along the bumpy road, "I hope you will like your stay, my princess. It may be hard for you to become used to my lifestyle.. my culture. And the people may gawk at you and insult you, but please remember that we are not used to such...such beauty.." Rhydian paused and flashed another brilliant smile, "My dear, don't take that as an insult. You are indeed lovely, just different from the usual shadow maiden." His words were smooth. The prince found it easy to talk to women, he had had plenty of practice growing up with his sisters and then with different women in the city, "Oh, and do get comfortable. This trip will last several hours for the castle is on the other side of the kingdom."

And with that Rhydian casually relaxed against the soft cushions and the large carriage. They were alone in the carriage with no one around except the young man outside guiding the horses. Perhaps he and his fiance could get to know each other better. Much better.