Celene, properly known as the Faerie Woods of Celene, is a political state of the Flanaess, notable for being the most prominent elven nation in eastern Oerik. Celene shares its name with the smallest of the two moons of Oerth.
Since the earliest times, Celene has been home to the gray elves of the Flanaess. In those days, elven tribe leaders ruled from the Velverdyva to the Wild Coast. However, by the time of the Great Migrations, the power of these elven lords had shrank to isolated pockets such as Celene. In those days, groups of migrant Suloise crossed the Lortmil Mountains and entered the elven lands, but their journey was brief. Such was the cruelty and wantonness of the Suloise that most were banished by the elves of the realm, and driven past the Jewel River. Human tribes - particularly the Oeridians, but even some Suloise - who cherished the land and its life were better received. The elvenfolk of Celene even offered their allegiance to the rulers of Keoland for many centuries, rejecting them only when warlike monarchs ascended the Throne of the Lion.
In the early summer of 348 CY, Keoish king Tavish II made his Wealsun Proclamation, asserting the manifest destiny of Keoland to rule over the entire Sheldomar Valley and its borders. This act alarmed the elves of Celene, especially when Tavish backed his proclamation with force, marching armies into western Veluna and annexing the Pomarj from the Prince of Ulek. In response, the Grand Court convened at Enstad to determine the best course for the elvenfolk of Celene, seeking a leader from among their own ranks. The elf Yolande of Bellmeadow,an accomplished warrior and wizard, was hailed by the assembled tribesleaders as elvenkind's brightest hope. Together with the neighboring Ulek Provinces, Celene expelled Keoland's royal garrisons in 361 CY. Yolande organized the realm's defenses, and elven warrior Triserron took to the field, defeating the forces of Keoland in a number of short engagements. These victories brought full independence to Celene, and Yolande has been heralded as the hero of the realm.
Celene's borders are formed by the Jewel River in the east, and the Handmaiden River to the west and south. To the north are the Kron Hills and the curving eastern spur of the Lortmils.
Celene also exerts power and influence in the forests on its eastern borders, the Gnarley Forest, Welkwood, and Suss Forest, all of which have elven populations (amongst others) or forward garrisons deployed.
Celene does not have a central government. Instead, tribe leaders are responsible for leading their tribes and ensuring natural order. There are no strict borders between each tribe, and most tribes communicate with one another via the underground network of tree roots.
Despite the decentralized rulership of the nation, elves are quick to support each other in times of foreign invasions.