Geography
Elsavet lies north of Lokren, beyond the mighty Anotempi River. It extends along the Lutrosi and Kolpisko ranges to the Psaroi Hills in the north, where it borders Dierminevin, and to the Ntako River in the east, which forms its border with Anvero.
History
Like its neighbours, Elsavat is a former Anatian colony, settled by seafarers from Vasilio some 400 years ago. The local Ardryn tribes and other indigenous nations were either exterminated or driven into exile by the aggressive colonisation, though there are still significant groups of Ardryn who live within Elsavet.
Originally landlocked, Elsavet was the first of the eastern-Epirian Vasilian colonies to abandon the patronage of its motherland. Around eighty years after its foundation as a colony, the autonomous province of Elsavet renounced its ties to Vasilio and became an independent kingdom. Although the weakening Vasilian Confederation was content to allow the territory to strike out on its own, the move led to worsening relations with Elsavet's immediate neighbours to the north and east, who would maintain their loyalty to their colonial homeland for more than another hundred years.
Throughout its history, Elsavet has warred with its neighbours and grown in size as a result. A bitter war with Anvero saw Elsavet gain access to the sea after it annexed the narrow Armatosies Peninsula between the Anotempi and Ntako Rivers. Eventually the Elsaveti were able to drive the Anverians back beyond the Ntako and the Dierminevinites back into the Psarois. This expansion inevitably led it into conflict with Lokren, which sought on several occasions to to invade and conquer Elsavet, but the incursions were ultimately thwarted by the difficulties associated with crossing the Anotempi and maintaining proper supply lines across the river. Several major battles have been fought in Erastes Pass, the narrow and treacherous land border between the two countries, but despite territorial losses in Kormunko, the Elsaveti have been ever able to hold the pass against Lokrenian offensives. The two nations remain in a state of war, for no peace was ever desired by the expansionist kings of Lokren and Elsavet likewise had no taste for reaching an accord with their bloody and warlike neighbour. An unofficial truce has reigned de facto since the last attempted invasion, though skirmishes in Erastes Pass are far from uncommon.