Dalyria has always been a somewhat insulated land. Separated from the Lleranin region by mountains and seas difficult to navigate, and from other human settlements by dense forests and elven lands, it has a tradition of self-reliance and independence.
Dalyria was one of the last nations on Melarna to be conquered by the coming of Ossav, tenaciously holding out until 745. Once Theluran fell, humanoids began razing Dalyrian farmlands. Dalyria sued for peace, offering surrender in return for keeping their way of life (mostly) intact. The Ossavian noble family of Salevix was granted control over Dalyria.
Dalyria was visited by Terionis the Liberator, shortly before his year-long disappearance. His visit started a strong cultural and religious transformation, and the Dalyrians found unifying ideals to unite them. When Ossav fell, Dalyria quickly reasserted its independence. The Dalyrians knew that if Terionis was successful, Ossavia would be too occupied with internal turmoil to be able to control a rebellious province. Lady NNNN2 of Salevix had hosted Terionis, and had secretly converted to the worship of Donblas. Her prompt support of Dalyrian independence kept her family in power.
Once Dalyria regained its independence, Dalyria began to attract a number of mages to its lands. The very hands-off attitude of the people gave mages their chance to work largely undisturbed. A number of small magical schools are located in Dalyria, but the mages keep to themselves.
In 2631, a rebellion erupted over the control and taxation of the various cantons. Dalyria was gripped by continuing dissention and rebellion for 17 years, as different cantons tried to assert their independence. Many cantons switched sides at various times, hoping for concessions or fearing the orcs of Krazok. At the end of this period, the balance of power shifted to the cantons, and Dalyria has slowly developed into more of a confederacy. The Salevix family still controlled several cantons, but they were no longer totally in control of Dalyria.
Askmaths have been raiding Dalyria for centuries. The Askmaths avoid towns with mages, concentrating on small coastal towns. Dalyria also has problems with orcs from Krazok, and the goblins from Eryetia also caused problems in the past. In response to the goblins, Dalyria spent some effort to build a fleet of ships in secret, hidden from Askmath raiders. They used the fleet to invade Eryetia Island in 3827, and drove the goblins out of the northern section of the island, which they control to this day.
In 4394, the Eryetian provinces rebelled, trying to seceed from Dalyria. After an eight-year war, and plenty of opportunistic raiding by Askmaths, the war ended with no real effect. There is still some cultural divisions between the mainlanders and those on the island. Relations have waxed and wanded ever since.
Dalyria has no formal relations with Cwengae, its neighbor on the northern side of the Khravest mountains. Some ships conduct trade between the two, but there are no close ties. The elves of Theluran are cordial with Dalyria, and are allied against the orcs of Krazok.
Culturally, the Dalyrians are resistant to change. Their religion is dominated by the Lords of Law, in particular Donblas. They are a patient people, but are also rather insular (less so in the Eryetia cantons). Each canton maintains its own core units, but neighboring cantons do cooperate and train together.
Dalyria is divided into XX cantons. Each canton is largely autonomous, although Dalyria has a common currency, and people are free to move between the various cantons.