The final dissolution of the Elven Empire was a long, slow process and the exact historical moment where the Empire ceased to exist is difficult to pinpoint, given that many of the Imperial institutions and a veneer of Imperial authority and legitimacy were maintained, at least nominally, by its self-proclaimed successors.
For the first time in its history, most of Realmgard was unified under a single authority. Only the extreme north and northwest of the continent would remain beyond Imperial control.
It is during the Melkartite Wars that the Elven army first earned its reputation for unshakeable resolve in the face of any seeming disastrous setback and its avalanche-like ability to slowly but surely build up unstoppable forward momentum on the battlefield until final victory was achieved.
Chased down and grievously wounded on the banks of the Creusa River, Fulmen is said to have been rescued and nursed back to health by the namesake goddess of the river.
At this early stage, the seven initial Elven settlements entered into a loose confederation known as the League of Creusa after the river that connected the seven settlements. In practice, each of the seven was independent of the others, though each was sworn to the other six to assist in case of invasion from any of the neighbouring city-states that pre-dated the arrival of the Elves.
It is widely said that the history of Realmgard actually begins in the eastern island realm of Archipelago, the ancient homeland of the Elves who laid the foundations of the Elven Empire.
