Thallian Empire
230 years ago the Humans and High Elves agreed that the war between their two nations would result in terrible consequences on both sides, and agreed to work together for peace.  20 yrs. later they signed an alliance creating the Thallian empire under Redan Thallas the High Elf King.  The High Elves began soliciting support from their Dark Elf (Jimnar) cousins, and the Humans solicited the support of the Dwarves.
The Elf and Human Alliance
The Jimnar Saga
The Jimnar, or Dark Elves, originally agreed with the High Elves and became a province of the Thallian Empire.  Soon the Jimnar became disgusted with the High Elves paternalistic attitude towards the humans, and cruel persecution of the Trolls.  The Jimnar turned over three of its major port cities to the empire in exchange for a promise that the imperial government would not attempt to reintegrate them.  The Jimnar remain seperate form the empire still. 
The Dwarven Refusal
The Dwarves were originally intrigued by the offer of becoming major participants in a great empire, until they found out the emporer was an Elf.  The Dwarves had long competed with the High Elves for glory as a "superior" race, and joining a coalition that was headed by the elves did not help that cause.  The Empire now trades extensively with the Dwarves, who provide the empire with most of its precious ore. 
The Orc Proposition
Orcs had long terrorized the Northern half of the Centare continent, but now that there was cooperation between the Humans and Elves there violent exploits were curtailed.  Torga Garlith, the Orc warlord, decided that violence was no longer an efficient way to control the "petty"races.  With this reasoning the warlord petitioned the Empire to join the union, hoping to use politics to gain more power for Orcs in the region.  Though the Elves and Humans doubted that the Orcs motives were pure, they hoped allying with them would stop Orcish violence within the empire.  Many Orcs were furious and fled the province to reside in the wastelands south of the empire.
The Troll Threat
The High Elves never trusted the Trolls on their northern borders, and wanted to get some control over their actions.  To this end, the Elves demanded that the Trolls become an Imperial province, or the Imperial army, now filled with Orc warriors, would invade.  Realizing they were severely outnumbered, the Trolls reluctantly agreed to becoming a province.  Trolls continue to resent their forced participation in the empire.  
The Giants Join
Giants have always been fascinated with the "silly" little humans.  Human diplomat went to the jagged peaks to speak with the Giants about participation in the empire.  They claimed that the emperor had no choice but to admit the Orcs.  If the Orcs were to attempt to take over the imperial throne, the amabassador claimed that they could not stop them without Giant help.  The Giants took pity on the "silly" little creature and agreed to join as a scare tactic against the Orcs.
S'skra Nation
Because of S'skra vanity, they never desired to join the empire.  The melodramatic lizards were not a threat to imperial security, so no one cared if they joined or not.  Also the S'skra's refusal to use airships meant that the Great River would take their merchants directly into the heart of the empire.  The emperor knew that the S'skra would not survive without trade with the empire, and so there was also no economic incentive.  The S'skra Queen and High Elf emporer never trusted each other on a personal basis anyway.
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(I am not much of an artist, but this should help visitors understand the geography of the Thallian area better.  If anyone can suggest a program that would help me draw a beeter looking color map I would appreciate it.)
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