New to Giralda, I see. Well, it takes all sorts around here. Take that shifty-eyed weasel by the fire.
Oh, he acts looks like a simple merchant, peddling meager wares, but watch what you say around him. The Empire’s got ears everywhere...
See those two there? They seem all chummy now, but that’s only because Var is trying to convince Jarek to desert the navy in Thisbē and join
those lawless bastards who sail from the Spice Isles. I’m sure that one will kill the other before the week is out, once they’ve got what they want from each other.
Then there’s always the usual mercs; bastards who’d happily kill their own mothers for a coin. Oh, they say those twins from Brelan aren’t so bad,
but a merc is a merc, and money is all they see.
At least there're no damned elves here tonight. One got uppity last month when I insisted the
bastard slept in the stables. A damn generous offer for a half-breed, if you ask me!
Mind yourself if you head into the Wilds. It’s full of things that
would happily eat you and shit you out without a second thought. Even the people who hunt those things are more beast than civil.
Anyway stranger,
what'll it be: a room, or a drink?
SKYE
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CURRENT MONTH: AUREL, 762
This month marks the transition from the scorching sun of summer to the cooling of autumn. The night skies become more magnificent as shooting stars are more frequent, and auroras dance across the horizon. Aurel is a time of harvest when the farmers gather the crops that cannot withstand the upcoming heavy rains of Nandir.
December 2023 Soft hiatus - have a safe, warm, and minimally dysfunctional holiday season!
October 2023 Site month change! New threads (unless set in the past, future, or an AU) should be dated "Aurel 762". See the Information tab for a description of the month. Characters in the Temple Crew should be mindful of the continuity of possible injuries, connections made, relationship changes, increase in wealth, etc. as much as possible as this is set after the campaign.
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December 2021 Soft hiatus - have a safe, warm, and minimally dysfunctional holiday season!
The people of Vanyar pride themselves on being strong and hard working people. The majority of those living within the limits of the city itself are blacksmiths and other laborers. Those on the outskirts tend to farm, raise, and grow food for the rest of the community. The Vanyar people are a noble bunch, and aren't likely to be tread upon. They look up to the Marshal and his family in times of trouble, and are supportive of the family throughout rough times.
Vanyar is led by the Marshal of the Valarocco (Logan/Eodred) with assistance at times from the rest of his company. The family of the Marshal will at times assist in public affairs, but it is the task of the Valarocco to defend and protect Vanyar.
The lands of Vanyar are vast and sprawling, filled with rolling hills and deep valleys. Vanyar has a few bodies of water to support the citizens and life in the community, and tends to support some lands surrounding it. The climate in Vanyar varies, going from dry heat to wintry mix/snow within a few seasons. The longest period of weather may equate to fall, with the air being crisp and cool.
GEOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEW
General:Vanyar is a vast land, made up mostly of plains. There are hilly areas throughout the country, which makes it challenging at times to move throughout the land.
Major Features:Aside from the plains of Vanyar there is a large lake within the country. Lake Kora is the largest in the land, the sole body of water that provides to the citizens of Vanyar. The lake borders both Triston and Vanyar, but is technically in Vanyar, belonging to the nation. The name Kora comes from the Valarocco riders naming the lake after the word for beauty. Kora is also the Goddesses name that they believe protects Vanyar.
Major Cities: Vanyar's only city is that of the capital, Bersan. It houses the Marshal and his family, as well as the majority of the population outside of the small provinces within Vanyar.
PROVINCES
Redacre: The small province of Redacre is where former military and Valarocco riders have retired to. The people of Redacre are well cared for by the Marshal and his family, as they have served Vanyar proudly. The province was originally developed as a place for the elders, but was expanded to include the injured riders that were still young, but could no longer be part of the Valarocco. Redacre is a quiet place, the solitude evident upon entering the province. It is not bustling like the center of Vanyar, but rather quiet and reserved as are it's inhabitants.
Korin: (kor-een) The densest population outside of Vanyar itself is within the limits of Korin. This province is host to the market that is the main hub for trading within the boundaries of Vanyar. Merchants come from near and far to sell and barter within Korin. The trade is all regulated, but it draws a large crowd. Home to a number of families, Korin is a bustling marketplace of a town, save for the winter months.
Vail Hill: Descriptions of Vail Hill range from "ghost town" to "dead woods" when asked about by Vanyar locals. Once a thriving small province outside of Vanyar, the people of Vail Hill have since left the limits of the nation. A dispute between the locals of the province and the Marshal at the time led to an uprising, ultimately ending in those residents leaving for other cities. The people of Vanyar refer to Vail Hill as the dead woods more often than not, because the lack of care has led to overgrown plant life, an extensive wooded area, and most believe it to be haunted in some way. Vail Hill is visited at least once by every new Marhsal to understand the significance of unity in their vast land.
POPULATION
General:The entire population for Vanyar is around 5 million. This population of Vanyar is entirely human, save for the occasional visitor that has been invited into the land. Vanyar does not actively reject those of another population, however, it is known that many are stuck in the ways of old, the belief that humans are superior to magical folk.
CULTURE
General:Vanyar has a very deep rooted and rich culture. The arts are something that the people of Vanyar are very proud of, specifically the art of weaponry. Blacksmiths in Vanyar are very well respected, their art form while beautiful, also doubles as protection for the people.
Language: The official language of Vanyar is the common tongue, though many in the city and surrounding provinces are bilingual. The people of Vanyar have a well rounded understanding of the old language, which is known to some as Ka'tai. It is used most often in religious ceremonies, funerals, weddings, and the like.
Economy:The market in Korin makes the economy in Vanyar what it has become. The people may not be rich in terms of money, but the city does well and funnels the funds back into the provinces, and therefore, the people.
Religion: There are a number of Goddesses that Vanyar believes in, the most predominant being Kora, the protector of the land. There are no Gods in the Vanyar religion, as the story weaved throughout the history relates that women are the supreme power, and the men (royals in this case) do their bidding in the mortal world.
Deities: Kora - She is the most well known an loved of the Goddesses in Vanyar. It is known that she is the protector of the land, and steps in when the riders are gone to secure the borders. Kora is believed to be a dark beauty, taken hostage by a demon she fought her way out, thus named as protector of Vanyar.
Svete - This Goddess is unlike many other in the Vanyar belief, as people have stated they have seen her in the flesh. Svete is the Goddess of death, though she is not feared by the people. Those in Vanyar have a firm belief that Svete will lead them on to the beautiful afterlife, her pale skin and grip on the living world is as intense as it is intimidating.
Magic:Vanyar is the strictest (and most superstitious) of the Giraldan realms when it comes to magic. Mages are required to obtain marks from Noria in order to legally practice magic and can do so in private only. However, magic-users with marks are not universally protected under the law in Vanyar. Arrests, whether justified or not, are very common by the numerous prejudiced law enforcers. However, marked mages are usually released after a few days.
POLITICS
Historical: For the most part, politics in Vanyar have always remained "simple" to put it lightly. The Marshal and his family have always been rulers of the land, producing heirs to advance the bloodline into the future. There haven't been many issues with this way of ruling save for the conflict with Vail Hill. The provinces of Vanyar are represented at a quarterly meeting with the Marshal, however, it is not as democratic as the provinces would like.
Current: The current Marshal is trying to involve the provinces more in decision making when it comes to Vanyar and the outskirts. He is knowledgeable about governing, and believes that there is more to politics than one person telling everyone else what to do. It is the desire of the current Marshal to rule in conjunction with the provinces instead of the ways of the past, where they are simply told where they stand.
MILITARY
Organization: Because of the set up of Vanyar as a nation, the military consists mainly of mounted riders. The element of being on horseback helps the riders cover the most amount of land in the shortest amount of time. The Marshal is the leader of the Valarocco (the riders), however, the Marshal's right hand is typically leading the group, as it is often the case where the Marshal is tied up in other doings.
Troops: The troops consist only of male mounted riders. This has been the case since the beginning of Vanyar, and it does not look like it will change any time soon. These men are bred to be protectors, and begin training from a young age.
Tactics:The Valarocco, being mounted riders, are skilled with the bow as well as spears. They do not have a quiet approach as they are on horseback, but they are skilled in formation and approach to attack others and defend their land.