Verdona

Verdona is a country in the North West of Erris. It is touching to the east Impor, Velorus to the south, and the Viriddian Ocean on the west and north. It's capital is Beaumont and is a representative oligarchy (the people vote for representatives who then elect leaders of different departments of state who also act as a council/prime minister).

## Geography

### Lelinet Coast

The Lelinet Coast is located on the Southeastern edge of Verdona and is where most of the trade and travel between other Errisian countries takes place.

* **Beaumont:** The capital city of *Verdona*, it is known as the city of innovation and progress. It is on the Eastern edge of the country.

### Bytherain Mountain Range

the Bytherain Mountain Range is a small mountain range just north of the *Beaumont* that supplies the country with most of its mined supplies.

* **Ashborne:** a massive mining town in the heart of the *Bytherain Mountain Range* that contributes most of the raw and processed ore to Beaumont.
* **Felforge Citadel:** a military/guard training facility on the western side of the mountain range. Most guards and military personnel train here before going elsewhere to work. Not many people live here, but the ones who do usually supply the troops with the tools they need to train.

### Irosea Plains

the Irosea Plains take up most of the southern and western areas of the country. The terrain is quite bland and flat, which makes it good for farming.

* **Corriston:** a hamlet on the road to *Beaumont* from *Silveril*. It has no particular notable quality, it simply is a stop on the way from *Silveril*.
* **Silveril:** The main farming settlement that supplies *Beaumont*. The town lies to the west of the capital.

### Shattered Hills

The Shattered Hills is the area in the northern half of Verdona. It got it's name because of the hilly nature of the area and the tendency to have massive stones scatter the landscape, making the hills look shattered. Not many people live in this area considering there is very little ability to grow food.

* **Mir Pass:** A small village build of the stone it sits on. It is located to the north of the *Bytherain Mountain Range* and is not very often regarded.
* **Elya Caelora:** A largely elven city of Elven refugees from the Navasiil Jungle during the Primordial Chaos. It has adapted and integrated non elven citizens into the city as time has gone on. Most institutions are still run by elves, but other races are welcome to live there.
* **Nalor Aethyl:** The last Velarkan city remaining from before the Primordial Chaos. It is a hub of their culture, but remains outside of most discussions of Verdona by choice.

## Environment

The climate in the Verdona is similar to that of the real world's Central Europe or America's Midwest having 4 distinct seasons. Farther north is warmer. Verdona has very few wilderness areas. It especially has a distinct lack of forests. However, a few small areas exist. These include:

* Soarset Forest
* Dalkess Swamp

## Society

### Politics

#### Tithe Collectors

Citizens that live in cities where the Light Guard are present must pay taxes to the State. There is a base tax fee and additional taxes based on income. Every six months, tithe collectors go through the country, each usually escorted by a couple of Light Guards. They are recognizable by their modest colored clothes with pristinely clean white aprons and clipboards. Collectors go building to building, business to business. They inspect ledgers, ask about each business, look at the means by which citizens are living, and then make an estimation of what each citizen would owe for the biannual tax. They then collect the money and move on their way. Officially, this process is so each citizen could contribute to the military spending and social programs of the state as a whole. Unofficially, this is also used as a means of inspecting for any illegal activity. Often, a lot of people get arrested for illicit goods and activities discovered while tithes are being collected.

#### Nobility and influential families

There are many important and influential families in Verdona, many of which reside in Beaumont. Some include:

### Military

#### Light Guard - City Guards

Light Guards are the common guards found in Beaumont and other cities throughout the country. They act as the police force for the country. Their standard uniform and equipment consists of dark gray leathers, silver shoulder and arm plates, a shield, greaves, a helmet, a crossbow, and a basic longsword. Light Guards in Beaumont also have an air purifier mask for if they have to go to the lower city where the air is much worse.

#### Velvet Veils

The Velvet Veils are a small group of guards that protect specifically The Conduit Ward of Beaumont and the Ministers of the state. They start in the same training as the other guards but quickly are moved to their own training after assessment. They wear a silver breastplate and transparent maroon veils covering the head and shoulders of the guards. They also wear masks to hide their identity.

#### The United Front

The United Front is the army of Verdona. They wear chain mail and plate, and wield a shield and sword. They along with the Light Guard (and for a time the Velvet Veils) train in either The Templar Ward of *Beaumont* or *Felforge Citadel*.

### Laws

As judged by the eyes of the local judge, state sponsored judge, or the head of Law Enforcement (Kerzar Remora), any criminals discovered and/or convicted of crimes within local halls of judgement throughout the country are subject to punishment befitting the crime. All fines and punishments for crimes against a Light Guard, member of the United Front, or noble are doubled. All fines and punishments regarding crimes against a Head of State, member of the Velvet Veil, or international official of any rank are tripled.

* Theft: 5-10 days incarceration and/or a fine of twice the worth of the stolen goods.
* Worship of Non-Empire Gods: 30 days incarceration and a fine of 250 gp.
* Slavery: 12-20 months incarceration and a fine of 1800 gp.
* Trespassing: 12 days incarceration and/or fine of 215 gp.
* Tax Evasion: 5-30 days incarceration and a repossession of property equal to the amount owed.
* Damage to Private Property: 5-15 days incarceration or a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
* Damage to Crown Property: 15-60 days incarceration and a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
* Kidnapping: 60 days incarceration and/or a fine of 800 gp.
* Assault with Intent to Injure: 30 days incarceration and/or a fine of 350 gp.
* Assault with Intent to Kill: 250 days incarceration and/or a fine of 1800 gp, or execution.
* Murder: 8-15 years incarceration, and/or a fine of 6000 gp, or execution.
* Treason: 15-25 years incarceration, and/or a fine of 12,000 gp, or execution.

### Religion

Most gods among the pantheon are free to worship with a few exceptions. However, not many are represented by the state. The Minister of Religion (Caliope Van Hyden) is a follower of Hitarra, The Goddess of Valor and Protection, and therefore followers of Hitarra are the most represented in law, however, followers of other gods are not discriminated against.

## History

Verdona has quite an extensive history of success for Humans, but for the other longer lived races it was never an appealing place to live. As a result, before the Humans arrived, very few groups lived or settled in the area. Once the Humans arrive two groups of people formed settling on either side of the Bytherain Mountains.

The first group, the Velarkans, lived in the Northwest and not much is known to the greater world about them. They were known to those who knew them for their relaxed lifestyle and honoring of their lands which was a luxury afforded to them by the protection provided by the Bytherain mountains, which meant very little of their time was dedicated to building defenses. They also had an abundance of crops that grow only in rocky soil which are quite rare elsewhere. Things like Thyme, Lavender, Juniper, Holly, Catmint, Yucca, which were often used in area specific recipes for food, drinks like tea or alcohol, and medicines. They existed in isolation up until the Primordial Chaos, when the storms killed off many of the food sources for the people, larger predators, and various monsters. Many cities died off from starvation, were destroyed in storms, abandoned, or overrun by monsters desperate for food. Over time these cities have been taken back by nature, become nesting grounds for monsters, or completely wiped from the face of the planet. Some towns remain however, being rebuilt by those who fled, new towns built by unregulated immigrants from areas hit more severely by the Primordial Chaos, and one bastion of the old civilization, **Nalor Aethyl.**

The second group of people who lived in the area were called the Donisovans and were located South and East of the Bytherain mountains. They were known for their pursuits of educational topics (magic, philosophy, art, math, writing, music) and as passionate followers of Luara because of their desire to understand the magical lay lines in the area and the physical manifestations of this magic, i.e. people with powers, certain effects on those around, geographical results of obvious divine influence, etc. Even at this time Beaumont, then a city state, was the center of this area in terms of progress. As intellectual pursuits were their focus, their military wasn't very strong, and they were conquered by Impor and integrated into their society in 3626 AI. During their reign, Impor began to mine out the Bytherain mountains in an attempt to create easier passage to the other side and to gather resources. While creating these passages, they discovered potent magically charged gems and easily refined metals like silver and iron which they used to increase their military might. During the Battle of Planar Independence (PI), Impor had to pull much of their military from now Verdona in order to protect their homelands which gave Beaumont the opportunity to reclaim their independence (3688-3694 AI) and then develop their own armies with the resources gathered from the Bytherain mountains. Beaumont then expanded to claim the entire area on their side of the mountains. They began to explore just past the mountains when the Primordial Chaos began and forced them to focus on protecting themselves, but not before they received word that there were in fact other people on the opposite side of the mountains. During the Primordial Chaos they were able to continue their intellectual pursuits, perhaps not as intensely as before, and made many remarkable advancements with the aid of their newfound resources. After the Primordial Chaos, Beaumont completed the construction of one of the passages Impor had begun and built Felforge Citadel next to it to maintain control and restrict access so it could not be abused. They rediscovered the Velarkans and offered support and resources to maintain the fragile group, something they wished they had themselves been offered. The Velarkans Agreed, creating the unified state of Verdona, which has risen to power over the centuries following the Primordial Chaos as a land of military might and innovation, with Beaumont still at its core.