Veranese Citystates

**Population**: 65% Westrasi Humans, 20% Elves, 15% Half-elves

**Capital**: Dominating cities in the region are Ravena, Tiria, Iluria and Sforza

**Goverment**: Varies by city, but all the cities are part of a League with a leader elected by each city casting a vote.

#### **Culture**

Veranese are merchants, lovers and bon vivants at heart. While the city-states are not a big military threat to any neighbor, they are the home of many fable duelists, poets, fabled seductors and legendary gormands. Each city has their own habits and peculiarities but in general they are brave yet undiscipline, hot blooded people as quick to yell and curse as they are to fawn and flatter. Often in the span of minutes

#### **Religion**

The majority of cities follow the Church of Divine Duality. However Sforza is the founder and most burning adept of the Sforzian Chapel of Gloria and Etalia.

#### **Organization**

The cities of the Veranese coast formed a league to protect themselves and most important, their trade routes from raiders, Westrasi Sea pirates and foreign invaders. Most cities are 'republics', though they are de factor ruled by a plutocracy of the richest patrician families.

#### **Origin**

In the ancient age, the Verani Empire conquered the whole Westrasi Sea and held grasp of it for over seven hundred years. The Empire called it 'Our Pound', as they held all lands around the sea. The Verani empire fell mostly due to internal economic strife and sternal pressure from less civilized neighbours, but the core of the empire remained tightly knitted together by paved roads and a love for gold. While the cities fought each other frequently, recent conflict with the Saramese lead them to join forces to present a united from in naval warfare, and the benefits of the alliance caused the temporary pact to become a temporary arrangement with rotationary leadership.

#### **Diplomacy**

The Veranese cities have tense relations with the Saramese, but close ties to the Euraxian kingdom. They trade with most of the Westrasi sea, but their main rival is the Free city of Betranox. Depsite both fearing the Saramese fleet, Betranox is constantly disrupting Veranese trade with by being a corsair haven.

#### **Geography**

The land is mostly arid, rocky hillsides not good for growing much besides grapes and olives.

The Harbor of Ravena is the fourth of Laelaz's Nine Wonders of the World.

#### **Economy**

Trade is the backbone of Veranese economy. Trade and craftsmanship and refining. They by raw materials, from timber, stone, olives, grapes, wheat, wool from all over the Westrasi sea and beyond through land routes, and the high urban population provides sufficient journeyman guildsmen, tools and facilities to process these goods into their most expensive form: Sculptures, furniture, wine, olive oil, clothes, etc. These high quality goods are they sold either back to where the raw materials were bough, or elsewhere. As their main trade is 'knowledge and skill', Veranese city states have developed craft universities and a overarching guild system to both preserve the secrets of the trade but also expand the knowledge base. Veranese crossbows are legendary quality. The most expensive of them are fitting gifts for kings.

#### **Player Character Notes**

The Veranese hail from one of the wealthiest regions of the Westrasi Sea, and are known for their eloquent, hot-blooded, and passionate nature. A good choice for roguish characters who rely on quick wits and charming charisma. The Veranese city-states also produce a great number of mercenaries do to their constant warring, and these mercenaries tend to fight in wars all around the Westrasi sea.