Vredia

**Vredia** is a country along the northeastern coast of Caledric, bordering The Blighted Lands, Dwimneur and south of Koranthia, The Great Deep.

## Geography

Volcanic, dry, and extremely mountainous.

### Climate

Vredia was primarily temperate, but, owing to the large amount of wild elemental energy lingering from the rifts to the Elemental Planes, wind patterns were erratic, as was weather. The climate in Vredia is largely dry, because of the constant drift of hot air from the volcanic mountains of Lacrimaranthi and the lack of ocean air that is blocked by both the Eastern Spine and Lacrimaranthi.

## Wealth

Vredia is the origin of many a magical item, spell, and artifact's creation, the magical energies infesting the lands letting spellcasters of all stripes dig deeper into and successfully manipulate the Weave.

## Culture

The values and customs of Vredia are often derived from the elements with which they associate. First and foremost is the raising, education and protection of future generations. A man or woman may speak as they will and protect themselves if they must. Community and children are the greatest treasure, and opportunity is expected everywhere. Lead by the council known as the Element 4, Vredia continues to prosper.

* **Fire:** Fire is many things; a ward, a guide, a provider and a destroyer. Courage is great, but one needs to temper the brash anger within. If a household does not own a weapon, the parent or guardian is expected to attend training in a simple weapon such as a mace or club. Weapons must be open carry and clearly visible to others, and one can attend more training to be permitted possession of martial weapons, with a separate course each for ranged weapons and heavy weapons. Protection of children is highly valued, and abuse of children often results in forced loss of occupation and status or worse. Verdicts in judicial matters are often doled out by members of peers, and honest evaluation is expected.
* **Earth:** Earth is growth first and foremost, as well as the settle towards decay. Child care is important, although children are allowed to take certain occupations during early adolescence such as gardening/landscaping/farming and other simple tasks to get accustomed to employment. If placed in an hourly or other time-based task, they may be paid minimum wages. Birthdays are celebrated often, with gatherings of many families together at once. Parties are frequent in celebrating milestones of one or more members of the group. Even funerals are large gatherings with merrymaking to give a happy sendoff to their loved ones, but this can result in them being seen as insensitive to death in the eyes of other nations.
* **Wind:** The free traveler and spirit of communication. There are public Sending booths in every large city, with a mere copper being the price of 5 castings to encourage frequent communication with distant loved ones or friends. A lightning rail has been approved through the nation, allowing quick transport between landmarks. Freedom of speech and expression are considered birth rights to Vredia's citizens, as well as peaceful protest. Dishonesty is considered an incredibly harmful act, however. Even a simple street scammer will be driven out or imprisoned for more than a year. Oaths and promises are made carefully and are sacred, and citizens are encouraged to help others fulfill their promises and last wishes.
* **Water:** Change and tests. Given trials are frequent to keep both children and adults on their toes, stagnancy met with disapproval. These are also cause for celebration, but failure invites correction of path. Individuals are expected to be educated and adaptable, so tutors are a common occupation. Quiet is a concept far from most people's minds except in sleep; laziness disappoints, especially in the higher authorities. The infrastructure of the nation changes almost every century.

## Military

The icons of government and military leadership often include fire iconography, with ranks signified through one or more tongues of flame. Badges begin as Silver, then Gold and Adamantine among higher ranks, from Single Tongue captains to Seven Tongue generals such as Seven Tongue Jarvatheth. The people's primary defense against the demonic hordes are their fiery mountains and the elementals there. Scouts are also given tattoos in tongues based on a chain of command. Their military may not be the strongest, but they are infamous with overwhelming and unpredictable aggression and brutality to their foes, a savagery to match the demons that assail them. Prisoners of war (POWs) are rare.