Lakaria

*"Lakaria is not the opposite of Waesyn nor a mirror image like many had thought-- but is more like a shadow of the soil we walk on with Lakarians walking atop grey grass and black dirt. It is truly it's own land."*

***- Marcario Moorehome, "The Secret World Beneath Us"***

**Lakaria** is the home to the Lakar. it is a subterranean collections of cities and tunnels. It can be accessed through various "satellites" throughout Waesyn. Lakaria is a brutal police state that has a ill reputation due to being heavily involved with slavery.

## People

Lakaria is home to the Lakar and the Paraméně and other species-- though often not by choice due to the lakar being active slavers. Some Dahlians will also find residence in Lakarian society as traders with connection to the top-soil.

### Lakar

*Main article: Lakar*

The Lakar have been watching the topside of Waesyn for some time, with records of Sotteran events being recorded while they were still an empire. The Lakar are taught to have full faith in the government and not to question authoritative figures. They lack the pointed ears of most surface races suggesting that they have a different ancestor than other races of Waesyn.

### Paraméně

*Main article:*

The Paraméně are made out to be savage and mindless beings that roam the Lakarian Wastes and the Slate Desert-- though this is largely propaganda that the Lakarian State uses to make them out to be "vermin" compared to the Lakarian people. The state refuses to even use them as slaves and instead opt to execute them. The Paraméně are actually sentient creatures who believe they were developing side-by-side with the ancient Lakar until their civilization was destroyed by the Lakarian ancestors. What actually happened is unknown since Paraméně records are kept only orally and the Lakar have destroyed any records of another species besides themselves inhabiting Lakaria. This has caused Paraméně to be hostile to nearly anything that moves through their territories.

## Government

### Central government

The government is usually referred to as "The State" though that is technically only one branch of the government. The "Lakarian Union" established a power-sharing agreement between themselves and the Larudina Order (order of information and intelligence.) The two groups constantly but heads as the Lakarian Central Command often wishes to expand Lakaria while the Order prefers to suppress it. The Lakarian Central Command is the voice and face of the state and are the ones who address the public, while members of the order are more like shadows that most citizens believe are always watching.

### Local government

Most local governments find themselves answering directly to Lakarian Union and truthfully lack much power of their own, until they are promoted in which case they usually join Central Command.

## Military

The army is under direct control by the Central Command. Training is strict and Lakaria has banned the notion of "militia" or "volunteer guards." Anyone patrolling the streets of Lakarian cities is a commissioned member of the military. The surface concept of being simply "enlisted" is foreign to the Lakarian Central Command.

The Lakarian army relies heavily on intelligence of their enemies before striking, which Central Command usually relies on the Larudina Order for such information. Members of the Larudina Order are more specialized and often masters of diplomacy, stealth and subterfuge. While all members of the general military must be a commissioned soldier, the Larudina are more open to the notion of being enlisted though it is quite rare.

Weaponry made in Lakaria is rigid and often has various barbs and spikes to try and cause bleeding on their foes. Armor is usually made from a strong stone-like metal that has the texture of concrete from the surface, but is much lighter and allows the user more freedom of movement.

## History

The Lakar have destroyed many records of their history before the creation of the Union. Most students are aware that the Lakar were experiencing massive food shortages and the quality of life was unbearable until the government and military took full control. Likewise most of the Larudina Order's origins are also kept secretive with most schools and universities refusing to even talk about them with their reputation being spread solely by rumors and word of mouth.

## Geography

While many believe Lakaria is a giant cave system beneath all of Waesyn, it is truly only beneath West-Waesyn and is not as cave-like as many imagine. While some areas are rocky and devoid of flora, Lakaria has many grasslands, forests, lakes and deserts of it's own. A large orb of light called the "Gul" serves as a light source for much of Lakaria however since neither it or Lakaria rotate around one another certain areas are persistently day or night.

## Flora and Fauna

### Flora

Flora in Lakaria is very similar to that of Waesyn except due to it's light source most of the plantation that would normally be green or blue is instead black and grey. Natives of Waesyn refer to this as "grey-grass," though Lakar just call it grass.

Popular fruits called "kerrian berries" come in various shades of white, black, grey and even translucent. These are the most common export items to the top-soil as they create the popular colorless spirit "Gikker."

### Fauna

Moths in Lakaria are much larger than their Waesyn cousins-- in fact they can be as large as a Villian Horse. The smallest breed of these giant moths are often times kept as pets and companions while the larger breeds are used as beasts of burden and war mounts. It is rare that they are brought to the surface due to the creatures not being conditioned for the environment.

kální (literally tall-walker in Sotteran) are large two legged birds with lizard-like talons that are used to traverse darker areas of Lakaria that are too dark for the light-loving moths. They are harder to control compared to moths due to aggressive temperaments but once a rider earns a kální's trust it is forever.

Other creatures like giant bats, grey silk lions and various frogs are also common creatures native to Lakaria.

## County Capitals

### Lakaria City

The capital and heart of Lakaria. Home to the "Atrium" the largest military building in all of Lakaria which is home to a secure vault containing Lakaria City residence records including a surgically removed molar to use as a means of tracking their citizens. Lakaria City host many military parades with soldiers marching through they streets while denizens are expected to chant their national anthem and wave Lakarian flags to celebrate the state. Lakaria City is also the home of many work camps were un-purchased slaves are kept and worked until they are bought or die from exhaustion.

## Economy

According to the State the economy has never been better.

## Religion

The Lakar do not have a religion. In fact, many individuals will find themselves persecuted if they are found to be practicing some sort of religious belief-- unless it is the sole dedication to the state. The Larudina Order spent years watching surface dwellers of faith and recording their movements and prayer to try and utilize similar magic via arcane energy instead as the practice of arcane magic is legal given the citizen has the correct paperwork.

## Culture

Lakar are practical and disciplined in nature. Since their life revolves around hierarchy in the state, this applies to home life as well. The eldest member of your family is always shown the utmost respect and generally considered "right" in regards to their opinions. Family loyalty is very important as is continuing ones lineage. Outside of the family it isn't uncommon for a lakar to commit acts of betrayal against others in order to improve their own social status or even a job promotion. In fact all Lakar are naturally suspicious of one another, sometimes even more so then when they interact with surface dwellers. Lakar enjoy debate and it is often polite to debate while sharing a meal. Lakar who argue will often become great friends and even consider a marriage if they never tire of debating with one another.