Nation of Villia

*"Villia was the backbone of our empire and the origin of our people, it is natural that we would return someday"*

***- Marcario Moorehome, "The Monumental Land of Waesyn"***

**The Nation of Villia**, or simply known as Villia is the homeland of the Sotterans, as well as the Aranlans and Eladrin. It is situated in northern Weasyn and is the coldest of the provinces in Waesyn. Villia is wealthy and influencial though its true power is oftentimes questioned.

## People

### Sotterans

*Main article: Sotteran*

Once known as the Sotter people, The Sotterans have been expanding and industrializing Villia since the start of the Second Cycle.

### Eladrin

*Main article: Eladrin*

Eladrin, once known as the Ella people, live secluded and secretive lives from the Sotterans. Eladrin in Villia typically dwell in the harsh winter wastes of north-eastern Villia which is largely uninhabited by the Sotterans and is filled mainly with ruins from the Monumentals from as far back as the Monumental Cycle or earlier.

## Government

### Central government

The Council de los Diputados functions as the primary legislative authority of the Nation fo Villia. They meet at the Council Building in Sebade, with the authority to pass a variety of legislation and create new tax laws. The current King or Queen can challenge any of the legislation passed by the council, oftentimes resorting in a veto. More often than not, the council is appointed by the monarch though some monarchs have held elections for a "peoples representative" in the past.

### Local government

Each major city has its own Count or Countess that rules over the city and the surrounding county. Sebade is ruled directly by the monarch however their firstborn is typically granted the title of Count of Sebade, though their position is more interim than anything.

## Military

The Villian Legion is the main fighting force of the Nation. While most soldiers are Sotteran, many others are enlisted among the ranks. They are generally equipped with pike or halberds and wear breastplate armor.

More specialized soldiers are the Musketeering Division who are outfitted with lighter armor such as studded leather or gambesons and wield rapiers and daggers. They usually do more covert operations or are focused on exploiting weaknesses in the enemies by flanking or distracting enemy lines allowing the legion to move in.

Villia's army is also unique for being the only army to train units specifically in song and verse meant to strengthen troops. The Musers are usually outfitted with ranged weapons and light armor, and focus on combat heal and giving support wherever it is needed.

Villia has a large navy as it is a water-bordering province-- though their navy is not nearly as large or renown as the Zutonesse.

## History

### Monumental Cycle

The Monumentals seemed most active in east Villia, which they called "Solvvind" which translates directly to "Silver Wind." While the Monumentals found comfort in the cold temperatures of Villia they were not widespread in the area. Some scholars believe that it was a place of leisure for the large creatures.

The Sotter and Ella tribes both had a strong presence in Villia though the Sotter were much more dominant than there cousins.

## Geography

Despite being very harsh and rugged in regards to temperature, Villia is quite flat compared to most other provinces of Waesyn with only one large peak north of Salanca aptly named Salance Peak. The east is typically more hazardous with more storms and fewer roads present the closer one gets to Leta. The Fortara border slowly transitions from temperate and deciduous trees to taiga pines and spruces.

## Flora and Fauna

### Flora

Vast numbers of types of flora are found in Villia. Plants can be found anywhere, even in the hazardous east. Frostbittern apple trees and frost melons grow in the wild and are often grown in controlled environments. Powder root is a very common light-blue flower that when cultivated can be consumed as a fresh water source.

### Fauna

Various creatures of burden and pets can be found in Villia just like most of Waesyn. Cows have thicker fur to keep them warm and Chickens typically have long and thick feathers that drape against the ground. Horses are well-muscled and strong with arched necks. House cats are usually larger than small dogs and dogs are even taller.

The Villian Sabrecat is the official animal of Villia. Sabrecats are large feline-like creatures with tusk who live in packs. They are oftentimes tamed to be guards alongside town watches. Hunters and farmers also utilize sabrecats to protect them and/or their crops.

Herds of Mammoth also roam in the east.

## County Capitals

### Caldas

*Main article:*

Caldas is a central Villian city. It is noteworthy for having an arena and rumored home to the Queens' Chanteri-- a notorious Thieves Guild. Caldas rivals Sebade in size though it lost much fo its wealth after the Attack at the start of the third cycle. Caldas in particular hosts many Eladrin hate groups since so many were killed in their initial attacks. It is now known as a city of crime and many parts are considered dangerous.

### Nallo

*Main article:*

Nallo is the northernmost city in Villia. During the first cycle Nallo was very isolated from other Villian cities as Salanca, Caldas and even Sebade were barely developed if founded at all. Nallo was a place thieves, convicts and those looking to escape went to hide. After the fall of the empire though, Nallo was cleaned up by the monarch and made to be the home of the Villian navy base. It has since been more prosperous being focused on trade and sailing.

### Salanca

*Main article:*

Known for being the home to the Villian Grand Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Villia and 2nd largest in Waesyn, Salanca is a very clean and spacious city. During the first cycle, Salanca would be the home of the Pontifice Sansone

### Sebade

*Main article:*

Sebade is the largest city and capital of Villia. Both the Monarch and the Council de los Diputados are located here, meaning Sebade is full of governmental buildings. Sebade has unique architecture in regards to its walls and it often considered to be the most defended city in all of Waesyn. While other Villian cities are known for military, navy, education, arts and trade-- Sebade has a bit of everything and is often called the hub of Sotteran culture because of this.

### Miracort

*Main article:*

Miracort is the westernmost city in Villia, located along the Zutonesse Villian border. The Miracort Mage Academy dominates the skyline. It is home to one of the three bases of operations for the Shuǐjīng Coast Trading Company (and the only one in Villia.) West and East Miracort are divided by the Badian River.

### Peveza

*Main article:*

Peveza is a southern city and much smaller than most others. While quant, it does host a large military training academy outside the city walls. The Academy is historic and has been running since the first cycle. While Peveza was nearly destroyed during the War of the Giants, the academy still stands strong to this day.

### Raavo

*Main article:*

Raavo is lush and while it is considered to be Villian territory, it is geographically comparable to the Fortarra Wild. It also is close to the Leta border. Raavo finds itself in constant fortification as it is the newest city of Villia and closest to the infamous Fortarra Wild. It's also notable for being so far away from other Villian cities that it has the longest wait for trade and communication. Raavo features some buildings from the Monumental Cycle-- one such building has been converted into the Ravian Monastery, famed for producing students of the divines that practice hand-to-hand combat.

### Veriz

*Main article:*

Veriz is the southernmost city and borders Zuton and Llewyn. Due to it's closeness to central Waesyn it is the most culturally diverse city with many different walks of life. This has given Veriz the reputation of being the home of artisans and craftspeople. Food in Veriz is of its own cuisine, with so many different places influencing it's flavors and spices.

## Other Places of Note

### Yera

*Main article:*

Yera is a small city and haven for Eladrin who wish to not be involved with terrorist acts against the Sotterans and other races. Unlike Wen Anore, it has no secrecy and is only hidden because of it location in a harsh environment.

## Economy

While cities across Villia have varying degrees of wealth, it is oftentimes viewed as one of the wealthier nations alongside Zuton and Llewyn. Places like Raavo and Caldas are on the poorer side of the spectrum when compared to cities such as Salanca and Miracort-- with the other capital cities being somewhere in between. Nationwide exports typically include frostbite cider, frost melons and fish. More esoteric goods such as Cerulean Silk and Villian Steel are also of note.

## Religion

The Cosmonious has found praise among the Sotteran people since the Monumental Cycle. Since brought to Waesyn from the first Vel Pilgrims the belief has transformed somewhat and the Sotterans are largely responsible for mortalizing the gods in art and depiction by making them more relatable in appearance. Every city has a cathedral of chapel dedicated to the Cosmonious but some of the larger locations will have churches dedicated to a specific deity. This idea was foreign to the Vellese who came to Waesyn but as they integrated into the lands they accepted it as well, thus the practice has since become common across Waesyn.