Duodom of Varin Islands

### Geography

The duodom consists of two main islands, West and East Varin, as well as smaller islands within the vicinity and its inner sea, Serpent Sea.

#### West Varin

The north district of Emerald Hills is famous for its wineries, orchards, and high quality produce. Mild climate and fertile lands always drew the hafllings to the soft hills and glistening lakes and as such the towns, villages, and hamlets have been mostly built by them. With temperatures year round ranging from 20C to 30C and influences or both the sea to the east and ocean to the west it's a popular destination for travel and leisure. The crown jewel of the city Ilunet, being the island and district capital, is the biggest and most used port of the duodom. The waters of the Luna Bay are home to the country's merfolk population with their biggest city of Neprin as well as wealth of fish and pearl oysters.

Middle of the island has a cooler but still temperate climate. Just south of the Silver Heights stretches the vast Favan Forest, the biggest source of lumber for the island. The biggest city of the Favan district, Iskavor, is an old fortress of the Civil War, its high walls nestled in the hills right on the shore of the Veraware Lake.

West-most part of the island quickly turns into a vast steppe with never ending horizons. Swept by the winds fuelled by the ocean currents the inhabitants specialize in husbandry and are the best riders in and out of the military. The orc city of Ghenra still bears the resemblance to the war camp which predates its inception, but currently is a bustling hub of trades activity as well as the campus of the Hatta University and Memory Library.

The southeast part of the island is covered in thick and in parts impassable forest and jungle of Vethulin. Only the peaks of Golden Heights and shrouded mists of their waterfalls are visible above the canopy. Most of the inhabitants of the district are elves who built one of their twin cities - Asteri, as well as a number of towns and villages along the coast. Great explorers of the area are the source of most complex herbal concoctions and advances of traditional medicine, all connected to the famed Mother's Hospital.

#### East Varin

The northern part of the east island is a harsh and hardly explored terrain. With the range of Excord Mountains slashing through the heart of the district and covered in primal, mostly coniferous forests, it's a place not many can made their home. Nevertheless, the dwarves of Hagor thrive in the deep mines and tunnels crisscrossing the rocky bellies. Traversing the district on land is a risky business, so most of the trade with the craftsmen and miners of the city happens through Shimmering Bay, up the Thunder River and through the Marre Lake which waters reflect the great gates of Hagor.

Further south the forest thins out to the Plains of Nervano and great lakes of the country. The area wealthy in natural resources as well as fertile lands covered in fields of grains is the thriving beat of the duodom's factories and production. While inhabited mostly by humans, the gnomes of the Fluxburn created a perfect place to innovate and merge science with magic. The biggest city, the fortress of Monteveno, is the island's capital and seat of its ruler.

The highest mountains of both of the islands, Lothevi Bluffs, create a natural border between most of the east island and the southernmost district - Attanati. Jungles, covered in mist and braided through with the spreading threads of the Laethi river, slowly transition into freshly green forests of Uthulu, then rolling hills of Nauthi Meadows, to end sharply on the great cliffs known as Bridal Veils. The biggest city of the district, Atemi, is the elven twin of Asteri, just across the Serpent Sea. While the rest of the area is also mostly inhabited by elves, masters of woodworking and silvercraft, the district hosts the villages of the duodom's birdfolk in the peaks of the Lothervi Bluffs.

### Governance

The country is rules by two bodies of equal power - rulers of each island and the Island Council.

The rulers of both islands are crowned at the same day and stay in power for a maximum of 25 years. In an event of earlier death the other ruler abdicates so a new pair can be established. Each new heir is chosen from within the respective families, regardless of age or sex.

#### West Varin

The island is ruled by Saliomise of the White Waters. The family is of a matriarchal structure with nymphs heading their branches along their consort husbands. The family seat can be found on the Cove Island in Luna Bay, with the current ruler residing in the Pearl Palace in Ilunet.

#### East Varin

The island is ruled by Valentine of Green Shields. The clan is renowned for their strict military traditions and hierarchy within the family. Always connected with the city of Monteveno, staying close to the ruler residence as well as clan Common House.

#### Island Council

The Island Council is a body of advisors whose members represent each group of people living within the duodom. Currently the council has 49 seats with representatives of humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, halflings , gnomes, merfolk, and birdfolk, along with officers of bigger trades and merchant guilds, all three universities, captains of the army and navy, each district Elders, and many more smaller groups. Each represented category has autonomy in choosing their representatives.