Varian Kingdom

## Varian

Varian is located to the northwest of Caesonia and, while still a beautiful land, seems to be a bit harsher. The land is filled with dense forests, rocky mountains, and much cooler weather. In the far northern part of the country, there seems to be a constant dusting of snow, even through the spring and summer months. The capital of Varian is the city of Breoven, located on the western coast of the country. Varian is ruled by Queen Rosa and King Alixandre Camilia, a kind and morally righteous monarch that rules with respect and has earned the love of their people. While they are not entirely fond of the King and Queen of Caesonia, they still attend the gathering of the courts every year in order to keep the peace.

Each town has a weekly meeting of representatives who are key to the running of the community. Each territory also has a meeting every three months as well which includes all the counts, barons, and other key representatives. The Varian Kingdom values giving a voice to those in community, especially to their greatest thinkers. Doctors, scientists, and other specialists in the community are invited to give their perspective as the King and Queen recognize that the worth in their words.

The three main territories are the Krasivaya, Stravinsky and Brustad.

Culture, architecture, names, and food all have a loose basis in German/Romanian/Norwegian/Russia cultures.

## Title Ranking and Important Figures

1. **King and Queen**
	* The King and Queen both have final say on matters within the kingdom.
	* King Alixandre Camilia is the current King and Queen Rosa Camilia is the current queen.
2. **Eldest Prince/Princess**
	* The current heir to the throne is Princess Beatrice Camilia.
3. **Younger Princes/Princesses**
	* The current younger siblings are Prince Felix Camilia and Princess Sadie Camilia.
4. **Duke/Duchess**
	* The Duke/Duchess is a high ranking official who holds power over a territory. He/She must carry out the King/Queen's laws and wishes at all times. They must also oversee the area and keep things running smoothly.
	* The Duke/Duchesses holdtrimonthly meetings with high ranking nobility of the territory and decides how to proceed through issues.
	* The current Dukes are
		+ Duchess Alice Smithwood and Duchess Valerie Smithwood of Stravinsky
		+ Duke Guillermo Santiago Lesdeman and Duchess Francesca Anne Lesdeman of Brustad
		+ Duke Dimitri Kovalenko of Krasivaya
5. **Count/Countess**
	* The Count/Countess is a high ranking official who holds power over a region within a territory. He/she must oversee a region for the Duke while following the King's wishes as well.
	* They hold monthly meetings with the barons of their area and report information through mail to the Duke. They do not often need to meet in person unless there is an emergency or it is at a meeting called by the Duke or King. The current counts are:
		+ Count Gustav Hansen of Stravinsky.
		+ Count Johannes Mäkinen and Countess Ada Mäkinen of Stravinsky.
		+ Count Fritz Hendrix of Brustad
		+ Count Sven Pawonska and Countess Kasia Pawonska of Brustad.
		+ Count Sebastian Blackwood of Krasivaya
		+ Countess Diana Cristian of Krasivaya

1. **Baron/Baroness**
	* The Baron/Baroness is essentially a mayor for a city. They oversee a city's smooth running and hold frequent meetings with the townspeople and specialists of the community.
2. **Lord/Lady**
	* Lords/Ladies have important voices during political meetings as they are respected as esteemed members of the community.. They are invited to all important political and social gatherings for nobility. They are well-respected individuals and often quite wealthy.

## Culture

### 2. Music

1. All types of music are encouraged.
2. Music tends to be more upbeat, vary more often and even lean into folk tunes than Caesonia.

### 3. Holidays

* **Lover's Day** - A day to appreciate your partner or perhaps find one. This usually involves gift-giving and dates.
* **Costume Day -** This is a fun holiday in the fall where everyone dresses up in costumes. Children go door to door looking for candy while older folk go to parties. It is forbidden to wear anything that has to do with witches or magic. Pumpkin-themed foods are encouraged.
* **Drunkards Weekend-** This is a weekend where getting wasted is encouraged.
* **Bunny Day** - A day where it's expected a magical bunny comes to houses and leaves chocolates and fun goodies for children.
* **Festival of Lights** - A holiday celebrated during the darkest time of the year, where people light candles, lanterns, and string lights to bring warmth and light into their homes and communities. There are often parades, performances, and feasts to celebrate the occasion.
* **Gratitude Day** - A day to express gratitude and appreciation for the people, things, and experiences in our lives. People write thank-you notes, perform random acts of kindness, and participate in volunteer activities. They often have feasts where everyone takes in one person in need and feeds them dinner with their family.
* **Remembrance Day** - A day to honor those who died in past wars.

### **4. Fashion**

Their fashion is much less conservative than Caesonia. Skin is acceptable to show even for women and it is normal for women to even wear pants. However, there are logical restrictions still.

## Laws

The law enforcement or guards are often called the Varian Protectors. Many call them the VPs for short. They carry whatever weapons suit them from swords to pistols. They always have light armor as opposed to the knights who wear heavier armor. All are tried in a court and provided a lawyer.

1. Murder - Punishable by Life in Prison
2. Treason - Punishable by Exile
3. Arson - Punishable by 20 years in prison
4. Thievery - Punishment depends on worth of item stolen, ranging from 1 to 10 years.
5. Sexual assault - Punishable by 50 years in prison
6. Destruction of property - Punishable by 5 years in prison
7. Trespassing - Punishable by 1 year in prison
8. Physical Assault - Punishable by 10-50 years in prison depending on severity.
9. Selling Drugs- Punishable by 3 years in prison
10. Trafficking/Slavery - Life in Prison

## Crime and the Black Market

Crime in Varian is at a lower rate than Caesonia, but the black market of Caesonia easily infiltrates into Varian and plagues the kingdom with crime as well.

The black market in Caesonia is a well-organized enterprise, with a variety of operations that span not only nationwide, but through all of Eromora. Some of the more prominent operations include slavery, ring-fighting, piracy, drugs, and magic.

Slaves are often targeted among the most vulnerable segments of the population such as lone travelers, children, the homeless, and women. The slaves are used for multiple purposes that is often left to the decision of the buyer.

Ring-fighting involves illegal underground fights to the death, sometimes involving slaves or children. Sometimes even nobles attend to place bet as they get addicted to the adrenaline and gambling style of the fights.

Despite the presence of a strong navy, piracy still flourishes in many areas due to a defensive focus of the capital cities. Traveling ships are often attacked and looted.

Drugs are in high demand in a society where even the nobles are unhappy in some incidences.

The market for magic is also present, with secret sellers offering spell books, enchanted items, and potions, though caution must be exercised as scams are known to occur. You can even rent time with a slave that could be used for magic-use so that you do not have to bear the cost.

## Religion

### The Varian Pantheon

1. **Lordisa** - The goddess of wisdom, magic, and creation. She is known for her deep knowledge and understanding of the universe, and she is often consulted by other gods for her advice and counsel. She is depicted as a wise and serene woman. She usually is shown with a staff that symbolizes her power over magic and creation. Lordisa is referred to as **the Mother of the Gods.**
2. **Rothgar** - The god of war, strength, and courage. He is a fierce warrior, known for his unyielding courage and his ability to inspire his soldiers to fight to the death. Rothgar is also associated with leadership and is often called upon to lead armies in times of war. He is depicted as a muscular figure, with a sword and shield that represent his prowess in battle. He is considered **the Father of the Gods.**
3. **Freya** - The goddess of love, fertility, and beauty. She is often associated with sensuality and eroticism and is said to bring pleasure and joy to those who invoke her. Freya is also a fertility goddess, and she is invoked by couples seeking to conceive children. She is depicted as a voluptuous figure, with long golden hair and a necklace of amber that symbolizes her powers.
4. **Helio**- The god of the sun, light, and warmth. In addition to his powers over the sun, Helio is also associated with healing and medicine. He is often invoked by healers and physicians seeking to cure the sick. Helio is depicted as a radiant figure, with a golden aura and a staff that symbolizes his powers.
5. **Astrid** - The goddess of the stars, the moon, and the night sky. She is associated with mysticism and magic and is often invoked by those seeking to understand the mysteries of the universe. Astrid is also associated with divination and is said to be able to see into the future. She is depicted as a beautiful figure, with long silver hair and a cloak of stars that shimmers in the darkness.
6. **Valdemar** - The god of death, the underworld, and the afterlife. He is a stern figure, responsible for judging the souls of the dead and determining their fate in the afterlife. Valdemar is often associated with darkness and is feared by many. However, he is also a god of justice and is said to be fair in his judgments. He is depicted as a tall figure, with a black cloak and a scythe that symbolizes his power over death and the afterlife.
7. **Niamh**: The goddess of music and the arts. She is often depicted playing a harp or singing, and is believed to inspire creativity in mortals.
8. **Eirik:** The god of storms and weather. He is known for his unpredictable temper, and is often invoked by sailors and farmers to bring rain or calm the seas.
9. **Siv:** The goddess of hunting and the wilderness. She is often depicted with a bow and arrow, and is believed to protect animals and the natural world from harm.
10. **Fae:** The god of trickery, illusions, and deception. Fae is known for his ability to deceive and manipulate others, often for his own amusement. He enjoys playing pranks and causing chaos, and is particularly fond of tricking mortals into making deals or promises that they later regret. Despite his mischievous nature, Fae is also known for his cleverness and intelligence, and is sometimes called upon by other gods to solve difficult problems or outwit their enemies.

### **The Origins**

According to the Varian religion, the origin of the gods begin within a vast void of space called the Mahalla Realm. This is where Gods can be born due to the crashing and interactions between planets and worlds. However, the birth of Gods through this way is something that is thought to be a very rare occurrence. One day, within this void emerged two worlds: Pyra, a world of fire and heat, and Frostling, a world of ice and cold. The two worlds collided and from this surge of energy came the birth of Lordisa, a very powerful goddess like no other. Then, Rothgar was born from the flames of Pyra, the world of fire, and imbued with the heat and strength of the inferno. The two were both beautiful and looked just as humans do. Gods are thought to be born with the natural urge and power to help foster prosperity on Eromora. Lordisa and Rothgar may have been born together, but it had not taken long for the two to drift apart due to their contrasting natures and responsibilities.

Lordisa's wisdom and magical abilities allowed her to create a kingdom in the sky called Siresgard, high above the planet of Eromora, where she could watch over the mortal realm and bestow prosperity upon those who worshipped her. Meanwhile, Rothgar's strength and courage led him to establish his own kingdom called Starke in the rugged mountains, where his people worshipped him during times of war, hoping he'd help them win battles.

As time passed, Lordisa and Rothgar became aware of each other's existence and began to fall in love. Lordisa and Rothgar gave birth to several other gods, each of whom inherited some aspect of their parents' power and nature. Helio, the god of the sun, was born from Lordisa's ability to create and nurture life, while Rothgar's strength and leadership skills were passed on to his son, Eirik, the god of storms and weather.

As Lordisa and Rothgar continued to rule their respective kingdoms, a god named Malakaria, emerged but her origins were unknown. Malakaria was a powerful god of darkness and chaos, and she soon became a rival to both Lordisa and Rothgar. Malakaria was immediately taken with Rothgar, and she sought to win his affection. However, Rothgar rejected her advances as he would not betray Lordisa.

Malakaria was furious and vowed to destroy their precious kingdoms. She launched an attack on the kingdom in the sky, and a fierce battle ensued between the two gods. Although Lordisa was able to defend her kingdom with her magical powers, the battle took a toll on her, and she was left weakened and vulnerable. Rothgar intervened and joined the battle. Together, he and Lordisa were able to defeat Malakaria but not without a cost. As punishment for her treachery, Malakaria was banished to the underworld, where she would remain for all eternity, but Malakaria was able to still get her revenge despite this, as she left Rothgar and Lordisa one last present: a curse that they could never be together without fading from existence.

The curse could only be lifted if Lordisa and Rothgar were willing to sacrifice their kingdoms and their followers, which they could never bring themselves to do. And so, they remained forever apart, their love a tragic tale that echoed through the ages. Despite their sadness, they continued to watch over their children and their followers, offering guidance and protection from afar. And their kingdoms and followers continued to thrive, sustained by the love and power of their divine parents.

However, their love for each other was so strong that it still manifested in the birth of more children, the other gods of the Varian pantheon.

## Known History of Varian - More to be added

The history of the kingdom of Varian a can be traced back to its earliest days, with records and books preserved in public archives and museums displaying artifacts and historical pieces. Before year zero is considered ancient history, which is similar to that of Earth. The counting of years began at the point when the world established a unified system of time measurement.

### **Major Historical Events**

#### **The Classical Period**

* **YEAR 339:** The unification and beginning of varian
* **YEAR 330**: The Varian Kingdom is formed
* **YEAR 502:** Rising tensions between Varian and Caesonia escalate into war.
* **YEAR 512:** The first Varian War ends as Caesonia comes out victorious.
* **YEAR 515:** A treaty is signed between Caesonia and Varian, establishing peace between the two countries.
* **YEAR 542:** Trade begins between the Varian and Alidasht once explorers discover the region.
* **YEAR 567**: A great earthquake strikes Varian, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The kingdom struggles to recover from the disaster, but eventually rebuilds and develops new building techniques to withstand future earthquakes.
* **YEAR 580**: The Varian Empire begins to decline, as internal conflicts and external pressures weaken the kingdom. This leads to a period of instability and chaos, as various factions and warlords struggle for power.
* **YEAR 600:** The Varian Kingdom experiences a period of stability and prosperity under the wise and just rule of King Aric I. He implements reforms to strengthen the economy, improve infrastructure, and promote education and culture.
* **YEAR 830:** The Varian Kingdom develops a strong navy and establishes a dominant presence on the seas. This allows them to protect their trade routes, defend their shores, and project their power abroad.

#### **The Golden Period**

* **YEAR 1000:** The Gilded Age of Varian begins as the economy flourishes, arts and sciences advance, and trade with other countries expands. This period of prosperity lasts until the mid-1200s.
* **YEAR** **1150**: The Varian Kingdom becomes a center of learning and scholarship, attracting intellectuals and scientists from all over the world. This leads to new discoveries in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
* **YEAR 1220**: A major trade route to the east is established, connecting Caesonia to the Alidasht and Varian Kingdoms. This boosts the economy and allows for the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture.
* **YEAR 1265**: The Varian University is founded, becoming a hub of learning and scholarship. It attracts intellectuals and students from all over the world, further advancing the country's culture and intellectual achievements

#### **The Dark Period**

* **YEAR 1284**: The Dark Period begins as a mysterious and deadly plague spreads throughout Caesonia, decimating its population and weakening its economy. At the same time, Caesonia is faced with numerous invasions seeking to take advantage of Caesonia's weakened state. King Callum I Danrose believes the attacks to be from the Varian Kingdom. The plague spreads to the Varian Kingdom and the varians believe it to be an attack from the Caesonians. Tensions rise between the two kingdoms, but the plunging economy and health stall any retailiation. Famine and economic hardship becomes widespread as crops fail and food becomes scarce.
* **YEAR 1310:** In an attempt to regain power and resources, King Callum I Danrose launches an attack on the Varian Kingdom. This sparks the Second Varian War, which lasts for over a decade and results in widespread destruction, loss of life, and economic ruin for both kingdoms.
* **YEAR 1322:** King Callum I Danrose becomes overconfident after getting the upperhand and attempts to attack the north of Varian in the winter. This leads to a catastrophic defeat as his forces are caught off guard by the harsh winter weather and the well-prepared northern Varians.
* **YEAR 1325:** The war ends in a stalemate as both sides exhaust their resources and are forced to agree to a peace treaty. The treaty forces Caesonia to cede territory to Varian and pay reparations, further weakening the kingdom and deepening the poverty and unrest among its citizens.

#### The Learning Period

* **YEAR 1400:** Trade and travel between the two countries had opened up again after the treaty had been signed, leading to a slow revival of the economy and the arts. Many new innovations in agriculture are developed, bringing a slow return to prosperity.
* **YEAR 1450:** The Varian Kingdom experiences a cultural renaissance, with the rise of new art forms, literature, and music. This helps to promote national pride and identity, and to strengthen the bonds between the Varian people.
* **YEAR 1530**: Varian scholars make significant contributions to fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Their discoveries and innovations have a lasting impact on the world and continue to influence these fields to this day.

#### **The Industrial Period**

* **YEAR 1612:** The Industrial Period begins as Varian experiences rapid industrialization, transforming its economy and society. Advances in machinery and the growth of factories leads to increased production and a rise in wealth for the country. The growth of cities and urbanization leads to a shift in the workforce, as many people move from rural areas to work in the factories.
* **YEAR 1650:** With the increased production and demand for goods, Varian entrepreneurs and inventors begin to focus on developing new technologies and innovations.
* **YEAR 1630:** The Varian government invests heavily in transportation infrastructure, including the building of new roads, canals, and railroads. This leads to a growth in trade and commerce, further fueling the country's industrial revolution.
* **YEAR 1654:** The Varian Caesonian Railroad is built, enabling people to travel to main cities throughout the two countries. This also helps to further build the relationship between the two countries.
* **YEAR 1700:** The production of goods in Varian reaches an all-time high.