Sanguina

Sanguina is the native land of the Vampires, it is situated on an island that is thought to have long since broken away from the main continent along with a small section of Avernus, much of the northern portion of Sanguina is mountainous, while the southern portion is more open. Most Vampires live within deep caverns under the country.

## Overview

Sanguina is generally quite peaceful above ground, as a majority of vampires live within the deep cave systems running throughout the land, some vampire lords take advantage of cave openings to build large castles in the relatively unspoiled land above however.

The landscape of Sanguina is tinted red due to the richness of iron compounds in the rock and soil, along with large amounts of Sanguinite in the caves. One cave in particular has become known as the Crimson Hollow due to being entirely lined with Sanguinite, as such it was chosen as the location for the capital of Sanguina.

## Government

Sanguina is governed by individuals most commonly referred to as Lords, Ladies or [gender neutral term], this is often applied as a prefix to the rank given to an individual. The roles taken by important Vampires give varying amounts of power and suggest land ownership within Sanguina. The prefix is typically only used in notably formal situations. Other roles exist within governmentally funded organisations such as the Demonic Incursion Agency (D.I.A), including Coordinator and Operative.

### President

The ruler of Sanguina, a president may only be elected from the already elected number of Chancellors. The president of Sanguina has official control over all land within the country; however, must pass decisions through a collection of Chancellors and the affected Cardinals in order to ensure decisions are agreed upon democratically. The president is permitted to create or pass laws alongside the Chancellors and is capable of overriding the Chancellors in extreme situations

### Chancellor

Chancellors are individuals elected to a council that may pass laws under the supervision of the president, they can be from any background; however, are often also Cardinals. Their role is to ensure that Sanguina continues to run smoothly as a country and often may assist in providing a service to the country such as the D.I.A or law enforcement.

### Cardinal

An unelected role, given to Vampires who own at least a town or large areas of land for producing/harvesting important resources. Cardinals may pass local laws within their land, though these can be overruled by Chancellors or the president if necessary.

## Culture

### Cuisine

Sanguinian cuisine utilises a mix of elements that originate from Sanguina, along with elements taken from other countries in former conquest attempts. Food often uses much of the available supplies to create efficient meals which limit waste.

**Bloodroot Moussaka**: A dish made using Heart Berries, finely minced meat and Bloodroot to create a layered dish, this dish is popular amongst families as it is cheap and easy to make in larger quantities.

**Venulae Bread**: A type of sweet bread, named for the vein like pattern of fruit and nut based paste within the bread. It is often considered an event food as it can be difficult to make; however, it is often available at any time within bakeries.

**Black Sarmale**: Minced meat wrapped in fermented Black Cabbage leaves and cooked in tomato juice. Commonly used in many meals.

**Black Pudding**: A staple source of blood in many Vampire/Demon diets, made using mostly animal blood, fat and the grains of a cereal plant. In rare cases it can be made with the blood of people, though this is frowned upon.

### Currency

The currency in Sanguina is referred to as the Fang, the name originates from original Fangs being metal casts of the fangs of Vampire Lords. After only a few years, Vampires decided to switch to coins for efficiency. Modern Fangs are roughly round flat metal coins with a fang pattern on them, with the highest value Fang containing a small Bloodstone fang shape at the centre.

**1 Fang Coin**: The smallest coin, circular with a hole through the middle as if punctured by a sharp fang.

**10 Fang Coin**: An octagonal coin with an embossed fang design.

**100 Fang Coin**: A round coin with a slightly toothed edge, the coin as two sharp fangs positioned as if coming from an unseen mouth.

**1000 Fang Coin**: A hexagonal coin with a Bloodstone fang held within it.

## Flora

Sanguina has much flora due to the surface being left mostly untouched, a lot of the plants have been found to be useful by alchemists due to effects that can link to blood in both potions and poisons.

### Bloodgrass

Bloodgrass is the primary species of groundcover plant found in southern Sanguina, it is not considered a notable species due to the high abundance of the plant. This species is considered helpful by alchemists for the heart rate reducing properties.

### Redroot

A wild root vegetable found in Sanguina, it has a slightly metallic taste in the same way as blood; however, this is reduced by cooking the plant. A domesticated version of the plant is often used as a staple food within Sanguina and has a slightly sweet yet savoury flavour.

### Heart Berry

A vaguely heart shaped plant, thought to be descended from an aubergine species grown in another country. It is used in some Sanguinian cuisine while the flower is used to make a tea which can assist with a number of blood related health conditions.

### Black Cabbage

A cabbage species with a black colouration, it has a slightly meaty taste mixed with the vegetal taste of many other cabbage species. It is used as an easy vegetable in many meals. Some botanists in Sanguina have found ways to amplify the meaty taste as a means of developing meat free alternatives to many foods.

### Berserker Ivy

A parasitic species which grows on certain trees in Sanguina, the leaves of the Ivy are sometimes referred to as Bloodleaves and contains a poison which can cause non-vampires to suffer psychosis combined with bloodlust. Vampires who touch the ivy are immune to the psychoactive effects; however, they become vastly more attuned to the smell of blood, resulting in the amplification of the natural bloodlust in all vampires. A small number of alchemists utilise the plant for the alchemical properties it holds as both a toxin and for creating a blood alternative to assist vampires that may not wish to drink blood.