Saschia

Sachia City, the capital of Saschia and home of The Guardians.

A former vassal Kingdom of The Highlands, Saschia is now an independent nation and the central hub for the dispersion, training and allocation of Guardians. A lush land of forests and grassy fields, Saschia is known throughout Veiltouria as one of the most tranquil and safe nations to live within.

## History and Culture

### Rule of The Steel Phoenix

The sister kingdom to The Highlands, Saschia was once the stronghold of the criminal group known as the Steel Phoenix. Used as a staging ground for their operations, Saschia was a troubled and lawless land. It was not until the members of Twisted Fate began to frequent Saschia that things began to change.

Originally a loose collection of villages and settlements, Saschia became its own governing body only recently in Veiltouria's history. A demonic warrior known as Calbarga took interest in the land. Backed by Ser Edward The Eighth, Calbarga formed the Steel Phoenix as his enforcers and began to conquer the various settlements within the regions borders. Eventually the major cities of Saschia City, High Knoll, Green Hill, Eldenburgh, Water Front and The Gray Fen were all subjugated.

Calbarga then began spreading his influence further and further outward, aiming to create a huge power base from which he could rule. Still under the command of Ser Edward, Calbarga’s plans were interrupted when the members of Twisted Fate crossed into his lands, in search of The Nine Keys. After multiple battles with the group, Calbarga was eventually banished back to the realm of Edwardius and the land of Saschia freed.

### Vassal State of The Highlands

Seeing potential in the makeshift Kingdom, King Bill used the resources of The Highlands to help rebuild Saschia as a powerhouse. He established the kingdom as the central base from which the Guardian’s would operate and installed a Governor to rule. Bill would also eventually appoint his eldest son, Prince Willhelm The Brightstar, as leader of The Guardians. Saschia soon found itself flourishing and becoming a hotbed for trade and travel from wandering adventurers.

After some years, the Governor was slain in combat, with the people electing Prince Willhelm to replace him as their appointed King. Now under the guidance of Willhelm, Saschia is looking forward to an era of expansion and prosperity.

## Life in Saschia

Saschia as a kingdom is verdant and lush, with its own vast stretches farmland and resources rivalling that of The Highlands. This gives it a strong independence and allows it avoid some of the struggles that befall some its neighboring, more barren kingdoms. Saschia’s terrain is varied, the land a mixture of hills and rolling plains to the north and woodlands and forests to the south.

One of the most racially diverse kingdoms, Saschia would be described as a primarily human kingdom, though in truth it is a kingdom for all people. Humans, Orcs, Tiefling and Tabaxi, all races are welcome within Saschia’s borders.

The people themselves are a proud and strong lot, their previous hardships unifying them in a desire to make something of the kingdom they call home. Due to the Guardian’s primary strength lying in Saschia, the cities and lands within its borders have a higher than normal amount of adventurers and heroes.

This serves its citizens well, as they are protected by their martial might of the heroes, as well as receiving benefit from the income adventurers generate. Supplies from their victories are sold after an adventure and much needed equipment and stores are purchased before one.

Due to the high number of heroes, the lands of Saschia are some of the safest in the land outside of The Highlands. Many families and traders move to Saschia for a more secure life, further increasing the cultural diversity of the kingdom. Having strong ties with the other signatory powers of The Guardian Writ, Saschia has created strong trade routes all across the south, even connecting with some of the more notable trading cities of the east.

## Saschian Cities

Saschia is a land of many small villages and farmsteads, though it does have a small number of major settlements that form the bulk of its power base and infrastructure. These settlements are:

### Saschia City

The capital city of Saschia, and the source of the nations name, Saschia City is a vast sprawling metropolis. Home to the Guardian Citadel, Saschia City is often inundated with Guardians and heroes. Surrounded by farmland and many trading roads, the city is considered to be the beating heart of Saschia.

Saschia city is home to King Wilhelm High-Hill's own castle, situated at the top of The Guardian Citadel. It also plays host to Hounds-Hall and The Good Samaritan, the base of operations for two famous groups of Guardians The Chaos Hounds and The Samaritans.

### Green Hill

The second largest city in Saschia, Green Hill serves as the main bulwark against threats from further south. It is also home to many retired or older Guardians and adventurers. These veterans find themselves often times moving to the city on a permanent basis to enjoy the more quiet life that Saschia city itself prevents.

A key leader in the Green Hill community is Godofreygnar, an original member of the first Brotherhood of Valor. Green Hill unofficially served as the groups base of operations, and still surviving members can often be seen in the town paying homage to their fallen comrade Ace Haelstrom's grave.

### High Knoll

A coastal trading city, High Knoll is not large in infrastructure or development. It does, however, serves as a major trading route and facilitator for overland travel, strategically positioned so as to allow trading caravans a key resting spot before making the long journey to other major settlements. Currently under the protection of a Guardian Commander named Lorkan Haestan.

### Waterfront

A lake city, Waterfront is the main distributor of the wares that emerge from The Grey Fen. This in turn has created significant wealth and demand for the cities wares. A quiet settlement, Waterfront is a merchants dream, hundreds of specialist stores all making good money at the hands of the wealthy inhabitants of the city.

### The Grey Fen

An independent nation within Saschia's borders, The Grey Fen is a swampy mire of brackish water and heavy fog. Once home to an evil avatar of the God Mother Talaya, it is now an emerging nation of mages and craftsmen.

Largely populated by Hags and Fey, The Grey Fen is under the rule of Queen Juniper Milvirel, a young Hag and child of Mother Talaya. Juniper travelled and studied with The Chaos Hounds for some time and is the adopted daughter of Viscan Milvirel.