Saeria

> **Demonym:** Saerian
>
>

> **Endonym:** Estrel (s), Estrellan (p)
>
>

Saeria is the Gnome nation that is found in the Moorlands. The Citadel is Dezram, on the banks of the Ruvalk River. The population of Saeria is nearly entirely gnomes, but there are some Dwarves and Half-Orcs as well. The King over Saeria is King Wodlan. The Wodlan family has ruled (with some variation and political conflict) since the establishment of Saeria in the 4th Century.

#### Diplomacy

Saeria has had little conflict with the surrounding civilizations. Gnomes maintain general neutrality in most situations even among themselves, adhering to the common Saerian saying, "It's not my hunt" which is to say I have no stake in the argument.

### History

The Halflings, along with the Gnomes, of Merethyl originate from Leira. Halflings and Gnomes immigrated to Merethyl early in the 4th Century, 40 years after the River Wars. Halflings came ashore on the southeastern coast and found home there in Crall Forest. Many other Halflings had more ambitious goals and sailed to the Knile Peninsula and to the NE coast of Merethyl. These created the nation of Silrire and the Til Kingdom. Gnomes, a much more social folk, from Leira set sail toward the Wounded Mountains and traveled up the Ruvalk until they reached the Moorlands, then began settling the land and building a river port city, Dezram.

#### Monsoon Season

During Monsoon Season, a front of cool, high-pressure moisture moves off the southwestern Bariloch Range. This front is drawn over the Beluir Desert by hot, low-pressure and then moves in a counterclockwise swirl or Northeasterly, covering the Red Hills, Beluir Woodlands, and the Moorlands. The hot, summer air is trapped at the northern border of Saeria by the Bariloch Range. Monsoon season starts in the middle of Genevieve usually and lasts until the end of Titus. The rains are a respite from the sweltering heat and dust which can be felt so much by all who live in the affected areas.

By mid-afternoon in the pre-monsoon days, the sky is so laden with dust that it makes the sun seem a fuzzy blur, the muted beam of a fire in a fog of heat. The dust is borne into the city from the desert and nearby farmlands on what is called by various things in various cultures, but usually is centers around the idea of “Dragon’s Breath”, the Common translation. These hot winds precede the monsoon yearly. There is a phenomenon which is called, “pre-rain anger”—this is a translation to Common, as there are many euphemisms for it in each nation’s tongue—in which most areas see a rise in petty arguments, domestic disputes, violence, and homicide. The waiting for the relief of the rain can cause much anxiety for all, as their livelihoods and future depend upon it as the monsoon is vital to the economy.

A poor monsoon or a delay of a few weeks in the arrival of monsoon rains can make the difference between bumper crops and famine. The difference is in the irrigation that will need to be performed to provide enough for everyone. Bad monsoons also increase inflation and debt, suicides increase as well in these times.

The monsoons are a time of peace since armies can’t march through the mire that is made from so much precipitation. It is said that the cloud and storm giants tread Sefyll at this time as well, clashing in their eternal battle in the skies above, never to be won. The Monsoons also stir up much art and culture. The well-known poem, attributed to the famous Ciyobetan Poet, Lyric Grahlin, is one of the most common examples of art reflecting the rainy season:

> Rain makes earth a comely courtesan
>
>
> Attired in the green silk of grass
>
>
> Wearing silver ornaments of sprung-up mushroom
>
>
>
> Ruby of purple colored worm of moist fields
>
>

In Saeria the Monsoons affect the culture in specific ways. Titles or nicknames with "cloud", "rain", "sky", etc. are seen as very honorable. Family songs and musical compositions are taught only to special students or family members, and are used to call in the rains yearly. In Kor Thalor and Saeria both, the clouds are called “pregnant” with rain and that seed of the womb of the sky is what brings the life to the earth around. It is thought that a demon is the one who prevents the breaking of clouds and so this is extended to any would have abortions. Any who would stop pregnancy are viewed as demons and unholy as the demon who stops the spreading of the seed of the monsoons upon the earth. While the Monsoon plays a large role in the culture and life of Saerians, there are also many people who see it as separation from the stars. Some say it's because they haven't reached a state of purity yet, others that they simply must adhere more closely to the readings of the stars and words of the astrologers in order to end the monsoon season.

#### Astrology

The Saerians are heavy believers in the power of astrology and masters of time. The common calendar and way of telling time were developed by them in accordance with the stars and the constellations. The Sefyllian calendar is 8 months (Named *Rolen, Beregond, Ander, Genevieve, Titus, Knile, Thaddeus, and Barundar*), 5 weeks per month, 9 days per week, totaling 360 days. For Saerians, the study the heavens and the movement of stars derives knowledge, inspiration for inventions, and guidance. The constellations, as well as the months of the year, are named after the Heroes of Sefyll and the gnomes believe in the power of them rather than that of the Gods. They believe it's the great souls that have passed through this life that help man in the mortal realms. The great astrologers of the Kingdom are revered for their wisdom and the direction that they receive from studying and pondering the stars.

The main constellations studied are based on the Heroes and their symbols:

* Thaddeus the Diplomat - *late fall to mid winter* - symbolic for neutrality, vengeance, government, leadership
* Titus the Sorcerer - *early fall to mid winter* - symbolic for fire, rebirth, soil
* Genevieve the Enchantress - *summer* - symbolic for water, life, aid
* Ander the Thief - *late spring to mid summer* - symbolic for luck, trickery, deception, agility
* Barundar the Smith - *winter* - symbolic for labor, purification, change
* Knile the Peacekeeper - *fall* - symbolic for defense, justice, love
* Beregond the Warrior - *spring* - symbolic for attack, decisiveness, athletics
* Rolen the Hunter - *late winter to early spring* - symbolic for diligence, knowledge, nature

#### Holidays

> **Commencement (The New Year):** The celebration of the new year, or Commencement is slowly gaining in popularity as the stars and the heavens are seeking more to be understood. Saeria, a nation devoted to the study of the stars, holds the largest celebration in Sefyll. Others, especially sea-farers such as many in Norrhal, the Tacuarembo, and the Sivarians, also celebrate the new year, usually with feasts. In Saeria, the stories of the Heroes are acted out in great and elaborate productions by the best of thespians. All the townsfolk dress in the color green, the symbolic of renewal.
>
> Thaddeus the DiplomatTitus the SorcererGenevieve the EnchantressAnder the ThiefBarundar the SmithKnile the PeacekeeperBeregond the WarriorRolen the Hunter