Razum

"The Capital of Zemlya"

**Razum**, (pronounced /rɑːzuːm/) the former capital of Zemlya, and the figurehead of the Eastern Zemlyan side of the conflict. It was the home of the royal family, and the previous home of Queen Tausheva Razum, before they left for the Cherny Keep. It was also famous for holding the Pobeda Games, the gladitorial style competition famous across the continent, that almost all countries send a competitior to. Before the war this would be held every five years. The city is constantly attacked, and yet the Krova Dvorets still stands as a sign of the noble influence that still stands in Razum.

## Description

### Geography

The city of Razum, sits upon the height of a valley carved by the river Halisor, they have diverted it into canals, for transport across the city. The river once majestic has been polluted from the war effort. The city proudly sits at the crests of hills, the cobbled roads heading up and down the valleys. It's weather is cloudy, damp and cold throughout most of the year, in the past under the right weather it would be described as beautiful as it caught the starlight.

*"Oil and Blood flow through Halisor" - Common Saying*

### Architecture

The city once had quite beautiful architecture, tall buildings with clay tiles lined the streets, with beautiful windows, catching the moonlight. This city is long lost now, whole areas have been destroyed in what is now known as the ever-growing Orgon' Zone. This is where the destruction has become so bad that it is fully abandoned, all that remains is ash, soot and corpses.

The Krova Dvorets, the district where the palace resides, has been doggedly defended throughout the war and so it is still very similar to how it was before the war. To the extent that many artists depictions and photographers have risked their lives to capture, the picturesque district standing above the smoke, flames and screams of the attacked city.

## History

### The Introduction of Red Deus

The introduction of the elixir into the country came over 700 years ago after non-aggression pacts were signed between Zemlya and Conamar, as Zemlya was famous for its military prowess. After seeing *Red Deus'* effectiveness in the Pobeda Games, let the representative of Conamar fight for many days longer than the others. This impressive show of competency led to enthusiasm amongst the people of Zemlya to have access to this elixir, an enthusiasm that was shared by the leaders of the country, and so the pacts were struck to acquire the elixir.

### The Start of the Civil War

The war started when the leader of the city of Serdtse, Lord Anosov Slava, levelled false claims at Queen Tausheva Razum. The claims were that she and the other nobles of the country were hoarding *Red Deus* for use in future wars against the rest of the continent. Queen Razum obviously denied such ridiculous claims, often speaking of Lord Anosov's ambitions for power in the past, claiming that this was his attempt at vying for control of the country. However, she was powerless to stop when Lord Anosov staged an attack on his own forces, during his "parade", and with his alliances with Storoz declared war on the royal family, starting the civil war.

### The Beast Scourge

There are a few reports from soldiers on the front lines of creatures that roam no man's land, between the two fronts, creatures that go as far to lack description as no words do their horror justice, creatures that could only be Beasts. When whole battalions of men would disappear from a quiet spot on the frontlines, the official notice was always MIA or victim of a covert attack, but the men on the frontline would always know, that those screams did not belong to any battlefield.

There have been some problems with these creatures within the city. Often when large-scale attacks take place destroying large swathes of the city and killing many, the people who are sent to try and recover any survivors report being attacked by these "Beasts". The reports were often deemed as insubordination, to not carry out their duties in dangerous areas near the beginning of the war. However it seems that these claims carry more weight as these reports do not receive punishment as often. It is noted that there is usually no presence of Hunters of Conamar despite seeming evidence to suggest the presence of "Beasts". This is due to the Hunters not being allowed to interfere with the war, and they fear being used by the governments of each side to have to fight in the war under the guise of doing their usual role. Some are still seen in smaller settlements routeing out "Beasts" where they are found.