Novanian

Founded by Antonellan refugees following the Broadwing attack in Alenthyl, the Kingdom of Novania is the largest nation on the island of Deurlyth. Often coming into conflict with the native Deurlen and Lyverians, the people of Novania have been shaped by the difficulties they’ve faced living in Deurlyth. In spite of this, optimism and chivalry remain common among the Novanian people.

The majority of people in Novania trace their lineage back to Antonellans or Alenthylians, though there is a large percentage of those who descend from Volvarian refugees who would come later. Before the Thinning, Novania had a reputation as being a free kingdom, and to this day there are still families who once came from a variety of places across Aevonhold. Novanian noble families claim ancestry from Alenthylian, Granthelian, Elten, and even Volvarian historical figures.

## Overview

The Kingdom of Novania once spanned the entirety of southern Deurlyth, though now claims dominion over only a handful of strongholds dotting the southern coasts. Its capital is the city of Highcliffe, and has been for over a century. Deurlyth, being a nexus of magical energy, has led to the Novanians suffering a variety of difficulties on account of the Thinning. Additionally, without the Deurlen cultural knowledge on how to deal with and avoid Fae, Novanians find it difficult to traverse the wilds of Deurlyth.

Novania is ruled by House Sarethi, and has been for centuries. The monarchy is supported by a handful of lesser noble families, though with the loss of much of Novania’s territory, many nobles enjoy their titles in name only.

## Culture

### **Overview**

The Novanian culture is very similar in many ways to Alenthylian culture, though with several significant changes on account of the influence of the local Deurlen. More superstitious than the Alenthylians, Novanians put much more faith in fables and legends. This extends to the Novanian religion. Having broken off with the Church of the Light in Alenthyl during the Thinning, the Novanian Church has no religious head and worships the Light personified as St. Arthra, believed to be worshiped by the Deurlen as the divine Athru.

Novanians tend to be optimistic, adventurous, and free-spirited. Even in the face of hardship, they seek out discoveries wherever possible and are willing to venture into the wilds of Deurlyth. They tend to be more open-minded than Alenthylians, able to accept and integrate with other cultures more freely.

### **Appearances**

The majority of the Novanian people tend to be fair-skinned, of an average height and moderate build. Hair colors range from blacks to blondes, and eye colors tend to be brown, blue, or green. Despite these averages, there exists a high amount of variability in Novanian builds and appearances thanks to the historical intermingling of other cultures. Physical capability is seen as an attractive trait, and though cleanliness is important, over formality and neatness is seen as particularly foppish.

### **Language**

The Common tongue is spoken almost exclusively in Novania.

### **Naming Conventions**

The average Novanian follows these naming conventions: [1]

However, many Novanians have names that are Alenthylian versions of names from other cultures.

### **Clothing**

Novanians favor simple, functional outfits over extravagance. Even Novanian nobles tend to wear outfits that are only slightly more elaborate than a commoner’s outfit, focusing more on the use of their wear than the appearance. Loud, colorful outfits are seen as eccentric by the Novanians, and even the wealthy and elite shy away from extravagant displays of wealth through clothing.

### **Marriage**

Novanian weddings are officiated by priests of the Light, and are usually small affairs with just friends and family. Engagement involves the gift of a ring to the person one wishes to marry, and the wedding involves an additional exchange of rings.

### **Death**

Because of the prevalence of the Blight in Deurlyth, Novanians rarely, if ever, bury their dead. Instead, every body is burned to prevent it from rising in the future. Novanian funerals involve a priest of the Light documenting the deeds of the dead in life, with each of the dead’s loved ones speaking in turn. A blessing is given to the body, before it is ritually burned. The smoke is believed to hold the soul, returning to the Light above. Novanian crypts never hold bodies as a result, and instead have elaborate urns holding the ashes of the deceased. Urns are often painted with designs befitting the deceased, and placed alongside friends and family.

Because of the time it takes for a proper funeral to be arranged, it is common practice for warriors close to the deceased to stand vigil and ensure the body does not rise before it can be burned. It is believed that a person’s devotion to the deceased is shown by how long they can maintain their vigil day and night without rest.

### **Magic**

Magic is very common in Novania, and is seen as both a useful tool and a source of scholarly study. Battlemages, while not unheard of, are relatively rare in the Novanian armed forces.