Sol Oas

Small map of Sol Oas

### Cities

So'are, Tilsammans, Zuva, Haul, Nar, Ki'ir, Làidir, Lavo, Krito, Erori, Saqat, Oa, Scendere, Katki

## Common Knowledge

Sol Oas is a small country in the east that enjoys a rich trade, specifically the accumulation and distribution of knowledge as well as fine goods such as fabrics and spices. Even though Sol Oas is open and welcoming to visitors there is a high military presence within Sol Oas and an undertone of tension throughout the country due to their millenia old war with the Lunar Elves.

## Topography and Climate

Sol Oas resembles the atmosphere of a desert, with the heat and dryness, but it is covered in flora and fauna that has adapted or been bred to flourish in the heat. There are mountains almost completely bordering Sol Oas, the few breaks in the mountain chain are where the entrances to the country lie and are heavily patrolled. There are more treacherous passes through the mountains but they are almost impossible to traverse. There is one main river, the Flari River, running from the southwest to the northeast that snakes across the land and through So’are. There is a branch of this river, The Moren River that flows north which feeds a large lake, the Hilas Lake, that Zuva is settled near. There is another lake, the Ruzin Lake, that sits along the southern border, it is at the base of the Osal Mountains which feed it through underground tributaries and springs. The Osal Mountains stretch along the southern border from the Saqat Pass to the border of Everspring, three other passes can be used to cross the dangerous mountain chain. The northern mountain range, called the V’nasr Mountains, stretches from the Saqat Pass to Everspring as well, with four other passes breaking up the treacherous mountain chain.

## Population

The majority of the population is Solari but there are a large amount of other races and creeds. Only about 70% of the worlds population of Solari live within the borders of the country, a good few deciding to leave and explore the outside world.

## Exports and Trades

There are many occupations to do with politics and war that the majority will practice, but there are also artisans and crafters as well as hunters and farmers. They will often export fine crafted goods and textiles as other goods are too precious for the war effort.

## Government

There is a Council of twelve that serve for life and are “elected” by the people from nominees chosen by the government, or if there is no time for this then a new official is appointed by the current government/Council. The council presides over major state, military and religious decisions but smaller things are handled by individual divisions, each of the three sections has four Council members in charge of the individual divisions. Those that are experienced in their field, and knowledgeable of it, are nominated for a position in the Council. That said, those that are chosen for their “experience and knowledge” may not have gotten those credentials through their own merit and hard work. The Council positions tend to stay in the same circles, it is very hard for a new family or individual to penetrate the established circle.

* Military: 4star General, Science and Research, RecOps, Domestic Ops
* State: Labour and Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Health and Safety, Internal Affairs
* Religion: Kaplan (pope-like), Domestic Affairs/Public Works, Education/Youth, Treasury

Although this is not commonly available knowledge to the citizens of Sol Oas, there is a secret rebellion slowly growing in membership within their country. Made up of those who disagree with the war or see the intense corruption in the government, they are working to help those who want to change the country. They are allied with similar individuals within Everspring, helping those  who wish to leave, and all of them are slowly and quietly attempting to undermine the pointless religious war between their two countries. The only Solarian rebellion leader that has nothing more than a name is a mysterious Syala who has been a wealthy and talented backer and informant, there is nothing known about this person beyond the name.

## Military

There is a four star general in charge of the entire military, then generals under him/her that are in charge of smaller divisions of the entire military and so on and so forth. It gets down to a Seirzant (Sergeant) who is in charge of a corp of about 100 soldiers divided into teams of 10-15. The entire army, soldiers and officers, is about 65-75% of the population of Solari in Sol Oas, depending on the year and situation inside and outside the country.

The Intelligence Division is a separate part of the Military with a different organization. The head of the Intelligence Division is known as the Director of Operations, aka RecOps, who is in charge of the sections of the Intelligence Division which includes the Tactics and Strategy corp, Foreighn Operations corp, Domestic Operations corp, Mundane Science and Research corp, Magical Science and Research corp, and the Training Sector. Each corp has their own head and is supposed to be separate sections but the rampant corruption of the government and military may impact this supposed separation.

Some well known military practices and orders are:

* Cauterizing wounds
* Using molten metal to destroy land completely, more effective than salting lands
* New formations with 1/1 warrior/mages, each has a partner with complementary skills
* Orders to not kill, but maim
* Teams of druids to produce large range fire attacks
* Using acrid smoke to flush out the Lunar Elves from the forest
* Those who surrender are sent to the Tillsammans and not allowed to leave

## Social Hierarchy

The Council of 12 is the highest group then come the high houses, who are often families that can trace their names back to before The Division. Then the rest is important military and governmental people mixed with well known artisans and crafters, going down in importance with their notoriety/experience/skills.

## Culture

Solarian culture involves a strange dichotomy. On the one hand, it is a nation that has been at war for millennia. Militarism and strategy are hugely emphasized among military and leadership groups, but this largely doesn’t affect the average citizen. For the average citizen, there is a cultural importance placed on fine goods and craftsmanship. Their cities have huge trade hubs, and they encourage both cultural and physical trade. All members of the high houses are trained in strategy and diplomacy as well as other cultural staples like dance and music.

Children are required to attend schooling and are urged, but not required, to spend at least 10 solstices outside Sol Oas after they come of age and graduate in order to gain a respect for cultures outside their own. The arts are very important to the Solari for many reasons, specifically music and dance. Family is also very important and is denoted by tattoos on the face of a Solarian.

While there is a religious base that worships S’olär, it has dwindled over the passing solstices. Very little is known about S’olär due to the dwindling worship and the lack of interest. Those who still worship S’olär, guard their practices closely which also keeps information from circulating. Some of the only known religious practices for S’olär are during the solar eclipses and summer solstice. The rays of the sun are considered holy so the more it touches Solari skin the better. This has heavily influenced the clothing of the Solari, as has the hot climate of Sol Oas, and made it commonly light but sturdy fabric. Jewelry and fine textiles are a sign of wealth and importance. Military personnel and governmental officials have special outfits.

### Celebrations and Holidays

Taking inspiration from their old traditions the Solari celebrate the Summer Solstice, some other celebrations have popped up over time as well.

#### Summer Solstice

Used to mark another year passing, the Summer Solstice is a country wide celebration with giant art shows, fireworks, concerts, and amazing food. It is very popular with tourists as it shows the best of Sol Oas. Some who are more religious will use this day to celebrate S’olär.

#### Winter Solstice

Some, generally those who are more religiously inclined, will also celebrate the Winter Solstice. The don’t celebrate it as the Tribal Elves did, a marking of a year past, but as a day for mourning the losses of the year before moving on. It is a day of repentance and forgiveness.

#### Katki Harma

The day Katki fell is now a day or remembrance of why the Solari fight. This is a day of military demonstrations and silent vigils. The most famous war chant, Eto Voyna or “This is War” which was written because of this tragedy, is recited at the exact moment the walls of Katki fell.

#### Sej’r

To celebrate the day when the Lunar Elves were pushed back over the border into their own lands after the destruction of Katki.

#### Solar Eclipse

During a Solar eclipse there is constant prayer for the sun/S’olär to return, it is one of the only well known religious holidays that most people still practice.

## Cities, Towns, and Villages

There were thirteen major cities, not including Tillsammans, which have over time been abandoned so now there are only six besides the Holy City. All functioning cities are heavily fortified and prepared for a siege lasting up to 9 or 10 years. The main three cities are called the Three Suns as they are the light that guides the people an the war.

### So’are

Capital City holding the state officials and military command. It also fuels half of all military operations through production.

### Tillsammans

The Holy city of Tillsammans, called Skapare by the Lunar Elves, is located in the eastern part of the country, boarding Everspring and remains the cultural/religious hub (Neutral Land).

### Zuva

Large city settled by northern lake, it is a large supplier of sealife for food or production of other kinds. It has a curiously large military presence around the lake.

### Haul

Being a large city on the border of Sol Oas and the Apotheosis it is a trading post and border crossing. It has a large tourist population and is made to be such. The is little military presence here beyond border guards and the police for the area, unlike most other cities.

### Nar

Largest city, besides the capital, on the border of Sol Oas and Zondros. The strictest with foreign visitors and located on the shore of the southernmost lake.

### Ki'ir

In between So’are and Tillsammans. It is a city sized military base with the needed civilian presence for functionality. The prestigious Kilara Battle Academy is located here, this is where many of the Solari Troops are trained and stationed. It also has the largest hospital due to the amount of military injuries, those who have injuries that would remove their ability to be on active duty would be stabilized and sent to the Savourium Hospital in So’are while others would be healed and recuperated before being redeployed.

### Làidir

Located south of both So’are and Ki’ir, this city is a huge producer of food and military arms. A production powerhouse, in conjunction with the capital, it fuels half of all the military operations. The reason for the split of labour is so that if one city falls the other can pick up the slack, there are also other cities prepared to transform into production centers.

### Lavo

Abandoned in 1397 AB. It was the city furthest north and the last to be abandoned due to the war, it used to be a production center like Làidir but was decommissioned due to the distance between it and the front lines.

### Krito

Abandoned in 5982 BB. A smaller city largely abandoned by people moving east for the war. Used to produce grains and textiles.

### Erori

Abandoned in 6019 BB. A smaller city largely abandoned by people moving east for the war. Was a trade center as it was nearly completely surrounded by the Flari River.

### Saqat

Abandoned in 6103 BB. A smaller city largely abandoned by people moving east for the war. It had been a training place for the border guard and other special task forces but those operations were moved to the Three Suns early on. It now serves as a nearly abandoned base for the western border guard and a few farmers.

### Oa

Abandoned in 8341 BB. Used to be a large producer of surplus food as well as domestic products. Currently surrounded by farmland and the roads and old buildings are still used for transport and storage.

### Scendere

Abandoned in 10310 BB. A city located in the crook of the Flari and Moren Rivers, largely abandoned by people moving east for the war. It was a place of learning and many scholars traveled there to visit the libraries. Few people beyond those that take care of the libraries live there and scholars from outside the borders are sometimes let in for research purposes but that has dwindled in the past few centuries.

### Katki

Abandoned in 11934 BB. It was a city of mostly civilian citizens, with little military influence, and had been the center of domestic trade at the time. This is where artisans and crafters of all types had come to practice their craft and enjoyed life. The victim of a vicious Lunar Elven attack, this city was razed completely and little of it still stands. There are a few building foundations and bunkers around but there is no real life here, it is a ghost town. A lot of military transports pass through the city and some stick around for a few days but there has been no effort to rebuild. All of the civilian people left during the evacuation and none have returned to the desolate place.

## Alliances

They have no formal alliances but will trade with just about anyone.

## Enemy Countries

They have one true enemy and that is the Lunar Elves of Everspring. They have been at war for millenia, thankfully the Solari are winning this war currently. Sol Oas also has a slightly strained relationship with Zondros as they are and have been attempting to act as “peacekeepers” within Solari territory without permission.

## Founding and History

The founding of Sol Oas is closely tied to that of Everspring and the histories of the Ancient Tribal Elves.

### Founding

In ancient times they were called the Tribal Elves, until the Division

The Division: Legend says that once, thousands of years ago, a gathering was held by the tribal elf worshippers of the Sun and Moon. They performed a ritual to speak with their gods. When the Sun and Moon, S’olär and Lün’e, came down to see their followers, they noted the differences between those who followed the Moon and those who followed the Sun. Suddenly, after no more than a snicker from the Deities, half of the elves were Frozen and half were Scorched. They commanded that their followers prove themselves by defeating the other Deities' followers-- bringing them glory and honor. Thus they can no longer exist peacefully together. [True histories are currently unknown]

The land that was the Tribal Elven territory was split down the middle and the Holy City, located where the gods touched the ground and spoke, marked the new border of these lands. The lands were also Scorched or Frozen like the people and the elves retreated to their new lands.

After the Division, the lines of the Clans remained strong leading to the existence of the four main provinces and the subsequent thirteen main cities. For the first 500 solstices after the Divide, the Solar continued to govern themselves in the way of the Tribal. But, through travel and research on different societies, a change was decided. Three Elders from each Clan are elected to serve in the main council from those who complete the exam. The exam is held every 50 solstices. They hold the main decision power, below them are those who completed the exam but were not elected by their Clan, they serve as advisors. The provinces are governed by the elected members from the Clans within, and the subsequent advisors.

The government changed again after Katki was destroyed. The power was consolidated into a council of twelve. The destruction of Katki also prompted a slow movement of military power to be concentrated into what is now known as the Three Suns. This government has been in power since then with no visible opposition.

### The War

A war with little clear start and no end in sight. Although the conflict between the Solar Elves and Lunar Elves was once a relatively even back and forth, neither side truly gaining or losing ground, in recent centuries the war has clearly begun to favor the Solar Elves.

Sol Oas is now aggressively defending their borders from Lunar Elven attack, the sudden destruction of Katki and the subsequent consolidation of power and focus on military prowess has pushed the Lunar Elves out of their land so that the tragedy that was experienced at Katki would never happen again. While the war continued at relatively even grounds for millennia after Katki, the Solari efforts have, in recent centuries, bared fruit. The tragedy and loss experienced by the Solari has hardened them into a military state with no mercy and no regrets. The are very experienced with artillery and using overpowering force and numbers to decimate their enemy. They have more subtle tactics as well but those are often turned inward and focus on keeping the status quo within Sol Oas itself. This millenia old conflict has completely changed the old ways of the Tribal Elves into a culture completely focused on war and the military. Even if S’olär didn’t die until 10016 AB, he was dead to the Solari for millennia before then. What used to be a people of strong religious belief now only believe in the strength of the bone and muscle, of the magic and metal, of the will and determination of their people.

The Solari soldiers use their extensive fire magic and destructive weapons to keep the Lunar Elves on the defensive as their more subtle operations capture assassins and their tactics division gathers intel.

The most significant advantage the Solar Elves have is their open borders and healthy trade. Which means many more materials for weapons and opportunities for advancements in magic and technology. They also have the option to hire mercenary armies in addition to their own soldiers. They have strong fire magic, which they use to cauterize wounds to make them unhealable, and to burn Lunar Elf towns and crops. Since the spring of 10019 AB, they have begun to use blasting jelly to do even more damage.

The war has affected many things, such as the cities within Sol Oas. Of the original thirteen, seven have been abandoned due to decreased population and a concentration on the war front to the east. The border stations have become heavily fortified and the only true entrances are through the city border crossings, Nar and Haul, but despite this the tourist trade is still booming in Sol Oas.

Both the Constellations Lün’e and S’olär have disappeared from the sky-- S’olär in 10016 AB, Lün’e just after the Battle of Binturia. No one knows what has happened to them. The few who still practice the old religious rites believe this to be a sign that the war has taken the life of the gods themselves. Mortals took the life of the gods, thus mortals will win this war. Those who still hope that their god is helping them are the ones who will die, as they are not strong enough to live for themselves for they still live for a god that has died and left them. The Solari believe this to be a sign that they will win.

## Further/Related Information

* Solar Elf
* Everspring
* Lunar Elf