Valadis

Festival in Ynn, capital of Valadis

Geographical position

> "I have seized Moonspawn from the Astarian’s, a weapon of unrivaled power. Ally with me and I’ll free you from your tyrannical overlords."
>
> - Balasar, The Thief of Winds

Valadis is a prominent coastal nation located within the region of Artos. Valadis’ current ruler is Queen Saelihn, the first queen of an independent Valadis. Valadis’ capital city is Ynn, a coastal city brimming with crime and pleasures. Valadis is the homeland of the artificial race Changelings, beings capable of shifting their form to assume different appearances. Valadis was originally under the rule of Viriskali but successfully rebelled gaining its independence. Valadis is known for its wine vineyards and gambling halls.

## History

Valadis spent early history as a part of the Kingdom of Viriskali however during the Era of Beast started to act for itself sowing early seeds of independence. The Empire of Duvan’ku was on track to conquer the entire world so Valadis being one of the nations that has yet to be affected became a founding member of The Eastern Alliance under High King Oviar. After Empire of Duvan’ku and the fall of the Empire of Duvan’ku High King Oviar went mad with power but was imprisoned by Zyan before he inflicted any long lasting damage on the world. During the Era of Dreams Valadis started acting rebellious rejecting the traditions and expectations of their Viriskali masters. The Wind Thief Balasar seeking asylum offered to help Viriskali in a rebellion using his magic and a floating military fortress called Moonspawn he stole from the Astarian’s. The Valadi war of independence ended quickly as Viriskali quickly realized they didn’t have the funds to continue the war effort and recognized Valadis’ independence. Recently Moratith the Archmage of Maethun has been getting into the good graces of Valadi nobility and the underworld of Valadis' capital city of Ynn has been turned into a cut throat syndicate by a aspiring drow elf named Nym.

## Culture

    The unending appetite for pleasure held by the Valadi Aristocracy serves as the foundation for the kingdom's culture as a whole. All the citizens of Valadis see the entertainment of brothels, gambling halls and rowdy bars to be common if not expected vices that those are to indulge in no matter their financial status.

The nobles of Valadis created the artifical race of changlings turning themselves into shapeshifters as a way to hid their indignities from the Kingdom of Viriskali during their time under their rule. After Valadis gained it's independence many nobles kept their changling forms for more sinister purposes but changlings as a whole became a widespread race outside of the nobility. One of the more notable impacts of changlings become widespread was the inventiveness and innovation of Valadi sex workers.

    Secrecy and subtly are found in various different forms along the populous. Aristocrats search for the newest forms of entertainment for the mind and flesh many of which are taboo. Merchants often work alongside corrupt nobles and illegal smugglers to turn a profit often supplying for the vices of the elite. Commoners con and steal searching for advantages over their competition building hidden webs of allies and informants to establish themselves in the underworld.

## Locations

Valadi brothel in YnnSyndicate assassinsMoonspawn, the stolen mountainParty in the Storm Crow Tavern