Velouve

**Religions** | The Twins

What was once the nation of Kha Dhen, an incredible Savannah littered with tribes that worked in unison to make their nation flourish, have made way for two insidious rulers whose twisted machinations allowed them to usurp it. Ruling the populace with fear, and rebuilding to fit their twisted vision while erasing its original rich culture, the original folk has been driven back to pocket communities away from the public eye. Yet, even in this land where strong oppress the weak and tyrants are afoul, the light of resistance still shines after all these years, wishing to return the country to its former glory.

# History

Although the nation of Kha Dhen had a rich history, being one of the first formed after the Cassian Federation hung out their banner, courtesy of an exemplary leader who managed to unify all tribes in the region to fight for one cause, most of this history has been forcibly scrubbed out of scriptures. Instead, the nation of Velouve doesn’t describe anything before its forming date of 231 CF, any mention of the former country merely referring to it as a ‘barbaric nation’.

## Grasp to Power

The nation of Velouve was founded by the Valenia and Petinia Vetinus, two former council members of the Imperium Arcanae. After staging an insurrection in the country and failing in 161 CF, they disappeared of the public, unseen from prying eyes. During their absence of the public, they headed towards Kha Dhen - And this time, succeed in their plan of taking over a nation. They sowed the seeds that’d lead to a successful revolution by setting tribes up against one another, bargaining with infernal forces and Ba’al himself, using their gifts of mind control to create thralls - And one of the twins even managing to wed themselves to the country’s leader.

As the biggest festival of Kha Dhen was about to be held in 231 CF, with its goal to bring together the tribes once more after tensions rose, disaster struck. Devils rose out from concealed portals to sic themselves on the leaders, while those enthralled assisted in the matter. These events didn’t spare even the ruler, their deceitful wife ripping them apart in front of a horrified public - Proclaiming that the country was hers to rule now, and that all should kneel down or meet their wrath. Although the pride of the warriors in the capital refused to make them kneel, they all eventually perished under a superior force, leaving just those wrought with fear to obey their new tyrants begrudgingly.

Their military expansion was swift and violent, as the tribes were uncoordinated with their leader, turning the once serene savannah into one where the waters ran red with blood. With neighboring countries having their own issues to take care of, and Kha Dhen never playing a big part in the international community,  they turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed - Leaving the entire region to be under the twins rule in under a year.

## Technology ban

The nation of Ar Dhen at first was once which sparsely used technology, though it was still present, some inventions helping enormously alongside their nomadic lifestyle. The former capital, Tapeka - now known as Argenroux - even was placed near a battery. Yet, the twins’ distaste for anything mechanical quickly sought them to put a harsh tax on anyone using technological equipment - The sum being unable to be paid for someone with a common background, yet easily affordable by those in positions of power due to the inequality in wealth.

What followed was a full-up ban that could only be circumvented with specific permissions, leaving those living in fringe communities to resort to magic - Which often wasn’t entirely feasible due to the large amounts of tribute that they had to give.

If this hypocritical and unfair distribution of technology wasn’t already distasteful, it became even worse when the city of Argenroux was deprived of using this battery - As all of its energy was utilized in powering the grand castle of the authoritarian rulers that was constructed on top of the dome. It casts a shadow upon the city beneath, a permanent reminder of the citizens their place.

## Ascension

Due to how deities being formed through faith and divine essence distributed among those already exist, creating a new one is impossible. Yet, the twins that rule the nation have seemed to discard this notion that attaining divinity is impossible for mortals.

Ever since the nation’s inception, they’ve forced the populace to worship them as gods, ruling by fear and portraying them as above others. And in 820 CF, it seems like the cumulative years of praying finally bore fruit - As all those that had become utterly devout for the twins was suddenly blessed with divine magic, having gotten powerful enough to grant power to their followers, and petition outsiders to their will.

In light of this, neighboring nations had begun to shore up their defenses, knowing that the megalomaniacal rulers won’t simply sit still in light of being granted divinity. In return, Velouve has been amassing its armies, waiting for a chance to strike at the nations before it - All while their former patron is turning themselves against them, having become too strong of a pawn.

## Recent Events

With relations worsening with surrounding countries due to constant border disputes, war is truly inevitable for the nation. From their divine realm that is their castle, the Vetinus twins gaze upon their realm that they wish to expand. . . While the secret rebels hidden in fringe communities await for the moment to strike against the servants of the throne, to return the countries to how it once was. A tumultuous time is ahead of Velouve just like the rest of Morisia.

# Government

Velouve is a prime example of a tyranny, every single decision or law being personally passed and vetted by its rulers. Although the Twins often have a small counsel they turn towards in the rare occassion they seek for advice, rarely are they much more than glorified yes-men, any other answer usually quickly earning them a swift retirement from their position.

Those that garner favour from the heads of the country also have their families appointed nobles at time. This usually grants them many luxuries that many of the lower class cannot afford, usually earning them many ire. In exceptional circumstances, they're appointed to lead some smaller towns or cities the twins can't personally oversee, allowing them to a slight sliver of autonomy as long as they adhere to the countries its major tenets. A rare amount of them try to make everyday life a bit more bearable for those lower than them. Yet, the sad truth is that most people in the Twins their graces are just as wicked as them, if not more.

# Geography

Although the original geography of Velouve spanned nothing more than the beautiful savannah in all of its natural beauty, tribes residing in huts and living a nomadic lifestyle making sure not many permanent buildings litter the land. . . That has long since changed. Now, cities and towns full of sprawling, gothic architecture dot the landscape, full of dark and dreary colors instead of nature’s vibrant tones. Some historical sites have been terraformed completely out of mostly malice, a tactic done to wipe away old historical monuments to erase them from history.

## Castle Velouve

Present on the battery in Argenroux, this magnificent castle is home to none other than the twin rulers of the country. Its grandiose size is probably enough to house every citizen that lives in the city beneath - Yet the only one allowed to sleep inside its grand walls and the rulers themselves, even its staff being forced to leave the premises once their shift is over. Ever since it’s been turned into the twins their divine realm, they have utilized this power to bask the area around it in an eternal night simply to please their aesthetic sense - Garnering complaints of the civilians around, although these ones are swiftly ignored.

## Kal-Azad

Hiding away in subterranean tunnels under the nation of Velouve, Kal-Azad is a wandering city that sticks closely to the old Kha Dhen culture. Practicing their age-old rituals and keeping the knowledge of them alive, making sure people remember their gods, all while hiding away from the eyes of Velouve. Although they initially refused to deal with matters above, the tribe’s current leader Bar-Ghujin has proclaimed that he wishes to undertake steps to take back the nation despite the overwhelming odds.

## Netherscape

Due to the nation having quite a large devil population, both due to the devils lend by Misericorde and having been created by the Twins themselves, the construction of the Netherscape was sanctioned. Surrounded by a large lava mote that sets itself apart from its normally mundane surroundings, the small city is home to all sorts of infernal creatures. In here, the devil’s needs are catered for in exchange for their service, making it akin to a pleasure resort for fiendish outsiders. . . With a frighteningly large turnover rate for its mortal employees.

# Inhabitants

The demographic of inhabitants of Velouve has slowly shifted as the years went by. Back in the time of Kal-Azad, halflings were by far the most numerous race, their number the largest around the Savannah. And although they’re arguably still the most numerous demographic, a large number of inhabitants are also tieflings due to the large amount of infernal influence inside the area.

Most of those that have blood that can be traced back to the original Kha Dhen people usually have somewhat tan skin, coupled with a trait that usually grants them silver hair and red eyes. It’s fully possible for someone to be born without this, and for these traits to only show up after a few years. Due to the people that currently inhabit the land their distaste for those native to the country, they’re often seen as secondary citizens by default.

## Languages

The language that’s spoken all around the country is Infernal, mandatory for learn for those that are born in the country at a young age, though the common tongue spoken around the continent is also part of the curriculum. Halfling is also quite well known - And although some people still pass on the knowledge in how to speak Dhen, the language is mostly dead outside of broken monuments that once belonged to the former country.

# Religion

In Velouve, following unauthorized religions is a crime punished by death, leaving only two religions practiced.  One of them is the following of the Goddess of Tyranny, Misericorde, whose support of the twins caused the nation of Kha Dhen to fall. The other god - or rather, gods - that is followed are The Twins, the rulers of the nation having enforced that people pray to them daily, and are now both something that can be revered for power, even though most prayers for both gods stem from sheer fear of them.

Amongst the people of Kal-Azad, the most common faith nowadays is the goddess Avalon, her domain of heroism resonating well with the young hearts who seek to return their nation to their former state. It’s not rare for shrines of her to even be present in cities aboveground, though hidden away in darker alleys so that those practicing it aren’t hunted down. A god that’s also followed but rarely is Marthek, god of the hunt, who has been mostly forgotten in time in favor of others.