Velhellyiah

"*It is from these humble shores that we shall prosper. Grow. Reach never before seen heights as we fly upon the currents of aether until it we can shine down our brilliance and shower the land in the gift of Magic!*"
―KynTemplate:SpecialCategorizerVelhellyiah is one of the dominant powers of Araal. Occupying the eastern portion of the peninsula it is ruled by the Council of the Enlightened with the nation's focus being entirely on the pursuits of magic. Velhellyiah is a refuge for magic, the nation putting it's entire focus behind this endeavor allowing it to be the leading figure on the manipulation of aether and it's applications. The Velian devotion to the magical sciences permeates all facets of their society, from the lowest citizen to the High Archon, ruler of Velhellyiah, being chosen by their knowledge and capacity with magic.

## History

### Origin

Velhellyiah was formed in the year 2452 by magic users fleeing from crusades of the period. The migrants crossed the land-bridge and eventually settled in modern-day Kyn. Free from the constraints imposed on them they began their study in earnest, their entire society revolved around magic and the various ways it could be used. Over the next few years they expanded their burgeoning nation with one of their earliest expansions being a fortress built on the land bridge, fearing their former masters would come for them again. Their expansion grew to encompass everything from Rharec to the great lake. Their expansion was slowed by disagreements and discontent among the populace. This eventually boiled over into all out civil war in 2507. The war only lasted two years before the two sides came to terms with one another. In the year 2512 the capital city of Velhellyiah Rihh was founded and their various settlements rallied under a single formal banner.

The newly unified country continued it's steady march forward. It expanded it's territory beyond the great lake, coming into conflict with the Calaens and eventually driving them back beyond the narrow. The next major upset in Velian history would come in 2560. This was the spark that would ultimately change the entirety of Velian society. Civil unrest grew across the country, the divide between those who could use magic and those who could not grew ever wider until open revolt began in the city of Kyn. For five years the locals protested and rioted, and for five years Kyn was effectively it's own nation-state. The dissent was eventually put down in 2565 but the resentment would continue to linger, growing more and more over the next twenty-one years. Finally, in 2591 it bubbled over into what threatened to be another civil war. However, before it could progress that far the government was overthrown in a coup lead by Naeun Suam. The capital was renamed to Vysoria and the divide between those with magic and those without shrank, although it never quite went away. The government was restructured and while the magi retained authority and control, their breakthroughs went to benefit the citizens rather than just themselves.

By 2941 the mages' society had covered a significant portion of the great peninsula, carving it's borders into the two narrow land formations that connected the east and west sides. They enjoyed their prosperity and after the last war being over three hundred years ago the Velian people were content with their situation. This would come to an end with the Great War that same year. Velhellyiah suffered occupation under Sarathal with the fall of the fortress city of Rharec. For over 6 years Velians were an occupied and oppressed people with the Sathal wasting no time in ridding the nation of anything related to magic. After the war's conclusion the nation took it's time rebuilding. Their dedication towards the magical arts never wavering. Their society continued to grow and make great strides in the realm of magic and by modern times they were the world's leader in magitek with the highest concentration of magic users and magic-aided devices.

## Government and politics

Velhellyiah is governed by a a congregation of the most capable mages of the nation. Officially named the Council of the Enlightened, it was really more a gathering of the greatest sorcerors of the nation. From magical theologists who came with groundbreaking concepts of magic and it's part in faith, to magitek engineers pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. The Council is a diverse collection of figures, but among them is the High Archon. The leader of the Council, it is they who carry the most weight for they are indisputably the most powerful mage, able to master both the theoretical and the practical aspects of sorcerory.

The focus of the Council, and thus Velhellyiah as a whole, was their pursuit of magic. Thus it was little surprise that a government of science would impose rather few restrictions on it's people. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion were all tenants embraced by Velian society. They actively encouraged and celebrated diverse thoughts for they believed it would yield better results and ultimately better their society overall.

Due to this focus of scientific discovery and magical pioneering, the Council dabbled very little in the daily affairs of the nation. Despite being the leading power of the Government they were rather absent leaving Velhellyiah to rely more on it's local Magistrates to govern the various cities and locales that dot the country. The Magistrates, unlike the Council, were elected officials placed into power through a vote every ten years.

### Executive branch

While the High Archon and the Council presided over the nation, it was the Magistrates who handled the day-to-day activities of the country. The true power behind Velhellyiah, the Magistrates formed an advisory group of senators below the Archons. Advising the council with the concerns of the populace and enacting the will of the Council. However, given the Council's relative absence a surprising number of decisions were enacted by the Magistrates of their own accord.

The Magistrates were elected, one from every city with a population of more than 100,000 citizens. They represented the will of the nation with elections taking place in their home cities every ten years. Should a magistrate die or retire before their term is up, an emergency election is called to fill the vacancy. While Magistrates are elected, they too must come from a stock of magi. Non-magic users are barred from running in these elections as it's felt they would not be able to properly represent the ideals and motives of the nation. That said, as their positions are attained through election and not the merit of their aetherically talented abilities, Magistrates will spend much more of their time placating the masses and maintaining their image for re-election ensuring they remain much more involved than the Council.

### Judicial branch

Velhellyiah's supreme authority of the law is the High Court of the Magi. When convened it is composed of three members of the Council, three ranking magistrates, and three enlightened citizens summoned as part of their civic duty. Those chosen are, ostensibly, chosen at random. From the Council to the Magistrates to the citizens, no two High Courts are the same. The Court is convened when a decision on an important matter of state is required. To interpret the laws laid out or handle a particularly important case brought before it. In modern times it's more ceremonial than anything else with the bulk of Judicial duties being handled by local courts.

### Other Velian organizations

Like any nation, Velhellyiah's government had numerous agencies and organizations working to facilitate the smooth operation of the nation. The most famous among these was GRIMM, MAGSEC, Velian Intelligence Organization, and the Potions, Spells, and Enchantments Regulation Authority among many others. These organizations all have their roles to play in ensuring the safety and security of the nation both from foreign and domestic threats.

## Economy

Velhellyiah's economy is predominantly supported by it's monopoly on top of the line Magitek. No other nation on the planet can rival the magical prowess of the Velians and they are more than happy to exploit this to fund their economy. Exporting their technology to other countries is the primary source of their wealth. However, magic is not all the Velians have to offer. The temperate climate of their nation allows for farming to be a large industry within the nation. Food exports make up the second largest contribution to their economy, especially to the nations to the north-west that see much of their lands covered by desert.

Velian currency is called the Naru (Nay-roo) and is most commonly seen in it's small, silvery coin variety. However, for bulkier purchases, you are able to go to a bank and obtain a magical talisman that will reflect funds you've exchanged for it. Trade in 100 Naru and receive a talisman with 100 on it. Only banks can change the numbers on the talismans as the enchantments imbued within are strongly resistant to tampering.

Domestic economies rely mostly on local industries. Even magitek requires raw resources to produce and so much of the domestic side of things is made up of mining, production, and farming. These more labor-intensive jobs are often relegated to those incapable of utilizing magic, showing a dark seam within the nation.

## Society and culture

Velian society is most drastically split into two groups, those who can use magic and those who can't. Those who can use magic are regarded as upper class whereas those who can't are lower class. This is further divided amongst the two groups, such as those who can use magic to a higher degree being viewed as higher in status, with the most accomplished mage families being regarded as nobility. While all citizens are recognized as equal within the eyes of the law, there is a distinct divide between the two groups as those who can use magic are routinely treated better and afforded more opportunities.

However while being second class citizens, non-magic users still lead comfortable and normal lives and benefit heavily from the magitek the mages create. So while there are groups unhappy with the status quo, society as a whole remains unchanged. When it comes to mages it will often work off a meritocracy, and even those from low-status houses can rise to the ranks if they, as individuals, show high aptitude for magic. That being said, even that is tempered by good old human arrogance and greed and emphasis on bloodlines and specific families are sometimes placed ahead of deserving individuals.

As a whole, Velians rely heavily on their magic and magitek in everything from government and military, to simple day to day activities. They also boast the most highly regarded magical universities and schools in the world.

### Classism

While Velian society strives to lift itself up above discrimination, to only put stock in one's merit, it still can not escape from it's past. In Velhellyiah's early years the stratification of society in a Mage's favor meant that those who could not use magic were severely misused and abused. Used for hard labor and as disposable minions it was a difficult life for non-mages. After the Suam Coup the Government was restructured and laws passed to elevate everyone to an equal playing field. No longer would anyone, no matter what, oppress another. At least that was the intent and while it has served to narrow the chasm, the divide still exists. In modern times those without magic are routinely passed over for opportunities, discriminated against for their supposed uselessness. While the law itself treats everyone equal, those who enforce it are far less impartial.

This discrimination is not exclusive to those unable to wield magic. Even mages can feel it's sting as those with less affinity for the arts are looked down on by those who are more powerful. This has led to an air of nobility around more prestigious families with long lineages of powerful magi. Even were a mage able to show their worth, if they came from humble beginnings they would struggle to get a foot in the door.

### Slavery

Like much of the world by this time, the Velians did not believe in or practice slavery. They believed that while not all men were created equal, they were still entitled to equal right to strive for something more. However that belief does not play out as idealistically as some might hope as the divide between mages and the magicless is still vast. While a far cry from slavery, it is common to find the less desirable positions occupied by those who can not use magic. And, like any law, this too is broken as criminal elements abuse their power over the weak. By and large, however, Velhellyiah is free of slavery.

### Arts and media

Velians are a people with an appreciation of beauty and grace. Magic is often woven from aether in such ways as to inherently be something beautiful and Velians take this fondness into other aspects of their society. Their use of magic affords them the ability to bring their visions to reality allowing their architecture to be fanciful and ornate. Their cities often gleaming jewels held aloft and maintained through their copious use of aether. Museums and galleries are common-place among Velian society and theaters displaying the most stunning displays can be found in any city.

### Religion

Velhellyiah, unlike it's neighbors, was not a religious nation in the traditional sense. While it allowed freedom to worship whatever belief you might have held, the state's policy was entirely devoted to magic supremacy. This was a view shared by society at large and so it could be said that their worship of magic is their religion.

## Military

The Velian military is relatively small and when it comes to conventional sciences is far behind those of other nations. They make up for these weaknesses with innovative applications of magic. Unlike most other nations Velian airships do not rely on propellers or gasses to attain lift but instead use an anti-gravity magic spell to propel them around. As well they have few conventional weapons and what few they have are augmented to fire enchanted rounds. Their primary armament is typically a magical beam that is emitted from the glowing sphere towards the front of the ship.

The Velian ground forces also rely heavily on magitek equipment with high level mages being given the freedom to choose whatever fighting method they see fit and lower level mages being put into special units to act in a variety of support roles. Non-magic users in the military are usually equipped with magitek equipment ranging from enchanted rifles and armor to golems and other constructs.

Unlike a lot of nations the Velians still make liberal use of melee combatants, enhancing their weapons, armor, and even themselves in order to close the gap and wreak havoc among enemy lines. When it comes to the sea the Velians possess a meager navy, strong enough to protect their shores but capable of little else. These ships tend to be large in scale and have mid-ranked mages assigned to them to help augment the magitek shield generators. The naval vessels rely on enchanted conventional weaponry rather than magical attacks. Overall the Velian military is highly reliant on magic and magitek in order to function, but this gives them an edge over more conventional forces.

## Science and technology

### Magitek

Magitek, also known as Mana-tech, Aethertech, and Magic Technology, is the foremost specialty of the Velians. Their pride and joy and the defining aspect of their nation. The world renowned Velian magitek is what allows the relatively small nation to have such a presence upon the world stage. While much of the world employs magic and some form or fashion of magic-based technologies, it was the Velians who truly refined the craft.

The applications of Velian magitek are vast from the domestic to the militaristic. Their lighting is composed up of aetherically-fed crystals, their heating is done by mana-generators that produce heat, their water is purified by large plants that utilize specially-crafted spells to pull the impurities from the water. Velian society from the ground up is reliant on their magitek for their day to day comforts. The one drawback of this reliance is that only those with both the magical aptitude and the training can properly maintain the technology. This renders magicless individuals entirely reliant on their aetherically-inclined kin to help them keep their devices functioning. This has lead to a rather booming industry of maintenance workers to keep the nation running.

### Transportation

Like much of the world your average Velian will move around either by carriage or their own feet. For longer transits the use of MAGLEV (Magical Levitation) trains is commonplace between cities. The MAGLEV network is a relatively new addition to the country with it's tracks sprawling throughout the country to link up major cities, though more rural areas have yet to receive the comforts of such a mode of transportation. Likewise their trains are incompatible with the more traditional locomotives utilized by other societies and this has caused issues with transnational travel, requiring lay-overs and station-hopping if you wished to leave the country.

Airships are another relatively new method of transit. Reserved mostly for the military and the elite they provide the most efficient means of transit. Though even by air it can take days to cover the country. Civilian air transportation is still very much in it's infancy and civilian airships lack the refinement of those utilized by the government and military. But even with these drawbacks they remain one of the premier ways to travel.

### Weaponry

Magitek allows for a wide and diverse array of weapons to be utilized on the battlefield. While most mages would rather choose to use their magic directly, many prefer to augment their styles with magitek. From hilts that can project an aether-blade to guns capable of firing mana-blasts to large constructs such as the famed Velian Knights. All of these and countless more exists. Given Velian society's drive to innovate and invent, the variety of weaponry you can find is almost as infinite as the amount of spells people can weave together. Though much of this diversity is locked away as one-off devices made by and for their creators. The military at large relies on more standardized equipment for it's troops such as rifles that fire enchanted rounds and armor with durability spells woven into it.

## Geography

Velhellyiah's borders stretch from the land-bridge in the east, guarded by the fortress city of Rharec, to the Narrow in the west protected by the Three Sisters. With the lay of the land affording only these two chokepoints as access routes, Velhellyiah has been able to prosper while keeping aggressors at bay. Temperate rolling plains cover much of the region with lush sprawling forests coating the interior. Vast mountain ranges cut the nation into several segments with mountain-passes being a common avenue of passing from one section to the other. The only territory under Velhellyiah's possession that is not a part of it's landmass is the pair of tropical islands to the north. Home to the port city of Lares the larger of the two islands remains mostly untamed with only a few sparse towns dotting the island. The bulk of the population living in Lares, slowly transforming it into a resort city on the lush island.

The Velian capital was originally named Velhellyiah Rihh, from where the nation itself receives it's name. However, it was renamed to Vysoria following the successful coup of Naeun Suam and since then the original name has fallen into antiquity with many not even knowing of it. Vysoria itself is a massive circular city occupying a natural geographical outcropping, a circular peninsula connected to the mainland by an exceedingly narrow land-bridge only a hundred meters wide. The city occupies this landmass, matching it's circular shape to create a city that climbs ever skyward the closer you get to it's center with the governing tower at it's center. The Beacon of Vysoria allowing the Council to look out and gaze over the entire realm.