The Kingdom Of Vylaria

[This page is currently under construction. Information present will change!] Vylaria is a country situated in the Norwegian sea, in between Iceland and Norway. The country is predominantly inhabited by native Vylarians, with a small population of British, Icelandic and Norwegian immigrants. The estimated population is 3,012,040.

## Etymology

The name 'Vylaria' is derived from the folklore figure Vylari, the fairy queen who according to legend was the first ruler of Vylaria.

## History

The true history of Vylaria is widely contested amonst scholars, as all official records seem indistinguishable from folklore and mythology, leading many to doubt their legitimacy as historical resources.

### Age Of Vylari

All though no historical records exist of it anymore within Vylaria, a skull from a human skeleton carbon dated to 30,000 BCE was found in the 1990s. However Vylaria's own history books spin a tale of the country being home to no humans until settlers in the 11th Century, claiming that the fairy queen Vylari descended from the skies on a stone monument roughly 5,000 years ago and created a race of fairies and various other mythical creatures; with no mention of any humans being created. Vylaria itself claims that it is the skull of a fairy descendent, as many nobility in Vylaria believe they are evolved descendents of the original fairies rather than humans. However scholars remain doubtful due to the carbon dating result. There is however a small crater impact near the mountains where the remains of some animal bones were dug up and dated to 3,152 BCE, lining up with the time period of the alleged descent of the fairy queen. Modern historians theorise that a meteor impact occured and, unable to understand what had actually happened, the society of the time wrote their mythology inspired by this event. Some also theorise that an opportunistic individual rose to the occasion to pretend to be what fell from the skies, in order to gain leadership. Multiple different written accounts at the time describe a leader known as Vylari as well as many paintings and stone carvings. In addition, the joint grave of Vylari and her partner contains real human bones dated to 3,115 BCE, mostly likely belonging to her partner, alongside a a sealed vial of dust with Vylari's name engraved. In addition her partner wrote many pages about her in their journal. This suggests that while her fairy queen status is unfounded, her existence was likely. Analysis of the vial found the dust to not be human ashes, but glittering sand from a rock not like any on earth, leading some to doubt her existence. Vylarian citizens themselves will say that she dissolved into stardust in the arms of her partner after acheiving true happiness

### War Of The Seven Goddesses

After the Age Of Vylari, the folklore frenzy of Vylarians continued to muddy the official historical records, with wild tales such as a king's conquest to slay dragons in the Himmelys Mountains, and most significantly the far-fetched tale that the 7 children of Vylari (Sylhjørn, Vredreik, Føniksol, Sinnvasro, Lävalkyr, Dødraskytt, and Maavlisra) became gods and goddesses. In the absence of their former figurehead of faith, the Vylarians are believed to have deified her children in order to deal with her loss. These 7 children were powerful figures in Vylarian politics, and the divided former followers of Vylari waged war over which was the true successor to follow.

Folklore spins the tale that Dødraskytt was a force to be reckoned with due to an alleged ability to transform into a dragon. Meanwhile his most formidable rival Vredreik was spoken of as having supernatural physical strength. It is likely that these claims were merely allegorical for their strength in battle. Vredreik displayed ambitions of ruling the entire country, whereas the rest of the children wanted to divide the country evenly into seven to settle the nationwide dispute. While this resulted in most of the childrens' factions playing a defensive role against Vredreik, they were not united against him. Much squabbling occured over who would get what land in Vylaria. Sinnvasro, Sylhjørn and Lävalkyr were happy to settle for a coastal, forest and mountain province respectively, whereas Føniksol wanted to form all of the country not controlled by Vredreik into an Alliance, ruled by her. Meanwhile Dødraskytta and Maavlisra argued with each other and everyone over which land should be claimed as their province. As a result Sinnvasro, Sylhjørn and Lävalkyr spent most of the War of the Seven Goddesses defending their provinces from most of the other factions. The exception was Føniksol who merely made endless diplomacy efforts towards them in her attempts to forge her self led alliance, while fighting the other more offensive focused factions.

While Dødraskytt appeared to have the potential to keep all foes at bay for eternity, it is said he grew heavy hearted at the prospect of ending lives early. He saw it as 'interfering with fate' and surrendered through guilt. Eventually it is said that Vredreik conquered all of the country. However he still appointed himself and his siblings as lords of seven regions determined by him. The map of Vylaria was laid out into seven provinces: Rike Av Vredreik, Sylhjørnia, Føniksolens, Sinnvasro Havn, Lävalkyr Fjell, Dødraskytta, and Maavlisria. All lords and their followers had to accept the terms and land assignments laid out by him or face further military assault. Royal historical accounts speak of Vredreik as a war hero, a relatable champion for the common man who wasn't surrounded in myths of magical goddess powers, and a saviour who united the troubled country. Other more obscure sources speak of him as a tyrant responsible for much needless death and destruction in pursuit of his goal.

### Rule Of King Vredreik

The Vylarian monarchy arguably started with Vredreik's conquering and self-proclamation of being Vylaria's new king. Historical accounts speak very positively of a king with an iron will who kept the country in shape, however it is acknowledged that any ill will spoken of the king would be treason under the system he established. Life under Vredreik appeared to be a life under constant watch, with no room for rebellion, and consquently no more wars occured for his entire reign. Vredreik established many laws and systems. Amongst these was a law ruling that no rule made by a former king can be overturned by a current queen, only by other kings of Vylaria. Another law was a requirement for only men to take the throne where possible, with queens only being coronated as a last resort if a king dies without birthing a male heir. King Vredreik was likely wary of relinquishing any power to his mostly female siblings, although he also liked to proclaim the 'physical and spiritual superiority' of the male species. Dødraskrytt mysteriously died from an alleged illness under his rule. Followers of Dødraskrytt suspected this to be an assassination to secure King Vredreik's claim to power. Later that year King Vredreik had began courting a noble lady from Sylhjørnia named Lyriela. As per his laws she was unable to refuse his romantic advances and was sent to the castle regularly. Lyriela however seemed to enjoy King Vredreik's company and often told him of how she could not wait until her next visit. All of Vylaria was poised ready for a future queen to join the throne alongside him.

Vredeirk devised a new Joining of Hearts ceremony, a deviation from Vylaria's traditional Star, Sun, or Moon Oath Binding ceremonies. The ceremony took place one year later and was functionally very similar to how marriages work today, but was mostly a legal proceeding at this point to ensure that the child of their matrimony would be considered an heir and the next king should it be a boy. Nevertheless Lyriela seemed overjoyed at the occasion, and all seemed happy for their future.

This however did not last, as a few weeks after the ceremony, King Vredreik mysteriously went missing on the night of a full moon. With the supposed fae of Vylaria being the only explanation given in records, the people were baffled as he vigilantly always wore iron at all times; believing to keep them at bay. Lyriela announced a year later that she would be entering a Moon Oath Binding with Sylhjørn. She revealed she had been her long time partner, until forced to break up when King Vredreik ordered Lyriela's bethrothal to him. Sylhjørn ascended to the throne as the next in line with Lyriela by her side.

## Mythology

Goddesses and Gods:

* Vylari - The Fairy Queen and the originator of all magic.
* Sylhjørn - The Unicorn Goddess of the Moon
* Vredeirk - The Warrior God of Man
* Føniksol - The Phoenix Goddess of the Sun
* Sinnvasro - The Mermaid Goddess of the Ocean
* Lävalkyr - The Valkyrie Goddess of the Skies
* Dødraskytt - The Dragon Goddess of the Eclipse
* Maavlisra - The Dryad Goddess of The Earth