Vertex

"The oldest kingdom of humanity" Or so they call themselves, at least. Whilst the precise date of their founding has been lost to history, the nation has certainly been around for as long as any human, Dwarf or even Elf can remember. This is in no small part thanks to their Wyvern riders; an elite military that has managed to keep out any and all invading forces throughout their long history.

## History

Nobody is certain how they did it, but the founders of Vertex were a small group of humans who managed to tame and forge bonds with the wyverns who lived in the Western reaches of Occidacia. With this power in hand, they took over some of the foothills of the wild mountains. This lead to a brief conflict with the Dwarves who had no way of defending themselves from such an aerial force, so they begrudgingly gave up the land. The capital of Drouvern (the vortex, dragon peaks) was founded on the only true mountain in the region. From this point, all places that a Wyvern could reach within a day were secured.

After this point, Vertex became a quiet and isolated nation. Very rarely do they meddle in foreign affairs. Their recent ventures in Monstruia are somewhat revolutionary in comparison with the rest of their history.

## Culture

It is a standard in Vertex that every household has at least one Wyvern, and often multiple. Traditionally, children are bonded with a wyvern egg at birth, which they will become life partners with once it hatches. This is a strong, personal bond which allows the wyvern and its rider to work together incredibly well. This bond is so personal that when a wyvern dies before its rider, the rider will never ride another. Similarly, if a rider dies before their wyvern, it flies off into the mountains and is never seen again.

Most of Vertex consists of fertile farmland, so many people here live simple village lives, albeit with the inclusion of Wyverns. Most goods are flown to Drouvern where they are stored, processed, and redistributed across the nation. Many people also become members of one of the many holy orders in Drouvern, whose knights are dedicated to protecting the nation.

## Orders

The military of Vertex consists of several orders of knights, who each carry out different functions. All are sworn to protect the nation's stability. Its aspiring members enlist as cadets at the military academy and graduate when they are chosen by one of the orders.

### Order of the cruel sun

Alaric the Mad founded this old, likely oldest in Vertex, order of knights. Its members are trained in the use of sun magic, which uses radiance and fire. The image of flames raining down from great winged beasts can only evoke the image of the Dragons of old.

### Order of the wrathful storm

This order has taken it upon itself to teach anyone and anything that would dare defy the nation's borders a hard lesson. They hunt after monsters that attack villages and root out their evil to the very core.

### Order of the iron hand

Every royal family needs protection, and the order of the iron hand has taken up that duty. They are well respected and it is any boy's dream to become a member of the iron hand.

### Order of the dragon's fire

One of two religious orders in Vertex. They are devotees of the Dragon (Sahrot'Dovah) in the Solemn mountain.

### Order of the solemn mountain

The other religious order in Vertex. They worship the mountain where Sahrot'Dovah slumbers, rather than the Dragon himself.

### Order of the winged sentinels

A revolutionarily new order of knights who often make their way to Monstruia to take part in the hunts there and to defend that land from attacks from the sky.

### Order of the radiant shadow

All nations have their fair share of internal turmoil, and Vertex is no exception. The order of the radiant shadow works to protect the nation from corruption, insurgency, and other domestic threats. They work as a kind of police force.