Vershnila

Society and soil alike rich with magic, Vershnila, and the tiefling royal family at its head, claim the majority of the Eastern half of the continent. The official and predominant deity in Vershnila is Helm, and members of his Order are considered to be protectors of the realm. A curious export feature is a particular breed of colourful goat, said to grow wool with magical properties.

## Character Notes

Characters from Vershnila may:

* fear or strongly dislike undead in all forms
* find the countryside of other countries and lands bland
* know at least a little bit of magic
* worship Helm, or another Lawful or Good-aligned deity
* have a strong appreciation for the Mark due to the events of the civil war
* appreciate Avians for their aid during the Undead Uprisings
* older, longer-lived folk may still harbour a dislike of Avians from the War of 997.

## Society

Most of Vershnila is controlled by nobles of one form or another, though people are free and generally not bound to any one location or profession. Local nobles represent their region in the central government, and are usually liaisons between the government and the people. With exceptions, each region generally encompasses approximately 1000-2000 homes. Each region is required to be self-sufficient at a basic level in education, nourishment, and security.

Emphasis is put on knowledge, martial or magical prowess, and most Vershnilans cultivate skills beyond what is required in their day-to-day lives. Thus arts, crafts, and sciences are common even in relatively simple or remote settlements.

## Culture

Vershnilans are often seen as more 'open' than some, though this, like many other things, is as varied as the Vershnilan countryside. Fiercely proud and loyal, a Vershnilan will stand their ground on what they perceive as right or truthful. They are fast to make friends, though deeper relationships may take far longer, which can sometimes be confusing to the other parties involved.

The Order of Helm is considered an elite organization, and many strive to join it one way or another. To be accepted into their ranks is considered a great achievement, and to be *invited* is an honour one simply cannot refuse. They are deeply intertwined with the nation, the government, and the Royal Family. During peaceful times, the Order acts as the country's military force, handling anything from bandit raids to disaster relief. During wartime, units of the Order are attached to armies brought up from local militias, and serve to train and handle such a wave of fresh soldiers.

## History

### Re-Settlement

Due to its location on the East half of Gharmidh, the area which later became the nation of Vershnila was resettled later than the rest of the continent. The pattern was also quite different, as communities were established simultaneously from the East by explorers sailing around the southern end of the continent, and from the West by crossing the steep Central Highlands. Settlers from the two sides would eventually meet in the central regions and slowly expand, halting when they encountered established villages in the areas of later Lithosphere to the North, and Efriqo to the South.

Having originated from the Western side of the continent, a large portion of the populace was in a way still under the rule of lords who would later become the Avian Royal House. However, the significant natural barrier, and a heavily independent populace, made these settlers somewhat separated from their origins. This separation only grew in time, especially after the various nations had started to form properly. With both pre-Vershnila and pre-Avia claiming the land and populace as their own, rising tensions eventually caused the situation to come to a head, and war were declared.

### The Unification War

In the third month of the year 997, an army from the Western side of the Highlands occupied major routes over the mountains, including the Great White Pass. Aided by a significant force of mounted fliers, initial progress was fast. However, diligent intelligence work by Eastern agents predicted an attack, and secret preparations had been made. Some of the flying groups were repelled by martial and magical defences, as well as extensive terrain modifications. These made mass landings impossible, resulting in scattered groups of Griffon riders, which were set upon by defenders on foot. Thus, the spearhead of the offensive force was countered, and the assault developed into more conventional warfare.

Skirmishes in the Highlands as well as on other fronts, opened in hopes of achieving a quicker victory, lasted for over two decades. With limited contact, and trust at an all-time low due to both sides' incursions and secret operations, diplomatic work was slow and difficult. However, as time wore on, equipment wore down, and patience wore thin, calls from both sides to end the bloodshed finally fell on receptive ears. The truce ceded Western control over all land East of the Central Highlands. Hostilities officially ended on the 19th day of the Third Moon 1022, a day which would later become a day of remembrance and celebration of rebirth in both nations.

### Unification

The subsequent years were turmoilous at first for the budding nation. Local leaders used the chaos to grab land and power for themselves, until House Aundale made an effort to bring the lands under their control. The family, one of the largest individual rulers in the pre-war region, took up residence in one of the newly liberated areas on the slopes of the Highlands. The well-fortified palace would later grow into a sprawling city known simply as Aundale. This would later be designated the capital, housing both the Royal Family, and the government proper.

The current ruler of Vershnila is King Galderian L'Aundale, having taken up the crown in 1375. Along with him, the core royal family consists of his grand-children, Jeezls and Hashkashta.

### The Undead Uprisings

In the early 1400s, a princess of the Vershnilan royal family dies in childbirth, and her husband falls into obsession over her death. In the mid-1410's, the husband, Velkarika, is expelled from the palace for his research into necromantic magic. He returns the following year, reviving heroes from the distant past, in a coup attempt backed by an undead army. Velkarika is soon defeated and driven away by the Royal Army, aided by a team of Raven's Mark mercenaries led by his daughter, Princess JeezIs.

Having learned from his mistakes, Velkarika leads a second coup in the winter of 1418 as part of his planned ascension to lichdom. The royal family takes refuge in Avia, alongside the remains of their army and many civilians. The usurper corrupts the natural magic of Vershnilan lands, and undead freely wander the country, resisted only by sparse bands of soldiers and civilians who have taken up arms. Within two years a makeshift army is rebuilt around the exiled forces, consisting of members of holy orders, volunteers from across the continent, and loaned Avian battalions. This force manages to retake the Citadel and, with its facilities and stockpiles of hallowed weapons, manages to make progress and eventually defeat and slay the usurper for good. This time, the effort is spearheaded by Raven's Mark guild members.

## Geography

Separated by the neighbouring Avia by the Central Highlands, Vershnila's high mountain valleys lead down into a hilly terrain, which gives way to fertile flatlands along the coast. The official borders of Vershnila cover most of the Eastern half of the continent, though its sphere of influence extends somewhat, over the Sandstone mountain range in the south.

**Best Known For: Magical Development.** Vershnila is known for rapid strides in magical advancement.  Their greatest achievement is the enormous ability to teleport entire armies via the mirror portal system. However the portals repeat every present noise three times over, making it hard for it to be used stealthily.

**The countryside.** Even the plants are touched by Vershnila's magic aptitude.  Plants grow in glowing blues, purples and reds, vibrant and flourishing.

**Interesting Note: The Goats of Vershnila.** The goats of Vershnila are rare, about 99.9999% of their species in the whole world live in Vershnila. The magic plants of the land are said to make their wool extraordinarily soft and warm. The goats are kept under a watchful eye, though any that may be sold or smuggled out of the country produce wool which is, in the eyes of Vershnilan tailors, of inferior quality.

**Leadership.** Every ruler of Vershnila has had a signature style of magic they use and it's reflected in the palace itself. The current king is a plant druid, meaning his throne is an enormous crystalline willow tree and plant life weaves its way through the palace grounds.

**Exports**: Magic items, rare herbs, Mizzium, Vershnilan Wool.

## Locations

* Aundale
* Velais
* Varbella
* Blackrock
* Yhorynlas