Suterma

### ***Description:***

An island where it is always summer with gorgeous white sand beaches. The island of Suterma is the perfect island - perfect weather, perfect beaches and a perfect relaxing vibe. Shallow water on all sides, with a lush forest in the center and three plateaus rising above the horizon. Major road systems have been built between all main cities of the island and each city is decently developed with a thriving commercial district found on the island. Light ties to the Plane of Fire create the always perfect beach weather the island is known for.

### ***History:***

The island of Suterma previously served two roles: It was a luxurious beach front vacation island with the Delicia Artibus Resort ran by someone known simply as The Manager, and also a location which housed all the major embassies of Veritas to the other nations across the continent, overseen from the shadows by a secretive individual known as The Information Broker who thrived off the knowledge of the goings on at the embassies. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.

However, in the last 10 years the culture of Suterma has changed drastically after a sweeping series of recent anti-corruption legislation was passed that closed many of the loop holes involving political deals outside of Veritas Prime, resulting in the precarious leverage the Information Broker and The Manager had over various parties backfiring and resulting in the fall of their positions. This led to the downfall of The Black Market, and residents had to find other ways to get strange and exotic goods and have a sustained economy. As they explored the forests in the center of the island, they found a wide variety of monsters. Still wanting to draw people to Suterma it was decided that they would shift their focus to the preparation of strange ingredients. The culture has thrived and evolved since then and the previous buildings were repurposed.

### ***Culture:***

After the shift, many talented chefs came from all around the world to prove themselves and learn new skills. As time went by groups with similar approaches to the culinary arts started to group together. These rivalries, while friendly for the most part, sometimes can get heated. To resolve these issues The Culinary Council will hold an official cook off. Representatives from each major sector that is not involved will judge the dishes and decide the winner.

Violence is strictly prohibited, and those who gather ingredients must follow a strict guideline to prevent over-farming the natural land or over-hunting the local fauna. Those who break those guidelines are banned from the island.

It should be noted that those who follow a certain flavor do not often restrict themselves to a singular regional cuisine and instead wander between them. Their bases are located in The Universal Plate Resort.

### ***Political System:***

#### **The Culinary Council:**

A group of elected officials that represent the 5 major flavors, and 6 others representing the regions of the world (See Individuals of Influence below). They all exist at an equal level, and decisions are voted on.

### ***Economy:***

The economy of Suterma revolves around cooking and its many facets. This includes the selling of crops, hunting of special creatures for ingredients and the breeding of species to lessen environmental impact. The Universal Plate Resort functions as a tourist area for those wanting just to try the food, while the many regional food institutions attract chefs from all over. Additionally, they hold festivals, carnivals and other timed events as a way to draw more tourists.

### ***Major Landmarks:***

#### **Baste Heights:**

One of the three plateaus, it has been partially repurposed to grow crops. This is to keep down import costs and has been done in a way that doesn’t disrupt the natural ecosystem.

#### **Flambe Highland:**

This plateau is mostly taken up by the city of Capena and is located at the north east most part of Sutrema.

#### **Kipper Hillside:**

The Kipper Hillside sits next to the capital city of Iluro, and Kipper Ranch takes up the majority of the area.

#### **Road of Delicacies:**

The major route that connects all the cities on the island. It is a safe route for travelers.

#### **Nutrients Lake:**

Located on the east part of the island, this body of freshwater is carefully preserved. It provides a home for any marine life that cannot live in saltwater.

### ***Cities:***

#### **Iluro:**

Previously known as Sutema Magnum the name was updated after the cultural shift. The old Veritas Embassy now known as The Chef’s Academy of Veritas is located here. The other main attraction is The Universal Plate Resort, which is where most of the tourism happens.

#### **Novae:**

Novae is the second largest city on Suterma, and houses the Blueridge Institute of Technical Cooking and the Navarre School of the Culinary arts. It is still split down the middle, with the two institutions often at one another's throats. This has led to the second largest cooking area to be established here.

#### **Capena:**

Capena takes up most of Flambe Heights, and hosts The Flavor Lab of Rovgaz and Hashan’s Kitchen. The two institutions get along as much as any of them.

#### **Aurelia:**

On the easternmost part of the island is the city of Aurelia. The Xeque School of Taste sits in the center of the city. Many chefs who focus on flavor begin their journey here.

### ***Major Locations:***

#### The Universal Plate Resort

Though the upper management and surrounding area has changed the hotel still stands strong. Now, however, it is an area dedicated to celebrating all food flavors and types. There are smaller sectors for those chef’s who focus on different tastes rather than location based cuisine. It is also where cook-offs between high ranked chefs are held.

#### Kipper Ranch

Situated on the Kipper Hillside, the Kipper Ranch specializes in the cultivation of specialized creatures that help ease the burden on Sutrema’s natural ecosystem. They will occasionally hire adventurers to help test the quality of the creatures in exchange for payment.

#### Chef’s Academy of Veritas

Once the Veritas Embassy, the building is now known as the Chef’s Academy of Veritas’. It is here that those wishing to know more about food specific to Veritas reside. It’s location in Iluro means that it's often the first place fledgling chefs start at, because of this even though it is named for Veritas other groups have a presence.

#### Blueridge Institute of Technical Cooking

Though time has moved on, the split in Novae between Blueridge and Navarre continues. Once the embassy, it is now known as ‘Blueridge Institute of Technical Cooking ’. It focuses on the science that goes into creating the best possible flavors and a creature’s reaction to certain combinations.

#### Navarre School of the Culinary Arts

Contrasting with Blueridge, Navarre has focused on the artistry of cooking. This includes plating and putting the soul of the chef into the food. Though a very broad concept, chefs whose heart burns with passion often find themselves here.

#### Flavor Lab of Rovgaz

The Flavor Lab of Rovgaz in Capena specailizes in experimental cooking. This means using very unusual ingredients, even by Sutreman standards. Their methods are unorthodox, and one of their main goals is creating food that looks and smells disgusting but the flavor is exquisite.

#### Hashan’s Kitchen

Closely aligned with chefs who aim to master spice Hashan’s Kitchen is located in the city of Capena. It looks to use spices to their utmost advantage regardless of ingredient quality.

#### Xeque School of Taste

The only regional food establishment located in Aurelia, The Xeque School of Taste contrasts with that of Hashan - focusing on the highest quality ingredients. They then aim to use those ingredients to embody the soul of Xequen cooking.

### ***Main Religion:***

Religion is varied by individual, and there is no strict enforcing of a particular deity.

### ***Demographics:***

Any and all are found here as it's a major travel hub and vacation spot in the entire continent.