Lakewater

## The nation of Lakewater

Lying in the northwest of the continent of Aebria, the nation is governed by a primarily Elven aristocracy led by a small number of noble families. Most members of these families live in the nation's capital and largest city, Hessia. The Lakewater aristocracy places emphasis on diplomacy and compromise with foreign policy, preferring not to wage wars which may end up being futile in the long run. The military of Lakewater is rather small compared to a nation such as Galvatia, however there is a much larger presence and emphasis on magic, using powerful mages to help keep peace and agreements. The military has a large presence along the nation's borders, especially in the south. A number or forts and castles line these borders, the largest of which being Fort Acure. The land, when not blanketed in snow, is green and fertile, with a large potential for supporting life. However, a thick snow blankets the land for greater than half of the year.

## Notable Locations

### The Grand Lakes

-The Grand Lakes consist of the six large lakes under Lakewater's control. Lakewater gets its name from the presence of these lakes. They are all heated by geothermic activity beneath the surface. The temperature of the water generally increases as you go further north. Lake Cyver's warmest points are generally lukewarm, while the northern portions of Oryn and Aryn have the potential to boil. These large masses of water almost consistently steaming fill the air with moisture, which returns to the ground as the snow that continuously coats the land in cooler months.

### Hessia

-Hessia is the nation's capital as well as the nation's most populous city, with a population of about 30,000 over just under 500 acres. The city is the nation's political center, as most of the important nobles and families are located here. On top of that, its central location in the nation allows for access to trade with most of the rest of the nation as well. The city is actually fairly young, only between 150 and 200 years old. Construction of the city was ordered by the aristocracy to serve as a central political center.

### Acuren & Fort Acure

-Acuren is a large trading town located near The Cynosaquis, allowing for trade by water to the other major nations of Aebria. The city is a home to about 24,000 people, most of which are merchants and tradesmen. A low number of them are farmers and manual laborers, most people here making their living through commerce. Due to its close proximity to the Galvatian border, Fort Acure was constructed to protect Acuren and the surrounding areas. This fort is the largest concentration of Lakewater military in a single place. The people of Lakewater feel that a large trading town so close to the border may be the target for an invasion.

### Ulenna

-Ulenna is a large city to the north, and home to the Lakewater Military Mage Academy. While otherwise an unremarkable city with little traffic coming in and out, the Military Mage Academy accounts for a large portion of the city's residents. At this academy, mages are trained in a variety of magical arts for the sake of defending the nation. You can attend the academy while not being a soldier, however the fees and costs are far beyond most but the wealthy's reach.

### Illoin

-Illoin is a city founded by the first powerful member of the Illoin family, perhaps the most notable and powerful names of Lakewood. While once a bustling metropolis, most of the population has since left to construct and live within and around Hessia. Every autumn, however, the city holds a festival to commemorate the Illoin family which draws visitors from the nation and Aebria as a whole. While the city's core is still dense, the outer reaches of the city are scarcely populated with many run-down and abandoned homes and buildings. Recently, more and more monsters and beasts have tried to make these their homes.

### Norbrin

-Norbrin is hardly a city, hardly a town. Norbrin is a large patch of farms and empty fields used for training those in the Lakewater military who choose not or are unable to use magic. Training here takes place year round. In the warmer seasons, soldiers are used to plant crops in the fields with no tools between harsh combat drills in the sun. In the winter, soldiers are trained to withstand the elements and survive using their surroundings, never having more than a thin tent above their heads.