The Setting

The known world, the mega-continent of Vetus, consists of many nations and cultures inhabiting all types of biomes and regions. The governing entity is the **Commonwealth of Vetus**. All cities and nations are part of it. Some have been members of the Commonwealth for centuries, others joined mere decades ago.

The Commonwealth, having unified the entire continent and eradicated conflict, has entered a **Golden Age** of peace and prosperity. Resources are shared throughout the entire continent, large-scale trade routes are emerging everywhere, science and philosophy is booming...

For a while now, people have been wondering what the next frontier was, and now they have found it: The Wildlands.

**Interactive Map**

### Cultures

The society is organized around several different states and nations, usually having a capital city surrounded by smaller cities and villages attached to them. Every nation has its own way of life, culture and society.

All nations are allied through the Commonwealth.

* **Sovereign** - A magnificent city built on the Sovereign river dividing Old Vetus and Ardelaine, Sovereign is filled with palaces and gardens and the capital of the Commonwealth. One of the most diverse places in the world, you won't find a city anywhere with a more luxurious lifestyle on display.
* **Byrnewood** - A village built in the middle of the Hagforest with a peculiar history, the people of Byrnewood tend to be hardy folk who are good with their hands. Many renowned carpenters, architects, and masons originate from Byrnewood.
* **Dundulgur** - This mountainous archipelago is home to the underground city of Dundulgur. Dundees tend to be exceptional fishermen, stoneworkers, and metalworkers - although working with metal is a rare privilege given only to the finest craftsmen in the city.
* **Old Vetus** - The region where the Commonwealth originated, Old Vetus is filled with merchants and steeped in tradition. The Vetushian people are exceptional sailors and diplomats, known for their shrewd intelligence.
* **Ardelaine** - A former superpower that recently fell, Ardelaine still has some of the best universities in the world. The city is known for being the place where the world's brightest scientists learned their trade.
* **Ledenon** - Living in the Sanaan desert, the people of Ledenon have learned how to not just survive, but thrive. This citizens of this bustling merchant city place an emphasis on the gain of wealth and power, and are often willing to go to extreme lengths to reach these ideals.
* **Norn** - An anarchist culture that has formed a tentative coexistence with the battle-hardy Vinevirkians. The people of Norn have adapted to survive in the frozen tundra in a massive underground cavern where they have built their city, making use of the rich mineral deposits as blacksmiths and miners.
* **Vinevirke Vikings** - Battle-hardy and stubborn, yet surprisingly adaptable, the Vinevirkians have built their way of life around centuries of pillaging others. Now, as part of the Commonwealth of Vetus, they are adapting yet again to a new, more peaceful way of life.
* **Yakuma** - A society rooted in traditions having joined the Commonwealth mere decades ago. They are just opening up to the outside world after being isolated for centuries, and are still a bit behind on most things.
* **United Tribes** - A diverse union of several smaller cultures and tribes in the North-East of the Commonwealth. All these cultures are player-submitted!

### A Brief Historical Overview

For a full timeline, visit **The History of the Commonwealth**.

WIP - brief 2-3 paragraph overview of the major historical highlights.