The Vemahti Hegemony

~6,750,000 Humans ~1,000,000 Gnome ~1,000,000 Dwarf
~950,000 Halfing ~300,000 Exotic **Estimated 10 million population**

## The Founding

Is a religious hegemony based around the prophet, Aelar Vemahti who founded the nation in 9241 uniting the different clans of people in the areas that are now apart of the nation. The prophet was indeed favored by a goddess who they called The Great Mother or the Mother for short.  She brought order to a divided area.

The Chiran Plague is a disease that swept across a majority of the world. Scholars to this day still cannot find what causes or where it came from. Killing nearly fifty percent of the worlds population during the years 8812-9289. Exceptionally contagious disease that decimated the city states and country’s that existed at the end of the Nivaya Empire’s War. The disease was incurable by any means that priests, sages and wizards could try. The only thing they did know was it was magical to some extent.

Aelar Vemahti and her Great Mother were instrumental in the eradication of this disease. Somehow Alear had the strength or connection with this deity to cure the disease. This went on until it mostly died out in 9289 but was still a common occurrence in larger communities. Because of Aelar’s power she brought to her neighboring clans offering the cure if they united. The Clans in the plains of Gierland quickly agreed aching for the chance to be rid off this scourge. Thus the Vemahti Hegemony was founded without conquest.

For main timeline click here.

## The Government

34th Divine Queen Falka Petronilla of Clan Havroun, is the current ruler of the Vemahti Hegemony.

The Hegemony is ruled by a Divine Queen along with two councils below her. The Divine Queen is always a woman, and for twenty years she leads the Hegemony in the way of The Great Mother.

The Divine Queenship is not passed down through bloodlines instead to promote greater unity among its peoples, it rotates every twenty years from clan to clan. The Divine Queen’s laws and policies can only be overruled by a majority vote in both the Council of Hurai and Council of Adela. She can also only be legally disposed by a unanimous vote in both Councils.

The Divine Queen has the responsibility of all foreign policy and military matters. She is the outward face of  the Hegemony entering into any agreements, treaties or negotiations. The Military Admirals and Generals are directly under her command for defensive and offensive purposes. However, a majority of both councils must agree if the Queen asks for war.

#### The Council of Hurai

Is the clan’s representation in Pinnacle. Established sixteen years after the prophets death, when the people of the Hegemony wanted representation. Made with clan appointed Overseers they provide a voice to the Divine Queen of what their people want and the troubles that might need extra funds or manpower to deal with.

#### The Council of Adela

Started after the death of the Vemahti family in 9352. It is a collection of the highest ranking members of the church that had been built after the death of the prophet called The Mother’s Stewards. Created to match the power of the Council of Hurai there are only 7 members. It is their job to make sure the Nation does not stray from The Mothers teachings.

## The Military

Serves directly under the Divine Queen is divided into three major forces.

The Northern Command is commanded by Ada Merian who controls all forces North of Heathhelm. Her armies are chiefly concerned with protecting the coasts of Finla and northern cities were monsters are often seen.

The Central command is commanded by Mangar Havor who controls all forces from Pinnacle to the west. Focusing mostly on fortifying the towns so most have a small garrison.

The Border Command is commanded by Theodaric Corac who controls all forces assigned to border control and fortification. Highly concentrated near the neutral zone where they highly regulate incoming visitors.

The ground forces are split into three different specialties and talents.

Glintrunners are the main force of the Hegemony 50,000 cavalry that rout most armies themselves. Highly trained riders wearing immaculate heavy armor that sun becomes a weapon with it glinting off their armor.

Bulwark of Order the shields, are the defense against opposing infantry

Dawnbringers are the elite paladins of The Great Mother, they are the smallest part of the military but provide much needed magic upon the field of battle.

## Social Environment/Culture

#### Rural

Is a large nation filled with people doing mundane jobs. The people filling these jobs often lead fulling lives but limits their ability to comment on Nationwide policies. Sometimes they feel forgotten, but love the relative peace and safety they have. There are large tracts of fields for them to raise horses and many other farm animals. They take pride in the breeding of horses and often sell them to rich traders from other lands. Well bred horses and trained are Vemahti’s chief luxury export. They often thank The Great Mother for her divine will to bless them with these horses and peace. Religion is a common and public affair. Most people are devout and worship The Great Mother and ridicule other gods.

#### Religion related Sayings:

*“The Mother Blesses us”* — Said after something good happens usually in a physical sense.

*“Mother Bless you” “Mother be blessed”* — Are both used to say thank you to someone.

“*The Eyes/Eye of the sky is bright tonight”* — Is used closed to or during a full moon or a double Full moon

*“We are all equal in the Mother’s Eyes”*  — Often said by nobility or political representatives.

*“ Always walk in her light” —* Used as a goodbye.

## Police State

It is hard to go unnoticed here but, some large syndicates have emerged. However to counteract the political dissidents and non-believers there is an extensive police force. Due to the size of the country most crime happens far from regional capitals and stays well away from Pinnacle.

For The Criminal Code of Vemahti can be found here.

With the police force they often have a surplus of prisoners that they use for hard labor camps. Some are cutting down trees, others are building buildings. If you are a political dissident violated the laws of the Hegemony you are exiled to the Zidhari desert to die.

### Zidhari Exile

Most people sent  here are not prepared for the heat and wasteland of the desert. Due to the magical means it was created it supports no life at all. The only food one can find here is if they stick to the mountains and kill the vultures for food.

Most people are exiled with their families to prevent uprisings and because of this most children die on the way to the coast. Some do not know how to survive in the wild and perish from lack of water. The wastes near the mountains are a boneyard as for 800 years this practice has occurred causing thousands to die.

However quite a few made to the north and the shore where they found a sheltered place to live. It still got rain and had plentiful fish. However without any wood nearby they couldn’t build boats, causing them to be landlocked for quite some time. Until their settlement was greeted by a Adelais exploratory ship. Who were happy to trade with the exiles and in turn gave them some ships and building material.

### Political Prisons

Is easily were the worst people of the Hegemony find a job. Here they torture political revolutionaries and non-believers in ways that twist the soul and body destroying their hope of freedom.

### Capital Punishment

Executions are a monthly occurrence. They are given out only to political criminals and only for revolutionary action and using arcane magic to harm caretakers of the Hegemony. Most cases are commuted to banishment to the wastes or sent to labor camps.

## Holidays

### Nationwide Holidays

#### Prophet’s Day - 25th & 26th Span of Renewal: Respect

The day the prophet Aelar Vemahti died is a huge holiday. It is the chief religious holiday of the hegemony celebrating the gift of The Great Mother, along with the cure for the Chiran Plague. All business close and all state run institutions have a day off. It is a day of silence no one speaks to anyone to honor the life of Aelar. However the next day is a celebration of the event where feasts and merriment occur.

### Dedication to the Virtues - 1st Span of Darkness: Determination

To prepare the populace for the long dark days of the Span, there is a day of prayer held at every church across the Hegemony.

### Festival of Light - 54th Span of Darkness: Determination

Half way through the long dark of the Span, most settlements of the Hegemony throw a celebration to keep spirits up.

### Festival of the Great Mother - 1st - 9th Span of Radiance: Kindness

The first week after the Span of Darkness is over is traditional celebration for the light returning. It is a week of merriment once the sun has risen again. Many Great Mother devotees spend the week thanking the mother for returning the light.

#### Toravalen Racing Competition - 28th-45th Span of Radiance: Compassion

The national event of horse racing occurs every summer and has been going on for three hundred years after a large amount of people spread out and became ranchers. Typically this event lasts 2 weeks where all the greatest horses of the year are brought to tests of their stature and ability, as well as the ability of the trainer and breeder.

The Horse races of Vemahti are rather extreme, due to all the hills the horses have adapted and are good at navigating hills and tight corners. The first week is preliminaries where anyone may enter a horse and have a randomly picked rider to pilot them through the obstacle course. The obstacle course consists of many jumps mazes and quick footwork needed to get through it. Redesigned every year by the last years reigning champion’s trainer. The reason the rider is picked randomly is to test the temperament of the horse and the training its received, as the test is of the horse and the people that brought to compete rather than a rider than doesn’t have as much time invested. Only the top 64 times get through to the second week.

The 2nd week of competitions is that of speed and endurance. They have multiple 8 horse races and 8 horse marathons. No horse is expected to do more than one test a day. Every 8 horse race the bottom 2 are knocked out. When there are only 16 horses left they have one 16 horse race and only the top 5 get to go on to the finals.

The finals are a group of one speed and one obstacle course. Each horse goes separately through the course achieving the best time they can(4 separate courses)  Then to also test endurance after each horse has race in a 4 horse 400 yard dash straight line. Therefore if you are the first done with the obstacle course you get extra time to rest your horse.

### Vemahti's Trial - 19th-32nd Span of Reaping: Responsibility

Is a major gladiatorial competition where criminals and free citizens may compete to claim glory and honor in the eyes of the Citizens of the Hegemony as well as The Mother.

### Blessing Ceremony (New Year's) 54th Span of Remembrance: Servitude

The entire country celebrates the new year the celebration lasts for the last week and the first week of the next year. It is celebrated with any drawings for elections, games, feasts, star gazing.

### Regionwide Holidays

#### Reaping Festival ~19th-54th Span of Reaping: Conviction

Whenever it's time for reaping is the time the festival happens which varies from region to region and town to town. Some travelers love this part of the year and try to make it to as many as they can. Despite the differences it is usually within 4 weeks all festivals will be concluded.

These events mainly feature great banquet’s open to all of the town's current occupants. Some places put up firework displays if they have a metallurgy in town.