Ald Vailia

**Áld Vailia** is a republic, born out of the old empire Vailia that dominated most of the continent.
A warm land of wine and beautiful vistas. It is said it was here that the first men arrived in the Second Age.

Many cling to the glory days of the Empire. While others find it best to leave it behind, powers a moving within the senate.

## **Locations**

* Antium
* Neapolis
* Mezza
* Herculaneum

## **Ecology**

Ald Vailia is a bountiful land. Mild winters and the fertile lands ensure the survival of the enormous populations of humans. Green forests, mountains and hills are not uncommon in the lands, but most land has been plowed and put to use. Still many mythical creatures roam the wilderness.

## **History**

### **The First Men**

Vailia was the first human settlement. In the fertile lands of wine and oil, man prospered and built great works of architecture and art. Though forced to worship Tiamat, the human race was a versatile and diverse race. While other races like the elves and dwarves lived in closed off settlements, men spread out. As humankind learned and prospered, a lust for more led to exploration and settlers searching for new lands.

### **King of Men**

The First King of Men was crowned in Antium. His name was King Titus. He fashioned himself King of all Men. He was an ambitious and cruel man who would not settle for mediocrity. His dream envisioned men to rule the world and settle every part of it. While his expansionist dreams were the foundation of the Empire, his grandeur was soon put to rest by Tiamat who made him swear fealty.

### **Architects and Artists**

As men prospered economically, so did they culturally. Temples and wonders were built to show the beauty, might and prowess of man. Throughout Ald Vailia buildings and statues still stand as a reminder of the Empires grandeur. They built and invented things, from the public baths to the paved roads that would lead as far as Therigrad.

### **Vailian Explorers**

The first men were not idle. They longed for exploration and learning. The world was rife with opportunity and man epitomized curiosity. Settlers began to sail from the lands, founding cities such as Marketh and Halmstad.

### **Conquest and Legionnaires**

Vailian men did not only seek to explore by sea. The majority settled outwards crossing Helm's Mur to seek new lands. The new settlements were often attacked by local creatures. This led to increased militarization and the foundation of the Vailian Legions. Their mission was to protect and conquer. By the end of the Vailian Empire, it had reached as far as Kentocera and the untamed plains of Khitai.

### **Successors of the First Heroes**

As the Second Age ended with the ascension of the First Heroes and the banishment of Tiamat, the royal family of Vailia claimed to be descendents of the First Heroes. Vailia raised great armies as they sought to expand and conquer, quickly incorporating neighbouring lands. Reaching as far as Kentocera in the east. Veteran soldiers was rewarded with lands and new royalty was formed to rule over the spreading Empire.

### **Decline and collapse**

As the economy was slowly collapsing due to an epidemic of Dragon Plague from Argos in 516 TA, that caused the death of almost half the population. Opportunistic and powerful nobles began declaring independence, forming kingdoms and counties. With a lack of power to quell the rebellions, the Vailian Empire collapsed.

### **Republic**

As the Empire collapsed, tyranny reigned. Nobles in Vailia all struggled in an attempt to replace the royal family. While others sought to replace the system completely, looking at how the Sealthan council of elves was shaped. An alliance of nobles joined together to form a Senate, where they could control the remains of the Empire. As things started to settle the new senate, renamed the empire "Ald Vailia" meaning "Old Vailia" a new republic.

### **Internal strife**

As the economy began to recover and new colonies in Chult brought back riches, a new merchant class began to grow in influence. Within the Vailian Senate, parties of differing interests formed. Some seeking to restore the Vailian Empire, others to further their own economic interest.

## Inspiration

Ancient Rome and medieval Mediterranean Europe