Westerlent

Sometimes referred to colloquially as the "New Human Kingdom", Westerlent is a large kingdom of lush fields, picturesque coastline and thriving industry. The people of this province celebrate magic in all its forms, and the arcane arts are just as much a part of their lives as eating and breathing. Though only a young kingdom, and one with a bloody history, Westerlent today stands proud as one of the most influential nations in Andara.

## Geography

Apart from the Carnens, a small mountain range to the south of the kingdom, the topography of Westerlent is relatively flat. Despite this, its wide open landscape is covered in lush fields, vibrant meadows and patchworked heathland that support a diverse ecosystem. Three large forests mark the wilder areas of the kingdom, with the largest being Alcavonne forest in the north. The Dustwood lies to the south, growing around the base of the Carnens. The smallest of the three is Vicar's Wood, a sparser, wetter woodland to the west of the kingdom. Just beyond Vicar's Wood lie the golden sands of Westerlent's coast, where the land meets the Western Gulf, stopping only at the great rocky headland known as Yeera's Reach, which separates the warm waters of the gulf from the colder waters of Surön's bay.

Along much of Westerlent's borders lie important rivers, such as the river Hart which separates the kingdom from neighbouring Humania, or the river Scabb to the south which according to archaeologists is the site of one of the oldest human settlements in the known world. To the north of the kingdom lies the Grand Century Canal, an immense waterway of artificial construction which connects the Western Gulf to Trader's Bay, providing crucial trade routes between eastern and western kingdoms. The canal also serves as a hard border between the kingdom and the forests of Calar Dunn.

## History

### Foundation

Only three years after the Adventus Arcanum, which saw approximately one quarter of the human population gain some form of magic, a great divide tore through Humania. The catalyst which would see this divide turn one kingdom into two was the execution of Severon Wealder, an aristocratic mage and staunch advocate of peace and open borders. His death would spark the western rebellions, the result of which would be a large portion of western Humania declaring independence as Westerlent, leaving the rest of Humania vulnerable to revenge attacks from all corners by other kingdoms.

## Settlements

Westerlent supports a myriad of settlements, ranging from small hamlets of no more than five buildings to some of the largest and richest cities on the entire continent. Some ruins remain scattered throughout the land, serving as reminders of the bloody civil war that split Humania in two at the start of the Age of Arcana, though the meaning of them has been somewhat lost to time; most of them serve as little more than playgrounds for children of the nearest active settlement.

### Mauve's End

The busy industrial town of Mauve's End sits along the southern bank of the Grand Century Canal, and expands some way into the water with buildings sat on stilts. The towns economy is supported by a prosperous lead mine, as well as being Westerlent's hub for the trading network that flows along the canal through a number of kingdoms. A single bride wrought of stone and timber is the only connection between Westerlent and Calar Dunn, though the nearest settlements in Calar Dunn lie at least a few miles into the forest to avoid the foundry smoke that hangs in the air above Mauve's End.

### Moonhold

Centuries ago, the city of Moonhold was a rather modest settlement founded around a temple of Suuna, ancient goddess of the moon. During the civil war, this city became a headquarters of the rebelling magic humans thanks to its easy access to the sea and plentiful food supply from surrounding farmland. It did not take long for this stronghold to expand and become a burgeoning capital of a new empire of humanity. Today, Moonhold is a sprawling expanse of grand spires, arches and countless winding streets lined with all manner of houses. At the centre of the city lies Luthoria Castle, an opulent palace that serves as the home of Moonhold's monarchy as well as a headquarters for all its figures of authority to discuss the running of both the city and the kingdom as a whole. The city district of Magehome houses great academies of magic, including the twin temples of the Grand Library of Yairus and the Arx Arcana. The Arx Arcana is a temple to the city's chief deity, Balakarnazar, and also the headquarters of the Ordo Arcana, the chief authority on all magic for the entire kingdom.

### Tongberg

The small city of Tongberg is an old city that lies in the Carnen mountains to the south of the kingdom, and though it belongs to Westerlent, its dwarvish influences are evident in both its people and its architecture. Timber and render buildings, typical of much of Westerlent, are largely replaced by hewn stone and carved rock in Tongberg. Historically, the city's industry and economy was built upon a rich tungsten mine, the metal of which was used to forge powerful steels for the dwarvish and human armies. Today, the mines form only a portion of the city's economy, having been taken over by textiles and alcohol in terms of productivity.

## Culture and Tradition

Due to the sheer number of Westerlent citizens that possess some form of magical capability, there are very few individuals who cannot earn a decent living for themselves, and poverty is something of an alien concept to this kingdom. Though not everyone can afford to live in a grand manor or château, almost everyone can afford to keep a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs. Survival not being a daily struggle therefore allows most of the population to pursue recreational activities and contribute to a diverse and colourful culture.

### Marriage and Family

As a kingdom borne of rebellion, Westerlent is a kingdom free of prejudice and societal restrictions. Westerlenters are allowed to marry who they love, with the exception of a few archaic aristocratic families who still practice arranged marriages, and single or unmarried individuals will not be looked down upon either. Despite it being acceptable to live one's life alone, family is generally seen as an important part of life. It is not uncommon for small settlements to in fact be entirely populated by one large extended family, and many houses in the larger cities will support upwards of ten individuals.

### Religion

For many Westerlenters, the line between religious worship and scholarly research is somewhat blurred. The two most worshipped deities in the kingdom are Balakarnazar, the god of magic, and Yairus, the goddess of knowledge. These deities form part of the New Faith, a religion found in many provinces that worship a large pantheon of deities, and each province will hold particular deities in extra renown as a reflection of their own culture. Aside from Balakarnazar and Yairus, the ancient pestilence deity Esh has particular renown amongst the hospitals and healing temples of Moonhold.

The Old Faith still has a dedicated following throughout Westerlent, though it is far from the majority religion. Its chapels and churches are usually found in smaller hamlets and villages, with their presence in the larger cities and towns having been dampened by the New Faith at the turn of the Age of Arcana.