Validaine

Validaine is the name of the world of the *Validaine* setting, as well as the name of the main continent.

For much of it's history, Validaine has been split into seven kingdoms and six regions. The kingdoms of Validaine include The Republic of Druadach, The Paridian Union, The Free Cities, The Cyndrik Sovereignty, The Concord, Wyldmarch, and the Kingdom of Eredin. The regions include The Reach to the northwest, The Moors to the south, The Frozen Wilds to the far northeast, The Crags to the southwest, The Mossbelt, and the Crystal Plains to the north. Aside from the mainland, there are three other large islands of import: Valzad, Paridia, and the Isle of Grace.

### History

#### Foreascension (FA)

Although it is commonly known that nearly all record of mortalkind and it's history was destroyed or lost during the Eternal War, it is known that there were a number of settlements that survived the onslaught of demonkind. These cities include Irongarden, Clayburn, Astridelle, Runika, and Serendain, with Serendain being acknowledged as the oldest city of all.

#### The Dawn of Light

During the Dawn of Light (1-1000 PA), many other cities and kingdoms came to prosper. The seven kingdoms were founded, and all but Valzad swore fealty to the Royal House of Ravenhill, who rule on behalf of Eathadin. There were no known wars during this era, largely believed to be thanks to the power of Eathadin.

The Dawn of Light ended in the year 1,000 PA (or post-ascension) when the last known survivors of foreascension died; an elven man named Galdorrin Valethius who helped found the Order of Light who served as an occasional advisor to the Ravenhill family, and Balthadin Ravenhill, son of Baldric, the second Lord of House Ravenhill.

#### The Common Era

In the years since Baldric passed away, the Ravenhill family grew more ambitious. They enacted a strict set of rules and regulatory practices on the other kingdoms of Validaine in an effort to honor the spirit of Eathadin, who valued order above all else. This new system of organization and restriction was referred to officially as the Raven's Edict, and less-than-openly referred to by some denizens as Craven Laws.

### Geography

Validaine is roughly divided into six regions, which mostly refer to the physical features of the lands:

* **The Reach:** Far off on the northwester peninsula of the continent, you will find high mountains and rocky terrains, as well as some fertile grasslands and forests. The Reach's most prominent feature is the Grinfall Mountains, a vast, tall mountain range that provides shelter to some of it's ancient denizens, the Dwarves of Grin.
* **The Moors:** This region to the southeast of the continent is covered with thick jungles, swamps, and small lakes. While the region does contain a footnote of the Grinfall Mountains called the Grinfoot Mountains, they are not nearly as large and overbearing as their "big brothers" to the northwest.
* **The Frozen Wilds:** Sometimes alternatively spelled *Wylds,* this large frozen expanse is the only area of Validaine that sees year-round snowfall, and it can prove relentless. The city of Runika, believed to have been founded by an ancient race of Giants, is the only major form of civilization in the coldest parts of the Wilds.
* **The Crags:** This southwestern region consists of a number of rivers and woods at it's outermost portion, but is mainly consistent of high, black peaks of the Bleakspire Mountains, and the many volcanoes within. Although mostly dormant, the Crags are still a dangerous place for most outsiders to travel.
* **The Mossbelt:** This region is the verdant middle of Validaine, and houses the Free Cities, a coalition of wealthy farming towns that have taken advantage of the ease of farming in the region and used it to their advantage. Although the Mossbelt contains the Auldwood, which can easily prove treacherous to travel, its denizens have done their best to carve out safe paths through and around it to maintain a high level of trade to other regions. The Steelbranch forest to its north produces Steelwood, an unusually strong wood that is excellent for ship and house building, and is highly south after around the continent.
* **The Crystal Plains:** Across Validaine, there are many sources of light when the sun is down; The two moons that light the Moors and other southern regions, The Light of Eathadin that stands to brighten its surroundings in godly rays, or the glowing skies of the Crystal Plains. In the northernmost region of Validaine, the night skies are alight with an Aurora like no other. Streaks of red, green, and even blue light keep the fields and steppes of the Crystal Plains aglow at all hours. The Elves of Eredin believe these majestic lights to be a sign that this land is their ancestral home.

### Governments

* **The Cyndrik Sovereignty** is a kingdom of 2 cities, the capital city of Clayburn, and the city of Tarrintown. The Sovereignty is a Diarchy, meaning there are always two rulers. The Lords of Cyndrik always consist of one member of the Cinderhart clan of Fire Spectari, and one member of the Breaktooth clan of the Orcs of the Cleft. It's current Lords are Lord Esper Cinderhart and Lady Krullhand Breaktooth.
* **The Republic of Druadach** sits in the Reach, high in the Grinfall Mountain Range, and includes Irongarden (its capital), Dursgrin’s Point, and Andremoor. These cities are primarily a conglomerate of Dwarves, Goliaths, and Firbolg, but contain a variety of other mountain-tolerant races. The capital, Irongarden, is ruled by King Lars Orrelian IV. King Orrelian is a dwarven prince that succeeded his father after a long, prosperous rule. He is young, but experienced in both war & leadership, and is ambitious to bring Druadach to the forefront of success in Validaine.
* **The Free Cities Coalition** includes Brixia, Mountport, Port Harston, Oakesborough, and Berd’s Landing. These city-states are mostly self-governing, but the High Council meets in one of the cities twice a year to discuss trade and new policies. Because of the Coalition’s emphasis on trade, they have nearly perfected economic growth between them, and due to the size and location of their cities, they have been able to place a monopoly on grain production and export, among other crucial materials.
* **The Paridian Union** consists of Tourmalette, Locridele, and Veranza. They are ruled by Queen Lucilda Emerett. Due to their isolation on the western coast of the main continent, the Union, often referred to as simply Paridia, have placed a large emphasis on sea travel in order to maintain trade. They also have the best trade relationship with the Tokatau that reside near the Isle of Grace of all the other kingdoms, allowing them to travel and engage in commerce with other coastal cities with ease.
* **The Concord** is a conglomerate of several large towns & cities ruled by the Matriarch, a mysterious and powerful figurehead that resides in the city of Astridelle. She is assumed to be elven simply due to the length of her reign, but wears a veil at any public appearance, which are few and far between. The cities within the Concord include Astridelle, Flamewreath, Port Harmony, Malimoor, Berrybrook, and Port Ornithax. The Concord holds virtually all of the Moors.
* **Wyldmarch** is a rough-shodden, new kingdom of tribes that organized a government centered in Runika. They are ruled by the Primal Synod, a council of nearly a dozen leaders from various tribes stretching from Port Yethana, down to Brula Moor, and across the Farlands and the Weitbrook Mountains.
* **The Kingdom of Eredin** is a large kingdom in the central north peninsula of Validaine. Their government is centered in Serendain, the oldest city in Validaine. While the residents of Serendain are primarily elven, including their current steward Valindra Alaryon, their other cities are home to all kinds. Cities in Eredin include Eboncrest, Gandava, Port Halpin, and Port Esmine. Queen Regent Valindra Alaryon took over for her mother, Esthea, upon her death several hundred years ago. The rightful house of rule in Eredin is the House of Aetheros, but it is said that King Celedin Aetheros perished at the battle of the Ascension, and his heir disappeared from their crib. No true king or queen has ruled Eredin in centuries.
* **Valzad** is a proud kingdom of warriors belonging to the Valzadi race. They are a reclusive, humanoid species with mysterious origins. While they only control three known cities on the island, they keep their territory closely guarded. It is said that the Valzadi were the only kingdom to refuse to bow to the Ravenhill family. Between their reclusivity and their disdain for the Ravenhills, no one has seen a Valzadi on the mainland in almost a millenia. Nothing is known of their monarchs or lords. Scholars guess that their capital is Umoya, but even that is uncertain.
* **The Isle of Grace** is a small island that contains a single town, Raindust. The denizens of Raindust include many Water & Air Spectari, as well as Tokatau, a race of shark-like warriors that can prove very territorial.