Vrovona

Steward(s)
 Capital
 Language
 Deity

The Empire of Vrovona is considered to be an earthly manifestation of the glory of Vrovona the Victorious. Its capital is a mighty fortress located in the icy and inhospitable tundra of the northeastern lands; there its people thrive, defying their harsh environment as a testament to their legendary conquering spirit. Vrovona is a nation of honor-bound heroes and radiant paladin-priests, each striving to glorify their patron god by waging war in his name; the fearsome Imperial Host is led by the Paragon, the mortal said to most embody the virtues of Vrovona. In its days of glory, the Empire of Vrovona was an irresistible force: a culture unified in war, tribute, and victory.

## History

Vrovona was created from the following that the god of the same name had amassed during the Winnowing. As the Age of Balance dawned and the warring gods were forced to ease into new roles, Vrovona retained its role as a military powerhouse thanks to the portfolio that the god Vrovona upheld. Across that long Age, the nation existed as a bulwark of pride and power, immovable against all adversaries both on and off the battlefield. For almost 300 years, from AB 96 to AB 477, the empire was half of the greatest armed conflict A'therys has ever seen, battling the naval might of Ithero to a perfect stalemate. The subsequent alliance between the two unlikely powers only created a stronger worldwide force, granting control of land and sea to those nations on an almost plane-wide scale.

And so it was for the thousands of years following in the Age of Balance. The great stability of Vrovona helped within the transition period of the Second Calling as well. The god Vrovona, having always held a second-in-command as any general would, merely promoted this subordinate and ordered his citizens to act as normal until his triumphant return. This newly-elevated position, called the Paragon, now rules Vrovona as the god himself once did, and the Paragon is traditionally considered to be Vrovona's emissary on A'therys. Thanks to this transition and the god's instruction, there was almost no upheaval in Vrovona as there was in so many other nations when Llyrrh descended to chastise humanity. The military might of Vrovona marched on beneath the sun.

As with many things, however, this tranquility in a nation of war could not last. This not for lack of trying, of course, but merely out of the vast uncertainty that has hit Vrovona for the first time in its lengthy existence. In modern times, it has begun to dawn on the population that their god Vrovona, who had sworn he would return in a blaze of glory to their adulation and return things to normal, is not coming back anytime soon. Some say he is unwilling, most agree he is unable, but the case remains that their expectations for the future must change. The Paragon, for his part, works to keep his people organized as best as he can, for it is this duty he has been charged with, but in this age even he has become uncertain. The traditional view of the Paragon as emissary of Vrovona has begun to wane, and all in the nation have begun to understand that the dictatorship they have long operated under will not suffice in the Age of Uncertainty.

Together, the Paragon and his people have begun working for a future they had never planned for. For the first time in millennia, Vrovona has no single banner to ally behind, and so they must forge a new one for themselves. A government of sorts has been convened under the watchful eye of the Paragon, so as to best manage the once-mighty nation in a more forthright fashion. As for the people, they are willing to come together as they have countless times before for the benefit of their nation and themselves, this time igniting their own light to follow. The mighty Vrovona was once great, and it can be so again, if only the people fight as in times of old. This battle does not start on the fields of blood and war, but at home.

## Geography

The twin isles of Vrovona are easily divided based on the ruling Strongholds that the many Clans swear allegiance to. Lines of cultural and political leanings shift almost daily in this tumultuous age, so using Stronghold allegiances is the most consistent method of keeping track of region lines. In the far northwest is the Bravnikh Stronghold, the longest-lasting of the current Strongholds and most deeply-rooted in the old ways. The region is mostly frozen foothills and ice plains, leading to perhaps one of the most difficult existences in all of Vrovona and somewhat justifying their cold demeanor. Those Clans who dislike or downright disobey the new progression of things typically dwell here, a shrinking but still powerful number. The Bravnikh Stronghold shares the western isle with the lands ruled by Clan Jharov, a generally more peaceful and forward-thinking region. The landscape actually sees a thaw every spring and summer, with the southernmost taiga spending most of the year without snow cover. Due to this more comfortable climate, Jharov Stronghold is known for its rolling farmland and more hospitable people; Vrovonic citizens here are some of the most welcoming to outsiders, who would themselves much rather visit this Stronghold than the colder areas of the country.

Across the channel on the eastern isle lies Zhuvosk Stronghold, the most modernized of all the Vrovonic regions. The ruling clan here is an ancient order of master merchants, having made their money and honor forging weapons and armor for the Vrovonic Legion. In the south, the warm-water port of Roslund faces the Daggerlands, a close ally of the Stronghold. Between all the Strongholds, no contempt runs as deep as that between Bravnikh and Zhuvosk; the Bravnikhs think that their southeastern countrymen are selling the nation away to the highest bidder, while the Zhuvosks consider the frigid northerners stubborn relics of a bygone age. The final, easternmost Stronghold and the region in which the capital falls is that of Ksavik. Fittingly, the denizens there have the strongest eye for politics and governmental affairs, essentially meaning that they run the capital regardless of the current Paragon. Thus it greatly annoyed the other Strongholds, particularly Bravnikh, when the Imperial Host chose Solodav Ksavik to be the current reigning Paragon in AU 236.

## Society

The Vrovonic people are industrious, social, and fiercely loyal to their family, countrymen, and at one time their god. They prize honesty, generosity, and honorable dealings, and condemn secrecy and deception as the worst sort of cowardice. Within Vrovonic society, honorable deeds are rewarded with property and tribute, generally things won from conquered lands. In turn, an honorable citizen is expected to bestow similar gifts in kind, the quality of which reflect his justice. Hoarding is highly discouraged, and is considered both an insult to one's fellow citizens, and also a form of secrecy. In this way wealth rarely concentrates among any particular individuals for too long, with the exception of certain members of the merchant class, for whom running a prosperous estate is an honorable endeavor in itself.

Part of the strong emphasis on equality among citizens in Vrovona stems from the actions and understanding of the god Vrovona himself. Vrovona considered everything the sun touched to be his, or more accurately a part of him or his possessions. This especially applied to his nation, and therefore his citizens. This idea permeated Vrovonic society, creating the concept that "everyone is equal under the Sun." Tying this back to Vrovona himself, the possessions of the nation were the possessions of the people, save for a very specific subset of things that Vrovona himself held control over (such as gold). There was honor in this equality, and as mentioned above, generosity was often a measure of one's nobility. It should be noted, however, that Vrovonic people are typically less welcoming and inclusive of foreigners, especially in the giving of material goods in this fashion. This hard shell can wear over time to show the honorable, warm people that the cold northeast has tempered, however, as happened during their relationship with Ithero over the Age of Balance. The Vrovonic people are not ones to forget past honors, either - even in their current time of crisis, they found the forces to supply aid to their ally during the War of Eventide.

During the long rule of Vrovona, doctrine dictated that an individual was loyal first to his Clan. The definition of Clan varies from group to group; it might refer to one's immediate family, or to those he works or fights alongside. Regardless of composition, however, all Clans tended to be small, tightly-knit and self-reliant groups who share specific goals. Doctrine continues that each Clan was expected to honor its Stronghold. A Stronghold refers generally to whatever city, fortress, or outpost a clan resides in, and even the most nomadic or rural Clan claims membership with some Stronghold. Strongholds organize the otherwise independent clans during times of war, and see to the prosperity of an area in times of peace. Multiple Clans may swear allegiance to a particular Stronghold, but in turn all Strongholds swear allegiance to the Sovereign, which refers specifically to Vrovona or, in modern times, his Paragon.

## Government

During his rule, Vrovona led his people to constant victory and conquest, and brought great wealth to his people, at the cost of many lives. However, since his departure during the Second Calling, leadership of the Empire has become more complex. The Strongholds now swear fealty to the Paragon, a mortal who best exemplifies the heroic qualities of Vrovona. The Paragon is selected by the Imperial Host, as much a priesthood as any group in Vrovona can be considered, who seek to continue their god's legacy in his absence. However, not all are willing to recognize the Paragon as a true leader and without the guidance of Vrovona, many Clans and Strongholds have disbanded or returned to the capital.

Recognizing the imminent collapse of the previously mighty nation, the Paragon in a rare display invited all the leaders of the Strongholds to meet together in the capital on the 100th of Sun's Might, AU 176. Every concern was laid bare, and every suggestion was taken on ways to improve affairs. Such was the success in this method of dealing with governmental issues in Vrovona that the Paragon mandated the practice continue. In the years since this first convening of the moot, now known as the Synod of Blades, this great meeting of power in Vrovona has steered the fate of the nation on a seasonal basis. On the 100th of each season, the Stronghold leaders re-convene in their god's old throne room at the call of the Paragon, surrounding the great pyre Vrovona lit when he departed. All issues from the previous season are discussed until they are resolved. The concept is to remove all tensions between the many factions in Vrovona before facing the next season; this has been known to take days, depending on the political climate.

The Synod has done much to return Vrovona to some semblance of power; the current Paragon, Solodav Ksavik, has enabled this as much as possible. Now, any citizen of Vrovona is allowed to present their own issues and arguments at the Synod every season, often shedding new light on problems the Paragon had not yet noticed. This process continues to rely heavily on the system of honor upheld in the Empire, as each person in the Synod is allowed to speak their piece and, if they feel it necessary, present counter-arguments to raised policy. While the arguments are often heated and lengthy, all remember each other's rights, and to this day no Synod has adjourned without unanimous agreement on all topics discussed. The advancement of the many outweighs the pettiness of the few, even among the highest ranks in the Vrovonic Empire.

*Originally written by OccidentalAnvil for the more official A'therys wiki*