Audvera Heights
From Greatelementrpg
Contents |
History
Much like Rugney, Audvera is a country that simply formed out of natural order after the collapse of the Gramm Empire. The Keyroleth Forces never were able to cross the harsh and monster filled Hiam Mountains. More than any country, they've fostered a simple culture of peace.
Culture
Most people consider Northern Audvera to be Audvera proper - since Southern Audvera is really just a gigantic forest. Many subcultures have sprouted in this forest, due to the lack of human presence.
The people of Northern Audvera have a strong cultural identity; but unlike Chaldea, they don't despise foreigners. Since they rarely get travelers, foreigners, especially non-human ones, are always the subject of attention and hospitality. Hospitality is a strong cultural idea; any guests are always treated well. Audverans are known for their willingness to host total strangers.
Though there is a noble class in Audvera, they hardly distinguish themselves from commoners. All a noble title means is that in the past, a family member did an impressive service to the country. Nobles and commners eat the same food, wear the same clothes, and overall, don't pay any attention to who is technically a 'noble' and not. However, only nobles are able to become Lords.
Audvera is a very open minded country, having lived in peace for so long. Bisexuality is somewhat common and accepted, and homosexuality, though not quite as common, still is not considered a bad taboo but simply an oddity, much like a strange hair color.
The people of Audvera tend to be rather slim looking, with dark hair and light eyes. Because most of them perform physical labor during the summer and spring, most people are also in rather good physical shape.
Audverans value work above anything else; as long as people are willing to work, and not create disturbances for others, anything can be accepted. They need to work very hard in the spring and summer to ensure they have enough food for the harsh Audveran winter.
During the winter, the people of Audvera take to studying, art, or other indoor activities. Since they're stuck indoors much of the time during the winter due to blizzards, they don't have much of a choice.
Geography
Audvera is distinctly split into two different regions;
South Audvera has a temperate climate and is completely covered by the Hiam Mountains and the Hiam Forest. Due to the lack of humans, many non-human beings live in the forest. The winters here are still quite harsh, though certainly not comparable to the winters in North Audvera.
North Audvera, in which is very cold all year round and is covered by the icy Soathon Mountains, and has most of the cities. It always snows on the mountain peaks, but the spring and summer are mild in the lowlands. The winter is downright cold everywhere.
Cities
1) Fair Heights - Fair Heights is the Capitol of Audvera, simply because this is where the Lords hold their meetings. Fair Heights is a peaceful and cold town, having the highest elevation of any known city. It's buildings are all made of thick gray stone, and many are built into the side of Mount Soathon. There's a large shrine in the middle of town, which always keeps a fire going. The valleys near Fair Heights are often full of sheep and goats, carefully watched by their shepherds.
2) Shimmering Vale - The Shimmering Vale is perhaps the most distinctly cultural city in Audvera, perhaps because it's simply father than the other cities and in a temperate climate. The people here are less worried about the winter, and have the vast Turtle-Dragon Lake to gather fish and aquatic plants from. They trade both with Fair Heights and the Zur Clan of Cayes, and thus fulfill the important role of bringing non-Audveran items into the Audveran economy.
3) Rockpyre - Rockpyre is the dwarven city, and while its location is known, not much else about it is since Dwarves do not let humans enter the village without good reason. They're not particularly hostile however. Sometimes trade caravans from the Dwarves visit human towns, selling high quality items.
4) Sable Lowlands - The sable lowlands has a small village close to the Glass Lake. They use its waters to help with farming berries and other vegetables. Many herd sheep and goats here, and thus famous Lowland Cheeses are made here, from the milk of these animals.
5) Talpaea Castle - Talpaea Castle is an absolutely gigantic fortress that climbs along the side of Mt. Talpaea. It was originally built by the Gramm Empire, but it has been carefully mantained. The Castle itself is somewhat like a town, having many shops and services inside.
Government
Audvera has a very simply government; is has three local lords, the Lord of Fair Heights, the Lord of Talpaea, and the Lord of the Shimmering Vale. Lords are not made through inheritable status, but instead kind of rise through the ranks of nobles as able moderators and are appointed by the former Lord's cabinet, which consists of three elders from the town. These three lords are known as the Triumvirate, and have total control over the law. However, they generally don't do much. Audvera pretty much runs itself. There's not much to do for the Lords, and they only mostly act as diplomats when required, which isn't often. They're often farmers on the side, or an equally humble profession.
Sub-Cultures Present
While northern Audvera is quite homogeneous due to the temperature, Southern Audvera is full of non-human beings. Vampires have been known to roam the forests, looking for prey, and it is said the former Vampire village was somewhere in the Hiam Forest. Elves are also said to have various villages in Hiam Forest - though the location of these villages is not known due to the vast hatred elves hold for humans.
Dwarves live in Rockpyre, and mix more with humans than any of the other subcultures in Hiam Forest.
