Kingdom of Vhara
If the ancient skills of stone-working are to again find the light of day they stand the best chance under the mountains of the land of Vhara.East of the ravenous conquests of the Kingdom of Helia, Vhara stands with its settlements carved from the very rock of the Valtava Mountains. With great achievements of its own, it is no wonder that the Helians eye the country as the next to be conquered. However, the people of Vhara have been preparing for this eventuality. The conflict between Vhara and Helia promises to be greatest seen on the continent after Helia's failed attempt to annex the Fractured Coast. Vhara is led by two kings, King Arrek Frosthammer and King Fozik Frosthammer , both of whom who share power with the country's Parliament. As to the division of power between them... it is quite complicated. It is a topic more than worthy of its own article.
Where other countries have failed, Vhara will succeed. We will not let the Golden Blight take our lands!
Frosthammer's Wall
Vhara is constructing a fortified wall of a scale not seen on the continent since before The Great Collapse. This great stone wall, which is actually in two parts on either side of the Valtava Mountains, is the Kingdom's best hope to stop the Helian army. The wall is named the Frosthammer wall after the two Kings who successfully motivated their citizens to build it. However, construction has fallen behind schedule. Kings Fozik and Arrek have deployed a battalion to plug the hole in the defenses but efforts are being made to increase the pace of construction. This is especially true considering that Helia may have finally defeated the Rossa Alliance and can now make preparations for an offensive against Vhara. In an attempt to counteract Helia's siege weaponry, several Sivistr Trebuchets are being constructed at key points along the wall. These great engines are named after Sivistr Frosthammer, grandmother to Fozik and Arrek. These trebuchets are great in size and they have the longest reach of their like on the continent. These impressive siege engines have yet to see true battle.Life Above and Below
Perhaps one of the more notable differences between the lifestyle of Vharans vs other cultures of the continent is their use of mountain towns. Great constructions of stone either built atop peaks or within artificial hollows inside the rock and stone of the Valtava Mountains. These are locally termed "topside" and "underside" respectively. Some "topside" settlements can be found at the slopes of mountains as these places are often the centers of agriculture. Topside settlements located atop the peaks of mountains are centers of art and learning. Underside settlements are places of forging and working. The greatest of Vharan settlement of all is the Carved Citadel of Aevi, a truly vast underground labyrinth with many corners that remain unexplored and dangerous. Many of these settlements, both above and below ground, are believed to have once been ancient ruins. Ancient ruins are usually unsafe to say the least, though Vhara lore states that many of these places were reclaimed in the early ears of The Recovery and that it is these efforts that many of the country's legends were born.Structure
- Two Kings
- Nobles
- Craftsperson
- Knights
- Peasants
Culture
Vharans have an immense appreciation for the land, particularly in the beauty of stones. They disapprove of those who break stone and dig up the earth without reason.
Demography and Population
- Dwarves - 25%
- Gnomes - 20%
- Firbolg - 15%
- Faun - 10%
- Other - 20%
Territories
Vhara's territory extends eastward of the current border of the Kingdom of Helia, but it does not reach the eastern shores of the Continental Island of Lluvia.
There are three other states along Vhara's eastern border. These states have largely ignored the political dealings of their western neighbors. These states from north to south: Republic of Sedá, Xeta Magocracy, and the Grand Duchy of Východ.
To the south of Vhara is the Azumanami Thalassocracy, who has been gaining strength since the the conquest of its western counterpart- the Nishinami Thalassocracy.
Technological Level
Vhara's mining technology and techniques is unmatched anywhere on the continent. The efficiency of their extraction and quality of the transformation of stone, gems, and other minerals has made their services highly sought for by peoples across the continent.
Vhara is also known for the sophistication of its mason and jewelry guilds. The country tends to produce the highest quality stonework and jewels on the continent. Needless to say, it will be a great prize indeed for the insatiable Kingdom of Helia.
All artwork is by starfarertheta unless otherwise stated.
Founding Date
754AGC
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Vharans
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Vhara Ezüst - A silver coin bearing the nation's mining tools symbol on the obverse side and the Marble mountain on the reverse side.
Major Exports
- Stone
- Marble
- Iron
- Gold
- Silver
- Copper
- Gemstones
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Travel Note(s) from the Archivists:
I've seen this wall they are constructing. It is like they are creating their own mountain range complete with towers and all manner of siege engines. - Archivist Rena But can such a thing hold off the Helian army? Historically, a wall only ever slows down an enemy, and that assumes that Helia does not find a way around it. - Archivist Enna Maybe Vhara has already thought of that. I do not believe their King and Parliament have revealed the entirety of their plan. - Archivist SavitriRemove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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