Kingdom of Vladia

Vladia is an oddity in the nations of the fifth age. Originally beginning as a city-state and expanded rapidly to encompass its current territories, it is one of the few nations to not only legalize necromancy, but actively support it.
History
Their pre Second Fall Ancestors were the Terians, a nation originally bordering the southern west coast of the lesser gap. Finding their old homeland nothing like they remembers, laying dead center on the new equator, they decided to seek new lands in the south, more akin to the climate they were familiar with in the Fourth Age.
They founded and settled what would eventually become their capital, named Vladek, after a legendary Terian hero of the past. A farming people before, Their earliest ruler was Conrad Southseeker, his title being Konig. a descendant of the Landisian King Antor and Terian Queen Talsia, Konig Conrad struggled against the Mandate and their religious doctrine. Although Conrad successfully gained concessions for his city-state from Refuge, it never the less fell under the sway of Mandatism.
Rule of the city-state changed hands several times after that so that by the fifth decade of the fifth age, Vladek was lagging behind the other new nations and city-states. Many thought the best course of action would be to give Vladek over to Marjolais or one of the stronger city-states in Vercinia. Before this came to pass, Caspian Hawkenvale of Tragovist deposed Konig Kinsgard in the year 54 of the Fifth Age and seized the throne for himself. In the year 59 of the Fifth Age, the armies of Galvinor and Burundy joined with the Exerticius Spiritus to scourge the Dead Lands of their foul occupants. However, during the purging, which ultimately proved unsuccessful, many of these armies instead occupied the lands around Vladek and its subsidiaries. Vladek was taken by Galvinor, except for Tragovist which went to Burundy, and only regained its independence in the 65th year of the Fifth Age. From there, they renounced their status as a city state and formed the nation of Vladia.
In 65 Fifth Age, the now titled King Caspian, successfully rallied the populace to overthrow the Galvinori and claimed the throne permenantly. Capsian was able to stir nationalistic feelings in the southern nation against the growing power of Galvinor. He proved his military might by winning several major battles against the Galvinori, establishing Vladia as a new, growing power.

Politics
Vladia has a history of royal dynasties, which has persisted into modern day. Most Vladian monarchs have been members of the frequently militarily-gifted Hawkenvale clan, under whom alliances with other nearby city-states have been courted or coerced to form a powerful confederation under Hawkenvale leadership.
A long war against Galvinor over the mineral-rich Dreadling Hills, a region between the two countries ended during the 12th decade of the Fifth Age with a Vladian victory. However, rebellion was fomenting in the conquered area due to the imposition of harsh taxes by the Vladians, as well as the support of Galvinor.
By the second century, rule of the country had changed hands many times, with poor leadership causing Vladia to fall behind other nations. The current ruler of the nation is Martrim Hawkenvale, an old man of weak health and uncertain sanity. His rule has been condemned by those who claim his Mortis advisers are ruling through him. Those of the Hawkenvale clan are vying to replace the old king, but some say it is time for the ruling family to cede power to a new family. Trefor Hawkenvale, younger brother of Martrim, is the next in line to rule. However he is also old and has no interest in ruling, and neither brother have any known children. The future of the Hawkenvale dynasty hangs in the balance.
Culture and society
Vladia is renowned for its art. The whole country is filled with artistry, from the statues of heroes that litter the streets in even the meanest villages to the glittering golden hall of Gilding.
In spring Vladia holds Candlemas tournaments to great acclaim. These days there is less jousting and more tests of arms in archery and sword fighting.
Beetles are considered prized in Vladia, and many households keep them in small cages for good luck. They also use encrusted beetle wings for decorative purposes.
Burial practices and Necromancy
Unlike most other Mandate followers, Vladia do not burn their dead but instead carefully preserve the bodies and seal them in elaborate tombs. Some of the wealthiests Vladians start building their own tombs while still young, spending decades overseeing their construction. These become incredible palaces, with gardens, bathhouses, and ballrooms, kept only for the dead.These crypts are often decorated with their most prized possessions, and each crypt is as unique as the family buried there.
Mages of Vladia have more political power than mages in other countries, and wield nearly as much power within Vladia as the the Arcanists of old Charm.
Vladians have a unique relationship with magic and death. They believe that when a dead soul crosses the Judging Eye it leaves the body open to a spirit in need. In order to provide safe hosts for such spirits they mummify their corpses and place them in elaborate crypts. This task is entrusted to a secretive order of mages known as Mortis. Its gray-robed members enjoy wealth and political power as they often serve as advisers to Vladian nobility, including the kings.
Because they rarely leave Vladia, much of the Mortisi practices are shrouded in mystery and fear, even to mages outside the nation's borders. In actuallity, the provide a military function the nation.
Military
Vladia produces a small but elite force of infantry, archers, and knighted cavalry. However, due to the nations smaller than average population size, their forces are often outnumbered, at least their living forces. To Supplement this disadvantage, the Mortis employed the buried dead of the country to act as auxiliaries. Their carefully mumified bodies keeps both local and foreign populaces from panicking when they are marching through towns and fields. However in the rage of battle, the wrappings get torn asunder due to the nature of combat, and the Vladian foes sees the undead horrors before them, causing fear throughout the enemy ranks.
Due to their need, whenever a commoner of Vladia dies, the Mortis gives the surviving family members a gold piece to procure their deceased for the Vladian armies. it is considered a great honor to contribute to the national defense. The Mortis also often sends expeditions into the Dead Lands to procure undead, in order to consecrate their forms and ready them for military service. This has put Vladia at even greater odds with Galvinor, who despise the Undead.
Currency
A Vladian copper coin is called a Born, a silver coin is called a Young, a gold piece is called an Elder. Vladians do not produce electrum or plantinum, preferring to use the old Tremalker coins of the old empire.

Life and joy, death and service

Neighboring Nations

• Luxandria