Kingdom of Balveda
Balveda claims the title of the oldest continuous nation on the World, and its most magically adept. Close to the Heart of the World and its famous temple, Balvedan mages have had ample access to magic throughout its history. The premiere destination for magical learning, the Luneburg Institute, is located in its largest city.
Long History
Claiming to be the first true nation of the World, Balveda takes great pride in its history. Every major city has museums, walking tours, markers and plaques and statues. It's almost impossible to ignore the feeling of hundreds of years of meaning surrounding you. Balveda's claim to this title comes from the Temple of the Heart being within its borders. It was chosen as the place to convene the first great meeting of the sapient species, the Moot, where Law was first written and a true coexistence was made possible. It didn't take long for this site to become a place of pilgrimage and for towns to crop up along the mainland route. Those towns grew over hundreds of years into the massive cities they are today.The Study of Magic
Its proximity to the Heart and its resting place has also led to Balveda becoming the prominent place to study magic. Dozens of universities, mage's schools, research institutes, libraries, and temples can be found among its cities. Those who wish to pursue a magical education might consider applying to the Luneburg Institute, the most prominent magical university open to public enrollment. Ever since Balveda's new constitution was formalized nearly four-hundred years ago, rumors have persisted that the Kingdom of Balveda isn't truly led by the monarchy and parliament, but is secretly ruled by an elite council of mages. The royal family and the elected earls and countesses object to these rumors, of course, but it's hard to deny the influence that access to magic and the means to study it has had on the culture of Balveda. Most of its citizens, no matter how remote their village, can count on a court-appointed mage coming to their aid when problems arise. A town's children are checked for abnormal magical potential at the age of eight, and it's far easier to find a bushel of magical scrolls in a store in Balveda than it is anywhere in the Outer Ring.Right to Rule
Balveda's monarchy is elected by a council made up of two-dozen nobles from around the region. Many are wealthy landowners, some are military leaders, and a rare few are high-ranking mages. There's one spot reserved for the current monarch's spouse or eldest child - whichever they choose - so that they may speak at the council in lieu of the monarch attending all meetings themselves. The monarch has the ability to decree new laws or amend old ones, make diplomatic decisions, and assign new leaders to the region's military. All of these decisions and edicts may be overwritten by a two-thirds vote from the council. If the king or queen doesn't listen, they can (and have in the past) remove them and elect a new regent who will respect their votes.Notable Places:
- Luneburg
- Sulveig
- Rellea
- Temple of the Heart
Demonym
Balvedan
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Manufactured Items
Comments