Vodacce (voh-DA-chay)

Government

Absolute Monarchy over a Police State   King Galileo Montero of Vodacce died on November 17th, 1863, leaving his sons Prince Julio Cesar Montero and Prince Midas Isod Montero to fight over the country.   Prince Julio is the eldest of the two brothers, and was the crown prince. Prince Julio was favored among the nobility at the time, who were able to gain significant wealth through trading with other countries. He was popular among the commoners because he was seen as generous, charismatic, and honorable.   Prince Midas rebelled against his brother, because he felt that outsiders were taking advantage of Vodacce, causing the country to remain poor.   Many of the predatory policies that were draining the countryside were halted, and the country as a whole is wealthier. Prince Midas is not popular, and hasn’t been since he rebelled against his brother. He was forced to put down several rebellions immediately after he took the throne. He is known as a miser, but extremely intelligent. The nobles that sided with Prince Midas were smart enough to realize that Vodacce was headed toward an economic collapse if the status quo continued  

Culture

Heritage: Halfling   Chivalry and Pirates
  Robin Hood Style Banditry
  Flamboyancy
 

Cultural Norms

An Armed Society is a Safe Society
Carrying a sword, particularly a rapier, is common and expected. If you are unarmed, you might as well be unarmed in wit as well.   Duel for your Honor
Dueling for insults to honor is common, but dueling to the death is not. It is dishonorable to continue to disparage another’s honor after being defeated in a duel. Once the duel is finished, whatever grievance caused the duel is considered settled. Each side is expected to have a second (and likely more than one), as well as a cleric of Eriu to serve as both physician and judge to bless the duel. It is the second’s job to determine the nature and terms of the duel. Dueling with pistols is rare at this time, and there is debate whether pistols are honorable. Dueling with wands, staves, and rods by spellcasters is fully supported as long as both duelists can use them.   A Rapier Wit
Witty banter, or having a rapier wit, are appreciated here, and good-natured ribbing can cover an insult to honor.  

Military

The gish fighting style epitomized by war casters using both blade and magic in combat is the traditional fighting style of Vodacce.  The Bladesinger Wizarding School was founded in Vodacce. Because almost all of the populace in Vodacce is armed, there isn’t an official standing military, though many nobles have their own guards.  

Economy

Prior to the civil war, much of Vodacce’s wealth was spent outside of its borders on luxury goods and trade goods that were then imported back into the country, leaving the common people poor. Resources, such as iron mines, were owned by nobles and traded outside of the country, who used their wealth friviously and make themselves more wealthy.   These predatory policies that just made the poor poorer were halted by King Midas. Today, there are very very few truly poor people near the cities of Vodacce, and most would be considered middle class that can afford middle class luxuries. Even the homeless are treated well, through charity and state-sponsored housing.   Given that Vodacce credit markets are rather opaque because lenders could not readily view an applicant's financial statement, having a reputation as “honorable” is almost essential to obtaining approval for loans. In addition, transaction costs are very high; therefore, reputation is important to being viewed as likely to honor one's contracts and debts. Thus, the word honor is nearly culturally synonymous with creditworthiness. The long-term economic penalties for having one's reputation ruined included limited access to capital and diminished political influence.   Lending institutions do not punish debtors for participating in duels. A planter might risk a devaluation of his assets as a result of turning down a duel - with the loss of his honor - which would harm the lender as well. In the case that a debtor accepted a duel challenge and lost, the lender could expect an honorable man to honor his debts posthumously by paying back the owed amount with interest as his estate was liquidated.  

Crime

Bounties on criminals are common in Vodacce, and bounty hunters can make a respectable living.   Each noble house retains a small force of guards that protect the immediate surroundings of their estate.  Many minor crimes, including petty theft, have a punishment of exile. While this makes the cities safer, this policy has fed starving recruits into the Commoner’s League.   Trial by combat, or duel, is the primary method of determining guilt. This is particularly a problem because the nobility and upper class are the ones that have far more time to train to be better fencers, while many peasants do not. The end result is that the nobility and the upper class have far better representation in the justice system, and are able to get away with far more, while more of the peasantry is forced into exile if it appears they did something wrong.   Prisons are incredibly small, and only meant as temporary holding until justice can be served.   Murder is surprisingly rare in Vodacce, as it is much more effective to destroy someone’s reputation by sending them back to town with only a minimal amount of supplies.  

Commoner’s League

The Commoner’s League is a loose confederation of rebels, bandits, and pirates that sided with Prince Julio during the civil war. They are a constant thorn in the side of King Midas, and all attempts of divination to stop them have failed or been interfered with. Although they’re called the Commoner’s League, the former nobility that sided with Prince Julio still remain in leadership positions, serving as pirate captains and bandit kings. With the capture of Prince Julio, there is no single leader of the Commoner’s League, despite what King Midas believes. The Commoner’s League fights among themselves for leadership as much as they fight the state.  

Religion

Eosphorus, God of Natural Disasters - Eosphorus is the god of rebellion and the oppressed. He’s worshiped by the many fighters and supporters of the Commoner’s League, who are still fighting in rebellion against King Midas Montero. He is also secretly worshiped among the poor and destitute, who feel they have no power in the country.   Eriu, Goddess of Valor - Eriu is the goddess of duels, and many of the temples serve as safe dueling arenas that are government sanctioned as part of the justice system. The Grand Arena at the capitol is the largest temple to Eriu in Europa.   Lucetius, God of Oceans & Commerce - As an ocean-faring country that has trade over the sea, Lucetius is a popular deity.   Sephira, Goddess of Adventure & Music - Before the civil war, many Vodacce would set off on adventures around the world and over the sea. This is less popular today, as people have become more insular and the roads have become more dangerous, but tales of adventure are still popular in taverns.   Banned Religions:
Worship of Eosphorus is not publicly allowed by the state.
Worship of Morwen is frowned upon, but not explicitly banned. You will not find a temple to Morwen, but may find a shrine hidden away.  

Holidays

Championship Week, Fourth Week in April - Celebrated with dueling tournaments, jousting, archery contests, spellslinging, and melee combat, Championship Week is held in Temples to Eriu all over the country, with the final matches held in the Grand Arena at the capitol at the end of the week. The dueling circles at the Grand Arena are mechanized and magical marvels, designed to entertain the crowds.   Betrayal Night, June 5th - The night that Prince Julio Cesar Montero was captured and imprisoned. The story goes that Prince Julio’s own guard betrayed him to his brother in order to stop the war in Vodacce on the condition that he would be imprisoned rather than killed. This night memorializes those that died in the war, with many cursing or blessing the guard for ending the war.   Accession Day, June 6th - The day that Midas Isod Montero was crowned king of Vodacce. Many of the nobility celebrate this day by giving the lower classes the day off.   Marine Day, July 4th - A day of thanks for the ocean’s bounty and Lucetius’s blessing, this day is marked by trips to the beach, summer fun, and pyrotechnic displays over the water. Storm themes (clouds of smoke, loud booms, and crackling sparks) are popular.   Memorial of King Montero, November 17th - Honored by both the Commoner’s League and the Nobility of Vodacce, this is the day that King Galileo Montero died. In his honor, this day has become an unofficial ceasefire of hostilities.  

“Come on! You’re better than that!” Miguel de Esposito called as he danced forward, crossing his shortsword with his halfling opponent in a flurry of blows that left them staggering backwards. “If this is all the skill you can muster with your sword, it’s no wonder the ladies at the brothel refuse to charge you”   “The ladies at the brothel refuse to charge me,” Leonne de Catteno countered as he rushed forward, his blade rippling with green fire as he slashed twice in quick succession at his fellow halfling’s blade, “because I treat them with the respect and charm they deserve. Unlike you, I don’t need to pay for someone to give me attention.”   Miguel flinched at the fire that scorched his coat and feathered hat, dodging backwards away from the flame. He settled his feet into an offensive stance and prepared his own spell, his free hand crackling with electricity. “Better a business contract where both sides understand the terms than a night of disappointment.” He stepped forward with a quick sidestep to avoid Leonne’s blade, parrying it away as he touched his shoulder.   Leonne stiffened as the lightning ran down his shoulder and into his hand, forcing him to grip it tighter in response and collapse to one knee. “I yield,” he gasped, holding onto his arm.   Miguel paused, sheathing his sword, and held out his hand. “Honor settled?”   Leonne grasped his hand with his good arm and stood, sheathing his own sword. “Settled.” He tilted his head with a questioning look. “Meet you at the brothel later?”   Miguel nodded and smiled with an infectious grin. “Of course.”