Valakia
The valley of Valakia is known as a mystical and dark place. It was formerly a part of the Zimean empire, but when its previous ruler rose to power following the mysterious death of his father it broke away from the rest of Zimea. A war broke out as hordes of undead creatures flooded from the valley. The war ended with the apparent death of Valakia's ruler and a great wall was erected between Valakia and Zimea.
Structure
The mountainous county of Valakia was once a province of the Empire of Zimea, but following the War of the Dead it declared its independence from the empire. Whilst not being recognized as a separate nation by the imperial counts, the valley is separated from the rest of Zimea by a great wall. Those who defy the separating barrier and choose to venture into the valley are never heard from again. The valley of Valakia is governed singlehandedly by Lucien von Kayser from his home in Castle Noxima. The mysterious count who was thought to have died in the War of the Dead over four hundred years ago. Some believe that this is all a front and that the ruler is being replaced from time to time, but no one knows for sure as the count almost never appears to his subjects in physical form. His ruling style was mostly through proxy, and all the duties of tax collection are carried out by the villages' burgomasters. However, Count Lucien is a feared tyrant who takes whatever he wanted and whom no one dares to disobey. The count has a lively court at castle Noxima. These influential nobles live in the castle and advise the count, as well as aid him in governing the valley. Although they don't actually have any authority outside of what Count Lucien provides them. Technologically, the land lags behind the rest of Zimea in terms of proper infrastructure and even the barest levels of education, where the commonfolk of Valakia are still a highly superstitious lot. The emergent middle class of Zimea scarcely exists here, and an unbridgeable gap between the peasantry and the nobility persists, one that out shadows those within the lands of even Helonia. But perhaps the greatest feature about this backwater region is the thick mist that surrounds the borders of the valley. None of those who enter the mist are ever seen again. Only a select few of Valakias citizens have left the valley. These are the original Valakians whose ancestors supported Count Lucien in his war for independence.Geography
Almost the entire valley consists of densely forested rough terrain, with sheer cliffs and outcroppings. Few areas are easily traversable, and it is always dangerous to stay off the road. Winters are usually long and bitter. The sky of Valakia is permanently overcast with storm clouds. Even during the brightest hours of the day, light is unnaturally muted and dimmed, and do not affect normally sensitive creatures such as vampires. In many locations, the mists partially or completely obscure vision.Defenses
The valley is completely surrounded by a deadly mists that sap the life force and can rapidly kill anyone who ventured inside. The mists is believed to be controlled by von Kayser, who is believed to be able to choose to open or close these boundaries of his domain at will.
Service in life, and in death
Founding Date
2754
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Demonym
Valakian
Head of State
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Provisional government
Economic System
Barter system
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments