Tolava

HISTORY

Tolava is a kingdom with a rich and wonderful history, known by many in the kingdom of Erymea. Fraught with wars in its past, Tolava has been ruled by the same ruling family since 123 P.G. (Post Giants). At the time of the Giant Wars, a peoples known as the Brolisites lived throughout Tolava. Known as a generally peaceful peoples, Brolisites tended to keep to themselves to avoid engaging in conflict with the Giants, however they wrote extensively about what they encountered. Unfortunately, much of this history is lost to the current people of Tolava, as the Brolisite language is not well-known, and many do not wish to undertake the effort to learn and translate the histories.
One Brolisite legend is regularly shared, however. There is a legend that states that Veza, a local boy from Grancia, angered one of the Giants living in the area, and it is because of Veza that the Giant Wars began in the first place. There is not much else known about this legend, and nothing has yet been found that actually proves it true, but any Tolavan who has spent their childhood in the kingdom knows this story, and will warn you to watch your step as to not anger the Giants a second time.

CURRENCY

The currency in Tolava is generally standardized, due to it being part of major trade routes throughout Erymea. Tolava uses a gold/silver/copper coin system.
Gold coins, or Zelts, are emblazoned with a crown on one side, and a sun on the other, as a symbol of the royal house. It takes 10 silver coins to get 1 gold coin.
Silver coins, or Pratas, are emblazoned with a lightning bolt on one side, and a ship on the other, as a symbol of the rich maritime trading done throughout the country. It takes 10 copper coins to get 1 silver coin.
Copper coins, or Buruns, are emblazoned with a star on one side and a moon on the other, as a symbol of the storm giants who "live in the sky," according to legend. It takes 10 copper coins to get 1 silver coin, and 100 copper coins to get 1 gold coin.

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SPECIAL GEOGRAPHY

Tolava is a kingdom with varying geography, depending on where one looks. It has a large coastline on the western side of the country, where towns and cities like Kilead can be found. When looking more inland, Tolava has a swath of plains, surrounded by mountains and steep valleys, many of which legend states were formed during the Giant Wars. The capital city, Izonio, can be found to the northeast of Tolava, at the entrance to one of the major valleys in the area.
In the northwest of the kingdom rests a large expanse of forests, dark and twisted. This area is known to harbor darkness and unknown creatures.
The northwest of the kingdom, on the far side of the Mérges Mountains, in their own mountain range (the Kis range) live various barbarian tribes. Not much is known about these tribes, as the people of the tribes do not tend to stray far from their homeland, although some do explore on occasion.

MAJOR TOWNS/CITIES

Izonio is the capital city of Tolava, and is approximately a week's ride on horseback from Kilead, through fairly rough terrain. The current king of Tolava is Elben Keenbluff, who lives in Izonio, although he travels throughout the realm on a Progress, much like the kings of old.
There is a town in Tolava, approximately 3 days' ride from Kilead, called Wayrest. Wayrest is a town that most people local to Kilead and the surrounding area avoid, as everyone who has ever stepped foot in the area has stated that they feel ill when they are in the town. No one can figure out why, and no one has been able to stay long enough in the town (besides the residents) to try and right things. It may be worth a note that Wayrest was built upon Giant ruins...which may or may not have something to do with everyone's sickness in that town.

OTHER NEARBY KINGDOMS

Ticara is a kingdom that can be found across the Uzak Sea. Tolava does a significant amount of trade with Ticara, and it is not uncommon to see ships with their banner of three silver fish framing a golden trident on a green background in Tolavan harbors. The people of Ticara, Ticarans, speak Common and primarily Dwarvish, but don't underestimate someone traveling with them as being unable to understand you.
Voyna is a war-hungry kingdom, which Tolava has been fighting since before the Giant Wars in order to keep them from southern Tolavan lands. Voynans are known to speak Common, Orc, and Dwarvish, although the dialects spoken can be hard to interpret. Currently ruled by Oblion Muarek, Voyna is not a country that one enters lightly, and many avoid going near Tolava's southern border due to the hostility from Voyna as a whole.

Type

Territory