Difference between revisions of "Altas Verde"

Revision as of 20:34, 16 July 2011

Altas Verde is the southernmost of the provinces in Serendipity, and home to the largest population of Adelans in the kingdom.

Culture

Due to its close proximity to Adela and its high population of native Adelans it is only natural that its neighbor to the south has had some influence on the culture in Altas Verde. While it is predominantly Serenian in nature there are still several traces of Adelan culture left over from the times Adela was in control of the province.

The most notable of these is that martial strength and skill is generally well respected by the locals (equally, if not more so than magical prowess), and the province being renowned for producing some of the best and most disciplined soldiers in Serendipity. However with Adela to its south and the treacherous mountains to the west there has never really been a reason for the province to house an especially large military, or at least a large active military anyway. The one is does possess though is still larger than the central provinces since the threat of invasion still does exist to some extent with it being on the edge of the kingdom. Ultimately most of the locals choose to study the martial arts in their own personal time instead of volunteering for military service, and the Feyal family has been known to send a good number of recruits to the more northern and coastal provinces along with Kia’s Court whenever they get a particularly large number of them.

Several of the superstitions originating in Adela have also found their way into society, especially those in relation to cats, and while it isn’t quite as common as it is in Adela there is a decent number of people who believe in Animism living there as well.

Characteristics

Like most Serenians the people of Altas Verde are the descendents of fae, the greater majority of them being able to trace their lineage back to elven clans residing in the Niahi Woods. As a result pointed ears, delicate features, and slender frames are exceptionally common among its residence. They also tend to be on the tall side when compared to the citizens of other provinces, males typically standing in the six foot range and females being only a few inches shorter. Because of its higher than average Adelan population skin tones in Altas Verde can vary greatly from person to person, easily ranging from the pale complexions of pure blood Serenians to more bronzed ones. Nobles tend to be on the fairer side though because of more selective breeding practices.

Mages

Although warriors are well respect in Altas Verde that isn’t to say that Mages are a rare breed. While fewer in number compared to those in the other provinces, there still is a decent sized Mage population in the province. Magic is an important part of Serendipity’s culture after all and House Feyal has made great strides to prevent it from going to the way sides completely. Magical training is free to any resident of Altas Verde who wishes to undergo it. The quality of the training is good, but many who do take advantage of it still feel pressured to learn how to wield at least one kind of melee or ranged weapon as well by the local culture. As a result a fairly large number of magic practitioners from Altas Verde serve in the military.

Hunting

The soil in Altas Verde is typically less fertile in comparison to the other provinces so its citizens heavily depend on hunting for food. However only hunters belonging to one of the local guilds are legally allowed to do so with the intent to earn money. The guilds ensure that all hunting and poaching laws are upheld by its members, and are responsible for keeping track of the amount of meat that they bring in for taxation purposes. While most of the guilds are open to anyone willing to join, there a few more exclusive ones that only people of a certain economic standing are able to join.

Mining

With the wealth of gold and silver that was found Falliel and Tirial it was only natural for the early settlers to seek the same in Altas Verde, and while they did find some of both neither was as common as they were in the other two provinces. However what they did find was almost as good. A wide variety of precious stone deposits were discovered, attracting many jewelers and craftsmen to the area. Some stone and metal work is also done in the mountains, and while House Feyal owns the largest of these operations there are a number of smaller ones owned by local nobilities as well.

Local Nobilities

House Feyal

It is said that the Feyal name is not inherited at birth but earned through service, and in many ways this is very true. Ever since the province was founded by them all those years ago the House has strongly believed in serving their country and its people, and no member of it may rightful call themselves a Feyal unless they do so in one way or another. This is especially true for the heir apparent who must do so if they wish to claim the title of High Lord or Lady when their mother or father dies. Laziness has never been something they tolerated from themselves or the noble families that serve under them. Among the locals they are generally well liked for their dedication and compassion, and it isn’t uncommon for Feyals to be seen riding through villages and the poorer areas of the cities speaking directly to the peasants and helping to address their concerns.

House Kushanya

House Kushanya has a long history of sons and daughters in the Serenian and Verdan forces, whether law enforcement, army, or both. Since this is their first generation in nobility, they don't have much of a recorded history; however, at least one member of every Kushanya generation has been a member of the Serenian armed forces long past living memory--and in a society populated with long-lived races, living memory is a long time. The most recent patriarch, Arjyahei Kushanya, was a member of the Verdan law enforcement. Through dedicated services to his province, he rose to considerable power in the military, though he refused to become a paperwork official: despite his status and the fact that it was likely an extraordinary bad idea for him, on whom years had not been kind, he continued to take an active part in the managing of Verdan scum. His stubbornness and reputation for being It was in battle with a particularly stubborn group of bandits, rogues of a hunting guild, that he lost his right eye and the use of the same leg. It is regarded a miracle that he survived at all; only the aid of his partner--later to become his wife--did he make it out of the battle alive. The bandits were eradicated, although Arjahei was forced to retire with reluctance; in return for his devotion, he and his family were elevated to low-level barons.

Fiefdoms

Many of the fiefdoms in Altas Verde, especially those near the southern border, are centered around sites where old forts once stood, ones built during the period when Adela first succeeded and the land was torn by war. Some of these forts still stand today, refurbished to be more elegant and suitable for the nobilities that currently occupy them, while others were torn down completely and replaced with more suitable manors.

Emerald Hills Duchy

Named for both the beautiful green hills that surround it, and the bounty of precious jewels that lie within them this county has historically been held directly by the Feyal family. A great deal of mining is done in the surrounding hills, and some of the best jewelry makers in the province call it home.

Algieri

Military

The Rangers

Guilds and Organizations

• Terah Finn - Hunter’s Guild

Characters

• Sephiria Feyal - Ruling High Lady
• Calyse Feyal - Mage Knight
• Ilavel Aise - Ranger Commander
• Eric Finn - Guild Master of Terah Finn