Hellavosen Marches
The Hellavosen Marches is a vast kingdom in the northeast of Aquevaia. It is led by the King of the Marches who serves as a semi-absolute ruler. The region is considered unsafe due to the recent civil war.
Demography and Population
Hellavosen is largely a human kingdom. Large settlements of dwarves and gnomes live in the forests of the Moonwood and the depths of the Moontouched Mountains, and in the lakeside town of Piir near Illarescia there is a small enclave of elves, but 70% of the population is human. Some giants remain in the Eversnow in the far north but they are considered invaders and are not citizens of the Marches.
Religion
Hellavosen does not have a single religious system. Many sects of different demigods worship in the open, such as the Cult of the Soulspeakers and the Order of the Flaring Sun. Akela'lani also has a large following in the northernmost areas of the kingdom.
While the Marches is uncaring of a citizen's religious preferences, there are a few demigods and powerful beings whose worship is openly banned. Piholo and his worshippers, called the Drowned Ones, as well as followers of the northern giant's god-king are evicted from the realm and exiled if they are found.
Foreign Relations
Relations with neighboring states have soured in the past decade. The Kingdom of Vesien in particular has made aggressive moves against Hellavosen, especially during the civil war. Vesien has stationed many troops on the border, and some are even rumored to have aided Forrade in the civil war, though no proof has been found. In recent years, Ashildur has attempted to repair the relationship between the two countries, but has been rebuffed by the King of Vesien. The Marches keeps a watchful eye on the border.
The Empire of Illarescia had a long-standing non-aggression treaty with Hellavosen for centuries before the civil war. Disruption to communication and trade during the war led some erstwhile Illarescian nobles to try to claim more land along the border, though these claims are not supported by the Emperor himself. Price gouging has led to distrust between the citizens of the two countries but has yet to lead to outright conflict. The Emperor and the King of the Marches renegotiated the non-aggression pact a year after the civil war, and it seems to be holding.
Similar stagnation of trade led to deterioration of friendships with the Trilmo Confederation and Ayarara. Ashildur requested a diplomatic meeting between representatives of the three countries to iron out details of new trade agreements. Hellavosen in particular wants an exchange program for scholars of Ayarara to study in Torni in return for herbs and medicines from the Moonwood.
Agriculture & Industry
Hellavosen is not as wealthy as its neighbors. With most of its population living in rural areas, the industry of Hellavosen centers around livestock, wool, metal refinement, and smithing. Keeping sheep is the livlihood of most families living in the northern parts of the country, where the Hillstreach affords good grazing and plentiful land.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments