Voel
Voel endures. Despite the exodus, despite the wars, despite the Arid Wasting, Voel endures. It endured when the good Omen the Shaman fled south away from the Nioman Empire. It endured against attacks from Centaurs, Drow, and Troglodytes. It endured when the dragons came down from the mountaintops. It endured when the very land itself invaded from the south. Beyond this struggle, Voel has found ways to make its enemies into friends, to make its obstacles into resources. Against the Nioman Empire, the people of Voel found freedom in a new land. Against the Troglodytes the Voel made alliances with the Dwarves of the Diamondback Mountains. Against the Drow the Voel offered political alliance and trade. Against the Centaurs Voel offered unity of purpose. Against the Dragons Voel found wyverns, and sent their enemies north forever. Voel will find a way against the very ground itself, even if this last goal seems its greatest obstacle to date.
Voel is a large Firbolg kingdom on the southern edge of Mana Jalqabaa west of the Gulf of Minara. Its monarch rules from the Diamond Throne atop a large plateau in the capital of Uluitur. For years Queen Jovaris the Beneficent of House Solan has ruled with a steady hand, but her lies are beginning to catch up with her. The original policy of ignoring the Arid Wasting has proven ineffective; lands to the north of the kingdom have gone fallow and a number of refugees now flock to her capital as a result. Nobles are increasingly frustrated with the Queen's rule. However none can deny her popularity. Her skill upon a Wyvern is legendary, and she has never lost an official joust. Festivals and tourneys are celebrated in Voel and have done much to keep the populace in line even in a time of increasing famine.
The lack of wood in Voel has essentially rendered the nation landlocked. It cannot compete with Susa or Bartsama economically in the field of trade, and so instead competes against them through its natural resources. There are perhaps more diamonds in Voel than anywhere else on Celasper, and most of the continent's copper similarly comes from its mines. Rubys are similarly abundant but not as in demand. What is however is salt, and Voel has more than just about anywhere outside of Nephysis. These good are often delivered by great trade caravans escorted by horse lords, wyvern riders and centaurs towards Bartsama. Voel has threatened invasion against Nova Brigodia and Bartsama in the past over unfavorable trade deals, but the threat of a military counter-attack from Sihir has held them at bay for the moment.
The Arid Wasting is a little understood environmental phenomena thought to originate from beyond the Wall of Blossoms. Its effects are well documented, a refusal of plantlife to grow, even in areas abundant with water. The lack of plantlife has cost the Leshy, Centaurs and Anadi their ancestral homes, forcing them out. Cities have grown clogged with refugees, even as the noble houses of Voel continue to settle their own petty differences over the growing environmental catastrophe. For centuries, the Wall of Blossoms has held firm, preventing the advance of the Creeping Death. Within the last few years however something has changed. The farms of the region have begun to dry up, the fields grow fallow with an increasing number of blights and droughts each year. Voel, already a kingdom deprived of lumber, has seen much of their remaining trees wither and rot. Even the mushrooms of the underdark used in construction have begun to wither. Nobles of Voel reassure farmers who are increasingly certain that something is wrong and terrified of what to do. Voel has endured much, but the utter rejection of the land may be enough to end the storied Kingdom.
Structure
Voel is a traditional monarchy. Each absorbed nation is granted noble rights and privileges in exchange for vassalage to Voels monarch. Notably, the monarch's successor may not be a blood relative, a system designed to ensure strong rulers. In practice this has led to a rotating line of nobles vying for the monarchy and trading political favors to receive it. The most influential noble houses of Voel are listed below:
House Astra: Rulers of the Ariwa, House Astra are famed as a family of expert Wyvernrider across the entirety of Voel. Recently however their fields have gone fallow. While house Astra publically assures the populace that everything is fine, privately Lady Torvaris Astra the Destined Spear is threatening nothing short of insurrection if the monarchy does not solve the problem swiftly. House Astra is rumored to have allied with a number of centaur tribes to take what they believe to be theirs if the land is not restored in short order.
House Din: The greatest house of Kaz-Fomar has always felt that they are not valued by the rest of Voel society. Despite a thousand years of waiting, the dwarven lords have never sat upon the Diamond Throne. Much worse, they have had to observe as a number of Drow monarchs make rulings from the shadows. House Din, long the supplier of Diamonds, Rubies, and Copper for the Kingdom of Voel, now openly plots independence. They are largely unaffected by the wasting and have no desire to prop up people that refuse to acknowledge their worth. Trade has slowed, shipments are intentionally behind, and weapons are stockpiled, all so House Din can be ready to hold off the last gasp of a dying nation.
House Fovonn: Rulers of the now destroyed city of Omi, House Fovonn has a deep hatred for the Centaurs of the region, blaming all tribes for the actions of one. While the family now lives in the capital, several members of their house were killed in the city's destruction, and the nobles are attempting to quietly pay for someone to return to the city and ensure they have not risen as undead.
House Heldalkann: The almost savage house of Heldalkann resides in Gbe. This frontier people are charged with watching the narrow mountain passes that separate Voel from the Eldritch Scar and marshalling its defense. Where some houses use Wyverns in defense of their holdings, House Heldalkann uses horses, massive warhorses well suited to travelling on hills as they are on flat plains. Lord Cargolor Heldalkann the Strongfoot is said to be the best rider within a thousand leagues, and has an open challenge for anyone to beat him in the Gbe Races. These races run yearly, and involve a deadly horse race across the entirety of Voel towards The Pillars.
House Oloryn: Following a dispute with the other Drow nobles, House Oloryn departed completely for the surface and settled in the gap between the capital and Kaz-Fomar. Few expected their settlement to last more than a few years before house Oloryn gave up and apologized to the other noble families. Yet their city of Arabinrin has grown and prospered, becoming the second largest in Voel. The reasons for this are primarily due to the Drows alliances with the Leshy of the nearby Thornwood. The plant and fey spirits of the forest aided in the town's construction, allowing for buildings to be put up swiftly. These buildings are made not just of clay or mushrooms, but actual wood. Yet the Arid Wasting has affected House Oloryn as much as any other. The Leshy's home groves have been destroyed, and most now live within an urban sprawl. Prayers to Eilistraee, Grandmother Spider, and even Lolth have gone unanswered, and now Oloryn faces an impossible choice. Let their people die, or apologize to House Ryrri.
House Relar: The once prosperous House Relar was given the port of Ikorira to develop into a naval base worthy of rivaling Susa. Lady Olasys Relar famously poured in thousands of her own funds into the venture to attract sailors and develop a dock that could be used as a trading port. The Arid Wasting is thought to have hit Ikorira first and hardest, with much of the port simply rotting beneath the peoples feet, and most of the wooden buildings sinking into the dirt. The nearby forest followed soon afterward, and Ikorira is now little more than a rotten swamp town. Several members of House Relar are thought to be afflicted with a strange madness, and now Lady Quira, daughter of Olasys, is the only one ever to venture to the capital. Others within the village are forbidden from leaving, as Olasys holds out hope that her fortunes may yet pivot, even as a strange madness grows within her own home.
House Ryrri: Located within the capital city, House Ryrri rules over much of the underdark beneath it. The matriarch Phyra remains unusually loyal to the Voel Monarchy, partially because several drow have served upon the Diamond Throne, and partially because of the protection that Voel's military force offers. House Ryrri knows they would not have survived without their alliance with the Firbolg and its people respect that. The drow have made their fortune through the expanded building of the capital. Mushrooms can be built cheaper and faster than clay domains and so House Ryrri has made a fortune becoming landlords for the majority of the city's residents. Matriarch Phyra's support for the monarchy has made more than a few enemies however. As Uluitur becomes more and more populated, many look at the Drow of the underdarks wealth with disdain. The drow are just as likely to see the refugee peasants as little more than sacks of meat. Already multiple conflicts have broken out within the city, and House Ryrri must hold a fine line between supporting the ruling government, and preparing itself for inevitable change.
House Solan: House Solan was given the great holy city of Olorun as a reward for their loyalty during the War of the Wyvernriders, being the only house that refused to submit to draconic rule and burning their own town to prevent the dragon's conquest. Lord Naekas Solan the Pious takes his job very seriously, and has seen the construction of numerous temples and shrines within Olorun to the gods. Unfortunately, the nearby Godswood, one of the few sources of lumber in Voel, has been rotting for forty years, and has turned Olorun into a city of bad omens. Already swampland is beginning to seep into House Solan's holdings. Strange voices have been heard from the Rotted Godswood, and several priests, nuns, and temple caretakers have disappeared into the woods without a trace. Recently, the heir of House Solan and one of the candidates for the Diamond Throne, Waesren Solan has disappeared. The songs are only heard by the faithful and the pious, making many wonder if this deadly chant is targeting house Solan specifically.
House Teren: First among the warrior houses, a Teren has held fort Ilekun for over half a millennium. Their sons build the walls, their daughters cut back the vines. Yet increasingly, the actions of Lord Leojor the Pride of Teren has become erratic. Defenses are not as they should be, decisions are contradictory, forces are spread thin, or in the wrong places all together. Several of Lord Leojors' children are preparing to overthrow him, but if their plot is discovered, the entire garrison could be thrown into civil war. None can say the reasons for Lord Leojors erratic behavior, and few suspect that the culprit is spreading silently through its soldiers.
House Theyllosh: Perhaps the oldest house in Voel, House Theyllosh holds a commanding grip over the first city New Eketo. Holding court in the shadow of a dormant volcano, House Theyllosh has grown rich off of the salt trade, supplying from their ranches food for the entirety of Voel. House Theyllosh values tradition and slow movement. They are also the family that has produced more monarchs than all other houses combined. The house's strength is built on a trail of blood however. House Theyllosh joined the Dragons during the WyvernRiders war, and only pledged their loyalty to the restored crown after it became clear the Wyvernriders had the upper hand. House Theyllosh specializes in arcane magic, especially sorcery, and there are rumors that their involvement with the dragons was more than simply political.
House Veyvir: Cacti are the name of the game in Eso as the Veyvir family has gotten rich by the harvesting of pears and rare flowers from the cactus fields surrounding their holdings. That was before the Arid Wasting began however, and now house Veyvir faces a real problem that their town's trade will soon be ruined. A number of their citizens have already left for southern lands, and house Veyvir is turning to increasingly dark magics in an attempt to make the land fruitful once more.
Culture
Voel culture is pastoral. The great and sweeping plains that encompass their territory makes game bountiful. Voels art and clothing reflects that aesthetic. Leather is plentiful, as is wool, and innovations have allowed both materials to breathe far more freely in the intense heat.
The lack of trees in Voel makes it so that most buildings are made of clay or stone. Within Uluitur, the majority of buildings are actually carved into large mushrooms, grown by House Ryrri to hold a large group of people and easier to build than stone houses on the great plateau. As a result wood is seen as a sign of wealth or luxury, be it in a bow, wicker armor, or a cane.
The people of Voel value riding. The lack of ships means that all deliveries must be made on horseback, or wyvernback and skill in the saddle with either is a sign of respect. Racing is the national sport of Voel and even the northern centaur tribes are eager to participate in the great matchups. The most exciting races will often involve chasing a wyvern or a primordial across the landscape, attempting to keep up with the monsters of old.
The commonness of jewelry in Voel allows for even the poorest citizens to accent themselves with rings or earrings of exotic metal. Some more extravagantly wealthy will wear entire suits or dresses of the precious metals, or otherwise wear masks of diamonds and other rare gems.
The remains of Dragons are seen as a sign of incredible prestige. Virtually every noble family will display a dragon's skull or claw within their audience chambers The Queen herself wears a crown of bones made from a red dragon's ribcage, topped by the creature's teeth.
History
The nation was founded when Omen the Shaman and his followers fled from Eketo during the collapse of the Nioman Empire. The Firbolg encountered warring centaur tribes and dwarven clans fighting against the troglodytes of the region upon their first arrival into Voel. Starving, tired, but possessing great skill and magical ability, the Firbolg offered their services to the Dwarves of Kaz-Fumar. The dwarves quickly hired them as mercenaries to fight against centaurs and troglodytes alike in exchange for shelter and food. The alliance proved better than expected, and over the next few decades the troglodytes were driven underground across the Windswept Plains. Upon the battlefield however, the Firbolg encountered unlikely allies, the centaur tribes of the Itele Hills. The Akiton and Triaxus tribes were eager to align with the Firbolg people against their mutual troglodyte enemies, and proved invaluable in their destruction. Acting as a party to bridge the gap, Omen the Shaman made peace between Kaz-Fumar and the Akiton and Triaxus tribes. Notably, the centaur people of the region are not a monolith. To this day, the Eox and the Aballon tribe refuse to acknowledge the Voel at all, treating the northern half of the Windswept Plains as their domain.
The Drow came next to the region, or rather they had been there all along. House Ryrri and its vassals emerged from the ground directly beneath the Okuta Plateau, surprised to learn that Firbolg had lived through the events of the mage wars at all. They themselves were fleeing the Drow of Youtau, and after a few initial skirmishes struck an accord. The Drow had already constructed the beginnings of an undercity named Uluitur, and decided to combine their efforts with the Firbolg above. The results would become the great capital of Uluitur. Originally beginning as a refugee settlement, the Firbolg proclaimed Omen the Shaman King of Voel (meaning home in the giant tongue) during the final years of his life. Omen named the Shepherd Valtris as his successor, beginning a tradition that a King or Queen must name a successor outside of their own bloodline.
Voel outlasted the destruction of the Eldritch Scar and expanded across the Windswept Plains. In time, the Drow, Centaurs and even Kaz-Fumar integrated into their expanding kingdom. In exchange each was granted titles of nobility and land in the kingdom to do with as they would. In this way, the Kingdom of Voel is more of a federation, with each ancestral people maintaining their own unique cultural identity. This unity would be needed to face their greatest challenge, as emerging from the Dragon’s Point, Red dragons emerged attempting to bring the nascent kingdom under Draconic rule. Azzirias called the Longtail and his children were initially successful in the burning of Uluitur, and the scattering of the Firbolg people. For ten years Voel lived under a draconic occupation, waging guerrilla war from the shadows. Eilrel called the Fog Rider was perhaps the best known among these resistance fighters, and the first to successfully tame a Wyvern for mounted combat. Fogslasher, her Wyvern steed was a sight of murderous force upon the battlefield, and was instrumental in the development of Wyvern riding across Voel. Armed with winged mounts, the horde of Azzirias were sent into retreat, flying northward and eventually settling in Zir. Voel has been protected by a legendary corp of Wyvern Riders ever since.
The Wall of Blossoms is their latest and perhaps last great achievement. Well into the age of whispers, farmers began observing the rampant growth of the forest to the south of them. It is unclear when the vines and trees and overgrowth of Tanna began to spread at the pace that it does today, however arcanists believe that at some point the forests did not cover the lower half of the Fumarian Peninsula. When the farmers of Voel first encountered the increased plantgrowth, they took it as a boon to grow more crops within the fertile soil. As the plants expanded meter by meter and farm by farm however over the following months it became clear that the cause of the overgrowth was not natural. Seeing an encroaching threat that they could not protect against, King Yeltoris the Builder ordered the construction of a great wall to guard against the rampant plant growth. For the last 300 years warriors have fought on the front lines to hack and slash away at the border of the Wall of Blossoms. The Creeping Death remains to this day, attempting to overrun their entire kingdom with annihilating abundance.
Demography and Population
Firbolgs are the dominant race of Voel, making up a large portion of the population. Many of the Firbolg of Voel are proud, but all Firbolg are inherently tied to the land. Farming, husbandry, and work in the saddle comes naturally to many who choose the life of a rancher.
Drow and Dwarves each make up significant enclaves and within Uluitur and Kaz-Fomar respectively they are the dominant races. The Drow of Voel are significantly more friendly to outsiders than many of their peers due to their origins as an exiled society within their own culture. The dwarves are conversely more insulated and slower to trust those they do not know.
Centaurs are smaller in total population but make up perhaps the largest population block in the northern half of Voel within its arid hills. Each of their tribes is named for one of Celasper’s planets. The Centaurs have thirteen tribes and insist that at one point in time all were represented within Celasper’s skyline.
The Leshy are fewer in number but make up a significant population of the southern cities. Their race has not fared well with the advent of the Arid Wasting, which destroyed their original homeland in the Thornwood. They are curious and eager, and are especially useful in cultivating lands to the south for farming, and maintaining the mushroom homes that make up many of Voels domiciles.
Of special note are the Anani. This race of shapeshifting spiders were first present when Voel was settled, existing in the fertile forests that once made up their nation. With the arrival of the Firbolg and later the Drow however, their homes came under threat. Many of the Anani took the opportunity to see the world, mingling with these new settlers and learning more about what lie beyond their forests. In this way the Anani have secretly and successfully infiltrated Voel society for years, letting only those they trust in on their true forms. There are some however, who have used their powers maliciously. These Anani are often members of the Silken Web, a secret society dedicated to finding and replacing key people in power to advance their own interests. These interests might be the reclamation of the Voel land, wealth, prestige, or conquest. While many Anani are aware of their shadowy siblings' machinations, few are willing to act against them, out of fear that their whole race might be uncovered.
Territories
Azziria's Lair: Azziria left their cave occupied but bar from abandoned. Traps and spells representing a thousand years of preparation litter their enclave, along with a horde that the Dragon Noble of Zir hopes to someday reclaim. Complicating matters, Azziria's youngest son has recently fled Zir in a political scandal, and is now attempting to bypass his father's safeguards.
The Cavern of Sight: This massive cave serves as a sacred meeting ground for the Thirteen Tribes. Within, the cave's walls are a map of the stars and constellations in the night’s sky. Nightly the centaur sight-keepers update the map in real time, reflecting the loss of planets, stars, and lights within the sky.
The Diamondback Mountains: As the name implies, these mountains are filled with diamonds, as well as copper, rubies and other rare gems. The Dwarves of Kaz-Fomar have been mining it for thousands of years, though not even they have explored all the tunnels once created by Kaz-Rezule.
Dragons Point: While dragons are thought to have abandoned Voel, a number of their hidden caves remain atop this western mountain range. Wild Wyverns exist as well here, along with a number of dangerous predators that have grown bold with the dragon's absence.
Kaz-Rezule: Kaz-Fomar’s sister city and an ancient Dwarven Thaig of the Age of Wonder, Kaz-Rezule was destroyed by the Nioman Empire when the Black Heron sent forth a Decree of Annihilation against their holdings.The ruins of Kaz-Rezule remain largely unexplored, filled with echoes of necrotic magic and more recent signs of the Eldritch Abominations that haunt the region. Scouts from Gbe have observed signs of Beholders in the disintegrated tunnels upon the Orange Cliffs, but petitions for forces to explore the ruins have gone ungranted so far.
Ogoye's Outpost: Built long ago by Queen Ogoye the Watcher, the tower has long been abandoned since the end of the Mage Wars that destroyed the Eldritch Scar. Strange and rambling messages are said to be carved into its walls, left by the last guardians of the tower. These ramblings chronicle in real time the descent of Outer Gods to Celasper.
The Okuta & Ibeye Merchant House: This merchant fortress was built to hold the Gemcutters Guild of Voel. Within their heavily guarded halls, diamonds are perfected for use in resurrection magic, and much of the minerals received from Kaz-Fomar are converted here into Residuum for use across the Kingdom.
The Orange Cliffs: Wyverns rest here, though notably many have been affected by the Eldritch Scar's sicknesses. The Great Waterfall at Gbe is considered a sight of uncommon natural beauty, and the finals of the kingdom’s tournament series are held along its banks each year at the festival's conclusion.
The Pillars: Salt is widespread within the Pillars, and made it the ideal spot to settle New Eketo. A lost tribe of fire giants was once thought to reside within the dormant volcano making war upon the Dwarves of Kaz-Fumar. Ancient doors exist within the volcanos side, constructed by the giants long ago and leading deep into the mountainside.
Radigor's Redoubt: When the troglodytes were driven back into the underdark, they made their final stand in this series of cave systems. While Centaurs have full control of the cave entrance now, few are eager to dive into an unknown series of tunnels in search of diehard troglodytes backed into a corner.
The Rotted Godswood: Once the ancestral homeland of the Anani, now little grows within the godswood on either side of the river save for the fungal rot and infestation. Feral Myconoids control the woods now, along with rumors of even greater terrors heard only in superstitious murmurs. Singing can be heard from the forest at night, targeting the holy, but none know from where these voices originate.
The Rotted Thornwood: The ancestral homeland of the regions Leshy is now little more than a field of rotted trees. Nothing grows here anymore, and despite the Leshy's best efforts, even the fey and nature spirits of the wood have abandoned the area to its fate.
The Silk Temple: Built in honor to Grandmother Spider by an undercover Anani priest, the temple has fallen into disrepair and been abandoned after roving marauders destroyed the road to Omi. Now within are deranged Anani seeking to repair the temple, and several troglodyte invaders seeking to regain a foothold on the surface.
Wyvern's Peak: This mountain serves as the personal training ground for the WyvernRiders of Voel. The presence of military forces here is higher than anywhere in the nation, save for the Wall of Blossoms.
Religion
Religion in Voel is largely dependent on ancestry. Amongst the Firbolg, Balumbdar is a patron deity. It was upon his vision they built the Wall of Blossoms, and the large god serves as a beacon of strength for the Firbolg. Mazludeh is worshipped for similar reasons as the lord of the hearth and of walls.
Among the Drow and Anani Grandmother Spider is a deity of great significance, though she is known by many names amongst their peoples. The worship of Lolth is less common, and tends to ebb and flow with the strength of the Drow people in politics, being invoked by those more desperate. Eilistraee is also commonly worshipped, especially by those Drow who abandon the cities for life in the countryside.
Among the Dwarves, the Four Stags, Dwalin and their dream of Torag remain commonly worshipped, though most are less religious in general, preferring ancestor worship.
Those few Leshy who do believe worship Gozreh or occasionally serve as members of the Green Faith. Many Leshy druids have made great strides to slow the Creeping Death by invoking the powers of the natural world.
Among the Centaurs, the worship of Desna comes first and foremost as it is through her that they see the stars and the planets beyond. A number of them have begun worshipping Eamontrout as god of defense and healing after observing apocalyptic visions of things to come.
Foreign Relations
Voel has limited trade with Susa due to its lack of a working port. Some trade does occur with Geweer by way of underdark tunnels, though shipments are increasingly rare due to the dangers that exist underneath the Gulf of Minara.
Voel has been to war against Bartsama and Nova Brigodia several times in the past over territorial disputes and out of a desire for better trade agreements. Voel would like nothing more than to seize Bartsama to gain control of an oceanic port, but the danger of the Creeping Death has prevented these ambitions so far.
Endure, Ally, Grow
Founding Date
3088
Alternative Names
Kaz-Fumar
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Voelites
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
Copper
Location
Neighboring Nations
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