The Barony of Vazia
The broken lands of Vazia, was once a vast kingdom rich in both wealth and land, but since the falling of the stars and the disaster that now forms The Dying Lands it has since fallen into a land of impoverished nobles, beleaguered mercenaries, and downtrodden small-folk. With fractured kingdoms making up the land, little more than city-states with a few outlying hamlets; these kingdoms or fiefs as they are known all pay homage to the lands baron, a callous leader whose soldiers patrol the land with ruthless efficiency.
History
Vazia began as a small realm, at first merely a town within the midlands of Hekuda, it swiftly grew in size when the Laruhskan Mountains began flowing with precious metals and gemstones, and relics of the Primogenitors were found within the ruins uncovered from these mines; turning what was simply a kingdom like any other into a grand empire that spanned most of the Midlands. Through these artifacts, the Empire of Vazia grew into a formidable military force that struck fear in its neighbors, foe and friend alike. With many campaigns throughout the ages, Vazia conquered and swept through the Midlands like a sea of steel, its strength often resulting in the nearby states to simply surrender peacefully due to the reputation of the land, joining within the empire until it encompassed all of the midlands and even some of the barbaric north and wild reaches of the south and west. For generations the empire flourished, controlling most of Hekuda with an iron grasp, but this would not last. In their complacency, and greed, one of their territories began to harbor resentment, and seize what moment they had to rebel, and after years of war, the empire fractured, thus birthing the Republic of Alentus, and the lesser realms of that now hold strong today. For a time, wars were raged between Vazia and its neighbors, but neither side could gain ground, and with the fear of Vazia's strength broken, the nearby provinces of Arlogas and Erazor no longer bowed to its might, splintering from the empire. Worse yet was the loss of the northern province of Rhella, when they rebelled against the empire, thus beginning the Era of Blood and Tears, a time when the Empire continued to fracture with rebellion after rebellion, ending in the final battle where the last known emperor of True Vazia was slain in battle by the emirate of the western provinces, fracturing Vazia into three empires, that of Rhella, Vazia, and lastly, with their victory this third faction proclaimed themselves the Emirate of Western Vazia, and their new empire as Tazanti, after their capitol of Tazantium. After years and years of war, the death of the emperor ended the control that Vazia held over Hekuda's midlands, now little more than a bloodied realm broken by the many wars that waged throughout. Though vengeance would soon fill Vazia with renewed strength, as a celestial event of falling stars known within the kingdom as the Wrath of Dahak crashed down upon the entirety of Tazanti, destroying it, and some of the nearby holds as well. Though this destruction was held back somehow, by a barrier of radiant light that protected the rest of the planet from destruction. Soon after the destruction of Tazanti, the barrier was lifted, and from this wasteland monstrous creatures began to flow from a mountain crater at its heart, spilling out and killing indiscriminately. These beasts spread all throughout the continent causing terror and spurring on a whole new wave of adventurer's to take up the mantle of protectors. This event barely touched Vazia, the monstrous beasts attacked the land of course, but were beaten back by the Iron Legion, and the ruined land of Tazanti was proclaimed as The Dying Lands, and held as forbidden ground on pain of death, or worse. Though with their victory over these monsters, this spurred within the last remaining heir of old Vazia a righteous zeal and thoughts of reclaiming what was lost, his forces marshaling, seizing control of the splintered city-states that now make up the last remaining vestige of Vazia.Geography
Vazia is a land torn and broken from countless wars, splintered into a small set of fiefdoms. Although the lands are fertile, much of the territory is seen as cursed due to the countless fields of dead soldiers who fought in wars past. The territory itself is made up of rolling hills, open plains, snaking rivers, warm grasslands, deep forests, and mighty mountains, with the heart of the empire being dominated by the Laruhskan Mountain range. At its western border lies The Dying Lands a realm of ash, dying forests, swamps, and death. Forbidden to any who call Vazia home. The natural resources of Vazia include deposits of gold and silver, as well as rare deposits of adamantium within the lonely mountain of Targhaz. Additionally, precious gems as well as the highly sought after diamond can be found within the mines of Vazia. Beyond the mining network, the land itself is full of wildlife, scavenging beasts and monsters mostly, but this has not stopped the hunter's trade from flourishing with the people's diet consisting mostly of the meat hunted, as the land itself is thought to be cursed.Government
Vazia is ruled by a baron, a hereditary title. The current Baron, Eleasar Thorne, the last known descendant of the old Vazian empire has no heirs, nor wives, although it is said he is looking for one to wed. Vazia itself is home to a noble class, born from the wars of ages past and gifted their lands and title by their new liege lord. While the government is overtly run by the Baron and his men, the governing of the villages and lands themselves have for the most part been left to the towns Reiks--or mayors--whom have been personally entrusted the task by the Baron. Vazia itself was once a free and open land, but since the Wrath of Dahak, it has grown further segregated, many of the bestial races are viewed as lesser beings by the government, and women are inherently disallowed from positions of leadership, with the noble families trading them in the courtly games of nobility. This has not stopped many of the outskirts from disregarding this rule, but even they hold true to this law when The Baron visits.Structure
Royalty
Vazia's royal class is comprised of one dynastic house which trace its lineage back to the last known emperor of Old Vazia, with the ruler of Vazia holding the title of Baron. Its members hold titles such as King, Lord, Count, Earl, and Reik.Ranks and Privileges
The noble titles conferred upon Vazian citizenry maintain a specific function within the governance of the state. While the meanings and grandeur of these titles may change over generations, the current government recognizes the following noble titles in hierarchy from greatest to least.- King: A member of the baron's personal retinue, and ruler of a fiefdom within the province. This title is limited to the four kingdoms of the realm; Azeron, Jacerys, Kiveora, and Velthas.
- Lord: vassal of a Fief within the barony. A fief may consist of a sizable portion of land with numerous villages, or a large city. This title may instead be given as a commanding position with the government, such as Lord of Arcanum, or Lord of Whispers.
- Count: Oversees a portion of a fief, known as a county, typically a couple of small villages and their connecting roads.
- Earl: A ruler of a specific land. Earls often report to counts, though occasionally they report to their liege lord or even a king or The Baron.
- Reik: Typically serves as mayor and justice for a community, such as a village or a neighborhood within a larger city. This position is chosen personally by The Baron, to oversee his realms as a representative of his will. Reik's usually report to Earls.
Religion
The Barony of Vazia as a whole is not particularly religious, having lived under the heel of The Baron for their lifetime they have learned to follow the path set before them. The capitol of the realm, Helmfirth is said to house a grand temple of flame, known as The Iron Citadel, this temple is dedicated to the god of war, Gorum, the nation's patron deity. While not an official religion within the country, Calistria and Norgorber are both well known throughout the barony, equally favored by the loyal populace of Vazia. Lastly, the deities Cayden Cailean and Milani are well respected by the downtrodden and adventurous sort, although the worship of Milani is outlawed within the barony, and harshly punished, this has not stopped the spark of hope from living within her faithful.
While these deities are the most prominent within the barony, several other deities are recognized to have cult presences within the nation, they are as follows: Dahak, the false wyrm and bringer of wrath is known to have several cult followings within the hidden circles of the barony due to the belief that he caused the destruction of the nations enemy, the Tazanti. General Susumu and Shizuru are both worshiped within the land as warriors gods from the western edges of the barony when it was once an empire, although their worship is for different reasons. The worship of Shizuru is often hidden, due to her nature, and the distaste the nobility have for her.
From the ashes our fire rages on!
Founding Date
2,402 A.D
Type
Geopolitical, Barony
Capital
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Vazian
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
The Barony of Vazia use an array of coins, all minted with the face of the baron. Most are made from silver, with additions of gold, depending on the value of that coin. The lands use the Semmis (cp), the Follis (sp), the Aurus (gp), and the Denari (pp).
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