Zholia

Zholia is a region on the Eastern side of Crestfall, as well as a territory currently under the jurisdiction of the Hegian Empire. While the nation of Hegia is considered the political center of the Empire, Zholia is considered the Empire's religious center, with the Zholian capital of Luxthroni serving as the main base of operations for the Church of Solasne.

Geography and Landmarks

Zholia is primarily composed of flat, fertile land ideal for agricultural cultivation. On the northeastern side of the continent lies a dense boreal forest known as Alfhaven, one of the last refuges of the high elves which once dominated the face of the continent. In the southwest lies a small mountain range known as the Devil's Cage, once the impressive lair of the tyrannical vampire Gulthias.

Demographics and Culture

As one of the three major triumvirate nations which make up the Hegian Empire, the majority of the population of Zholia is predominantly human, specifically those of the Hegian ethnic group. Due to the vast tracts of arable land available in Zholia, many of these human communities turn to farming and agriculture as a major form of infrastructure, leading some to refer to the nation of Zholia as the "Empire's breadbasket" due to the amount of exported food the region supplies to the rest of the Empire as a whole.
Among the human population of Zholia, as well as many of the region's nonhuman residents as well, the worship of the goddess Solasne is widespread; the capital of Zholia, the elegant city of Luxthroni, serves as the formal base of operations for the Church of Solasne, and has historically been known as the seat of power for the Church's resident leader, or pontifex.
Humans are not the only residents of Zholia, of course. Far secluded from the human settlements of the Empire are the high elves of Alfhaven, descendants of the Eladrin elves which once ruled over the majority of the continent during the Pre-Vancian Era. While the high elves, much like their drow rivals, lost much of their magical knowledge in the mysterious event known as the Fade, the elves of Alfhaven are still among the most thoroughly skilled magic users in all of Crestfall, although past tragedies have significantly stunted the elves' ambitions.