Tilvania
Structure
The province of Tilvania is ruled in a feudal manner, with the Hospodar at the head, with the land owning nobles of the lands paying tithe and blade to the great Hospodar. The ruling family was of the great Szilágyi noble dynasty, but in recent years a succession crisis has seen the Szilágyi family put to the sword, exiled, or imprisoned. The ruling family now is the notable Stanasila line, with the Hospodar being one Tudor Stanasila VI.
Culture
To be from Tilvania is to be accustomed to superstition, and for much of that so-called "nonsense" to be absolutely true. Draping one's home and place of business with bones and to salt the door can help keep spirits and monsters at bay, and this nature is because the land is choke full of strange beasts. While not as haunted as say the Deadlands of west Nilush, some argue it comes unnervingly close. Many folktales and fairytales warn of strange and terrible monsters that love to eat wayward children who don't listen and just traveling folk in general. With this constant worry of threats outside the town, many Tilvanians tend not to travel much, and try to stay as close to their homes as possible. However, even staying put, the monsters sometime still come for the poor folk. While this would be hell for others (and it still is for the Tilvanians) the shocking ferocity of the Tilvanian people is something to behold. Even vampires that are thousands of years old are wise not to underestimate a mob of peasants armed with torch, fork, and prayer.
The Tilvani are also a people of Tradition. While they still don't believe in the flame, they have begrudgingly accepted having the cross painted onto the crest of the kingdom as a concession. Let it be known there are still grumblings about this to this day. The Tilvani see tradition as a means of survival, and some scholars have theorized that they may have picked this up from the dwarves who lived in the mountains right next to the early Tilvani tribes. Many families have their own customs and traditions themselves, which can be a source of some conflict with neighbors. However, the Tilvanians are also some of the most intelligent in Ustaria, with some of the most learned scholars and big thinkers inventing and expanding the mortal understanding of life and the heavens. It is from Tilvania that the first proof of realms beyond our own were found, and a Tilvani mage was one of the first to create the plane travel spell. Because of this, Tilvania has one of the largest magical academies in Ustaria, rivaled only in size by Lunerra in south Nilush.
There is a romanticism for the conquering hero of Baba Stocia, and it has echoed through history. So much so that many a young Tilvani dream of being a powerful and fearless warlord. Many with the means travel out into the world in search of lands to conquer and adventures to be had. This has led to many traveling to the rumored "Frontier Princes" in search of starting their own nation. Many die in this endeavour, most before they can even leave Tilvania, but the ones that do are some of the most accomplished adventurers and warlords the world has ever seen.
History
Tilvania, the land of strange spirits, hearty songs, and strange beasts. It is said that the Tilvanian people are a grim and superstitious people, but one wouldn't entirely blame them given their history. This is also mostly a stereotype based on all the strange creatures that inhabit the land, for the Tilvani are a fierce and proud people indeed. It is said the first tribes to inhabit the land split off from the early neunin tribes during the great move from the Ruins of Ishtar to the wider land of Nilush. None but the Ustarians know why exactly the early Tilvanians, or why any of the early Ustarian peoples as well, decided to journey through a hazardous mountain range, but it paid off in finding a fertile land with great rivers. It is said that when the early Tilvani arrived, a great eclipse happened, and was seen as Veran and Nedda coming together to welcome the Tilvani to this land, thus they settled the land amongst the shadows of great mountains.
It is said that in the early days the land was prosperous and bright, but that soon after strange and terrible things began to occur. The people lived in fear as the Babau stalked and preyed on the young children to eat, the Căpcăun ate whoever came in their way, and worst of all was the strange creature known as the Nosferti. The Nosferti was a strange dragon like creature that resembled a bat like hybrid of their draconis species, and it prayed on the villages constantly. It would steal gold and fair maidens to keep in a great stone tower atop a mountain. It is said a great and terrible hag fell in love with the dragon, and wanted to take over the body of a fair maiden so that their cursed coupling could birth horrors unimaginable into the world. However, it is said a powerful warlord by the name of Baba Stoica came from the deep forests and mountains wearing the fur of a lycanthrope and a mustache cared by dwarven monks to battle the Nosferti. It is said their battle was like a dance of death and carnage, but eventually he would slay the beast, running a spear through the heart and mounting its head atop a pike. However, before he could slay the hag it is said the hag partially succeeded and monsters flooded from her womb and scattered across the wind right before Baba Stoica's sword cleft her head from her shoulders. These monsters, the children of hag and Nosferti, became known as Nosferatu, the vampire.
Baba Stoica is said to have then had the construction of a grand city begin close to where he took the head of the great Nosferti, and that around this time was when the dreaded hell portal formed and demons poured forth into Ustaria. However, with the amazing cunning and strategic mind of Baba Stoica, the lands of Tilvania would survive, bloodied but unbroken. However, he would sadly give his life defending the land of Ustaria in the final battle to close the tear, and after the empire united, a week of mourning was held in Tilvania for their brave warlord that had fallen for his people. Seeing that Baba Stocia was blessed by Serendur, many of his faithful flocked to Tilvania and thus Tilvania swore to honor the gift he gave them by avenging Baba Stocia and finding the sundered pieces of Serendur, and joined the Winter Court.
Thus, the land exists to this day, a foggy, shadowed land, but with a people that shine brightly admist the darkness. The people hold to their beliefs of old with an iron grip, and have thus far resisted the schemes and machinations of the Church of the Flame. The Church largely dislikes the lands of Tilvania, for it would be a nightmare to ever get rid of the superstition of the land. For in Tilvania, the Tilvani have lived for thousands of years perfectly fine, and they are content to see it kept that way on their own.
Foreign Relations
"Fog drenched paupers and peasents the lot of them. Why they still deny the bright light of the flame in favvor of their blood covered deer bones and whatever shit they worship is byeond a proud son of Bolsilva such as myself" - Nikodem Dusza, Winged Lancer of Bolsilva
"I'd love to move there, with a bright lantern of course. Place is so choke full of biters and vamps that im surprised anyone there is still mortal. No wonder the church hates em. Other than that though, lovely place I tells ya!" - Viktor Mladenov Antonov, Raskovin Merchant
"They hate the people in whatever town next over with a zeal that puts Carthlanders to shame" - Riley Parker, Ashenfeld Mercenary
The people of Tilvania are superstitious but proud, something that does not earn them many favors with some neighbors. However the land is said to be popular with druids and magic users for the strange occult energies that pollute the land, and this has led to the nation being sometimes known as the land of witches and warlocks. This also isn't helped by the fact that Tilvania has a massive magical academy for training wizards and such. Aside from this, the land can be seen as a place to lay low, if you can survive the monsters that stalk and prance the woods. This is mainly because though the TIlvani can be apprehensive at first, they truly are a calm and sensible people at the end of the day. It is said if you put 3 Tilvani in a room, you will have 12 opinions.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Demonym
Tilvanian, Tilvani
Parent Organization
Location
