Varontine (Vair-ohn-teen)

Light History

Varontine was established approximately 500 years ago. The name comes from Akkar Varontine, who was an elf that could vaguely remember the technological age before humanity went underground. Despite his elderly age, Akkar created The Promise and led the Exploration Initiative for several more years before passing away in 56'. After his death, his closest friend Alexandre Octave assumed the role as the leader of The Promise. Alexandre took the last name Varontine as he declared himself king of the city. Akkar's promise to restore the world to its former glory became his legacy. The efforts of The Promise continued long after his death, and is still around in modern day.
Varontine has since become the largest city in the known lands, with hundreds more in their population each year.

Major Factions

The Promise

• The Promise includes the armed forces and law enforcement, as well as other factions associated with safety, security, or engineering. Associated locations include the training grounds and the research center. They are typically in uniform and more present within and around the walls, with security increasing in wealthier parts of the city. The Promise is generally responsible for executing the will of Varontine Royalty.

Revivalists Research Center

• This organization deals with the finding and rebuilding of ancient technologies. They are known as Varontine's best and brightest engineers, and many from around the known lands commends their abilities. They are known for commissioning citizens and adventurers alike to go delving into ruins for old tech. They primarily deal with attempts to revive old technologies, rather than building new things. However the Revivalists do sometimes build new things on request, or if they truly believe the invention will bring them closer to the future.

The Fold

• This organization is a known group of mercenaries that can be paid to help explorers. They are often looked down on by The Promise, and encouraged to just enlist in their ranks. However members of The Fold tend to stay neutral. They will only help The Promise in explorations if they are paid.

The Vipers

• The Vipers is a local gang that has most of its primary operations outside the walls. The gang is known to be violent and to charge for protection outside of the walls. Some members of the Outer Banks entrust their safety to them and consider them essential.

Religious Influences

Church of Hope

• The Church of Hope is very influential within the walls, particularly in North and South Sodek. The Church of Hope works in conjunction with The Promise and the government. This church is part of the major social and cultural image of Varontine. Their primary goal is to give citizens hope and to maintain the cities image. The leader of the church of hope is a member of the royal court.

Church of Pleasure

• The church, called Divine Ecstasy, is one of the most influential locations in the Outer Banks. The church has a good deal of money from the winery. Sometimes the church is known for doing shady things, but it does often offer protection for those outside the walls. Existing in the church of pleasure is looked down upon, but involvement is one of the best ways to secure safety without criminal activity.

Church of The Ocean

• Varontine is attached to The Ocean, and as such Neilin's influence reaches far within the city. Those by the docks speak high praises for her, and provide offerings to her when able. There is a shrine for Neilin on Varontine's docks where anyone can provide offerings.

Church of Commerce

• Varontine is a city filled with merchants, and as such many worship the God of Commerce, Edvin. Those who worship Edvin tend to provide a small percentage of their income as an offering to him. Twice a year citizens celebrate Browsing Day, where those who observe spend a good amount of money on themselves.

Church of Family

• The Church of Family is another popular one under Varontine rule, especially after Operation Growth. The Church of Family's role is in Operation Growth is to encourage the citizens into having large families. Those who worship Mirren, the God of Family, often believe that having many children is their duty to their God and Country. 

Cult of Hysteria

• Hysteria is bound to be a fear amongst those who dwell in large cities. Cults of Hysteria tend to stick to small groups, but can grow larger depending on leadership. Hysteria worship is one that is exceedingly common, and also very difficult to prove. Cultists of Hysteria tend to use mind altering abilities to create madness.

Cult of Entropy

• Many people in Varontine fear chaos, and have decided to abide by stricter rules to prevent it. However some believe that the fear of entropy is what is truly holding everyone back. Having that fear, and subsequentially losing that fear, is a common sign that someone has become a cultist. Those who worship the Demon King of Entropy make attempts to throw the government into disarray.

Government/Nobility

Varontine runs on an elected monarchy, and it is the largest government of the known lands. Varontine allows all other royal courts to operate, but they must also follow Varontine law. All royalty in Varontine is elected and then takes on the last name. The Royal Court votes for the next ruler approximately 5 years before they are expected to take over. This time period is spent training the person for the role.
The current rulers are Maisie and Ashby Varontine, and their daughter Alliah Varontine has been declared the next ruler. Their other children are Levi, Catherine, Collin, take their former last name, Atwood.
Positions in the royal court include that of: Chief Enforcer, Court Sorcerer, Falconer, Treasurer, Chaplain, President of Agriculture, and Grand Master General.

Culture

Due to the nature of The Promise and it's original goals, Varontine remains a very diverse location. Varontine accepts all types of beings within its walls, with the exception of ifrits and Tieflings- believing that those with demonic traits will disrupt the peace. There is nothing immediately stopping either from settling outside the walls, but they may face unfair discrimination.
The inside of Varontine is a wealthy, beautiful city. They have a strong economy and the worlds best engineering classes. Varontine citizens value hard work and child rearing. Since Operation Growth, the government and church have been encouraging its citizens to get married and have more children. Even before that it was a priority in Varontine, so citizens look at childless individuals as harming the cause, especially if they aren't supporting it in other ways.
The people of Varontine often believe strongly in their governments cause, and shut down those who bring up criticisms as being regressive. They are constantly looking towards the future, ironically by looking at the past. This creates an odd paradox of being advanced and conservative at the same time.
Those in Varontine primarily celebrate the Day of Hope, a yearly celebration of feasting with friends and community that began after the city had a particularly successful year out of the underground facilities. The success had them feeling like the future was not so far away, and therefore it is celebrated as a way to remember how far we've come and how far we've yet to go. Another Varontine holiday is Browsing Day, where citizens are encouraged to go out and spend a good amount of money on themselves as a treat.

Type

Metropolis