The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Nations

"Ignorance is the first step on the road to wisdom."
- Vaullian Proverb.

Description

Vaul is the homeland of the vaullians. It is a peaceful land of pacifists and scholars, wide river valleys, rice fields, grand stone temples and gentle music. Here the vaullians celebrate their festivals, catalog books in their great libraries and discuss philosophy, magic and other great issues of the day.

Geography

Vaul is a great valley based around the long, winding Windward Bay. Grassy flatlands flank the bay and are, in turn, ringed by foothills and mountains. Windmills by the hundred dot the grassy broadlands along the banks of the Windward Bay. Broad river valleys and sweeping rice fields dominate the north. The south stretches of land are dominated by the Mael Ix Drablin in the west and the great Elarum Woods in the east.

Notable Fauna and Flora

As with much of eastern Aggradar, rice is a common food and an important crop. The vaullians eat rice in great quantities as the basis of every meal. Venison, mutton, beef and other meat products are much more rare here than in other nations as most vaullians are vegetarians and will not consume any food which has come, directly or indirectly, from an animal. Those vaullians that do consume meat tend to stick with fish and shellfish.

History

The vaullians have had an unremarkable history. This large river valley is somewhat isolated by high mountains encircling the bay. This has allowed the vaullians to develop both biologically and culturally with little outside influence.

Government

Vaul is ruled by a central council known as the Cabinet of Ministers. It consists of thirteen very old vaullians, thought by most to be the thirteen wisest vaullians in the land. These council members are elected to their positions by popular vote and serve for life (or until such time as they choose to retire). These thirteen vaullians have all distinguished themselves through public service, rank, honor, oration, charity and other accomplishments. After a life time of achievement and wisdom, they are invited to join the Cabinet. Any potential new member is voted on by the existing council, and all vaullian citizens.

Cabinet of Ministers

Legal System

Vaul is a remarkably peaceful land. Every city and town has at least one court and magistrate (Vaulstav has several). Magistrates use telepathic powers and magic to assist them in determining guilt or innocence. Magistrates also oversee public projects, settle disputes and collect taxes.

Military

Vaul has no national army and rarely has needed one. Its peaceful history has only been marred by full scale war a handful of times. Usually, this is against humanoid tribes that have gathered under an unusually powerful leader. Such wars are usually short lived.

During times of peace, every city and town has a small, but capable city guard that patrols the streets and provide a comforting presence to the citizens. Provincial militias patrol the countryside between towns and villages. Such guards and militia wear leather armor and carry passive weapons, blunt ended oaken staves, rope nets for apprehending criminals and the like.

In times of war, Vaullian soldiers wear very heavy, ornate metal armor and wield ornate traditional swords. These massive curved blades are covered in runes of vaullian magical power. Most vaullian soldiers are male. They are not fast, but they have a great constitution. Vaullians also combine magic and telepathic powers into their fighting style. Because of this, they are able to foresee their opponents actions. This makes them much more formidable on the battle field than most would expect.

Vaullian military ships are massive, broad bellied vessels with three masts. They are remarkably fast and sturdy enough to withstand battering rams and sea storms. The vaullian navy currently has 182 of these vessels. The vaullian navy sees action year round as it must deal with storms, floundering vaullian fishing vessels, piracy on the high seas and the occasional naval assault from distant Sybrenar.

Economy

Vaul has a strong economy based on centuries old craftsmanship. Not every vaullian can be a master of philosophy or literature. Those vaullians who choose other paths often pursue excellence in arts and crafts. Vaullian craftsmen are known for quality, intricate detail and artistic beauty. Even a lower pair of boots, if crafted by a vaullian, will be of the finest leather and decorative. Vaullian craftsmen are very much concerned with tools and techniques that date back centuries. They typically work alone (with only a one or two apprentices). Although vaullian craftsmen may sometimes unite, such groups are quite small. Vaullians do not form guilds.

Culture

The most common Vaullian greeting, upon meeting or parting,  is "Peace and Wisdom". Vaul has several schools and academies scattered throughout the nation. Many of these specialize in particular areas. The largest and most famous are located in the capital city.

The vaullians drink a very sweet, fortified wine called doeza (DOE-za). This wine is made from the fermentation of a local fruit which grows in great abundance in Vaul. After fermentation, it is spiced and then stored in great oaken barrels where it is aged for two years. Doeza is relatively mild compared to other alcoholic drinks.

Vaullians drink a lot of tea. They have several local varieties. They also smoke various types of pipeweed in ornate wooden pipes.

Vaullians greet each other by bowing.

Vaullians indulge in many culinary delicacies and sweet desserts. Dates are a common after dinner treat as is a cup of tea or small glass of doeza. One of the favorite after dinner treats, for special occasions, is a caviar paste called masmarra which is made from the eggs of the saridian razor crab.

The pursuit of art in all its forms - sculpture, painting, music - is considered of paramount importance and almost all vaullians pursue some artistic hobbies. The most important art of all, though, is writing. The written word, whether it be poetry, prose or philosophy, is held in such high esteem as to be almost venerated.

Towns

Villages (Population less than 1,000)

Amiran, Aguilar, Adira, Asardonyth, Bernheim, Broanuwad, Cadadowarn, Chabot, Crierokith, Danalioth, Detlof, Erilauwon, Fytlan, Gwethgonnor, Heyda, Larinorr, Onidamadon, Pywan, Rhom, Sireli, Sloan, Thumar, Tasseni, Viras

This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.

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