Ivial
Ivial is a region of southeast Arad, and the home of the Viali people. The region was originally sparsely inhabited by various nomadic groups of Fasa and occasional small settlements of Nuum who opted not to live in the desert cities to the northwest. One day, immigrants calling themselves the Viali arrived by sea on the southeastern shores, fleeing the oppression they suffered in Constantia. The immigrants were largely welcomed by the locals, with the Fasa in particular helping the Viali establish themselves in their new home and the two peoples having maintained mostly favorable relations ever since. Unfortunately, not all were happy to see these new arrivals affecting native customs and culture, eventually culminating in Rhun's rebellion and subsequent exile to what is now called Tol Rhun.
The region encompasses several climates and biomes, but mostly consists of temperate forest and grasslands, and a number of prominent mountain ranges. The areas along the borders of Nuum (to the north) and Khaldea (to the northwest) are more arid.
Conflict is frequent along many of Ivial's borders: Borderlines with Nuum to the north are constantly contested by both sides, and while war with Tol Rhun to the west is forbidden by ancient treaty, independents frequently harass each other across the border as cultural prejudices and hatred on both sides have persisted since Rhun's rebellion so long ago. The borders with Khaldea to the northwest and the lands of the Fasa to the northeast are much more peaceful, thanks to strong alliances.
Territories
Ivial is currently split up into 11 major territories, most of which are split further into smaller internal territories.
Luccere (King's Lands) - Being the King's Lands, Luccere is, as tradition dictates, primarily ruled over by the Prince as a test of his worthiness of inheriting the throne. Viali culture is at its finest in Luccere, the countryside dotted with expansive estates, temples, and monasteries, while the population centers host universities, libraries, music halls, opera houses, restaurants, and so on. The capital of Ivial, Sbarco, is within this territory, on the southeast coast where immigrants from the Constantia first landed.
Mondevinno (Duchy) - The bread-basket of Ivial, Mondevinno provides excellent produce and livestock to the rest of the Kingdom, and is famous across the known world for its vineyards and wineries.
Boschverddi (Duchy) - Much of Boschverddi is covered in lush green woodland and is considered one of the most beautiful territories in Ivial, though rumors state that there are dangers in the deeper forests. The Duke takes special care to ensure the forests are properly managed so that the thriving lumber trade won't destroy the landscape, employing many Fasa advisors and druids to this purpose.
Raffaella (Duchy) - Perhaps best known as the territory containing the region where Rhun lived and began his rebellious movement against the Viali government, Raffaella is home to various historical sites that played a major role during the brief civil war. Some such sites remain heavily nether-corrupted and are held under heavy guard and security. Its people are typically regarded as more grim and wary than your average Viali.
Alessia (Duchy) - A coastal territory in northeast Ivial, Alessia is one of the finer and wealthier places to live outside Luccere. While there have been border disputes with the Fasa in the past, the current situation finds the Duchess and her people on good terms with their neigbors on the other side of their northern border. Still, the Fasa tend to keep a large number of armed warriors on their side of the territory's border just in case.
Catelanne (Duchy) - Making up the majority of Ivial's western border, Catelanne contains the entirety of Ivial's side of the western mountain range. With much of their prosperity due to the precious metals to be found there, Catelanne is known to be a popular place for artisans and craftsmen to prove their skill as they make luxurious goods for the nobility who are constantly competing to show off impressive finery. Being the primary borderland between Ivial and Tol Rhun, multiple watch stations and forts are maintained along the mountain range to prevent any Rhuidim from entering Ivial. Border skirmishes with the Rhuidim are rumored to be frequent, though always small-scale in an attempt to prevent the outbreak of a war.
Brughierre (Duchy) - Brughierre consists mainly of the moorlands between the higher, more mountainous terrain and the lower coastal region to the east. While considered a relatively unpleasant place to live, it is nonetheless held in moderate esteem by the rest of Ivial, though in recent years its respectability has declined as the numerous lords squabble over territory.
Scogliere (County) - The smallest of the primary Viali territories with mild weather and scenic sea-cliffs of unsurpassed beauty, Scogliere is best known as a getaway destination for the wealthiest in all of Ivial (as well as the wealthy of other nations, provided they can afford to win temporary ownership of an estate at the periodic land auctions).
Nordarida (County) - A barren territory bordering the deserts of Nuum in the extreme north of Ivial, Nordarida is often looked down on by the rest of Ivial as a dirty, violent, uncultured place led by a war-mongering Count who picks fights with his own Viali neighbors as often as he does the Nuum across the border. Nordarida and Sudarida were once a single Duchy, but when the Duke and Duchess both perished in a tragic accident, the twin sons couldn't agree on any compromises and the territory was split into two Counties.
Sudarida (County) - One of the less-desirable places to live in Ivial with much of its land consisting of arid badlands, Sudarida manages to maintain a little respectability due to their charismatic Count and his success at maintaining excellent trade relations with neighboring Khaldea. Nordarida and Sudarida were once a single Duchy, but when the Duke and Duchess both perished in a tragic accident, the twin sons couldn't agree on any compromises and the territory was split into two Counties.
Corodeangelo (County) - A small, harsh mountain territory peopled by what the majority of other Viali consider barbarians, the inhabitants of Corodeangelo are the descendants of a clan that claimed sovereignty in the early days of Ivial but were overthrown and exiled to the mountains. Answering only under duress to the King himself, Corodeangelo practically considers itself its own nation rather than a part of Ivial as a whole, and its people await the prophesied day when a great evil will besiege Ivial and they, aided by Serafina herself, will stand against the darkness and deliver the nation from destruction, and claim their rightful place as rulers once again.
