Vornion

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Region Details
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Origins

The region of Vornion is first mentioned in the journal of Joveias (1345-1293 b.T.), the ' Joveitar '. He writes about a region south of the Eaglin River Estuary, mainly populated by fishermen. Here he accounts of his meeting a mythical creature he calls the ' Nion ', who guards the roads leading north and east from the bay as they pass by several prehistoric megalithic constructions. He is eventually granted passage into the northlands by solving a riddle. He calls the region ' Vor'Nion ', which is supposed to mean ' Home of the Nion ' in the ancient tongue. These large standing stones and alignments are still there today, adding a degree of credibility to the Joveitar, where this book is widely criticised by modern-day scholars. The existence of the Nion is supported by a variety of tales still alive in local folklore and around the spring equinox the locals celebrate ‘ Da-Mer Nion ‘, in honour of its protection of the region and its people, where the yearly ' Cherny ' -rite is performed.

Description

The region, designated a ‘County’ at the founding of the Cagilan Empire saw its designation changed into a 'Barony' in 7 A.T. due to the Islandwide R.R.A. (Region Rationalisation Act). This R.R.A. was soon abolished by the Realm Council and the old system re-implemented. It borders the Eaglin River and its estuary as well as Trassing in the north and sharing its border with Esgalons and the Carelian region of Oyonnaire in the east. Its west-coast faces the Cagilan Sea and reaches as far south as the inland point of Oyonnaire Bay.

A rural region, mainly consisting of fields and small groves of trees, predominantly oak. Only the river estuary has sand-beaches, the ocean shore ranges from pebble and rock-beaches to cliffs no higher than 100 feet. As a coastal region and with dominant winds blowing from the sea, Vornion has almost 170 days of rain in a year and is frequently affected by severe storms in the fall and winter. The locals divide the year in the ' storm half ' and the ' fair half '.

There are five settlements, of which Vornion is the largest. It harbours just over half of the region's populace, and is dominated by Vornion Castle, built between 450 and 360 b.T. at only hundred yards from the rocky beach. Its keep tower is designed to withstand any siege and to provide an excellent view over the Cagilan Sea, as an early warning against an invading fleet. Along the rocky coasts there are two other settlements, mainly populated by fishermen. In the central settlement there is also a distillery. The rich waters of the Cagilan sea provide a steady source of food to the locals. The north-west of Vornion, roughly situated along the banks of the Eaglin River is the County's main grain- and cattle producing region, from the estuary's fertile valley grounds in the south to the clay soil around the border of Trassing.

Characteristics

Of the many notable things about Vornion, the megalithic constructions have raised many questions. There are three larger sites, while single standing stones can be found around the whole region. The alignment in the bend of Vor'Nion Bay consists of 42 standing stones in rows of 4, ranging between 5 and 11 feet high and are all orientated towards east by north-east. There is reason to believe however, the sites must have been much larger originally and that many of the stones have been re-used in more recent times for house-building. Recent study has shown all the stones found in Vornion came from a quarry in Oyonnaire, approximately 160 miles to the south-east. There is still an unfinished megalith in this quarry. How and why these stones, weighing several tons, were brought to Vornion is still a question that riddles scholars from the whole world.

The region is known for its many recipes for fish, as the Cagilan sea is particularly rich in salmon, that swims up the Eaglin River in spring to procreate. In one of the coastal villages there is a distillery producing the ' Laphiragh ' whisky, usually matured 10 years, but is also known to be bottled at 15 and even 25 years and has a good reputation among whisky lovers everywhere. There are also 30 and 40 year-varieties rumoured to be around, these casks are property of the Baron. Poor in large stretches of woodland, not much game is found in Vornion, the occasional hare not considered.

Horses are important in our society and a man is not considered a man untill he owns a horse and has completed the Cherny- rite, a long and arduous test of horse-riding mastery. Vornionan folk react reserved to foreigners although peaceful traders are usually welcomed. We dislike centralised ruling and are very proud of our heritage, therefore we are not known to be the most loyal servants of the Empire, even though many of our young men serve in its Army's Cavalry. Our people arent very friendly at first, we take our time to make friends, but when we do it is for life.

Cullen, Count of Vornion, 6 a.T.

First edit made on 10/08 of 7 a.T. : Additions: 'Region designation changed into 'Barony' through R.R.A.' Changes: Signature from Cullen, Count of Vornion, into Cullen, Baron of Vornion.

Second edit made on 10/27 of 7 a.T. : Addition: 'This R.R.A. was soon abolished by the Realm Council and the old system re-implemented.' Changes: Signature from Cullen, Baron of Vornion, into Cullen, Count of Vornion.