Vaellenia

Vaellenia
Autonomous Region of Midrasia
Flag
Country	Midrasia
Capital	Berghelling
Government
• First Minister	Karine Passereau (AP)
Area
• Total	96,240.83 km2 (37,158.79 sq mi)
Population
• Total	14,874,082
• Density	154.55/km2 (400.3/sq mi)
Demonym	Vaellenian
Time zone	GMT
Nominal GDP	$741.8 billion
GDP per capita	$49,874.83

Vaellenia, sometimes referred to as Alpiens, is an autonomous region in western Midrasia. The region is bordered by the Midrasian regions of Padania, Piemonte, and Rhone. Vaellenia also shares its borders with Ardaima, the Arzvan Republic, Cuirpthe, and tir Lhaeraidd. The region comprises 96,240.83 square kilometres (37,158.79 sq mi) making it the largest region in the country in terms of area. Vaellenia is also the largest region in mainland Midrasia in terms of population at 14,874,082. Originally Vaellenia comprised two regions within Midrasia, that of Vaellenia and Hivoir. However, upon the creation of the Vaellenian autonomous administration in 1985 the two regions were merged. The region's capital is located in the city of Berghelling, the largest in Vaellenia, which also plays host to the region's devolved parliament.

Vaellenia originally played host to a number of Thiaric tribes before its conquest by the Alydian kingdoms during the Western Crusades. Following this, the territory became part of the Grand Duchy of Alpiens, a crusader kingdom created to defend Alydianism's western frontier and proselytize the local population. Over time however, Alpiens became increasingly dependant on the newly formed Midrasian kingdom, ultimately entering a personal union when the Duke of Alpiens acceded to the throne of Midrasia as Louis VI. With the overthrow of the Midrasian monarchy in 1624 Vaellenia became a significant royalist stronghold, though proved unable to resist the Republican forces, ultimately being incorporated into the newly proclaimed Midrasian Republic. Over time the region saw an increasing influx of Midrasian settlers, significantly altering the cultural outlook of Vaellenia. Despite attempts at resistance, notably during the Vaellenian Rising, the region remained firmly under Midrasian control. During the industrial revolution, Vaellenia underwent considerable economic development, transforming the region into an industrial powerhouse with key industries in ironworking and textiles. Nevertheless, the region underwent significant economic decline during the 1970s and 80s due to de-industrialisation. Though Vaellenia has endured considerable political strife during the twentieth century, the creation of the autonomous administration in 1985 has alleviated many of these issues. Today Vaellenia remains a key player in Midrasia, boasting a significant technology, manufacturing and agricultural sector.

Much of the region is mountainous due to its location near the Vaellenian mountains from which the region takes its name. The highest point in Midrasia, Mount Elydia at 4,524.65 metres is located within the region. Most settlements within Vaellenia are situated along the two most prominent rivers in the region: the Candare and Rhonde. Vaellenia is home to the largest number of lakes and national parks of any region in Midrasia, making it a considerably popular tourist destination.

Vaellenia exhibits considerable cultural distinctions from the rest of Midrasia, holding much in common with its Thiaric neighbours of Cuirpthe and tir Lhaeraidd. Vaellenian is an officially recognised language within the region and continues to hold significant influence within Vaellenia's more rural regions. However, despite this Thiaric influence, Midrasian culture has gradually gained prominence in the centuries since the territory's incorporation into Midrasia proper.

Culture

Clans

Eighteenth century romantic depiction of Vaellenian clansmen

Main Article: Vaellenian clan

The ancient clan system of Vaellenia has long been associated with Vaellenian romanticism, with clansmen viewed as the pinnacle of Vaellenia's aristocracy and warrior culture along with their rural way of life. Nevertheless, most popular depictions of the clan system are inaccurate, built on misunderstandings and Midrasian interpretations of traditional Vaellenian culture. Despite this, the Vaellenian clan system does have its origins in the aristocratic elite of pre-Alydian Vaellenia. The land of Vaellenia was divided into various bros each of which was ruled by a clan. Upon the Alydian conquest, however many of these clans were displaced, though several were allowed to retain their lands in return for pledges of allegiance and authority over maintaining the Duchy's law and order. Over time as Alpiens underwent civil war and Republican invasion the number of clans which held land in the region continued to fall. By 1807 it is estimated that only 17 clans continued to hold land in Vaellenia though many held little more than several acres.

Despite this, as the industrial revolution hit Vaellenia, several of the larger remaining clans were able to pool their resources to invest in mechanisation and industry. Owing to their high social status among much of the native population many of these families were able to build considerably profitable businesses, particularly in the textiles, mining, and metalworking industries. The newfound wealth of these clans propelled them to positions of political prominence within Midrasia, becoming some of the largest industrialists in the country. The most important of these industrial clans or Strollad Armerzhel were the Heussaff, Kerleau, and Ropars clans, known as the 'big three'.

National parks

Loc'h Moigne national park in northern Vaellenia

Vaellenia has the largest number of national parks of any region of Midrasia at 32. These parks are primarily made up of lakes, forests and mountain trails. All national parks are maintained by the Vaellenian National Parks Trust which is administered by the region's devolved government. Many of these parks also contain considerable indigenous wildlife such as the alpine ibex, brown bear, and grey wolf. Access to sites with significant wildlife is restricted and heavily monitored by park rangers. The existence of these national parks makes Vaellenia a considerable tourist hub, attracting numerous domestic tourists each year but also a not insignificant numerous foreign tourists, particularly from neighbouring Asuran nations such as Ardaima and Cuirpthe.

Architecture

Old market district, Baraersva in Berghelling

Architecture in Vaellenia is somewhat different from the rest of metropolitan Midrasia, particularly in regards to historical buildings within the region. Owing to the region's location in western Midrasia, Vaellenia remained generally untouched by major conflicts within the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, allowing it to retain many of its medieval structures. Though baroque buildings continue to be prominent within major cities such as Berghelling and Rondouh, gothic and romanesque buildings are far more prevalent in Vaellenia than the rest of the country. Notable medieval buildings in Vaellenia include the Church of Saint Para, Savoyard Castle, as well as many of the structures in the Baraersva district of Berghelling.

Berghelling as one of Midrasia's major cities also has a considerable amount of modern architecture, owing to its status as a key financial hub. Much of this architecture is located within the city's business and commercial districts and usually take the form of glass and steel skyscrapers and office blocks. A considerable skyscraper boom took hold within the city took place during the city's economic rise of the late 1990s, ensuring that the city plays host to one of Midrasia's tallest skylines.

Sport

Berghelling derby in 2016

Vaellenia has a considerably rich sporting tradition dating back centuries. Owing to the region's cultural connections Vaellenia is a regular participant at the Cluichí Gaelacha, or Thiaric Games in tir Lhaeraidd. Furthermore, traditional Thiaric sports such as Thiaric football, handball and hurling maintain a significant presence throughout the region. Vaellenia is also renowned internationally in the boxing scene, producing some of the best boxers in international sport. Most notably, Vaellenian Devan Jarry was two-times world heavyweight boxing champion between 1982-1984 and 1986-1989. Additionally, the region is a prominent region for rugby much more so than the rest of Midrasia. Berghelling Wolves Rugby Club has long been a dominant force in Midrasian rugby having won more league titles than any other team in the country. However, association football is by far the most popular sport in Vaellenia, as is the case with the rest of Midrasia. The two most notable football teams from Vaellenia are FC Hellingbourg and Vaelleniana KF, both of which are based in the regional capital of Berghelling. Both teams have a bitter rivalry known as the Berghelling derby owing to the proximity of both teams along with cultural distinctions between each fan base. Whilst fans of Vaelleniana are mostly drawn from the region's native Thiaric descended population, fans of Hellingbourg have traditionally been drawn from the descendants of Midrasian settlers which came to the region from the fifteenth century onwards.

Cuisine

Traditional family bakery in Berghelling

Vaellenian cuisine is comparable to that of northern Midrasia, emphasising soups, pork, beef, and lamb. The region is also renowned for its bakery culture, particularly within the city of Berghelling. Since the fourteenth century, bakers from across Asura would travel to the city to pursue culinary educations in one of its many Pâtisseries. Pastries such as crepes and bagels originate from the region, though Berghelling is also notable for its production of Cuirpthean pastries such as waffles. Historically, Berghelling has also been notable for its chocolate industry, with the Midrasian chocolate giant Tilly opening its first factory in the city in 1862.

Vaellenia is also known as a beer or cider drinking region in contrast with the rest of Midrasia's preference for wine. Beer gardens and festivals dedicated to beer drinking are common throughout the region. The production of beer is also a key industry in Vaellenia, having its origins in the beer purity law of 1457, known as the Urzh glanded. The law was introduced owing to the Duke of Alpiens' patronage of brewing and was instituted to provide a standard for production, limiting beer ingredients to only water, barley, and hops.

Festivals

Sky lantern festival near Lignol in 2014

Vaellenia is notable for its many festivals throughout the year, many of which are unique to the region. The most important festival in Vaellenia is the Sky lantern or Yule festival which takes place each year during the winter solstice. Each year thousands of lanterns are released near the Vaellenian foothills, with a world record of nine million being set off in 2007. Nevertheless, the event has come under considerable scrutiny in recent years owing to safety concerns and the amount of debris left behind by lanterns. Sky lantern events are now heavily restricted by local authorities, limiting the number of participants and location of such events. There have been a considerable number of arrests and fines in recent years for illegal sky lantern events which have taken place without the authorisation of local authorities.

The city of Berghelling is also well known for its observance of the festivals of Arator and Horus, during which the city plays host to festive markets and restaurants. Beer and yule pudding, or yule log are traditionally served in Vaellenia throughout the festivities. The city also displays a particularly impressive light display each winter in celebration of both Yule and Allumage.

Folklore

The heavy mists and fog of Vaellenia have long been the subject of superstition

Due to its cultural differences with the rest of Midrasia Vaellenia has long held considerably attractive or mystical folklore. The traditions held by much of the region's rural population, especially those of the Derwyedd faith, have given the impression to outsiders that it is a backward region of spirituality and mysticism. Such stories have led Vaellenia to regularly become the backdrop of folktales containing mythical creatures such as elves or vampires. However, though strong traditions are maintained among Vaellenia's rural population the region remains just as advanced and developed as the rest of the country.

Much of Vaellenia's folklore is descended from the traditions and beliefs of the Derwyedd population before the areas's conquest by the Alydian kingdoms. One particularly prominent myth is that of the valley's mists and fog which are believed to be made up of the ghosts of those who passed living unfulfilled lives. It was believed that nobody who passes through the mist will ever make it out, a tactic which was used to the advantage of the Alydian kingdoms during their invasions of the thirteenth century. It is also believed that various spirits inhabit the forests of the region, protecting them from outsiders whilst ensuring that all wildlife flourishes within. These notions of forest spirits have made a significant re-emergence in recent years in protests against deforestation. Myths surrounding the valleys of Vaellenia have been mobilised in opposition to the logging industry. The usage of such myths has led to considerable success for protestors with the regional government introducing new regulations on the industry whilst also designating more forest sites as national parkland.