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Copper Tales - Population Of VedianThe total population of Vedian is approx. 85000. The highest density being in Vedtallen the capital and Medwere the second largest town. Increased commerce especially through the seaports has encouraged further growth and numbers are expected to rise to over 100 thousand within the next ten years. |
The primary race of Vedian is man. Man accounts for over 70000 of Vedian
society. The second largest race is that of the Huskian a slightly
less 'accomplisehed breed of homo-sapien that many believe man is derived
from. The Huskian now reside in dwindling numbers of 7500 exclusivly
in the barren lands of the Southern borders. The third largest race
is that of the scholatic. A race to have only existed since
the dawn of the lore council, it is effectivly made up of men. The
council decided the need to distance themselves from the common man was
neccassary. The scholatic are those born into the Universitys of Vedian,
while a scholatic can be banished from lore he can never be banished from
his birthright. The scholatic number around 4000.
The balance of Vedian society is made up of a few of the fair folk believed
to have derived from the forests of malevolence when the trees still lived.
The Kindred a race of Dragons dwelling in the mountains since before
the dawn of man. Finally gnomes make up a small proportion, residing
in only one area within the north duchy, they are adept in tinkering and
pottering with metals and ore and oft are called on to serve the magicians
work.
There is harmony between most races with the exception of the natural distrust between the common man and the scholatics. The Huskians in present times keep themselves seperate but are not outwardly objectionable to other races. The fair and friendly to all that bear them no ill and the gnomes are uninterested by society at large. The problems between Vedian society occurs less in race and more in geography. It would be far less likely to see Huskian war with Man than it would Coralis war with Pluris.
If there is something scholatics despise more than archeologists, then it
is surley magicians. That then may be part of the reason they dwell
in few numbers. Magic is not a philosophy or a science but a mystery
that can not be explained and is impossible to theorise on because it offers
nothing tangible. Its baffling nature has left it far down the pecking
order in Vedian culture. Few who attempt the trade are successful
and those that are often lapse into old age before they can be useful to
society.
Many believe it is fundementally luck that derives whether one will be fit
to wear the robes of the magician and fulfill its possibility. Only
a dozen mages survive today and train new recruits at the Tower of
Ethindral. Many common men come in the search of a better life
(those taken into the life are housed fed and trained for life at the expense
of the brotherhood) but few fulfill the requirements. No test of mettle
or brain teasing questions are there, magic they say is born in or left it.
There is no grey area. Either you see it or you do not. All
that is needed are those that can show you the way to reach it. The
other reason for a dwindling brotherhoood, is that wizards can bear no children
by their lore.
While many 'spells' can be learned and brought forth it is the discovery of ancient incantations from the older days which hold the greatest power. Although it is said that kind of magic has a life of its own and can be very dangerous to its user. The Lore Council has decreed that magic is outlawed outside of the walls of the Tower. They do not wish these petty ramblings of old men to infect the balance of society, it is said. It should also be noted that magic outdates philosophy in the texts and this may be of some discomfort to the scholatic's that rule.
Vedian commoners are well bred into the understanding of their relationship to the scholatic. They do not see them as dictator or ruler simply those that ensure order in the land. It would not occur to most men to rebel against the way things are. Most live in fair surroundings and many remember stories of the warring years when many died at each others hands. They also are wary of the nobles greed for land and power and rely on the Lore Council to ensure balance until the rightful King may come again. The people though, do wish for a King, a representative that unites Vedian. They see the Council as a necessity to maintain balance but do not entirely feel comfortable in their care.
Distance is counted in leagues.
Time is measured in light and dark. Dawn, Sunset, Near dark, After
Dark, Full Moon, Daybreak are examples.
Common man is reffered to by first name only. Those referring to two names
are viewed as above their station.
Nobles by the title Prominence.
Scholatics by their full lore title on greeting and leaving.
Vedian Society respects animals as food and workers.
Woman are not free to work in society, those that do are looked ill
upon.
Children are expected to work from an early age and upon a fathers death
quickly superceed them into labour.
A great irony of such a lore inspired culture is that Vedians are superstitious
by nature. The forest of malevolence is testimount to that fact.
Curs and blaggards (thievery, looters) are seen as fair proffessions by the
Council providing it is kept in balance.
Murder is not encouraged but tolerated providing it does not tip into anarchy.
If a book can define a people, then Mautha's text defines Vedians. Mautha' wrote of a great invasion force that crossed the seas from the unchartered land, great beasts larger than the tallest man arriving on huge ships and sweepng aside the defences of Vedian. Whether this be a fact or not the Vedian's believe in it without question. An invasion force did many hundreds of moons ago cross the seas and was repelled. To ensure that if ever they returned Vedian would be prepared a Military Alliance of the Duchies was made. A great army it was united under one banner and epitomised by its fiercest unit the Sabre Regiment. Yet as with all great dreams, greed and power broke this one, the nobles warred for control of the army and eventually it was disbanded back to its individual duchies. Many though, believe, that if such a force were to come again the Captains of the troops of the duchies would remember the old alliances and gather once more to defend Vedian. It is this spirit that defines Vedian as a people, although seperated by the wishes of nobles and dictated to by the words of the lore masters, their hearts still lie with the dream of something higher. It will not come as a shock to reveal that many scholatics have branded the text of Mautha' as a fake that was written but a few decades ago by first year students. If any would know the truth it surely would be the descendants of the Sabre Regiment who carry their honour and position from father to son in an endless lineage of tradition and honour.