Vardessa
Continent: Morwen
Primary Inhabitants: Human
Government Type: Republic
Capital: Vareth (23,000)
Population: ~210,000
Symbol: A silver star shattering chains — representing freedom, resilience, and the enduring light of rebellion.
Motto: “The star remains unbroken.”
Vardessa is a defiant and war-hardened nation born from rebellion, its people united by a single, relentless resolve after breaking away from the Supremacy’s dominion. Stretching from the arid foothills of Dun’Rhael in the west to the cold shadow of Drenvold in the northeast, it stands as the shield of free peoples against the Supremacy’s advance. Divided by the towering Stormbarrier Range, its cities cling to mountain valleys, windswept plains, and the shores of the Vardessian coast, bound together by their shared determination to remain free.
Though still young as a nation, Vardessa has become a symbol of resistance across Morwen. Its people — human, Thaldrim, and countless others — see themselves as builders of a future not defined by conquest or divine decree, but by hard-won liberty.
History
Vardessa was once a southwestern province of the Supremacy, ruled by imperial governors and sustained through forced labor and taxation. When the Supremacy’s control began to falter due to wars abroad and rebellion within, the people of this region rose in defiance. Led by a coalition of human generals, Thaldrim sea captains, and exiled scholars, they declared independence and drove the Supremacy’s armies north beyond the mountains.
The Vardessian Rebellion, as it came to be known, lasted twelve bitter years. Its victory came not through overwhelming strength, but attrition — harsh winters, sabotage, and the unyielding will of a people who refused to kneel. The scars of that conflict remain visible: shattered keeps, rusted fortresses, and generations marked by loss and resilience.
Now, Vardessa exists in a constant state of vigilance. Skirmishes with the Supremacy are frequent along the northeastern frontier, and while peace treaties have been proposed, few trust them. To the Vardessian mind, the war never truly ended — it only cooled.
Geography
Vardessa’s terrain is as divided as its people once were. The Stormbarrier Range cuts a jagged scar through its heart, separating the temperate western plains from the storm-swept eastern valleys. The western side, bordering Dun’Rhael, is dry but fertile, ideal for grain and horse breeding. The eastern lands ascend toward Drenvold’s colder climate, rich in minerals and forests but plagued by long winters and frequent rains.
Mountain passes are few and perilous, and the Pass of Marath, the only reliable route through the Stormbarriers, is heavily fortified by both the army and ancient Dwarven-built gates. Rivers descending from the mountains feed Vardessa’s valleys, creating narrow belts of green amid gray stone.
Economy
Vardessa’s economy is a blend of wartime industry and rugged self-sufficiency. The nation is rich in iron, coal, and stone, and its forges produce weapons and armor that rival the Supremacy’s own. Thaldrim engineers have helped construct vast foundries and shipyards, allowing the nation to maintain a small but formidable navy.
Agriculture thrives in the western plains, while mining dominates the east. Trade with Drenvold and Dun’Rhael provides access to salt, spices, and exotic materials otherwise scarce in the mountains. However, much of Vardessa’s resources are funneled toward maintaining its military infrastructure — a necessity for survival in a perpetual state of alert.
Demographics
Vardessa’s population reflects its origins as a land of exiles and rebels.
- 50% Human — the largest population, descended from Supremacy settlers and freedom-born citizens.
- 25% Thaldrim — sailors, smiths, and builders who aided the rebellion and remain influential in naval and industrial sectors.
- 25% Other Races — Solari, Iskaryn, and Emberborn refugees who fled Supremacy persecution, finding freedom in Vardessa’s ranks.
Cities are heavily fortified, with populations concentrated near trade routes and mining centers. Rural areas tend to be sparse, often abandoned during wartime or relocated to fortified keeps.
Culture
Vardessa’s culture is built upon defiance, unity, and remembrance. Its people venerate no single god, but honor the Unbroken Star — a radiant symbol displayed in every city, representing the hope, resolve, and guiding light that carried them through rebellion. Festivals are loud and defiant, filled with music, banner processions, and competitions of craft and skill meant to celebrate the perseverance of a free people.
Education is prized; every child learns both the art of defense and the history of the secession. Art and literature thrive amid the ruins and fortresses, often depicting the struggle for freedom, the sacrifices of the fallen, and the vigilance required to remain unbowed.
While the Supremacy sees Vardessa as a lawless state, its people view themselves as the world’s last free nation — a bastion against tyranny and silence. To betray Vardessa is to betray the belief that unity and will can stand against empires.
Major Settlements
| City / Town | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vareth | 23,000 | Capital; fortified inland city built atop the ruins of a Supremacy outpost; center of governance and resistance. |
| Cair Hollow | 21,000 | Once a Supremacy garrison, now a major military stronghold; houses the War Council of Vardessa. |
| Tirvale | 20,000 | Industrial hub producing weapons and siege engines; sustained by nearby iron and coal deposits. |
| Eldross | 18,000 | Cultural and political heart of the southern provinces; home to scholars and historians of the split. |
| Rathmoor | 14,000 | Key agricultural region supplying the northern front; heavily fortified against Supremacy raids. |
Notable Locations
- Pass of Marath — The strategic heart of Vardessa’s defenses, this perilous mountain corridor is fortified with ancient Thaldrim-forged gates and watchtowers that overlook every approach.
- Starhold Bastion — A colossal cliffside fortress overlooking the eastern valleys, its highest tower crowned with a brilliant steel star visible for miles. It serves as both a beacon and a rallying point during times of war.
- The Silverstep Terraces — Vast tiered farmlands carved into the western foothills, irrigated by ingeniously redirected mountain streams. These terraces feed much of Vardessa and stand as a testament to its people’s resilience and craft.
- Vareth’s Fallen Court — The ruined remnants of the old Supremacy tribunal in the capital, now preserved as a memorial. Rebels toppled its pillars during the secession, and today its shattered stones are inscribed with the names of those who died for independence.
- The Whisperfront Cliffs — A wind-lashed stretch of coastline where the sea meets sheer stone walls. Caverns within the cliffs carry natural echoes that sound eerily like murmured voices — many believe the cliffs whisper warnings of storms or invaders long before they appear.
Relations
Allies
- Dun’Rhael — neighboring desert kingdom; shares mutual defense pacts and trade agreements, united by regional concerns and a common enemy.
- Njorath — relations have recently been established via a hidden pass through the Stormbarrier Range
Enemies
- The Supremacy — former overlords whose attempts to reclaim Vardessa have forged lasting animosity; the rebellion remains a core part of Vardessian identity.
- Drenvold — because of historical and current raids, Vardessa has an antagonistic relationship with Drenvold.
Neutral
- Skarhold — a tiny island nation; considered irrelevant to Vardessa’s security or ambitions. Small amount of trade.
- Vass’Kaal — relations are cordial and primarily centered on trade, though contact is limited by the distance of their trade centers.
- The Ashen Marches — distant and largely inaccessible; contact is minimal, limited to the rare passing trade or messenger, leaving relations neutral and largely observational.
“We did not rise from the ashes of empire, but from the light of our own resolve. The Unbroken Star guides us, and we will never bow to chains not of our own making.”
— Lady Sereth Valen, of the founders of Vardessa