Vornavis

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The Barony of Vornavis is a province in the Turamzzyrian Empire known for two cities: Vornavis itself and Solhaven, which is located adjacent to the walls of Vornavis. Access to the City of Vornavis is strictly controlled, guards controlling who may and who may not enter the gates. Usually, only citizens are allowed into the city. Vornavis is known for its tolerance toward the non-human races, which has caused some issues with the much less tolerable Barony of Jantalar.

History

Dwarves settled in the area first in the year 3725, having found opal-laden cliffs along the eastern end of what is now Solhaven Bay. Fifty years later (3775), the community established within the caverns near these cliffs was completely wiped out, the only thing remaining of the population being dwarven limbs and blood. This event is why the nearby falls are called the Cascade of Tears.

Roughly 200 years later, in 3961, an elven family, called Wildwood, settles on an island in the middle of the Cairnfang River, close to where modern Solhaven is. Due to increasing attacks by humanoids, the family, among with many others that were attracted by the island's relative safety, begin constructing a castle and battlements.

The Wildwood island, in 4168, is completely destroyed by continuous magical blasts. The city was actively protected by magicians while less magical inhabitants fled before the protections are overwhelmed. The survivors built a makeshift fort atop the cliffs on the southern side of the Cairnfang River.

In 4410, the fishing town established there is wiped out in a single night. In fact, in each of the following three years, the rebuilt town is wiped out mysteriously. Stories by the survivors allow listeners to piece together the possibility that the opal-flecked beaches are a Kraken breeding ground. The sealed dwarven caverns are discovered and the dwarves are asked about the incident that occured in 3775. It is, at this time, that the humans learn that the nearby waterfall is called the Cascade of Tears and that the cliffs are called "vorn ahvis". The cliff-top fortress takes on this name, and to remove the kraken problem, the denzens of Vornavis begin removing the sand from the opal-flecked beaches, which takes several decades. The last of the sand is removed in 4476, when they begin to cover the cliffs in granite to prevent the beach from reforming again. It isn't until 4596 that the beaches are built on, again. The history of the land below Vornavis does not encourage the growth of the community, but the need for growth of the port is recognized. Vornavis constructs an extensive wooden platform off the removed beach, over the rocks and tidal pools, and into Solhaven Bay.

In 4680, the Mercantylers' Guild forms. The guild convinces the ruler of Vornavis to give the port town "free" status, and the ruler requests membership from Emperor Baeronnar II a year later. The paperwork taken to the emperor names the port as "Solhaven." The free port of Solhaven and the city of Vornavis are accepted into the Empire.

In 5096, Jantalar declares war on the Barony of Vornavis. This war is not settled until the death of Baron Lerep Hochstib.

Rumors and Legends

There is evidence that the area of Stoneharrow Swale used to be a Giantkin royal city, as evidenced by a regal-looking giantman bust wearing a crown found within the dwarven caverns beneath Tor Aganrahk. The bust possessed the name, Telimnar.

Vornavis Today

Heraldry of Vornavis

The heraldry of the Barony of Vornavis is a white swan on a field of green.

Imports and Exports

Vornavis is known for its lush vineyards and, resultantly, Vornavian wine. The two most popular Vornavian wines are the dark Vornavis mourverde and the pale Vornavis chardonnay. Imports and exports are as follows:

• Imports - Coal, iron, and gems.
• Exports - Ships, wood, wine, oil, silk, and fish.

External Links

• Official Documentation on Vornavis
• Official Timeline of History of the Turamzzyrian Empire