Name: Lirima

Location: Northern plains/forests of Halyin

Appearance: The Lirimani people tend to be paler than those of other nations due to their nation's location. Common eye colors include green, brown, and blue, and hair tends to be blond or light brown. Of course, there is significant variation among actual individuals.

Culture: A center of farming and hunting, Lirima's exports are composed primarily of food and basic supplies. Most clothing consists of wool, leather, and other practical materials and is tailored for warm summers and bitter winters. The Lirimani society is adamantly matriarchal, to the point where men are considered second-class citizens and subordinate to their wives. Names in Lirima are formed by giving a first name and then the name of the mother. In addition, most mage academies will not accept boys as students, with only a couple exceptions. Most magi are immediately employed by the government, depending on their specialty.

Government: Hereditary monarchy, with different ministers overseeing the provinces under the watchful eye of Queen Megilwen. The Queen theoretically wields absolute power, but in practicality the day-to-day affairs of the nation are handled by a fairly extensive bureaucracy composed mainly of magi.

Favorite Saying: "A peasant among us is a queen in other lands."

Guardian Representative: Elswyth, daughter of Idessa

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Name: Vasileio

Location: Eastern hills and mountains running up the entire eastern side of Halyin

Appearance: The people of Vasileio have a distinctive appearance, with high cheekbones, coppery skin, and jet-black hair. Most have dark brown or black eyes, but the aristocracy can be distinguished by their gray eyes.

Culture: The most remote of the four nations, Vasileian culture tends toward the xenophobic. Their economy is based primarily off of mining and crafting. Alchemy, the magic of crafting and using magical artifacts, is most prevalent here. The country is divided into over 100 different districts, each controlled by an aristocratic family. Citizens of Vasileio form their names by combining their given names with their province of origin. The aristocracy possesses an odd tradition unlike any found in the rest of Halyin- each of them takes a vow of silence from age five until the end of their life. All communication uses a form of sign language, and aristocratic magi use similar signs and gestures to cast complex spells. Most Vasileians can understand this sign language, but they are forbidden from using it.

Government: Oligarchy, with the aristocracy running affairs in their inherited area. One aristocrat from each district also serves as a representative for a Senate that determines national decisions.

Favored Saying: "We have no voice but that of our people."

Guardian Representative: Cyprus of Pagos

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Name: Craorag

Location: Central and southern highlands of Halyin, including stretches of desert and thick jungle

Appearance: The people of Craorag have no distinctive appearance determined by genetics. In the north, they tend to be paler and resemble the people of Lirima, while in the south their skins become dark and accustomed to the hostile sun. The one constant is their hair- Craora culture dictates that every adult of unstained honor dye their hair bright red at the age of 18, a tradition honoring their first king, a legendary pyromancer. Failure to do so is a sign of shame or guilt, and red dye is frequently denied to prisoners or other "shamed" entities.

Culture: Craorag is generally considered to be the most permissive of the nations. Although all Craorites claim loyalty to a king in Ngwalau, the capital city, the truth is that he is little more than a figurehead and the individual cities dotting the nation are essentially autonomous. As a result, life in Craorag can vary wildly depending on the specific location. They have remained a nation mainly by convenience and a borderline cult-like admiration for Ddraig, the mage-king who united the cities over a millennium ago.

Government: Monarchy (ish) with a mutual defense pact among the component cities. The current king is Bres III, unmarried and enjoying it for the time being. According to Craora tradition, the royal line in Ngwalau has draconic ancestry.

Favored Saying: "The blood of the dragon is defended with sharp tooth and hungry flame."

Guardian Representative: Tigaern Tannasg

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Name: Aavayoh

Location: Southwestern plateaus and forests. Their only border is with Craorag.

Appearance: The people of Aavayoh tend to have light brown skin, with almond-shaped eyes and black hair. Depending on one's caste of origin, a complex, subtle series of clothing cues and hairstyles signal one's precise place in society.

Culture: Aavayoh has a strict caste system, where one's family dictates job, status, and prospects for the future. Names are made by combining a given name with "al" and a job title in the Aavayoan language. The only method of escape for most individuals unsatisfied with their lot is through magical development, whereby they can leave their caste of origin and become thea, magic users beholden only to the Moon Queen of Aavayoh. Unlike most of the nation, this area is essentially egalitarian.

Government: A noble caste and minister caste both work to govern the nation, but they are both subordinate to the imperial family. Although all members of the imperial family have political influence, the official head of state is the Sun King, the most competent male warrior in the imperial family. Sorcerous affairs are handled by the Moon Queen, the most competent female mage in the imperial family. Together, they rule with absolute authority. The current Sun King and Moon Queen are Inabikari al Tayo and Tayuya al Tsuki, respectively.

Favored Saying: "When order and power are separate, they are precious. When they are together, they are invincible. Fortunately, our neighbors have not realized this."

Guardian Representative: Miyu al Thea