Geography
The culture and heritage of the people of Acaes is strongly influenced by where in the country they come from. Acaes is quite rich with natural resources, and each area has its own way of supplying the common man with his livelihood and the noble Houses with wealth. The foothills that descend from the Barca Mountains are rich in lumber from the aspen, cedar and oak trees, as well as minerals such as coal, iron, copper and silver ore. The area is also where the only four passes through the mountains are located, giving the Highlord of the area a monopoly on trade through them. The Silver Hills, as the area is called, is governed by House Adao, whose sigil is the Red Bear, and whose house motto is “Stand firm as the stone and sharp as the steel, and before your foes you shall never kneel.” House Adao is lead and represented by Highlord Gostraan, who is referred to as the Lord of Iron as it is his Houses’ responsibility to defend Acaes from attack through the passes and to maintain a standing army. This is based on House Adao’s control of the iron mines, as well as their heritage and reputation for being ferocious and undaunted in battle. House Adao is headquartered in the fortress city of Fellsmarch. Silver Hills folk are known for their copper hair and emerald eyes, as they were settled by the only group of invading pagans to ever get through the passes and invade Acaes proper. They were held in the Hills, and then cut off from the mainland, so they eventually settled the area and became culturally Acaen, though they still follow many practices held over from their ancestry.
The central region of Acaes is a large basin, where the runoff from the Barca mountains and Silver Hills flow and form many rivers. This area is extremely fertile with a near perfect climate and is known as the Golden Delta. All manner of grains, fruits, cottons and spices are grown in abundance, and the climate allows for multiple harvests in a year. The Delta is the breadbasket of the Conglomerate, feeding most of its people and selling the exotic fruits and spices, as well as surplus grain through the passes and over the seas. Many vineyards and wine presses dot the area, and Golden Delta wine is renowned across the entire realm. They are ruled by House Taurdorian, whose Highlord is Lord Vindemio. Vindemio is the Lord of Grain, which means he is responsible for grain prices and their availability, as well as the trade on the roads and rivers of the Delta. Their House sigil is a golden bull with grape vines wrapped around his neck. Their House motto is “Work hard, work long, stand Proud and Strong” and they are centered in the city of Cerredell. Delta inhabitants are known for being tall and broad shouldered, with dark skin, hair and eyes. This stems from them being the only true “natives” of the country and their placement in the Delta represents not only that they were pushed there anciently, but they hold the largest area of the Conglomerate, as they are the most populous ethnicity. As the only “True Natives” they often see themselves as superior to the people of the Hills and Coast.
The coast also contains many beaches and harbors, well equipped for both fishing and trade.
The central region of Acaes is a large basin, where the runoff from the Barca mountains and Silver Hills flow and form many rivers. This area is extremely fertile with a near perfect climate and is known as the Golden Delta. All manner of grains, fruits, cottons and spices are grown in abundance, and the climate allows for multiple harvests in a year. The Delta is the breadbasket of the Conglomerate, feeding most of its people and selling the exotic fruits and spices, as well as surplus grain through the passes and over the seas. Many vineyards and wine presses dot the area, and Golden Delta wine is renowned across the entire realm. They are ruled by House Taurdorian, whose Highlord is Lord Vindemio. Vindemio is the Lord of Grain, which means he is responsible for grain prices and their availability, as well as the trade on the roads and rivers of the Delta. Their House sigil is a golden bull with grape vines wrapped around his neck. Their House motto is “Work hard, work long, stand Proud and Strong” and they are centered in the city of Cerredell. Delta inhabitants are known for being tall and broad shouldered, with dark skin, hair and eyes. This stems from them being the only true “natives” of the country and their placement in the Delta represents not only that they were pushed there anciently, but they hold the largest area of the Conglomerate, as they are the most populous ethnicity. As the only “True Natives” they often see themselves as superior to the people of the Hills and Coast.
The coast also contains many beaches and harbors, well equipped for both fishing and trade.