Guinevere (Country)

The country of Guinevere is located in the relative center of the continent, Vitaria. Both the country and its capital share the same name, and the city is known as one of the biggest centers of commerce in the world.

Guinevere is mainly comprised of grasslands, plains, and a few forests. Its soil is rich, making it a prime location for agriculture, and many see it as a place to start a new life, accepting anyone regardless of culture or social status.

King Uriel and Queen Lowangen Valendis are Guinevere's current rulers, and they are well known for being kindhearted and fair. They truly care for themselves, their people, and their lands, and they spend much time keeping the peace between the warring nations that surround them.

While the King and Queen are the firm and final law, the lands of Guinevere are organized into various Duchies. The royal family periodically sends regents to check on the Duchies, making sure they have everything they need and are doing well. Electing a new Duke or Duchess is a very formal affair, with the Duchy's peoples' vote counting as one point, the King and Queen's vote counting as the second, and a sign of the Gods as the third.

Because of Guinevere's ideal living conditions, the country is often plagued by attempts to overthrow its rulers. Those with ambition, a sizeable army, and/or great skill in the magical arts do their best, but all attempts to overtake the capital have so far ended in vain.

List of Guineverian Duchies

 * Lion Duchy - Central Guinevere, where the capital is located. King Damon, the first King of Guinevere, named this Duchy in honour of Llymayn.
 * Owl Duchy - Northern Guinevere, ruled by Duchess Isaire Berenna. Duchess Isaire is an escaped slave from Cor Anara, who has fought tirelessly for her people in Vea's name. Her Duchy shares its border with the Frozen North, and is almost always covered in snow. The Owl Duchy's people are fairly hardy from living so close to dangerous conditions.
 * Horse Duchy - Northeastern Guinevere, ruled by Duke Adam Vimmarck, a Shadewalker. The members of the Horse Duchy are usually quiet and keep to themselves, but they are excellent allies to have, evident by their assistance in the liberation of the nearby town, Hillside.
 * Hawk Duchy - Eastern Guinevere, ruled by Duke Casper Herrian. Sharing its border with Hinode, the Lion Duchy boasts proud people, famous for their acceptance of other cultures.
 * Wolf Duchy - Southeastern Guinevere, ruled by Duke Arim Iember, a Bard famous for his silver tongue. The Wolf Duchy is almost single-handedly focused on keeping peace between Cor Anara and Hinode, since they often send spies and small armies into this Duchy as discreet attempts to avoid their respective border. Life in the Wolf Duchy is incredibly difficult, due to the large number of dangerous demons that seemingly appear out of nowhere.
 * Bear Duchy - Southern Guinevere, run by Duke Xayin Pearce's son, Marquess Riel. Duke Xayin's wife has been murdered, and he himself was stricken with a mysterious illness. Because of this, Duke Xayin has been magically sleeping for over five years, despite all healing and medicinal attempts.
 * Fox Duchy - Southwestern Guinevere, ruled by Duke Whemont Caalisian IV. The Fox Duchy is home to the Guineverian Royal Research College, which focuses on magical research and Eldyrian ruins. Duke Whemont, a famous Scholar before he was elected, considers the College his greatest work, and its members are known for their fascination with time travel.
 * Shark Duchy - Western Guinevere and at the edge of the Waking Sea, the Shark Duchy is ruled by Duchess Mara Wingsem. Rumoured to be a pirate, Duchess Mara nonetheless commands the respect of her people. Although she is incredibly secretive, her people, and thus, Guinevere as a whole, are very prosperous because of her knowledge of trade routes, sea charts, and avoiding the natural dangers of the seas.
 * Falcon Duchy - Northwestern Guinevere, the Falcon Duchy is governed by Duchess Rosalie Grey. Due to a great deal of this Duchy occupied by the Greying Mountains, explorers often journey to the Falcon Duchy in hopes of uncovering Eldyrian ruins.

Notable Cities and Locations

 * Caer Pellean - A large harbour town on the Waking Sea. Through Caer Pellean, goods are shipped to and from Eth'leen, and the city is a vital aspect to Guinevere's prosperity. Because of this, Caer Pellean is infamous for its trouble with pirates.
 * Dawnhold - A monastery on the tallest peak of the Greying Mountains, Dawnhold is home to a small group of Scions of the Sun. The Scions keep to themselves, but have been known to accept new members eager to study their secluded ways.
 * Guinevere - The capital of the selfsame country, Guinevere boasts over one million citizens and is headed by Castle Guinevere, a remarkable structure at the top of the King's Highway. Home to three districts, its own personal military, the Guardians, and its royal archmages, the Magisters, Guinevere is a proud city and one of the pinnacles of modern culture. Many citizens see the city as a wonderful opportunity and a chance to meet new people and pursue one's dreams.
 * Hillside - Located in the Horse Duchy of northeastern Guinevere, half of Hillside crosses the border of the Frozen North. Hillside is an ominous place with a dark past, and it currently remains unoccupied, due to the death of all of its citizens at the hands of an evil force that has since retreated.
 * Nordvest - Head city of the Fox Duchy, Nordvest is home to the majority of Guinevere's scholars and Eldyrian researchers. Additionally, it is guarded by the Hand of Eikor, a small group of Saint Knights and Templars that have vowed to defend the city in His sake. Nordvest boasts the largest temple dedicated to Eikor in the world.
 * Lion's Breath - This city serves as a checkpoint right after crossing the Great Bridge of Hinode's Kirakira Lake. Both Guineverian and Hinodean culture mix here, creating a unique culture all its own. Lion's Breath is part of the Lion Duchy, ruled by Duke Herrian, a Bishop dedicated to Llymayn.
 * Suldana - Located near Hillside, Suldana is a quiet rural city. Suldana is led by Duke Adam Vimmarck, and his archmage, Chandra Fetten. Duke Adam and Chandra aided in the liberation of Hillside, freeing it from the icy grip of an unknown force masquerading as an advisor.
 * Remmens' Ward - A city beloved by Alchemists and Potionmasters, Remmens' Ward was built over a series of Ancient Eldyrian ruins that have since been picked clean. New alchemical discoveries are being pursued constantly here, and reagents are being imported in as quickly as they are being used.