Knights, Castles, and Nukes

The planet Dordavia languished in late medieval times until a scientific revolution about fifty years ago that launched them into the nuclear age. Now, cars and airplanes powered by fusion cores are starting to trickle into the planet's cities, while the rural areas remain primitive. In this technologically unbalanced world, the mighty nation Uthenor sits on the brink of civil war - and the brink of a nuclear catastrophe.

Geography

 *  ·           Dordavia is approximately the same size as Earth, with a similar overall climate and comparable seasons.
 *  ·           Dordavia has one enormous continent, surrounded by the Asomian Ocean, which contains a few islands.
 *  ·           Two inland seas define the continent: The Marauder Sea in the west, and the Sea of Wisdom in the East.
 *  ·           An immense mountain range called the Ordric Mountains divides the continent down the center, running from north to south.
 *  ·           Most of the land to the east of the Ordric Mountains is claimed by the nation of Uthenor.
 *  ·           Other smaller mountain ranges include the Westfangs, the Southspires, and the Lion’s Teeth.
 *  ·           A desert region called the Dead Lands makes up the southwest part of the continent.
 *  ·           A forest called the Writhing Woods sits in the northwest, near the Marauder Sea.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The plains and tundra north of the Writhing Woods are simply called the Northlands.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Satos Sea sits in the north, and is connected to the Asomian Ocean.

Uthenor

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Uthenor is the most powerful nation in Dordavia. Its full name is the Vassal States of Uthenor, abbreviated VSU.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The VSU is made up of five Vassal States: The Heartland, the Blazeland, the Southerland, the Ridge, and the Foxwood.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Heartland is the most densely populated region. The Foxwood is the least populous.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dakeron is the capital of the entire nation, and the largest city in Dordavia.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Each Vassal state has its own capital.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Batoz is the capital of the Heartland.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Aloron is the capital of the Blazeland.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Faronsbane is the capital of the Ridge.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stoneford is the capital of the Foxwood.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lestiria is the capital of the Southerland.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Each Vassal State is governed by a Vizier. The head of Uthenor is called the High Vizier.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The VSU has a somewhat democratic government with sporadic elections. Only property-owning men are allowed to vote.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Each of the Vassal States harbors nationalist feelings of its own, and sometimes expresses the desire to secede from Uthenor.

Teldava

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The only other organized country is Teldava, an island nation in the Asomian Ocean.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Teldava has a hereditary monarchy, but local officials and legislators are elected.

The Emirates

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The region west of the Ordric Mountains, around the Marauder Sea, is called the Emirates.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the Emirates, each city is governed independently by an Emir, or prince.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Emirates are politically separate, but economically dependent on each other.

Technology

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Scientists in Uthenor discovered nuclear power within the last 50 years. Since then, the major cities have developed cars, planes, and atomic bombs, but the rural areas remain technologically backward.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dordavia bypassed the coal and oil age and went straight from the Renaissance to the nuclear age.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Electric lighting is still minimal, since nuclear power is not to be wasted on small devices. Most buildings are lit by wax candles made from cow tallow.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Scientists have also made recent developments in genetics. For example, special Cavaliers ride into battle of Stormhorses, which are genetically engineered to never get tired and to have regenerative skin.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There have been a few attempts to genetically enhance humans as well, but most have resulted in psychotic man-beasts that had to be destroyed.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A growing number of ships, like planes, are powered by nuclear reactors, but swift old-fashioned sailing ships are still a common sight.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The center of scientific research is called the University, a town in the Foxwood state, located on the shore of the Sea of Wisdom.

Gender Roles

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Throughout Dordavia, and especially in Uthenor, homosexuality is the social norm.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Heterosexuals are considered unclean, even though they are the only ones capable of producing children. Childbirth carries a dark stigma, but is regarded as a necessary evil.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">All societies in Dordavia are largely patriarchal. Men and women occupy separate spheres and rarely interact on formal occasions.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upper-class men are expected to have sex with men, and women are expected to have sex with women. Male-female relationships are reserved for the poor.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both men and women typically become sexually active in the ages 16-18.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The legal age of adulthood is 16.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Marriage does not exist, but often a man will establish a monogamous relationship with a man of the same age.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upper-class women typically live alone. Other women live in brothels in groups of 5-10. All women sharing a house are mutually sexual.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Each brothel is run by a Mama, who acts as a mentor to the younger women – sexually, emotionally, and intellectually.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Only men are allowed to receive formal education. The military is exclusively male. Offices of power are reserved only for men.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Typical jobs for urban women include raising children, aiding the old, cleaning upper-class houses, running small businesses, and acting as a mentor to younger women.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Typical jobs for urban men include crafting, trading, military service, religious positions, political positions, medicine, and law enforcement.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rural men and women participate in jobs such as farming, herding, cutting lumber, mining, and raising children.

Population

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dordavia has a total population of about 550 million (less than 10% of Earth’s)
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">230 million people live in Uthenor.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">170 million people live in the Emirates
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">90 million people live in the Northlands
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">40 million people live in Teldava
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">20 million people live in unaffiliated areas

Ethnic Groups

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Heartland have a dark, but not black, complexion.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Blazeland have a black complexion.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Ridge also have a black complexion that is even darker.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Southerland have a white complexion, and often have dark hair.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Foxwood have a white complexion and often have red hair.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of Akokum have a dark complexion similar to that of India.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of Garj and Kalor have a moderate complexion similar to that of China.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Natives of the Northlands have an extremely pale complexion, and often have blond hair.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ethnic diversity is the highest in large cities, such as Dakeron and Faronsbane. Rural areas are largely limited to a single ethnic group.

Religion

 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Divine Court consists of four gods, who are worshiped by men and four goddesses who are worshiped by women. Each deity has a color.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The eight deities of the Divine Court usually have separate own temples, but there are a few common temples in large cities.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Aginor the Red is the god of courage, duty, and warfare.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jaquan the Orange is the god of work, craftsmanship, and science.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ildor the Yellow is the god of light, passion, and chivalry.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Brok the Black is the god of life and masculinity.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Davelia the Green is the goddess of peace, nature, and femininity.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mirima the Blue is goddess of the sea and the wind
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Reorna the Purple is the goddess of art, music, and dance.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Oda the White is the goddess of death and time.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">All citizens of Uthenor are required to worship the Divine Court.
 * <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"> ·           <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The people of the Emirates have their own gods, called the Fiery Five. They are all male, and represent different trades.