The city-state nation of Invardia is the most advanced nation in all of Vanquera. Their highly advanced technology allows them to build structures taller than any other culture in the world, forming spiraling towers of incredibly elegant design. The elites reside in the tallest and most ornate structures in all of Vanquera, located in the center of Invardia proper. In the last few decades, Invardia proper has started to run low on available land in their plateau. Expansions outward are becoming exponentially more costly. Thankfully, a recent advancement in Mana technology may allow them to start expanding vertically with floating structures and landmasses, though it remains experimental. Scientists believe it to be just around the corner. The currency of Invardia is the Invardium Bit, which are cubic beads of metal infused with Mana such that they stick together.

The Founding Stone

The Founding Stone is the central core of Invardia. When Jadeth Camiern first discovered the Founding Stone, it was nothing more than a giant floating island in the sky surrounded by other floating rocks called Anchor Stones. It was hundreds of feet across, Manafalls pouring off of it into a lake beneath. The lake of Mana - referred to as the Lake of Purity - would illuminate the surroundings at all times, but was best seen late at night. Atop the Founding Stone is the Equawood Tree, towering a few hundred feet over the base of the Founding Stone. Beneath the Equawood Tree is a chamber flooded with Mana, where the White Lady resides. The bottom of the Founding Stone floats several stories above the Lake of Purity, giving enough room for the founders to settle down and form a civilization around this lake. They dared not traverse across the lake, as they saw it as far too sacred to use for mere transportation. They used the provided Mana to expand, growing at a significantly greater rate than other nations thanks to the unlimited supply the White Lady granted them. After centuries of work, the majority of the Founding Stone now resides deep beneath the surface of Invardia. Due to various methods of distribution, the Mana that would have once ended in the Lake of Purity no longer does so, being used up in a myriad of other ways. What little that manages to trickle down to the base maintains only a small portion of the once grand Lake of Purity, now reduced to but a pool. This pool is now called the Pool of Origin.

Districts

Camiern District

Camiern District was named after Jadeth Camiern himself. Camiern District was founded shortly after Jadeth's death, and was named to honor him and his legacy.

Castribial District

Estabula District

Estabula District is one of Invardia's largest districts, stretching from the outer ring of Anchor Stones to where it shares a border with the Takari at the mountains. Estabula District is where Undeles Munatas calls home. It is one of the first districts ever founded, being one of the closest to the Founding Stone. Estabula District was attacked by Enim Aluard, their ex-Abuman.

Forlin District

Forlin District is a two-layer tall district, being beneath the modern surface of Invardia. The upper portion is two layers beneath the general surface, with the lower portion being three beneath. Forlin District was retroactively founded after much of it had already been built.

Galivid District

Galivid District is one of the youngest districts.

Invai District

Invai District

Jahayr District

Jahayr District is the Northernmost district.

Manateria District

Manateria District is the oldest of the surface districts, being founded atop the Founding Stone early in Invardia's history. This district was made around the Equawood Tree, where it can be seen towering above the city skyline in all its shimmering, nacreous, prismatic glory. Deep within the Founding Stone resides the White Lady, supplying her endless Mana for the masses to indulge in.

Marksha District

Marksha District is the Westernmost district and also the smallest of the districts.

Nulibria District

Nulibria District is governed over by Bastian Huoborn. The founding of Nulibria District started with the construction of a logistics depot upon the Nulibrian Anchor Stone. With its construction, it would play a key role in the expansion of Invardia, namely the expansion of Nulbria District and its neighboring Districts.

Purthim District

Purthim District is known for... The flag of Purthim District was designed by Raldur Helix.

Underton District

Underton District is the oldest district of them all. Underton wasn't always called Underton but was retroactively named Underton as it was overshadowed - literally, in this case - by what was built over it. Underton is the original Invardia, having since fallen to ruin after being long forgotten, with only small sections of it still being upkept.

The Undercity

Invardia's undercity is the slums of their civilization. It is a crumbling wasteland crawling with the vagrants of Invardia. The undercity has been long abandoned since Invardia's vertical expansions upon the Founding Stone and the Anchor Stones. It is multiple stories high, encompassing the Pool of Origins that had once been the grand Lake of Purity.

History

As a nation over a century old, Invardia's history is long and storied.

Founding

Invardia was founded by Jadeth Camiern and his followers, who sought to form a haven for humanity and its upbringing in Vanquera. Upon coming across the Founding Stone and its Anchor Stones, and all the beauty around them, they decided that this was where they wanted to start a civilization. Together they built the beginnings of what would become the city of Underton. They later found a way to ascend to the Founding Stone and built towns atop and around it, constructing bridges between the Founding Stone and the surrounding Anchor Stones. Those bridges then became the scaffolding with which the rest of the city could be built.

The First Council's Fall

The Jadeth Council was formed in Jadeth Camiern's honor to govern and protect the then burgeoning nation. If the claims of notorious conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the first ever Jadeth Council members became corrupt, becoming Mana Deities to protect themselves. Supposedly, modern checks and balances had yet to be put in place, leading to the White Lady confronting and defeating each of them. She would imprison them in a glacier far from where they could influence Invardia, becoming the Prisoners of Mirtragard. These claims remain unsubstantiated, with the true identities of most of the Prisoners of Mirtragard remaining unknown.

Uprising

Invardia continued to push with their advancements. They invented all manner of new technologies. The Jadeth Council started the Invardium Militia Legion, which would go on to serve and protect Invardia for centuries to come. The area between the bridges was filled in with supported land over several decades, until there was a flat plane on which a new city could be built. They built multiple layers of land up one at a time to form a sturdy foundation on which to build their new city, until eventually the topmost layer was strong enough to withstand the towering structures they wanted to construct. The Equawood Tree continues to be visible as part of the Invardium skyline, illuminating the nearby skyscrapers and clouds above. This took over a century and a half to construct, and was only possible with the White Lady's Mana. As Invardia continued to prosper, the Takari wanted to take advantage of this to allow their own civilization to grow. They placed themselves in the nearby wilderness, just beyond the mountains encompassing the Founding Stone. Eventually the Takari would become almost completely autonomous thanks to their ritualistic practice of creating Mana Deities to protect them. They had participated in the practice for centuries, but once they could get a steady flow of Mana from Invardia their growth exploded exponentially.

The Disquieting Years

The rising tensions between Invardia and their neighbors the Takari hit a breaking point when Councilman Teri Jzadenstein failed negotiations with the Takari for more of their land. The then Takari leaders - namely Tosfir Blaldraimase and Oso Nastifaea - were insulted with Teri's conditions for the exchange, which the Takari saw as so unfair that they saw it fit to take up arms and go to war with Invardia. Thus began the Disquieting Years. The war began with the assassination of Councilman Qutna Lo'Van. This sparked outrage among the populace of Invardia, causing a sudden influx of new recruits for Invardia's various military factions. The war took place over what was the beginnings of Purthim District, an expanse of land the Takari sought to reclaim. The war lasted a few years, killing tens of thousands of Takari and Invardium. Seeking to end the bloody war, Teri reached a deal with the various Takari leaders, proposing to supply them with the White Lady's Mana. The Mana would be regulated.

Usura's Assault

Usura's Assault was an event that greatly shaped how Invardia would protect themselves from threats long into the future. While Mechabeast had attacked Invardia before, none were as pivotal as Usura's assault.

Government

Jadeth Council

Since its founding, Invardia has been ruled by Jadeth Council. The Jadeth Council is a collective of individuals deemed fit to rule over Invardia.

Ablution Ceremony

The Jadeth Council regularly take part in rituals known as Ablution Ceremonies, forcing them to comply with the desires of the people. They collect the Mana of every law-abiding citizen in the nation, as well as a significant portion of the White Lady's Mana, and place it all in one large pool in the center of Manateria District, overlooked by the Equawood tree. Each member of the Council dives into the pool, absorbing as much Mana as they can without becoming a Mana Deity. It's believed this forces members of the Jadeth Council to comply with the wishes and demands of the people, as well as makes it impossible for them to do anything that would work against them. Additionally, it's thought the White Lady's contribution prevents Mana Deity transformation, as well as forcing compliance in the Council, preventing them from doing anything that would be bad for the White Lady. In early Invardium history, Ablution Ceremonies were carried out using the Lake of Purity. It was when the Council realized the pilgrimage to the Lake of Purity was not worth the time spent that they had a new pool built specially made for the ceremonies. For most Invardium, however, it's seen as a sign of deep respect for their culture, heritage, and history if someone - especially someone politically involved - visits the Lake of Purity, now the Pool of Origins.

Currency

The currency of Invardia is the Invardium Bit. The Bit is a cubic currency that is Invardia's primary currency, but some other nations have deemed that it carries some weight there, such as the Takari and Sarinda. Though the only nation that recognizes it as their official currency is Invardia.

Culture

Nobility

Invardium nobility are all those to have ever been inducted into the Jadeth Council, regardless of their status. Once inducted, their noble status can never be revoked, even if they retire from the Council.

Houses

Houses consist of all offspring (and by extension, the spouses of offspring, though not without a lengthy and tedious induction process) of Invardium nobility. There has been much drama among the Houses, as certain House members have intermingled in the past.

House Alr

House Ifit-Alr

House Nisilti-Alr

House Amald

House Amald are the descendants of Joldoros F. Amald. House Amald very nearly ceased to exist, as most members were killed in the second fire of Remiscent Library. T he only remaining House Amald member was Cardien Amald, who married Favliana Eddinit,

House Amari

House Thaofosho

House Thaofosho consists of the Thaofosho family. They are descendants of Anusha J. Thaofosho. They are regularly referred to as "The House of Purity", as they are regularly looked to as examples of what ought to be done and what ought not be done. Though their history as a House is not nearly as long and extensive as their fellow Houses, they remain as cultural footholds thanks to the contributions of the Thaofosho Sisters.

House Nifilim

House Niflim, or sometimes Niflim House, consists of the Niflim family. They are descendants of Edes Niflim. House Niflim has long had a rivalry with House Nuvo over land disputes. The two Houses have warred a number of times, some leading to the deaths of those involved.

House Nuvo

House Royamin

House Royamin are the primary breeders of Roy Cats and Roy Dogs. Their intertwined history has made the Roy Cats and Roy Dogs symbols of wealth and status.

House Vid

House Akfu-Vid

House Drod-Vid

House Lo'Van

House Maar

House Forlin

House Forlin are the founders of Forlin District and are generally considered the rightful owners of Forlin District.

Dance

Eroquet

The eroquet is a dance in which two partners dance to music with ever-changing tempo, typically over a lengthy stretch of time; Sometimes several hours. The idea of the eroquet is that the two dancers are never to separate, regardless of what happens, injuries or illness be damned. Should the pair separate while the music still plays, they are considered unfit to be together. The dance style is typically dangerous, featuring movements whose consequences have been known to be fatal should they not be performed correctly. This dance ties into much of Invardium politics, as some House wars were started over eroquets. An individual might be pressured into an eroquet even when they do not desire to participate in one. Many a relationship has been broken this way, with one or both partners having to cease the dance for a variety of reasons. The outcome is typically catastrophic for both participating parties.

Controversy

The split of House Vid

One such instance of an eroquet going wrong was between Vethim Vid and Loretta Lo'Van. Early on in the routine, Vethim misstepped, causing him to sprain his ankle. He continued to dance for a time, but it was simply too draining to keep going for much longer. Though he loved Loretta dearly and could not bare to part with her, Vethim physically could not keep going. He collapsed before the audience, having only danced for a mere few minutes. The resulting fight between the two families got to be violent enough that the Invardium Militia had to intervene. Later that night, Dakurus Drod Vid - Vethim's father - made his stance clear; The couple was to never again interact in any way. Dakurus berated his son, claiming he was "an embarassment to the Vid name", and that Vethim was no longer his son. Unable to cope with what had transpired, Vethim secluded himself in his room. That night, in a fit of anguish, Vethim took his own life. He was found the next morning by a caretaker of Vid estate. House Vid ended up dividing into House Drod-Vid and House Akfu-Vid following the incident. This incident is seen as a stain on the reputation of the eroquet and the nobility in general.

In other cultures

Over the years, the eroquet has disseminated across Vanquera. Upon reaching Equavir, it was interpreted by certain prominent figures as a method of mockery. Those of Invardium origin familiar with the eroquet find such usage of the dance distasteful, even reprehensible.

Politics

House Meddling

Houses are inextricably linked with Invardium politics, taking up much of the news on a daily basis. Their meddling in Invardium politics have made them incredibly contentious talking points, with many rallying behind their favorite Houses, and even their individual members. This is especially so when a House breaks apart into smaller Houses, with followers finding themselves having to choose which side of the divide they land on. Skirmishes have been fought over split Houses, sometimes even when they join back together. Aside from the battles started by Invardium citizens over Houses, Houses themselves have also been known to tamper with Invardium affairs, both internally and in external/international affairs. Thanks to Ablution Ceremonies, this tampering is greatly limited, but not outright prevented.

Edisit Standoff

The Edisit Standoff was a domestic battle waged between members of House Ifit-Alr and their followers against the followers of House Nisilti-Alr in the town of Edisit. This battle was fought over the ownership of the Alr estate, resulting in the division of House Alr into the two Houses as they are known today. Many died that day, but the battle was put to an end when the Invardium Militia Legion was brought in, defending House Ifit-Alr. House Ifit-Alr was official and legally recognized as the rightful owners, and there was a legal decree that special officers would remain on premises at all times to ensure the claim was upheld. There has yet to be another conflict of its sort between the two Houses.

Flag

The modern Invardium flag was designed by a committee of 22 people, each selected from varying backgrounds and statuses with input from the voting population of Invardia.

Districts

Invardia is divided into districts, each run by their own elected Abuman.

Mechabeast

Mechabeast are a highly contentious subject in Invardia, swayed greatly by Invardia's history with them. In recent years, certain types of Mechabeast have slowly become incorporated into Invardium society - particularly amongst Invardia's elites - but continue to remain divisive.

Mana

Mana is of common usage in Invardia, incorporated into the very way of life of the people. The nation would not function if it weren't for the millions of gallons of Mana provided by the White Lady.

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