Paravel

The People 

From the outside it seems as though the people of Paravel live in two very different worlds, with a noble class who live in opulent castles, rich manor houses and lavish cities and a working class who live in fiefdoms, in self-sustaining villages, in small houses made of wood, or in some cases, stone. The difference between life in the city and life in the fields is vast.

Long has there been a feeling of fear amongst the lower classes of Paravel, with overlords that delve into the secrets of the Void, and trapped under the watchful eye of undead, perfectly loyal soldiers- there seemed little hope for escape from the drudgery. Oppression was rife and resentment was a constant. But the War of 1125AC saw most of the Undead killed and with them, most of the oppressive Lords. A new feeling has sprung within the communities- hope.

Paravalians are known for appearing loud and overdramatic, for loving to be the center of attention- but what is less well known is that they are a very closed off people. Paravalians have mastered the art of talking without saying anything at all. This is most visible in the upper classes, as they are the ones who have to watch for a proverbial (or literal) knife in the dark, but most Paravalians are guilty of it to some extent. In some cases this turns into over-dramatising, with foppish behaviour and rambunctious gestures. On others, it involves observing without being observed. 

The courts of Paravel are likened to viper nests, with drama and intrigue everywhere and a long fall or a sharp knife awaiting anyone who sets a foot out of line. Many of the remaining nobles, or those who grabbed power in the wake of devastation are hoping for a resurgence of Paravel’s old glory, an improvement in their circumstances and to be placed back at the center of the world stage. How they plan to manifest this is yet to be seen, but it is likely to be showstopping.

Popular Clothing 

The clothing in Paravel reflects the mood, which is to say- dark. Moody and gothic styles are abound- clothing with lace trims, puffed sleeves and countless ruffles are popular amongst the upper classes or those seeking to emulate them. Feathers and jewels make for good accent pieces. 

Stereotypically, all Paravalians wear black. This is, in practice not true, though the average person knows the merit of wearing clothing that will hide the dirt, and those involved in the necromantic arts are also used to trying to hide the stains. Black is a common colour, particularly for base layers. 

Over the base layers, people wear brightly coloured fabrics as a contrast and a way to stand out. Purple is most commonly used, but whites and reds are also seen frequently. Topped with silvers and golds in the forms of trims or jewellery. 

High contrast outfits are becoming popular within the courts, with white base laters overlaid with darker highlights- it is said this is a show of skill. It takes a lot of work to keep white clothes clean in a place like Paravel. 

Being in the north, the weather is often cold and dreary so whatever else the outfit looks like, the average person is usually covered from ankle to wrist, sometimes even incorporating a hood or a cloak. Furs are common amongst the lower classes as ways to keep warm and the nobles like to line their cloaks and hoods with fur for the same reason. Veils are a common aesthetic, worn over the face to shield true intentions.

Culture and Customs 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the culture of Paravel centers heavily on undeath and the Void. The country has a close affinity for the Void and is usually the place people think of when they think of necromancers. While this may not be as true as the rumours would indicate, there is plenty of distinction for those who study necromancy. It became tradition for nobles to boast having an undead entourage- and was a very good way at keeping the people in line. Since the majority of Undead were killed by Noria, though, it seems as though the nobles are thinking twice about having their entire staff be undead. Just in case. 

They have never pushed hard for the idea that serving after death was something to be hoped for by the main populace, more the idea that it was an inevitability. After death, bodies become property of the landowner who owns the graveyard where they were buried. This has led to a small subset of Paravalians attempting to leave Paravel in their later years, to be buried elsewhere to avoid a fate where their body is resurrected as an undead. Or people trying to smuggle bodies of loved ones out of the country after their demise. 

Mostly, though, death is seen as a natural process and it is considered a tragedy- much like anywhere else. At a funeral it is more common to mourn a person’s soul than their body and most funerals take place without a body present at all, but rather something that the family feel strongly represents their loved one. Prayers, stories and celebrations of achievement are used to speed the soul onward in its journey to wherever is it going. 

Mourning culture is seen as important in Paravel and those who are in mourning will usually dress as such, removing colour and decoration from their outfits. How long the mourning period continues depends entirely on the individual. 

Many villages will have separate shrines for the names of those deceased, outside of the graveyards as it is entirely possible that the graveyard will be disturbed and the graves emptied, therefore people rarely bother with gravestones and instead communities will have one large stone in the center, inscribed with the names of the lost.

History 

Once Paravel were one of the definitive world powers, capable of shaping the outcomes of any international event through either strength of arms or more subtle arts of manipulation. They successfully invaded and took the Twelfth Mountain from the Dwarven Kingdoms, even after they had been fortified by their greatest general. This then led to the Dwarven Kingdoms unifying into the nation of Drokathen.

During the Demon Invasion, this old country found itself torn by civil war and ultimately united behind a puppet of the Demon Emperor. With the fall of the demonic hordes, the puppet ruler disappeared, and with no clear successor the country has been divided ever since. Eight of the oldest and most powerful houses vied for control, each seeking the emperor mantle but none having the individual power to take it. With alliances made and broken, grudges began to grow and the hope for a unified country started to wane. 

As part of the events of the Voidal Eclipse of 1122AC, much of Paravel was blanketed in the Void itself. It suffered massive losses of land and people, as undead were drawn away from their duties, and Voidal creatures ravaged these lands. Thanks to the actions of many heroes, the influence of the void was slowly reduced, and lands were reclaimed. People of Paravel, once thought lost, returned, though many were changed into the Cursed race. Eventually Paravel’s land was freed from the voids' grasp, though not fully healed of its effects.

In the War of 1125AC, Paravel attempted to ally themselves with Noria to form a global superpower, but Noria refused and reigned holy fire and death onto the undead and those with voidal power instead. Paravel was decimated. 

From the ashes, there has been a resurgence of only four noble houses who have portioned the land accordingly. The lords of these houses now refuse to attend court together, due to safety concerns and instead send a representative, nominally elected by the people, to be a public figure and make decisions for each of the fiefs.

Leadership

Paravel is a land ruled by a Court of the aristocracy, from the Demon War to 1125AC this council consisted of the rulers of 8 noble houses, following the decimation at the hands of Noria in 1125AC, this council now consists of only 4 noble houses. 

The Court of Paravel is the offical body which represents the country as a whole, with representatives sent from each of the noble houses. These representatives are, supposedly, chosen by the people but there is no end to the threats, bribery and blackmail that can be used on the populace to sway their vote.

The Lords of Paravel rule their houses and oversee the day-to-day running of their fiefdoms, though it is said that the fiefdoms are so good at managing themselves that the nobles do little more than sit in their large houses and throw extravagant parties. 

Religious Beliefs

Due to its culture of necromancy, particularly among the ruling class, worship of the Gods has never been widely or openly practiced. While never been made outright illegal, it has been frowned upon. Worship has mostly been done in secret. Some recent changes to this have come at the hands of certain Gods becoming accepting of necromancy. In particular Arioch and Keesoth are as popular as deities get in a country that doesn’t really care for Gods.

The emergence of House Theios has changed opinions more widely at least in their fief, as they are openly encouraging the worship of any and all of the Gods. They have begun construction on a grand All-Gods temple in their fief.