Oma

Oma is a collection of islands, some of them quite large, in the northern temperate zone. Although much of its civilization takes place along the coast, the inland regions, dry and dusty though they may be, provide some of the most fertile agricultural land in the region. The main island, Aion, is slightly bigger than Ethiopia; the largest secondary island, Knausor, is slightly smaller than South Korea. (The term "Greater Oma" includes the peninsula of Einir; for the purpose of clarity, it has its own page.)

Oma is the homeland of a great many people, but in the modern day the region is primarily shared between the Phaeroians and the Lewidzians. In the past, the Phaeroians worshipped Ebbaira, a sea-goddess responsible for all things terrifying and magical in the world, and the Lewidzians sought the counsel of the stars and the Man-in-Shadow; then, they both turned to the Mandate of the Heavens; now, they both follow the faith of Kathan, though there are a few who prefer Llegramu or Izfaism.

Phaeroian Polities

Doedax

Doedax, on the eastern shores of the Sea of Marble, used to be another major sacred site for the Theigar on Aion—in particular because of the phosphorescent caves beneath the city, which were the centre of a major cult to the Stars in the 19th Century BC. The caves are still considered holy and are treated with reverence. Doedax, now part of the Adacarian Empire, is also known for its timber and olive oil, and for its reverence of Truth…and its tolerance of Wisdom, which meets you in the darkness of sleep.

Ialcan

Ialcan in the south of Aion is apparently named after an Aggrabantur folk hero or demigod, whose name may have been Tjaklang. Now it is capital of an empire that bears its name—the Ialcanian Empire—ruled by the Symphados Dynasty. Ialcan has long revered Courage and Radiance, and before that, it loved best the Sun and Stars.

Droena

Sitting on the southern coast of the island of Aion, part of the Ialcanian Empire, Droena was capital of a league of its own, and holds some of the last vestiges of the culture of the Theigar. The Stars, in particular the Zodiac, were second to none in their faith, though the Dancer and Reaper and the Sun and Moon were believed to be two celestial couples sent specifically to guard the world. The Virtue of choice in the modern day, rare for a Kathanic city anywhere, is Mercy.

Impana sits quite far south, provides the surrounding regions with pyric grain, and follows both Care and Restraint.

Karamos is another old city, which exports fish and fine pottery and follows Freedom.

Hystarai

Hystarai is on the eastern banks of the Sea of Marble, built close to a sacred grove once revered by the ancient Theigar as where a saint of theirs received enlightenment, and to a quite impressive silver mine. Once, the citizens followed the Sun, Moon, and Stars as a holy trinity; today, the city's patron Virtue is Radiance. It is the capital of the Hystarian Empire, ruled by the Aknadian Dynasty.

Adragor

Adragor sits on the southwest shores of the Sea of Silk, and has excellent trade with the wider islands beyond in the Sea of Marble. At one time, it was the largest city in the archipelago; even today, as a part of the Hystarian Empire, it still maintains a fairly large population of over 98,000 people. Of old, the Chapel of the Twenty-One Moons was the biggest of all (seconded by those of the Dancer, the Sun, and the Stars). The Chapel has since been converted to the service of Honour, but still stands tall and strong.

Leikhan is inland from Ziatha, and known for fine pyric. It follows Care and Honour first.

Zilos to the north makes excellent honey, and follows Dignity and Charity first.

Ourakon

Sitting at the foot of the Incerian mountains, the city of Ourakon is capital of the empire that bears its name, and is ruled by the Ceutrosian Dynasty. An exporter of blue woad for dyes—as well as green, from the weld grown further south—Ourakon's Church of Four Corners (worshipping Freedom, Love, Courage, and Radiance) is well-visited and very popular with pilgrims.

Rhakar

Rhakar sits on the northwestern peninsula of the island of Aion, part of the Ouraconian Empire, and is noted for its fine pottery—helped considerably by the excellent clays found on the banks of the rivers that lead to and water the city. Rhakar long followed the Heavens and High Heavens, and their art still features much in the way of wispy, cloudlike forms; their patron Virtue is Charity.

Asekar produces pricy salt and pricier yellow dye, and dedicates itself to Love, Restraint, and Care.

Deuthia is known for its maple and rubies; its inhabitants tend to prefer Radiance and Courage.

Thargos

Thargos sits on both sides of the Strait that bears its name between Aion and Knausor, and for many centuries has been a crossroads for the civilizations of the Theigar and Phaeroians alike. Today, it is the capital of the Second Thargonian Empire, ruled by the Zegros Dynasty. The chief Paths in the city, those bound to the monarchy, were the Moon and the High Heavens, with the Stars given their own place of prominence alongside both Suns at a secondary rank. Now, the city has chosen Honour as its patron Virtue.

Kyriar

Kyriar sits in the middle of bountiful plains in the south that receive plenty of rainfall, making it a gem for agriculture in the region. In the past, the Stars marked the path of kings, and the Messenger, Dancer, Warrior, and Reaper the path of all others as a more-accessible "tetrarchy"; now, governor and citizens alike seek the counsel of Courage.

Aeola is in the central-south of Knausor, following Freedom and Honour (with star-crossed saintly Exemplars).

Hylodis is inland on Knausor, preferring Dignity and Restraint (and Mercy, after their oldest Exemplar).

Irata is on the south coast of Knausor, known for its pleasant climate and choice of Love, Truth, and Freedom.

Ladessa

The four main islands of Ladessa—Rhaesa, Asmodoa, Ladessa Minor, and Nazoria—are bound together by a single monarch and a single faith. All of the Virtues are given a place on the islands, but more typical is the following of Virtue for its own sake; the Daroan Chapel (Hygono-e Daroa) has niches for all twelve, surrounding the central place of prayer. The capital is Samira; the local language is Ladessan, a somewhat divergent form of Phaeroian.

Lewidzia

Lewidzia (locally Łiawidzą) is a fairly large state that takes up most of the north of Aion. Once dominated by the cities of the Cerementi, it is now (basically) united under the Lewidzian Union, which elects a king from among the nobles and burghers every so often. The state Virtue is Justice, but others of particular relevance are Care, Dignity, and Charity. Wisdom is, occasionally, tolerated; some even follow that path free of trouble.

Biadący is the first coastal city founded by the Lewidzians, and is known for its amber-work.

Deboroł was once capital of a kingdom bearing its name; now, it makes clocks.

Kodim is the oldest Shmetic city in the region, with excellent sculptures.

Miaszeńy is the current capital, and has wonderful woodcarvers.

Orcani is one of the largest cities in Lewidzia, founded by the Cerementi, known for its salt and wool.

Sarni is an old city, founded by the Cerementi, and has long traded in fish, timber, and woodcrafts.

Osāyo

The eastern portion of the island of Aion is given over to the kingdom of Osāyo. Once, the Dragons who ruled it controlled most of Oma, barring only Einir and Lewidzia. Now, it seems, they are content to govern the east, an area around the size of Ecuador. Much of Osāyo turned to Kathan in the 8th Century AB; there is not, however, a chief Virtue of the state, and followers of the Mandate (and followers of Wisdom) are still welcome there. The current ruler is Princess Kasairu.

Kayun, the capital, is in the centre of the Whirlwind Plains, and was once the most sacred site of Kido.

Shīno is on the shores of Lake Īzuni, once a place of sacrifice to Rāka.

Unāto is northerly and chilly, settled near a temple sacred to Mahāchi.

Drezaddion

Drezaddion—locally Drizyad'—is relatively small, a few islands to the east of Aion. For a time it was known for silver; these days, it is mainly known for not really being known. The islands hold Care as a major Virtue, not least because Xelar of Impana himself, the Apostle of Care, was said to have settled there towards the end of his life.

Enadan was once the capital under the Dragons, known now for beer and the love of Dignity.

Nyesud' is inland at a trading crossroads, known for woodcarving and dedication to Care.

Vodnor is the current capital and chief military garrison, dedicated to Dignity.

Government

The typical government in the cities of the Phaeroians was once threefold: a monarch to oversee it all, a council to make the laws, and an assembly to vote on them. In ancient times, many variations on these were made, but the modern system—of emperors and exarchs, marshals and ministers—was born of the short but notable reign of the Dragon Monarchs from the east. The Lewidzians, meanwhile, started as chieftainships under the sway of a network of druids, only turning to larger kingdoms with the advent of Kathan. They are, today, reasonably democratic, in that lordships are selected by the king, himself elected from the lords. And the Hākan of Osāyo were polytheists bound to various older chthonic deities, and the chief priests of those deities were also the rulers; today, it is the monasteries of the Virtues that command great respect, and like Lewidzia, the prince (or princess) is elected from the notables.

Religion

Today, almost all of Oma follows the faith of Kathan, which was born on those islands. Of old, they followed the Mandate of the Heavens; further back, figures like Ebbaira, the Man-in-Shadow, and countless others were chief in the minds of priests and commoners.

All placeholder images are from Midjourney, Mage, and stock photos.

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