Arvor
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| Flag of Arvor | |
| Motto: Can we go home now? | |
| Map | |
| Region | Wysteria |
|---|---|
| Capital | Venthia |
| Official Language(s) | Wysterian |
| Leader | Premier Martin D'Artois |
| Population | 5-6 Billion |
| Currency | Aarva |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Most Elegant Republic of Arvor is a moderately sized, moderately populated, moderately tempered nation residing within a beautifully evergreen landscape upon the continent of Cascadia in the north-west of Wysteria. Bordered by the nations of Samaru, Nogo Juju and Ahnonay, Arvor is an important player in the continental politics of Cascadia but has tended to shy away from the dangerous entanglements in regional politics.
RECENT NEWS: Arvor has been reported to be suffering under the apocalyptic burden of the Flavian pestilence emanating from the infected islet of Merlin's Rock. Little word has been heard from the nation since due to much of the infrastructure deteriorating into a sickly, dilapidated state - although alternatively, and more controversially, some have suggested that recent scientific discoveries could explain the sudden silence from the country. Either way, the effect on the country is said to be catastrophic. A shady report from a foreign journalist has tentatively suggested that the pervasive mood among the populace is one of millennial gloom and foreboding. Similar reports have suggested a number of peculiar cults and religious fringe groups have emerged in line with the increasing trend for messianic salvation. Further reports and details are expected in the coming weeks.
Contents
History
Early History
Much of early Arvori history has been grievously lost during the two great upheavals which blot the nation’s past. The first of these, known as the Blight of Adenar, led intimately to the foundation of the nationstate recognisable today. A lost region known collectively as Adenar, whose location is still debated over by the nation's historians today, was the ancient home of the peoples of Arvor. Around 500-700 years ago, a power struggle emerged within the region between 7 great empires whose power spanned from coast to coast - enslaving the populace under the veil of protection. Ravaging wars soon engulfed the entire region, pillaging armies raped the rich lands, desolation was manifest and escape became the only means of salvation.
The acute desperation of the peoples of Arvor led them to flee their homelands, banding together in city states around the coast. The names of these city states have been kept alive for posterity in their modern forms: Abrigar - meaning ‘Haven’, Emmenarc - meaning ‘The Ark’, Amandine - meaning ‘Saviour’. After decades of tenuous survival, clinging to the coast for safety, the inhabitants of the city states united together to initiate the greatest feat in Arvorian history: The Great Voyage
Transfused with the fantasy of a new Paradise purged of suffering and sin, the Arvori traversed the vast oceans, blindly seeking a green and pleasant dominion in which to reside. Sailing in a singular, vast armada, battered by the cruel seas, plagued by the debilitating reliance upon the surrounding lands for survival, the Arvori were forced to drift from nation to nation selling all they possessed for the means to achieve their chiliastic dreams. Modern estimates as to the scale of the voyage have been put at around 3000 vessels in total carrying up to 250,000 people; an unprecedented feat.
The only source found to comprehensively document the Great Voyage and other major events in Arvori history is the epic work Arvorias, supposedly written by a collection of well respected, if anonymous, authors around 500 years ago. The collection of stories, fables and myths documented in the book range from creationist ideals, fables of kingdoms and lands which were visited during the great voyage to historically substantiated accounts of the weather and climate, peoples present on the voyage and political and the concious process of cultural development experienced during the journey.
Upon the eventual arrival in the region of Wysteria after countless months at sea, the Arvori quickly settled in the northerly corner of the region on the continent of Cascadia, where they began the slow and arduous process of rebuilding their nation.
Modern Arvor
Population and Politics
Traditionally populated by a mostly ethnically homogenous group of French-Arvori, Arvor is increasingly experiencing a growing influx of immigrant communities to its borders. Specifically, the region of Nlosha in the far north-west of the country still retains its historical association with immigrant communities and continually harbours a quiescent consciousness of separatism.
Wider national politics are largely characterized by a stark contrast between urban and rural areas. The southern urban city states such as Abrigar and Emmenarc, as well as the cities of the Vorvale are traditional champions of socialism and left-wing economics. By contrast, the more rural areas of the west are socially conservative and continually reject attempts to revolutionise their agrarian economy. Both regions, however, are fiercely protective over their personal freedoms and have repeatedly resisted attempts to curb their overly extensive civil liberties by successive governments.
Religion, Culture and Society
Although there is no official religion, the people are a deeply superstitious bunch and attribute most daily happenings or events to one of the many deities, spirits or superstitions associated with phenomena such as love, luck, or misfortune. The practise of prayer or penance to these deities is an omnipresent aspect of Arvori life which can express itself in a varying array of peculiar forms; the recent Memento Mori (or Death) cults emerging after the Flavian Flu pandemic serving witness to this.
However, the area of Arvori life which claims most attention from the outside world is the national dress. Arvorians of both sexes are almost exclusively dressed in black clothing; a practise and convention which has common social currency throughout the nation. Colourful clothing remains a national taboo and a source of ridicule and discrimination to the wearer. Such social attitudes have resulted in various tensions emerging in recent times towards immigrants and tourists especially who refuse to conform or who are ignorant of the national dress and the significances attached to its rejection.
This phenonema has resulted in some commentators and travel writers referring to Arvor as the world’s largest funeral parlour, but this is merely a widely held misconception. Arvorian’s do not attach any rooted significance to the colour or state of their dress such as death or mourning as is common amongst other Wysterian nations. Nor does its presence effect or inhibit behaviour among the populace. Instead, is viewed merely as a social convention which is almost exclusively adhered to.
The national dress however, is one of but many social conventions and rituals which govern Arvori society. The rigours of Arvori social etiquette are strictly followed, especially by the higher social strata’s, and the overcomplicated and often incomprehensible rules governing every area of social interaction can often be an impossible minefield for foreign dignitaries and tourists. Specifically, great offence was caused to the Arvorian Premier when a foreign diplomat dared to walk ahead of him on route to the Mentesparle. Arvori elegance, however, is legendary and Arvorian’s are often spoken highly of abroad for their manners and decorum which continues to be a source of immense pride for the national consciousness.
