Aurlûnor Velande

Capital and Languages Brief Nation Info Aurlûnor (Traveler's Tongue: Sun Dragon Realm), officially the Aurlûnor Velande (Traveler's Tongue: Sun Dragon Empire) is a nation located in the Nándor Peninsula of Syltör. Aurlûnor makes up the western half of the second Aurlûnoren-Ryzani Empire.

Its capital city is Lhûmar, located on the northern coast of the Gulf of Heaven, a subsection of the Lothranis Sea. It additionally shares an overseas territorial border with multiple nations via Isillûnde. Its official religion and state ideology is the Twin Dragon. It is by far the largest majority Elven ruled nation in the world.

Prior to the Aurlûnor Velande's existence, varying people groups had inhabited the region for over 74,000 years. Settling mostly in the region known as the Heartlands, the Dawouic people groups also known as the Ghûren were advanced in the fields of agricultural practices and the building of hill forts. The Kumiho settled in the regions of the modern day southwest of the country, and established a loose confederation of states, which eventually became it's own Queendom later on. The Seraanmai would also establish their own respective Kingdom of Olarã, and City-State of Sakór or Sakór (Moonfall) with Sakór as it's capital. The region is largely credited as the first area where the Elves of Rathnir begun their journey along the varying Elven Migrations that happened over the course of a few thousand years. The people known as the Celestial Elves would settle in modern day Tacua Province as the Ardol Culture, eventually expanding out north to become the Kingdom of Almador. Fighting would occur between the native Humans of the region, and the elves, which caused a series of conflicts which are known today as the Maxionic Conquests. Almador would rule for over ten-thousand years until it's ultimate demise and downfall, splitting into multiple warring states. Out of this chaos, two powers known as the Kingdom of Linye and the Kingdom of Melwende spawned, and begun conquering the smaller states. What would become of the modern day Aurlûnor Velande, appeared as a warlord state lead by it's first, and currently only Velereth, Sareariel Lelya-Earcala, conquering both states, and ending the warlord period. Aurlûnor would eventually become a regional powerhouse in Southern Syltör, by conquering most of it's neighbors, and whatever remained of the former warring states, eventually claiming the mantle of the old Almadoric kings, and solidified it's powerbase. It has also became the center of one of the most important inventions such as Gunpowder, Paper, Bank Notes, advanced sail design and many other advanced technologies, making it a center of science and learning.

The Aurlûnor Velande is currently governed as an absolute divine monarchy, ruled by an enatic dynastical system, and run under an imperial court. The country is often mistaken as a matriarchy, despite only the throne being matriarchally lead, while many other seats in government are de jure, meritocratic. Aurlûnor is a former founding member of the Syltör League, and a former member of the Syltör Confederation. Before it's dissolution, Aurlûnor was the head of a dual monarchy together with Ryzan known as the first First Aurlûnoren-Ryzani Empire. Aurlûnor is often placed low on civil liberties, government transparency, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and is often accused of having among the worst records of treatment of ethnic minorities, despite the fact that the country has reportedly granted citizenship to non-Celestial Elves. Aurlûnor is often criticized as an "Elven state", and is often targeted due to the administration not being ruled by a human majority unlike many of its Syltör contemporaries. Despite its low freedom rates, Aurlûnor is often regarded as Syltör's most stable nation, ranking very high on multiple tests of stability, regardless of the incident of Summer 903 ACA, which nearly plunged the country into collapse. Aurlûnor is also often praised to being one of the most immersive countries in the world, with it leading the way in the meta of roleplaying, and is regarded as one of the more peaceful nation, not having interests of major territorial expansion, which usually shocks people whenever the country declares war.

Etymology
The word Aurlûnor Velandé means "Sun Dragon Empire", which was said to have been the name Velereth Sareariel Lelya-Earcala gave the country. However, the name could also be due to the fact that the descendance of the Velereth from heaven was on the year of the Light Dragon, with the stars aligning in the form of that of a Dragon, and the Sun being at this constellation's center.

"Aurlûn" alone translates to "Sun Dragon" in, as the words aur meaning sun, and lûn meaning dragon, while "-or" while being used alone would mean "land" or "country". "Velandé" means "empire", or literally "[the] empress's country".

Note the é used in direct transliteration from Aurlûnoren is not an accent mark, but a tone marker, as the language features four tones which can effect the meaning of the word.

Early History
The area occupied by the modern-day Velande was once occupied exclusively by human tribes, known collectively as the Ghûren, ancestors of most of the modern Aurlûnoren humans. Approximately 11,000 years ago the Elven Migration Period began, which coincided with the advent of agriculture among the Ghûren and the settlement of the Kumiho in Hampo. These Elves would spread all over southern Syltör, and it is believed they came into conflict with the people of Bjørn´sberg after settling in the Fornoisan Ranges. The ancestors of the Celestial Elves would establish a capital in the city of Ardol, in modern day Tacua province.

An elven king by the name of Maxion the Conqueror consolidated the various elves on the Lothranis Sea's west coast, and began the conquest of the northern territories. He would found the Kingdom of Almador, the predecessor of the Aurlûnor Velande, and place its capital in a settlement known as Sachómar. Almador would begin a period of conquest, dominating the other Ghûren kingdoms as well as the Kumiho. The rule of Almador was legalistic, and at many times excessively cruel. Rebellions were crushed and non-elves were commonly enslaved. However, during the centuries through which the kingdom lasted, the Imperial Humans and Kumiho were eventually assimilated to the level of equals.

Almador would eventually fall into chaos following the mismanagement of King Hireon and a large famine. Governors broke away from the central government to form their own kingdoms, beginning the "Warlord Period" or "Warring States Period". The following thousand years of conflict would see nearly a third of the population waste away from war, disease, and famine.

One small city-state that broke away was led by a local warlord by the name of Sareariel Lelya-Earcala. She would capture the fishing village that would become modern Lhûmar and declared the founding of the Aurlûnor Velande following the defeat of the Kingdoms of Melwende and Linye. The various other elven kingdoms that occupied old Almadoran land would be swept up by the new Velereth, though many other Almadoran territories were occupied by foreign governments. Years of strife and instability followed the founding of the Velande, but with the reform and stability of the central government the lives of the people improved as famine was eradicated and peace returned to the land.

Rise
Aurlûnor's earlier days on the server (beginning around the early 820s ACA) saw the country dominated by foreign nations, and the Velande found itself at the whims of larger external powers. Aurlûnor joined the Syltör Confederation, but Bardonia vassalized Aurlûnor for a brief period as the Confederation broke apart in 834 ACA. However, during its time as a vassal of Bardonia, Aurlûnor still remained autonomous and was able to take back old Almadoran lands, first with the Treaty of Smaugonik between Aurlûnor and Takumakken, and the formal integration of the Istihi Azeral territories that would become Celume Province later in 834, and the Partition of Takumakken in 837.

After leaving Bardonian vassaldom, Sareariel entered a marriage with Dalatra Mosulia of Ardat/Yimmu-Audal, and later CanadianToss of Ryzan (creating the first Aurlunor-Ryzan union state), and the First Barbarian Rally was launched- it was a chaotic time. From its membership in the Syltör Confederation, Aurlûnor temporarily acquired Norfthorn as a vassal state and integrated the County of Fornois as a province as its leader, Julian de Fornois, retired.

Era of Barbarian Conflict
After the split with Bardonia, Aurlûnor began a period of political isolation that continues to the present. While foreign volunteers proved indispensable to fighting squatters in the Barbarian Rallies, the institution of the "Sleeping Dragon Doctrine" meant that Aurlûnor would no longer involve itself in unnecessary foreign entanglements and focus on improving its internal strength and relations with only its neighbors. It is through this isolation that many Aurlûnoran citizens and external observers explain the relative stability of the regime compared to other nations in Rathnir.

The first Aurlûnor-Ryzani Empire period proved to be chaotic and disastrous, with the Second Barbarian Rally (in 848 ACA) occurring at this time, and Sareariel eventually divorced Tsar Canadiantoss. The Third Barbarian Rally occurred in 852 ACA as Aurlûnor went further down its isolationist path, and it concluded the debacle of the rather inconclusive Second Rally. However, the Great Fire of Hloamar occurred during the Third Rally, burning the city down and destroying the old Takumakken architecture. This was the catalyst for the beginning of Mao Meili and Ja'al the Engineer's political careers, as their effort in rebuilding the city earned Mao a position as Nir Province's governor and Jaal as a governmental minister.

Golden Age
After participating in the Ferrymen War, peace and prosperity returned to Aurlûnor. Aurlûnor saw rapid expansion of its national borders (including the creation of the Viceroyalty of Isillûnde in Eldham), a large population increase, the founding of the Dragon Navy, and many internal building projects such as the Imperial Palace went under construction.

A near-miss war with the Ryzani Republic in 854 ACA spurred on by the actions of Thy Futo and Entropy (a nemesis of Sareariel at the time) contributed to further souring relations with Ryzan and closer ties with Bardonia that would continue until the Allium-Coalition War in August. The Golden Age also saw the insurrection of a Raajjyn tribe known as the Grey Banner, who until the winter of 884 ACA were hated vehemently by the Aurlûnoran Imperial Court as they crept around, stole, and planted IEDs across Aurlûnor. Eventually diplomacy between the two parties was reached, and Aurlûnoran volunteers helped the former Banner establish the State of Kyydrosil.

The Fourth Barbarian Rally, in Eldham, was resolved without bloodshed as Sareariel left temporarily. Mao Meili was promoted to Chancellor and Sel Lelya-Earcala was promoted to Imperial Regent until the Velereth's return. After this, three children- Lanfen, Vahtying, and Hayalal Lelya-Earcala, were revealed to the public. As squatters overran the country in the 880s ACA, the Fifth Barbarian Rally, the largest to date, was announced, and Bjornsberg was acquired as a vassal.

Despite having been a former Bardonian vassal, Sareariel kept good relations with Bardonia, who signed a mutual defense pact with Aurlûnor. Kaiser Lucius von Savras of Andorn (then part of Bardonia) married Sareariel, further cementing Bardonian ties. When the Allium War broke out in 882, Aurlûnor initially joined in on the Bardonian side against the Third Coalition. However, diplomatic breakdowns led to an official withdrawal as a full combatant in the war, and Aurlûnor instead only materially supported the Allium Alliance with a single volunteer, Hydra Blackwater, fighting at the Battle of New Dorasterrock.

The Bardonian Spring saw Andorn and others secede from Bardonia, allowing Aurlûnor and the newly-freed nations to found the Syltör League in the mid-880s. The League was a mutual defense organization to protect the northeastern states against foreign intervention and improve intra-continental trade by building roads and highways. While the League did help in construction, and League members participated in the Fifth Barbarian Rally and other conflicts, it slowly degenerated into uselessness as it proved ineffective in keeping peace in Ryzan.

Decline
The Imperial Autumn was a period of relative decline that was observed as the 890s ACA came. War with the Forest Council squatters, the Great Eclipse and a subsequent famine and lockdown, and the bombing of Twin Dragon temples during the War in Ryzan (inadvertently leading to the Grand Temple declaring war on Aurlûnor, making the leadership of Aurlûnor at war with itself) all occurred over the course of the Imperial Autumn. The War in Ryzan also led to the annexation of the Deutzan region as Malyan Province, as the Ryzani state soon ceased to exist.

the following decade saw the influx of many squatters into Hampo Province including Islos and the Legion Aleczaender, and the tightening of religious laws including a ban on syncretic Soleannen-Twin Dragon.

Lanfen's Reign
The disappearance of Sareariel in 903 ACA threw the whole Velande into crisis. A regency council comprised of Mel Lelya-Earcala, Minister Nori, and Chancellor Mao Meili took charge, to guide the young heir Lanfen Lelya-Earcala in her mother's footsteps. Hazel McSpiegel was made the new Celestial Matron, technically separating the Twin Dragon Temple and Aurlûnor Velande government for the first time in any meaningful manner.

The death of the Syltör League was proclaimed by Chancellor Mao in 907 ACA as Aurlûnor and its ally Norfthorn were left as its sole founding members in the western Syltör region. This prompted an incursion into the acquisition of the southern provinces by the Huitca Federation, whose leader Tlatoani Quauhtli Tizoc claimed had a right over those lands due to Viridian (a formerly independent Huitcan state) once controlling the lands. Diplomatic talks broke down with the Imperial Court and war seemed to be on the horizon, but re-negotiation and the urges of the rest of the Huitcan government cooled the situation down.

Despite the hardships of diplomacy, the Aurlûnor Velande and its people persisted in building and maintaining a rich national culture. Lasting over a year on the server, Aurlûnor's citizens and leaders kept strong and built many towns, buildings, and more across the land and created all manner of arts to share with the world.

Sareariel's Return & the Chancellorate
Sareariel returned in the year 918 ACA to begin ruling for decades more, marking the "Second Reign" of Sareariel. This reign was marked by membership in the Northern Star Coalition, limited support in the War of Deception, internal political reorganization, a close call to war over the massacre of Travatar's chickens by an unknown stranger, and the establishment of the city of Shenhua. The most important event of the second reign, however, was the secession of the Third Dominion of Ashura, which became an independent vassal of the Velande in the winter of 945 ACA.

The declaration of Josbar Liberium's Red Sun Campaign in 952 ACA culminated into an existential threat for Aurlûnor, and forced the returned Velereth into abdication, appointing chancellor Mao Meili as regent. The new regent led the country through the crisis, avoiding bloodshed. After peacetime returned, several reforms were implemented by the Regent including economic reforms and diplomatic approachment with Ryzan. The secession of three small parcels of land known as the Temple Territories marked serious separation between the Twin Dragon temple and the Aurlûnoren state.

However, with the rise and reveal of Segra and her plans for the extermination of the Lhûren and Aurlûnoren human populations, and the betrayal of general Tauranis Alcaron to the Segraite cause, Aurlûnor found itself in a weak position. Ashura pushed for distancing from the state, and talks in Ashura, Aurlûnor, and Ryzan began to speak of uniting the states. In 960 ACA, the Regent Mao began to marry, and build a small harem of lovers as the Velereth before her did, choosing Sekhem Khamen, the Celestial Sage of Dark, as her primary spouse.

Second Aurlûnor-Ryzan Empire
In the summer of the following year, 961 ACA, the final documentation was signed. The approachment between the two states had resulted in a union that both the Aurlûnoren and Ryzani leaderships found beneficial, and the union was declared to the world. This marked the end of the regency, as the former regent was now appointed to High Chancellor of Aurlûnor-Ryzan, and Shan Lelya-Earcala appointed as the new Velereth.

Political divisions


The Velande contains 9 provinces, with one special cities known as the City of Lhûmar, which functions as an independent territorial unit from the Imperial Province that contains the Empire's capital. Provinces of the Aurlûnor Velande

Former Provinces
Three former provinces existed during the time of the Velande. Vedassa Province, was the first province to be abolished as a province entirely. Also known as North Fornois, Vedassa was created later during the Velande's expansions to the south and east. Lencamar was the capital until 888 ACA, where Drakovien was made the official capital. It was merged with Alvada Province in 899. Drakovien (Lûnwir) served as its capital and largest city.

Malyan Province was also a province that belonged to the Velande up until the year 922 ACA, after a back and forth between the Fifth Tsardom of Ryzan, Sareariel, Shan Toss, and Green Toss. This would lead to near-war, however, the region was agreed to be split between Ryzan and the Velande, with the Velande retaining the ownership of Duck Island, and the rest of Malyan being transferred to the Tsardom. This move was not popular among Deutzani citizens, who enjoyed living under the Velande.

Calaxiáng Province was a province that was handed from the Knossos King, Kori, who by a popular vote in his country, wanted to join the Velande. Unfortunately, this fell under the Mistic Doctrine and was enforced by Astyllea, threatening war. A treaty was made, where the country would be given independence again.

Erúme and Sharla Provinces were provinces that was both gained upon the partition of Viridan. These territories were preserved, and was governed by the Velande for the purpose of rebuilding the home of the Second Dominion of Ashura. The Aurlûnor Velande also observed multiple Ashuran and Celumite Azeral tribes that live throughout the country. All tribes were classified as citizens of the Velande. The Ashuran Desert Azeral peoples were also recognized as of the acquisition of the Ashuran territory from the Viridian breakup and subsequent partition. Many of these tribes practiced autonomy, with many of them following different customs. Although required to follow Velande law, it was not enforced on these people groups that often due to the distance, quantity, and nomadic nature of these tribes. Due to this, many tribes have their own laws, as well as religion bans that are enforced when encroaching on their tribal territory or camp. In the winter of 945 ACA, the provinces were given the vassal status by the central government following a decision by the Velereth, due to the continued prosperities and impossibility to permanently govern the provinces, and assisted in forming the Third Dominion of Ashura.

Biodiversity
The Aurlûnor Velande is located in western Syltör- specifically on the Nándor Peninsula- along the northern shores of the Sea of Lothranis. It also borders the western edge of the Gulf of Ryzan.

In the north, there are conifer forests and mountains- in particular the Monts del Nors and Monts del Mornan, forming the Fornoisan Ranges. The Soiran River flows through the valley of Fornois, and it is in this river valley that much of Alvada Province's population lives. The valley has a warmer climate than the mountains, and its fertile soil for farming allows large cities like Drakovien to thrive. The Great Timber Expanse is a particularly rich conifer forest to the north; it is protected by law, but regulated logging is permitted.

The central latitudes of the Velande are warm and humid, The eastern hills of the Endanor region across to the Maerun steppes are somewhat dry and cool due to wind patterns, but Tacua, Nir, and northern Hampo experience a humid subtropical-to-tropical climate, with lots of rain and mild winters. Coral grows in abundance in the Bay of Heaven which borders this region, and the abundant fish sustain much of the coastal population. Biodiversity in the Tacua-East Bay region is the highest in the whole country and perhaps continent, with many creatures including the Aurlûnoren Lûn, the national animal, calling the rainforest home. Ha Anga Bayou National Park was established in 910 ACA to protect the wildlife of southern Nir. Tamaka Province is home to Mount Nantian, home of the Nantian Monastery and is the Velande's largest free-standing mountain. Tamaka also inherits a moderate climate, bearing abundant forests that give way to plains in the south.

The central and southern regions of the Velande, including Ashura, are mostly dry grassland and desert, terraformed in the ancient past by Dune Elven magic to make way for their herds of livestock and pastoral lifestyle. In days past the area was mostly temperate open forest with a few arid regions in the south, but desertification was desired by the ancient immigrants to the area. Today the vast Ashuran Desert's sands stretch from sea to sea, broken up by the oases and rivers that still dot the landscape-vestiges of the older, wetter world. The largest of these oases is the Sawiya Oasis, located at the very heart of the desert. The desert-dwellers farm the rivers and oases, or engage in pastoral nomadism for food. Resource prospecting and even fossil- and artifact-collecting have become popular in recent years as ways to get extra money from the desert's hidden resources.

Government and Politics
The Aurlûnor Velande is an absolute theocratic monarchy, ruled under eleven Imperial Provinces, and one overseas territory. It is a monarchy that falls under an enatic primogeniture style of succession, making it the only one of it's kind in Syltör and Rathnir and Eldham in general.

Currently, the nation on the Union level is ruled by Shan Lelya-Earcala, who is both Velereth of Aurlûnor and the Tsar of Ryzan, and High Chancellor Mao Meili. The state is a sovereign dependency under the Dual Crown of the Aurlûnor-Ryzani Empire. The state is internally run by one Nori di Nekomar, who serves as the current chancellor.

Succession of the throne of the Aurlûnor Velande is thought by some to be through the use of the Divine Crown of the Velande. However, legal laws state that in order for one to succeed the throne of the Velande, they must follow through a ceremony, which confirms legitimacy.

To be eligible to become the next Velereth, they must meet the following requirements:

The heir is female, is at least 30 or older, to be required to be a daughter of Sareariel biologically and is required to be apart of the Lelya-Earcala Dynasty.

The ceremony begins with the five questions of the Vale. They must be answered in Primordial.


 * 1) What is the greatest desire of the world that men want the most?
 * 2) Through what divine the blood you descend from? Speak thy names in their original tongue.
 * 3) Upon what do you seek the greatest, when given to you at full strength?
 * 4) Should you slit your left thigh, and drink the Wine of Yunin, while riding a Qivar through the Five Passes?
 * 5) The Ultimate Truth. What is the correct answer to everything that exists around you?

Should they pass through the five questions successfully, they are given a golden chalice, in which inside, is a specially brewed Celestial Tea, made from a yet unknown ingredient. They must slice open their left palm, and drip it into the tea. Should it come up green, they are not legitimate, and are therefore, a pretender, if however, it comes up pure blue, and starts making a sizzling sound, causing the cup to broil, and flame like a torch, they are confirmed to potentially be legitimate.

The final step of the process, is the new Velereth is to strip, and be bathed by Ceremonial Baijiu, and set on fire by their own chalice. Should they wince, the flame asunders reddish orange, and burn, they are not legitimate. However, should it burn white, then crimson red, at the same time, and do not feel pain, cooling down with it absorbing into their pours, they are then knelt down before, and hailed as the new Velereth of the Velande, in which she'd be dressed back up, and sit on her new throne.

The Imperial Court
The Aurlûnor Velande functions off an Imperial Court system, in which there are three sections of the government: the high ministry, the low ministry and the local leaderships.


 * The high ministry functions under three offices, the office of the Chancellory, the office of the Grand Secretariat and the office of the Grand Magistrate.
 * The low ministry functions under the office of the State Councillor, with eight different ministries: the Minister of Academics, Justice, Commence, War, Works, Demographics, Rites and Diplomatic Affairs.
 * Each province is ruled by an Imperial Governor, who in turn, rules under their own given councils of mayors, citizens and village elders. Almost all positions are hereditary with optional democratic vote if the predecessor is unable to choose an heir, or passes away without giving a designated heir.

The judiciary branch is run by the Minister of Justice, who in turn, runs the Supreme Court of the Aurlûnor Velande, which consists of the main court in Lhûmar as well as the head of the local courts that are run throughout the nation. In most cases, the Minister of Justice acts as the head judge of the Supreme Court, but court cases can be directly intervened by the Velereth or Chancellor if deemed necessary or if requested.

Only Celestial Elves, Aurlûnoren Humans, Dune Elves, Kumiho, Seraan, and Nekojin are granted citizenship at birth. The Aurlûnor Velande's racial hierarchy meters around four rankings: Citizen, Civilized, Plebian and Uncivilized. Civilized ranking races describe this ranking as "Citizenship but for foreigners", while Plebian and Uncivilized ranking races are not considered natural born or citizens of the country, and therefore do not enjoy the rights as citizens.

Law Enforcement
The Velande Laws are the mandated code of law in the country. It is known as the harshest law code in Rathnir, as many of these laws involve beatings by bamboo canes, which can be seen as brutal. The law is also among the most controversial due to its suppression of free speech and religion, with the most executions per capita, with many of the laws involving execution. The Velande is also one of the few countries that sends convicts of the more severe crimes to hard labor, mostly in the Erúme Province. It is often called the "Bloody Dragon Empire" due to these causes, and the "Graveyard of Practitioners" due to it's anti-heresy laws.

All provinces and the City of Lhûmar are enforced by the Municipal Police, which functions as law enforcement. Each settlement has a particular police force, and run by the majority or minority of said department. Villages and towns that subordinate are guarded by said force of the more major settlements. For example, the Ruscoliemar Metropolitan Police is ran by a Kumiho, the Aballia Metropolitan Police is ran by a Seraan, etc.

Military
The Velereth is Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military, and appoints leaders such as the Minister of War, the Chief Commandant of the Army, and the Grand Admiral of the Navy. The Imperial Military is currently divided into two divisions, the Dragon Army and the Dragon Navy. The Dragon Army is the main force of the country, utilizing pike and shot tactics, as well as arquebuses- being one of the first nations to fully use firearms on Rathnir. They are mostly a defensive military, protecting the Velande's borders alongside local militias that sometimes gather under their banners. The Dragon Navy deals with the domestic affairs of the Lothranis Sea and the Great Southern Ocean, often hunting pirates, and protecting merchant vessels that enter in and out of the sea.

Military service is largely voluntary in peacetime for most citizens. Stronger citizens however, are conscripted into the military, and must serve for upwards to two years in total for defensive purposes.

Culture
Aurlûnoren Culture is among the most diverse in the Nándor region. Almadorian culture that was left over from the remnants of the Kingdom still linger within the Aurlûnor Velande massively, and is present in everyday life. Unlike the Almadorians, the Aurlûnorens adopted many aspects of Ghûren cultures, most notably Dawou Culture, blending it together with Almadorian culture, creating a unique identity in which the styles of building, architecture and traditions. Aspects of the Dawou culture can be seen today in Lhûmar with the presence of holidays such as Dragon Day with another in Winter and the New Years festival held every 12th of Maureawe.

The Velande is often known as the cultural capital of Western Syltör, and continues to show itself as a shining example of a nation with rich culture.

Food
Main Article: Aurlûnoren cuisine

Aurlûnoren cuisine mostly consists of rice, wheat, berry, fish and meat dishes that are native to the region. Aurlûnoren cuisine mostly appears to mostly steam their foods, most notably vegetables and meat, as said to "enrichen the flavor" and to make food more "savory". One of the most famous dishes in Aurlûnor Velande is known as the Steamed Beef Bun, which composes of a round shaped bun, filling inside with meat, and a flour exterior. Inside, usually composes of either crushed berries, bamboo sprouts or rice, surrounded by the beef.

Sauces are among the most used in any Aurlûnoren dish. Usually, a dish will be seen with sauce being added, which can vary depending on what type of dish it is. Most of the sauces are sweet or salty, with one of the most popular sauces, soy sauce, being used on almost anything to make it tasty. Chocolate Sauce is more widely used in Tacua Province, accompanied with a leaf covering the food as a form of respect to the consumer.

Spice is extremely popular in upper class dishes, and is often used on many dishes to help make the flavors give extra kick. Freshly grown Tacuan Jungle Spices known as Jihaw, Saffron, Anardana, and Sumac are among the most popular spices that are seen, with saffron being reserved mostly for Imperial Family members.

In some provinces, there are a few delicacies that are exclusive to the region's local access to particular sources. For instance, in Nir Province, fish-based dishes, such as the famous fish stew mixed with local grown rice mixed together with shrimps and crawfish are popular to the people of the region. Coastal towns along the Lothranis Sea tend to use lots of fish in their cuisine, often replacing other meats that inlanders would normally eat. A staple food fish of the average Aurlûnoren peasant is the Blue Snapper; Sand Grouper and Red Dolphinfish are more pricey fish. Pufferfish fugu is served as a delicacy, as its preparation must be careful in removing the fish's poison glands. Sea turtles like the Western Hawk Turtle are rarely eaten, and protected by law.

Art
The Velande is well known for talented artists, who appears to have painted many portraits of the Velereth, and that of multiple battle scenes. Famous artists such as Dalatra Mosulia and Aesop Hexen have been renown for their art skills despite their mixed origins. Azan, Governor of Sharla Province is also a famous sculptor, being responsible for such works such as his depictions of the King of Darkness and Queen of Light that still shines outside of the gates of Lhûmar.

Literature
Despite living in a rather conservative country in regards to literature, Aurlûnoren literature is among the most liberal, and open-expressive pieces in Syltör. The most famous of these pieces throughout the country is a book known as The Princess, a currently two volume book written by Aldara Ellan, a well known scholar of Seraan descent. Other political works include Chancellor Mao Meili's Harmony and Politics.

The Celestial Fertilizer is an infamous novel written by an unknown author back in 221 ACA, which is described to be "raunchy" and "extremely informal" by many, but is widely popular by adults as something known as "Pleasure Literature".

Another huge book is known as the Clash of the Three Kingdoms, which was written by an Aurlûnoren Human by the name of Liu Rundon in the mid-600s ACA, which takes place during the time of the Warring Period of the Almadorians, romanticizing the rise of power of the Velande.

As far as more scientific and theoretical literature goes, the scientist Tara Sauranis has written multiple short works describing ancient beasts, bringing the science of paleontology to the public. Her books are popular, with the Fornost Museum holding a copy of her work on Megalonectes on public display. Hydra Blackwater's philosophical work Systems of Harmony details Twin Dragon's epistemology and metaphysics.

Architecture
Throughout the history of the Aurlûnor Velande, the building style of the varying cities changed overtime, with some having a traditional Almadorian-look, such as the ancient city of Ardol, to having more of a mixture of Neo-Dawou, and whatever regions they settled in. Though the dark history of architecture shows that slaves of the Ghûren peoples were shown to have adopted their traditions, when slavery was discontinued in 0 CA, the Aurlûnor Velande adopted many practices of this style, and incorporated into a more varied style. As the nation expanded, and more cultures integrated into the Velande, so did architectural styles. Kumiho style would enter into the scene upon the integration of the Hampo Province, Fornoisan architecture entering the picture in the northern territories blending styles together to create a strange hybrid of the cultures, and even Dune Elven architecture mixing in with the acquisition of the old Ashuran territories from Huitca.

Among all nations, the Aurlûnor Velande is often ranked extremely high when it comes to architectural prowess. Multiple cities, most notably Lhûmar, Dun and Lûnwir, which are often called the "Three Titans of the West", in terms of architectural beauty and prowess. The ancient city of Ebonimemar is also an example of rather high architectural prowess, with Ashuran Architecture mixed in with aspects of Almadorian style architecture.

Music
Aurlûnoren music is widely renowned as "cultured", "refined" and "aesthetic". Most Aurlûnoren instruments are inherited from Dawou or Almadorian culture over 900 years ago. The invention of instruments such as the Aurlûnoren guzhen, the sitar, the erhu and the Tacuan style lute, are among the most popular by many musicians around the world. The most popular Aurlûnoren melody is known as "The Prowl of the Tiger", which is known to be one of the oldest pieces of Dawou music that dates back to 4,700 BCA. The oldest Almadorian piece known as "The Bamboo Forest of the Shining Moon" is among the most popular wood-wind pieces, which is accompanied by a poem, and is usually sung by many bards in taverns and tea houses across the country.

Later instruments such as the Ashuran Ney, which was introduced in the 1600 BCAs, is common among the more lower classes and laborers, as well as many tribes of the Ashuran Desert. The Aurlûnoren Piano, invented in 460 ACA by Larcan Jae-Sailanis, became a widely common sight in many houses, taverns, tea houses and even among the elites.

Science
The Aurlûnor Velande is considered to be the scientific capital of the world, due to the many innovations that the countries had created. The invention of synthetic Gunpowder, paper money, the arquebus, cannons, the repeating crossbow, wheelbarrow, rice, wheat cultivation and tea are all often attributed to the Velande. Various amounts of scientific discoveries had also been made by Aurlûnoren scientists and people of Aurlûnoren origin. Renowned researchers such as Tara Sauranis, John Pitchardson Rex among other have been contributed to the scientific field. The Rathnir Paleontological Society had picked Lhûmar to be the candidate of its new headquarters. One of the most renowned mappers of the Rathnir Cartographer's Guild, Juno, traces his roots to the Velande. Various inventions are inspired by the Aurlûnor Velande's vast innovation in terms of technological prowess, and earned itself as one of the most technologically progressive nations in Rathnir.

Population
According to the Imperial Census, the Aurlûnor Velande has reported that the country is home to around 62,450,000 citizens. These figures are a rough estimate, due to the fact that the census rounds to the nearest thousand, omitting extra numbers. The number also accounts for only citizen races, and does not count non-citizen races. In total, there may be roughly more people that live as a minority. With this high number, this makes the Velande the largest country in terms of population density in Syltör, numbering below Bardonia's numbers in the region. The high numbers are likely a result of the fertile lands, including rice cultivation and multiple other factors.

The "Ashuran Line" indicates that much of the Velande's population lives behind the Ashuran Desert, with a ring extending out, where it gets less densely populated. Sachómar is ranked the most densely populated city in Syltör with over 10 million people calling the city home.

Language
Aurlûnoren (specifically Heartlander Aurlûnoren) is the official and state language of the Aurlûnor Velande, as constitutionally stated in Article 1, Section 8 of the Imperial Constitution, and is the most spoken language in the empire. Although the Velande regulates this, some provinces, namely the ones with ethnic minorities, are allowed to use their local languages.

In the Alvada Province and northern Imperial Province, Fornoisan is widely spoken. In the Hampo Province, Gu-Maek is the de facto official language of local officials, mostly in Aballia and Seongji, although, Seraani is widely spoken in Aballia and around the hinterlands of the former Kingdom of Olarã. Yazan and Beletic languages are spoken by the local Dune Elves of the province. Gu-Maek is widely spoken in the courts of the Vorosan Province due to it being Kumiho dominated, though it's more of a majority in the southern parts. Erúme Province is the most linguistically divided region alongside Celume Province, which has varying amount of languages totaling up to around 16 in Erúme and 20 in Celume. The largest minority language is Ashurite, which makes up a majority in both Erúme and Sharla Provinces. Finally, Taku is spoken mostly in Northern Vorosan and Tamaka Provinces by the Crow. Minority languages such as Deutzani and Ryzani are spoken on Duck Island, though along the borders is where it is more common. Savran is spoken along the borders with Andorn as well as Bardon, and Maerun Shirûnic is an endangered language only spoken in Maerun. Almadoric is widely spoken in Alma Province and multiple Dawouic language groups such as Yi'yen, Fai, and Nû are spoken mostly in the Imperial Province, the City of Lhûmar, and Nir Province. Tacuan tribal languages are spoken as a majority in Tacua Province.

According to the census of 940 ACA, almost 90% of the Velande speaks Aurlûnoren as their first language, while 8% speaks it as their second language, 1.5% speaks it as their third and 0.5% speaks it as their fourth or more.

The largest secondary language spoken is Linyense followed by Melwendic and Dawouic. Among nobility, Almadoric is the widely spoken language, and is used as a ceremonial language in the courts.

Religion
The official religion of the Aurlûnor Velande is Twin Dragon. Under the Imperial Constitution, Twin Dragon is state-mandated, and it is forbidden to worship any organized religion, and may often lead to harsh punishment under the heresy laws. Unorganized faiths are legal to worship as long as they are syncretic with the state-faith, and are counted as Twin Dragon worship, not being counted as an independent faith.

The majority of the Aurlûnor Velande adheres to the religion of Twin Dragon with a 94.1% majority (included syncretic faiths). The largest minority religion is the Ashuran Pantheon 3.2%, Soleannen at 1.4%, traditional Hampo Animism at a 1.3%, and various other religions making up varying minorities throughout the nation.

The Ashuran Pantheon is the one of the three only religions that is legal by the Velande's legal code, but only applies in Sharla and Erúme Provinces. In other provinces, the Pantheon must be worshipped as a syncretic faith. The worship of Lux is also legal in most other provinces, and is recognized as a form of worship to Lothra. Soleannen is also legal in all provinces. All three religions are allowed to pray to their gods within the city limits of Lhûmar and Sachómar, but are not permitted to build temples 200 feet away or within the city.

Syncretic faiths, or faiths that are considered apart of the Twin Dragon faith or tolerated by the Velereth herself, are not prohibited from being worshipped outside of the city of Lhûmar or Sachómar. These faiths include: Asitir, Dandelism, Shirûnic Paganism, Rakauism, Hampo Paganism, Fornosian Paganism, Ashuran Pantheon (except in Sharla and Erúme where it's independently legal), various Dune Elf traditions, Yazan Aminism, and Tossanism (CanadianToss is recognized as a Legendary Hero). Lux is often debated to not be an organized religion, and is argued to be allowed to be syncretic with Twin Dragon.

Races and Ethnicities
The Celestial Elves (namely Heartlanders) attribute to being the majority of the population, making the Aurlûnor Velande the largest elven majority ruled nation in the world. The second largest race are humans, which make up the largest minority race in the region. Behind them are Kumiho, who mostly live in the Hampo and Vorosan Provinces, though some have been observed living in other areas of the Velande. The Dune Elves live mostly in the Ashuran Desert in the Sharla and Erúme Provinces as well as the vast Celume Province in the Mîn Desert. The Seraan make up a small minority in Southern Hampo, mostly in the city of Aballia and on the island of Necua. Nekojin live as a minority within the province of Tamaka, mostly in the city of Nekomar, and the Nekomar Steppe. Other minority races and ethnicities live within the Velande.