Valoore

Valoore is currently a nation located in Sparwood, precisely between Sparwood Major and the Pirate Peninsula. The capital of the State of Valoore is Serafaint. It is ruled by two Luminaries, permanent government officials, and a Sovereign, a democratically elected official.

The majority of the Valoorian towns border the sea, and thus many Valoorians are seafaring merchants or fishermen/women.

High Leaders
The three high leaders of the State of Valoore are the two Luminaries, permanent government officials, and a Sovereign, a democratically elected official.

Regent
The Regent is chosen by the High Leaders from the Ministerial Council, and counts as a substitute when a Luminarie goes on break or is indisposed.

Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council Council is also elected democratically. There are ministers of Social Affairs, Culture, Recruitment, Planning and Construction and Finance.

Geography and Climate
Valoore has a varying degree of geography. In the northernmost parts are warmer forests and plains. In the center, there are low-lying mountains. In the south, there are more spruce and dark oak forests, with large degrees of swamps and river deltas. In the north, there are moist and dense swamplands.

The Climate of Valoore also depends on geography. Whilst the northernmost parts are relatively temperate and may even be described as semi-tropical. However, all else of Valoore is temperate, and oftentimes wet, with cooler temperatures. There is snow in the winter months in Valoore and generally summer does not get very hot, or hot at all, never going above 'warm temperatures'.

Nobility
There currently is only one noble house in Valoore, that being House Chlagn. The current head of House Chlagn is Sawyerz, with the House's seat in Freadore but with plans to be transferred to Volkrum. Other members of House Chlagn include the Barons/Baronets of Valeron, Freadore, Volkrum and Erusea.

Fashion
Due to the climate of Valoore generally being relatively cold, most clothing in Valoore often has multiple layers. Common casual clothes worn in normal temperatures include Tunic and leggings on the inside, usually made from cotton or wool.

Long jacket on the outside, with a high collar and the jacket going below the waist, stop at the ankles and are usually made from leather, cotton, wool. Shoes are predominately leather waterproof boots. Whilst most casual clothing is white, brown or beige, it is not uncommon to see faint yellow, green, black and blue. Ribbons and scarves are also worn often, but brightly colored and highly decorated, as it is part of Valoorian culture.

Cuisine
There are many local Valoorian foods. Due to Fish, tuber vegetables and livestock being commonplace in Valoore, the foods there are usually based on them. Some foods are stews, usually with tubers such as carrots and potatoes with meat like beef. Fish stews are also popular. Cheeses, primarily manufactured in Stockhoff, although not in Valoore, is in close proximity too. Freshly steamed fish, with potatoes and gravy is a famous cultural dish in Valeron, a town in Valoore. In most of Valoore there is also the presence of Hams, Bacon and Sausages.

Bread is also a commonplace dish found almost everywhere in Valoore. It is most commonly eaten with saltier foods or with Cheese. There are two local Valoorian breads. One is saltier and more filling. The other is slightly sweeter and less dense.

People also often eat Waterfowl, due to it's large presence in the country. One dish is Valoorian Roasted Duck, which is a duck roasted on a slow fire for many hours, until the skin is crisp brown and is often eaten with bread and other foods. Desserts in Valoore include sweet cheeses, milk or cream puddings and candies.

Names
It is Valoorian tradition to name a child based on what season they were born in. These names are used for all genders in Valoore.

Below is a list of the most popular names in Valoore.

Spring:

Sakhe, Pléanen, Sotkhe

Summer:

Blitkhe, Velötre, Kéanten

Autumn:

Freane, Voltkhe, Thleke

Winter:

Fahn, Temihr, Lehinr

Holidays
Valoorians celebrate many holidays, but arguably the most important holidays to them are the Summer and Winter Solstices. They are celebrated with feasting and partying. However, according to tradition, it is customary to feast with your friends during the summer solstice, whilst you feast with your family during the Winter solstice. This represents how everyone likes summer as it is easy to live during that time, like how everyone likes their friends. Winter symoolizes family, since you can't choose your family, like you can't choose to have winter or not. However, winter still benefits the Valoorians and is necessary.

It is also customary to have boat races during Spring and Autumn, although the time these races happen depends on your village, town or city. There is also a harvest and planting festival, although these are mainly celebrated by farmers and their families.