[center][u][h2][b]Locations[/b][/h2][/u]

[h3][i]Harmodias Empire[/i][/h3]

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Far in the south, tucked behind the mountains and resting on the coastal area, is the beautiful kingdom of white stone known as Harmodias Empire. It is not an easily accessed place, given that it was built on the mountain levels, close to the sleeping volcano called Harmonia. In order to access Harmodias, one would have to travel for a month at least (longer, depending from where one is traveling,) given that the path is quite steep, but it would take far less time with a ship, given that there's an access to the docks. The climate always between crisp and clean. Mornings can be chilly, especially for those who live on the elevated parts of the town on the mountain, but after the noon, it is quite warm, with the sea breeze blowing through the streets, while in the elevated areas the air is fresher, albeit not as warm as it is on the coastal area. They tend to be hit by hurricanes once or twice a year, but only the villages higher up in the mountains tend to be exposed to a bit of snow during the winter months, but it never lasts. In Harmodias, it's never exactly cold.

However, one does not go to Harmodias to simply visit and sightsee. The first reason is that they would have to pay quite a lot of money for the privilege to be there and the second reason is that the Harmodias people aren't quite trustworthy of the outsiders in their own space. It is a known fact that there is not a lot of Harmodias denizens leaving their home to live elsewhere. These people in general were known to be quite open, warm and welcoming. But given the connection the people have to Harmodias, outsiders are always seen as the potential threat or uneducated people who don't know how to respect their home. Most people who got to see Harmodias are political figures (allies of the Emperor and the Empire), rich travellers and merchants. All who came to Harmodias would fondly speak of the beauty of the city, the many impressive statues gracing the streets, the colorful bazaar alleyways and the beautiful views of the sea and mountains alike.

[b]Brief History[/b]

The history of Harmodias has oddly enough followed the very root of the name of the city itself, that being harmony. This Empire is not known for military power, but it was the location that makes this place hard to reach and also because of the unique resources.

They have only been hit once by the war several decades ago, which has resulted in a wildfire that has reached the people of Harmodias. It was one of the most important events of the city, and it was when Medea was born, in the heat of the growing flames that threatened to consume the entire city.

[b]Structure of the kingdom[/b]

Harmodias has different villages: one fishermen's and one farmer's, three miner's villages on different levels of the mountain and one outsider's village who are further away from the mountainous area, but it's where the security post is located with ready scouts to rush to the heart of Harmodias to announce someone's arrival on the land.

They have a large temple close to the coastal area that is dedicated to the gods of elements and it also serves as a city hall. The biggest building is the royal temple higher up on the elevated parts of the city, as a sign that gods should always be closer and interact with the people, while royalty is obligated to be above and look after the people they have sworn to protect.

[b]Lifestyle, occupations and style[/b]

The main thing that makes this Empire as famous as it is is their trades and resources. Harmodias is known for their excellent trades and resources that one cannot find so easily. Especially when it comes to their fabrics. They offer the most colorful silks with golden threading for both men and women to wear, including metals that were mined out from the volcano area that have strange shifts in color, different types of gemstones and constant supply of fish. 

They live openly and freely compared to some other kingdoms, where societal rules aren't exactly restricting because of genders, instead of it gives them different benefits. Female traders are far more desired by the funders and a charismatic bartender will be respected like a noble lady would be if she does her job correctly. Men are still desired to be the warriors and do most labor work, but they're the most successful brokers and support women in their occupations, as are women expected to do the same. There is no tension between the genders, even though there's a slight preference for women leading the finances. 

The clothing mostly consists of long flowy and layered clothing, and colors are all the rage in Harmodias. White is worn by the priests and priestesses in the temple. Golden embroidery and threading is very common in clothing, so are sandals. Those who leave on higher ranges of the kingdom tend to wear more layers and fur, if they're successful farmers, given that farming is not an exactly common practice in Harmodias. It is mostly something that they get from trades with other kingdoms, including the wood.

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[b]Beliefs and religion[/b]

Harmodias is easily known as the land of storytellers, myths and legends that seem to only live on with these people. They speak of all kinds of creatures and mystical people who are the reason why the world is the place that it is today. It always bore a certain type of mysticism with them. 

Despite living relatively close to the sea and not being too far from the cold mountainous area, fire has more meaning than any other element among these people. The fire cleanses, purges, transforms and sends into the mystical land. The wildfire that nearly has consumed the city of Harmodias was marked as the day when the god of fire and god of death decided that they needed the souls back in the spirit realm before the large awakening that would change the fates of everyone involve. Indeed, it was a tragic time, but the Harmodias people nearly have seen this as a message from the gods above and below. 

They have several festivals in a year, all including the presence of fire one way or another. All funerals are happening publicly with dressed bodies placed comfortably on the stacked dry wood with sentimental belongings for them to carry in the spirit realm to reunite with the gods and ancestors. This also includes the death penalties of criminals. Everyone present will gather to watch the person be burned alive at the pyre. Denizens never speak ill of those, they all need to reunite with the original place where they come from. The indescribable pain of being burnt alive is seen as a necessary process. Few haven't cried as they're being consumed by the flames and the people remember those names. People have the right to announce that they don't want to live anymore in this realm - public suicides are only encouraged if the person states valid reasons and these volunteers will be escorted from this life with love and support, wishing them well in reuniting with the gods and ancestors. 

There are many massive torches across the kingdoms that are lit up every time the sun goes down, illuminating the city. The sun is a fiery orb that brings the light and fire, nights are dark and cold, and the people of Harmodias feel very uncomfortable without the presence of the fire.

Aside from that, the people are polytheistic, and they believe that for every element and earthly trait, there's a divine being responsible for the existence of these things that work in their own way. Whenever something terrible happens, it's the gods having these cosmic conflicts. But when nothing is happening, that must mean that everything is in harmony. If there's a miracle that graces the world, Harmodias will jokingly say that the gods have a courting or [i]courting[/i] (intimate one) with each other and that it bears fruit.

The sleeping volcano is named after the first dragon and royal ancestor ever to exist, and her name was Harmonia. It has been said that the volcano is where it was the main resting place for all ancestor dragons. Dragons are believed to be the the direct bloodline to the Pyristephes - the founders and royalty of Harmodias. While not all of them had these physical traits, some sons and daughters of the royal bloodline were born with blood red hair and golden eyes, just like Harmonia, whose scales were blood red and her eyes golden like the sun. They're considered to be the true heirs to the throne and every blood haired and golden eyed royalty needed to produce children until they have the same traits, for only they can sit upon the throne, be they male or female.

[b]Political situation[/b]

Currently on the throne sits Medea's brother, Mateos (the Ignited) Pyristephes, with the same royal traits, who has been wounded during the war, which left him unfit to have a child, though he did marry for political reasons, him and his wife have adopted six children. The true heir to the throne is, after all, Regina (of the Embers), being the one born with the traits that would be validated only by the people of Harmodias.

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