The Holy Alliance of Ysval

The youngest realm of Valerna, the Holy Alliance of Ysval was only formed decades after the First Null War, when the surviving Null followers, routed and defeated, took refuge in the Northern wilds. Their disheartened forces repented their dark ways, turning into worship of the light, and forming a strong, good-natured community of brave settlers and pious believers amidst the snows and northern woods.

The Holy Alliance is organized in dukedoms, of which Ysval is the first and the most important, but all share roughly the same power, authority and rights. Ysval remains a small Realm, rustic but spirited, stalwart in its resistance against Tyverian annexation and the constant incursions of savage beasts. It is the least powerful of Valernian realms, but its military has repeatedly stolen victory from enemies like Tyveria itself, thanks to its knightly orders, which fight with both strength of arms and holy blessings, and its mighty allies the hmyr giants of the Bonewood. Yet, if you ask an Ysvalian, they will tell you that they win because they fight for their people, for their homes and families, and that gives them all the strength a warrior needs.

Culture
Ysvalians are the simplest and least pretentious of all Valernian cultures. Their lives revolve mostly around their farming or fishing activities, which they complement with evenings of merrymaking or quiet gatherings. They enjoy the small pleasures, such as good food, warm drinks and camaraderie; but they also like the sun on their backs as they toil on the fields and the sweat on their brow after putting a load down. They enjoy the pride in a finished chore, but they also like a good jest and the occasional vigorous dance. They have a saying that life consists of ‘farm, fish and frolic’, meaning that hard work comes before fun, but fun remains an essential part of the recipe.

Philosophy
As they frown on sophistication, Ysvalians also frown on philosophy. Time spent thinking is time not spent working, fighting or gathering with loved ones. Yet, while they are not culturally given to complex ruminations, Ysvalians do have a common set of beliefs. Most of these beliefs belong to the Galadyan Temple of Light, the common religion that unites all of Ysval under a single law.

The Galadyan Temple of Light
The only widespread organized religion in Valerna, the Temple of Light rose after the First Null War, when surviving Null cultists and their families fled the forces of the Dragonbonded and hid in the bleak North.

The Rule
Ysval is an alliance of five independent cities, each with the official status of Dukedom. Their rulers all hold the title of Duk, regardless of tribe or gender. The city of Ysval itself, the largest of the Five Dukedoms, is the official center of the Holy Alliance, and the site of the Temple of Light. The Duk of Ysval carries the honorific style of Holy Duk, and it is their word which has the most weight in matters that pertain to the Alliance as a whole.

The title of Duk is mostly elective, chosen among a city’s appointed knights; the Holy Duk, while expected to reside in Ysval with their extended family, may come from any of the Five Dukedoms.

Social Structure
Ysvalian hierarchy is fast and loose, with no social class being considered as ‘above’ or ‘below’ others. Not even the priests of the Light, regarded as senior citizens in social, philosophical and spiritual matters, expect or receive special treatment because of their status.

Population
Ysval is a free territory, dotted with self-governing towns in each Dukedom, joined only by their worship of the Light, which remains the only overarching authority in the half-untamed region.

Cities
There are only Five major cities in the alliance. By Galadyn’s law, each of these cities is traditionally associated with one of the Delivered Five, the crew that Galadyn saved from the waters. In the political arena, each of the Five Cities is the center of a Dukedom, where there are no other major cities, but dozens of towns and villages under the major city’s jurisdiction.

Allies and Enemies
Ysval has a complex history of alliances and conflicts with its neighbors, which have only worsened in recent times, and show no sign of slowing down soon.

Magic
The magic practiced by the Galadyan Temple of Light is not attached to any of the three aspects of Vaala - imagination, life or willpower. At best, it reflects all three equally.

Tools and Trade
Ysval has focused most of its craft and culture into community and religious concerns, and so it has little to share in the way of unique tools or materials. They don’t sell Seasteel, as they consider it an exclusive honor of their knights, and while their pint smiths are the best in Valerna, pint smithing is not exclusive to the Holy Alliance.

Organizations
Most organizations and social groups in Ysval revolve around the Galadyan Faith, be it in a spiritual or military capacity.