Navia

The majesty and grandeur of the Navian Isles is oft one that escapes description, floating aloft the clouds as if taken from the pages of a tall tale. Its cold, clear winds promise tranquil skies, and it is hard not to lose oneself in the sensation of its currents. It is as though the air itself emanates rich arcane energy, ebbing and flowing with every breath. Once sharing its borders with the city of Micfortress, the Navian Isles underwent a sudden and violent transformation during the Great Downfall, fracturing and dividing as it rose ever skyward. Many were killed in this great upheaval and it was thought the natives would be lost to the destruction; but in time the Navians rebuilt their civilization and would eventually grow accustomed to their new way of life. Eventually, it came to be that the magic that permeated their new environment would go on to affect the inhabitants, giving rise to many with strange magical powers and abilities, and bridging the gaps between the islands.

Even though the land had fractured, the people remained united, standing tall above the rest of Cier.

Geography[]

The titanic floating isles of Navia tower high above the heads of most Cierians. Located north of the Western Continent, these massive isles stay afloat due to the rich concentrations of Gravity Zincite, a material unique to Navia that allows gravitational suspension. Despite their ethereal appearance, however, they never seem to deviate far from their typical locations, anchored by the Zincite’s magic and its gravity altering properties.

Contrary to what one might expect of such a unique landscape, the rocky composition lends itself well to smaller plant life. As the area has flourished into lush grassland, the vegetation has evolved as soft as its surrounding clouds, leaving a peaceful, calm impression to those who visit. Additionally, the rugged edges of the isles form natural cliffs, a space that the natural flora of Navia has taken advantage of, leaving large hanging trails of vines around the rim.

Architecture[]

Due to the windy nature of their environment, the Navians favor using low, sturdy architecture, with round walls and sloping roofs. The materials they use to build these structures tend to vary wildly based on available resources, from modest clay bricks to ornately carved stone. Wood is applied sparingly, with Navians preferring to use the precious material for the construction of their roofs and windmills. The landmasses housing the main cities and population tend to be more developed with grandiose structures, while the more sparsely populated islands and outskirts remain simple and archaic in nature.

Technology / Wealth / RICE[]

Although the Navians bear the stigma of being “vain” or “wasteful” with their resources, the people take pride in creating items of unmatched opulence. Prioritizing form over function, Navian engineering is simplistic but ornate in its design, boasting complex shapes and dynamic motions in their mechanisms. Their iconic network of windmills exemplifies this ideal; a rather simple technology exhibited in a creative fashion.

One other such example lies in their use of RICE. As a gaudy usage of this mythic commodity, the Navians wove the RICE into luxurious attire and jewelry as a symbol of their wealth and power. Unbeknownst to the Navians however, the methods they used to create such items allowed them to draw upon the power within the RICE in minute amounts rather than the more intense, traditional methods used by neighboring regions.

People and Culture[]

Close proximity to the radiating magic from the RICE-charged Gravity Zincite have biologically changed the floating landscape and the people inhabiting it. Most Navians are born with an innate affinity for wind and gravity altering magic while also naturally excelling in other forms of magic. The majority of the population is gifted and prodigious, and as such, Navians are exceptionally prideful of their powers and heritage. They hold a strong value in tradition, strength, and excellence through self-improvement.

During the Downfall, when RICE magnified the zincite and caused the majority of Navia’s landmass to float away, a sizable populous was left behind. Seeing their society and livelihoods leave them behind on the ground, many were inclined to leave the region in favor of a new beginning elsewhere in Cier, causing the Navian Diaspora. These dispersed Navians became widespread throughout Cier, and are nowhere near as self-righteous as their pure-blooded brethren still within the floating region. Though still share a similar, albeit tamer brand of strive for self-improvement in themselves, and others around them.

Government/Religion[]

Under an Oligarchy of Seven, the Navians uphold and enforce their strict laws as it helps maintain their image of supposed perfection. Oligarchs are voted into power, but positions can, and are often contested for. This is usually done through literal contests of strength, magical prowess, and intellect, as those who excel in all of the above are more than fit to help run the government. Higher-ranked Oligarchs are immune from outside challengers as they have since earned their positions, though lower-ranked Oligarchs such the 7th position can be challenged by anyone who feels that they could do a better job, and can prove it.

The Navian people believe in a heavily modernized version of Seraphism, modified to better fit within their contemporary setting. Similar to the classical version of Seraphism that the Bijians believe, they maintain that magic is natural, beautiful, and maintains the balance within Cier. However, unlike the classical version, they believe themselves to be the embodiment of natural magic. Not unreasonably, due to the loss of the Seraphs, they believe themselves to be magical and, thus, beautiful, above all other races. This leads to them being perceived by themselves as the new guardians of the magic within Cier, as well as the Seraph’s heirs to magic. Additionally, they see their natural magic power as them maintaining balance by its existence, emphasizing greater aspects of stagnation over progress, and helping to subconsciously maintain the status quo, with them on top.

History[]

In ancient Cier, Navia was an average civilization being close allies and trade partners to MicFortress. They remained relatively neutral during the Seraph-Somnian War, and quickly adopted Seraphism once it was clear that the Seraphs were victorious. During the Great Dojo Era, Navia was inducted into the Alliance alongside MicFortress and lived in relative peace with the rest of Cier. However, during the Downfall when RICE was scattered across Cier, massive deposits of Zinc were affected by the RICE, turning them into the crystalline Gravity Zincite which then caused much of the region to break apart and rise into the air. The Navians who were not on the landmasses that broke off fled from the cataclysm, resulting in nearly a fifth of the Navians being spread throughout the rest of Cier.

In recent history, Navia has threatened to resign from the Alliance due to the Dojo’s method of distributing RICE, and how a byproduct of the system caused damage to the geography and civilization of Navia through the actions of duelists. The Navians have since been advocating for a less-violent and more efficient and effective way of distributing RICE.