Raitera Valley

Lightning and wind dances amidst the darken sky, twisting and swirling in a feverish dance of thunderous ire. Rain and storm pelts the steel city as rods and wires struggle to tame the feral bolts of electricity; a ballet balanced on a razor’s edge. Raitera Valley is a land of violent storms and fierce gales. With the downfall of the RICE brewing an unending storm, powerful lighting strikes constantly bombard the landscape, making it dangerous to venture beyond the protective networks provided by the main cities.

Distinguishing themselves from their Blackwatch origins, the Valley’s culture has grown a distinct and proud identity of their own. While most choose to flee this land of fierce storms, its dedicated locals seem to understand the region’s supposed “chaotic elegance”, a symphony of cloud and thunder appreciated only by a select few. Inspired by this turbulent beauty that surrounds them, its people foster a kind of sporadic brilliance which is evident in all aspects of their culture, one which exudes the same rugged charm as the land they depict.

Geography[]

The valley’s landscape mostly consists of smooth rolling hills and grassy flats, lush with greenery from the frequent rainstorms. The towering canopy of Raitera Forest can frequently be seen on the horizon, while the ocean wraps along the west coast. Violent storm systems constantly batter the region with lightning strikes, the grey skies flickering with electrical energy. Many of the roads are muddied or flooded, making travel and trade to and from the sparse cities in the valley difficult.

Architecture[]

The valley’s landscape mostly consists of smooth rolling hills and grassy flats, lush with greenery from the frequent rainstorms. The towering canopy of Raitera Forest can frequently be seen on the horizon, while the ocean wraps along the west coast. Violent storm systems constantly batter the region with lightning strikes, the grey skies flickering with electrical energy. Many of the roads are muddied or flooded, making travel and trade to and from the sparse cities in the valley difficult.

Technology/Wealth/Rice[]

Influenced by Blackwatch’s flawed Systemism, Raiterans have their own brand of technology that is both highly functional and reliable despite the rudimentary and simplistic nature of its design. The most notable tech from the region comes from their ultra high voltage transformers, able to convert the turbulent energy of lighting caught by the many rods to a usable and stable power source. Most of the machines generally function on robust motors and simple electronics over more complicated digital tech that would most likely end up malfunctioning. Transportation vehicles are fashioned with either wide tank-like tracks and or large inflated tires that allows them to wade through the muddied roads and are often encased in a thick metal cage to ward off the looming lightning strikes.

Much like Blackwatch, the Raiterans rarely utilize RICE into their technology and use it more as a source of wealth and trade for other goods. Since trade itself is difficult between other regions, the cities in Raitera Valley mostly function as a semi-closed economy. Though wealth is not seen as a top priority within the people, embracing their way of life and the forces of nature far outweigh other values.

People and Culture[]

Those that willingly reside in Raitera Valley seem more inclined to be attuned with nature than most, understanding their place amidst the motions of the world around them. Their most prevailing philosophy acknowledges the ever changing nature of their environment and its shifting equilibriums, likening such chaos to the turbulence that resides with the hearts of men. As such, the people of the Valley do not resist change, choosing to embrace it; constantly changing, constantly evolving, constantly in motion, akin to a fall leaf on an Autumn wind.

Government/Religion[]

Before their acquisition by Blackwatch, the Raiteran people were followers of Seraphism, and lacked any structure in terms of governmental bodies. However, that all changed during their time under Blackwatch’s rule as they were forced to follow their ruler’s style of government. After Raitera seceded, they quickly formed their own hybrid system. Combining the best parts of Blackwatch’s government with their own idealistic way of improvement, the Raiterans created a hybrid 2.5 party system run by a governor, a senate, and the vote of the people. This new system accommodated for everyone while also maintaining political balance.

There was also a change in religion, having switched from the previously ubiquitous Seraphism to Blackwatch’s own flawed variation of Systemism. This led to the technological aspect of Blackwatch being adopted, forming Raitera’s unique technology compared to the rest of Cier.

History[]

Originally a rather nondescript area, the Great Downfall cursed this land with constant unending lightning storms. An area of interesting potential for scientists, for a short time it was contested land, eventually becoming part of Blackwatch during the decades of the Greed era. The area seceded in the aftermath of the Cierian War with the permissions Cierian Alliance and assistance of the Cierian Protective Front. It has since worked to define itself independently from its once-overlords, moving in regards to making cultural independence to accentuate its political independence on the interregional stage.