View source for Vastin

===Culture and Locations ===

One of three largest kingdoms in Umbener, Vastin is ruled by a king and has the [[Religions#Red_Temple|Red Temple]] (Arngosian Creed) as its state religion, which believes in a dichotomy of powers -- of good versus evil forces -- and this belief mostly originates from the fact that Red Temple was the heart of early Vastion culture after the [[Darkness]]. The people of Vastin are more accustomed to being a multicultural kingdom of varying beliefs and appearances. Its capital is Duracia, which houses the [[Wonders#Benevis|Silver Hall]], and the city of Goldstone is home to the [[Wonders#Benevis|White Temple]]. 

The northern two thirds of Vastin is made up of temperate regions with some montane forest around the Golen Peaks, Highlands, Gatalia Mountains, and Leren Ranges. The Galanor Fields at the northern end reach Umber Bay, giving the kingdom its northern coastal access. Part of the eastern border is made up of Riel Lake. Vastin also has access to the Shard Sea via the city of Vadren in Belynsia, and access to the Sea of Lyte along its southwestern shores by way of Leotyne and Goldrond. The Lowlands and Heartlands make up much of the central lands, with the Yrth Ranges leading into the dry grasslands of the southern end. Major rivers include the Tauldan that flows through Duracia, the Tunen which flows into Lake Baymoor, the Natein which flows from the Yrth Ranges, and the Great River that flows from the Senyn and Yrth Ranges and West Fangs, and into Simbea. 

Demonym: Vastin, Vastins

Population: 34,000,000

* Vastin Kingdom
** Whitehills March
*** Duracia, capital, 145,000
** Goldrond March
*** Goldstone, 73,000
** Midlands March
*** Hillcrest, 56,000
** Belynsia March
*** Vadren 29,000
** Leotyne March
*** Landon 24,000
** Cape Valley March
*** Relaford 18,000

===History and Relations===

The kingdom is around 450 years old, and was formed after the Benevis Empire broke apart in 550AL after the assassination of Emperor Halartus Benevarus. Ethnic groups in Vastin range from a [[Ethnicity#Nor|Nor]]-[[Ethnicity#Yvabiran|Yvabiran]] mix in the northeast, to Nor in the west, with Nor-[[Ethnicity#Seleru|Seleru]] making up the rest of the kingdom. Relations with surrounding realms are mostly peaceful, though the two most recent conflicts -- one with [[Simbea]] and one with [[Yaele]] -- saw both provinces break away from Vastin to become independent. It mainly exports wool, grain, wine, and some gold. 

===Military and Art===

The most prominent military feature of Vastin are [[Liogons#Leoknights|leoknights]] who ride liogons through the skies, making them one of the few places in Riiga to utilise flying mounts. Though war is often avoided, Vastin has a long history of skilled and noble knights and heroes. Prominent architectural features include capped domes, colonnades, and very large rotundas for main chambers. Common artforms include paintings, literature, music, and banquets.