Veos (VEE ohs)

Neo-Capedians

The Veos are a Novya subculture of Human, concentrated in northwestern region of Novyum, on the major continent of Ethae. They dwell primarily between the lands of the League of Lords of the Lakorth region at their south, and the nation of Nopum to their north. They find their origins in the ancient Capedians that once dominated the region before the rise of the Republic of Lakorth. While they take pride in their ethnic origins and connections to Old Capedo, the Veos are a people that are heavily connected to Lakorth and the continent spanning culture that has spread from it over the centuries.

Many consider the Veos people are the backbone of the Heartlands today. They dwell in what is arguable the core the Northern Reach. The lands sit between the three strongest nations of modern Novyum, the League of Lords, Nopum, and Pryde to their west. Trade between these regional powers has always flowed through the Veos' territory. The importance of resources passing unhindered through these trade lanes has seen these nations fund security for merchant caravans, leading to more stability along the major highways. Couple this with the regions rich soil and vast farmlands, leaves the Veos with many avenues for a prosperous life.

The Veos struggled in the first decades of the Novyum Civil War after the decline of the United Kingdoms of Novyum. Many felt the region would end the same as the Eastern Petty Kingdoms; a land of endless conflict and revenge between cities and warlords. With Pryde and Nopum establishing themselves strong independent nations, and then the founding of the League of Lords, the region stabilized enough for a reprieve from the wars. This does not mean the lands of the Veos are a peaceful one. They are a people with no strong regional governmental power. It is mostly a region of city-states controlling the local area. Unlike the Petty Kingdoms, however, these regional lords and nobles do not usually handle their grievances with violence as the first choice. Where disputes can be handled by legal or political they will be. Conflicts of arms do arise on occasion, though these are considered distasteful to the locals.

While the Veos try to hand their local conflicts peacefully, they are not a passive people. With an active fighting raging in the eastern Heartlands, and full-on wars in Slavyum beyond the Plashin Range, many Veos youths take up arms to fight. These would be heroes join mercenary bands or Corps for the coin, honor, or prestige. It is believed that the region has been depopulated in the last two decades more by the call to the 'glory of war' than any plague or natural disaster in history. Today it is estimated that most Veos towns and villages have a population where the women nearly double that of the men.

The Veos are a very traditional culture. The Trijan faith permeates the people's daily lives. In most towns the clergy holds more sway over the common people than their local lords. Women are expected to marry young and manage their husbands' households. Husbands are expected to provide for and protect their family. These roles have been seeing a generational shift, however, as more men than women travel east into battle. This has left many traditionally male duties in the hands of wives and daughters.

Veos have, what many call, the traditional Normon appearance. They are near universally of the light skin tones. Their hair is always in the blonde hues. Like much of Novyum culture women tend towards longer hair, pulled up and away from the face, but allowed to hang loosely behind the back. Male fashion favors short flowing hair. Some facial hair for men is found favorable. Long beards are considered uncivilized, and a completely shaved face is seen as feminine. Veos eyes, like most in the north are blue, though they tend towards darker shades.