Vespia

The Vespian Empire, or Vespia, is a loose grouping of many tribes, all united under a shared hatred for the Followers of Mystra and a shared love for the Queen. The average Vespian is rarely concerned with matters outside of the country; rather, they are concerned with surviving the hellish frost of Bitterfang, the giant carnivores of Longfall, or the Lolth zealots of the Blood Forest. Death looms over every nook and cranny of Vespia, and the creatures of the island give Vespians no time to mourn.  

The Outlaw of Magic

The use of magic spells, be it divine or arcane, is highly illegal in Vespia. Followers of the Order of Steel believe that magic is a wretched distortion of a pure and natural world, and thus believe that the only spell that should ever be used is Antimagic Field, and the only magical item that should ever be used is the Stingers Crown. This belief was only exacerbated during the Battle for Vespia, wherein the Followers of Mystra used the first 9th level spell, meteor swarm, on the Vespian people, leading to a magic arms race in the other islands that has now formed the Age of Gods.   Vespia's lack of arcane weaponry has lead to brutal, creative warfare. When defending a castle, warriors may pour firewine on their foes and set them ablaze. When seiging a town, attackers may catapult diseased corpses into buildings. Many Vespians take the path of a warrior, and many die horrible deaths.  

Tribes & Clans

Vespia as a whole is ruled by the Queen, but there are many tribes and clans that operate within it. Typically, the smaller tribes are formed by families and travelers needing protection in numbers. The larger clans, on the other hand, usually fall within racial distinctions. For example, High Ocean, the Northern mountains of Vespia, is controlled by Mountain Dwarves. That being said, clans are not always so easily identified. The forests of the Royal Lands are controlled by a combination of humans, elves, and representatives of other tribes. The tundra of Bitterfang has been lost to arctic hyenas.  

Dissent

Some tribes do not adhere as closely to the outlaw of magic as others. For example, the Drow Clerics of Lolth in the Blood Forest have been known to use divine magic in battle, leading to conflict. In addition, the Sea Elves, more separated from Vespia by geography, often teach their children magic to keep their traditions and culture alive. Still, the vast majority of Vespians have never seen or even considered using magic.