[Ben]

The Holdfast of Avanroa

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Please introduce your Holdfast down below
It was at the end of the Great War against Chaolich and the closing of Aimsir that the stories of the first inhabitants of Avanroa began. Though the forces of Chaolich were destroyed and the rest scattered across Caer Sidi, the Queensland was vastly depleted in all manner of resources and population. The first wave of Syvisans, the forefathers of the Southern Avanroans, decided to leave the motherland to lands further to the west, farther away from Aimsir, still a torrent of danger albeit its gates and portal closed.  This first wave of adventurers and wealth seekers sailed with their oaken-hulled boats across the vast expanse of the western sea, landing and settling on numerous coasts. Most were abandoned due to a lack of resources, the scorn of disease, and the terrors of the unknown. However, some of these travelers managed to survive and settle, establishing communities and settlements. Several of these adventurers reached the coasts of what is now southern Avanroa, establishing the first towns and settlements, some, such as Laxtavita and Keilan, grew to become powerful cities in their own right. 

A generation or three passed, the Queensland, formerly on the brink of breaking, boomed with prosperity, aided by the Her Majesty's magical powers, a rare display of magic and power. As the Queensland slowly but surely regained its prosperity and power, yet another group of Avanroans began to set their sights to head for the horizons. Spurned by tales of bountiful lands, sparkling coasts, and beautiful promises, they set off. Many wandered to their eventual demise: shipwrecked, devoured by leviathans, betrayals, or loss of faith. But, like the first wave, a number managed to reach the northern shores of the land soon to be called Avanroa amidst the perilous journey. Here the forefathers of the Northern Avanroans built towering castles and large walled cities, made in defiance of the forces of nature, forever a testament to their resolve to reach the unreachable. 

Over time, the Northern and Southern groups spread out. Towns and villages sprung up as quickly as new farm fields sprouted new produce. Eventually, these groups of northern and southern brethren met, traded, and intermarried. The Syvisan slowly evolved to Avanroa as new generations were born in the island and the old generation fostered in Queensland rested back on the earth. Yet, an old enemy appeared once more amidst the peace and prosperity of the Avanroans. 

The forces of the Chaolich suddenly appeared on the island. Town and cities were destroyed amidst their wake. Try as the Avanroans may the forces of the Chaolich were too powerful to oust from the land. Battles raged across the frontiers with the Chaos infested lands and it seemed all to real that the monstrosities that their forefathers had tried to escape away from were now to overrun them. However, all was not lost. Her Majesty, hearing of the plight of her people, sent a contingent of virtuous knights from her land to aid the Avanroans. These knights tipped the scales in favor of the Avanroans and brought the fight deep into the Chaolich-infested wastes and hinterlands. The Velvet Order, they were soon called by the people, their white cloaks and armor reddened by the blood of the enemy they so thoroughly hated. The Chaolich was wiped out, its numbers extinguished from the island. The Velvet Order soon took up permanent residence in the island, honoring their oath to serve and protect Avanroa in perpetuity for Her Majesty.

With the dangers of the Chaolich gone, opportunistic leaders of the various towns and cities quickly joustled for control of the island. Factions sprung up in cities. Court intrigue spiraled out of control as the games of nobles and high lords spilled into open civil wars and conflicts. If not for the Velvet Order's intervention, the island would have been burnt into the ground. Through the authority of the Order's Grand Marshall,  with an assembly of all the nobles, high lords, clerics, magistrates, and freemen, declared Avanroa a confederacy: where one city did not trump the other without seeking to spite the rest of the confederacy. 

And now at the present, the Island of Avanroa continues to prosper through sea trade with its nearby neighbors and that of the Queensland. Farms and fields continue to produce food and livestock. Children go to schools to learn about history and the arts. Lovers continue to bathe under the kiss of the sunlit fields. And the protectors of the Confederacy stand vigil among all. 

Yet the power of the Chaolich still holds power. Deep in the hinterlands of the once Chaolich infested lands and nearer to home in one of the many rooms of the Velvet Order's bastions.
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Please give a description as to how your Holdfast is governed
Avanroa is a confederacy composed of an amalgamation of city-states, towns, duchies, and kingdoms. Each political unit passes its own laws and judgments on their own respective territories. However, to settle matters that involving two political units, be it a city and a town or a kingdom or a duchy, the vote and decision of the High Assembly are needed to pass unbiased judgment. 

The High Assembly is composed of all the nobles, leaders, representatives, and figureheads of every town, city, or kingdom within the Holdfast. The High Assembly elects among themselves twelve (12) councilors into the High Council. The High Council's function is to act as the arbiters between the various political entities regarding matters of dispute and conflicts of interest. Over time, the seats of the High Council have developed into distinct titles. Councilors from the two merchant city republics are given the title Propanatus, the Grand Marshall of the Velvet Order is called a Miramon, and the representative of the Kingdom of Keilan is called the Basilos. The Miramon, given authority by two-thirds of present attending councilors, can levy troops for war from the entire holdfast.=#ffffff⠀
 
[table]
The population of Avanroa is:

• Syvisans  = ~63,300
  

Total: ~63,300

[/table]
 
[table]
The Natural and Processed goods of Avanroa are:
[ Total points available: 8 ]
[ Total points used: 8 ]
Grain = 1 point
Silk Snails = 1 point
Live Oak Timber = 1 point
Stone deposits = 1 point

Durable Silk = 2 points
Stone masonry = 2 points


Please summarise the status of natural and processed goods, and describe what your Holdfast lacks here
Avanroa was primarily covered by dense forests of oak and conifers, however the arrival of settlers from the Queensland led to widespread logging and conversion to fertile farm fields. The presence of the Great Niaran Lake has led to vast improvements in irrigation that have resulted in the central plains of the island being one of the most productive sources of grain and food. The Great Lake has also been home to silk snails that produce tough durable silk which are weaved by the High Lordship of Niarra into fine clothing and to an extent - armor. In the south-eastern parts of the Island lies the Lightnom Ranges, an amalgamation of mountains and rolling hills that dot the countryside. At the bases of this ranges are stone mines that extract whatever stone could be harvested for the needs of the various towns and cities. Such a low supply has resulted in many stonemasons in the island to be considered one of the best in their work and preciseness.  [/table]