Marvena

Marvena is a fairly small country east of Kandala

Inhabitants:

Dominantly humans

Culture:

Festivals:

Winter offering - At the end of each year wood and finest harvests from the season before are taught together and burnt in a large bonfire, it is believed that the smoke carries the items to the gods, an offering that is supposed to offer the people prosperity and blessings for the next year.

The presence - "The presence is a cultural festival, it's believed that during the week of the presence spirits of the dead return to the mortal plane to visit relatives and haunt their enemies. People welcome their family by lighting candles to guide their path. They also hang various talisman and perform rituals to keep vengeful spirits at bay."

Spiritual holidays:

-

Age of adulthood:

16

Age of consent/ marriage:

16

Public use of magic:

Public use of magic is legal, but the culture of MM is very tight, many people will avoid using some types of magic - or any magic at all - to keep in with the status quo.

Gender equality:

Men and Women are fairly equal, they both work and are both able to join the military, though society tilts more towards men. 

Religion:

Due to the wars and mixing with various other cultures the people of MM tend to worship a variety of the gods. At the same time, many of them find it an unnecessary practice.

Age of schooling:

4
Nobles and higher-middle-class families send their children to early education facilities before this where they begin learning more etiquette and protocols.

Accessibility to education:

Education is mandatory and free to everyone aged 4 to 15, at this point people can either continue into higher education or begin working.
There are paid institutions available that have a higher standard of education, this is where nobles and higher-middle-class people send their children. They take in only 2 scholarship students a year, so the pressure put on lower and middle-class student's is harsh.

Level of public literacy:

High, Everyone can read, write and do basic maths.

Crime:

Gangs:
Grifes: Grifes are the most well known and most feared gang in Marvena, their organisation is infamous enough to be known in nations all around the world. They use a branch system and have different groups that cover different aspects of criminal activity such as extortion, drugs, trafficking, black market trade and more. Their symbol is a shadow dragon.

Architecture:

Poor:

Peasants mostly live in houses made of mud and stone with either thatch (Or tiles if they're upper-working-class) roofs, the houses tend to consist of three rooms: The central room, where there is a hearth, table area and a large washbasin, and two bedrooms, one for the parents of the household and one for the children. Families will sometimes have an extra bed in the central room if an elderly relative lives with them. Outside the home, most houses have a small fenced garden where they keep chickens or other livestock.

Middle class:

Middle-class people tend to live in bigger towns with houses made of stone. The houses are built fairly close together, with small gardens in the back and balconies attached to the master bedrooms.

Nobles:

Nobles live in large fenced off estates, often with large gardens which are the pride of their homes.

Royalty:

The royal family live in a large wood and stone place with a courtyard and a separate building for their maids and other staff.

Relations:

Kandala :
Shibandoa
Luonsuru

History:

Recent history:

In the past 100 years, Marvena has taken part in 3 major wars, each having a great impact on the country's economy, international relations and culture.
1 90 years prior - Over that last few decades the nation had begun to thrive, they were almost entirely self-sufficient and had a large military force. A force which their ruler at the time decided he would use to invade and colonise one of the neighbouring countries, it was a terrific loss on the end, the country they attacked having made deals with surrounding countries who sent them support the moment the invasions started. It delt MM a heavy blow, They lost many men, their economy slipped and their agriculture began to degrade when many of the farmers and workers were required to enlist in the military to help rebuild the nation and hold back the last of the counter-attacks.
2
3. This was the most recent war, taking place just 40 years ago, they had no real place in this war, but joined when a stray fleet attacked them by mistake. They joined the opposing side who promised them protection from further invasion. Being a small country they lacked manpower once their soldiers had been deployed, so they made an agreement with Kandala for them to send over their poor as workers.

Older History:

Originally Marvena was a territory of Kandala, settlers from there and other surrounding countries fought for the land which eventually became its own country.

Geography:

Rivers run through most of the towns as they were the base of the settlements.
Notes: The king is a calm elderly man, who is more often than not lead around by his advisor.