Vaelia

Vaelia is a fictional realm that appears in the high‑fantasy series Shattered Empire. Set in a temperate continental climate, the territory covers roughly 70,000 square kilometres and is bounded by the Stormspire Mountains to the north, the Crystal Sea to the east, the Verdant Expanse to the south, and the Gauntthorn Ridge to the west.

The political structure of Vaelia follows a hereditary monarchy, currently ruled by King Aric VII. The capital, Valmont, sits on the western shore of the Crystal Sea and serves as the administrative, cultural, and economic centre of the realm. Other major settlements include the inland city of Draug, known for its ironworks, the agrarian township of Elmhaven, and the scholarly citadel of Lunara, home to the Academy of Astral Sciences.

Vaelian society places high value on the blend of tradition and innovation. The economy is diversified, relying on agriculture, mining, shipbuilding, and the export of fine textiles. The realm is also renowned for its artisan guilds, particularly those producing glassware and bardic instruments. Politically, Vaelia maintains a relatively stable relationship with neighboring states, though tensions over resource‑rich unclaimed lands occasionally flare.

Culture in Vaelia emphasises communal festivals and a codified network of pilgrimage routes that honor the Celestial Serpent, a mythic deity tied to the realm’s origin story. Music, poetry, and visual art flourish in Vaeli, with the Glass Palace in Valmont serving as a venue for national exhibitions.[citation needed]

Historical records first note the unification of the scattered tribes under King Eldric I around 2375 AE, which formed the initial Vaelian state. From this point on, Vaelia grew from a modest confederacy into a formidable kingdom that played a pivotal role in the regional politics of the larger continent.