Overview
The dutchy is founded on the precepts of order and organization. Much of this duchy is a good deal older than the Kingdom of Silverthorne. Some of it several thousand years older. The entirety of the architecture within this duchy seems to be laid out in an elaborate grid pattern. Though extremely organized, the bland nature of the architecture in the capital city takes some getting used to. Many of the surrounding baronial seats are a good deal more beautiful, set up with breathtaking stonework and elaborate walls, gates, and waterways to please the eye. If the city of Silverthorne is the crown jewel of the nation, then the baronies of Vaunephasauk could well be the crown setting.
The duchy is ruled by a high council of the duke Fraiser Ehromis III and duchess, along with their ten advisors. Each member of this group of twelve is knowledgable in the paths of lore, and has been schooled for years in the great library of Vaunephasauk before taking a position on the ruling council. The seats that Toevass, DeVris, and Jacorik, and Mandolar hold only are represented as well, but DeVris stays out of this Duchy for the most part, saying that it is already orderly and does not require their services.
In addition, it is known that the nobility of Vaunephasauk makes a procession every twenty years, moving from one city to another. Barons become thanes, thanes become barons, a new duke assumes the seat of leadership and a new family comes into power, as one leaves. Why this is so, is known only to the nobility, but all of the people of vaunephasauk and all of her peasantry turn out every year to watch the grand procession. It is supposed that this procession is the reason why Vaunephasauk has not expanded in many centuries. They have a set number of ruling members, which never changes.
Vaunephasuak is the seat of the mages guild, who pass out information to the other mages guilds from their headquarters in the duke’s city. They maintain extensive files on all the guild members. They also perform research and keep track of any information pertaining to magic.
The great library of Vohnephasuak is one of the most extensive around and costs a mere pemb a day for citizens to visit. Books must remain in the library, unless one is a member of the mages guild or house toevass in which case they may be given a short lending. Penalties for lost books are severe. All patrons of the library are required to inform the librarians of any magic they posses and submit to binding for the duration of their stay. Endangering the archives in any way is penalized by death.
Vaunephasauk also contains an elaborate stable and proving ground which raises strange birdlike beasts known as Griffons which are used by Raifisto’s Royal guard in the service of King Silverthorne. The beasts are watched closely to prevent them from endangering the populace and their training lasts for several years before they are ready to join that elite force which defends the kingdom from the sky.
Members of the mages guild, and others with special permission study in a building known only as the Vault. It is said to have exhisted before the magriocracies, according to the tales of local bards.
Known dangers include the dreaded pattern distortion storms. These storms are created by the bleeded-off chaos created by the remaining rifts in the Great Barrier range. They settle down out of the Chaos Mountains and generate random fluctuations in weather, terrain, and animal life. On rare occasions whole armies of vile distorted creatures have wandered out of a rift. It is the goal of Vaunaphasuak to learn how to shut the chaos gates, or at least control their emissions to end the danger.