Gevalia

Gevalia is an dead culture that lived on the Utmarii Plateau during the waning years of the Age of Empires. It began in Osoxi, a small village on the shore of the Flumen dei Animas led by Chief Entomen. He led his people in the conquest and subjection of the smaller nearby villages. His son eventually united teh villages his father did not conquer and ruled over the entire plateau.

• Timeline: 906 AE - 1230 AE
• Capital: Osoxi
• Traditional Settlements:
• Government: not centralized
• Languages: Lyceene
• Religion: Geval Religion
• Related Ethnic Groups:
• Currently a Part Of: unorganized

Gevalia was ruled by a single chief as selected by their god. He had full executive and religious control over the population. His word was absolute law. Most chiefs selected several family heads to serve in his name. These headmen were given a wooden rod if they were in charge of the land, a wooden staff if they were in charge of the people, or an elaborate headdress if they served spiritually. Many times one person held one or more of these offices over their land, but never did two people serve in the same role for the land.

The Gevalia worshiped a large toad god who lived in the watery caves under the earth. He would shake the earth and spit fire when angry or flood the river is not appeased. The high temple was in a box canyon they called Geval ca. Two festivals were held in the canyon each year. The first was before the spring planting and the second occurred after the harvest. Additionally the funeral of the chief was held in the canyon along with the selection of the new chief.

The chief of Gevalia is also the head of the religion. He is chosen by Geval following the ritual submersion of the now-dead chief.

The Gevalia left behind many artifacts and carvings, but their culture did not survive beyond the coming of the Eye of the Magi and the end of the age. The entire plateau flooded washing away all lesser structures leaving only a few stone buildings and trinkets to be found. The people themselves became refugees heading north.