Life in Vallas

Elections in Vallas

The City-State Lyrika is currently being annexed by Vallas, but most of the Lyrikans don’t mind. Vallas may bring new prosperity to a struggling city. Some Lyrikans are wary of Vallas and its high chancellor, Golga. They suspect he may be trying to cement his ruling position and build an empire. However, the prospect of a resistance is proving unpopular with traders, craftsmen, and scholars looking for new economic opportunities. A few question Vallas’ motives, but most of the citizens can’t afford to do so. Instead, they look forward to voting in their first election—for the governor of the new Lyrika province of Vallas. Narzch and Zara are the two favorites for governor. Despite his shortcomings, Golga is the favorite for high chancellor.

Marika

When Lyrikans leave primary school at age 15, they find a teacher who will mentor them in their chosen profession. At age 25, they enter adulthood.

For Marika, age 25 came and went before she found her calling. Furthermore, the Lyrikan custom of a mentor-protege relationship is seen as old-fashioned by Vallans. Marika’s mentor, Rayda, is still trying to guide her–but she finds herself in a professions limbo. She also isn’t all that interested in the upcoming election. Instead, she spends her time exploring the woods around Lyrika. She comes up with fanciful stories about her encounters, giving her a somewhat poor reputation with her more serious-minded friends.

Our story opens with Marika lost in the woods, pursued by an unknown device. She then stumbles upon a Vallan encampment, and questions their activity. Neither Rayda, nor her friends, seem to take her seriously.

The Emerging Cities

Marika’s claims do have some merit. The sea levels are falling, revealing ancient coastal cities. The ruins at “the digs” contain what scholars are dubbing “black boxes”—devices that produce a power that some think might be what the ancient Carolinians called “electricity”. These boxes produce odors and sounds that puzzle the scholars. The Lyrikan scholars are taking a cautious approach, but the Vallan scholars are far more eager to put the “black boxes” to use. They are using them to generate lights and power mechanical devices. Could they be producing weapons as well? Marika suspects they may be, but if only she could find some evidence…