Veston Vale is a small but prosperous province situated upon the western coast of the Divine Empire. Bordered by the Shield Wall Dwarves to the south and the Fawn Lands and County of Summerswane to the north, the province occupies a strategic position at the meeting point of several cultures. Though modest in size, it is renowned throughout the Empire for its wealth, tolerance, and thriving trade. Its principal settlements are the bustling port city of Hushain and the town of Provius, home to the great Abbey of Heironeous.
For centuries the region formed part of Iron March and was governed by the Iron Masters of Debdric. During the reign of Emperor Innocence, however, the territory was separated from the March and granted to Orlan Decolay, the priestess of Lastai who had guided Innocence and his companions into the Imperial Palace during the final days of Kaegor XIII. Her actions played a crucial role in the restoration of the Empire and, in gratitude, Innocence pardoned all her previous crimes, real or alleged, and granted her lands far from the intrigues of the capital where she might spend her remaining years in peace.
At the time of Orlan's arrival, the region was poor, isolated, and troubled. Hushain was a grim trading port squeezed between hostile forces and dangerous neighbours, whilst Provius was a heavily taxed agricultural settlement struggling beneath the demands of Iron March. To the south lay the Dwarven realms, to the north the unpredictable Fey, and beyond the hills stretched lands haunted by the undead. Most believed the province had little future. Orlan proved them wrong.
Rather than fortify herself against her neighbours, she sought accommodation with them. Treaties were negotiated with the Dwarves, understandings reached with the Fey, and merchants from every race were invited to trade freely within Hushain. The Church of Heironeous was encouraged to establish the Abbey of Provius, ensuring both spiritual guidance and military protection for the fledgling province. Restrictions upon trade were reduced to a minimum and newcomers found opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the Empire. Over the generations these policies transformed Veston Vale into one of the most successful small provinces in Warlderia. Hushain grew into a cosmopolitan city where Humans, Dwarves, Half-Elves, Gnomes, Halflings, and countless others conduct business side by side. The city's government reflects this diversity, being administered by a council representing guilds, temples, merchant houses, and the major racial communities. Debate within the council is often lively, but its members share a common desire to preserve the prosperity that has made Hushain famous.
Today the province is ruled by Dame Edith Decolay, a direct descendant of Orlan. Like her ancestor, she governs with a remarkably light touch, believing that prosperity flourishes best when rulers know when not to interfere. Though some critics regard her as detached from day-to-day affairs, few can argue with the results. Veston Vale remains peaceful, wealthy, and largely free from the factional conflicts that plague many neighbouring provinces. The town of Provius serves as the agricultural and spiritual heart of the province. Dominated by the Abbey of Heironeous, it attracts pilgrims, knights, and scholars from across the western provinces. The Abbey was originally established to defend the frontier and monitor the Dead Lands to the south-east, a region scarred by ancient wars and still inhabited by numerous undead creatures. Curiously, these undead seldom stray beyond their territory, and both the Empire and the Shield Wall Dwarves appear content to leave the region undisturbed. Why the Dwarves insist upon preserving this buffer remains a subject of much speculation.
Though Veston Vale possesses only a small standing military force, it is far from defenceless. Hushain can call upon numerous guild, religious, and racial militias whose quality ranges from highly disciplined reserve formations to little more than enthusiastic social clubs in matching uniforms. Provius is protected by the Knights Vigilant and their sergeants, a respected military order attached to the Abbey. Together these forces have proven sufficient to preserve the province's independence and security.
The people of Veston Vale often describe their homeland as a place where anyone willing to work hard can prosper regardless of birth, race, or creed. Whether entirely true or not, the province has earned a reputation as one of the freest and most welcoming regions in the Divine Empire. In a world often divided by old grudges and ancient wars, Veston Vale remains a rare example of a land that has grown wealthy not through conquest, but through cooperation.
