Antheia is a major center for the study of the arts, sciences, technology, and magic, full of institutions and individuals working to hone their knowledge. The land of Antheia is strategically very valuable, and has switched control between Hellean states and Viridia many times but is currently enjoying a rare period of independence.
Geography, flora, and fauna
History
Demographics
Culture
See Hellea for more information on culture, geography, and history that is common to the nations of the peninsula.
Religion
In general, Antheians worship the deities of the common pantheon and the Hellean hero-gods. As deities associated with the arts, Shelyn, Desna, and Nocticula are particularly popular. Brigh and Ptah also have many worshipers in Antheian, especially among the region's skilled inventors and craftspeople. Some architects pay tribute to Findeladlara, though her preference for tradition is often out of place is the fast-moving Antheian cities.
The churches of Antheia play a central role in the region's society. Most artists, inventors, and craftspeople in Antheia are sponsored by one of the churches, and they are critical to Antheian governance.
Languages
The inhabitants of Antheia come from many backgrounds, with a significant proportion of the population descended from recent immigrants. As such, while Hellean is the native language of the region, in the cities it is more likely to encounter Common spoken in everyday conversations. In addition, other regional languages, especially Thadrian, are widely used, as are a variety of racial tongues.
Government
Antheia is a theocratic republic, with the Captain-Defender as the head of state. The Captain-Defender is elected for life and given a wide latitude in running the republic. Representatives of the each major faith in Antheia regularly convene councils to provide advice to the head of state. These councils have the authority to override the Captain-Defender but rarely do so. Once elected, the Captain-Defender holds the position for life.
Each of the major holy institutions are allotted a singular vote for the purposes of council decisions and the election of the Captain-Defender. For example, all of the Antheian clergy of Shelyn must together decide on a single individual to represent their interests. In general, the churches in question are the ones to deities with large followings in Antheia. Any church is technically allowed to join this governing system, but must be approved by a majority of the other representatives.
Churches of the following deities have a role in Antheian government:
- Abadar
- Aesocar
- Asmodeus
- Brigh
- Cayden Cailean
- Desna
- Eldas
- Findeladlara
- Hathor
- Hephaistos
- Iomedae
- Irori
- Kurgess
- Mammon
- Nethys
- Nocticula
- Ptah
- Qi Zhong
- Sarenrae
- Seramaydiel
- Shelyn
- The Lost Prince
- Yuelral