Rioja

Rioja
Denonym	Riojan
Language	Riojan

Dominated by scrubland, Rioja was a hardy land that birthed a hardy and adventurous people. Their sailors were the great explorers of the world, bringing trade and culture to all the regions of Orden.

People

They were outgoing, theatrical and dressed flamboyantly. They valued quickness of reflex and of wit, as well as reading and writing. They were the most literate people in Orden, with only the Iom coming close. But for the Riojan, philosophy is useless. Morality, ethics, logic, theology, all exist in the poem, song, and above all, the stage. The people of Rioja were amongst the most multi-talented in the world, considering it a responsibility to master writing, reading, oratory, music, cooking, dancing, dueling, and sailing. These were lofty goals, and only a few achieved them. But all Riojans aspired to it.

Riojans favored light armor and light weapons for maximum maneuverability, and they have a long tradition of thief-heroes, being only one of two peoples in Orden to have a God of Thieves. Yet while Rioja produces the best thieves they do not produce the best spies.

Notable Riojans

• Duke Prospero of House Alvaro
• Duke Marco of House Varona
• Duke Orsino of House Navarr
• Duchess Lenora, of House Valetta, the Dead Lady
• Lady Shirome, Head of the Fulcrum
• Lord Erasmus Deseo, High Command of the Black Iron Pact
• Lady Avalla Deseo, High Command of the Black Iron Pact

Places

• Capital - The City of the Great Game