Hello, folks! Here is the post on Belvia. More about the winged horses in this post.
I've got lots of stuff written down about this country, so I'll try to put it all together in a way that isn't overwhelming or confusing!
There are two languages spoken in Belvia: (which I have no intention of making up; it's all translated into English) Belvian, which is the dwarves' language, and Erasthinian, which is the common human language in that part of the world.
If you look at the map, you will see that Belvia is a large island with a belt of land in the middle which separates the eastern end where the humans live from the western end, where the dwarves live.
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The Belvians are most known for their fine works of art, such as beautiful, exotic rugs, sculptures, and paintings. They must import much of their food, (such as wheat, fruit, and many vegetables) from Bynthybria. Many of the dwarves are stone-masters, architects, and glass crafters; some of the humans are these as well.
The human families of Cosivar and Alentas have made the Belvian rugs famous, but others make them also. The dwarves usually do not craft rugs, but many of them are wonderful painters. Laborers, such as stone and wood cutters, errand runners, messengers, bakers, and weavers, make up only about twenty percent of the populations, as many of the craftsmen double in these duties, cutting their own wood and stone, for example.
The human families of Cosivar and Alentas have made the Belvian rugs famous, but others make them also. The dwarves usually do not craft rugs, but many of them are wonderful painters. Laborers, such as stone and wood cutters, errand runners, messengers, bakers, and weavers, make up only about twenty percent of the populations, as many of the craftsmen double in these duties, cutting their own wood and stone, for example.
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Many of the Belvians worship the winged horses, descended from Belvi, for whom the country is named. A few are worshippers of Enderel, while others believe that the mountains are home to spirits. To kill a winged horse is one of the greatest evils that can be committed, and is punished by instant death.
Usually the Belvians paint landscapes and large murals inside their grand buildings. There are hardly any paintings of people, but winged horses are prominent in many works of art, including sculpture. It is considered strange and unnecessary to paint humans or dwarves or most animals because of the predominant belief that the winged horses are to be worshipped, and part of that worship is to make works of art depicting them. Therefore, a picture of a living thing besides a winged horse is considered almost blasphemous by most Belvians.
Usually the Belvians paint landscapes and large murals inside their grand buildings. There are hardly any paintings of people, but winged horses are prominent in many works of art, including sculpture. It is considered strange and unnecessary to paint humans or dwarves or most animals because of the predominant belief that the winged horses are to be worshipped, and part of that worship is to make works of art depicting them. Therefore, a picture of a living thing besides a winged horse is considered almost blasphemous by most Belvians.
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There are a lot of mountains in Belvia, as well as open plains. Most of the plains are almost impossible to farm, but are wonderful places for finding gold and precious stones. The farmable land is worked by the kings' laborers, and the king's steward sells what the royal families do not need. The dwarven palace is built into the side of the huge Hasilva Mountain, and the human palace and fortress are built at the foot of the Rezell Mountain Range. Much of the royal city is actually in the mountains themselves, as it is shelter from the unpredictable and violent storms which batter that part of Belvia.
Because of where Belvia is situated, there is very little snow or cold weather. Snow is seen as a bad omen, and it is thought that the next year will be cursed if there is snow more than seven days a year.
Because of where Belvia is situated, there is very little snow or cold weather. Snow is seen as a bad omen, and it is thought that the next year will be cursed if there is snow more than seven days a year.
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The Winged Horse Ceremony is a time when all the winged horses between ten and twenty-five years old come to the human palace to bless the land and predict what the year will hold. It occurs in the second month of the year, on a varying day of the month, and everyone from both sections try to come.
Birthdays are celebrated by the humans only on the first year, and then every fifth year afterwards; usually money or food is given. The dwarves do not celebrate birthdays.
The first week of harvest is celebrated, and gifts are given.
When an apprentice finishes learning his trade (it usually takes five years) his village or city makes a feast in his honor, and the tools of his trade are ceremonially presented to him. In the large cities, it is customary to wait until the end of the year and then hold a celebration for all of the apprentices.
Birthdays are celebrated by the humans only on the first year, and then every fifth year afterwards; usually money or food is given. The dwarves do not celebrate birthdays.
The first week of harvest is celebrated, and gifts are given.
When an apprentice finishes learning his trade (it usually takes five years) his village or city makes a feast in his honor, and the tools of his trade are ceremonially presented to him. In the large cities, it is customary to wait until the end of the year and then hold a celebration for all of the apprentices.
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The Belvians, being inventors, have developed many of the instruments used in that part of the world, including lutes, wind instruments, and small harps. They are lovers of fine music and the royal families often have music playing at all times of the day and night. Musician are regarded very highly in Belvia. Those who are commissioned to write music for the Winged Horse Ceremony are highly honored by this, and go down in history.
Wow, that was way longer than I expected, and I had to leave things out. If you've been able to get through that without passing out from boredom, and if you have any questions, please ask them.
