The Ven is an enormous desert in the center of Gaena's largest continent. It isn't a single country, but contains two allied city-states - Alanis and Mazhalan - and a number of nomadic tribes, who are collectively called the Ven'hedi.

Major Cities:
V1 : Alanis - pop. 25,000 human
V2 : Mazhalan - pop 23,000 human

Economy:
Alanis & Mazhalan - Both of the city-states thrive on trade. Positioned as they are on the only two truly sizeable oases of the Ven, trade caravans are almost required to travel through one of these cities on their way from one end of the continent to the other. Levies and taxes on Outlander trade-goods have made both cities almost astonishingly wealthy. In addition, some income is derived from silver and gem mining in the mountains, though the Ven'hedi make this a risky business.
The Ven'hedi - The Ven'hedi are loosely organized nomadic tribes. They have little need for elaborate economies. They have occasionally been known to sell some of their horses, which bring fantastic prices - they are not pretty, but are sturdy, fast, and smart, which makes them excellent cavalry animals or warhorses. In addition to this, they have a name for being fierce warriors, and frequently raid underprotected trade caravans.

Government/Politics:
Alanis & Mazhalan - Both cities are ruled by a sultan, who may be of either gender, and the sultan's advising council. The sultan's position goes to the oldest child of the sultan's circle. Each sultan chooses their own advisors. The two cities are closely allied with each other, and their noble houses frequently intermarry. They have somewhat strained relations with Karand to the north, and a more cordial relationship with Andahlheim to the south.
The Ven'hedi - Each Ven'hedi tribe is led by its own chief. They are not recognized by any other nations, and so have no political relationships.

Religion:The primary gods of the Ven are M'amit, the goddess of rain and love; and Diman, the god of the sun and anger. Alanis and Mazhalan are dedicated to M'amit's worship (whom they call the Bright Lady in all but the most holy ceremonies). Diman is the patron god of the Ven'hedi. M'amit's festival is around midwinter, beginning when the first rains fall. Diman's is at midsummer, culminating with the summer solstice.

Population: The Ven's residents are almost entirely human. A tiny scattering of dwarves is rumored to live deep inside the highest mountains, but they avoid others scrupulously. The other races occasionally pass through the Ven, but rarely settle. Alanis' population is approximately 25,000, with a transient population of Outlander travellers between one and three thousand at any given time. Mazhalan's permanent population is about 23,000, with a transient population of as much as six thousand. Non-human residents are primarily gnomish and number less than a thousand between the two cities. The Ven'hedi's numbers are hard to count, but they are much less populous - around 8,000 of them total, scattered across the whole Ven.

Culture:
For the most part, none of the Ven's residents practice any sort of cultural gender-bias - both sexes may participate in any activity and follow any profession they choose. Both the city-dwellers and the Ven'hedi marry in what they call "circles" - groups of two or more, though not all members of a circle are necessarily sexually involved with all other members.
Alanis & Mazhalan - Education and vocation are strictly regulated and ranked by level of achievement. Ranks are: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master, with additional rankings of "junior" and "senior" possible for both Apprentice and Journeyman levels. Most people do not ever reach the exacting standards required for Master levels. A person is legally considered an adult when they have reached Journeyman level, or when they are twenty years old, whichever comes first.

Other Notes:

Notable Citizens: