**Death Eats Pie is an Alternate Reality collaboration.**
Zynvalia

Type: Country
Location: Hellbound
Description:
Republic of Zynvalia
Zynvalia is a large desert republic located between Vallastaar and Sanskarth. Internationally, it is most often associated with deserts, ruins, painted territorial groups, and persistent rumors of conflict. Much of the outside world sees Zynvalia as an unstable frontier nation dominated by the Diablos — a highly visible Zynvalian culture known for symbolic paint, masks, communal living, and nomadic territorial activity.
In reality, Zynvalia is a politically functional and culturally layered nation composed of multiple populations, environmental regions, and social systems that outsiders rarely fully understand.
The country operates as a semi-presidential democratic republic with active international trade, diplomatic relations, transportation infrastructure, mining industries, and organized provincial governance. While dangerous regions exist, particularly near unstable territories and Death Forest-adjacent zones, most Zynvalians live ordinary lives shaped by adaptation, communal resilience, and environmental hardship.
The largest and most misunderstood population group within Zynvalia are the Diablos, who are concentrated primarily in the northeastern province of Zurra seno Diablos. Outsiders often mistake the visible Diablo border presence as representative of the entire country. In reality, much of Diablo civilization exists in hidden ruined districts, especially within their capital city of Ultraviolet.
Zynvalian society as a whole places strong emphasis on:
adaptation
communal contribution
emotional resilience
environmental survival
public expression
social generosity
practical cooperation
The nation worships Chase, god of war, and ----------, god of hedonism. These beliefs heavily influence Zynvalian attitudes toward survival, celebration, labour, and communal emotional stability.
Despite its harsh reputation, Zynvalia is culturally rich, musically vibrant, economically active, and deeply interconnected internally.
Characteristics:
Environment Details
Geography -
Zynvalia is geographically divided between:
harsh eastern deserts
canyon systems
dune valleys
dry wastelands
mountain regions in the west
underground cavern systems
hidden urban zones
The western mountain regions contain more traditional governmental and civilian population centres, including the capital city Oraz se Drada.
The eastern territories are dominated by desert conditions and Diablo-controlled regions.
Many outsiders never travel beyond the visible eastern desert corridors and therefore assume the country is almost entirely wasteland.
Major Provinces
Arrazmenito -
Governmental and administrative heartland of Zynvalia.
Contains:
Oraz se Drada (official capital)
institutional centers
judicial systems
diplomatic infrastructure
mountain settlements
stable urban regions
This region is rarely seen by foreigners outside diplomatic circles.
Zurra seno Diablos -
Largest province and center of Diablo civilization.
Contains:
Ultraviolet
war-torn ruins
territorial Diablo routes
communal groups
hidden infrastructure
Most foreign stereotypes about Zynvalia originate from encounters in this province.
Aryntormont -
Harsh inland region associated with:
industrial activity
survival settlements
rough terrain
isolated communities
Salvades -
Smaller province tied to:
transportation routes
regional trade
transient labor movement
desert-border settlements
hostile zones
Major Locations
Ultraviolet -
Hidden Diablo capital in ruined desert districts.
Known for:
glowing paint systems
communal feasts
music culture
symbolic identity systems
Most outsiders do not know the city truly exists.
Oraz se Drada -
Official capital city located in the western mountains.
Associated with:
governance
diplomacy
courts
formal administration
embassies
Outsiders often know the name but little else.
The Mud Pit -
Border bar frequented by:
miners
transport workers
travellers
labor crews
Zynvalians
Vallastaarians
Sanskarthians
Acts as a major neutral social zone near mining regions.
Landmarks
The Nightmarelands -
Dangerous region associated with disappearances, hostile entities, and environmental instability.
Even Zynvalians avoid it unless necessary.
Arynaas Pintarus Desert -
Massive desert region strongly associated with foreign stereotypes about Zynvalia.
Contains:
ruins
abandoned transit routes
territorial zones
unstable conditions
Quezadur Laguro -
Large lake region providing rare environmental contrast within the country.
Desert Bloom -
Region known for seasonal plant growth and unusual bursts of color within the desert landscape.
Frequently referenced in music and poetry.
Warbird Hills -
Region associated with historic territorial conflict and convoy routes.
Pleasure Valley -
Known for:
gatherings
festivals
nightlife
communal celebrations
artistic activity
Its existence strongly contradicts outsider assumptions about Zynvalia.
Forgehammer Colony -
Large training and preparation settlement.
Used for:
survival training
territorial defence preparation
labour coordination
infrastructure support
Emberglen -
Diablo outpost settlement used as:
supply point
travel stop
territorial observation zone
Characteristics
Surface Misconception -
Most outsiders believe Zynvalia is:
permanently at war
dominated entirely by Diablos
mostly abandoned
socially violent
politically unstable
This perception exists because foreigners usually encounter only:
border territories
ruins
desert routes
territorial patrol groups
mining settlements
Large portions of the country remain unseen by outsiders.
Diablo Visibility -
The Diablos dominate foreign perception because they are:
highly mobile
visually distinctive
territorially active
socially expressive
present near dangerous routes
Many outsiders wrongly assume Diablos represent all Zynvalians.
Hidden Civilization -
Large portions of Zynvalian infrastructure is hidden.
Reasons include:
environmental instability
territorial defence
concealment
historical adaptation
Many “abandoned” ruins are active settlements.
Social Behavior -
Zynvalians are generally:
emotionally direct
communal
physically expressive
adaptable
socially resilient
tolerant of instability
The Diablos in particular maintain highly communal social structures with shared labour and collective child-rearing practices.
Food Culture -
Zynvalian food is heavily spiced.
A major cultural and economic export is Duravia spice, an endemic plant product imported heavily by Excessum.
Communal feasting plays an important role in many regions of Zynvalia, especially within Diablo territories.
Music and Art -
Music is deeply integrated into everyday life.
Zynvalian music commonly uses:
duduk
kora
tar
oud
djembe
Different regions blend these sounds with:
punk
hip-hop
industrial music
underground performance culture
communal chanting
bar music traditions
Artistic expression is highly normalized publicly, especially in Diablo regions.
International Relations -
Zynvalia maintains close relations with:
Excessum
Vallastaar
It also maintains broader diplomatic ties through trade and transportation systems such as the Desert Blood railway.
Excessum and Vendrost generally show little prejudice toward Diablos compared to other nations.
Non-Diablo Zynvalians are often more comfortable traveling to Vallastaar and Drakkesburg than to Excessum or Vendrost despite political tolerance.
Hidden Conflict -
One of the least understood threats tied to Zynvalia is the ORC.
Rumors claim they:
move through the Death Forest safely
guide creatures into Zynvalian territory
operate nomadically
attempt territorial expansion
Very little verified information exists regarding them.
Even their nature remains uncertain.
Ambience:
General Soundscape -
Dry desert wind moving through ruins
Distant engines crossing dunes
Metal creaking in abandoned structures
Low conversations around communal fires
Echoing acoustics
Desert storms against ruined buildings
Urban Atmosphere -
Cities like Ultraviolet contain:
layered crowd noise
marketplace chatter
public feasts
industrial repair sounds
Musical Identity -
Common sounds throughout Zynvalia:
duduk melodies drifting through valleys
djembe rhythms from gatherings
oud and tar performances in communal districts
underground punk concerts
emotionally heavy folk vocals
hip-hop echoing through ruins
barroom country music near border routes
Music often overlaps naturally with labour, travel, celebration, and social gatherings.
Night Atmosphere -
Night in Zynvalia is often more socially active than daytime.
Common nighttime sounds include:
communal feasts
distant laughter
low chanting near temples
music carrying through canyon systems
convoy engines
glowing Diablo crowds
jetboard scouts flying overhead
desert wind mixed with percussion rhythms