Ionian Plateau

Ionia (sometimes called Glenmore) is a large valley in northeastern Urcea. While it is named for the Ionian Mountains which adjoin it to the north and east, Ionia encompasses an additional cultural region that extends beyond the physical Ionian valley. It comprises the provinces of North Ionia, South Ionia, Kildarium, Hardinán and Ardthirium under most definitions. The valley stretches from the curvature of the Ionian Mountains in the north and east and includes some of the eastern valley it shares with Alveria. Ionia's western border was nebulously defined over history, but today it is largely considered coterminous with its western provincial borders. For much of its history, Ionia was largely rural and dominated by semi-related clans, similar to Urcea's Estates. The region has been known for its fierce political and religious conservatism and loyalty to the Urcean monarchy. House de Weluta, the ruling family of Urcea, originated in the valley. Ionia has been closely culturally connected to Alveria and the Gold Coast (to a lesser degree) since the period of Great Levantia.

Geography

The Outer Ionians in particular have had a long association with tourism from the Valley, dating back to the Ionian Hotel War.

History

Ionia the home of human settlement for long stretches during the prehistoric era. Gaelic people came to settle the region early in their history, prior to their presence in the Valley. Ancient Istroyan arrivals and later Adonerii settlers and explorers did not travel down into the valley, gradually settling the Valley and elsewhere and trading with the valley's Gaelic population. During the rise of Great Levantia, Gaels from the Valley and elsewhere were gradually pushed out of the Valley and other key parts of Levantia and were relocated to modern day Carna, Dericania, and the valley, which retained a Gaelic character deep into the Great Levantine age. Mining operations on the slopes of the valley would introduce Latin settlers to the region, but they were never a majority of residents and most quickly married into the local population, undergoing the process of Urceanization as occurred elsewhere throughout southwestern Great Levantia. As the political authority and military power of Great Levantia began to wane, tribes and clans of Ionians began to encroach into the valley, and this encroachment is thought to have enhanced Urceanization by introducing new Gaelic rulers over the urbanized Latin population. Once Great Levantia collapsed, the valley divided itself into hundreds of tribal polities, most organized loosely around cities built by Great Levantia during the period of its existence but ruled over by local families that exercised control over herds of cattle and other animals, the primary form of wealth in early medieval Ionia.

Culture

Culturally, the Ionia has always stood in stark contrast to the more populous western half of the country. During the period of Great Levantia, Ionia was densely populated as Gaels resided in the moors mostly beyond the authority of the Latins, and the lowlands were often a refuge for thieves or political opponents expelled from Urceopolis. Gaels gradually came out of the valley as the authority of Great Levantia receded, but the moors maintained a unique cultural and political character. Lowlanders are well known for their political and familial loyalty to Urcea's ruling House de Weluta, which originated in the valley. Lowlanders loyally served on behalf of the house especially during the Caroline Wars and Red Interregnum. Even in the 21st century, the valley contributes more members of the Royal and Imperial Army per capita than any other part of the country.

Many of the themes of Ionian identity appear within Moor literature, which refers to the literature of the people of the valley.