Iskara
Jarl: Mikael Iskara
Sigil: Llewnos
Population: 982,764 (1,372,492 including slaves)
Wealth: Very Rich
Location: Northwest of Uppsala
Primary Biomes: Himalayan Alpines, Boreal Forests, Terrace Farmlands
Major Imports: Slaves
Major Exports: Minerals, Luxury Goods, Technology, Alchemical Goods
Renowned For: Unique Culture, Strange Biomes, Mountainous Society, Shadowdancing, The Kem Cabal
Information: Iskara, known as the Crown of the Sky, is a mountainous society with an incredible and unprecedented climate and terrain, far removed from the rest of Gauthrel. Its climate is categorized as a deciduous forest/mountain bome, and contains, uniquely:
- boreal forests of evergreen conifers (e.g., Ezo spruce, Sakhalin firs) as well as birch and larch trees;
- temperate deciduous broad-leaf forests of maple, oak and beech;
- warm temperate evergreen broadleaf forests of camphor, Japanese evergreen (shii and kashi ) oak, holly, camellia,
- bamboo, katsura; as well as
- subtropical palms and mangrove vegetation.
Aside from the unique terrain, the culture of Iskara is distinctive from the rest of the region and that of outer Idalos. Iskarans are known for their relaxing silk garments, wooden homes with rock gardens and tatami floors, as well as their ponds with unique fauna and flora growing within. Considering these lands were settled very early in the history of the Lotharen race, many Iskarans consider their culture to be the "original" or "pure" of them, demeaning the inferior standards of quality and refinement among others of their kind.
In truth, Iskara is the way it is largely due to its isolation from monsters, surrounded by incredibly thick and tall mountains with only a few roads outward through narrow mountain passes. There are almost no non-domesticated monsters in Iskara -- instead, most of the beasts residing within are pets, trained Llewnos, or even native fauna with unusually approachable temperaments.
Considering the Lothar of Iskara did not need to operate in the same way as their brethren, they formed a different culture with unique foundations, utilizing the distinctive materials of the region to their advantage.
Eventually, as well, another change took place within the mountainous region - the Biqaj came. Originally slaves within the realm, the Biqaj and Lothar now operate as a similar class, both a slave-owning caste with incredible contribution to their society. The demographic make-up of Iskara is unique, with nearly twenty five percent of the population being of majority Biqaj ancestry, forty percent Lotharen, and thirty five percent other races. In all of the Horde, Iskara has the largest population of Biqaj.
With a lack of monsters to battle, and little authority from the outside, the Iskarans instead battle with each other. Bandits, competing aristocrats, mages, power-grubbing factions and other forces are not all too uncommon within the region. Beneath the Jarl there are land-owning Shae of many different races and belief systems, and each of these Shae has at least one adjacent competitor they call their 'enemy'. Iskara, thus, stays strong not due to the onslaught of monsters, but the prevalence of war. It is considered a healthy thing for war to be ever-present, so they may be strong when inevitably their own relative independence is questioned.
Asharan
Capital City: Asharan, also known as the City of Evening, is an aristocratic center and the place of rule of Iskara. It has been ruled by the same family line for nearly four hundred arcs, considered Sacred to the people of the realm. Asharan, concealed from the sun by a blockade of mountain-spires in all directions, almost always appears dimly lit or submerged by darkness. The city is renowned for its beauty and culture, hosting a variety of restaurants and locations for outsiders and merchants while they negotiate trade and diplomacy with the Jarl of Iskara.
Considered the birthplace of Shadowdancing, it was here where the art was crafted initially, by a Biqaj and Lotharen couple from neighboring aristocratic families. Since then, the martial art has swept the nation, becoming a source of pride and prestige for the people of the realm.
Shebana
Kem Cabal: The Kem Cabal, led by Shebana the Falling Sky, are a group of prestigious alchemists and poisoners located in a fairly flat, garden area of the realm known as Kemag Bal. The Kem Cabal have existed for nearly a hundred arcs, and in this time have invented many of the mutagens and alchemical solutions utilized within the Fields of Gauthrel.
Considered to be a dangerous cult of witches by many, the Kem Cabal are watched closely by nearly all competing forces within the realm, though equally they are utilized for their talents. It is said that they have recently begun seeking permanent evolution across the lines of generations, and have been researching their theories among animals, particularly the Asharan Owl and the Llewnos.
The most common source of income among the Kem Cabal is the development of explosives to be sold to merchants and Clansmen. It is said that Iskara is one of the largest manufacturers of explosives in Western Idalos.
