United Isles of Faran Iqueia
Demography and Population
Until being discovered by other lands, the Isles were isolated to develop their own cultures and pursuits. The native peoples consist largely of firbolgs and elves. Of elves, high elves, sea elves, drow, and eladrin are commonplace.
Clans
Each island developed a clan or multiple clans from which its residents hail. Joining a clan is as easy as marrying into one or being related to someone who married someone who is part of that clan. Outsiders observe that the clan system appears arbitrary, but switching of clans is frowned upon. This cultural taboo does not apply to the case of marriage where one partner decides to pledge loyalty to their spouse's clan as part of the marriage ceremony. Similarly, it does not apply to cases where someone returns to their original clan after a divorce. Most clans claim an archfey, elemental, celestial or legendary figure as part of their ancestry. They are said to be imbued with specific traits or powers due to this bloodline. This is provably false, but the stereotypes persist.Lairds
Each clan has its own laird who represents the clan in all governance. Traditionally, the position of laird was appointed via tanistry succession. As all members of a clan were considered to be eligible heirs, it wasn't uncommon to see an uptick in marriages and divorces before or after the death of a laird. Assembly to vote on the laird's successor always took place exactly two weeks after the death of a laird. Unlike typical tanistry, the clans did not favor the children of the previous laird. Instead, they tended to favor the nieces and nephews of the previous laird in order to keep one family from consolidating too much generational power due to the long lives of both firbolgs and elves. This gave higher likelihood to choose a successor based on ability rather than power. Children of lairds had to work even harder than their cousins to even be considered. It was a great honor for a child of a laird to get even one vote during Assembly, showing true prowess as a warrior and statesman.High Laird
Prior to the Splitting Seas Civil War, High Laird was a position selected via the tanistry system. All lairds were considered heirs and voted from among themselves for who should be High Laird. As the Assembly for High Laird took place exactly a week after the death of the old High Laird instead of the two weeks needed to choose a new laird, the clan from which the old High Laird hailed was excluded from Assembly. Sometimes, the vote would be prolonged if weather conditions merited an extension. All elected lairds of all clans had to be present, excepting those of clans whose laird had passed two weeks prior to the Assembly date. Since the Civil War, a singular monarch as presided over the islands, Sylcan Ar'Aleth.Eras
Eras are determined by the High Laird. As elves and firbolg live long lives, each era on the Isles is somewhere between 200 and 700 years long.Education
Faran Iqueia does not have a public school system. The majority of its institutions are boarding schools, paid for by upper class citizens. Most children are expected to inherit the family business or begin an apprenticeship. Given that adulthood is not recognized until the first century of life, apprenticeships can last decades.
Magic can only be learned through official institutions. Enrollment is an arduous process, but Faran Iqueia teaches high-level magic and can boast of expert casters within their most honored ranks. Were they not such an isolationist country, they may have gained international recognition for the proficiency of their arcane schooling.
Chan eil tuil air nach tig traoghadh. /*There isn't a flood which will not subside.*/
Maps
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Faran Iqueia
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Alternative Names
The Isles
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
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