Ossifrey

Stone skin

Ossifrey thrives on rapid expansion and construction, and its borders continue to expand to the southeast, off the map of Agrophon and deep Inland, where there's lots of space and few natural resources. The country is known for its grand and unbreakable castles: the rest of the continent is no stranger to defensive structures, but none match the sheer scale of those in Ossifrey. Many towns are built around old stone keeps, still standing after serving their purpose in ancient battles. Dozens of outposts and battlements, many of them repurposed, give texture to the landscape; blossoming outward from Ossifrey's capital, they mark the history of Ossifrey's aggressive growth like the rings of a tree.
There are many other such buildings which the rest of the continent might call "megastructures." Ossifrey has a sophisticated supply chain, including a dense network of roads, embankments, landscaping, and an elaborate water management system, including the famous Stole Fixture. Ossifrey has spent centuries fussing over the wide variety of territories they've acquired, remolding them until they can provide the lifestyle which the people demand.
While Ossifrey has an unbreakable defense, it has repeatedly floundered while trying to take the fight back to its enemies. Many of its armies are controlled by nobles, trade companies, and other assemblies, who don't want to jump into battle if they could instead watch a competitor try and fail. Some of Ossifrey's sturdiest branches have fallen apart from the inside; none during the war, so far.
But they doesn't need effective people when it has good military structures, which used to be completely unmatched. If Ossifrey is allowed the time and resources to build one of their castles, their army becomes invincible at that location. This dream of security was dispelled when the castle at Imbre was captured by the Duumvirate.

The Stakes' temperamental ally

Ossifrey is the main line of defense against the Duumvirate, even though it seems to share a lot of Ornity's values. When the war was still brewing, it wasn't clear which side Ossifrey would take. There were plenty of selfish reasons for Ornity to ally itself with the Stakes--it received support and resources from all over the continent, and it gained a new image as an invaluable protector of the world--but significant parts of the country wish they had switched sides when they had the chance.
For the duration of the war, Ossifrey's expansion in the Shadowfell has been largely halted. It's even signed a series of truces with its longtime enemy, Deisos. But Deisos, even as it builds its military, provides minimal help in the war; it's more concerned with what happens when the war ends.

Trendsetting

Ossifrey is proud that their greatest features are what they built themselves. They believe they've made more progress for Agrophon than any other nation, and that it's clear to anyone who sets foot in the city, walks on the clean roads, smells the perfumes, cranes their neck to appreciate the tall buildings. People who don't enjoy the local style are considered uncultured.
Ossifrey claims not to understand all the hostility with its neighbors. But if they can't be beloved, they'll at least become needed. They export their foods and luxuries with aggressive friendliness, trying to show the world how much nicer things would be if people would just listen to Ossifreyan principles. This all culminated with the Duumvirate War, which finally gave Ossifrey the heroic appearance they craved.

Prickly about nature and the divine

Ossifrey's reputation doesn't allow compromise. If something is wrong, Ossifrey will change it. The landscape looks nothing like it did before civilization paved it over, and agents of nature often butt heads with urban developers. Many conquered civilizations lost their gods: they either starved to death or adapted to become Ossifreyan deities.
These conflicts continue to the present day. The nation has famously become an enemy of the gods, and of the continent itself. While Ossifrey is firm enough to survive divine attacks, many gods (even national ones) don't mind seeing Ossifrey come to harm. If a god is killed and forgotten by tactless conquest, their divine friends always remember, and strike back at Ossifrey in revenge. Some believe that Languisse switched sides and joined the Duumvirate for exactly this reason.
But no matter how much nature and divinity might despise Ossifrey, most of these gods are seeking a different solution than the total destruction of that country. They've formed a peculiar bond with the small folk of Ossifrey: peasants, hermits, and others who fell victim to the unforgiving national climate. Some kind of magical protection has been brewing among Ossifrey's lower classes. Their governors are afraid to abuse them too heavily, for fear of waking a hornets' nest.

Sparse in the Shadowfell

Ossifreyans don't often travel to the Shadowfell, and many of the people there can't afford to go back. People with Shadowfell Influence are ostracized and often go into voluntary exile. Some impoverished shadow-towns have received assistance from Aphygia, and occasionally from Deisos.

Demographics

Ossifrey is a very old country which extends far beyond Agrophon, but its population remains overwhelmingly human. The large noble caste causes some resources to fluctuate violently, leaving many citizens at financial unease. The Duumvirate War has only increased this insecurity, and Ossifrey has begun to accept a lot of help from neighboring countries.

Population

610,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Ossifreyan