Astrus
The Jewel of Sud-Hestoria
A small city state, Astrus lies on the northern tip of Sud-Hestoria, bordering the Southern Union to the north. Astrus is rich. Very rich. It is said that even the poorest Astrus citizen has fingers full of gemstone rings. In truth, all the wealth rests with those who live in the top tiers of the city (literally, as the city is built upwards around Mount Astrus) and the poor of the state, while not downtrodden as some may imagine, are no better off than a High Kastorian serf. The wealth of the state comes from a unique export - Astrus gemstones. These gemstones are not procured in the usual way of mining, instead special ranches herd a form of Lithovoric Beetle known as the Astrus Beetle that eats rock and excretes gemstones.
Structure
The ruler of Astrus is the Merchant Prince, elected from the noble families of Astrus upon the previous incumbents death. Below them sit the Gemstone Council, a table of nineteen nobles and guild leaders that advise the Merchant Prince on the running of Astrus.
Culture
The people of Astrus are generally jovial and of good-nature. Whether working on the Beetle Ranches or in the docking warehouses, they love to hear stories from beyond their own lives and love to welcome outsiders, and their gold, into Astrus.
Demography and Population
Astrus, as a merchant state, is made up of a vast array of people from all kinds of backgrounds and races. Anyone with an eye for making money can get along here just fine. Most people live in the city of Astrus itself, although there are plenty who live in the towns and villages beyond it's walls, or on the Beetle Ranches.
Territories
A small nation, Astrus occupies a chunk of land sandwiched between The Southern Union to the north, Eucrus to the west, Otria to the South, and the Star Sea to the East. Little more than the mountain of Mount Astrus and the plains that surround it, Astrus is barely a fraction of the size of any of it's neighbors.
Military
The Diadem Shield are the standing military of Astrus. They act not only as soldiers, but also as watchmen, and are highly trained, well equipped, and efficiently organised. They have special expertise in naval boarding actions, and often work in tandem with the Astrus Port Defense to board and disable the ships of smugglers and retrieve their goods.
Technological Level
Astrus is beginning the process of rapid technological progress. With the Legion Of Progress backing them, they have installed an airship dock, and are already using mechanical cranes on the docks. Technology is increasing the efficiency of warehouses, although this modernization is leading to a rise in unemployed dock workers.
Religion
While The Pantheon is strong here, The Merchant is paid strong homage.
Foreign Relations
Astrus tries to avoid conflict wherever possible, preferring instead to pursue a policy of open trade wherever it can. As a result, Astrus has gained a reputation as a peaceful broker, and has been used more than once as neutral ground for peace talks between warring nations.
Agriculture & Industry
The biggest, and most unique, industry in Astrus is the Beetle Ranches. These strange farms are the backbone of the economy here, and the source of the countries wealth. The ranches are home to the Astrus Beetle, a giant, Lithovoric beetle that is endemic to the nation. The ranchers feed the beetles rock, and they excrete gemstones. The ranchers sort the gems and package the top ten percent up for sale. The rest a ground up and mixed into the beetle's feed. These types of gemstones are highly valuable across the world, not only for their curiosity value, but because they seem to generally be better at holding enchantments than more 'naturally' formed gemstones.
Trade & Transport
As a port city, Astrus is home to large expanses of docklands, and ships leave regularly for many exotic destinations. Some caravans do arrive overland, and those that do find a network of well built and maintained roads that are regularly patrolled by the Diadem Shield.
Education
With a great many merchants, having a basic knowledge of reading and writing is essential in Astrus, as is a basic grasp of maths. To that end, a guild of tutors exists here that will willingly educate anyone, for the right price. The rich can, of course, afford whichever tutors they desire, and often the nobility bring in outsiders with grand reputations to teach them and their children.
Infrastructure
The city of Astrus is viewed as somewhat of a marvel for it's infrastructure. The higher tiers of the city have running water and the whole city has a vast and efficient sewage network.
Founding Date
PR.1200
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Capital
Demonym
Astrian
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Major Exports
The gemstones of the Astrus Beetle are by far and away the most sought after export of Astrus.
Major Imports
While it grows enough food to support itself, Astrus imports many more luxury foodstuffs, especially figs and dates from Eucrus. They also import timber, as the small woodlands they have are nowhere near enough to keep up with the demand.
Legislative Body
The laws of Astrus are set out by the Gemstone Council, and ratified into law the Merchant Prince.
Judicial Body
The laws of Astrus are interpreted and enforced by the Diadem Shield, the standing military of Astrus who also serve as watchmen and judges.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments