Iobaria
The land of Iobaria is located east of the nation of Brevoy, north of the Castrovin Sea, and is considered part of the continent of Casmaron. Human settlers have formed an empire in the past, but currently the lands are largely overtaken by wilderness thanks to a series of plagues that have severely depopulated the region.
Structure
Once united under the flag of New Iobaria, as it stands today, Iobaria (in year 4719) lacks a central governing agency. Several monarchs claim to be the rightful ruler of these lands, but none can muster the support of sufficient numbers to back their claim.
Public Agenda
As it lacks a concrete structure, Iobaria does not have shared goals among all of its denizens. Most inhabitants, human or otherwise, wish to live in peace, free of the weight of the Plagues.
Assets
The numerous forests of Iobaria are, for the most, considered sacred and are protected by lycanthrope, druids, or both. Still, these forests are rife with wood and plants unique to the region. Mines exist but their exploitation is limited in most cases, and several ancient Cyclops ruins are scattered across the lands. Few fortified cities and roads exist to facilitate commerce within Iobaria.
History
The most ancient inhabitants of the region were the Cyclopes of the Kingdom of Koloran. Very few notes and memories remain of what may have happened 10,000 years ago, but even long past their departure, the Cyclopes left their mark on their lands in the shape of ruins that survived the test of time and war.
Over the centuries, several tribes of Ulfen found their way to Iobaria, forming the first settlements and establishing a foothold in these distant lands. It was only in year 905 AR that these Ulfen tribes and realms were united in a single realm under the rule of Iobar the Potent.
Unfortunately, the might of Iobaria would first be squashed by the Tearplague in 1106 AR, then by other numerous plagues, which have done well to keep the population in check. Since then, maintaining a firm grasp on Iobaria has proved difficult, even impossible. This allowed for non-human tribes to ally themselves and attempt to take over the land, sometimes successfully (such as when centaurs united in year 1900) and when Hobgoblin found a weakness in the lack of organization of human ranks.
In year 3212, warlords have once again unite, this time forming a strong and lasting alliance with the dragons living in these lands, to retake their country from the grasp of the centaurs. While this peace was full of inner conflicts, it has lasted until year 4519, when the Drakeplague caused the death of numerous dragons, causing further turmoil in the country.
After the death unexpected death of Aroden in year 4606 AR, and the opening of the Worldwound, several fled the fallen kingdom of Sarkoris and found refuge within the forests of Iobaria. This influx caused chaos in the land and caused the fall of New Iobaria, although several landlords still claim that New Iobaria still stands.
Disbandment
After the appearance of the Worldwound, the already unstable country could not hold the influx of refugees. Several would still argue that the New Iobaria has yet to be disbanded.
Demography and Population
Iobaria would be considered a human country, first and foremost. In truth, reality is far more complex. Humans (regardless of their ethnicity) do not even account for half of the population of Iobaria. Apart from the humans that mostly live in small villages scattered across the forests, Iobaria is host to several other people.The most important are:
- Centaurs
- Hobgoblins
- Gnomes
- Jotun (descendant of the Giands and Cyclopes
- Drakhen (descendant of humans and dragons
- Dragons
- Kobolds
Territories
The vast territory of Iobaria is boredered to the east by the Lake of Mists and Veils, the Icerime Peaks and the Nomen Hills. Its southern border follows the Castrovin Sea all the way to the Myrfrus River. The northern border follows the Ice Steppes, a relatively inhospitable part of the Crown of the World. What lies past Hoofwood is hardly accessible as it's defended by a vast army of Centaur, but many think Iobaria is, in a sense, the end of human civilisation on the continent.
As Iobaria is, at best, a loose collection of warlords territory and lands, very few can claim to have a strong hand on the lands, but it has grown immensely since the time it was but an Ulfen colony.
Military
Each warlord is responsible for the security of its proclaimed realm. Villages defend themselves as best they can through their militia. The forest are defended by centaurs, lycanthropes, and druids. The strongest, most fearful, and organized military force in these lands belong to the Hobgoblin. So far, they have seemed rather content with battling one another, but the human and centaur warlords alike keep a keen eye on these creatures.
Religion
There is no organized religion in Iobaria: Everyone is free to worship as they wish. The most common faiths, however are those of the Green Faith, Gozreh, Erastil, and other deities aligned with freedom and nature. In the cities, it's not uncommon to find a church of Abadar, where priests are tasked with educating the barbarians in the means of civilization and commerce.
A stronghold of Aroden still remains within Iobaria, as well as a minor, but dangerous, cult dedicated to Kostchtchie.
Foreign Relations
Iobaria has very few relations with the neighboring countries. It welcomes refugees from anywhere and everywhere (most commonly from Sarkoris, Brevoy, Mendev, and other neighboring countries) but many have sought the relative quietness of this frontier land over the centuries. It has tried to establish a commercial presence over the Castrovin sea but found that it was very difficult to cross the body of water, even with ships. As such, it has little to no contact with other countries, except for the occasional trades, threats, or alliances with Brevoy.
Agriculture & Industry
Each village sustains as best as possible through agriculture, fisheries, hunting, and other methods. There is no large-scale industry, even the use of the wood from the sacred forest is limited, if only because there is nowhere to send it.
Trade & Transport
Transport within the country can be done through the wide roads left by the Cyclopes, eons ago. Small routes have sprouted from them, but over the years, there has been very little upkeep and they are rarely used. The roads themselves don't lead to every corner of the country, and several locations are barely accessible. There's little to no trade between the villages, or between Iobaria and its neighbour, but several lords hope to use the Castrovin sea as a mean to expand their influence.
Education
There's no education system in the realms of Iobaria. A good portions of denizens are unable to read or write. Basic education relates to one's duties within a city or a clan, and are handed it through a form of apprenticeship. Systematic education, such as academies, is often frowned upon, or at least has been since the dragons have fled the country or died.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
Maps
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Iobaria
3309 AR - 4606 AR
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Alternative Names
New Iobaria, The Land of Plagues
Demonym
Iobarian
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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