The Skykeep

The Skykeep is the epitome of the traditional Eizean mountain Stronghold. Though this only means they are looked at strangely by modern day Eizeans. The population of The Skykeep is one of strict codes of conduct and severe punishments. They are almost religious to an extent. 
Set in the North East of the continent and as such their lives are always rationed. There is a shortage of some kind of necessity at all times. The terrain is not as inhospitable as those around Mt. Vicious, but The Skykeep never had the massive influx of money they experienced from wealthy compatriots so they couldn't develop the same farming methods to sustain themselves. The Skykeep usually gets by trading the materials they dig up from the mines, the mountain ranges around them have the highest concentrations of metals and ores of all the Strongholds. These materials have also gone into making what is likely the most finely tuned and efficient skyship fleet in Eizean skies. 
The laws of The Skykeep hearken back to the original founding of The Stronghold during The Cataclysm. While many generations of rulers have passed in the time since The Skykeep has never experienced such significant social reform as the other Strongholds. The constant scarcity of resources have always provided the authorities with a good enough excuse to continue enacting the archaic rules. The slightest transgression of a smallest degree can mean a decade long tenure in one of the mines, and continued or significant law breaking can lead to simple execution. 
There is a extremely regimented class structure in The Skykeep, the general workers are kept separate from the skilled craftsmen and any mingling is now allowed. The workers complete the menial tasks and labour intensive jobs required around The Skykeep, while the craftsmen spend their days completing the important skill intensive work necessary for The economic viability of the stronghold. The main production is the apparatus and components vital to the flying of airships, while these are produced elsewhere on Eizea, those specific to The Skykeep are widely regarded as the best sets of equipment on the market. 
The survival of The Skykeep is based around the export of these valuable pieces of machinery and technology. It is by sheet will and the iron first of Hierarch Zenian Posiminian that The Skykeep has been in a state of flourishing in modern day Eizea. His constant pressure keeping technological development ahead of their rivals as well as bullheaded negotiations to capture the most profitable business deals possible. Their lack of food and crop production sets them at a disadvantage but throughout the political and trade dealings, The Hierarch's personal devotion to the law abiding citizens of The Skykeep simply can't be questioned. 
The Skykeep's flottila has changed a lot since 'The Half Hundred Armada' they entered the Second Skywar with. They still have a significant navy, they aren't in the economic position to put so many ships in the sky anymore however. But they have the cheapest running flotilla in the sky and their capacity to wage war is still intensely feared. Though many of the more recent developments in tactics and strategic battle methods have come from the genius of Skykeep commanders. Without a reliable source of timber and with the businessmen in Mt. Miserth being as stubborn as the diplomatic traders of The Skykeep any major shipments of lumber aren't anticipated. This has meant the Skykeep has mostly second hand merchant vessels for their navy, fully refitting the old technology and onselling or scrapping it they make old sky-ships sing anew. 
The people of The Skykeep are resilient, dedicated and honourable. Their devotion to their leader is met with equal in return, the disdain they feel for criminals is much the same as they have for the Lowborn in their region. The entire Stronghold runs like it is a military outpost. The citizens either know no different or completely believe the propaganda they are given. Regardless, those from the Skykeep are trained from a young age in the arts of combat. Almost all of them are signed in for navy or marine reserves in case of another war.