Rasell

You step off your boat onto the pier of Rasell and immediately understand why it's been hailed as the most beautiful place in Kersir. Buildings of white stone, engraved and painted with beautiful designs, rise up all around you. An ocean breeze cools your skin, battling against the desert heat, as you walk along the light stone streets. Shops have their doors thrown open, and painters have their easels set up at the edges of the road to capture the beauty of the city. People greet each other everywhere with smiles and hellos, never failing to be polite and inviting. As you step into a cafe, the smell of sugarcane hits your nose and your mouth waters...

Rasell is a country that broke off of Eilis after the Eastern Invasion. It values growth and beauty, and it's known for its beautiful architecture and lush gardens. Since it's on the coast, it has much more moisture than the rest of Kersir and is able to grow more plant life. It also gets an ocean breeze, and it's a favorite vacation spot because of its position on the coast and its cleanliness. Rasell was the first to use an underground sewage system, which then spread to the majority of Kersir.

Culture

Rasell strongly values growth and beauty, and encourages creativity in all spheres of life. Its architecture is not only functional, but also intricately designed and often features plant life. Some would say they like to show off the fertility of their land—and it might even be true—but they're also driven by a desire to incorporate the beauty of the natural world around them into their lives and art. Rasellans are generally welcoming to visitors, seeking to learn of other cultures and the beauties that lie therein. They also believe that knowledge of others helps them to grow as individuals and as a culture, something they're always striving for. As a part of their growth, Rasell seeks to throw off much of the strict tradition inherent in their Eilisian roots and strives to find balance in their practices and behavior. While they retain some of their Eilian trappings (including some of their magic), they seek to forge their own culture and ideals.

Demography and Population

The majority of Rasell's citizens are genetically Eilisian, but given the nation's interest in foreign cultures it has attracted people of many ethnicities. Osanarans make up the second largest demographic in Rasell, but there are also citizens from Veldan, Sachara, Teraco, and the southern kingdoms. (Over time, they also gain immigrants from Piradin and nations from across the seas.)

Territories

Rasell owns the southeast corner of Kersir valley, including a decent stretch of shoreline. This shoreline is the most valuable part of Rasell, boasting multiple trade harbors and long stretches of beautiful white sand beaches.

Religion

Rasell ascribes, essentially, to a different denomination of the Eilisian religion. It believes in the same pantheon of gods, but disagrees with the interpretation of certain parts of the mythos. Instead of placing Ydar at the head of the pantheon, most Rasellans see Ydar as a sneak and prefer to put their core trust in Mytia, Euna, and Nimasis (goddesses of wisdom, water, and beauty, respectively). Their interpretation of Mytia herself also differs from the Eilisian view, painting the knowledge goddess as one who shares her wisdom freely rather than entrusting it to only a few. Euna represents life and living things to the coastal Rasellans, making her something of a patron goddess. Ritia (goddess of love) and Meros (god of peace) are of secondary importance. Uphion (god of death) is respected and appreciated in Rasell, as death is part of the cycle of life and gives way to more life; Rasellans are especially aware of this in the context of growing things. Vybris (goddess of war) is consulted only when necessary, but solemnly respected in such cases. Rasell is much more tolerant of other religions than Eilis is, welcoming them as a part of foreign cultures and seeking to learn from them before dismissing them. They see religion as another form of knowledge, which they pursue avidly. Due to Rasell's open-mindedness on religion, there are citizens who ascribe to almost every religion that has been introduced to the nation. Arba (or, as the Rasellans call him, Shiyatrili, "Creator") is the second most-followed god in Rasell, after the Eilisian pantheon.

Foreign Relations

Aside from its trade agreements, Rasell has no specific diplomatic ties with any of its neighbors except Osanar. Rasell welcomes visitors (so long as they come through legal channels), but by and large they prefer to stay out of any other nation's business. They are, however, officially subservient to Teraco and therefore subject to the whims of the Teraki government. Fortunately for Rasell, Teraco has yet to invoke its authority as a puppet-master and Rasell has been left to manage their own affairs as they see fit.

Agriculture & Industry

Rasell is well-known for its fertility and plant life. Its best-known export is its wine, but it also produces an abundance of figs, dates, almonds, leafy greens, seafood, citruses, tea, sugar cane, olives, and honey. Silk is another common product, and pearls are a luxury found in Rasell. As far as industry is concerned, Rasell is home to many painters, sculptors, and glass-blowers and exports these artistic productions. It also provides architects to neighboring countries, in some cases. Rasell believes in creativity and innovation, and thus has been the source of some technological advancements such as underground plumbing.

Education

Children begin school at age six and are encouraged to follow their own interests and learn at their own pace. Because Rasell values health and growth, children are nurtured in their schooling and allowed to still be kids, and schools largely serve to offer learning resources and access to knowledgeable adults than to directly pass on information. Each school is built around a garden that is tended exclusively by the students, with minimal help from the teachers, each garden unique in its health and configuration.

Infrastructure

Rasell was the first to develop a sanitation system to keep their cities clean. There’s a filtration system in place, and the filtered liquid goes back into the ocean. This system has spread through Eilis to the south and both Osanar and Alger in the north. Rasell has a large library which collects information not only from Kersir and Teraco but also from across the sea. It houses a huge variety of books in many different languages. It's also hailed as one of the most beautiful buildings in Rasell, featuring elegant architecture, murals by local artists, and a wealth of plant life. In addition, they keep a museum which accumulates culturally significant items from the travelers who come through. Many travelers, in fact, bring these items with them with the sole intention of donating them (or selling them) to the museum. Like the library, this museum has a beautiful design and is home to a good deal of masterful art pieces, as well as both local and exotic plants.

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Hafara

Demonym

Rasellan

Government System

Democracy, Representative

Power Structure

Semi-autonomous area

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Major Exports

Rasell's most lucrative exports are its wine and its silk, but they also export a good deal of sugar, tea, olives, and citrus fruits.

Major Imports

Rasell imports coffee from Osanar, which is cheap due to Osanar's proximity, the abundance with which they produce it, and the amicable trade agreements between Rasell and Osanar.

Parent Organization

Eilis

Location

Kersir

Controlled Territories