Zilargo

Zilargo is a Gnomish nation in the South of Khorvaire. It is best known for its national newspaper, elemental binding, bards, Korranberg Library and diplomatic expertise.

Government

The Triumvirate rules Zilargo. This council, composed of a representative from each of the major cities of Korranberg, Trolanport, and Zalanberg, was founded as an oversight committee to monitor the behavior of students and patrons of the Library of Korranberg. The powers and duties of the Triumvirate slowly expanded to cover the entire nation. Each of the three cities has its own Council of Nine, gnomes drawn from wealthy families who manage local civic concerns. In theory, the city’s representative to the Triumvirate is democratically selected from its council. In practice, the process is anything but democratic, as secret wars of words and blackmail determine power within each council.
The Trust, the secret order that protects Zil society, reports directly to the Triumvirate. It has a coordinator in each city who works with the local council. Few realize that the Triumvirate possesses an impressive vault of information concerning political, military, and economic activities that rivals that of the Library, thanks to the work of the Trust.

Industry & Trade

For a small nation, Zilargo exports a large array of goods and services. The gnomes are known for diplomatic expertise, and the demand for gnomish translators, advocates, and mediators is high. House Sivis regulates these services, as well as maintaining a lock on communications in central Khorvaire.
The gnomes’ talent for words extends beyond mediation and scribing. Gnome poets and orators are celebrated across Khorvaire, while Zil bards weave words and magic together to produce dazzling shows of illusion and song. In addition, the Korranberg Chronicle, full of news and stories, reaches common folk throughout the Five Nations. The Library of Korranberg and its associated colleges don’t quite measure up to the magical research and artificing techniques going on in Aundair, but it might possess the greatest source of general knowledge on the continent.
The gnomes of Trolanport are among the greatest shipwrights and cartographers of Khorvaire, and even Lhazaar princes travel there to commission gnome-made vessels. Tremendous wealth pours from the jewel mines of Zalanberg, and the gnomes have discovered a method for binding elementals into vehicles, armor, and weapons.

Guilds and Factions

House Kundarak: House Kundarak has a strong presence in Zilargo, with large outposts in all the major cities. House Sivis: The House of Scribing was born in Zilargo, and Korranberg is still the seat of its power. Just as House Deneith recruits mercenaries from many lands, Sivis acts as a clearinghouse for gnome translators, mediators, and purveyors of similar services. Sivis places great stock in the neutrality of its agents, and claims to have no ties to the Triumvirate, the Library, or any other national power—but some believe that House Sivis is the true power behind the nation. The Library of Korranberg: Like the dragonmarked houses, the Library of Korranberg is almost an independent power in its own right. The Korranberg Chronicle: The Korranberg Chronicle originated in Zilargo and spread throughout the Five Nations during the Last War. Considered an unbiased and informative source of news, the Chronicle enjoys wide distribution thanks to a deal with House Orien, and a diverse readership scrambles to get the latest edition three times each week.
The Trust: This secret organization maintains order within Zilargo. Despite its sinister overtones, it generally acts in the best interests of its citizens.

History

Province of Galifar: When Galifar I created his kingdom, Zilargo was among the nations that he sought to subjugate. The Gnomes met his forces in the valley north of Dragonroost however, the Zil people immediately surrendered, negotiating for the status of independent province of the Kingdom of Galifar.
The Last War: During the first part of the Last War, gnomes maintained that Zilargo was a loyal province of the Kingdom of Galifar and loyal to the kings and queens of Galifar. This effective neutrality toward all of the Five Nations allowed them to maximize profits by selling to all the armies of Khorvaire.
However, in 962 YK, the Zil political stance changed, though no one outside Zilargo knows what instigated the change. From 962 on, Zilargo declared itself to be a loyal ally of the Brelish crown. This stance allowed the Zil to put themselves on equal political footing with the Five Nations and Breland in particular, while easing tensions with their most threatening neighbor by declaring alliance.
The Treaty of Thronehold in 996 YK confirmed the status of the nation of Zilargo as one of the recognized nations of Khorvaire.

Geography

Zilargo is situated in the south of Khorvaire. It is bordered in the north and west by Breland, in the east by Darguun, and in the south by the Thunder Sea. Geographically its borders are defined by the Howling Peaks in the northwest and the Seawall Mountains in the east. The country is networked by several House Orien roadways, and the lightning rail passes along the eastern border with a stop in Zolanberg and terminus at Korranberg.

Type

National Territory

Population

250,000 (60% gnomes, 16% humans, 11% dwarves, 7% kobolds, 6% other races)