Hiladhel
Hiladhel is a nation located on the northwest coast of Allethra. A relatively new nation, Hiladhel has been officially independent from its previous ruler Faloriand for 40 years. It is the largest hub of trading in Allethra, both to other parts of the continent and to other countries overseas.
Ruled by a council of elected merchant princes, Hiladhel is a nation that values trade and wealth. It is home to the largest city in Allethra, Daripur, which also serves as the nation's capital.
Most of Hiladhel is located along the coast. The rest of the country is on relatively flat, low-lying ground. Despite its northern latitude, warm ocean currents keep the weather in Hiladhel temperate and even somewhat warm year-round. Farmland is mostly found along the Malto River, which feeds into Lake Niverash, and continues towards the ocean.
Structure
Since its formation in 412 AE, Hiladhel has been ruled by the Council of Princes. Every year, a new council member is elected from the nation's trade masters. All citizens are eligible to vote, which means that the Hilan elite must work to appease the people.
The Council works as both a parliament and as joint heads of state. Any decision must pass with four votes, and these votes are often traded openly with merchant lords and other Princes.
Currently, the council is made up of:
- Sattar Aslani
- Vida Qasemi
- Mahya Behdad
- Ramin Danesh
- Fariba Aslani
- Rahele Nemadi
Culture
The Hiladhi are an industrious people. When one of them sets their mind to something, they see it through. When a whole group sets a goal, it's best to get out of their way. Competitive by nature, Hiladhi always wish to succeed.
Hiladhi people party as hard as they work. Bars, restaurants, theaters, and pleasure yachts are common to satisfy the needs of the people. Relaxation and entertainment is an art that Hiladhel has perfected over centuries.
Due to its constant trade with the rest of the world, foreigners are a common sight in Hiladhel. Many have immigrated and established micro-communities within Hiladhi culture. Influence from across the world can be found in the streets of Hiladhel's larger cities.
Education and technological advancement is essential to the Hiladhi. It is said that Eshad University is the greatest institute for higher education and research in the wrold. Astronomy, geometry, history, arcanology, and much more are studied in Hiladhel.
Historically, the Hiladhi people tended to be short of stature, with dark hair and golden-bronze skin. However, due to decades of living amongst foreigners, practically no physical features are surprising to find in Hiladhel. Religion is not common amongst the Hiladhi, though practitioners of practically every religion can be found within its borders.
History
For much of its history, Hiladhel was simply the northernmost region of Faloriand. The two cultures had come together centuries before the rise of the Allesend Empire, and though they maintained their cultural identities, the two peoples considered themselves united. The competitiveness and ambition of the Hiladhi fit well with the Falorian lords.
In 1 AE, God-Emperor Alles-Taluus came to power and conquered the nations of Allethra. Faloriand was particularly difficult to subjugate, and its people suffered in the early days of the Empire. On the other hand, Hiladhel suffered little. In sharp contrast to their starved neighbors to the south, Hilan coastal cities boomed with trade, becoming the Empire's main connection with the rest of the world.
During the later years of the Empire, as Faloriand became more and more religious, Hiladhel remained secular, observing the state religion only nominally. When Faloriand finally declared itself independent, Hiladhel reluctantly joined the war. They saw little of the war, only truly engaging the Empire at sea. Nevertheless, their blockade of the Sea of Uctharar proved essential to the dissolution of the Allesend Empire.
After the war, Faloriand assumed theocratic control over Hiladhel, much to the displeasure of its citizens. When Faloriand introduced new tax laws on Hiladhi international trade in 412 AE, the people rebelled. Throwing their strength behind the six most prosperous merchants, the Hiladhi elected what would be the first Council of Princes.
The Princes formally withdrew from their "alliance" with the Church of the Unseen God, naming themselves an independent nation. As the church gathered ground forces to invade Hiladhel from the south, the Princes organized the Hiladhi navy and blockaded the Iron Bay, halting trade and threatening Faloriand's captial city, Erminster, in a single move. A few skirmishes occurred between the two nations, but the secession war was basically bloodless. One year after the blockade, the theocracy assented to Hiladhel's independence.
In the intervening decades, Hiladhel has become the crowned jewel of Allethra. It has seen nothing but growth since gaining its independence. Daripur has become the largest city in Allethra, and continues to grow at an alarming rate.
Cultural Touchstones
Persia, Abassid Caliphate, modern-day NYC