The Merchant's Republic of Kuasta
Kuasta is a coastal nation located north of the Confederacy and east of the Empire. Originally the domain of the Jovanai, it was the first capital province of the Empire before breaking away from Imperial rule in the War of Separation.
It is famed for it's musicians, the Kuastan Company, and for being the birthplace of the Iron Shadow.
Structure
Officially, the King rules Kuasta with the help of an advisory Merchant's Council. Under the king are the Dukes of Kuasta, and each city boasts a number of Dons and Doñas that help with the governing and serve specific functions at the whims of the Dukes. In actuality, the Merchant's Council makes most executive decisions on behalf of the Kuastan Company.
Culture
Kuastans believe in hospitality and friendliness in all things, a practice adopted from their Jovanai predecessors. The phrase "My house is your castle" is a common saying in Illiria that means to be as welcoming to guests as a Kuastan. To deny a Kuastan's generous offers is a great insult.
Aside from hospitality, the most important aspect of life to Kuastans is music, especially stringed instruments and singing. The sound of music can be heard everywhere in Kuasta, and in large cities street musicians perform for handsome tips.
The rapier is of cultural significance to Kuastans as well, a reminder of how duelists won them freedom from the Empire. Elaborate dueling performances are popular entertainment, and the Espan Toldo, the Don's code of honor, emphasizes the importance of fighting for one's honor.
Public Agenda
To remain independent and strong, to remain free from the Empire at any cost
Demography and Population
Mostly human until recently, when the Republic offered land and citizenship to the refugees of the Sevenstones War. Now, Kuasta is a healthy mix of native humans and Halflings and Gnomes fleeing Imperial oppression.
Religion
Kuastans enjoy total religious freedom, but most follow one of the Fifteen. Primarily, Kuastans worship Lyrica and The Guardian, but many nobles prefer Randeus as their primary patron, and many of the Kuastan Company worship Dracorex or Ku'Qala.
Agriculture & Industry
The capital of Kuasta is Coppershore, and it is not named poetically. Kuasta is the world's largest producer of precious metals, providing nearly all of the gold, silver, copper, and platinum that goes into the coins produced by the Gold Standard. Coastal villages of Kuasta specialize in shellfish, sharks, and other delicacies, which are sent to the Kuastan Company for preservation and transport. Inland farms provide an abundance of crops, which are distributed by the Company throughout the Republic. Kuastan whaling ships are among the most successful on the continent.
Kuastan craftsmen are famed for their superior instruments and wonderful alchemically-scented candles.
Education
While most Kuastan children are educated primarily by their parents, one of the responsibilities of Dons is to ensure that access to education is available in their domain. Of course, most peasant children are needed to help their parents with chores, but the children of craftsmen, laborers, and merchants receive a far superior education than their Imperial or Confederate equivalents.
Infrastructure
The Kuastan Company Engineering Corps is responsible for maintaining the network of roads, bridges, and airfields that keep Kuasta functioning. Road networks are well maintained and heavily defended, so as to maximize the safety of the trade routes.
Golden Land
Founding Date
1297
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Coani
Demonym
Kuastan
Leader
Government System
Corporatocracy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
The Republic is one of the signatories of the Guilded Truce, and as such uses Standard Currency in the form of the copper Pennet, silver Noblet, gold Draget, and platinum Deilet.
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Organization Vehicles
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments