Timberwelsh

"I've travelled near and far, across the Crown Ocean and back. I can tell you, this luscious forest is by far the most beautiful and serene place I've ever been. This is where I will guide my people. Here they can prosper."
-Vishi the Explorer

Intro

Timberwelsh is the world's second-biggest nation and eternal rival to Harpsbilge. It is a nation of elves, and the centre of the world's art and refinement, famed for its artisans who have practiced their crafts for centuries. It is ruled by Emperess Stephana Pourseville, an ordinarily kind but occasionally vindictive woman who wishes nothing more than the dismemberment of Harpsbilge.

Geography

Timberwelsh is located directly west of Harpsbilge and extends northwards towards the equator. Its western coastline borders the Crown Ocean, and its eastern one touches waters not widely relevant to those surrounding the Crown Ocean. Timberwelsh takes up the largest single strip of land owned by a single country in the entire world, but this is accompanied by the fact that this is the only land owned by Timberwelsh.
Timberwelsh is filled with lush forests, swamps, and habitable wetlands. The country also has a small desert in its northern regions, a prominent mountain range in the southwest, and a massive lake (La Tarneraque) in the centre of the country. However, these regions are overshadowed by the sheer prominence of forests and wetlands.
The main population centres are mostly spread along the eastern coastline and the shores of La Tarneraque, but over half of the population is spread out in small forest and wetland settlements, many of which are far from the main roads.
Timberesse, the capital, is located just north of the equator, on a large peninsula. Despite the proximity to the equator, the region stays relatively cool thanks to the massive ancient trees providing constant shade to the area. About half of the buildings of the city are to be found within the trunks of these trees. The city is not a city in truth, but instead a group of smaller townships that refuse to unite. The royal palace is strategically placed in the centre of the city, representing neutrality in which township it belongs to.

History

Timberwelsh has a history dating back well over 3500 years. It was founded by legendary hero Vishi the Explorer, who sailed from a far off land across the Crown Ocean, hitting most major islands and continents as well as the Six Seas, before eventually settling down in what would later become Timberwelsh. He said that he thought the region was the most beautiful of all those he'd visited and decided it was where he'd start a nation.
Timberwelsh was a generally slow-moving nation throughout its early history, though not without its opportunism. It generally kept to itself, quietly and steadily building itself up without much care for those outside of it. There was a period of increased activity in the Six Seas when the nation tried to exploit the wealth present in the region, but this ultimately ended with the casting of the first curse of the seas. Aside from that, the country was mostly passive throughout that period of time.
The passivity came to a quick end with the founding of Harpsbilge. Harpsbilge quickly became a strong nation that shared borders with Timberwelsh, and this frightened the leadership enough for them to take preemptive actions against Harpsbilge. Throughout the following almost millennia, Timberwelsh became increasingly involved with international affairs as the rivalry with Harpsbilge grew. (for more information on this period, see the History of Nauvitalia timeline or the history subsection of the Harpsbilge article).

Governance

Timberwelsh is a federal monarchy. Because the country is so large, it is subdivided into several territories, each of which holds a smaller governing structure but ultimately answers to the Emperor or Empress. All in all, Timberwelsh has 27 territories and 46 semi-autonomous city-states, making internal governance a nightmare. Ironically, foreign affairs are easier to conduct.
The country is currently ruled by Empress Stephana Pourseville, who is sitting her 72nd year on the throne. She is regarded as a fair but unambitious leader, who is controlled more by her advisors than by her own will and intellect. Her reign has not brought significant changes to the country, but considering how slow-moving Timberwelsh is, this has not lost her the respect of the people.

Inhabitants

Timberwelsh is a primarily elvish nation, though a number of other races can be found here in minorities. Elves make up at least 80% of the population, and half-elves another 10%. The remaining population is primarily composed of scattered gatherings of smallfolk and humans.

Culture

Timberwelsh culture is accurately judged by the world as artsy and fragile. Timbers are notoriously emotionally fragile and often speak in passive flowery language in order to avoid causing offence. To outsiders, diplomacy with Timbers is incredibly frustrating because they just don't get to the point - there are layers of analogies and "just to be clear I'm not saying..." and other such annoyances.
Timberwelsh is the world's centre of art. With a population of the longest-lived race in the world, it's not surprising that many of them would spend centuries becoming masters of a skill, honing it to an insane extent to become world-class. The majority of mastercrafted weapons, as well as a vast selection of fine art, comes directly from Timberwelsh. In other countries, these works sell for top dollar, but they are reasonably priced in Timberwelsh because of how common they are. The quality of one's craft - art or otherwise - is how Timbers judge each other.

Founding Date

April 23, -2513 HB

Demonym

Timberwelk / Timber

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Federation

Currency

Fleurs

Neighboring Nations

• Harpsbilge