Lusitania
Sometimes wealth comes not from any particular talent or unique resources but simply being in the right place at the right time with the right idea.
Lusitania represents one end of the only consistent trade link between eastern and western Occidentia, the other being the Spice Kings. Oceanic routes either north of Hyperborea or south of the Wild Lands have been attempted without success. Meanwhile the land routes would all take one through the Hundred Tyrants to the north or the Wild Lands proper to the south. While some brave the chaos of the Hundred Tyrants, most instead contract Lusitanian and Tassil traders to take goods through the better mapped portions of the Wild Lands. This has been immensely profitable for both nations and given Lusitanian the leverage to remain a surprising independent subject nation of Capetia despite its conquest by the house of Jonas decades ago.
Structure
Lusitania is a feudal monarchy, but unlike Daqin and Capetia the vast majority of its people are free citizens rather than serfs. While many are farmers, they are free to move and own land at their own discretion, so long as they pay taxes to the proper local authorities. Those that do not live off the land directly do so instead as traders either on the sea lanes or in the caravans through the Wild Lands. This large population of traders has resulted in the Prince monarch of Lusitania levying taxes not on land but on individual subjects. Every man must report his income yearly to the Prince and pay a percentage of its to their local lord of their most permanent residence. Those individuals who claim no permanent residence must pay their taxes to the Prince directly instead.
Religion
While the Lusitanians worship the same Tripartite God as Capetia in name, in practice their religious rituals bear little resemblance to those of their northern neighbors. While the Church of the Triumvirate preaches Death, Suffering, and Exclusion as their primary principles, most Lusitanian congregations instead interpret those same teachings as Acceptance, Justice, and Recognition. Death is inevitable and thus you need not worry about your time, suffering caused by the unrighteous will be repaid in kind, and though the god's recognition is not common it is only so rare to highlight the virtue of those who receive it.
Interesting from a theological perspective the triple god does not bestow clerical power on any but the most conservative of Lusitanians. However there are substantiated tales of otherwise normal Lusitanians being blessed as living saints, capable of channels angelic spirits from the heavens themselves.
Type
Geopolitical, Principality
Demonym
Lusitanian
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Related Ethnicities
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