Nordosta
One of the hardiest nations on the continent of Ceren, Nordosta is a rugged land wedged in the Northeastern reaches of Ceren. It's history is one of discord and alliances in equal measure, as the varied populace has been stuck waging intermittent wars on both their Southern and Northern borders while simultaneously being one of the major players in overall Cerenic and intercontinental commerce. There has never been one singular race or type of race that controls Nordosta, creating a melting-pot society of all shapes and sizes. This legacy has forged Nordosta as an open-minded and diverse land, though all that prestige is not easy to maintain, and conflict is never far-off for Nordostans. All their different folks bring their own different problems, and must work together to manage them.
Structure
Of the six duchies of Nordosta, each manages it's own affairs and work together in a manner similar to states. This allows them to maintain individuality while also promoting trade and travel, both things that flow freely from one duchy to the next. Each duchy is ruled by a Duke, who in-turn governs a body of lesser lords and barons that own/regulate the smaller divisions of the duchy. The Duke of Nordost, whom governs from the nations capital of East-Edge, acts as a surrogate king, and is often titled the Archduke or Lord-Steward of Nordosta.
Assets
Nordosta boasts a number of natural resources. The hills and mountains of Vasthugel are rich in minerals and iron, while the fertile grasslands of Zentralich and Groserlund provide ample amounts of food for most of the country. Sudlicher duchy boasts a well-defended border and several trade routes to the lands South of their borders, while both Gewitter and Nordost duchies have access to the Nixemer Ocean and all the trade that is borne over it.
For more military-based purposes, the varied races of Nordosta results in troops of similar variety. While certain areas specialize in certain methods of training or tactics, Nordosta as a whole has no single style of combat or order. The giant-kin and dwarf-heavy hills and mountains of Vasthugel make for skilled melee combatants and expert siege-busters, while the draconic power of the dragons and dragonkin who live throughout Nordosta. Finally, the large number of monsterkin and similar creatures that dwell in the Southern duchies give the nation a wall of bestial muscle and primal fury that has helped repel their enemies more often than not.
History
In the earliest days of Nordosta, it's location caused a great deal of strife from the Draco-Jotnar war to wrack the region endlessly, forcing it's population to call outward for aid. Their prayers were answered when Saint Argentaeus stepped in and helped to defend the region from it's numerous raiders and disasters, eventually setting up system where they could elect their own leader. The people of Nordosta grew to respect and love Saint Argentaeus so much that they almost unanimously voted for her, an act that humbled the Silver Saint. She would then go on to rule over Nordosta for several centuries, imbuing the land and it's people with a sense of morality and acceptance that rivals any other local in Ceren. Among her people Saint Argentaeus was often refered to as "Hoarfrost," as they believed that she always be near them, just as hoarfrost always appears on plants during most of the year in Nordosta.
It was the leadership of Saint Argentaeus and the intensity of Nordostan spirit that allowed the kingdom to remain more or less unmolested during the Age of Turmoil, with Queen Hoarfrost going on to be one of the leaders present at the Council of Drea. A few years after the council, Argentaeus announced that she would be undertaking a personal journey, and would have to leave her people alone to govern themselves. While Nordosta mourned the loss of their great Queen, they accepted her wish and continued to govern their lands with the same ideals Queen Hoarfrost had for centuries. In honor of her, the various Dukes of Nordosta have never named another king or queen, and split the ruling among one-another as normal. The only exceptions are the der Herrscher house of East-Edge, as they always take the title of Lord-Steward to honor their duty of keeping East-Edge and the Silver Palace orderly, until the day that Queen Hoarfrost returns.
In the meantime, most of Nordosta has become known for being a melting-pot of a country where anyone can live a good life if they try. Many monstrous races, often thought too brutal or simple for other societies, find homes across Nordosta, along with Awakened beasts, living magical oddities, rare arcane creatures, and even mundane peoples like humans or elves. In addition, it's close ties to the history of dragons and the Draco-Jotnar War have made it a common place for those of draconic ancestry to search for history of their ancestors. This also means that many dragons are known to actively live within it's borders, and numerous live open lives as business-owners or collectors, things much rarer in other countries.
Demography and Population
Nordosta's population is very mixed, containing all manner of races common to Estlund and Ceren as a whole.
- Humans make up a decent amount of the population, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of the overall.
- Standard Estlundic races, such as dwarves, goliaths and firbolg, are very common here, making up about 20% of the population.
- Many monstrous or half-blooded folk find homes hear, ranging from full-blooded orcs, blinfolk and minotaurs to half-orcs, half-dwarves, and even half-ogres. Many of these folk are more common in the West or Southern duchies, as their rough builds and sturdy frames make for skilled laborers and tradesmen those regions employ in large numbers.
- Individuals with draconic ancestries and blood are common to Nordosta, with many towns or cities having a not insignificant number of their likes. Dragonborn and kobolds are by far the most common, but half-dragons and true dragons can also be found among the common folk.
- Finally, a decent number of Toketese individuals have found homes in the Eastern duchies, mostly in the port cities of East-Edge and Birgespit. This is due to the positive trade relation Nordosta has maintained with the Tiefling nation for several centuries, something no-other nation can claim to have.
Military
The military of Nordosta is a mixed, unregulated affair. All Dukes maintain a decent number of standing soldiers to act as common guards and law-enforcement, but beyond this the lines of regulation become very different from one duchy to the next. Those in the South and West employ a large number of non-traditional troops, mostly by way of the non-traditional civilians of those areas. Ogre shieldbearers and sappers, minotaur berserkers, and all manner of orcish warriors can be found under Duke-employ. Meanwhile, those in the North have a greater of Draconic forces, be they dragonborn or full-blooded drake in nature. This works both to the benefit and detriment of Nordosta, as their forces are often difficult to corral and coordinate, but just as difficult to prepare for.
Foreign Relations
In general, Nordosta attempts to have positive relations with foreign nations, most notably those with sea-based trade. By way of travelling around the southern end of Ceren, Nordosta has trade agreements with most ports along the Curaisan coast, most notably Port Sombreau, Grandeport, and Port Hiven. Nordosta is also unique in that it has open trade relations with Toketa, something no other nation on Ceren has.
As for negative relations, those countries in close proximity with Nordosta have a variety of issues. While Nordsperre remains neutrally distant in most cases, the Empire of Galt is frequently at odds with Nordosta, often fighting on both land and sea for land rights in Astea and sea-route along the Coastal Crags. Such disputes have become staples of the turbulent land of Astea that exists between the three nations, as each of the counties frequently change allegiance and become puppets of one power or another with time.
Capital
Demonym
Nordostan
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Feudal state
Currency
As part of it's pro-allegiance ideals and general promotion of cooperation, Nordosta's coinage functions for standard Cerenic currency.
- Copper pieces are roughly quarter-sized, and stamped with an image of an embroidered shield, resulting in their nickname of "Shields".
- Silver pieces are larger than Shields, and stamped with the profile of the current reigning Steward-Lord of Nordosta. Their nickname is Stewards as a result, and they are worth 10 copper pieces.
- Gold pieces are about two inches in diameter, and are stamped with a three-pointed crown. They are called Crowns as a result, and are worth 10 silver pieces.
- Platinum pieces are about the same size as gold pieces, and are stamped with the profile of Saint Hoarfrost, the matron of Nordosta. They are called Queens, and are worth 10 gold pieces.
Legislative Body
Laws are dictated and enforced by the Dukes, with many basic ones being universal across the whole country. In addition to this, many of the dukes hold open courts, in which common folk can explain their woes and be treated in kind. A few of the Dukes take this even further and have a body of elected officials meant to serve as the people's voice. Such people are often well-regarded religious figures, prosperous merchants, or local heroes.
Judicial Body
In general, laws are enforced primarily by guards and soldiers funded by the Dukes of their respective duchies. Like many nations on Ceren, they also recognize members of the Orden Clergy as official lawmen, and most judges or high-prosecutors within large cities are followers of Orden.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments