Gashain (ga-Shayn)
Gashain is a large country on the eastern side of the continent of Isera bordered to the south by Promaria and to the east by Epron. It is known largely for agriculture production. The majority racial group, Halflings, tend to the sprawling fields and orchards of the countryside.
Current Gashanian history is recorded starting in the year 1181 and the end of the The Great War. Some commentators and historians place it slightly earlier as the date when Robinia Bracefoot declared herself Shout of Gashain in 1174. Regardless, the history of Gashain is now dominated by Shout Bracefoot and her regime. Gashain suffered massive territorial losses because of the war and is currently less than a third of its former size. Many Gashanian elites mourn this loss of territory, while reports from former Gashanian citizens mourn the loss of the democratic government they once enjoyed, or the fact that they are no longer under the Shout's will as in the newly created Promaria.
Gashain is an agricultural powerhouse on the continent rivaling Morethalas or the western reaches of Epron. Its largest exports are grain, rice, and other agricultural goods as well as luxury items like beer and pastries.
Structure
The Shout of Gashain is the ultimate authority. Robinia Bracefoot, as first Shout, has appointed deputies from the former Estates, primarily from the Military and Populace, as "Reciters", or ministers, of the departments of Defense, Culture, Peace, and Economy.
Culture
The ability to speak and have opinions was highly praised by Gashanians and intelligence, elocution, and writing were all virtues. Gashanians made fantastic conversationalists and performers but were notorious gossips. Since the advent of the Shout Doctrine, speech has been heavily censored unless it supports the Shout herself, her government, or the defamation of Epron. Religion has been outlawed by Bracefoot entirely. Any acknowledgement of celestial beings, authorities, or abilities is meet with harsh punishments. There is a slight amount of leniency towards traditional Halfling religions in the most rural portions of the country.
Public Agenda
Shout Bracefoot is clear about her intentions to reclaim the territory lost to Gashain in the Great War.
Assets
Gashain is home to some of the most fertile fields on Isera and its people are well-fed and hearty. It maintains strong trade with the desert continent of Oromo and the The Federated States of the Allied Islands as well as Promaria. It lost much of its trade power with Epron and Morethalas, and most of its mineral and technological exports after the Great War, but does not struggle with feeding its people.
History
Halflings and Dwarves have lived in the area now known as Gashain for centuries. From 327-984 the Kingdom of Gashain ruled most of the current area of the nation but was overthrown in the brutal Gashainian Civil War (980-984). The territory east of the Braghmaine mountains was lost to Epron during the war. From 984 to 1174/1181 the Republic structure ruled with the former monarch and their nobility retaining a portion of control in the legislature.
Demography and Population
The vast majority of Gashanians are Halflings with less than 4% being other races.
Military
Gashain maintains two military institutions; the Army of Gashain, and the The Gashanian Mercenary Guild of Adventurers, Graverrobbers, Heroes, and Champions. The latter used to be a paramilitary civilian association but was subsumed under the Shout's control during the Reforms of 1183. Since then the Army has been comprised of civilian and 'average' recruits, while the GMGAGHC serves as special forces, shock troops, and other specialized functions. The GMGAGHC lost hundreds of members when religion was outlawed as all clerics, divinely derivied sorcerers and warlocks, and many paladins were expunged from the rolls.
Religion
As a majority Halfing, Gnomish, and Dwarven nation, Gashain's people participated mostly in the traditional religions of their peoples. These include worshipping Yondalla's Children, the Lords of the Golden Hills, and the Moradinsamman. All public and overt religion has been banned in Gashain since Robinia Bracefoot's ascension and clerics have been harshly persecuted. The Halfling and Gnomish religions are often cited as being personal or community oriented, rather than the state and racial focus of the Mordinsamman. Because of this the Shout's government has had a difficult time in truly eradicating religiosity in the nation especially in the more rural areas in the far north and east. Public worship and large scale rituals were simply not part of the practice of everyday devotion like in Epron. All public festivals are staunchly secular, but independent observers figure that somewhere between 20-40% of the Gnomish and Halfling population still practices their religion in their homes away from the Shout's view.
Worship of Yondalla's Children and the Lords of the Golden Hills are both orthopraxic and are based around relatively small offerings and rituals. An illustrative example is the practice of burying a single acorn in the south-eastern corner of ones field as an offering to Sheela Peryroyl for a good harvest.
Foreign Relations
Gashain is largely seen as a black sheep or villain of the Great War. Despite Gashain and Epron starting the war, the victor was really everyone else and so both nations are looked on with scrutiny. Nevertheless, its agricultural prowess means that Gashain maintains important trade relationships with Promaria, Chuyqua, and Xoshoyjan. Factions in the western side of Epron are conflicted about Gashanian leanings, and the The Federated States of the Allied Islands largely opposes them anyway it can.
Laws
Law in Gashain is based on the preceeding legal precedent of the Republic, maintaining doctrines around property rights, markets, inheritance, inclusivity in terms of sex, gender, and race, etc. All religions were outlawed by the Shout in 1190 and most new laws have been written to eradicate religious practice in the country.
Agriculture & Industry
Gashain is a 'breadbasket' of the world and still provides around 1/4-1/3 of the world's grain exports.
Education
Gashain continues to prize education and provide it freely to all citizens. Children of all races are required to attend schooling through 12th year, and very few do not continue on to university. Unless there is a pressing economic, health, or family need not attending university is considered a great shame. As such, Gashanians are some of the most well educated people in the world. A common joke among academics of other nations is calling a post-doctorate degree a "Gashanian Masters". If the recent advancements in arcano-technical practice can be attributed solely to Chuyqua, then any advancements in arcane theory can be attributed solely to Gashain.
A Shout and then Silence
Founding Date
1174/1181
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Predecessor Organizations
Demonym
Gashanian
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
The legislative body was disbanded in 1186.
Judicial Body
The judicial branch was dissolved in 1192.
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