Felize (Fell-Ease)

Home of the free, land of Democracy

History

Also known as the "land of layers", Felize is a nation covered in rolling hills, beautiful forests, small cities, and hot blooded folk. The serene nature of the country is a stark contrast to the general social climate that is present.
It is one of the "Twin Nations", the other being Ortemha. Both were birthed from Banpour when its capital was sacked in 760 AD. While Ortemha was founded by militant Human nationalists that blamed a soft stance on other races for the defeat, Felize was formed by a group of noble houses(Argento, Corrine, Couronne, St. Paul, Moreau, Von Zarovich)that felt that life in Banpour was becoming overbearing and fascist due to reactionary politics. In the following years, Felize was left alone to grow while Banpour gathered resources to defeat the Hobgoblin warlord M'Corei Uka'kaan. After her death, Banpour rallied their armies to reclaim The Twin Nations.
The Reclamation War was long and bloody, lasting for 72 years. Felize was not based on a strong military structure, and most warriors were loyal to noble houses rather than the nation itself. This caused the first prime minister of Felize, Davrou St. Paul, to form The Cheerful Wardens to defend the burgeoning nation. He also signed the Carta De La Paz, securing foreign aid from the Elves of Meander which allowed them to survive the war with and helped them build a stronger nation. By the war's end Solace was shaped into territories that largely resemble the ones present today. Under the Treaty of Garou, the old council of kings from the age of the Draego was reformed, with 2 new members in Ortemha and Felize. Felize values personal freedoms over all else, and the "King" that represents them in the council is a Prime Minister that is elected every 10 years.

Culture

A far reaching system of "speaking stones" is the defining social feature of Feize. These "Speakers" allow the citizens of Felize to be in constant contact with other settlements, including even the smallest villages. This facilitates the quick spread of news, the quick tallying of votes, and the sense of a larger community that is close knit. When traveling, the Fel people tend to keep in constant contact with home, sending letters and packages home to family and friends.
This familiarity leads to open criticism, veiled insults, sarcasm, and general rivalry among peers being commonplace. Although it is a primarily human nation, it's not viewed as strange to see non-humans traveling through or even living in Felize and becoming citizens. This is because Felize was partially founded by the willingness of other races such as Elves and Beastmen to help them escape the culture of war and conflict they lived in.
Style in Felize is complex and everyone is judged for it. Body hair is shaved by men and women alike, beards are seen as a sign of low self confidence and unkempt body hair is seen as sloppy. Women usually wear dresses, skirts, and blouses, while men usually wear trousers and shirts, suits, or sets of light casual armor. Traditional gender roles are expected and deviating from the norm is not always treated with respect. Homosexuality is also looked down upon, and sexual deviance is condemned socially although many take part in these things behind closed doors. Religion is common but not a defining cultural trait, as the religious freedom to worship gods outside of The Divine Monarchy is given to citizens. Felize exports jewelry, clothing, weapons, cotton, and wool. They mainly eat beef, lamb, potatoes, and a wide array of green vegetables.

Politics

Felize operates through a Feudal Parliament headed by representatives from The Great Houses of Felize. The surviving houses in 1266 AD are House Corinne in the Duchy of Riverie, House Moreau in the Duchy of Moreau, House Couronne in the Duchy of Garou, House Argento in the City of Coupon, and House St. Paul in the Capital city of Davrou. The current Prime Minister is Ignatius Argento.
Policy is decided democratically, and the government acts as a mediator in disputes between citizens. Private business is also regulated by the authority present in individual duchies.

Organizations of Note

The Cheerful Wardens

There is no formal military in Felize, but "The Cheerful Wardens" are a group of organized volunteers that patrol the lands of Felize in a circuit. They also operate on a contract with The Council of Kings to serve as security in the western reaches of the High Road.

The Order of the Silver Chain

An order of Monster Hunters founded by the Moreau Family. While they were once an important component in the defense of Felize's Southern border, with numbers in the thousands, they now operate almost entirely within the Moreau Family as a strike force rather than a militia.

The Church of the Divine Monarchy

While the Reclamation War soured many Fel against the church, the faith is still entrenched in many aspects of their society. Churches and congregations had already been built by the time the war started, and many suffered attacks from both Banpouri forces and anti-religious entities. As a result, Fel worship of the Divine Monarchy places The Grim Maiden of Dusk and Dawn as the central focus of their theology. While the schism was once a source of taboo within the Central Banpouri Church, the canonization of Paigambar Cassia ended any doubt of their legitimacy.

La Société

The Society is a secretive group that selects promising young nobles from the great houses of Felize as members. While their activities are not shared openly, the members are extraordinarily well-respected and powerful even when compared to other members of the nobility.

Republic of Felize

Capital

Davrou

Official Languages

Common, Fel, Halfling

Recognized Languages

Banpouri, Orcish, Hobgoblin

Racial Groups

45.0% Human, 23.8% Halfling, 18.7% Wilder(mixed Orcish, Hobgoblin, and Beastman population), 12.5% other

Religion

65.0% Church of The Divine Monarchy (official, 6% House of Sun, 9% House of Night, 85% House of the Maiden), 25% No Religion 8.7% Bahamut Almasdar, 1.3% other

Demonyms

Fel, Felizian

Government

Unitary Parliamentary Democratic Republic
Prime Minister- Ignatius Argento (Human)
Minister of Scrutiny- Carlo Couronne (Human/Elf)
Legislative Minister- Elia Sing (Halfling)
Minister of Debate- Gaston de Lafayette (Orc)
Minister of the Treasury- Mauricio Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Couponuenco María de los Remedios Meandriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso (Beastman/Elf)

Type

Territory

Area

Total-77,116 mi² or 199,729 km2
Water %-13.8

Population

-17,930,153
Density-90/km²(233/mi²)

Currency

Elven Reál