Rasko
Structure
The land of Rasko is ruled as a hereditary monarchy. The leader of all is the Emperor, considered one of the holiest individuals amongst the churches of Rasko and the ultimate authority in Rasko. The fact that he is titled emperor has at times confused outsiders that he is the ruler of all of Ustaria, which has at times complicated trade deals and other such political matters. Under them is the Chamber of Witnessess, a ruling council of high ranking clergy-men that act as advisors both political and spiritual.
Culture
From the outside looking in, Raskovian society is incredibly structured, horrifyingly so. It is almost like every day has enforced times and guidelines for how someone lives each and every day. While this isn't entirely true, there are very rigid and enforced times of each day for prayer and work. A curfew is in place at all times, for the lords sheep must rest for their work the next day. Only specific job holders may operate at night, and brothels are practically unheard of in the capital proper. Many view the Raskovians are prim and proper, even more so than the Bolsilvans, and why shouldn't the people of Niekpho believe so? They inhabit cities older than the church they worship, clearly a sign of his favor for the people of this land. They claim an ancient lineage, as the Flame's first children, second only to Heymon the first prophet.
There is a disconnect between those of the holy city, and those of the smaller villages. Those of the city are typically more wealthy and of good birth, while those of the villages and towns are seen as expendable, humble workers. This leads to on and off civil unrest within the land, as it is not unheard of for the Raskovi people to do war with one another. One of the most common causes for civil unrest and war is monks of humble villages declaring crusades against the corrupt nature of the church and the government. So much so that the stereotype is that the Raskovi do war with themselves more so than any warrior of hell.
Due to this, the Raskovi have gotten very good at war. They use rare metal found only in Rasko lands to outfit a group of warriors they call the Raskovi Cataphracts. Adorned in armor worked by methods taught by ancient dwarves, they stride as some of the heaviest cavalry to ever exist in the world, and are famed across all of Ustaria and the world over, giving them something of a rivalry with the Winged Lancers of Bolsilva. It is said they have even constructed automatons like creations to guard their churches and places of importance to the Raskovian people.
However, it isn't all faith and fire in Rasko. The land is known for some of the greatest painters this side of the planet, and even in Ashenfeld the painters of Rasko are commissioned to paint wondrous works of art for churches and nobles alike. While not as well traveled, the Raskovi people are also known for their stable trade lanes to mythical Catai, and because of this there is a sizable minority of Cataian merchants and immigrants in the cities of Rasko. It is said that much of the opulent style of Catai has also influenced the noble culture of Rasko, with palaces and keeps made to be as decadent as possible, in the Flame's glory of course.
History
There are places in the world, where history is made time and again. Places that bear the burden of history and calamity throughout the maccabe pages of history. Places that seemingly are touched by the very gods for the righteous to hold. Rasko has such a place, their great holy city and capital, and one of the great wonders of the world. Where faith births miracles time and again, and where the faithful fight in the name of the holy. However, the land that would be inhabited by the Raskovians (or Raskovi) would have a long and tumultuous history indeed.
In the ages long ago, the old gods lead the peoples east, and let the hags lead many north into Ustaria. It is believed that initially the Raskovi and Trocno tribes would contest the lands that would become Trocno for some time, before the Raskovians moved further north. It is believed this was a direct call from the true god of fire, for they found a miracle. They saw a great fortress of stone and marble, in an age where the most complicated constructions were large tents and wooden huts. Its windows were stained-glass, and light gleamed so magnificently that it could be seen from far away. However, the fortress was guarded by strange creatures of masks and blades, and wielded beams of lightning and light that seered all who came near. What's stranger is that every time the light beams were used, the color would drain from the towers of the fortress itself, as if leeching off of it. Only after a hundred years of constant attempts was one invasion successful, with a legendary warlord named Rayko Vasilov. It is said he managed to break through after slaying a great dragon, ordering his tribesmen to skin it, and to hold it over them as a sort of mirror to bounce off the light beams as they breached the door.
Strangely enough, upon entering, not a single inhabitant was found. Despite being shot at just moments prior, every one of the creatures and figures simply vanished, leaving empty but beautiful hallways of jewels and marble. It would take some time before the tribes people officially inhabited the fortress, as some feared there was an evil curse upon the structure, until a shaman was able to confirm no presence of evil spirits. So it was that Raskovians claim to have had the first structure ever known to the world (this is debated upon, as for example many castles in Vebastonne were made by Elven and Dwarven hands long before the Vestoni learned how to. This isn't even mentioning how the elves and dwarves existence alone contradicts this point). They called this place Nikepho, and would build their first settlement around the great fortress.
Despite this clear gift of the Flame, the Raskovi still did not worship the flame at the time, holding to the old Ustarian gods. They would have stayed on this heathen path were it not for the demonic tear and the hell portal, causing the 5-year war against the demonic invasions. It is said during this time, some of the early monks of the flame eventually traveled to Rasko and helped in the efforts to drive off the demonic invaders. It is said a priest was able to summon the fire of the sun in the climatic battle to seal the hell portal, and this planted the first embers of true faith in the Rasko lands. After the Ustarian Empire was formed, it took many years more until the Rasko surprised the empire by fully embracing the Church of the Flame as their faith, the Emperor Evgrius Dimitrov being baptized and blessed in around the year 2043EC. At last, the Raskovi had seen the burning light of the Flame, and have been faithful ever since.
To this day, Nikepho is one of the holiest cities in the world. The villages and cities around Nikepho talk of the gleaming city, and many can see it from oh so far away. It stands as the bulwark of the faithful against the demonic threat should it ever show up again, and for the many monsters that stalk the land and pray on the god's children. Recently, the Church of the Flame has been pushing further into Ustaria, using Rasko as a springboard and source of legitimacy to help convert more of the Summer Court into the fold of the church. Though this is causing increasing tensions amongst Ustaria, many are confident in the future of the holy city. It is said that throughout every day, a choir of hymnals is sung by a rotating band of priests and monks, and it has continued since ancient days, and will continue evermore.
Foreign Relations
"May the flame guide our light onto the heathens of the south, and the heretics of the wider lands. Flame take me if we do not burn down Trocno in fire and brimstone, scour the Badlands, and kill any filthy beast lurking in the mountains if we do not do so in the next hundred years!" - Anghel Gavrilov Kochanov, Raskovi preacher
"Our kindred in the churches far north live a most glorious duty, for it is they that will guide the northern heathens to the true path, and perhaps one day rid the world of hells influence!" - Spencer John, Ashenfeld bishop
"I've met priests before, wackos they are, though the priests in Rasko are even bigger nutcases. Best to finish what buisness you have in the area and leave as soon as possible. I'd bet if you even get a lyric of a hymn wrong they would flagellate you in the town square!" - Alleken Von Múlhain, Neundorf Sellsword (probbaly joking)
The other provinces of Ustaria and the empire is tense in some aspects, strong in others. Being one of the largest provinces in the empire, it has significant political sway over the empire, but its staunch stubborn faith has been known to cause many brawls in council meetings and petty feuds. Bolsilva they consider brothers and sisters, but with Trocno they have centuries of tension between the two nations. Of late, relations with Catai have become more strained, as the Jade Empress's iron grip on the faith of Catai has caused issues with traders arriving from Rasko, and rumors whisper of a possible trade war between the two nations if things cannot be settled by open hand. Due to it also being a place of political power for the Church of the Flame, it cna rely on the backing of the church, though they are as well subservient to the churches schemes.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Demonym
Raskovin, Raskovi
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Parent Organization
