Balaqalneyis (Bal-lah-kahl-NEY-iss)
Balaqalneyis is the easternmost country of Icalar, and has the smallest supply of fresh water. Its population live in a mixture of permanent and semi-permanent settlements, with those that are semi-permanent having to occasionally migrate to better water. Its capital city and one of the few permanent settlements is Ghûn. It remained largely neutral during the War of the Six.
It has the largest amount of true desert and as such, contains the entirety of eisorcei clutches. Another prominent geographical feature and key to its wealth is the Bloodless Palm, a salt lake in the center of the country that is the source of salt for all of Icalar; consequently, 'sal' was adopted as the only currency they would ever need. What land isn't desert is typically arid and rocky, though the eastern riverbank of the Laqalney River, the Fareale Oasis and a few other areas act as oases. The north of the country contains the drought-tolerant Kessil Forest.
It is governed by the Dawnseekers, an elected democratic, knightly order with representatives in all medium to large settlements regardless of permanence, overseen by three Harbingers. They gather regularly to discuss matters of state, and act as both authors and enforcers of their legislature. The Harbingers have final say on all matters. All legislature, however, is presented to the public before becoming official and the public retain the right to object and veto.
Culture
Alternative Name:
Due to its reliance on the river, the country was named "child of the Laqalney". Flag:
The country's flag is a black horizontal rectangle with interlocking outlines of three diamonds stood on-end; leftmost diamond is blue, center is bright green, and rightmost is gold. The diamonds' colors are a nod to the unique environmental phenomenon of the "dawn cipher", a rare aurora sometimes seen at the northeast span of the Precipice as a prelude to dawn. Architecture:
Semi-permanent to permanent structures favor curves and sinuous shapes to mimic the dunes, and civil planning often takes into account the most common wind direction in order to maximize the effectiveness of any dew-collection systems and 'work with the desert, not against it'. Due to the greater acceptance and availability of the Fire-Blessed Colors, brightly-colored plaster, awnings, and stained glass are common. Anthropology:
A rest period -- commonly naps -- at the hottest part of the day is traditional and encouraged. Qalneyans are fond of riddles and puzzles, even going so far as to consider them trade-worthy if particularly cunning. This love of intricacy and mystery extends in a subtle way to the frequent use of locks, wordplay, passwords/ciphers, hidden doors and compartments, 'secret names', optical illusions, hidden messages in art and clothing, etc. For example, the unmarried often choose to wear jewelry with a particular set of symbols or a hidden message that, if deciphered, could indicate a potential partner; similarly, those holding positions of authority frequently wear a medallion or embroidered/painted sash bearing symbols of their accomplishments and touted virtues, and fluency in these symbols is viewed as essential for one who is ambitious. Bright textiles -- for clothing, animals, and home décor -- are common. Patterns are less common; layering of solid colors is favored instead.
Due to its reliance on the river, the country was named "child of the Laqalney". Flag:
The country's flag is a black horizontal rectangle with interlocking outlines of three diamonds stood on-end; leftmost diamond is blue, center is bright green, and rightmost is gold. The diamonds' colors are a nod to the unique environmental phenomenon of the "dawn cipher", a rare aurora sometimes seen at the northeast span of the Precipice as a prelude to dawn. Architecture:
Semi-permanent to permanent structures favor curves and sinuous shapes to mimic the dunes, and civil planning often takes into account the most common wind direction in order to maximize the effectiveness of any dew-collection systems and 'work with the desert, not against it'. Due to the greater acceptance and availability of the Fire-Blessed Colors, brightly-colored plaster, awnings, and stained glass are common. Anthropology:
A rest period -- commonly naps -- at the hottest part of the day is traditional and encouraged. Qalneyans are fond of riddles and puzzles, even going so far as to consider them trade-worthy if particularly cunning. This love of intricacy and mystery extends in a subtle way to the frequent use of locks, wordplay, passwords/ciphers, hidden doors and compartments, 'secret names', optical illusions, hidden messages in art and clothing, etc. For example, the unmarried often choose to wear jewelry with a particular set of symbols or a hidden message that, if deciphered, could indicate a potential partner; similarly, those holding positions of authority frequently wear a medallion or embroidered/painted sash bearing symbols of their accomplishments and touted virtues, and fluency in these symbols is viewed as essential for one who is ambitious. Bright textiles -- for clothing, animals, and home décor -- are common. Patterns are less common; layering of solid colors is favored instead.
Demography and Population
The country boasts a strong mix of humans, eova, and fauns, and there is a surprisingly sizable contingent of nae'cthosai in the north (such as Kessilsat) and in river settlements. It is also the only country with permanent settlements of eisorcei of any remarkable size. The country also has the highest number of residents of mixed ancestry.
Military
Local militia are supported by Dawnseeker forces if necessary.
Technological Level
Moderate
Religion
Foreign Relations
Pre-War: Friendly terms with all other countries, no trade or travel restrictions
Wartime: Friendly terms with all other countries, no trade or travel restrictions
Post-War, Plague Active: Immense travel restrictions and certain trade restrictions, but cooperative terms with all countries
Post-War, Plague Recessive: Friendly terms with all countries, former trade and travel restrictions relaxing
Wartime: Friendly terms with all other countries, no trade or travel restrictions
Post-War, Plague Active: Immense travel restrictions and certain trade restrictions, but cooperative terms with all countries
Post-War, Plague Recessive: Friendly terms with all countries, former trade and travel restrictions relaxing
Agriculture & Industry
Modest levels of farming are made possible through irrigation in select areas, and water-based crops are also possible along the Laqalney River. It has a surprising dairy industry as well thanks to the prolific drought-tolerant anchorgrass.
Trade & Transport
The Laqalney River is the primary trade route, though much of its trade to the west is facilitated by Iyr. It has one medium-sized trade outpost, the Hakal Post, on its southern border for occasional dealings with Seyis-Gol.
Education
Dawnseeker-funded academies provide free basic education from ages ten to eighteen, though they are limited in number. They are also beginning to experiment with remote education in the form of instructional homeschooling pamphlets.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
"Child of the Laqalney", "The Saltspring"
Demonym
Qalneyan, Qal
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Major Exports
Eisorcei pigments, fruit, rice, dairy products, glassworks (rarely)
Major Imports
Meat, timber, fine stone
Legislative Body
The Dawnseekers, with the Harbingers having penultimate authorship.
Executive Body
The Dawnseekers
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Comments