Unenshuut (Oo-NEN-shu'ut)
One of the largest Icalar countries, occupying a decent centralmost territory and extending all the way south. Its capital city is Keismeb in the northern half of the country. Similar to its neighbor Ustraria, most of its population live in permanent settlements and pre-industrial cities, though its economy and technological level benefit from both the age and intelligence, respectively, of the more dominant nae'cthosai and eova presences than in other countries.
The strong presence of the goblins and nae'cthosai, each with their own unique -- and determined -- social structures and modes of government, has meant that there is no single governing system for the country as a whole. Rather, it tends to vary between locations (especially larger settlements). For example, Keismeb is governed by a shifting oligarchy, and a few nearby areas have fallen under this umbrella by proxy, but due south Eibe is to all intents and purposes a theocracy under the Phaetun Creed. Political usurpation is not unheard of but surprisingly uncommon; more organic shifts in leadership are usually the case. However, other countries nevertheless tend to regard Unenshuut as a "rabble". Its currency system is unique in that it is adopted state-wide, regardless of government, faith, or race -- its breaking-down into three types with values everyone can appreciate has led to it being one of the more stable currencies of Icalar.
Unenshuut has the most forested land of any of the countries of Icalar, and timber and other woodland-reliant products form a decent portion of its exports. The land itself is primarily rolling hills. Its primary freshwater source is the Tubisqu River while the Acheche River forms its border with Iyr to the east.
Northeastern Unenshuut is notable for being one of the principal theaters of the War of the Six, especially the penultimate Widow's Siege at Gell's Landing. Aguthsha Intoh, one of the generals of the Host of Selephise of the Violet Accord, hailed from Keismeb in Unenshuut.
Culture
Flag:
The country's flag is a vertical rectangle as base (white centralized four-pointed star outlined in dark blue with four small triangles in concave angles and four smaller dots at star points. Architecture:
With one's profession and bloodline being of particular importance, along with the entrenched presence of gilds and the Keeping of Keismeb, in both rural and urban areas it is rare not to see a crest above a door or gate -- these crests are symbolic of the profession itself or contain key iconography associated with the owner of the property. They are similar to mon. Spires and arches often feature in cities, and timber structures are more common. Anthropology:
While not as tribal as Kiva in terms of the nomadic lifestyle, Unens have retained something of a tribal psychology and place great emphasis on family, bloodlines, and the avoidance of or payment of debts. Visual cues to indicate ownership are considered the norm: crests on clothing or jewelry, monogrammed belongings, and modes of address being examples.
The country's flag is a vertical rectangle as base (white centralized four-pointed star outlined in dark blue with four small triangles in concave angles and four smaller dots at star points. Architecture:
With one's profession and bloodline being of particular importance, along with the entrenched presence of gilds and the Keeping of Keismeb, in both rural and urban areas it is rare not to see a crest above a door or gate -- these crests are symbolic of the profession itself or contain key iconography associated with the owner of the property. They are similar to mon. Spires and arches often feature in cities, and timber structures are more common. Anthropology:
While not as tribal as Kiva in terms of the nomadic lifestyle, Unens have retained something of a tribal psychology and place great emphasis on family, bloodlines, and the avoidance of or payment of debts. Visual cues to indicate ownership are considered the norm: crests on clothing or jewelry, monogrammed belongings, and modes of address being examples.
Demography and Population
Nae'cthosai, having largely agreed that their ancestral seat is Sahle-ve'Ebaith in the southwestern corner of the country near the Precipice, accordingly make up a strong portion of the country's population, at 35%.
Although the few eova scholars will cite Seyis-Gol as their homeland, they also acknowledge that an initial large migration into Unenshuut took place -- likely for trade purposes -- and consequently eova then easily made up another 30% of the country's population. This has dwindled somewhat in recent years to around 25% as the Cartel grows more monopolistic, forcing smaller gilds to either assimilate into larger ones or leave the country.
The remaining approximate 40% of the country consists of humans, fauns, and those of mixed ancestry.
Military
No single organized military system outside of wartime; local militia and law enforcement vary by location.
Technological Level
Although not quite a 'land of ideas' like Ustraria or industrial powerhouses like Iyr or Seyis-Gol, Unenshuut has a moderate technological level and, as one of the more bountiful countries, enjoys much more self-sufficiency than others. Perhaps moreso than Ustraria, however -- despite its significant reaches in technological advancement -- Unenshuut is closest to an understanding of Icalaran ecology.
Religion
Sehndism has consistently been the strongest religion since the first recorded histories of the area; in the present day, an estimated 70% of its inhabitants are Sehndists. Creedists make up another approximate 10%. The remaining 10% are unaffiliated or other, largely due to the goblin tendency toward atheism or agnosticism.
Foreign Relations
Pre-War: Friendly terms with all other countries, no trade or travel restrictions
Wartime: Friendly terms with Kiva; trade and travel lockdown with Ustraria, Iyr, and Balaqalneyis; limited relations with Seyis-Gol
Post-War, Plague Active: Immense travel restrictions and certain trade restrictions, but cooperative terms with all countries
Post-War, Plague Recessive: Cooperative if not friendly terms with all countries, former trade and travel restrictions relaxing
Wartime: Friendly terms with Kiva; trade and travel lockdown with Ustraria, Iyr, and Balaqalneyis; limited relations with Seyis-Gol
Post-War, Plague Active: Immense travel restrictions and certain trade restrictions, but cooperative terms with all countries
Post-War, Plague Recessive: Cooperative if not friendly terms with all countries, former trade and travel restrictions relaxing
Agriculture & Industry
The forested terrain has led to significant (but not unsustainable) timber exports, and a strong and varied range of products supported by these forests: hunting, honey, atholla, resins and oils, fruit, and nuts. Farmsteads are usually small in order to preserve hunter-gatherer territories; vegetarianism is common.
Trade & Transport
Most trade takes place via river, though the main roads to Kiva and Ustraria are also used.
Education
Despite the varied governments and melting-pot of races, basic education is taken very seriously -- however, its success ironically lays behind a tuition paywall. Halls of Learning are schoolhouses established in any settlement that can afford them; they are managed by an independent, charitable board known as the Committee of Pages that oversees donations/alms collection, curriculum, and other administration. Halls of Learning accept children from the age of five and provide thorough, secular, quality education in reading, writing, arithmetic, and foundational trade skills until the age of fifteen; there is also an optional seminary for fifteen to eighteen year-olds.
Yet the tuition required for a "Pages" education, even at the primary level, often restricts those of a poorer background from joining. As such, private tutoring and other homeschooling is common, though not as "respectable" as those talented enough to earn trade apprenticeships.
Culturally, reaching young adulthood is regarded as the point by which no further second-hand education is needed. Indeed, a desire for further learning beyond that point is usually seen as strange and wasteful when compared to making oneself useful to society. However, in recent years private academies are beginning to appear, usually under the guise of further research in a particular trade skill -- for example, the Jeit Union was established to explore facets of both botany and medicine, and would count Aguthsha Intoh among its members.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
"The Bountiful Kingdom", "The Firstborn Land"
Demonym
Unen
Government System
Oligarchy
Major Exports
Major Imports
Grains, ore, fine stone, cattle
Legislative Body
Mixed depending on which town/city you find yourself in.
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Comments