Vaansiam
Vaansiam is a collection of dispersed islands in the northwestern part of the lake system, with the most dense population on the three large islands of Lake Hiva. The country is unique in being run solely by druids, with the majority of the population being highly religious. They are one of the only large bastions of Karuvians who practice Keitism.
Structure
The country is run by Keitist druids, headed by the Circle of the Birch Bough, a grand circle that has operated around Lake Hiva since before the Forest. The circle has 20 members, who represent the 20 smaller local circles spread through the region. Each member spends the majority of their time in their home circle, and convene in the capital once a month and on specific holidays. The country is generally very decentralized, with local circles having much authority to manage their communities as they see fit. The Grand Circle touts itself as being more of an advisory body for the local circles to run their communities. They rarely make laws that apply to all islands, and mostly focus on external issues to represent the islands collectively, or mediate disputed because communities. The Circle of the Birch Bough elects a Circle Leader among themselves every 9 years. The Circle Leader is the de facto head of state, and speaks on behalf of the circle in one-to-one negotiations with foreign political leaders. Although there is no law about serving as Circle Leader for multiple terms, tradition holds that to do so would be arrogant. Like any Keitist druid circle, becoming a druid - and thus a member of the government - is open to any member of society. The normal rules apply: one must find a druid who is willing to take them on as an apprentice and study with them until there is an opening in a circle, and then the entire circle must agree to their acceptance. Vaansiam is one of the more egalitarian societies in Veiama, as they have no aristocracy and anyone from any background has the opportunity to become a druid through hard work and study.History
The Circle of the Birch Bough was a grand circle located in Maunai, the largest Karuvian kingdom before the Forest. Maunau was the epicentre of the Forest, and the first to be overrun. In the early years, the true danger of the Forest was not yet understood, and many thought it could be driven back, or couldn't possibly spread much farther.
The Birch Bough feared what may happen early on, and relocated to Tammin Island in Lake Hiva 6 months after the first uhaaki were seen. When the Forest became a true crisis in Maunai and refugees looked to flee, they found the Circle of the Birch Bough prepared on Tammin with food and shelter ready for any who needed it.
As the Forest spread, the Circle of the Birch Bough organized the relolaction of other druid circles to islands in the area, reached out to them, and coordinated an exchange of supplies and information. Once the dusty began to settle and it became clear that the government of Maunai had been shattered by the disaster, the Circle of the Birch Bough had already been operating as a government for a few years and seamlessly slipped into officially declaring themselves a sovereign nation.
Demography and Population
The population of Vaansiam is 29,500. Of these, 85% are ethnically Karuvian. Another 20% are Taalish, and the finale 5% are a mix of Manashins, Vaunens, and others with heritage from beyond Veiama. Of these, about half live on the three main islands in Lake Hiva.
95% of the population is Keitist, with the other 5% being followers of the Old Religion, or a small minority of Manashins who follow their traditional religious practices.
The population is largely rural, with only a few large towns.
Territories
Vaansiam is divided into 3 regions: Lake Hiva, Lake Ihia, and Lake Oska.
Lake Hiva
By far the largest and most populated, Hiva is the original centre of the country. It alone can be broken down into 4 smaller regions, plus one outlier:Central Hiva
The core of Vaansiam, consisting of the main body of the lake. It contains 6 islands, three large and three quite small:- Tammin - location of the capital and only city, Juvia.
- Jenno - a long, thin islands south of Tammin with one major town.
- Hiasa - the largest island by area, with two highly-competitive towns on either end. Most of its interior is grazing land for their herd of caribou
- Fihai - a small, round island just south of Hiasa, home to a single fishing village
- Nemi - farther south than Fihai, with similar fishing culture
- Taulit - a crescent shaped island northwest of Hiasa.
North Hiva
A branch of the lake reaching north, where two tiny islands sit. Both of them are home to small villages of subsistence farmers and fishers, and they share a single local druid circle.South Hiva
Two medium-sized islands in a southern branch leading toward Tarra: Karan and Oleima. The people here are less religious than the rest of Vaansiam, and the druids from the local circles occasionally skip the trip to Tammin for minor festivals. Oleima is known for wool sweaters spun from muskoxen, decorated with traditional Karuvian patterns.East Hiva
East Hiva contains one large island known as Nia. It's only town, Niasai, is the nearest settlement to the portage route to Kaleina on the Vaansiam side. Although Vaansiam in general has good relations with Kaleina, the residents of Nia put up with large numbers of Kaleinen Border Rangers on the island while on leave and have a low opinion of them.Jukuan
Jukuan is technically not in Lake Hiva, but is lumped in with it. It is a small island that sits closer to Haikama than the rest of Vaansiam, and was taken by Vaansiam during the war 75 years ago. The local population are 99% Karuvian and followers of the Old Religion. Jukuan is unique in Vaansiam for being the only place where Keitist law is not as strictly enforced, although the local druid circle is Keitist and their leads sits in the Circle of the Birch Bough. It is the only place in Vaansiam where caribou meat is available, and festivals associated with the Old Religion are allowed to take place. About half of the population are Kaleinen soldiers stationed at Fort Jukuan, as the first line of defence against Haikama.Lake Ihia
To the west of Lake Hiva is Lake Ihia and its four islands, although only 3 are inhabited.Lake Oska
Oska is the smallest and most remote region in Vaansiam. There are three islands in Lake Oska, but the smallest of them - Saana - was overrun by the forest 45 years ago. The remaining two are Alakuan and Halaha. Halaha holds the main town, but the local circle is based on Alakuan. These two islands are 100% Keitist and largely self-sufficient. They focus on living in tune with the gods, taking only what they need from the world. Keitists from both Vaansiam and Kaleina travel here to study and learn from the druids in an atmosphere set apart from the modern world.Military
Vaansiam has no military of its own. In exchange for military support from Kaleina, they allow the Kaleinen military to operate forts on their islands. Vaansiens are welcome to join the Kaleinen military.
Foreign Relations
Vaansiam's eternal ally is Kaleina. Although Kaleina is Taalish, they shared Keitist faith makes them staunch allies. The Deep Circle is located in Kaleina, and most of its members are from there as well, so Kaleinen politics are impossible to dislodge from Vaansiam. They use the Kaleinen Mark as currency and the countries allow free travel between each other.
They have less contact with Tarra, a tiny country that largely chooses isolation. Tarra fell to the Forest three years ago, but before that, it was mainly the destination of some of their surplus crops.
To the east, Haikama is their largest threat. It is much larger, and only 75 years ago, fought a war in attempted annexation. Kaleina's involvement forced Haikama to surrender, but tensions remain heated even now. It doesn't help that it is necessary to transit through Haikamen water to reach Kaleina without using the portage route, and Haikama charges high taxes for the privilege.
Education
Education is mandated in the Book of Ainokeinen and Vaansiam provides it to all residents for free. Every local druid circle operates a school that children can attend from the ages of 5 to 18. The schools teach basic literacy and math skills, along with history and geography in older years. At all ages, religious study is a strong component of education.
Children are required to attend school until the age of 9, when it is hoped they will have at least acquired basic literacy. After that, parents are still strongly urged to send children, though it is not required. Neighbours who have the time will offer assistance on farms or with watching very young children if needed their adolescents for these tasks is keeping them away from school.
Founding Date
623 AK
Type
Geopolitical, Theocracy
Demonym
Vaansien
Government System
Theocracy
Currency
Legislative Body
All laws are drawn from the Book of Ainokeinen and interpreted by druids.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities