Domhnath

A region of beautiful complexity, Domhnath is filled with lush, green forests and surrounded by wonders on all sides. The Shrouded Mountains to the west, the Glimmertide Coast, Cerulean Sea, and the Sphinx's Roost to the east, across the Trollsrush to the north lies The Frozen Heart of the Oreiad Empire, and to the south the dangerous Forest of Illusion. Once a nation of overflowing abundance for the native Ticondereans that began migrating south, Domhnath is now inhabited by a hybrid people and culture created thousands of years ago when immigrants fleeing across the ocean from civil war in their own country discovered the Sphinx's Roost and were rescued by the native people that lived in the area. Over the years the two cultures, who once remained separated, began to unify and intermingle until they formed a cohesive new culture that settled further inland in the deep, bright green forests that surround their capital city, Abbaras.
The Domhnathean people are ruled by an almost corporation-like hierarchical bureaucracy they call the Callamnliefht, or Clan Law, where the heads of the largest, oldest, wealthiest families in the region perform the chief executive duties of governance, other family members or heads of families with less stature handle legislative powers, and a body of wisemen - priests, doctors, teachers, skilled masters, etc - provide the Callamnliefht with its judiciary. Like any corporation, Domhnath has it's "CEO," the Head of Clan Law, Caliefodr Ishad M'fir, sometimes called King Ishad of Abbaras.
Family is of extreme importance to Domhnathean culture, as might seem obvious, but while ancestral lineage is an easy early indicator of one's social status, rising (or falling) in class can be accomplished on the basis of one's personal merits through wealth, unusual skill, public service or other means. A whole system is in place in which low members of the wisemen class manufacture and supply the citizenry of Domhnath with badges, medallions, and other codified decorations meant to be worn so as to convey one's personal achievements. It is at once a culture rich with traditional family values, yet bolstered by ambitious youth who dream of exalting their (and their family's) station. Indeed, the Caliefodr is not an inherited title, but one granted every generation or so to the most capable "manager" of the most powerful family in Domhnath and as such, the position and power that comes with it is often changing hands.
On the archipelago east of Abbaras, known as Sphinx's Roost, lay the ruins of an ancient city established thousands of years ago by native Ticondereans where they worshipped a great Sphinx as their vengeful god. This ruin, called The Saruceanleid, or Nest of Stone, is now the home of Domhnath's wisemen and the center for their artistic and educational pursuits. The Saruceanleid houses a prestigious Bardic College, where the budding discipline of Wizardry is being explored, an extensive library and amphitheatre, both open to the public, as well as a hospital held in high esteem across the continent.
The Domhnatheans are the only Dragonscarred culture with widespread literacy, their ancestors from across the sea having brought with them printed books and the knowledge of how to make them, and the library in The Saruceanleid houses the only printing press on the continent. There is a deep value to both the spoken and written word within Domhnathean culture and great importance placed on religion, poetry, theatre, and debate. And, particularly with the secular members of society and in proximity to any establishment for the performative arts, the Domhnatheans certainly do not neglect the pursuit of the (often alcohol debauched) party. While they do not have the most powerful standing military, the hazardous natural terrain surrounding Domhnath and their advanced tactical expertise in guerrilla warfare makes the country nearly impossible to invade or conquer.
South of Abbaras, beyond the Forest of Illusion, lies the eclectic city of Blackwater where Clan Cu'Laiomh, ruled by Ca'Lief Foehn Cu'Laiomh, a proud old clan of nearly pure native Ticonderean descent manages a diverse group of wizards, doctors, historians, and archeologists, cooperating with the Dhogem that remain underground and welcoming those that flee to the surface, as together they all uncover the ruins and artifacts of an incredibly ancient culture predating any known native human civilization.

Demographics

90% Dragonscarred, 9% Native Ticondereans, 0.75% Dhogem, 0.25% Oreiades

Alternative Name(s)

The Realm of Wonders

Type

National Territory

Population

1,380,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Dragonscarred of Domhnath

Location under

The Dragonlands