Iskander

National Overview

Other Names

Iskander - Isk Colonies

The Khurholm of Iskander is an island nation covering the entirety of the Isk Archipelago, wherein each island of Iskander is the domain of a khurain, whom in turn serves the khur, whom rules all of Iskander from Khur Hiem.

Dominant Culture

Iskandean

Population

The majority population of Iskander are Iskandean's who trace their lineage back to Krolaryn colonization. A secondary population is composed of ethnic Domic people who were prior denizens of the archipelago prior to Krolaryn conquest. A number of people claim mixed ancestry of Krolaryn and Domic descent. There are also small enclaves of foreign immigrants in the cities and larger towns.

Government

Iskander has one of the more democratic governments among the nations of Entorais, but not without its corruptions. At its founding the nation was a monarchy, but internal civil revolution occurred, and the resulting government is a hybrid of feudal nepotism and a representational republic.

Khur

Alaric Dar Ming

The title of the Iskandean monarch, Khur, follows the name (eg. Phaku Khur). When the Khur dies the Khurian elect one of their number to become the new Khur, as outlined in the Laws of Ascension.

Capitol

Li Khur Hiem, Khur Hiem

The capitol of Iskander is relocated to the seat of each new Khur. The current reigning Khur resides in Li Khur Hiem, the original seat of the first dynasty after Iskander achieved independence from Krolar.

Levels

Global

Globally, the Khurholm of iskander exhorts very little political will, even on its own small resource outposts established along coastal areas of mainland Annexea.

National

On a national level, all Iskandeans are ruled over by the Khurain, who considers the input of the Khurain from each each hiem. In many matters it is consensus amongst the Khurain that determines national agendas, however the Khur has the ultimate decision and power of veto on any matter of state, as the elected monarch. Given the dispersed and semi autonomous nature of each island, the Khur is often put in the difficult position of balancing inter-hiem politics with any national concerns.

Hiem

Ruled by a Khurain, each hiem is a large inhabited island of the Iskandean Archipelago. The term Khuri follows the name (eg. Edric Khuri). When a Khurian dies, his Sheppaks choose a replacement from among their number.

The eighteen provinces, each a major island, listed in alphabetical order, are:

• Ark Hiem
• Ban Hiem
• Cav Hiem
• Est Hiem
• Furk Hiem
• Inta Hiem
• Jad Hiem
• Khur Hiem
• Lida Hiem
• Moda Hiem
• Nes Hiem
• Onas Hiem
• Ra Hiem
• Sak Hiem
• Tor Hiem
• Urk Hiem
• Vaku Hiem
• Wat Hiem

Shepp

A designated portion of land under the auspice of the Sheppak. Each island has several, the size and number of which varies from island to island. The title of Sheppan follows their name of each Sheppak (eg. Goffi Sheppan), indicating their rank. Each Islands Sheppak are chosen by the Khurian, who is usually very careful, since they are essentially choosing their own potential replacements. The position is often given to the male heirs of the Khurian.

Kut

The Iskandean term for a manor and its associated village(s).

Li

Li is the Iskandean word for city.

Lo

Lo is the Iskandean term for town.

Law Making

Iskander has a nascent system of codified laws, which establish the degree of authority at each level of government, however the traditional habit of passing rulings on a case-by-case basis at the lowest level has delayed any nationwide acceptance of rigid statutes and most places practice common law, influenced by historical legal precedence.

Enforcement

Enforcement of laws is traditionally a matter for the level of government that passed the edict, although lower tiers are expected to enforce the dictates of higher levels of government, who may overrule lesser government decisions. Typically bonded warriors of the local ruler will carry out such duty on behalf of their liege.

The establishment of a limited national police force was attempted in 238 YG by then Khur Kolm Byros I, specifically tasked with patrolling roads and sea trade routes to combat brigandage and piracy within the nation as a whole. Such duties have since fallen to political appointments by Khurain with little national oversight.

Taxation

Taxes are collected in the form of annual tributes from the bottom up. Each landholder owing a portion of their annual earnings in kind to their liege above them. The exact portion, or any fixed amounts is a negotiated and sometimes fluid matter between lord and vassal.

One time levies by the government for special projects are sometime required for the improvement or maintenance of public works.

Tolls on roads and bridges are collected as a more direct user fee, ostensibly for the upkeep of such.

Public Works

Roads

Roads linking settlements are mostly just tracks worn by repeat traffic, following the curves and rolls of the landscape. Maintenance of the road beds, bridges and other features falls to the local landholder. Within urban centers a tax specifically marked for road maintenance may be charged as tolls or entry fees at the town and city gates

Irrigation

The islands of the archipelago receive plenty of rainfall, which feed many streams and rivers. A few towns or cities have channeled the waterways into canals and cisterns to maintain a supply of fresh water during the dryer months.

Sanitation

Only the largest settlements of individual buildings have dedicated sewers. Latrine pits may exist in some settlements, either as common use sites or individual privies by building.

Feces and urine are collected by the tanners and dye makers for use in their industry.

Commerce

Agriculture

Crops

Most crops which are grown domestically are hardy plants that are suited to the wet climate and volcanic soils of the islands.

Fruit

Apples, cherries,and some berries are all found across the islands. The islands are home to the unique Apet fruit, a type of apple-pear hybrid used to produce a signature alcoholic beverage.

Grains

Moisture tolerant mudgrains, and potgrains are grown throughout Iskander's lowlands. On certain regions daygrains are grown, taken advantage of the sunny exposure in upland meadowss.

Legumes

A wide variety of beans, peas, and other legumes are common throughout Iskander.

Root Vegetables

Pot roots, and other tubers are farmed throughout Iskander with local regional preferences to certain varietals.

Leaf Vegetables

Cabbages and other leaf vegetables are common throughout the archipelago.

Squashes

Vine growing squash are grown throughout Iskander, with regional preferences to certain varietals.

Nuts

On some of the more heavily forested islands, some varieties of tree nuts are cultivated.

Herbs

Herbs are typically grown in private gardens, and are not a major crop on a national level.

Herds

Iskandean livestock is kept for meat, leather or wool, and milk production primarily. Fowl farmed in large numbers for meat, eggs, and feathers as well.

Tëka

Primarily woolly tëka kept in village pastures as a textile fibre producer.

Rabbuk

A few varieties of rabbuc have been imported as a source of milk and meat throughout Iskander.

Rabbox

Rabbox are kept as plow and transport animals.

Horses

Primarily owned exclusively by the nations aristocracy, horses found on the islands are heavier and stockier than most mainland breeds.

Fowl

Geese, ducks, chickens and the like are usually free range in villages, as mass farming is not yet a thing.

Fish

The waters surrounding the islands, and the rivers which flow into the sea are teeming with wild fish species, however a few imported species of mudfish were imported as a pest control in mudgrain farmers, and provide additional source of farmed meat.

Rugtaime

A unique species of jumping lizard is farmed on a few islands for meat and hides.

Hunting

Hunting of wild game on the islands provides a source of meat, although limited to mostly small game. In coastal towns and cities the hunting large marine animals provides a secondary industry producing meat, oils and some other unique products such as baleen and ivory.

Fishing

The waters surrounding the archipelago provide many varieties of fish, and as such is a major source of food for many islanders. This includes the trapping of crabs, and collecting shellfish from the rocky shores and shoals of the islands.

Gathering

Foraging in the wilds and along the shores produces a supplemental food supply amongst the poorer classes.

Industry

Resource Extraction

Mining

The archipelago is rich in certain precious metals and mineral resources, Every hiem has some mines producing wealth for the local economy and the landholders. Small placer mines exist through the islands in the multitude of mountain streams and gravel river beds.

Timber

On the more heavily forested islands timber for ship building and construction of larger buildings is harvested.

Stone

Most of the hiems have limited sources of high quality stone for building, although some clay deposits exist in lowlands, and a few volcanic rocks are hewn from the slopes of now dormant volcanoes.

Military

Controlling Body

With the post dynastic government changes to the national military forces occurred. Now only the standing navy is controlled exclusively by the Khur or his appointed minister. Each Khurain, and the Sheppaks beneath them maintains their own military forces, and the composition, numbers and equipment of such groups is as varied as the hiems themselves.

Conflicts

Past

• Iskandean War of Independence (131 -- 138 YG)
• Nine Years War (214 -- 223 YG)
• Tresta Coup (259 -- 275 YG)

Ongoing

• Moda Hiem Insurrection (400 YG -- )

Religion

Dominant Religion

The dominant religion of Iskander is worship of the Twinned Goddess.

Minor Religions

Some minority faiths may be present amongst foreign enclaves, although they are rare.

Despite efforts to stamp out the beliefs of the Domic culture, the faith still persists as a personal belief system practiced in secret.

Integration with Civil

Religion plays a significant part in Iskandean daily lives, and the church holds some power politically, but is separate from the state. Other than the church giving blessings upon the heads of state and other public offices, it does not direct policy or enact laws.

Education

In Iskander, ones education is usually directly related to learning a trade. Nobles may receive lessons in some academic fields and topics relevant to statecraft.

Levels

Schools

Only a few formal schools exist in the archipelago. Namely the Sudayn Thespian College in Lo Jad, Jad Hiem.

Tutors / Teachers

Tutoring in specific subjects is a service provided to the nobility and wealthier merchant class by scholars and clerics, on a case by case basis.

Sages / Scholars

Professional scholars are reliant on the patronage of wealthy citizens, They may provide information in a fee per service manner, but seldom take the role of teachers without an extended contract. The most popular subjects in Iskander are geographers and astronomers or astrologers.

Literacy

Most Iskandeans cannot read or write very well. Such skill is typically found only in those who rely on such for their professional pursuits.

Languages

Iskandean

The offical and most coomon language spoken in Iskander. Iskandean language has evolved from Krolaryn, and has many loan words, and some grammar adopted from from the Domic language.

Domic

Persons of domic descent may know their original mother tongue. Although it was suppressed by the Krolaryn conquers, it is seeing a resurgence in areas with more liberal Iskandean rulers.

Numeracy

Most Iskandeans can count to one-hundred and perform simple arithmetic. Advanced mathematics, such as algebra, geometry or calculus is reserved for those trades who rely on such math, such as engineers, ships pilots, and moneylenders.

Philosophy

The Iskandean philosopher is a rare thing, but some scholars have taken their musings and understandings of natural laws to such heights that they consider the ideas of universal applications, or understanding of the nature of reality, thought, and sense of self.

Architecture

Early forms of Iskandean architecture resemble Krolaryn forms. Structures built after Iskander gained independence shifted to more practical forms suited to the climate and available materials.

Materials

Timber and stone used for foundations and frames. Walls of lower levels may be stone, with upper level walls made from planks.

Designs

Most common structures have a half sunken lower level, with stone walls. and a steep roof, with upper floors as attics. Ground floors may have packed earth, or stone, with upper levels having plank flooring. Roofing is typically wooden shingles or thatch were practicable. Some outbuildings may be connected by roofed walkways to provide some protection from inclement weather.

Houses

Rectangular floored a-frame structures, with one or more entrances on the narrow ends. Ground floor would be common space used for daily tasks, cooking, and socializing. One or more upper floors accessible via steep ladder-stairs used for sleeping areas and storage.

Workshops

Typically a single floored structure with a shallow single slope roof, with the high side meeting the fro0nt wall, which can open as a pair of gate like doors.

Warehouses / Barns

A-frame structures similar to houses, with space for animal pens in the lower floor, with storage in the loft above. Larger gate doors on the end to permit animals to enter and leave.

Fortifications

Most fortified structures in Iskander have timber palisade walls surrounding a open space with central buildings. Longstanding forts may have stone walls and even interior keeps of several stories built from stone.

Temples / Churchs

Churches dedicated to the Twinned Goddess have a circular footprint, but otherwise follow the same structural features as other buildings, steep roofed, with a low stone wall for the ground floor.

Palaces / Castles

There is only one castle city in Iskander at Li Khur Hiem. It follows more typical Krolaryn structural features, including high stone perimeter walls with towers and gates. The palace itself has a blend of features, primarily a formidable stone keep, with high peaked roofs and outbuildings resembling more typical Iskandean structures.

Timekeeping

Calendar

Iskander uses the Saynoh Calendar and counts years in the Year of the Goddess reckoning.

Key Dates

• Independence Day - 23rd of Nule-Ka
• Ascension Day - 7th of Tar-Nule

Timeline

Founding

The Krolaryn efforts to subjugate and colonize the archipelago were declared successful in 98 YG. The Krolaryn colony was largely used for resource extraction, and many immigrants to the colony were convicted criminals given the option of exile to the islands as labour force to avoid more severe punishments for their crimes.

The founding of Iskander as its own sovereign state occurred in 139 YG, 41 years later, as a direct result of the Iskandean War of Independence.

Dynastic Timeline

Iskander has had twenty three Khurs since gaining independence from Krolar. While the early Khurs followed a primogeniture model of inherited title this was changed to a life term elected position.

The twenty five Khurs of Iskander are:

1. Phaku Da Rath (138 -- 154 YG)
2. Dryth Da Rath (154 -- 165 YG)
3. Phaku Da Rath II (165 -- 180 YG)
4. Phaku Da Rath III (180 -- 191 YG)
5. Perkich Da Rath (191 -- 206 YG)
6. Gamyth Da Rath (206 -- 217 YG)
7. Kelun Da Rath (217 -- 218 YG)
8. Heamid Hachnor (222-- 231 YG)
9. Kolm Byros (231 -- 248 YG)
10. Borin Lochie (248 -- 255 YG)
11. Caffeaw Tresta (259 -- 275 YG)
12. Tarquim Dar Ming (275 -- 278 YG)
13. Tarquim Dar Ming II (278 -- 294 YG)
14. Chitork Hachnor (294 -- 298 YG)
15. Cynric Da Madi (299 -- 311 YG)
16. Phaku Byros (311 -- 317 YG)
17. Kolm Byros II (317 -- 328 YG)
18. Brendin Lochie (328 -- 334 YG)
19. Cynric Da Madi II (334-- 334 YG)
20. Agneth Da Madi (334 -- 348 YG)
21. Heamid Hachnor II (348 -- 353 YG)
22. Kolm Byros III (357 -- 372 YG)
23. Phaku Byros II (377 -- 391 YG)
24. Lartum Byros (391 -- 400 YG)
25. Alaric Dar Ming (400 YG -- )

Key Events

• Assassination of Lord Chancellor Emlof (131 YG)
• Iskandean War of Independence (131 -- 138 YG)
• Creation of the Peryth Festival (209 YG)
• Nine Years War (214 -- 223 YG)
• Establishment of the Laws of Ascension (224 YG)
• First Dark Plague (255 -- 258 YG)
• Tresta Coup (259 -- 275 YG)
• Long Summers (303 -- 306 YG)
• Assassination of House Lochie (334 YG)
• Second Dark Plague (351 -- 356 YG)
• Moda Hiem Insurrection (400 YG -- )

Geography

Location

Iskander occupies the entirety of the Isk Archipelago, and claims a significant portion of the surrounding sea as their naval territory.

Climate

The climate of the archipelago is Temperate Oceanic. This leads to fairly dense forests, with a mix of pine, cedar, and other evergreens, with a shrubby understory. A mix of larger maples, oaks and other imported tree species from the mainland exist in low lying and flat areas near population centers. The island interior highlands have less tree coverage, and tend towards meadows of short grasses and light shrubs. Rivers are swift, and cut deep canyons in the highlands turning into wider and slower tracts near the coastal areas. Many waterfalls and fjords are common along the island coastlines, which are predominantly rough and rocky, with limited gravel beaches and protected natural harbours.

Regions

The archipelago's geography is homogenous enough to lack specific sub-regions, although some islands are more geologically active, and have significant hydrothermal or volcanic activity.

Weather

The oceanic climate of the archipelago leads to a significant amount of precipitation as fairly regular rainy periods, and frequent brief rain showers, although winter snow is also common during the coldest months.

Landmarks

Natural

Shar Bol - An active volcano which dominates Ra Hiem.

Tor Hiem Caldera - An large area filled with geysers, fumeroles, and hotsprings on Tor Hiem.

Population Centres

The largest population centres of Iskander ranked by population

Li Khur Hiem - pop. 31,250

Li Moda - pop. 21,850

Li Onas - pop. 15,300

Li Vaku - pop. 13, 850

Lo Urk - pop. 8,650

Lo Nes - pop. 7050

Lo Madi - pop. 6,750

Lo Ra - pop. 5,700

Lo Jad - pop. 4,150

Lo Ark - pop. 3,300

Lo Wat - pop. 1800

See Also

Domic Culture

Domic People

Iskandean Culture

Iskandean People