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

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.

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.

Military

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 school 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.

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 189 YG, 91 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

Landmarks

Natural

Shar Bol - An active volcano which dominates Ra 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

Li 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