Aralia

Overview

A trading nation founded in 302, lying on the east side of the Darlom Mountains, to the southeast of Kythus. Aralia spans the region of rolling plains from the foothills of the Darlom mountains to the shores of the Torcastan Sea. To the north lies Tabras, and to the south Quzonia. Aralia has been at war with Tabras for the majority of the last century. The Plains of Tekara, seem to be the focus of this dispute. While neither side is willing to make a full effort to resolve the conflict, neither is willing to back down. The majority of traders accept this ongoing strife as a fact of life, and continue to do business with Tabrani merchants as long as there is still a profit in it. This fact alone suggests that the fighting is merely an excuse to keep both countries economies fluid and stable. Aralia’s military is composed mostly of hired soldiers. Since the pay is good, the life of a soldier is not as unpleasant as in some other nations. Many noble houses within Aralia maintain small standing militias of their own, which may be called upon to defend the nation, swelling the ranks of the already substantial army. Material wealth rules supreme in Aralia, and the majority of residents are merchants to some capacity. Scholars are also quite common, as sometimes knowledge is a most valuable commodity. Aralia is governed by the High Council; a group composed of the six most powerful merchants in the country.