Aralia

Overview

Aralia is a merchant oligarchy, which formed from a more feudal system with the rise of the guilds. To most outsiders, Aralian's are stereotyped as money loving merchants, since money is seen as the means to power, and most Aralians found outside the nation's borders are merchants or in the employ of merchants.

Dominant Culture

Aralian

Population

The majority of Aralia's population is Treahni of ethnic Aralian origin. In coastal and border cities small communities of foreign cultural and ethnic groups exist.

Government

Head of State

Aralia is governed by the High Council; a group composed of the six most powerful merchant families in the country.

High Council

The current high councilors are:

• Devak Hod’lar
• I’tek Solus
• Linav Ronth
• Omar S’afir XV
• Ral Pasha
• Y’ur Pryse

Capitol

Corvaise is the nation's capitol and considered the greatest city of Aralia. The city is a major shipping port, home of the Titan of Corvaise, and many other strange sights and activities. It is rumoured that anything is for sale in Corvaise.

Commerce

Currency

The base currency of Aralia is the kopin (“full-penny”). Larger denominations such as the ta-kopin (“two-penny”), or the much larger talin (“ten-penny”) are also common. All Aralian currency bears a likeness of the aralian snow lily.

Due to the high frequency of merchants in Aralia, every house of measure has coins or trade bars minted with the family crest. These are seldom found outside of Aralia’s borders due to the variable value of such currency.

Role of Guilds

Aralia considers themselves the home of the guilds, although many guilds do have a central authority whose headquarters are located in Aralia, not all do, most notably those associated with specific foreign cultural and national practices.

Military

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.

Conflicts

Ongoing

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.

Integration with Civil

Military might is not considered a direct route to power in Aralia. while some political figures may have served in the military it is not directly linked with rule.

The loyalty of soldiers is bought with coin, not forced through legal obligations to a liege-lord.

Religion

Dominant Religion

The majority of Aralians worship the Twinned Goddess. The Head of the Peoluan Church has a seat in the the city of <>.

Minor Religions

Some minor religions associated with specific cultural groups within Aralia are still practiced.

Integration with Civil

Similar to military power, the church is separate from the state. Those with significant rank within the church may hold external political offices, but one's secular power is distinct from the religious hierarchy.

Education

Literacy

Languages

Aralian is the official language of Aralia. The trade language of Tabral is usually also known amongst merchants. In addition many travelling traders may also know a third or even a fourth language.

Timekeeping

Calendar

Aralians use the common Saynoh calendar for tracking dates throughout the year.

Timeline

Founding

Aralia was founded in 302 YG, by an alliance of four noble houses working together to end the ongoing internal conflicts between great clans.

The original council was:

• Keaf Hod'lar
• Linas Ronth
• Omar S'afir
• Tys Solus

Dynastic Timelines

Four of the current six council positions have been continuously filled by the same four families since this time.

The latter two positions were added and remain filled by the Pasha and Pryse families which first occupied those seats.

Geography

Location

Lying on the east side of the Darlom Mountains, to the south-east of Kythus. Aralia spans the region of rolling plains and light forests, from the foothills of the Darlom mountains to the shores of the Torcastan Sea. To the north lies Tabras, and to the south Quzonia.

Landmarks

Constructed

Titan of Corvaise

Population Centres

Major population centres ranked by population size.

Corvaise - pop. 64,950

C'vir B'qyag - pop. 48,700

Kayb'r Aihi - pop. 24350

Qa B'qyag - pop. 12,200

Kuyn Qayh'k - pop. 6,100

P'ra Siv'n - pop. 3050

Oiqy Eb'b - pop. 2,300

Ota-Olu - pop. 1,150

See Also

Aralian Culture

Aralian Language

Aralian People

List of Aralian Settlements