Zakiristan

Zakiristan is a small country located in the northeastern portion of Zamoroziet.
=== Overview and History ===
Up until the 1750s, Zakiristan was dominated by the Northern Bolish tribal confederation (modern-day Prem-Bol). Toward the end of the Great Northern War, the ethnic Zakiri people, who had been pushed into the furthest corner of the continent prior to being conquered, rose up in rebellion, achieving a modest victory of their own independent homeland.
Independence changed very little for the majority of Zakiris aside from a new flag. They have a lingering mistrust of the Bolish states of Prem-Bol (their immediate neighbor), Aukustia, and Kyslev.
Through the 1880s and early 1890s, the government allowed piracy to get out-of-control in the second-largest port of Tok Bara. As a result, the port was occupied by the Kingdom of Liotain in 1892.
=== Government ===
Zakiristan is ruled by a monarch. The ruling monarchial house between 1753 and 1864 was almost entirely foreign-born, having started with a minor Firoccan nobleman who was invited to become king in 1753 (largely in order to win recognition from foreign powers). Since that time, very few of the monarchs actually married locally. In 1864, the crown passed to Alsu Husendayiz (1834-1894), a local tribal strongman, the illegitimate son of a prior king. Alsu's oldest son Tarko Husendayiz took the throne in 1894, and rules as an absolute monarch.
A small, inefficient bureaucracy attempts to administer the country.
=== Culture ===
Most Zakiri practice a religion of traditional tribal shamanism. They believe the world is filled with hostile and benevolent spirits who must be appeased or bought off. Shamans are hired to recognize these spirits, and intercede wih them for beneficial results. In certain times, powerful shamans wield nearly as much influence as the monarch.
The population of Zakiristan is poor. Most natives are engaged in herding or the lumber trade.
=== International Relations ===
* Prem-Bol: Poor. As Zakiristan's former oppressor, Prem-Bol is constantly thought to be plotting their imminent return. (Meanwhile, Prem-Bol is dominated by isolationist politics and barely wants to even trade with Zakiristan, massively kneecapping the Zakiri economy.)
* Other Bolish powers (Aukustia, Kyslev, Arkadyetsiya): Poor. Also believed to be antagonistic and expansionist-minded.
* Liotain: Poor. Zakiristan hasn't quiet forgiven them for so casually taking Tok Bara away from them in 1892, and believes they are plotting with Prem-Bol to help them reconquer the area.
* Joseon: Ambivalent. Offered a little bit of help during the war of independence, but then smacked around Zakiri pirates. Largely mysterious to the average Zakiri.
Category:NPC Nations
Category:Tier IV