Ithaca

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The Dominion of Ithaca, located in southern Vaniya, is a satellite state of the Kingdom of Myandra. It is a democratic, mercantile nation that is one of the most prosperous on the continent.

## History

There are a few stories of how the founding of Ithaca ultimately came to be. Some are fantastic tales of defeating fell arboreal monstrosities, some are romances about running away to a distant place where love can flourish, some are stories of ambitious individuals with high-minded ideals forging a new path. And, in the grand Ithacan tradition, they're all right, to one extent or another.

When the New World was discovered and expeditions were being formed, the opportunistic started gathering allies. Soon, blocs of like-minded, ambitious, and motivated Chosen were headed to the New World to seek their fortunes and make their mark on the world. This is the story for all the New World nations. What sets Ithaca apart is that their objective wasn't fame, advancement, wealth, or domination. Ithaca was founded and formed to prove the validity of a singular idea: Service is strength. A philosophy of mutual service pervades the burgeoning nation, where everyone is working to help everyone else, and the ultimate result is, at least in theory, prosperity. Whether this will lead to a nation that shines as a beacon whose light touches the far shores of the Old World, or become corrupted from within and collapse to ruin and ignominy, only time will tell.

The final documents were signed and the Royal Proclamation from the Crown of Myandra was issued on Erastus 1st, Might 5. Ulysses Brokenrock-Hawall was elected as the first Prime Minister. Brokenrock-Hawall's economy-focused, aggressive expansion paved the way for the new nation to become the richest nation on Vaniya and one of the most powerful in the New World. During his time as Prime Minister, Brokenrock-Hawall oversaw the creation of the Princess Canal and Olympic Forge, and the integration of city-states Temdala and Ardmin into the Dominion. Additionally, he fostered strong trade relations with most of the nations in the New World, utilizing the vast array of natural resources found across the claimed land. Brokenrock-Hawall's time as Prime Minister also included two wars, both of which saw Ithaca as the aggressor. After two full terms, Brokenrock-Hawall resigned from politics.

On Neth 5th, Year 7, Ithaca declared war on Vivus Village. This war lasted for less than a week, and resulted in the annihilation of Vivus. The town of Libra would be erected in its place.

On Calistril 1st, Might 11, the furnaces of Olympic Forge were lit for the first time. They have not gone out yet.

On Rova 7th, Might 11, Ithaca declared war on Naraka. The Ithaca-Narakan War would last for two years and permanently leave the former territory of Naraka scarred and uninhabitable.

On Erastus 1st, Might 17, Senator Keith Richardson was elected to the Prime Minister's seat. Richardson's tenure as Prime Minister was mired in controversy, as his administration led the nation into an economic recession at the same time as giving themselves substantial raises and using Ministerial funds for personal purchases. He was ejected from his seat after a three-year term.

On Erastus 1st, Might 20, Mimi Koneko was elected as Ithaca's third Prime Minister. During her tenure, Ithaca saw aggressive economic expansion and public works projects such as the widening of the Princess Canal, which ultimately led to breaking the recession her predecessor had left her. In addition, she was an ardent champion of workers' rights, and signed into law several bills for creating minimum wages and labour standards. Koneko's administration was not without its own share of problems, however. The formation of the Coffee Party created a large voting bloc in the Senate, causing factionalization of Senators. In addition, Koneko and her administration were publically censured for passing laws that would directly benefit businesses they were directly invested in. After a full term of office, Koneko retired.

On Erastus 1st, Might 26, Brandy den Beskedne was elected as Prime Minister.

## Geography

Ithaca takes up much of south-central Vaniya, and sprawls over a large amount of territory, from the warm southern sea coast up to the deserts of the north.

## Settlement Stats

### Spellcasting

8th - Spellcasting services above 3rd cost double the calculated price.

### Corruption

+14 (to Bluff City Officials/Stealth Outdoors)

### Crime

+5 (vs Sense Motive checks/Sleight of Hand)

### Law

+19 (on Intimidate & Diplomacy, if related to the law/well being of the town)

### Lore

+12 (on Knowledge & Diplomacy for Gathering Info)

### Society

+16 (on Disguise & Diplomacy to Alter Attitude)

#### Settlements

* **Gemini City:** The capital of Ithaca, and the heart of its trade empire. The Princess Canal runs through the centre of the city, separating the government side and the industrial side.
* **Aquarius:** The city at the northern end of the Princess Canal, the rough-and-tumble sailor's port is commonly where crews waiting for the Canal to open can let off some steam.
* **Aries:** The Ithacan centre for the arts. Inspiration exists in many forms, so Ariesians are encouraged to... look the other way on minor faux pas.
* **Scorpia:** A centre for medical learning. And just medical learning.
* **Pisces:** The place where the Ithacan Navy is trained, equipped, and housed.
* **Taurus:** A resort town. Taiki Zihan is the unofficial mayor.
* **Libra:** Formerly Vivus Village, now a small settlement with some promise.
* **Temdala**: A sprawling city, nestled in the mountains. A great deal of Old Vaniyan culture is here.
* **Capricorn**: A major part of Ithaca's breadbasket is this small farming community.
* **Saggitaria**: A manufacturing community, featuring a great deal of steel foundries. Magic is undervalued here against the strength of iron.
* **Virgo Bay**: Settled where the ocean meets the sand, this quiet community holds a strange beauty.
* **Leo Valley**: With the addition of Olympic Forge, this promises to become one of the largest manufactory cities in the New World.
* **Dawnborn Bastion**: A massive, powerful military citadel, to guard against incursions from the North.
* **Ardmin**: A small, quiet community with an Old Vaniyan tradition of pacifism. Sits atop a known gathering spot for undead raiders.

#### Points of Interest

* **Princess Canal:** What was once a river running from inland to Gemini City, it has since been expanded and lengthened to reach the sound at the other end, enabling easier intercontinental trade. So named because of the high cliffs that flank it on either side for much of its length, as though protecting something precious.
* **Broken Rocks:** A chain of mountains roughly central to Ithaca, these tall, relatively new peaks are quite rough but have a variety of useful metals, including small deposits of mithral.
	+ **Mithral Spring:** A large hot spring nestled deep in the Broken Rocks, this popular attraction hosts waters infused with trace amounts of mithral. Frequent bathers claim the water helps with a variety of conditions associated with old age, such as arthritis.
* **Rainbow Falls:** Located in the resort town of Taurus, a series of waterfalls in an area that grows a unique strain of algae that stains the water various colours based on the time of day.
* **Jewel Lake:** A lake north of Libra that shines bright red in a manner not unlike a ruby or garnet. The reason why is presently unknown.
* **Coinwatch Hills**: A series of rolling, coastal hills that provide a picturesque view of either Jewel Lake or the two Sounds.
* **Aspis Island:** A mostly-barren island off the southeastern coast of Ithaca with extremely rocky and jagged coastlines.
	+ **The Aspis:** A series of dense igneous rock formations on the northern portion of Aspis Island, which forms a natural barrier protecting Pisces.
* **Ice Palace**: A castle made of ice that doesn't melt even during the warmer summer months. Is something of a tourist attraction.

### Special Note!

While crafting vehicle-scale projects in Ithaca, double your speed(to a maximum increase of 1000 GP/day). Olympic Forge also provides a supply route for siccatite(hot only) to Ithacan crafters.

* **Forge Mountain**: An active volcano located south of Leo Valley.
	+ **Olympic Forge**: An enormous series of industrial-scale forges and manufactories embedded within the fiery heart of Forge Mountain, this modern wonder of construction can output in days what would normally take weeks to make.

## Exports and Trade

Ithaca has a strong focus on trade, both due to its central location as the gateway to northern Ithel, as well as a number of key exports. Chief amoung them are the following:

* **Mirrorwine:** A strange, supernatural wine that calls up emotional memories in the drinker. Grown exclusively in the Silver region of Ithaca.
* **Cypress:** A highly rot-resistant softwood, cypress is extremely valuable for shipbuilding and furniture.
* **Shellfish:** Clams, crab, shrimp, and oysters are abundant along Ithaca's shores.
* **Angelweeds:** Said to have been grown from the tears of an angel, the plant known as angelweeds got it's name from the leafy pattern looking like wings in flight. When plucked and used in teas, it adds a calming aspect, soothing even the most troubled of minds. Popular among locals for sleeping draughts, angelweeds are only able to be found during the dawn. Whether due to some sort of plant trait or an otherwordly touch, the weeds seem to simply 'vanish' once the dawn is no longer occurring.
* **Devil's Bane:** Used by many of the local worshippers, this hardened root known as Devil's Bane is rumored to be particularly effective at keeping evil warded from the home. Often burned in incense or smeared as a powder on doors and windowsills, those who adorn their homes with this root-like plant once a month find that they do not suffer from nightmares, bad dreams, or other frights born of the mind. While not as strong as a truly magical plant, some believe that if you extract the essence and imbue it into a potion, it can assist in a greater strength, though this is unconfirmed by alchemists so far.
* **Princess Petunias:** While the native name was lost to time, the locals of Ithaca and it's kingdom came to call these flowers Princess Petunias. Given their vastly difficult nature of growth, it was only fitting they were likened to royalty, perhaps almost in a tongue-in-cheek manner. While not the easiest to grow, Princess Petunias come an array of colors, and the benefit of this flower is that when used to create inks or dyes, the colors never quite seem to fade, no matter how much wear, tear, or exposure to sun and harsh chemicals the objects dyed or inked with them is given.
* **Heavenly Ash:** A strange sort of plant, this ash tree grows a pure white, from the bark to it's branches to it's leaves. Said to have been grown from seeds found in the gardens of the Heavens, aptly named Heavenly Ash seems to have an otherworldly quality to it. When used to light a fire within a place of holy worship, the firewood only consumes itself during the day, and any time the sun isn't visible, the fire burns, but does not go out, a reminder that even in the darkest places, light can still be found.
* **Erastil's Claw:** Growing under the boughs of trees in the forest, this root known as Erastil's Claw was given it's named by a former devotee to the god of the hunt and the forest. In honor of a kill, he used the root to flavor the food, and consume it in a ceremonial ritual. It is said that if you crush up the root and add it to any dish, the blessings of Erastil will be with you, preventing you from getting any sickness that may have lingered upon the meat from the kill. A natural cleanser for many, it's also used in the treatment of stomach ailments, headaches, and diseases of the flesh as a poultice.
* **Riverside Orchid:** This special type of orchid finds itself growing underneath the waters of the river. Often favored by those who have a disposition towards marine life, the riverside orchid has a special property to it that makes it so popular. When placed in a container of water, the riverside orchid will filter out any and all impurities, allowing those such as aquariums to be maintained with minimal effort, and ensuring the healthiest quality of water for drinking, playing, or living in for aquatic life.
* **Torag's Iron:** Rumored to be initially created by dwarven alchemists in honor of Torag, this special alloy of iron is highly sought after by jewelers, though really any blacksmith can find favor with it. The iron appears to change in color depending on the levels of temperature it is exposed to. In colder weather, the iron becomes a blood red, and in hotter weather, it becomes a cool blue-gray. Given the shifting array from the metal, the iron is popular among those who wear rings, earrings, and necklaces.
* **Abadar's Wealth:** Said to be an oddity of gold, this ore is prized among those who create currencies for it's strange properties. In addition to having a hardness stronger than typical pure gold, the ore known as Abadar's Wealth is extremely resistant to scratches, smashes, and any other forms of denting and bruising that might ruin the coin. A strong strike can still cause damage to it, but the coin is extremely durable.
* **Azata Grains:** Grown from the fields of Vaniya, the Azata Grains are extremely popular among bakers and any who seek to use grains in their craft. Capable of creating tasteful bread, pastries, and more, the Azata Grains are especially prized given that despite their name, they do not contain the typical components of grain. This allows those who typically become sickened by grains to enjoy food with no loss of taste, while avoiding any sickness or pain.
* **Sanctifying Sunflowers:** Given the name from their growth patterns of tight-knit closeness, and their special properties, these sunflowers tend to grow in full view of the sun. When cut and placed in a garden, the sunflowers will magically grow their own roots, rejuvenating and vitalizing the garden. In addition, they ward off pests and diseases from the gardens they grow, and reduce the rate at which nutrients are drained from the soil beneath them.
* **Nirvana Lavender:** Said to evoke an emotion as if one was 'connected to the Heavens', this lavender has a rather interesting property. When dried and smoked, the indigo has the ability to relax even the strongest of fears and anxieties, and brings a sense of peace and tranquility. Popular for incense, smoking, and even perfumes or colognes.

### Paper Currency

As of Might 12, Ithaca switched from the gold and platinum coinage currency to a (slightly misnamed, see below) paper model for trade, issuing centralized banknotes in a variety of denominations. Within days of the announcement--even before the official issuance--numerous forgeries were made, forcing the Ithacan government to issue guide notes to merchants and shops to detect forgeries. The banknotes feature a variety of specialized counterfeit protections, including:

* Knotwork designs along one side of the note that are difficult to reproduce
* A serialized number that indicates the place and time the bill was printed
* Another difficult-to-reproduce pattern in the background of the central device of the note
* Faint 'texturing' patterns across the entire note
* The notes are made from a specific textile blend rather than actual paper

## Inhabitants

Being of Myandran origin, much of Ithaca's initial population are Human, Halfling, and Dwarf, though a small minority of other races are present and races of all kinds(save undead) are welcomed, with anti-discrimination protections enshrined in constitutional law.

### Government

Ithaca's governmental structure is democratic, with elected officials forming a Senate. The current head of state, holding the title of Prime Minister, is Brandy den Beskedne.

* **Prime Minister:** Head elected official of the country, in charge of declarations, temporary edicts, budget, and maintaining a cabinet of ministers.
* **Governor-General:** Representative of the Myandran Crown, in charge of signing bills into law, managing citizenship, and performing investigations into Ministerial or Senatorial misconduct.
* **Ministers:** A group of individuals appointed by the Prime Minister to handle various elements of national governance such as trade, foreign policy, and education.
* **Speaker of the Senate:** Appointed by the Prime Minister, the leader of all Senate proceedings and person who presents legislation.
* **Senators:** Elected representatives who draft and vote on legislation, determine taxes, and essentially determine the running of the nation.

#### A note on Nobility

Being a democratic nation, Ithaca has no formalized titles of nobility. While positions of influence exist, such as well-tenured Senators, influential business moguls, and so on, these are informal and frequently temporary. As such, the Nobility purchases for Ithacans are available(with approval from the PC leaders of the nation), but will not be backed by formal title unless the character is a Senator(considered a Lesser Nobility title).

## Religion, Magic, Technology, & Military

### Religion

While people of any religion are permitted to practice and worship within Ithaca(within the bounds of Ithacan law), most Ithacans revere Sarenrae, Erastil, or the Dwarven pantheon. Worship of figures such as Lamashtu, Urgathoa, and Zon-Kuthon is viewed as suspect but isn't inherently outlawed.

### Magic

Magic doesn't have a special place in the Ithacan mindset, generally viewed as just another tool. That said, Ithacan law forbids a number of forms of magic, notably those related to the creation of undead, manipulation of the soul without consent, or the manipulation of minds. The summoning of Evil outsiders and the use of [Evil]-descriptor spells aren't inherently outlawed, but their use often entails the breach of other laws, as summoners are responsible for the actions of their summons and [Evil] spells are often horrific assaults or torture.

### Technology

Technological advancement is one of Ithaca's foremost concerns; and coming from Myandra and having some of the finest Chosen technological minds in Mythgate means that Ithaca has a strong head-start from a technological perspective. Generally speaking, much of Ithaca's technological research and long-term projects are focused on facilitating long-range trade and the movement of people, with an eye towards shortening travel times and shrinking the wait for critical goods.

### **Military**

Ithaca has an expansive, well-funded volunteer military. Ithacan defenses in major cities are substantive, and most of the adult citizenry has some level of training and is ready to step up for the defense of their home.

## Law and Crime

Ithacan law is governed by a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which covers a number of fundamental rights for Ithacan citizenry, as well as rights for non-citizens within Ithacan borders.

**Misdemeanors:**

* Trespass
* Petty theft
* Assault
* Disturbing the peace
* Public drunkenness or lewdness
* Selling shoddy or adulterated goods
* Possession of Drugs

**Felonies:**

* Riot
* Inciting riot
* Piracy
* Rape
* Destruction of property
* Theft
* Robbery
* Distribution of Drugs
* Arson
* Fraud
* Usage of mind control
* Murder

**Capital Crimes:**

* Terrorism
* Treason
* Creating Undead
* Being Undead
* Controlling or utilizing Undead
* The seizure, trapping, or manipulation of a soul without consent
* The capture, transportation, trade, or purchase of enslaved people
* Bribery of an Official
* Counterfeiting
* Impersonating a leader of the Dominion