Podochoviya

**Podochoviya** is a large country in the central Ageless Territories (aka. The Olden World), bounded by Cheskachenica to its north, northeast, and northwest, Apelchemia to its west, Nalvagno to its southwest, Sidrova to its south, and Mynnuka to its southeast. The country consists of vast plains, rolling steppes, marshes and tundra extending into the boreal forest and subarctic zones in the north, the north of the country experiences harsh long winters. The largest cities are Adrasia (65,054) and Melbulick (112,368) which altogether consist of about 75% of the entire nation's population (236,561).

## Cities

### Adrasi

Adrasi is relatively close to Apelchemia, it sits just about 150 km east of Apelchemia's easternmost point and sits on the River Nexus, the largest waterway in the nation that mouths to Usti'Fiore in northwestern Nalvagno. Cities feature a eerie bare atmosphere with a blend of yurts, communal longhouses, and imported architectural styles from Cheskachenican influence. The infrastructure of Adrasi is very basic with warehouses and roads connecting to nearby towns in the area. It doesn't have a bustling metropolitan feel at all like what one might find in Zherika (approximately 825 km southwest of Adrasia in Apelchemia) or Amben (about 750 km northwest of Adrasia, also in Apelchemia). Apelchemia is one of the richest nations in the Ageless Territories/Olden World and its close proximity and wealth influences Adrasia.

Adrasia's position near the border provides opportunities for trade with the richer Apelchemia, bolstering its own economy. Goods flow in both directions.

### Melbulick

Melbulick is located in the far southwestern part of Podochoviya, situated just 31 minutes away from the border of the neighboring nation of Nalvagno. With a population of 112,368, it boasts the most population in Podochoviya. Its strategic position has made it a hub of trade and industry. Nearby Nalvagno is fairly wealthy nation due to abundant resources like the large Usti' Fiore lake (larger than Namporschia), which serves as the mouth of Podochoviya's most important waterway, the River Nexus. As such, Nalvagno is an important trade partner.

Melbulick's close proximity to Nalvagno border allows for extensive cross-border economic exchange. The city imports luxury goods and raw materials from its wealthier neighbor, while exporting Podochoviyan specialty crafts and foodstuffs.

As a busy border town, Melbulick also serves as a gateway. Merchants from across Podochoviya use its location to access Nalvagno's border markets, while foreign travelers and tourists visit its lively mart district. The mingling of peoples has given Melbulick a diverse, cosmopolitan character compared to elsewhere in Podochoviya.

## Geography and Climate

The terrain consists mainly of open steppe, grasslands, and tundra extending from its southern border to thick boreal forests in the north. The River Nexus flows southwest to northeast from Nalvagno to northern Podochoviya, feeding major tributaries that irrigate the drier southern plains. High steppe form Podochoviya's eastern boundaries with Mynnuka, isolating it from more southeastern lands. North of the latitude of Adrasia and further inland east, winters are severely cold, with temperatures below freezing from October to April. The south experiences chillier and windier weather, with low annual rainfall. Snowfall is sparse. Further north, winters are even more frigid with deep snow cover and permafrost in the tundra zone. Summer is short yet provides growth seasons for grasses and wildlife in June-August before autumn arrives.

Herds of wild horses, cattle, and prong buck roam the southern plains and grasslands. Predators like wolves, brown bears, and Cheskachenican leopards inhabit more northern and eastern woodland and tundra ecosystems. Waterfowl, fish, and migratory birds are found along dry river valleys and wetlands, Podochoviya boasts the highest red-winged blackbird population in the world as well as a very high bulrush density. Reindeer, red and arctic foxes, hares, and muskoxen have adapted to the northern tundra conditions.

## Demographics

Indigenous Adrasi/Podochoviyans make up 35% of the entire population, originally nomadic horse herders and hunters. Cheskachenicans comprise 25%, descended from immigrants over last 300 years, Mynnukans are 15%, also mostly immigrants starting in late 16th century. Apelchemians, Andruschgretans, and Borogovians total 10% of the population, settling 200 years ago, and mixed ethnicities (Primarily Cheskachenicans and Far Eastern people) comprise 8%, though most of the indigenous Podochoviyans descend from mixed peoples of the two groups.

Animist shamanics and ancestor worship is still practiced by many Podochoviyans, but Orthodox Christianity and Protestantism comprise 40% introduced by Cheskachenicans and Mynnukans. Islam comprises 5%, from Jabalwis and Mecirhannians who migrated via trade routes from lands to the south around 900 km each.

75% live in cities and 25% live rurally in small villages or migratory settlements. Life expectancy is 69 years on average, with higher rates of infant/maternal mortality in remote regions, and communicable diseases, alcoholism, and injuries from harsh conditions are leading causes of mortality. Violent crime is low at 1.5 incidents per 1,000 people, property crime and petty theft are higher in urban areas like Melbulick at around 5 incidents per 1,000. Rural communities often self-police under traditional tribal codes of law.