The Freelands of Akran

The Freelands of Akran, also knowns as Akran, is a young republic on the far east coast of Oriern, east of the Crêtaxe Mountains. The country borders several other human countries; X,X, The Land of the Noble Verturian Knights, Oussaine, Roesone, Vegesone, and X, as well as bordering with the Deadlands and the two dweordoms of the Crêtaxe Mountains; Barak-Adum and Barak-Azor.

The land that now makes up the country was once heavily contested between the Kingdoms of Oussaine, Leronemia, and Kranigry. For nearly half a century the land was almost constantly at war and different areas were conquered and lost, trading hands multiple times even across a single year. This chaos meant that the people living in these lands were subjected to a constantly shifting list of rulers and loyalties, overtime they begun to lose all loyalty to any. The lack of loyalty and care about their superiors birthed a new idea; an idea of a land of freedom; where nobles could not dictate the life of the folk, where all land was the land of the people and not dictated by old feudal laws.

It was a great dream, but one that has not reached the delusions of its founders. Despite this, The Freelands of Akran are a relatively pleasant land to live in (especially if you have a great wealth). The country consists of five regions all governed from the capital city; The Freecity of Akran.

## Regions

### Tabraude

Tabraude is a wealthy region of Akran due to the vast amount of mining that occurs in the north due to the proximity of the Crêtaxe Mountains. Tabraude is also known as a relatively safe region of Akran, and one could argue that it is one of the least dangerous places to live in the world (that is not behind the walls of a great city). Many dweorg heroes from Barak-Adum and Barak-Azor- the dweorgish nations in the Crêtaxe Mountains- embark down the mountains to the land of humans to kill beasts, be it for glory, pride, or to fulfil their slayer's oath. Additionally, the Order of the Green Rangers have wandered most of the land of Tabraude for nearly 70 years, slaying beasts and bringing crime to justice; either theirs or the laws of The Freeland. The safety has allowed the inhabitants a relief from the fear that plagues most humans around the world, meaning that most of the Akranians of Tabraude do not feel the need to burn woodlands near their homes causing Tabraude to be a very woody region.

#### Notable Geographical features of Tabraude

* Brayage Forest
* Foret Forest
* Ahegyre Woodlands
* Erdo Forest
* Mokri Durveta Forest
* Liboi Woods
* Gora Woods

### Gol Šiaurė

The region of Gol Šiaurė stretches....

The toughest and hardiest Akrainian folk come from the region of Gol Šiaurė, and not by chance or by culture. Gol Šiaurė acts as a defensive region against the Deadlands, by separating it from the rest of Akran. Gol Šiaurė's northern border, and also the northern border of Akran, are mostly taken up by a long defensive wall separated by several forts, known as the Akranian Death Walls, named after the idea that anyone that climbs over has either never returned, or has returned and died within the week. Occasionally members of militia are sent over the wall to fight away any beast or monsters that have ventured to close to the walls and have caused a threat to the safety of the realm.

Due to its geographical proximity such a hostile environment, most of its settlements are situated in the south of the region and the few that are in the north are guarded by encircling walls and a designated voluntary force of the Nightswatchmun

### Sachervo

Sachervo is the heart of Akran; geographically, politically and culturally. Its name comes from the Akranian words Cache meaning "gut" and avre meaning "rock" or avro meaning "rocky" due to its central position and mountainous hills, The Cairn Hills.

#### Notable Geographical features of Sachervo

* The Cairn Hills
* Neizvestna Lake
* The Mistmarsh

## Culture

### Values, Folkways and Mores

* Freedom
* Hard work
* Family

The inhabitants of Akran are generally friendly to any and all who greet them, but speak and act rather guardedly with anyone who isn’t native to the area. They derive from the same stock as the Eastern Oussainians, but the rift of the last few century has caused the two peoples to drift apart culturally as much as politically. The Akranians are proud of their re-established connection to the land and are thankful to their forefathers defiance, but many get somewhat defensive when rebellion becomes the topic of conversation.

### Language

Most Akranians speak the native Akranian, which is a offspring of Voreic, that emerged a few years before

#### Common Phrases

* Reflected in silver/ Back in silver- an exclamation variously expressing disbelief, frustration, excitement, or anger. (Similar to other nations "Oh my god(s)).

### Cuisine

#### Athecc Bread

Athecc bread is an Akranian delicacy and is tried by most visitors despite it being a relatively mundane item of food eaten by most on a regular basis. It is a pastry made by layering a mixture of whisked eggs and pieces of white cheese between very thin unleavened dough, topped with various herbs and fresh tomatoes before baking in the stone oven.

#### Kisela Dama

Akran is rich in dairy products, many farms house several goats or cows regardless of their focused produce. While the southern fina cheese is considered as one of the most popular, the country also has its very own version. Called Kisela dama, this white cheese is made with cow, sheep, or goat milk—or a mixture of all three—brined and served as table cheese.

Kisela dama is a tad softer, wetter, and generally creamier with a grainier texture than Fina cheese. But this white cheese is still as crumbly with a slightly citrusy flavor. This traditional Akranian cheese is served at almost every Akranian meal either in salads, with bread, or in pastries.

#### Tyliog

Tyliog is a traditional Akranian dish made of rolled cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, rice, and various spices then poached in water or tomato sauce. It’s a popular dish served during Winter, often with a side of yogurt.

Stuffed cabbage dishes like Tyliog can be traced back to ancient South East, before spreading to Eastern and Central Main Hemes through thriving trade routes and ethnic migrations. Today, tyliog goes by different names depending on the country. The minced meat, spices, and other stuffing may vary, but the dish stays generally the same: a delicious cabbage leaf stuffed with meaty goodness.

#### Mish-Mash

Mish-mash is a Akranian salad made with fresh cut vegetables, eggs, and sirene cheese. It’s typically made with tomatoes, onions, and peppers though it can be made with other vegetables as well like aubergine, okra, carrots, scallions, and garlic. It’s seasoned simply with black pepper and salt and often garnished with freshly cut parsley.

## Politics

The Freelands of Akran are governed by the council of the Freecity. The council normally consists of five members which are voted on by leading members of the community; such as the top university professors, representative head of a guild or a wealthy merchant that has given back to the regular folk in a significant way. Each of the other settlements has an officer who reports to the council (this would normally be considered a baron, yet it was specified in the Treaty of Paliá Edáfi that the Freelands should not be bestowed to anyone and remains the land of the people).

All possible electoral candidates must have had at least five years experience at court.

### Government

#### The Council of Akran

##### Current Councillors

* Iustus Mardenos
* Alcon Rampton
* Conrade Angelis
* Kostas Hylock
* Halie Prevost

## Military

### Army

Due to the Law of Freedom from Tyranny, even the Freeland, itself, is forbidden from holding command over a professional force of over fifty individuals and therefore The Freelands of Akran has no standing army.

### Militia

Despite lacking an army, the Freelands of Akran are far from undefended. The inhabitants of Akran defend their homes and its liberty with furious dedication. The very idea of losing their freedom sees the population form a large militia of mostly untrained but fervent soldiers.

### Enforcement

Again the law of Freedom from Tyranny forbids the nation from forming a force larger than 50 soldiers, however, in both cities an organisation has found legal room to ensure the safety of property and life. The Nightwatchmun are an organisation of volunteers who schedule patrols to ensure the best justice they can.

#### The Rangers of the Green Order

The rangers of the green order are a collection of devotees who protect a portion of the Tabraude region; slaying monsters and bringing lawless folk to justice. The order was established by Danail Dachev, a fighting man from Pentace, who was inspired by the safety provided to the Leronemian Kingdom by their Order of Verturian Knights.

The order, since the life of Danail Dachev, has kept tge forest lands of northern Tabraude as safe as the open plains. They dedicate their lives to living in the forest and serving those in the towns and villages as if they were their closest loved ones.

#### The Watchers of Orion

The Watchers of Orion are a semi-secret organisation dedicated to maintaining law and peace throughout Akran. The organisation is known for its beltmaking and charitable practices, however no-one outside of the organisation (since The Vampire Plight of Tabraude of 6002c.e) is aware of their real purpose.

The Watchers of Orion is divided into two halves; The Hunters and the Cleansers. The Hunters are sent to eliminate a threat once it has been identified, be it slaughtering a cult of evil, slaying a pack of dangerous werewolves, eliminating a clan of devils, or killing a proud bloodthirsty vampire. Anything that is deemed a significant threat is met with a party of Hunters to end its darkness. The Cleansers are the reclaimers of light, once darkness has been dispersed by Hunters it is the job of a group of Cleansers to heal the situation. Their jobs are much more varied and can range from rooting out hidden supporters of a cult, healing werewolf infections, or wiping the minds of those too terribly affected to carry on in civilised life so that they may return to peace.

## Economy

### Currency

* Blue Rass (BR)
* Tip (T)
* Ras (R)
* Tipple (t)
* Splint (s)

Unofficially, a lot of the lowest peasants (especially orphans), use flakes. Flakes are scraps of metal that have been shaved off and disregarded due to their lack of worth and then found their way to those who see some value in their existence.

### Wealth

A farmer outside of the city, employed by the council is paid one Tipple a day if they make their quota at the end of the week

## History

### The Birth of the Akranian People (5646c.e-5889c.e)

Due to the decreasing prominence in borders that once separated the land that would become The Freelands of Akran, trade and migration became increasingly present.