The Slavi Monarka

The Slavi Monarka (slaw-vee moan-arr-kuh) is a small kingdom in northeast Mystara, populated almost exclusively by the Slavi race. Among Mystaran kingdoms, it is regarded as run down, backwards, and brutal. This, however, is partially due to Jadar bias against The Slavi themselves. This bias has resulted in a series of policies which have isolated The Slavi from land trade through Mystara, forcing The Slavi to look to The Nordur, The Minns, and eventually Ealan to help expand their economy and development.

As a whole, The Monarka is poorer than its Mystaran counterparts, with fewer resources and allies, and with a very harsh landscape to work with. It has persisted nevertheless.

Because of their isolation, The Slavi have developed a highly unique culture.

### Geography

Slavi has three main biomes:

* Steppes in the south along the border with The Rockanies
* Tundras in the center, west, and north
* Taiga in the east

The Southern Steppes are dry, cold yellow grasslands leading into The Rockany Lowlands along Mystara's western coast. They are semi-arid, and good for mainly herds of sheep, bison, and wild horses.

Most of Slavi is comprised of arid tundras, making the soils difficult to work. Over the years, through many famines and poor harvests, The Slavi have been able to regularly grow a handful of crops within them, mainly: potatoes, beets, carrots, and turnips. They have sought help from The Bretten's in this respect, gleaning a lot of knowledge and technology from them in the process. The tundra biome stretches from the northern reaches of The Steppes, the western border of Bjorn's Taiga, and all the way to the western, southern, and northern coasts.

The northern border of Slavi meets both Mardoll's Abyss, The Neverlands, and The Havas Mountains.

Bjorn's Taiga in the east is actually part of The Muscovy Forest. It is mostly uninhabited, even by ogres and witches.

### Economy

Currency in Slavi is called the Senest. They are iron coins of various sizes, denoting their value.

The economy of The Monarka is less developed than its Mystaran counterparts, as The Slavi were forced into survival mode, enduring famines and poor agricultural development while the rest of the continent boomed. They received little help throughout most of that time.

Their main exports are:

* Pig Iron mined from The Havas.
* Flax, hemp, sailcloth, and linen, grown from plants in The Steppes.
* Tallow, mainly from sheep, goats, and bison.

Trade is primarily conducted with their neighbors: The Rockanies, The Clan-Lords of The Havas, The Brettens, and The Nordur the latter of which conduct caravans through The Havas and The Northern Passage on their behalf. Sea trade is tough given the length of Mystara’s coastline and the treacherous icy seas in the north. They have, however, been able to establish trade routes with Ealan in recent years as their sailing and navigation skills improve.

Their main crops are cabbage, beets, turnips, onions, carrots, and potatoes, cereals, and berries. Agriculture is not a major operation overall, with most agriculture being subsistence in nature, although recent Monarkas have been working to centralize food production as much as possible.

### Government

The capital of Slavi is Rodina.

Other main cities include Ticeni, Balisha, and Krolev.

The Slavi government is best styled as a localized, benevolent dictatorship masquerading as a monarchy (monarka). The Monark is an absolute ruler, with no formal legislative assembly that makes laws in his or her stead, or that checks the office’s power. Traditionally, Slavi has been a poor, harsh country, with no power, reach, or wealth. The last 250 years they have struggled against their historical status, working to beautify and strengthen their country and earn respect amongst their peers. The current Monark is Niki The Great. She belongs to House Vollov, one of the newly styled aristocratic houses of the Intelligentsa.

The common cultural theme of existentialism is amplified amongst The Monarkas and Intelligentsa, as they are the most impacted by their second rate status in The Middle Realm. This results in numerous social programs to instigate industry, creativity, and national pride such as The Grevy Programs instituted by Niki's father, Lev.

#### Military

The Monarka's military force is known as The Soldaty, which is a hodgepodge, with low quality weapons and armor compared to their counterparts. Arming swords and axes are common, and the armor is drab, colored dark brown and red, and made of lightweight bison leather, chainmail, or iron coin. Their swords and polearms are a collection of different styles, quality, and condition. In the past, weapons have been purchased on the cheap from other Jadar kingdoms who didn’t want them anymore. As their wealth has increased, they are steadily purchasing arms from Strongsunder and The Nordur.

Discipline has been lacking for quite some time in the Soldaty, but under recent Monarks it has improved via a top down effort from the Monarks and Intelligentsa to fix its reputation and ability towards national defense. The Kommandants have gotten harsh, implementing extreme regiments and punishments to keep desertions down and drive integrity in the companies.

At full strength, The Soldaty consists of 30,000 men.

Slavi is not a naval power, and they are not known for shipbuilding or seafaring even in trade. In order to build up their naval defenses, they are slowly building their own ships using lumber from The Muscovy. It has not been going well, however, as shipbuilding has never been in their wheelhouse. They have since hired Nordur shipbuilders as consultants to help speed up the process.

### Culture

For centuries, the Slavi were belittled by their neighbors, particularly the Jadar, who see them as bastard children. Despite the social stigmas against them, their ability to survive—and thrive—in a harsh environment they were forced into has made them a very proud culture. They can be rather cold and brash on the surface, and their culture can often seem the same way, but truthfully, despite the weather and landscape, Slavi is a very warm, welcoming and beautiful place. There’s a certain charm within the Monarka if you dare to uncover it. But it’s certainly not for everyone.

They offer guests a meal or snack with liquor. Both of which can literally be anything.

Greetings are a simple head nod and high bow

Gifts are customary when invited to a Slavi's house for a meal. Men are expected to bring flowers– but not yellow ones, as they are a symbol of betrayal due to a legend with their ancestor, Slavi. The Slavi are not great receivers of gifts though, and will often decline until you insist. Babies are not to be given gifts until they are born. It is considered bad luck to do so.

Shoes are taken off at the door, often left in makeshift cubbies just inside the entrance.

Punctuality is important, and not arriving on time when expected is seen as insulting and disrespectful.

Slavi culture as a whole is based on respect: for the homeland, for elders, and for hierarchy. Therefore, the oldest and most honored at the table are served first. It is rude to eat until invited by the host. It is customary to stay at the table until invited to leave, especially in formal settings. The Slavi are extremely hospitable and treat their guests with the utmost care. Travelers are given special protection by The Monarka. Harming a traveler in any way, regardless of race or origin, is met with stiff punishment. Vigilante justice is allowed in the case of protecting travelers, and those who harm them are often beaten multiple times and publicly shamed for their crime.

Slavi are typically seen as depressed, dreary drunks, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. They are lively, hopeful, and down to earth.

It is also rude to waste as the landscape is harsh and resources are generally scarce in Slava. Slavans will be furious if t anything in their home is wasted.

Births are done in-home with the help of local midwives, and are generally bleak but hopeful. Funerals are as well. Those who attend bring a gift of something they believe the deceased can use or enjoy in the afterlife, and the body is placed into a wood coffin surrounded by and wrapped in linen.

#### Family

Slavi is an egalitarian culture. Within society-at-large, as well as within families and smaller social groups, hierarchy remains important. The established order, however, is based on necessity. Therefore, women often take charge if necessary or desired, and their authority is very well respected. Women as a whole are granted much more respect than in the Jadar kingdoms.

Slavi have small families, due to resources traditionally being scarce. As resources become more available from trade and advancement, this has been slowly changing.

Everyone is expected to contribute to household duties and to society. No one is exempt. Those who try to shirk their duties are shamed.

#### Sexuality

Due to their angsty and somber cultural attitudes, the Slavi are not too concerned about sexual promiscuity. The culture is not sex-crazed like Silicia. It is not done out in the open or talked about in social settings, but there are no hard and fast taboos on sexuality. Incest is extremely common, although it is being phased out due to birth defects. Extra-marital affairs are often overlooked, even among spouses. Homosexuality among men is done in secret, though it is somewhat common, especially in the soldaty—and usually for pleasure or warmth, rather than romance.

Pleasure houses have always been common, though they struggled for a while with cleanliness and disease prevention. Slavi is the site of The Silken Dragons' newest location, bringing new standards for prostitution within The Monarka.

#### Food

Slavi cuisine is generally regarded the same as they are: bastardly, plain, unexciting, and at times, gross.

Produce is mostly made up of cabbage, carrots, beets, turnips, onions, and potatoes. Meat options consist of lamb, goat, bison, and beef, with goat milk, goat cheese, butter, and milk rounding out dairy options. Fruit is rare.

Common dishes:

* Silvochny- Cabbage and potato milk soup
* Masnoy- dense meat pockets filled with beef, onions, and cabbage
* Kasha- porridge, the traditional Slava breakfast. It is often styled as a dessert as well.
* Smes- a broad dish, a mixture of raw vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips with boiled potatoes, chopped sausage, and drenched in raw egg.
* Kuznoy- a sweet flavored dessert made from gelatin sourced from animal bones. It comes in orange, green, red, and yellow.

Vodka is the traditional drink of choice, and is made from fermented potatoes.

#### Art

Figuriki- Wooden figures painted colorfully to ward off the winter spirits. Often in the form of voluptuous women, strong warriors, or colorful humanoids.

Kukla- small dolls made of colored linen and hemp and stuffed with strawgrass.

Tkat- colorful weaves that decorate houses

Folk dancing-

Zhivaya- upbeat folk music played with Stuk drums and a Golubev giturai– a high pitched stringed instrument with a long, thin neck and a triangular base.

Simfonya- or symphony music is becoming more popular amongst the higher class and in the royal palace.

Ballet— an elegant form of dancing, and one of the more prominent ways The Slavi are repairing their reputation.

#### Literature

Slavi literature is generally reflective of the broader culture: bleak, existential, and angsty. Its most famous pieces are: Alexei Orgonazov’s The Smoke and The Sickle, Eva Agapov’s Motherland, and Grigory Krupin’s Legenda.

Motherland

#### Medicine

Health and medicine amongst the Slavi are improving, but still rudimentary. Vodka is used as a disinfectant, dealing with forms of stress, and for daily cleaning. Dairy, in the form of kefir and butter are used for treating dryness of skin. Sanitation is subpar, and disease can be rampant in poor areas, but the recent Monarkas have been working to remedy this.

Pharmacopeia are available in a few select locations, but can often be too expensive for most people. Instead, local healers are used, who focus on remedies like the above which were formed over many centuries of living in isolation.