Ijhier

## Government

### The Zarod

The lands of Ijhier are ruled over by the Zarod Alexales Malae. The Zarod is the messenger of Zarodossa and has complete authority.

### The Dogas

The lands of Ijhier were once ruled over by one Doga of court Malae. Now, the court has begun to divide up responsibility of the spread-out lands among a set of hereditary Doga titles. Alexales intends to nominate a new Doga of Daria to rule the eastern province, and a new Doga of Morata to rule the northern province.

### The Loros

Each municipality or rural area is administered by a Loro with authority to appoint an Invoker who deals with civil disputes and criminal justice. They have the authority to initiate civil projects within their area of jurisdiction and set local by-laws that include collection of local taxes. After a term in office of 6 years, a Loro must seek re-appointment from their Doga. Most Loros pass the title to others within the same court, though there is no official requirement for the title to be hereditary.

#### **Millile-of-the-Cabat:**

This local millile is made up of Ijhier's own men and is based in Darmimin Bankaarmabeau. It is well equipped and heavily armoured with an auxiliary centile of Ashanzu rangers specialized in traveling through the thick jungles and forests of the Daria Rainforest and Ijhier Forest.

### Navy

Ijhier does not have a dedicated naval force. Instead, they are protected by the Crimson Sails' Northern Fleet under the command of Ashanzu Arcen Sunny Big-eye Commodore Man. Their fleet is specialized with short pursuits of pirate ships and moving troops around the Jarrisa Sea

## Economy

Ijhier is a modest Zarodom compared to other advanced nations. However, it is the center of commerce for the Morata region, and a major exporter of luxury goods to the Cellian Empire. Technologically inferior to the nearby Caugos Confederacy, its people recognize their failings and are keep to find remedies to their deficiencies.

### Darwemin Seridiufura

A city built on an island near the mouth of the Darsuwes Fuval and protected by the nearby Darwekep Loro is Darwemin Seridiufure. A wealthy town of 8000 ashanzu that exports incenses, perfumes, and inks has begun to slowly decline as seaborne trade collapses. It is the base of operations of the Crimson Sails in Jarrisa Sea and the cite of the Alfar's heroic last stand during the Cellian Wars. Locals here are on the fringe of the empire and many are worshipers of Feyus or Lesellia.

### Darnomin Bankaluma

The city of Darnomin Bankaluma has grown to 4000 people as the Caugos Confederacy has grown larger. It is the main trade hub used by Iridian merchants bringing wares to the Cellian Empire. It is also a hub for any Alfar-based trade goods coming down the Alfar River. It is also a major slave port where wealthy Arcen from across the empire purchase expensive Iridian and Alfar slaves. Unlike most Cellian ports, the Iridians have refrained from attacking this port.

### Darmiesmin Copaarga

Like many other hubs of mineral processing in the empire, the proliferation of the blast furnace has meant that this small town grew larger and began to extract and process iron as well. Darmiesmin Copaarga in the rough Daria Rise with poor, rocky soil that makes farming the land difficult. Seasonal rains can also cause both flooding and drought. Large public works have gone into creating water reservoirs to keep up with the growing population.

### Darsuesmin Bankafia

A tiny city built horizontally along the coast at the center of dozens of the fishing villages taking advantage of the warm ocean currents between Daria and Poneius. The main pier is made of stone and goes far out to see to allow even moderately-keeled ships to make port. When seasonal storms come in, the entire village will sometimes evacuate inland to avoid ocean swells. Its inland vineyards are not as famous as Kavees', but are a cheaper local alternative in Ijhier.

### Darmimin Bankaarmabeau

The beautiful white-sand beaches of Darminmin Bankaarmabeau are the pristine example among the Jarrisa Coast. This city of 9000 is a common resting place for long voyages and a destination for pilgrims of Akatu and Lesellia. The beaches are said to be white from the ground up bones of an ancient battle between Leviathans and local Ashanzu which was won by an priestess that many would since claim was Lesellia herself. Now, its high-end inns and many temples are a destination for the rich as well seeking to relax in more temperate climates.

### Darmimin Terra

Ijhier's soil is notoriously poor, but an important exception is in Darmimin Terra, where the Darmies Fuval slows and begins to meander, spreading rich sediments over a wide area. The small town of 3000 has many orchards that produce citrus, sugar, and rice. The town is isolated from many of the dangers of the world and as such is both wealthy and an expensive place to live.

## Culture

### Multicultural Origins

The population of local Vasten Ashanzu were conquered in 1579 by Daria Rafil and were originally enslaved. Their status as slaves was not based on race, and over time some of the Vasten minority gained citizenship. This process was accelerated after the conquest of Ijhier in 1671. Trade began to flow into Morata (Country) around this time, leading to a small minority of Alfar within the borders.Many generations have made the locals - like the locals of Kavees - show traits of both Cellian and Vasten Ashanzu - Colonial Ashanzu.

As a result of The Cellian Wars, the local Alfar population was severely depleted, but The Fall of Morata brought many new diasporas there. At the same time, the rise of the Caugos Confederacy brought several thousand Human settlers.

### Religion

The state-deity of the Zarodom of Ijhier is Zarodossa. Her laws and teachings guide the legal framework that Ijhier's people live under. However, religious freedom exists and worship of other gods, particularly Feyus and Lesellia, has grown over the years. This influence has led many Alfar holidays being celebrated by locals, and Alfar are significantly over-represented in the ranks of bards and artists.

### Naming Conventions

The naming conventions of Colonial Ashanzu are derived from their Cellian conquerors. However, the Vasten influence has caused the middle initials to more frequently be adopted as humourous jokes or personality descriptors, rather than literal descriptions of one's body.

### Family Structure

Husband and Wife are bound together in a family unit by a cleric of Lesellia. Though often motivated by business or family connections, the personal significance of marriage is emphasized in Ijhier, in contrast to the rest of the Empire. Usually both parents are young adults aged 18 to 20 at the time of union.

Couples do not raise their eggs directly. Instead, the entire extended family of a dozen married couples will offer their clutch to be raised by their grandparents, effectively skipping a generation. In some instances, middle-class Vaniens may pay for others to reproduce on their behalf, and the children will be adopted into the family. Genetic heritage is less important because there is little variance from one Ashanzu to the next.

### Alignment

Ijhier's population are conformist but the lack of a clear majority has led to a middle-ground of alignment between the various parties. Most citizens are expected to behave as true neutral. Inherently, most are Good aligned in private and present a stoic, neutral face to the public. Their laws are powerful, but personal freedoms are emphasized such that strong laws are seen as a tool to create good governance, rather than the objective of it.