Naicha

The island nation of Naicha (NIGH kah), situated at
the center of the continent of Thyrin's great gulf, is a place of serene
beauty. Sylvan forests on the western banks spread into fertile grasslands
laced with rolling rivers on their way to the scenic Hawkroost Mountains along
the eastern shores. Cities of granite and marble, both plentiful in the
mountains, speckle the island nation on all sides.

The
Naichaen people, consisting primarily of humans and halflings, consider
themselves very civilized. They enjoy debate and the arts, athletic
competition, intellectual pursuits, and discourse over war. Though, as the
Saerasi have learned time and again over the millennia, the Naichaens are quite
skilled at tactics and warfare.

Their
government is a democratic republic overseen by a governing body called the
Consulate. The representatives to the Consulate are chosen by lot from eligible
citizens for a three-year term of service. The leader of the Consulate, called
the Polisec, is elected annually by the organization's membership and has final
authority over issues when the Consuls cannot reach a two-thirds majority
decision. Such verdicts, however, are usually made after significant polling of
the populace and many public debates.

Only
in times of emergency are decisions made solely on the will of the Consulate or
word of the Polisec, and the main source of emergencies among the Naichaen
people is Saeras, the human nation to its south. While their relationship has
been relatively civil and peaceful since the Naichaens declared themselves the
victors after the resolution of the Third Incursion of Kaos, the two nations
share a long history of invasion, espionage, and strife, usually instigated by
the Saerasi and their Primus. And while the Naichaens asked for no reparations
after the archangel Az's war, they continue to keep a wary eye on their
southern neighbors.

While
it was never a true theocracy, Naicha once venerated Roan as their national
patron deity. Despite Roan's position as patron, however, worship of the entire
pantheon was widespread and few were looked down upon for entreating other
gods, save the gods of darkness of whom open worship was outlawed. Roan instead
served as a figurehead, seen by the Naichaens as the logical and rational
"center" around which the pantheon revolved.

And
although Roan has chosen to take his place among the elder gods, withdrawing
much of his personal involvement with the affairs of mortals, he is still seen
as the patron of the nation, though now more as a figurehead among the gods. In
the place of his clergy, veneration of Riva, Bahamut, Corellon, and Cyrilalee
have become commonplace with Riva's clergy serving many of the duties once
performed by Riva's faithful. Roan's worship is still prevalent in his
monastery in the Hawkroost Mountains, and as a result he remains the central,
primary deity of the Starwise halflings and the other monks that reside amongst
them.

Naicha
maintains diplomatic relations with most of the races of the free world,
including the Værgar and Imperial Dragonborn, the human societies of Ceilar,
the Firbolgs, and, until their seclusion, the Faerie Isles. They also maintain
trade relations with the Wyrnsidh, Goliaths, and River Gnomes. The borders of
Naicha are relatively open and visitors are generally welcome from all over the
world. And as a naturally curious people, Naichaens have begun to their own
explorations into the cultures and socieites of their allies, becoming a more
common site across the seas.