Ingrastel

The capital Ingrastel at night in the winter

*For the capital, see Ingrastel (city).*

> *"If you like undeath, gigantism, and wolfmen, this is the perfect nation to set yourself up in; just don't expect to live very much longer after you do."*
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> - A sarcastic quote often attributed to Ingrastel by its natives.
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**Ingrastel** is a country within Akilos, the second-largest continent in Siira. Ingrastel's foundation as a near city-state has lead to the nation and capital, Ingrastel, to be synonymous with each other. Ingrastel has a unique magick footprint, in that supernatural issues are constant, unlike many other countries. It is not unheard of for groups of Haveners to go missing due to a full moon, caravans on the sides of roads being abandoned with giant claw marks etched into their sides, or even entire villages being swallowed by the mist that accompanies the Harvest Months. Strangely, this fog or mist appears to act as a deterrent from these phenomena spreading to other nations, as the intensity of Ingrastel's bizarre nature has rarely been recorded outside its borders. The capital of Ingrastel is the city of the same name, Ingrastel.

## Ancient History

Ingrastel was first settled by various Coastal Urnish peoples sometime before 2000 B-AN. The landscape lending itself to far easier farming opportunities, the Urns quickly established themselves in this new land, settling mostly within the coastal regions in the east, though with significant amounts of settlers also within the westernmost regions. The centre of Ingrastel was largely uninhabited during this time, as this area was considered isolated due to the abnormally thick forests within this region. However, eventually the Urns themselves would begin to claim these regions as their own in order to connect the two largest settlements. This expansion was short-lived when various other people began to expand into Ingrastel.

Starting around 1000 B-AN, the first true colonization efforts from the modern-day corresponding regions of Tulôn, Grovensreitch, and Übrich began in full force, searching for new lands eastward to populate. Initially meeting the interlopers with hostility, the Urns eventually relented and allowed the newcomers to stay, which, in turn, would rapidly grow the nation as a whole.

In 330 B-AN, settlers from Easthaven began a rapid influx of settlement into Ingrastel, spurred primarily by trade. At this time, the Urn population was too small to resist and, by 100 B-AN, was largely subsumed by the larger ethnic Schungesters from Grovensreitch, Easthaven, and Übrich.

By 43 B-AN, the nation had formed from various ideas by the remaining ethnic Urnish populations, Schungesters, and Tûlens. The resulting government became the modern state of Ingrastel.

Throughout this entire history, there has been a considerable underbelly teeming with magical creatures. These are mostly of the dangerous kind. Things such as werewolves, giant spiders, and unexplained disappearances all contributed to the formation and locations of the various ethnicities, cultures, and practices which grip the region. This was a large reason for the formation of a centralized government.

## Modern History

In 198 C-FE, Ingrastel, alongside The Crags and Creśtāu, became embittered over the various borderlands between the two nations. This culminated

In a brief war between the two former against the latter. In the end, Crestau was considered the political winner, and was afforded the highly-coveted “Cradle Zone”, which was a massive, agriculturally-rich area. Although it would be assumed that eight-hundred years would allow these negative effects to dissipate, Ingrastel continues to enforce decrees prohibiting importation of Crestau goods.

In 216 C-FE,

During the twilight months of 390 C-FE,

Beginning from 475 C-FE and ending in 510 C-FE,

In 712 C-FE,

750 C-FE

799 C-FE

834 C-FE

Beginning from 898 C-FE to 900 C-FE,

1000 C-FE, modern day.

## Government

Ingrastel sits in an odd region of Akilos infamous for various, aggressive beasts and magickal aggressors which plague the denizens of the lands. The modern government of Ingrastel, originally a collection of various, smaller kingdoms and local governments, was created to combat this issue.

The Government of Ingrastel is a theocratic democracy, though this is considered to be a loosely-binding government organization. The nation is founded on principles of Ingrastel, the city, expanding its borders to meet the various frontiers currently beset by the creatures, thieves, and Magicks dotted across their borders. The theological aspect comes from Iunara (Ingrastel Urnish: Jurmaga), the Goddess of Light, being worshipped as the ultimate leader which protects and guides the people of Ingrastel from all manner of encounters.

The head of state, known as the ‘Chief’ (Ingrastel Urnish: Ked) oversees both religious and state matters. This process is chosen partly by a candidate being voted by the citizens and the Inner Senate, which judges the winning candidate for their religious qualities. Should there be no candidate, or all candidates expelled, the Inner Senate produces their own candidates for the people to vote in. Voting is done on the basis of the majority of the population voting for a single candidate, and a minimum of one-third of the Inner Senate approving said candidate. Should the Inner Senate produce their own candidates in the event of an absence, the majority of the people vote for their winning candidate, excluding an Inner Senate vote. Lastly, should there be a tie from both parties, the previous Chief, should they be alive, will vote in their candidate. Should they be deceased, the Inner Council will meditate for five days for a sign of who the Chief should be.

The limit of a Chief term is usually ten years, with two renewal votes being allowed at any point in the Chief’s lifespan. They may also resign at the beginning of their third, fifth, and end of tenth year, waiving the privilege of being voted into office again at any point.

In extreme emergencies, it is not uncommon for the previous Chief to be temporarily reinstated.

## Society and Culture

Ingrastel’s culture was originally Urnish, and today still hosts a noticeable substratum directly from Urnish peoples. However, Ingrastel in the modern-day, due to comparatively recent colonization, has significantly “easternized” values.