Windward

**Windward** (wɪndwɔrd) is a country located in the northern part of the continent of Amura. It's capitol is Cressent.

### Geography

Windward is a coastal nation host to heavy Karst topography. The ground is composed mostly of limestone, dolomite, and sandstone. The ocean in and around Windward is simply called the Windward Sea. Karst formations rise directly from the ocean. Windward is predominantly tropical in climate.

Limestone is a valuable material that is found abundantly in Windward. Quicklime, created by burning limestone, is used in refinement of silver ore (used to produce Rinks), cement, and is sometimes used for light and heat by spelunkers. Many permanent buildings in Windward are constructed from limestone or sandstone.

Dolomite and aluminum are found alongside rubies and sapphires in Windward mountain mines. Dolomite is used to make glass, pottery glaze, and in gardening.

### Government

A committee called the Council of Villages meets twice a year, lead by the mayor of Cressent. All villages in Windward are encouraged to send an elected spokesperson or leader to attend the Council. With a leader in attendance, villages can be majority voted in as members of the Council of Villages. Villages that are members of the Council are expected to follow certain laws, and receive certain legal protections and benefits in exchange. Villages who choose not to be a part of the Council are granted legal sovereignty.

The Council will provide a few Windward guards to each village in the Council, and the village will be visited regularly by federally-funded trade ships to exchange goods.

Villages in the Council are subject to the laws and disciplinary actions of the Council.

### Culture

#### Cuisine

Windward's tropical climate lends to a great variety of available foods, mostly fruits. Many Windward natives are vegetarian or pescatarian. Meat, if consumed, is almost always ocean fish and crustaceans, and red meat is almost unheard of. Domesticated jungle fowl are often raised in villages, and their meat is regarded as a special treat. Open land for growing livestock or grains is fairly rare. Breads are cracker-like, unleavened and crunchy, often herby and salted. Windward's cuisine is notably sweet, perhaps to accommodate for the minimal starches present.

There is a prevalent cultural belief in Windward that food provides spiritual nourishment when fresh. According to this belief, the further that a food is processed or removed from its natural, living state, the less spiritual energy it provides to the eater. Thus, there are many spiritual Windwardians who only consume fresh fruit directly from the plant. Dishes involving raw fish are common and likely arose from this belief.

Food is typically preserved by brining, as the humidity, heat, and insects of Windward shorten the lifespan of fresh foods and make curing difficult. Preserved food is often only found in dense population areas, such as the capitol city of Cressent.

Windwardians typically eat 4-5 small meals in a day without set mealtimes. Eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty, and sleeping when tired are all important quality of life standards for Windwardians.

Handcooking is a particular style of traditional foodmaking. Handcooking involves literally using only one's hands as utensils; in place of knives, items are ripped apart with as much precision as possible, and instead of spoons, meals - even those which are actively cooking - are stirred with the bare hand. The more that human hands are involved directly in the cooking process, the higher quality the food is perceived as. Many handcooks deliberately train their hands to lose sensitivity to heat so that they can engage with their cooking process more directly.