Evershade

## **Government**

### **Government Type/Function**

Evershade is governed under an absolute monarchy by the God King Kerryn. He has been and will always be the leader of Evershade, and a new leader would only be appointed via a democratic vote in the event of his demise. Kerryn effectively handles most foreign matters and decisions involving the internal workings of the country, but his appointed generals make most of the military decisions.

#### High-Ranking Positions

##### God King

Kerryn, the God King, officially has power and jurisdiction over all happenings within Evershade, but he chooses to delegate certain operations of the country to his most trusted allies so as to relieve the responsibilities from his shoulders. He spends most of his time handling the foreign relations of his country alongside whoever is the current Highguard.

##### Generals

Aamir and Abbas are the two generals of Evershade's military. Kerryn has delegated his military power to the two of them. They are a large part of the reason that Evershade has stood its ground for so long against the Ra'bas. Unfortunately, due to the many soldiers that have died under their command, they are not well liked by the people of Evershade.

##### The Highguard

The Highguard is perhaps the most coveted status that a Breksta can obtain. While they do not command as much power as the God King or his generals, the Highguard's political influence due to his close relationship with the God King is invaluable. While the Highguard often performs many duties to serve the God King, their only true duty is to uphold their eternal oath to protect the God King with their life. Those who have failed to uphold their oath are dishonourably discharged from the position and banished from the country, shortly being replaced.

### **Border Policies**

Evershade borders Duskshine the home of the Ra'Bas. While Kerryn has not given any official command to close the borders between the two nations, travel between the two countries is uncommon due to the war that's been going on for longer than most can remember.

### **Currency**

Evershade's currency is referred to as "Riyals".

## **Geography**

### **Obscurity**

#### Nocturne

A massive market city where thousands of people engage in trade and commerce every day. It's defining feature is the massive bazaar in the center of the city where merchants from all over Astiri come to sell their goods and make their fortune. In the middle of the bazaar is the massive and grand royal palace of Kerryn, the God-King of Evershade.

#### Larout

A highly urbanized city where the wealthy and powerful live in massive homes and indulge in the many pleasures that come with money and influence.

#### Nakhira

Often referred to within Evershade as "The City of Merchants" as it's where many of the craftsmen and merchants of Evershade that aren't rich call home. It's a large city, but the vast majority of the buildings there are modest homes or shops.

### **Gloom**

#### Ta'arakh

The Gloom region is given its name due to the bleak nature of the activities in the region. Gloom is known for two things: poverty and crime, and Ta'arakh is well known for the latter. The city lives largely under the watch of four Brekstan crime bosses who control the city with an iron grip shrouded in terror and violence.

#### Chalayn

Chalayn is a dirty and depressing sight. The city is perhaps the youngest and poorest place in the entire nation, and this is largely due to the fact that it was established by failed merchants who could no longer afford homes in Nakhira.

### **Zil**

#### Ponagar

The self-proclaimed "Artisan's City", Ponagar is home to the finest musicians, painters, writers, and sculptors in all of Evershade. The sound of music and the sight of artwork never leaves the streets or the people's hearts.

#### Digaria

Evershade's city of pleasures. The center of the entire city is the largest brothel in the entire country (It is in fact run by a Ra'Bas woman who goes under the moniker Mistress Night, but this information is not known by more than 5 people). Breksta and a fair share of foreigners come to the city for evenings of pleasure -sometimes held in groups- in the many brothels. Although it's a very rare sight, occasionally their activities will be out in the open for the public to see.

#### Banenagar

Banenagar is the food lover's paradise. The smell of brilliant and exquisite food and drink fills the noses of all who walk down the city's streets. Chefs and bartenders from all across Astiri come to Banenagar to share their love of food with all who should visit the city.

### **Twilight**

#### Cerirhan

The two military cities of Twilight were built to specialize in the two sides of Evershade's army. Cerirhan is where Evershade's land military is based, and the city is overseen by General Abbas.

#### Rumabalah

Where Evershade's navy is based, this city is overseen by General Aamir.

### **Shadow's Cradle**

#### Owisa

Owisa is a hunting town with not many notable places or people, but the quietness of the city's vast jungles make it feel as if it's a small village you couldn't find on a map.

#### Damazig

Damazig is perhaps the most important city to Brekstan culture. It is viewed as their holy city. The reason for this is that when Kerryn first fell Astiri he landed in what is now Damazig. There is still a massive crater in the center of the town from where he first landed. Every year the vast majority of the country flocks to Damazig for the joyous celebration they call "The Birth of the Shadow" where they celebrate the beginnings of their race and their country.

#### Nakali

Nakali is a fairly small village where Breksta often move to if they seek to escape the city life and move to somewhere more rural.

#### Kisophu

Kisophu is home to Evershade's University where the brightest minds in Evershade educate the many scholars and prodigies that move there in the pursuit of knowledge.

### **Population**

* 80% Breksta
* 18% Ra'Bas
* 1% Anthean
* 1% Hybrids

## **Culture**

### **Common Trades**

While certain jobs are more common depending on the region and city that someone lives, the most common occupation in Evershade is that of a prostitute which is seen as a respected and honorable trade.

### **Traditions**

The Breksta dress very freely. They often elect to wear little more than a long skirt and brightly colored sashes that adorn their bodies.

Breksta tend to be vegetarians, and meat is not often consumed, produced, or imported into the country.

### **Religious Beliefs**

The Breksta acknowledge the divinity and greatness of all of the Masked Ones, but they hold their God King Kerryn as the creator and lord of their people.

### **Magical Practices**

Shadow magic is the most common form of magic used, but all types of magic are allowed within the country so long as it isn't used for destruction or violence.

### **Values**

There are no female Breksta in the country, and so the majority of the females in the country are Ra'Bas who are often looked down upon due to their ties with Duskshine and race. Relationships are a complicated matter in Evershade due to the fact that intercourse is seen as a very common and important thing to the Breksta. True intimacy- and thus a relationship- is distinguished by involving the heads of the two individuals involved. The head is sacred to the Breksta because it is where the horns that give them their magical power originate from. Intercourse and pleasure caused by the hands is seen as a very casual and friendly thing. However, when the head is involved in acts such as kissing; it's seen as very intimate and sacred.

### **Fighting Styles**

The Evershade military trains mostly in sword fighting and offensive shadow magic, including but not limited to illusions, blinding their enemies and concealing themselves.

### **Commonly Used Weapons**

The majority of the country's soldiers fight using scimitars, spears, katars, and kilij's.

## **History**

### **Wars**

Almost since the founding of the country, Evershade has been locked in a bloody war with Duskshine.

### **Renaissances and Reforms**

Very recently a team of Brekstan miners uncovered a strange metal deep within Evershade, that when made to resonate has magic dampening abilities. Upon its discovery, Kerryn ordered the production of war drums to be used by the military.

## **Leaders**

### **Current Leader**

Kerryn was the first of the Breksta as well as the creator of Evershade and the Breksta that live in it today. While he no longer has his abilities as a deity, Kerryn is blessed with immortality and still rules to this day.

## **Trivia**

* The architecture, clothing, and food of Evershade is very similar to that of Middle Eastern and Indian cultures.