Kingdom of Ira

## Description

Ira is known as "The Land of Deserts". It is surrounded by desert with few natural resources. The kingdom prospers through military might. It has few exportable products and most of the money from the kingdom comes from doing mercenary work for other kingdoms. Ira isn't extremely poor as the cities in the central area are flourishing. But, the money earned by the kingdom is concentrated within these central areas while the cities in the outer areas are parched and bare. The outer cities contain crumbling houses interspersed with shuttered shops. The people who live in the desert struggle to survive every day.

The capital of the Kingdom of Ira is Nikhe. It consists of rows of towering buildings. This city is also home to the palace of the royal family of Ira. This city is the kingdom's financial and culture center. It is also where Ira's Arena is located. This glittering city contrasts with the dreary desert towns in the outer areas.

The Kingdom of Ira has apparently been peaceful under Addis's rule.

As the Kingdom of Ira cares most about power, the kingdom's knowledge in regards to healing skills is pitifully low.

## Traditions

* There is a tradition in Ira where a fighting tournament is held every few years in the arena of the capital city Nikhe.
	+ The tournament is a symbol of Ira's mighty rule.
	+ The winner of the tournament receives a lot of money.
	+ Addis believes that the promise of a reward encourages people to be ready for battle.
	+ Addis also thinks that the tournament helps with raising a kingdom of cheap mercenaries for when he need them.
	+ Even criminals are given a chance to compete.
	+ Participants are allowed to use any kind of weapon or magic.
	+ Round 1 consists of a free-for all with dozens of fighters. The last 3 remaining will move on to the next round.
	+ Participants sometimes form temporary alliances and target specific people to knock out of the tournament.

## Festivals/Ceremonies

* Founding Day Ceremony - a celebration of the founding of the Kingdom of Ira where it is mandatory for all royals to attend
	+ The ceremony begins with a large-scale military parade in which an orchestra plays as royal guards enter the arena on horseback followed by foot soldiers. Royalty then show off their immense magical power through a physical demonstration of magic.

## Culture/People

* The people of Ira have a strong sense of justice and independence.
* They despise anything that defies their beliefs.
* The indignant settlers opted for this ideal battleground so that they could win every fight.
* Ira is built on the belief that power is everything and that one should cut off any weaknesses. (Lance's Consort Path)
* The Irian people are focused on enhancing their military might.
* The wealth gap between the people who live in the central areas of the kingdom and the outer areas is extreme. According to Lyle, this is due to the royal family's policies.
* The people living in the outer areas are very poor. These people have haggard faces and wear weatherbeaten clothes.
* The people living in Nikhe seem to be very wealthy. They are rich enough to have extra money to spend of luxuries such as jewelry.
* There is no middle class, there is only the poor and the wealthy.
* The kingdom has not invested in anything medical related or in helping the less fortunate.
* Poor people do not rebel as they are afraid of being apprehended by the guards.

## Automata

* The royal family has tens of thousands of magically powered automata underneath the castle that can only be activated by the royal family's ancient magic.
* The power of one or more royal family members can be used to power all the automata at once.
* The automata listen to the the royal family member that most recently gave them power and issued them a command. So, another royal family member can override the commands by giving them their power and issuing a different command.
* These automata were created in ancient times to be used on the battle field.
* They are described as being pitch black clockwork creatures.
* They move on all fours using a disjointed combination of grinding and slithering to chase after its targets.

## Exports

* Irian Quartz - a precious brown jewel only found in the mountains of Ira
* Irian Silk - silk that has intricate patterns woven into it

## Ancient Magic

* The Ancient Magic of Ira is the ability to amplify the will to fight in others.

## Relationships w/ Other Kingdoms

* Ira is friendly towards Luxure and hostile towards Avari.
* Ira has an economic agreement with Avari, Akedia, Luxure, and Qelsum. (Enchanted & Entwined - Rio's Route)
* In Book 4 of the Prince's Path, King Addis decided to withdraw from The Colde Alliance. So, it is possible that Ira may attack the other kingdoms or the Isle of Colde.

## Images of Ira

Ira PortIra Port (Sunset)Streets of an Irian CityArenaArena in Ira (Evening)Box SeatArena AntechamberNikhe CityIra Castle HallwaysIra Castle Hallways (Sunset)Ira Castle CourtyardIra Castle Throne RoomIra Castle Grand HallLance's RoomLance's Room (Night)Room in Ira CastleUnderground Levels of Ira Castle