Iltashtha

**Iltashtha** [ɯltaʃθa] is a nation found in the south east of Niapti. It is south east of Na Kua, west of Thaupenas and north of the south pole continent. The people of Iltashtha are known as Iltashne [ɯltaʃne] and speak dialects of the language Iltashthu [ɯltaʃθʊ], a Kua-Kheikan language within the Kua-Calon family. Iltashtha's main industries revolve around the abundance of timber, iron, nickel, copper and silver and are traded throughout the world mainly for agricultural produce. There are two main ethnic groups in Iltashtha, the Iltashne who are the ruling race and the Miqon, who are the original natives of the land.

## Politics

Iltashtha is an authoritarian and nationalist state controlled by a bureaucracy. Technically, the King or Queen of Iltashtha holds the majority of power, however, as the country modernized, the bureaucracy (such as nobles and advisors) surrounding the king gained more influence over the military and guard force. This lead to Iltashtha only being a monarchy by name.

### Monarchy

The Current Iltashne monarchy is the Pelteka [pɛltɛka] family and the reigning monarch is Pelteka VIII, who inherited his position from his uncle Pelteka VII. The Iltashtha Monarchy selects a new heir once the old monarch either abdicates or dies. This is usually the first-born nephew or niece of the previous monarch. Unless the Next monarch is not the first born nephew or niece, they inherit the same name as the previous monarch. There are however times when a monarch has refused the name and created a new name. If there is no first born nephew or niece to inherit the position then the next people able are the great nephews and nieces. However the king's children are not allowed to inherit unless there are no other heirs, which stems from an old rule of the reigning monarch taking a vow of celibacy.

### Administration

There are 12 provinces in Iltashtha, all of which are administered by a lord. The guard force, navy, state army, trade and commerce, and propaganda are all controlled by bureaucrats in the capital. Each month, the lords meet up with the capital bureaucrats to discuss a variety of topics, and make changes to policy.

## Culture

Iltashne culture revolves around the family, community, national identity, and religion. This was especially true before the modern period. The Iltashne were known for their toughness and respect to people who are were within their community. As time has moved on the focus has drifted towards a strong national pride because of a decrease in rural populations in favor of city life. This caused old communities to give way for larger numbers of people which homogenized Iltashne culture and society. Most foreigners have to earn the respect of a rural community, usually by generosity, however it is easiest for an outsider to assimilate into a larger town or city. Non Niapti people are especially shunned for there lack of common kinship and outsiders are usually overlooked unless they have already established themselves.

### Music

The Iltashne culture have a long-lasting musical tradition. There are three main instruments played traditionally in the region. The irasu [irasʊ] is a semi muted eight stringed instrument, played in a huge variety of techniques however has half sharps/half flat notes as part of a 24-note microtone system. The top four strings are played as drone notes and can be altered before performance and the four bottom strings are used to play melody. The paaele [pa:ele] is a type of metal flute that allows its player to half cover the holes in order to produce microtones. They can come in a variety of tone ranges for specific purposes. Finally, the tepe [tepe] is a set of five metal drums used as percussion tuned to their players leisure. The instruments can be played together as part of an ensemble or separately. Traditionally every child within Iltashtha learned at least one of these three instruments if not all, and today they are still often heard being played in all corners of the country from temples to street corners. In the modern landscape they can be further combined with other instruments from around the world. Throat singing is also a musical practice in Iltashtha, and general vocals are often also used, especially during religious ceremonies.

### Religion

The Iltashne believe that life is a cycle and that maintaining the cycle is the only thing maintaining life in the world and keeping a soul from eternal damnation in the void. This is why the Iltashne always perform elaborate burials to make sure the souls of the dead can live again. This involves singing and playing music, dancing and traditionally animal sacrifice. The body is then cremated and the ashes are mixed with the earth, representing the cycle of life and death. It is also extremely common for new-born children to be named after dead relatives, since it is a common belief that family reincarnates. This has resulted in some first names reoccurring in the family for hundreds of years.

The Iltashne used to perform brutal rituals for their animalistic deities. This usually involves sacrificing a goat or an ox to a bear or pack of wild dogs, because their gods are said to manifest themselves as predatory animals. Thankfully, this practice has been largely abandoned as the nation became more international. The temple is the central hub of small villages throughout Iltashtha, and more traditional people congregate to temples at least twice a day while more progressive Iltashne tend to only go for important ceremonies.

Ceremonies usually including singing and prayer to the gods. Occasionally The people write notes of guilty thoughts and put then throw them into a fire. Each day there is one prayer for one of the five major gods in the morning and one to the god of dusk during the evening. Since the Iltashthe weeks are five days this works perfectly.

Iltashne religion is going through a small shift. In the past, most of the religion was dominated by worship of animals and the gods while today more focus is being put onto ancestor worship.

## Technology

### Military

Iltashtha have a state of the art navy including 41 destroyers and a submarine force of unknown numbers. There are approximately 53000 soldiers in the Iltashne State Army and 7 armored divisions. Despite the large scale military, Iltashtha is quite a Isolationist and has no real aspiration to invade others, or colonize, instead opting to strengthen its marine territory and borders, and open to international relations, trade and ideas.

### Agriculture

Iltashtha has a climate unsuited to large scale crop farming however is known for its fishing and cattle industries. Fresh water fish farming is very common in the lakes and reservoirs within Iltashtha and off the east cost many marine species of fish and squid are taken. Cattle farming is done in the north of iltashtha, where the climate is milder, however tick moths are a serious problem within Iltashtha especially in the summer which is why pet bats are used to remove such pests. In the past fur was also an important export however there is less demand for it in the modern day.

### Advancements

Iltashtha has made many advancements in mining and fishing particularly and thus have large industries for both. The country is also known for having great carpenters, blacksmiths and glass workers.

## Climate

Since Iltashtha Is close to the south pole, It is extremely cold during the winter and has a moderate temperature during the the summer. There are three main climate zones within Iltashtha. The north is covered in vast forest and south of that there are large open tundras. At the very south, there is a range of volcanos caused by a subduction zone between the continental and oceanic plates, which means the very south is a volcanic wasteland. The south is also the only part of of the country considered to be in the south-polar circle as summer is a perpetual day and winter is a perpetual night.