The Republic of Kyriabor

Travelogue as of LY 2142

The Lay of the Land Kyriabor spans most of the central portion of the continent of Jaastenland. Bounded by the sea and the Alaan Mountain range, Kyriabor is a country of diverse geographical areas. Its northern shores lie some 2,000 miles south of the Four Kingdoms of Saltwave. The north coast is rocky, with cliffs and inlets buffeted by the storms of the Solar Sea. Though the coast is storm-lashed in winter, it remains free of ice all year.

Beyond the Carhill Mesas to the south of Elantra is the most fertile farmland in Jaastenland, stretching for hundreds of miles through dells and broad river valleys. The eastern forests are thick and lush, logged carefully under the guidance of the druidic Earth Mother faith. The foothills of the Alaan range are home to the so-called "wild" Kzinti and are rich with mineral wealth. The rivers and streams of the northern spike of the Alaan drain into the red dirt of the Wittiard plains. The great lakes of Dachenmeer and Aatanago provide food, livelihood and transportation for the citizens of the heartland of Kyriabor.South of Kyriabor is the Southern Patriarchy of Chirrar'-Hroch, a dangerous neighbor. The Grand Dominion of Smeisserand lies to the west. The lands of the kenku border Kyriabor beyond the forests to the east.

Politics

In theory, the Chancellor and the Senate submit major decisions to each other for review and approval. In practice, they often tend to their own areas of interest and power. Political figures belong to one of three different schools of thought, or Philosophies, that drive politics within the nation of Kyriabor. The three Philosophies also keep the Senate from resolving many of the important or devisive issues facing the country. This was an intentional part of the governmental structure created by the founders.

The major Philosophies are the Progressive School, the Aristocratic School, and the Moderate School. Each has its proponents, exemplars, and detractors. Each also has enough money and power to hold public opinion.

• The Progressive philosophy encourages growth, expansion, trade with other nations, and technological betterment. The Progressives hold about 25% of the seats in the Senate.
• The Aristocratic philosophy encourages policies that further the interests of the wealthy, educated, and elite. The Aristocrats hold about 20% of the Senate, but have greater wealth and backing to draw upon. They often work in concert with the Moderates, but are much less inclined to preserve individual rights. Kraanicher humans make up the majority of the senators holding the Aristocratic philosophy.
• The Moderate philosophy cautions against rapid change and imbalances of power and seeks to preserve the individualistic ideals that helped found the nation. The Moderates hold about 55% of the Senate. This is the philosophy of most appeal to the common man or woman in Kyriabor. It also has the backing of the druids within the country, and of the single elven senator, Lady Syrrathar Hyzenthlay.

The Economy

Kyriabor is a favored trade partner of its neighbor, Smeisserand, and the Kingdom of Landers. It has no major economic rivals. It exports magical heatstones, magical potions, powders, and scrolls, manufactured goods, steel, semi-precious stones, weapons, armor, books, and tools. It imports coffee, ores, hardwoods, cotton, silk, fruit, furniture, spell components, and paper.

The People

Kyriabor was originally settled by groups from Qoolm and Landers in the fourth century, Landers Reckoning. Many of the early colonies were later utterly destroyed by kzinti, kenku, or other raiders. Some, however, survived the perils to become centers of civilization. The settlements that later grew into the great cities of Elantra, Katraal, and Aelizon were founded in this early period, in the latter half of the fourth century. All of the major colonies were founded in central and western Jaastenland. Any colonies that were founded in the eastern lands were swallowed up by time.

Overall, humans represent 75% of the population of Kyriabor. The majority human racial type is the Landish group (40% of the population), who typically have fair to medium-toned skin, brown or reddish-blonde hair, and brown or green eyes. They are usually of compact or medium build, and tend towards ruddy complexions. As the least homogenous group of settlers, they also display the greatest variety of features. The Landish, as might be expected, are descended from the Ilandic colonists. They tend to follow the Komatsine religion.

The Kraanichers (20% of the population) are a handsome race of people derived from the Qoolmians. They are bronze-skinned, with dark, almond-shaped eyes and dark hair. They are nearly always very intelligent and physically attractive. Kraanichers are usually reserved, and tend to be intellectual and contemplative. There is a much higher incidence of psionic talent among Kraanichers than in the general population. They make up the majority of the gentry and merchant class in Kyriabor. Kraanichers believe in education for their children from an early age and all can read and write. The Kraanichers have a set of philosophical beliefs and sense of racial pride that binds them together. Marriages and children are planned around these beliefs. This has given rise to the rumor (among non-Kraanichers, of course) that Kraanichers are selectively breeding themselves for excellent traits, much as one might breed dogs or horses. Kraanichers snub people crass enough to relate these rumors in public.

The Jaani (8% of the population) are derived from Japanese stock. They tend to be of compact build, with warm tan or golden-tinted skin, brown or occasionally green eyes, and dark hair. Jaani also have the epicanthic fold, giving them the appearance of having slanted eyes. They tend to be city-dwellers, and are traditionally friendly and voluble. Many are merchants or expert crafters, having brought their traditions with them in the distant years of colonization. These days, there are few pure Jaani left as many have intermarried with the other races. There are still a number of strong family lines, however, and these tend to have frequent contact with "the Old Country." Most Jaani follow Komatscience.

The Heidann (7% of the population) are tall, fair-skinned people with blonde or red hair and blue or green eyes. They are of large build and rugged constitution. Most pure Heidanners live in the hills and mountains of Jaastenland in tribal or clan villages, away from the influence of civilization. Many consider these people to be barbarians. They are traditionally the most open-minded race, although this also means that they are the most superstitious people. They believe that the spirits of the land, sea, and sky talk to them and they treat all things with a corresponding respect.

Orcs (15% of the population) traveled to Jaastenland as settlers with their human counterparts. Originally serving as soldiers and heavy laborers, many of the orcish families now living in Kyriabor have broadened their horizons. Although they still tend to be involved in lower class occupations, many are minor landholders, crafters, and lesser military officers. Orcs tend to interact well with Landish and Heidann humans, and seldom hold prejudices. Orcs are earthy, practical people; a bit slow, but honest and trustworthy. Most of the orcs in Kyriabor follow the druidic faith, which is more tangible and easy to grasp than the higher principles of Komatscience.

Elves (5% of the population) arrived in the western forests of Jaastenland in the middle of the second century, several centuries before humans first explored the territory. They did not develop large areas that would upset the kenku or rival the later human colonies in size or scope. The elven enclaves were mostly limited to forest kingdoms of no more than 30,000 elves. The elven princes grew their domains slowly and carefully, as one would expect from such a long-lived and slow-breeding race. These days, elven culture in Kyriabor follows the traditional swashbuckling attitudes prevalent in the Elven Isles and lands to the north. Honor, daring, and quick wits are favored attributes of the Kyriaborean elven folk, and they tend to blend in to the rest of the culture quite easily.

The Dwarven Clans (less than 5% of the population) arrived during the early years of the Colonial Period, in the fifth century. These immigrants were of the traditional clans, more given to mining, smithing, and hoarding than to tinkering with corporate greed and technomancy. They founded several clanholds of moderate size, but no great cities like those in Technikor. One of their early holdings became known as Castle Rock, the site of the modern Enchanters' Guild of Elantra. These clans have endured to this day, occasionally setting out to found other small holdings. Most of the dwarves in Kyriabor have retained the traditional culture. They are vocal opponents of technology, and bar technomancers from their halls. In addition, they are only reluctantly enticed to trade, preferring to tend to their crafts deep inside their strongholds. Even in the cosmopolitan and tolerant Republic of Kyriabor, dwarves tend to be reclusive and somewhat suspicious of strangers.

Half-elves (less than 5% of the population) tend to have a hard life everywhere. In Smeisserand, halfbreed babies are often put out on "Stones of Shame" to die of exposure. Fortunately, things are much better in Kyriabor. Half-elves are regarded with no special suspicion or scorn. They mix well in the urban society of Elantra or the lake towns. Such half-elves can serve as excellent liaisons between groups of humans and elves. Many still feel restless and not completely at home in the company of either of their parents' races, however. Some of these people wander or take up the adventuring life. Others turn to separate half-elf communities or neighborhoods. The half-elves of Jaastenland seem happiest surrounded by others like them.

Common Male Names: Bernhard, Thomas, Ulrich, Anderian, Rolf, Stefan, Ernst, Mattias, Heinz, Paul, Josiah, Richard, Gerhard, Frederick, Klaus, Jann, Benjamin

Common Female Names: Claudia, Renate, Charlotte, Uta, Marianne, Angelika, Anna, Marta, Berta, Simone, Edit, Heidi, Helga, Irene, Zera.

Major Cities of Kyriabor

Elantra

The heat-stones of the wizards eliminate the need for coal-fired furnaces, so Elantra is free from industrial smog. Cold-stones allow economical frigid food storage even in the hottest weather. Other technological and magical advances seem to come every year, and the populace relishes the change in convenience, wealth and status.

The University of Elantra is a center of scholarship and research for all of Jaastenland. Its magical and scientific laboratories are second only to the Royal Academy in Kenobi for size, fame, and success. Unlike the Landers Academy system, there is no general membership to the University of Elantra. Those wishing to study here must be accepted by the Dean of a college for entry into a student or visiting faculty status to be determined by ability and potential. Lengthy examinations are common, even for the most basic of courses. Degrees of knowledge granted by the University of Elantra are recognized the world over.

In addition to the University of Elantra, the city is home to the Elantran War College. The War College is an institution that produces one hundred highly competent military officers each year. Most of those training here are veteran warriors, but some are the famed Battle Mages. These wizards are specialists in the Art as it can be used in conflict. They specialize in battle spells and may even cast their magic while wearing full suits of plate armor. These fine mages command high prices among the armies of Jaastenland.

Other Cities

• Kantraal is a major center of trade in horses, grains, meat animals, and leather. It is centrally located, and is the place where most of the goods produced for export leave the waterways for overland travel north to Elantra.
• Aelizon is the capital of Kyriabor. It is also a trading center, with excellent transport upriver and down the lakes. The rolling hills and fields are pleasant, as is the climate. Much of Kyriabor's military are quartered here, in the central region of the country, so that they can ride or march quickly to whatever threats approach.
• Vargas is the northwest province of Kyriabor, close to the sparsely settled and dangerous frontier between Kyriabor and Smeisserand. Much of the mineral wealth from the Alaan Range flows into Vargas to be fashioned into refined metal stock and some finished goods. It also has some of the finest warhorse ranches in the country.
• Lyborg is a trading center for all of the mining towns upriver. Rich fields of grain provide its mills with a nearly endless stream of material to turn into flour. The ores and ingots produced in the hills and mountains to the west and south flow are worked into finished goods here or are shipped north to the other cities.
• Reddborg harvests several types of wood from the southern forests. Most of this wood is worked locally, but some is shipped north to Aelizon and Kantraal. The city also has a great fleet of fishing boats and rich banks of crab and lobster.

Last updated 09-Aug-2004
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