Haza
| Government |
|---|
| Feudalism |
| Capital |
| Beljovac |
| Cities |
| Ide Volcar, Voj Sunac, Pestyk |
| Major Worship |
| Boccob, Lirr, Olidammara, Osprem, Pholtus |
| Climate |
|---|
| Mild |
| Exports |
| Artwork, coffee, cotton, jewelry, olive oil, rice, silver |
| Imports |
| Artwork, gems, grain, leather goods, wine |
The Kingdom of Haza and the Protectorate of Vilju, more commonly known as Haza, is a country to the north of the Sarodin Sea. It is quite rich and highly developed and has been ruled by House Meloi for centuries.
Vilju is a small region in the northeast of Haza and it is technically a protectorate but this is purely because of an old political ploy that allows House Meloi's crown prince or princess to be the king or queen of Vilju and their children to be princes/princesses in their own right and thus to be able to use those honorifics.
Vilda, the neighbor to the east is technically an independent country but in reality a vassal of Haza.
Government
A traditional feudal system with the monarch ruling through many vassals; dukes, earls, barons, etc. forms the backbone of the nation. There are many noble families, some of more influence than others. Vassals are free to rule their fiefs as they see fit, with some restrictions such as an obligation to treating the peasantry well and upholding Hazan ideals.
Crime rates differs per fiefdom but are usually not too bad. Taxes are not low but almost anyone can make a good living here.
Magic
It is unclear why but there are more spellcasters in Haza than in most countries. It is often referred to as Boccob's Boon. Some speculate it has to do with the coffee that people drink here, others claim that even before the Collapse and the large scale cultivation of coffee, spellcasters were common here.
Of all organizations originating from south of the Sarodin Sea, Abjura Dolana is probably the one with the largest foothold north of the sea. They have a quite close relationship with the Haza government and help with identifying any arcane spellcasters who enter the country. Said spellcasters are then given the choice to pay 5 gold pieces for a license that requires them to also swear fealty to the royal house. If they do so, they are required to visibly wear a badge that indicates they took the oath, anyone wearing one can be ordered by the town guard or other government officials to help them out. Alternatively one can pay 500 gold pieces for a license without the oath.
Religion
Pholtus is the state religion but they have lost influence over the centuries. Their temples can be found in all cities though. Olidammara represents another aspect of the populace; they are quite the bon vivants when given the chance. Boccob and Lirr found a warm welcome here after Collapse and their worship is more widespread than one would expect. Osprem worship is popular along the coast.
Geography
Bordered in the west by the impenetrable Gora Mountains, the country features rolling hills and wide valleys as one goes east. Agricultural activity here is quite varied with rice being the staple crop. This is also where the country's coffee is cultivated.
East of the Ura river valley the terrain turns into plains with just the occasional tree; mostly eucalyptus, ojcu, and sycamore. These prairies are roamed by both wild and domesticated guanacos and alpacas. The former are kept for their meat and the latter for their wool.
Going further east we come to the Minar Basin which is shared with Vilda. This area is quite warm and wet, with many swamps to the north. The southern region of the basin is known for its cotton, said to have been smuggled out of Jucatta many centuries ago.
The northern border is the ocean, of which the less said, the better, its mist enveloping the coast eternally. A number of mountains to the north, however, have proven to be very rich in metals, silver in particular but gold and platinum are not uncommon either.
The Sarodin Sea forms the southern border and is used quite extensively. The country has a large fleet of fishing boats, most equipped with a distinctive outrigger. Uniquely, they have created fish 'farms' along the coast; huge nets create pens where fish are kept and bred.
Silazni Zmaj Bay
This bay with its collection of islets featuring ridges, towers, and caves has stood as a natural bulwark against invaders. Early in the country's history extra defenses were added to the magnificent bay, somewhat diminishing its extraordinary beauty but being very effective at stopping multiple invading armadas.
Sre Planina
This four kilometer tall mountain northwest of Ide Volcar was mined for silver even before the Collapse. It wasn't until after that event that it became clear just how much silver it contained. With newer technology the Hazans extracted many, many tons of pure silver, nowadays production seems to have declined to just a trickle.
Ecology
Many rodents make their home here, including species not seen south of the Sarodin sea. There are many types of cavia, both tiny ones and a species that is over a meter large. Maras are plentiful and quite fast. Viscachas, which resemble rabbits, live both in the mountains and on the plains.
There is plenty of space for mammals, and there is a very diverse range of them. Guanacos and alpacas are very numerous. Giant anteaters are quite common on the eastern plains and tapirs in the western valley forests and rivers. Sloths are found roaming the plains, including a huge species of over 7 meters. Different deer species can be found all over; the gama of the plains, the huemul who live in the Gora mountains in summer and come down for the rest of the year, and the pudu; a tiny species that is only 35 cm tall.
Predators certainly exist but aren't as numerous as in most places. They include many species of cat, including the jaguar and cougar. There is the the maned wolf which might not be a wolf at all, the plains fox which might not be a fox, and the bush dog that might not be a dog.
Caiman can be found in the Minar Basin as well as various species of turtle and tortoise which range further. Lizards are not too common but there is the black and white tegu which gets up to 2 meters long. Much more dangerous are some of the snake species; boa constrictors and a very venomous pit viper named the yarará.
There is a wide variety of birds, notably hummingbirds, horneros, flamingos, herons, cormorants, swallows, and tinamous (sometimes confused with partridges). The rhea is a large flightless bird found on the plains. Hawks, falcons, and the Gora condor are the most common raptors.
Along the coast one can find elephant seals, fur seals, sea lions and species of penguin. The territorial waters have abundant ocean life; dolphins, orcas, and whales. Sea fish include sardines, hakes, dolphinfish, salmon, and sharks; also present are squid and king crab. Rivers and streams have many species of trout and the river tiger, a fish with a dangerous bite.