Gionegrast
Gionegrast is another civilization that has been predominantly ruled by humans. It is also the second oldest civilization in Draconia. Originally ruled over by a king, the last kingly dynasty ended with the death of Halinor, who was responsible for the banishment of the dragons at the end of the War of the Dragons. After that point, Gionegrast decided that it was done with kings, and several elders of the kingdom appointed one of Halinor's sons, who had opposed his father's actions, as the Grand Duke. He rules in a similar fashion to a king but still has greater accountability to the people. The theory was that if they didn't call their ruler a king, then the ruler wouldn't feel that they had absolute authority.
Structure
- Grand Duke of Gionegrast
- Local Dukes/Duchesses
Demography and Population
The population of Gionegrast is mostly centralized in small cities and townships. While there is very little farmland within this country, there are several areas of more rural land where orchards and vineyards are located. Here is found the country's primary exports, including grapes and wines, as well as other tree fruits.
Military
Gionegrast does not operate a large military anymore. They once had one of the largest militaries in Draconia, but this was lost during the War of the Dragons. From that time on, the country actually fears what would happen if the country regained that power it once held with its military. They feared that the ability to conquer other nations would lead to a sense of greed.
Religion
As in most Draconian nations, the people of Gionegrast are free to choose what god to worship, except for Apothis and Set. Most people choose to worship the pantheon as a whole, praying to specific deities based upon that deity's divine portfolio. One of the most revered deities to Gionians is Isis.
Foreign Relations
The War of the Dragons virtually destroyed what foreign relations the country had. For 50 years, the country was prohibited from reinstatement within the Bardic Confederacy. The Empire of Sirine was the first to reestablish ties with Gionegrast, mostly out of necessity since they shared a border.
Agriculture & Industry
Gionegrast is known for its vineyards. The wine-making industry has become the largest industry in Gionegrast.
Education
Boys in Gionegrast are educated in schools until they are 12 years old (or the racial equivalent) and then are released from their schooling. Boys are then given as apprentices in some trade or profession. When a boy's apprenticeship begins, a parent's responsibility for that child ends. The boy is then the responsibility of his master. A typical apprenticeship for a boy lasts until they are 18-21 years old (or the racial equivalent). Their master is then required to give them some pay in proportion to their time of service, which money is meant to be used by the boy to establish his own trade or business.
Girls in Gionegrast continue in school until they are 16 years old, at which point they go through the same apprenticeship routine as boys, albeit for a shorter time period.
Parents do not have to choose an apprenticeship for their child if that is not their wish. That being said, no boy is allowed to progress in school after 12 years old. According to custom, this protects the virtue of the girls. In Gionegrast, any sexual relations between men and women during puberty are considered shameful, so to prevent even the feelings from arising, boys are apprenticed out at an earlier age than girls. For boys or girls who have reached the age of apprenticeship, parents can opt not to apprentice their child and can instead hire a private tutor. This tutorship functions much like an apprenticeship but is more academically focused. In fact, most tutors will still assume the same level of responsibility for the child and will even take the child to see the world, acting as a mentor on the child's first journey into the wider world.
Clerics and Paladins will often take on apprentices.
Honora Regem
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Demonym
Gionian
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments