Is Nagain

Modern History

Elven refugees fleeing Oecumenian colonisation of Ulera riding the westerly ocean currents began arriving on Nagain in the 28^th century, along with the first Oecumenians. Word travelled quickly of the ruin befalling the elves of Ulera. In the wake of this, a Grand Cooperation (Киѡну Ьен, Cywnu Hen) was convened, a semi-mythical rite likely descended from a pre- or just post-Caliemanh defensive pact. The various states of Nagain all agreed to a closing of the land in 2740, enforced independently by each coastal state, and entailing the scuttling of any arriving vessels and killing of any arriving people, human or elven. While during this period the Oecumenian powers had enough technological edge to likely easily conquer Nagain, it was judged that Nagain was not worth conquering in the face of local hostility and arid climate. As such, no officially sanctioned landings on Nagain were attempted during the continent’s closure, with only sporadic landings by pirates, smugglers, refugees, wrecked ships, etc., the occupants of which were killed by wynbedriom caeth tewrenthym, “human hunters”, and their ships scuttled.   Items recovered from the ships became objects of fascination for the elves that recovered them, particularly iron objects like nails, hinges, gun barrels and locks, blades like knives, swords, and razors, pens, belt buckles and compasses. Ornamental objects like jewelry and watches were also highly valued, as were photographs. Iron objects were initially thought to be made of silver, until it became clear they were much harder and unable to be melted. Writing and inscriptions such as logs and letters, but also things like the numbers on a clock face were sometimes deciphered magically, especially in the state societies of the east and southeast. Maps were also valuable sources of information about the outside world.   Cernioth, king of Otha, was fascinated with the outside world, and attempted to piece together a picture from the items recovered. He ordered that any that landed on Otha’s shore be taken alive; so when the Vessian vessel Gemeenþing wrecked off the east coast of Otha in the Dusk of 2808, its surviving crew of 7 were taken into captivity in Dunvervolly. They were interviewed extensively with the aid of magical translation about the world beyond Nagain. Cernioth became only more interested in the world beyond Nagain, in particular its technologies, which he thought could help him exact revenge on Darnau for the death of his brother the year prior. The Vessians were made a boat and bid to return to where they came from and make known that the port of Reth Aran on a natural harbor near the southeast tip of Otha was open to them. The Vessians miraculously made their way safely in the Othian boat to southern Amaru, from which they then travelled back to Vasmark.   Nagain’s isolation was now ended, as Vessian ships began sailing to Reth Aran, initially just the brave and foolhardy, trade picked up, and evntually sailors from other countries, Ros particularly, but others as well, began to make port in Reth Aran. Fortunately for the Othians, elves and humans are distant enough that illnesses do not easily cross the species gap, meaning devastation like Great Plagues that ravaged Oecumene and Aresra when contact was made between them did not occur in Nagain. Reth Aran itself was a closed city, and the dockworkers sworn to secrecy on pain of death to prevent word of Cernioth’s breaking of the closing from spreading. Cernioth and the Othian nobility spent years planning, draining the state’s coffers and stockpiling, particularly guns and powder. The bronzeworkers were taught to work iron and the operations in the lead mines expanded greatly.   In 2812, the Othians crossed the Cone Toin to invade Darnau. The Darnians, armed with bronze spears, axes, and swords, were easily defeated by Otha’s guns and cannons. The Darnians quickly figured out the Othians had broken the oath to close the land made at the Cywnu Hen, and while attempting to stall during peace negotiations with the Othians, king Lennox reached out to his neighbours for assistance, which they were obligated to give by the terms of the Cywnu Hen. The response from Otha was to invade these kingdoms of Ponu, Iledor, and Gemen as well. At this point, word of the opening of the land had reached most of Nagain, as had Otha’s conquests, and a mad race began among the Naganians to trade and equip themselves like the Othians to defend against them. At this point, Nagain had passed the point of no return and could no longer be kept closed.   Over the next 35 years, Nagain entered the Time of Tumult (Ильус Ѡиномьеніѡ), as the Othians, armed with their muskets, began a campaign to conquer all of Nagain, and the Oecumenians began a wave of attempted conquests and colonisation. Otha had crucially also acquired the requisite knowledge of making guns in addition to the guns themselves, and had also become a popular destination for elves leaving from Ulera. Nagain never had any indigenous ironworking nor gunpowder; thus this was a crucial advantage for the Othians. The Othians also quickly abandoned the use of armour, ineffective against gunfire, favouring only a light, short tunic. By 2826 the Othians had conquered every remaining independent elven state on Nagain, with Ros, Taminily, Tira Vella, and their elven Naganian allies controlling significant portions of Nagain’s territory.   At this point, the Vessians began heavily supplying and tacitly aiding the Othians in their drive to conquer the remaining territory from the Oecumenians, crucially providing them with the newer percussion cap rifles of the same type now used by the Oecumenian states. The Vessian aid to the Naganians was done largely out of economic concerns, the current trade being quite lucrative, and a future independent Nagain would similarly be more open to trade than if it were colonised by the Oecumenians. Many Uleran elves also joined the Othians to drive the humans out of Nagain, driven by a sort of elven chauvinism. In 2845, the Treaty of Sappercoily affirmed Othian rule over all of Nagain. Of the Naganians, only the Othians were party to the treaty, and it wasn’t until the subsequent Edict of Unification the following year that the country of Is Nagain was officially created, as up until that point, the other states of Nagain were all in some sort of personal union with or state of conquest/occupation under the Othians. Much of the leadership and nobility outside of Otha was either absorbed into the Othian state apparatus, imprisoned, or executed. Total losses from the wars are unknown, but it’s estimated the population of Nagain in 2845 when the Treaty of Sappercoily was signed was 75-85% of what it had been in 2812.   The Othians quickly embarked on a series of reforms for the new country, including reforms to government, land use and agriculture, education, language, and industrialisation efforts, to modernise it and ensure its continued survival and independence, prioritising Otha itself and those regions which had allied with them for development. Despite Otha’s attempts to create a unified national culture and identity, centred largely on being the only independent elven country in the world, resentment and resistance to Othian rule continues in many regions, with guerilla resistance in parts of the centre and west of the country. Resentment towards the Othians and resistance to “Othianisation” is also particularly strong in Darnau, Otha’s neighbour and traditional rival to the north across the Cone Toin.  

Othian History

During this period the most famous artefact from Nagain, the Mun Uriel Armillary, a magical brass armillary sphere, was created by Herhenny, the court mage of king Shenoc. Notably, the armillary sphere contains a band for Менѡм Гêс, or antichthon, a hypothetical planet always opposite Geshkara and from which humanity and the Chilovakian species supposedly originate. A simplified Mun Uriel Armillary is depicted on the flag of Is Nagain cradling two six-pointed stars representing Nagain and Otha. Herhenny herself is considered somewhat of a national heroic figure among the Othians. She acted as regent for Shenoc’s son Talldrith following the former’s mental breakdown from 1965 until Talldrith came of age to rule on his own. However, during her regency, she began an invasion of Darnau across the Cone Toin (Кôн Тоін, “the Moat”, the strait separating Otha from mainland Nagain), conquering large swathes of productive land on the mainland. When Talldrith came of age in 1999, he named Herhenny the duchess (сенѳѡг) of Darnau, as she held no noble titles apart from the regency. Following this, he married her, despite her being 71 years his senior.   Talldrith ruled until his death in 2351, and his and Herheny’s daughter Aluvy ascended to the throne. Her reign was short, dying of illness in 2400. She did not have children, and so was succeeded by her brother Anun. During his early rule, the Darnians invaded to reconquer the territory lost to them under Herhenny’s regency. Anun’s rule was unconventional and unpopular, combining personal decadence with failure to adequately address several crises, and the loss of the Darnian conquests. He was assassinated in a conspiracy of the nobility in 2419 at the age of only 96. He was replaced by Llô, placed there by the nobility and expected to be responsive towards them. The Othian Diet grew out of this coup, with queen Llô frequently summoning the nobility for counsel, which developed over the course of her reign to become an instituted legislative body. She ruled until 2678 and was succeeded by her son Umarel.   Umarel took part in the Cywnu Hen in 2748 which established the closing of the continent.   Umarel died in battle 2807 against the Darnians. Umarel was childless, so the throne passed to his brother Cernioth. He had ambitions to continue the war his brother had begun, but in the meantime, with his brother dead, the army retreated back to Otha, and he was made to agree to a punitive peace with Darnau. To get his revenge on the Darnians, he broke the covenant closing the country, and opened the southern port of Reth Aran to outside trade. Reth Aran became a closed city to both prevent the Vessians now trading with them from being able to gain a foothold in the country and to prevent word of his broken oath from reaching other states on Nagain, likely triggering a military intervention to re-enforce the closure.  

Geography

Is Nagain consists of the mainland continent of Nagain, the island of Otha, and numerous smaller islands. It lies entirely in the southern hemisphere and mostly in the western, with a small portion of its west lying in the eastern hemisphere. The mainland stretches from about 16° to 36° south, placing the whole mainland in the tropics and subtropics. The Batton Islands extend to about 13°S off the Batton Peninsula, and the Serny Islands lie at about 43°S. The large island of Otha lies between about 36° and 40° south. Nagain is bounded by the Malagar Ocean to its north and west and the Venian Ocean to its south and east. The nearest major landmass to Nagain is the Antipodal Free State about 3200 kilometres southwest. The mainland is the smallest continent on Geshkara, and the country is the sixth largest by area.  

Physical Features

The highest mountain in the country is Tith Ubel at 3719 metres in the Penllyn mountains in the east of the country. The most prominent and third highest is Tith Abuver in northwestern Otha at 3250 metres.  

Climate

Much of the continent is dominated by hot arid and semi-arid climates, with savanna and tropical monsoon climates in the north, mediterranean climates in the east, a humid subtropical climate in the southeast, a more temperate oceanic climate in parts of Otha, and subtropical highland and alpine climates in the Penllyn and Llobriu mountains.  

Flora and Fauna

Introduced Species

Various food crops have been recently introduced to Nagain following its opening, including staples like potatoes, wheat, and lentils; fruits and vegetables like citrus, chilis, and onions; and herbs and spices like parsley, turmeric, and cardamom.   Rats were introduced to Nagain with the refugees from Ulera in the 28^th century and devastated several plant and animal species. Horses, donkeys, and mules were introduced by the Oecumenian colonies, and continue to be used by the Naganians as draft animals due to their increased strength over the native genny bird. Dogs, cattle, pigs, and sheep were also introduced by the Oecumenians, but the Naganians have since extirpated them.  

Government

Is Nagain is a semi-constitutional monarchy under the rule of the House of Otha. Despite not having a written, codified constitution, the country is still considered semi-constitutional, as while the monarch retains substantial powers, the Diet also enjoys significant authority that the monarch cannot reasonably overrule or ignore. The Diet is a deliberative and legislative body made up of the country’s nobility, rather than being a democratically elected body. In recent times, nobility from other states, particularly those that cooperated or colluded with the Othians during their conquests, have been admitted to the Diet, enlarging it substantially, though Othian Diet members remain the outright majority.   Despite attempts to curtail human and Oecumenian influence in Nagain, the government has been very consciously influenced by Oecumenian ideas and theories of governance due largely to traditional Othian and Naganian government being wholly unequipped to deal with the governance of the large, modern state on the world stage that Is Nagain has become in the span of less than an elven childhood. The ruling class has paid particular attention to the works of Moterâc, Enenenko, and Ipponidros. The ruling class is concerned with the creation of a functioning national state and the creation and cultivation of a nation-state with a common cultural identity, adopting the trappings of modern Oecumenian states, like national symbols, a flag, a motto, etc.   The official programme of the government is "Harmonious Governance" (Инкольѡ Ԁину), which in practice and application has meant increasing integration and "Othianisation". Impositions of the programme include the use of the Othian language for all official communications, public indecency codes (mostly enforced in the towns and cities; including fines for shirtlessless and barefootedness), the banning of polygamy (polygyny and polyandry both being common in parts of Nagain) and consanguineous marriages (first cousins or closer), the outlawing of prostitution, and the introduction of the census and family register.   On the other side, while the programme is intended to modernise the country, the government also wishes to avoid “foreignisation”, taking such measures and banning the import of foreign clothing intended for sale to discourage the adoption of Oecumenian dress style and restricting artistic and cultural imports (literature, music, etc.), while also attempting to subsidise Naganian cultural and artistic output. The import of non-native flora and fauna is similarly very heavily restricted, particularly of mammals, which are not native to Nagain except for bats and marine mammals.   Alcoholic drinks (defined as those above 7 proof/3.5% ABV) and most mind-altering substances derived from non-native species or artificially produced (i. e. coca/cocaine, nicotine/tobacco, opioids, amphetamines, qat) are illegal or restricted to medical use. Notable exceptions are cannabis and caffeine-containing plants such as tea and coffee. Psilocybin mushrooms are also legal, but they are not considered non-native as several species are native to Nagain and have a long history of use and religious significance. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco are allowed on ships in port so long as they do not leave the ship.   Is Nagain maintains close relationships with Vasmark, its main trading partner, and several other countries, including Ros, Tira Vella, and the Antipodal Free State. It joined the Great War on the side of the Western Powers in early 2893, due mostly to Ros' use of submarine warfare against neutral ships. Their operations in the war have been exclusively naval.  

Culture

Is Nagain is a large, diverse, and diffuse place. It has been described as "a country of a hundred nations." While the country is under explicit overlordship of the Othians, their rule and influence over various parts of the country varies wildly, with especially parts of the interior being de facto autonomous. The Othians, for their part, while not recognising any official differences in the statuses of the constituent parts of the country, are largely tolerant of local autonomy so long as it doesn't threaten their rule or legitimacy elsewhere.   Besides the conquest by the Othians, the decades following the opening of the country have seen enormous changes, going from in some cases tribal groups with bronze technology (and magic in its current very weak state) to a modern, industrialised country. There is a pervasive sense of culture shock and often longing, with only the youngest adult elves not remembering a time before Nagain was connected with the wider world.   Traditional Othian dress consists of the xerlludw, a pleated sleeveless robe similar to the classical Eussian stola or peplos. It is traditionally made of cloth produced from the Naganian flax lily. It can be worn with or without an under-tunic, often depending on the season. It is worn by both men and women, though in recent times it has been fashionable for women to wear a shorter garment, often with slits in the sides to expose the thigh. Traditional footwear is a sandal made either from cloth or reptile skin with a wooden or bark (cork) sole, though Oecumenian-style footwear is increasing in popularity.   Tattooing, piercing, and other body modifications are rare and considered uncivilised in Otha and southeast Nagain. In other parts of the country, they are more common and accepted. In one anecdote, several men from the Brandy tribe in north-central Nagain, known for fighting nude and relying on magical wards for physical protection, had the Mun Uriel Armillary, the national symbol of Otha, tattooed on their backsides, which they presented to the Othians in a show of disrespect before a battle.   Slavery likely dates back thousands of years on Nagain, and Is Nagain is one of the only countries where the institution remains legal (it is entirely informal and unregulated, with no legislation of any kind). Historically there has been no slave caste, with most slaves being war captives. The status of the children of slaves varies across the continent, with some being considered slaves owned by the same owner as the mother, some considered property of the enslaved mother, and some considered free. In the wake of the Othian conquest of the continent, the main engine of further enslavement, warfare, has been suppressed. Slave raids between tribes in the interior of the continent continue, however, despite the government’s efforts to curtail them.  

Religion

There is no single unified religion across Is Nagain, but the various religious traditions across the continent share certain traits. Naganian religion is animistic and shamanistic. In those places that saw more organised states and kingdoms develop (the east and southeast), religion became increasingly organised as well, with priestly classes and a relationship between religion and the state.   In following traditional Naganian animistic beliefs, manufactured goods have historically been marked by their makers in the first person; some sort of “Caraddog made me” inscribed into a bronze axe for example. Even today, factory produced items still often receive this treatment. For example, the receiver marking on a Nagnanian Marin rifle might read: which means: “I am a model of 35 (2880 CA) Marin rifle, I was made in the Mun Uriel Weapons Factory (Llohenna Burythoo), Is Nagain, in 46 (2891 CA). My maker was Aluvy”. The stock and barrel, being made separately from the action, each get their own maker’s stamps. The barrel is additionally marked “гєГаєні бора ѡин-.266”, meaning “I have a calibre of .266”. Naganian-produced ammunition is similarly headstamped in first person, for example a .266 rifle cartridge might be headstamped: “.266 Т. 3 Г.М. | Ѡ.С. 48 Л.Б.М.Ѡ.”, meaning “I am a .266 Mk III, made in 48 (2893 CA) (by/at the) Mun Uriel Weapons Factory”.   The Naganians seem to have had a positive working relationship with the fey prior to the Burning, though the exact nature of that relationship is unknown, or if said relationship was uniform across the continent. The Naganian reaction to the Burning is also unknown, though by the time of Oecumenian contact with the Naganians, there was a vague recollection of the fey and the Feywild before the Burning, followed by a great fire, and the downfall of the fey. A great deal of fey seem to have taken refuge in Nagain after the Burning, and indeed today fey are still active across the continent. The fault of the Burning was traditionally ascribed to humanity, which, while actually accurate (the Burning being initiated by Varani mages at the end of the Fey Wars), the Naganians had no evidence of humanity’s culpability, and this is more reflective of the place humanity held in the Naganian consciousness prior to Oecumenian contact as a sort of spiritual evil, like a race of otherworldly demons.   Prostelytising of any kind is outlawed in Is Nagain, and the dedication of any public space to any god or religion on the register of “foreign faiths” (Furanism, Shant Karotu, and Octonism) is forbidden. Freedom of conscience is protected, and private worship and practice are allowed, though anyone holding any sort of public office may not be an adherent of a religion on the register of foreign faiths.  

Foreigners

As the country was historically isolated and entirely closed for over 60 years, distrust of foreigners is very common, particularly in rural and inland areas. Admission and movement of foreigners within Is Nagain is heavily restricted, and foreigners are grouped into different classes, with different permissions within the country. The least restricted are the ѡинагеун сѡьанах, Naganian elves living abroad and their children, who are treated essentially as natives, but still potentially subject to deportation under certain circumstances. Next are the ьину олух, “foreign elves” from outside Nagain (mostly Ulera), who are allowed to own property and can become naturalised subjects. Their travel to certain parts of the interior and certain sites of religious or state significance are restricted. The last group are the бедріх, literally meaning “humans”, but including all non-elves. Their movement outside of coastal cities is prohibited without special permission. They cannot own property (though they can lease), and their extended residence in Is Nagain is subject to specific and individual approval.   Interspecial marriages (i. e. human-elven) are both rare and not legally recognised, and thus non-elves in relationships with Naganian subjects are ineligible for spousal privileges.   Despite being illegal, prostitution is common in the port cities, particularly focusing on foreign traders. These establishments began popping up, first in Otha, not long after the opening of the country. Prostitution was already illegal in Otha, so these establishments operated officially as “hotels” with suspiciously expensive boarding prices. This practice was cracked down on and the hospitality industry regulated, forcing the brothels underground. These establishments are popular among (mostly human) traders and sailors above and beyond brothels elsewhere for several reasons: they are perceived as safer, as cross-species pregnancies are impossible and any venereal diseases will not cross the species gap and the perceived beauty and exoticism of elves. The workers of these establishments face significant prejudice, not just because of the nature of their work, but because relations with humans and other Chilovakian species are extremely taboo. They are often branded somewhere on their bodies with “ꛝ꛰*ꛌ” (ʷBͤ*Rͧ), short for “ѡимбедріх (фа)рѿхган”, meaning “human bedder”, often by their employers.  

Cuisine

Due to the isolation of Nagain, its flora and fauna are quite distinct, and as such, the Naganians have a very different native array of crops and livestock. Perhaps the largest difference is the lack of large, native mammals on the continent (the only native mammals being bats and the elves themselves), with rats and equines being later introduced. As such, there is a general cultural aversion to mammalian meats in Nagain. Poultry is quite common, with a variety of native domesticated birds being raised for consumption. Other animals commonly consumed by at least some sections of Naganian society include: reptiles, fish, arthropods (insects, arachnids, and crustaceans), molluscs, and sea urchins. Other commonly consumed animal products include eggs and honey. Like mammal meat, milk is similarly taboo, being seen as something only for infants.   The staple cereals of Nagain are teff and Naganian millet (felsw). The tar yam (corvu) is cultivated for its corms, which contain a thick, dark purple to black sap, hence its common name. Other native crops include the Naganian husk tomato, bellplant, red coriander, long pepper, peanuts, bitterroot, and butter greens. The most commonly used cooking fats are poultry fats and peanut oil.   Alcohol is heavily restricted in Is Nagain, being limited to beverages at or below 7 proof (3.5% ABV), due to the perceived risks of more alcoholic beverages. Fermented, lightly alcoholic beverages have a long history on Nagain, but drinks on which one could become easily intoxicated do not. Alcohol is still popular among foreigners. Between 2870 and 2872, the “drink boat”, the Vessian ship Ölskip, operated in the port of Hoverny, in which she would dock for long stretches, leaving port only for a day or two as required before redocking. Taking advantage of a loophole in Naganian law, she was converted into a floating bar, and would be resupplied with alcohol by other ships in port over a gangway connecting the two ships. Mildly alcoholic beverages like pia, brewed from tar yams (typically 0.5–2.0% ABV), are available, but intoxication from their consumption is difficult to achieve for a normal-weight adult. So-called “sevens”, drinks brewed to the upper legal limit of 7 proof, are available in places catering to foreigners. These drinks are typically more Oecumenian or Aresran styles of beverages like beers, ales, ciders, and rice wines meant to cater to foreign tastes.