Zelor

Zelor is the southern nation of Olivaan. Known as the Tribal Kingdom. The people of Zelor are often Dust Evolved to take on animalistic traits to handle their environment more effectively. Rainforests, swamps, frozen tundra, and barrens are scattered across the nation. On the surface, Zelor appears to be a variety of individual micro nations. It couldn't be further from the truth however. Each of the tribes of Zelor welcome and sing the praises of visitors from the other tribes. Tales are told over fires of the southern tribes traveling North as winter arrived. Helping to hunt and gather in the harsh winters. Of Northern tribes traveling south with fresh harvest before the cold sets in. The forest tribes bring medicine to the barrens, who bring metals in return for weapons and tools.

Though each tribe is very different from one another, they each relied on the others for survival. The Tribes of Zelor have maintained their cultures and respect for one another through the centuries, even as their towns grew. Zelor grew along with the other Union Nations, but maintained their roots through the growth. Their towns and cities keep the elements of the individual tribes. Their capital is a haven for all of them in the harshest of times. 'All rivers lead to Lorek.' The capital city is built at the meeting point of most major rivers in Zelor. It has no walls protecting it, instead it has massive statues representing each of the tribes. Arms open wide inviting all to enter.

Trusting nature is the standard of the Tribes of Zelor. However there are always those who question the status quo. There is one tribe that has a history of breaking the peace of the Tribes. A nomadic tribe that once served as the bond between the tribes is now the strain. They traveled beyond the borders of Zelor, they found the inhospitable sands and people of Kentrid. The Forests of Veritan. The monstrous wilds of Fahlis. Even traveling by ships to Warek where they were treated like monsters. Now this tribe full of disgust for those beyond their borders sow seeds of mistrust with their tales. They are no longer a welcome member of Zelor's Tribal Senate. They are not an enemy of the nation at this time. Though reports have risen of this tribe taking things into their own hands. Attacking anyone they deem to be an outsider.

Geography

Zelor hosts a wide variety of biomes. While this causes the people of Zelor to have little unifying traits. The through line for all of Zelor is that they have had to adapt, and are sympathetic to the struggles of others. Because of that, locals are very hospitable to outsiders. The town found in the depths of the swamps understand that an outsider will not know the plants to steer clear of. That torchlight at night is a good way to draw monsters to you... So they welcome, inform, and protect those who arrive at their home. In the true belief that they would do the same for them.

The wide variety of regions gives them access to the largest assortment of plant and wildlife of any other Nation. Hunters, gatherers, and farmers are extremely well off in Zelor. Providing to traders the materials to create medicine, herbs, and rare and highly sought foods that can fetch a high price in other nations without such variety.

The rivers of Zelor run from the hills in the north down to the ocean in the south. They converge near the capital city of Lorek. Many tribes will simply place floating containers of goods into the river to be fished out down the line by the capital or other tribes in need.

Government

Each tribe is lead by their own means. However a representative of each tribe stays in Lorek at all times to cover any nation wide concerns or policies. Members of this senate have no specific terms. They are expected to remain on duty for their tribe until a replacement is sent. For that reason the position on the senate isn't seen as belonging to any one person. They are merely there as an extension of their tribe, and any other member sent is as worthy as they are. Zelor has existed long enough that there are those who do not choose to belong to any one tribe. Many of which live in Lorek or the Lorek District of the Olivaan Union. These Tribeless members of Zelor who take a position aiding the nation as a guard, tax collector, or some service field for example, can be given recognition in the Zelor Senate. The Senate's speaker tends to be one of these Tribeless in Order to maintain neutrality.

Society and Culture

The Tribes of Zelor have a wide variety of traditions amongst them. It is very common for members of each tribe to go on a journey to the other tribes when they reach adulthood however. This is meant to teach them of the strengths and plights of their neighbors before they return home. Generally these travelers will spend time speaking to the younger generations about their tribe. When those children then grow to take their own journey, they are greeted by a village of familiar faces from past years of visits. This creates the bonds of trust that have persisted for centuries.

The trust and sympathetic nature of Zelor Tribes also leads to a common practice of gift giving with outsiders. Zelor tribes excitedly provide any outsider with goods that their region and tribe are well known for. They hope that in return they will be gifted with something from the outsider's home as well. Even if what they receive is just stories. Children will often keep bags or boxes of trinkets from outsiders that pass through. A child might be seen running clutching a stone tightly to their chest. They'll happily show the small rock with pieces of Particulum peeking out. The edges smoothed from the constant handling of the stone by the child and their friends.

Economy

Zelor's exports a wide range of goods. They have become the best known for their herbs and exotic foods. Many magical and medicinal herbs can be found in the various biomes of Zelor. The unique creatures they think of as standard fair become highly sought after delicacies in the other Union Nations.

Zelor also has probably the largest population of Ardeious. Whose colors are extremely varied across the nation. A few tribes gather eggs from wild flocks. Stealing only a portion of the eggs to allow the wild flocks to continue to grow. They find gathering and raising wild eggs far easier than wrangling a male Ardy for breeding purposes. Idiir developed incubators for the eggs that are used by some traveling traders to store the fertilized eggs in stasis until ready to be hatched. Though the females are not difficult to train, one that is raised from a hatchling tends to be a truly loyal creature.

Military

Zelor's various tribes have warriors and hunters who understand that if called by the Zelor Senate, that they serve under a single flag. The Capital of Lorek does maintain a consistent force of units that are ready in a moment. They act as guards of Lorek and escorts for valuable traders. Usually the escorts will be made of a team consisting of tribe members of each region that will be passed through.

Allies & Enemies

The Tribes deal with constant pressure from their own nomadic tribe that causes havoc for outsiders. This has caused some tensions with other nations that have been victims to their cruelty. To maintain their persona of hospitality, Zelor Tribes have tended to be overly generous in their trading to avoid losing the trust of the Union Nations and Rensif.

They have begun to take issue with Fahlis however, recent trades have been fully commandeered by Fahlis. Instead of passing through to Timoria. While Timoria shut down trade going through Fahlis much sooner, Zelor gave them several chances before pulling back their trading. The nomadic tribe has used this as fuel for the fire in their campaign to sow mistrust of the other nations.

Rensif however has been extremely respectful and offered alternate routes for Zelor's traders as well as protection for a low cost. They have also been happily purchasing large numbers of Ardy's from Zelor.

Zelor also deals with a fair amount of piracy along their southern coast. Believed to be from Warek. Fishing vessels from Zelor have gone missing regularly, ships crashing against the shores with their crew missing. messages written in blood saying "MONSTERS"