Confederacy of the Shadow

The pseudonation of the Shadow is run by a confederacy made up of three small provinces: the East, Central, and West. The confederacy is run by a council of three representatives, each chosen by their corresponding province in whatever manner that province prefers. Each councilor has equal power. The three must reach unanimous agreement before enacting laws that affect the entire confederacy.

The stability of the confederacy has waxed and waned with the compatibility of the three councilors. The current three have ruled together in peace for almost a decade. While the Central and Eastern provinces often disapprove of the Western province's foreign policy, they remain amicable as long as their borders are respected.

Even though each Province of the Shadow is tiny, all three of them have a distinct culture. The West Province sees the most foreign influence. Trends that start in the West tend to slowly bleed across the Shadow until they reach the Eastern Province. By the time they get there, they have warped into something else.

Shadow natives speak with an accent, and each province has a unique variation on that accent that makes them immediately recognizable by other natives. Each accent has its own stigmas associated with it. The East accent can be associated with ignorance or stupidity, since the East Province is sometimes assumed to be cut off from the outside world. The Central accent can be associated with pride and selfishness, due to the stereotype that Central Province citizens all have a superiority complex. Lastly, the West accent can be associated with lack of class, poverty, or laziness, which comes from the stereotype that Westerners are always partying and don't know how to work.

The Confederacy is not a rich nation by any means, but it does enjoy certain luxuries. The flora and fauna unique to the Shadow's ecosystem fetch a high price to incoming traders. Their control of Respite also makes them a powerful information hub, as people from all over Western Auzera trade ideas as well as goods.

Ultimately the Confederacy's biggest asset is its location. By making alliances with the nations that need the Shadow for trade, the Confederacy enjoys the resources and protection of much more powerful nations.

Humans make up a tiny minorty of Shadow inhabitants, and nearly all of them live in Respite. Everyone else is lilthian.

The Western Province has an ever-shifting population of immigrants from all across Western Auzera. The native population in the West is small and rarely more than two generations old. Deeper into the Shadow, the ratio of natives to immigrants quickly flips. About 90% of the people living in the Central and Western Provinces are natives, with ancestors that first settled in the Shadow more than 200 years ago.

The Confederacy does not have a standing army. Their only armed forces are the local militias within cities. The Councilors care little for conquest, and see no reason to strengthen their military forces beyond what is necessary to keep the peace within their own borders.

In the unlikely event of invasion, the Shadow would likely surrender before any significant loss of life. However, their alliances with more powerful countries grants them insurance against attack.

"All trails lead through the Shadow."

A pit stop at the Shadow is pretty much necessary for anyone seeking to travel across the Desert. Some north-eastern traders even prefer to take the long way around the Desert through the Shadow rather than risk the bandit-infested foothills.

Despite how much the Central and Eastern Provinces resent it, the Shadow's economy relies on trade. Textiles, lumber, water, and livestock are all major imports. Exports include sand, stone, and Gloom resources. The Shadow also provides food, shelter, entertainment, and (relative) safety to travelers.