EASLER

EASLER  A kingdom in Riddari along the central western edge of the Easter Shoulder of Tolesh. This is the only Kingdom in Kvassi to be created after the Goldmane Purge, and thus is almost all Goance Setller origin. Easler is a kingdom in the central eastern region of the Empire of Kvassi. The eastern border is in the foothills of the Eastern Arm. The country extends westward across the Palasar River and out into the Riddari Plains  The Emperor's Road bisects the country, roughly following the contours of the Palasar River. The kingdom has three major cities, the capital of River’s Meet, the enconmic powerhouse, Fairbluff, , and the remote grasslands city of Easthold. There are a few towns, mainly Homelletten, Wood Cross, and the remote, reclusive, mysterious Raven Rook.  The land is sprinkled with a few small towns and villages, Duncan’s Ferry, Bonsk, Thurry’s Pond, Blackwood, Parrieth Bailey, Ironpick, Tiller’s Bottom, and others too small to mention. The Axinite Court, the homeof the Empire in Easler sits on an island in the Palasar River.  Economics: Most of Easler’s population is centered around the Palasar River. Back when the empire was just starting Easler had the best lumber men and log drivers, or “river pigs”. Many of the towns featured craftsmen that were beyond comparison in woodworking. Beautiful pieces of furniture, sturdy wagons, bows, crossbows, barrels, from Easler were highly prized. Lumber was floated downstream to build Point Royal, and surrounding towns. Easler lumber and wooden goods were shipped all over the world. Over the past 50 years or so the need for lumber has decreased, as all the cities have been built. Some lumber is still exported, and furniture still heads to port to be sold in foreign lands, but the economy is not what it used to be. The royals seem oblivious to the economic decline. They still levy taxes and buy extravagant goods and hold great banquets just as when the coin was flowing freely in the “old days”. It is less of an “uncaring attitude” than a “willful ignorance” because they can’t do anything about it. Almost like if they don’t acknowledge the downturn, then everything will go back to the way it was. It’s not that they don’t care for commoners who have been hit the hardest by the recession, but they simply don’t know what to do about it.  Formation: Of all the kingdoms in the Empire of Kvassi, Easier is the oldest unmodified country. (Riddari and Southern Riddari might challegne this statement, but they aren't "countries" in teh traditional sense.) During the Lionmane and Goance wars in the early settlement years of Riddari, the area now known as Easler was a Goance stronghold. Late in the war Goance had lost all territories except this one and was preparing to make a final stand here against the Lionmane. It was an attack that would never come. The Weeping struck down thousands of people, and by happenstance, the Lionmane fighting force was particularly hard hit. The Goance counterattack was staged from what is now River’s Meet, and the Lionmane were defeated. All the other territories were captured (or recaptured) and eventually the Kvassi Empire was forged. All the other countries in Kvassi went through the Lionmane purge, where the Goance occupied and renamed places and things, and changed the political structures, but Easler remained the same through history. As a result, Easler has a strong Goance influence, with little Lionmane influence that is common in the rest of the empire, People: The people of Easler typically have very Goance-like features. They are medium height, but lanky, heart shaped faces with weak chins, their hair is black brown, to light brownish, and tends to be curly. They have pale skin and ruddy cheeks and noses. Eyes are typically blue. Their noses tend to be hatchet like and prominent, with very pinched faces. Males have pronounced Adam’s apples. The women are generally wide hipped and often were their hair in double buns, or ponytails, but fashions vary from area to area  Although there has been peace in the empire for many years, the Easler still have a lot the Goance warlike tendencies. They are quick to fight if called upon, and fight with lethal, very decisive tactics. Unlike the Goance, they are very hard to goad into a fight now, perhaps due to the level of comfort they have become accustomed to. Despite the easy life, at least for the city folks, the militias and guards are very serious. They can be described best as “Strict, but fair”. They also tend to fight in groups as opposed to individuals and use relatively advanced tactics. Guards will assist other guards with troublemakers quickly and with prejudice.