Isturoth

The kingdom of Isturoth is split in half, divided into two separate nations: Vašira to the north and Kur'taloth to the south. Within each of these nations operates a different system of overarching government, however on a much smaller scale, say for a town or other settlement, the hierarchy of authority is pretty much the same, likely having been influenced by one another.  

Vašira

Though only in control of the northern half of Isturoth, the government of Vašira likes to believe it commands the entirety of the mountains. This system of government rules in the form of an oligarchy: a council consisting of of several significant figures. Currently, the "Keepers of the Hearth" rule Vašira with 8 members that are voted on individually by the other council members.   There are various spheres that are covered by the ruling authority such as military, agriculture, mining, religion, smithing, etc. Each member of the Keepers is a representative of a smaller council that controls each sphere. It is these secondary groups that do most of the work. Members of the Keepers of the Hearth will go between their own sphere's council and the Keepers, relaying information, commands, and decisions.   The sphere councils are spread throughout Vašira, sending orders to the ruling council of each individual town, city of province. The government of Vašira is based around the concept of councils; the idea that an order needs to come from not just one person, but a group of peers which need to agree together for the betterment of all.  

Kur'taloth

Keeping to traditions since the nation's original formation, the single ruler of Kur'taloth is elected by a high-ranking group of theocrats and relgious advisors. The bloodline or heritage of the previous ruler has no relevance in the selection of the new ruler, and the process is highly secretive.   Once the ruler is selected (usually a young man or woman) they are fiercely guarded and advised by innumerable councillors daily until they are able to make their own informed decisions as ruler. For all nation-wide decisions, they have the last word. For smaller issues however, every town and city will have it's own ruler which will have command over local forces.   Dwelling in the capital and hanging around the current ruler like some sort of parasite, are the upper class of nobility. Occasionally, one of these noble families will take up residence in or near a settlement at the behest of the ruler. They rank above local government, but do not take an active part in the governance of the town. They remain nearby for convenience, to make requests or demands of the local authorities and keep an eye on them for the nation's king or queen.  

Geography

Climate

Isturoth cold [Climate Map]

Topography

Isturoth is a maze of valleys, mountains, plateaus and cliffs. The entire territory is elevated far above sea level, but there are also considered to be different "zones" that identify what can be found there and what can survive. Regardless of the altitude itself, the terrain ranges from icy rocks, rubble and gravel, to grassy slopes and meadows that are ripe for agriculture. The people of Isturoth have colonised as far as the snow caps and are known to create temporary settlements even further than that.  

Lowlands (1000m - 2000m)

These zones are more temperate, allowing for easier travel and more crops to grow. Often these will be in the bottom of valleys and on the outskirts of the mountains. It is here that a rare tree may even be found, where the greenest areas are the most lush. Flowers are some herbs are in large quantities here also.   There is a great variety of fruits (citrus, pome and stone), vegetables, spices and medicinal plants that can be grown in this zone. Fruit trees tend to be small and thin, not being a reliable enough source of wood. Other crops such as cotton, flax and wheat are also farmed, though wheat is not as popular due to the resilience of barley.  

Highlands (2000m - 3000m)

Isturians are more likely to settle here than any of the other zones as the altitude provides safety and isolation, while there are the most resources readily available. The largest crops are legumes and root vegetables, as well as barley. Additionally, melons, berries, and the largest variety of herbs can be found in the wild.   Livestock is usually raised up to this altitude although cattle and other grazing animals may sometimes be herded to higher, greener pastures, though this depends on how easily accessible they are. Wild animals of all sorts can be found in these vegetation-heavy highlands, including monkeys, deer, wolves, lizards and wyrms.  

Coldlands (3000m - 4000m)

In this zone, the landscape begins to change and vegetation becomes more sparse, and the lushest areas are largely grassy meadows and scrubland. Reflected by the name, the cold dryness and strong winds begin to restrict what can grow in this zone. Grassy ridges and heights are still very common, but this are complimented only by small shrubs and the hardiest of herbs and berries. This also includes aquatic leafy vegetation that can be found in icy rivers and lakes.   Barley and all kinds of root vegetables are still able to survive at this altitude and can be farmed with some care. These rugged crops enable the Isturians to continue settling the inhospitable, rocky heights, building settlements and starting families are those areas which still allow food to be produced. In addition, wild animals like foxes and lynxes can still make their dens at this altitude, making them a good source of meat and pelts to those who dwell here.  

Frostlands (4000m - 5000m)

Not much grows in this zone, save for patches of grassy pastures and moss. Because of this, it is very common to herd the sturdiest of the livestock to these heights in order to let them graze. Wild animals can still be hunted here but cold-blooded creatures must stay within the vicinity of warmer, volcanic areas.   In areas where any green has been stripped away, the ground consists of windswept rocks and rocky tundra. Even here, however, the rarest of unique herbs may still be found. These are highly coveted and many journey the perilous cold in search of them.  

Icelands (5000m+)

At this altitude where rocky tundra begins to give way to snow fields, no crops are grown and the landscape is mostly ice and gravel, along with a scattering of uniquely hardy lichens and mosses. Isturians have been known to make temporary settlements for hunting or fishing, as there are creatures that make their homes here even on the most treacherous, icy peaks. Lakes and rivers can be found even this high up, where fish, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures are hunted for meat and/or resources.   Some animals are even known to allow their bodies freeze in the harshest parts of the year, only to revive and defrost with the ice when the season ends. Birds that are accustomed to the cold such as geese and partridges can still be found in these zones, along with other animals that seek an escape from the intense competition and threatening predators of the lower zones.

See Isturians.

In general, the people of Isturoth strive to lead humble lives filled with good food and a warm hearth. Officially, they are most often encouraged to give proper tribute and thought to the Gods, and to work hard, though for the majority of people this is all secondary to the life led inside the home. This is also acknowledged by the ruling authority to a degree, and laws or policies tend to have a certain unspoken reverence when the home becomes involved.   Lax observation of some rituals might be overlooked within the walls of a person's house, likewise crimes committed in such a sacred place will demand a more severe punishment, particularly if they occur within the home of another. Slights or misbehaviour while you are a guest in someone's home is extremely rude and sternly frowned upon, and gifts or acts of humility are expected.

Isturoth is a land rich in minerals and precious stones. The most common is iron, which is refined to create Isturian Steel. This, combined with the art of Isturian Metalcraft, refined over centuries, makes the smiths of Isturoth the most skilled in the world.   In addition, Isturians have also learned to prospect and process rarer minerals found deep in the ground, such as Khethrite and Vallatium, and a huge assortment of gemstones.   Obviously, living in the mountains, there is no shortage of stone. But Isturians have become master stonecutters, masons and sculptors over time and now quarries and workshops are a common sight through the valleys and peaks. Architects pride themselves on the vistas they can create with marble or granite, but there are strict and complex classifications of stone that must be adhered to.   The combination of skills in smelting, forging and crafting, has also given rise to another specialist: the tinkerer. While fairly rudimentary by modern standards, many experts in this field are still able to create clockwork instruments and mechanical marvels, whether they be powerful tools of war or harmless toys for children. It is a burgeoning industry growing steadily in demand and taking the mountains by storm.

See History of Isturoth.

The accurate population of Isturoth is a difficult figure to obtain and the prime goal of the ongoing Isturoth census administered by the ruling government of Vašira.   Most recent estimates put the collective population at ~30,000,000 with a growth rate of 1.26%.  

Demographics by kingdom

Region	Population	% of total
Vašira	~10,710,000	35.7%
Kur'Taloth	~19,290,000	64.3%

Age structure

0–14 years: 30.93%
15–24 years: 21.86%
25–54 years: 35.99%
55–64 years: 6.22%
65 years and over: 5.02%  

Median age

Total: 23.6 years
Male: 22.4 years
Female: 24.8 years

The territory of Isturoth is vast, yet land-locked on all sides. It is believed that it's people originally migrated to the seclusion of the mountains and then never left. Eventually the Isturians expanded to populate the highlands to the very edges of the mountain ranges.   This is likely because the terrain gave a clear advantage in terms of being able to hold and defend their home. Ultimately, almost the entirety of the highlands and mountains became dominated by Isturians and allowed the kingdom to flourish.   The kingdom of Isturoth is split in half, divided into two separate nations: Vasira to the north and Kur'Taloth to the south. While many beyond the mountains think of Isturoth as a single country, the smaller nations consider themselves to be individually governed countries in their own right.   Within each nation-state, there are a number of separate "regions" which have loosely-defined borders and are not strictly governed individually, but are controlled by the governing body of the nation-state.

Isturoth is in the midst of an industrial revolution, maximising its production and furthering its progress through cutting-edge innovation. Traditionally, the art of tinkering has long been observed by the Isturians, with skilled craftsmen creating music boxes and rudimentary toys in their workshops.   However, in recent years the technological prowess of Isturoth has taken leaps forward from basic clockwork mechanisms, to more complex devices that have seen use in combat and entertainment. These include:

There is a dominant belief that is ingrained in the culture of Isturoth, in that of the Pantheon of Isturian Polytheism.   While it is widely accepted and subscribed to by most in Isturoth, there are different sects that branch off from this organised religion. The most notable would be The Healing Creed, a group most well-known for their lack of avoidance (and perhaps even worship) of the underground places in the world, the caverns and caves throughout the mountains, hallowed domain of Zurava, the Primordial Instinct.

Isturoth is primarily an industrial power. Clever engineers are constantly attempting to find ways to make bigger and more efficient foundries. These mighty factories and forces are manned around the clock, churning out crate-loads of weapons and armour, tools, siege engine parts, as well as any other metal applications.   Iron (or an iron-like material that has many of the same properties) is often used with stone to craft almost everything in Isturoth. Trees are highly uncommon in the grassy highlands and rocky passes, so the people of Isturoth have been able to adapt. Buildings are predominantly constructed with stone bricks and slabs, and bound together with metal bolts and struts, as is the same with furniture and household objects. Almost everything is made with Isturian Steel, a heavily-refined version of iron made pure with the help of blast furnaces.   The mining of iron often goes hand-in-hand with the retrieval of other minerals including coal, one of the most important fuel sources in Isturoth. Coal has a variety of applications in everyday life and coal-mining operations are highly profitable. Whilst mining for iron and coal, it is not uncommon to come across a variety of other valuable precious metals and gemstones.   One of these minerals which is greatly prized in Isturian culture is the volcanic glass known as obsidian. This material is gathered from regions around active volcanoes where there is enough lava flow to create such a fine gem, and then fashioned into everything from weapons to jewellery, often in silver or gold settings. Surgeons will usually use a freshly-knapped shard of obsidian to make incisions, due to its precision and sharpness, and large slates of the glass can be polished and set into metal frames to be used as mirrors.   Secondary to the mining and mineral industry, Isturoth processes many agricultural products that primarily include barley, root vegetables, and berries. All of these are able to withstand the high altitudes and cold temperatures of the region, and can be farmed in large quantities. Additionally, there are many kinds of rare herbs exclusive to the mountains, which are highly sought after and can fetch a high price in the market.   In any agricultural industry, livestock are also keep for their fur and meat. Mountain Cow are the most common livestock animal as they provide wool that can be spun into fabric, their meat is delicious, and even their horns provide many uses as instruments or utensils. They are sure-footed and can be easily herded into pastures up and down the highlands. Mountain Chicken are the poultry of choice for Isturians. They can lay eggs daily and while they are small, they can have an immense amount of beautiful plumage that regularly adorns the accessories of the upper classes.

A fairly flexible and reliable trade exists between the two kingdoms of Isturoth; after the War of Ashes, Kur'Taloth and Vašira settled into an uncomfortable accord, eventually allowing people to cross at will for personal or business reasons. Very occasionally, those on the outer fringes of Isturoth may engage in irregular trade with neighboring countries beyond the mountain border. However, Isturoth at large prides itself on the safety and security of its mountain borders, and values its seclusion.   Perilous journeys through the mountain passes are the primary method of transport around Isturoth. Some of these paths are thoroughly mapped and well-protected, some are paved with limestone and allow wagons to roll down them, while others are uncharted off-road trails that can land the unseasoned traveler in hot water. The potential dangers and threats are numerous, and include environmental hazards (earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, eruptions) and predators (such as the feared Wyrms of Isturoth).   Because of this, guides are an essential component of long journeys, sometimes multiple for larger parties. Mountain guides are a highly-valued and respected occupation, seen as a vital part of the Isturian culture and economy. Caravans and convoys are often assembled to make regular journeys on frequented trade routes. The largest of these is Broken Rock Road, (also called the "Pilgrim's Road"), the longest and largest road that runs through Isturoth. This path is essentially the lifeblood of trade and travel in the mountains, a vein that pulses with merchants and pilgrims and unites all its people through transportation.  

Currency

The system of currency that Isturoth runs on consists of three different units: Shima, Tori, and Nikut.   The three units can only be strictly created in capital cities by government-approved mints. The exchange rate for each type of currency is as follows:

	Shima	Tori	Nikut
Shima	1	1/15	1/2250
Tori	15	1	1/150
Nikut	2250	150	1

[TBD]

Aquaducts, Sewage, Road networks, airports, castles, border towers, bridges, locks, town courts/halls etc.

Belief in the gods of the Isturian pantheon is pretty standard throughout the kingdom, including the Isturian Creation Story.