Istres

Istres
Country
Basics
Continent:	Istres
Capital:	Prospera
Major Cities:	Prospera, Roseview
Based On:	France, Russia, & China
Politics
Governing Type:	Monarchy
Leader(s):	King Guillemot
Trade
Primary Exports:	Textiles, Wine, Spices
Demographics
Primary Language(s):	Istrian
Religion(s):	Twelve Pillars
Demonym(s):	Istrian

Istres is the northern-most continent of Alleria. It has strong trade agreements with both Boyoma and Hokuto. However, it is in competition with Sippar when it comes to luxury goods, specifically textiles.

Earth is related to the land of Istres, the northernmost continent of Alleria. With coniferous forests as far as the eye can see, the people of Istres stand as tall and proud. East Istres is like western European: France, Germany, Spain, and England. West Istres, though, is more like China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The climate is mostly cold with some temperate areas throughout.

History

A map showing the ancient territories of Istres

Government and politics

Istres was initially a poorer nation due to the soil being less arable than other countries. On the western side the poor soil was made up for by trade with Hokuto or following nomadic ancestral routes that took advantage of seasonal forage and a moving animal population. On the eastern side, the moors are poor for farming on a mass scale and it relies on small farming communities to keep up with the demand. East Istres is filled with noble land claims that tend to sit near the coast. As each land claim gets closer to the moors, the larger it gets; alongside the peerage rank.

A baron may come to be in possession of a village, while ducal holding may lay claim to several towns, cities, and stretches of land that can take days to move through. Each hierarchal step may claim jurisdiction over a lower peer's land as well; for example, a Duke may levy taxes upon a Count, however that Count would have the right to request assistance should they need it. Typically this right is not exercised, and instead contracts are used to work between each land claim.

Conversely, however, the royal capital of Prospera maintains a small land claim but collects taxes from all peerage in order to sustain itself. The taxes are routinely used to do large contracts with other nations, import food and Labor, and to upkeep a certain level of comfort for the royal family.

Culture

Dragons

Istrian dragons are shaped more like a beast than other dragons. They don’t have wings but have thick hides and limbs like tree trunks.