Droden
The nation of Droden is a testament to human resilience, determination, and bravery. Throughout the entire island chain that makes up the country, more than a third are home to volcanic activity of some kind, and several are little more than rocks sticking up out of the ocean. Nonetheless, there is plenty of habitable land among them, and the volcanoes provide vast quantities of useful minerals found nowhere else in the known world. Being a nation that spans multiple islands, Droden also has a strong naval presence, both in their home waters and throughout the Inner Ocean. Both designated aquatic routes and vast bridges have been used to link the islands together, which not only improves the movement of items and information around the country, but also vastly reduces the response time in case of a natural disaster, an occurrence only too common in Droden.
Structure
Major islands, and collections of minor islands, are ruled by Judges, who oversee their particular section of the island chain, as well as the people therein. Any citizen of Droden can bring a grievance before their judge, whose responsibility it is to resolve the issue. The judges are elected by the island or islands they oversee, for ten year terms. Should an issue span several judges' areas, or the grievance be about the judge themself, it can be brought before the High Arbiter, who is considered Droden's ruling authority. The position of high arbiter covers the same responsibilities of a judge, but for all of Droden, and a high arbiter is elected solely by the judges, who are also the candidates.
History
The early Droden people were seafarers, who were guided to the islands by a pillar of fire. This pillar turned out to be the actively erupting Balura volcano, and fortunately they had the good sense to avoid that particular island and settle the nearby Arawat instead. From there, they spread their influence over the rest of the islands in the chain, which proved little challenge, as few Wildmen were found in the area, and several islands were devoid of life entirely. Only Nauja provided real resistance, home as it was to a herd of Geryon.
After taking control of the islands, the people of Droden turned their attention to other lands. Sailing into the White Ocean was an impossibility, and to the south no land within reasonable distance could be found. To the west was Codal land, and to the east Osmia, neither of which provided good prospects for expansion. Nonetheless, Droden fought a number of wars against the two, of note the White Mountain War and the Oderel Wars. The outcomes of these wars did little to expand Droden territory, leaving them with just their islands. In recent times, Droden has been a major player in the Pirate Wars, as well as the quest to cross the Sunset Ocean.
Military
Droden's military might is predominantly naval, with powerful ships of war such as the steamdragon. The nation's location provides it with a large quantity of useful metals and minerals, meaning that Droden soldiers have some of the finest equipment in the known world, often more than making up for their overall low numbers. The volcanic nature of the islands also provides a useful defense, making capturing any island an uphill struggle for an invader, and if necessary the high arbiter has the authority to use the Key of Fire to cause eruptions.
Agriculture & Industry
Droden is well situated to take full advantage of all the volcanoes' benefits. Some islands are devoted mainly to growing crops in the fertile volcanic soil, while others, usually the more desolate islands, have workshops and factories producing high-quality metalwork, cutting precious stones, and glass approaching Sylphen quality. Other islands are dedicated mines, either around the surface for volcanic minerals such as heatstones, or below the ground for all-important metal ores. Many islands share purposes, and some serve other needs, such as the Dumali Grand Courthouse, where the high arbiter oversees all matters brought before them.
Infrastructure
The islands that make up Droden have a strong interconnectedness, due in part to the bridges built between many of them. There are also numerous vessels which travel the straits between the islands in set routes, transporting goods and people around. One of Droden's most important organisations is its Emergency Response force, whose job it is to react to and minimise the impact of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Currency
While Droden used to have its own currency, it has now adopted Osmian Discs, and in fact most discs are now produced in Droden.
Controlled Territories
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