Ashola

This country is certainly one of Urdic's smallest but also potentially one of it's most dangerous and powerful thanks to the infamous Guild, The Order of Belasco.

Demographics

Population

Not the largest by any means. This country has a small population of 30 million, low density, and an unimpressive GDP making only about 2 Trillion dollars a year. But the people here boast happiness despite the harsh summers and low income. The country has an increasing population as a result of this perceived prosperity with each household having 3.42 children on average. Ashola is accepting of all types of people, but because of the excessive heat, not many individuals migrate there. Ashola really only has one major city, Tanoga which is separate from its capital Riado (where it is believed the Order of Belasco's HQ resides), but many smaller settlements do exist on the banks of Ashola's large lakes which for some reason never seem to dry out.

Demographics By Province

Because of its size and the fact that only really one major city exists in Ashola they country isn't divided into any provinces.
Tanoga: Tanoga exists deep within Ashola's borders next to its largest lake. Because of its location, it is naturally protected by the vast stretch of dessert the territory is known for. Tanoga houses all of Ashola's essentials for life which many of its citizens work together to provide whether that be through hunting food or purifying their water. Everyone here is one big community. 90% of Ashola's population live here.
Riado: Riado, Ashlola's capital is home to the royal family and many of the countries nobles. This is where all official government business is carried out and is definitely more lavish than Tanoga, but not by much. 5% of Ashola's population exist there.
Smaller Settlements: Small tight knit groups of Asholans exist in small settlements around Ashola's dessert. Many of these clans have their different reasons for existing outside the city from being exiled by their families, want to start their own city, or simply dispising The Order of Belsaco.

Religion

Many Asholan's are incredibly religious, following a religion which believes in reincarnation and that every life you have is a chance to do this one better than the last.

Government

Ashola is an absolute monarchy. Their kings' final word is law, but the king is required to have their actions weighed upon by a council of advisers typically comprised of the oldest child of each royal family. The Royal families are each the head of one of Ashola's clans, of which there are 7 (4 Major Clans and 3 minor). Major clans are any clan which is comprised of over 800,000 families and historically controlled a large portion of Asholan territory. Minor Clans are any clan who broke off from a major family and haven't grown much or owned any land. Many minor clans migrated away from what is now Tanoga after it was unified as they understood their lack of size made them politically inferior as they didn't have enough members in their clan to leverage their power and few resources to offer. This is why Tanoga's three minor clans, the Tabega, Begat, Vespa, often time act as a singular clan when it comes to major political decisions. The Ruling family of the Nuba also has a very strong connection to The Order of Belasco (The Crow, The Order) as well. This connection has protected the family for nearly 300 years as the people of Ashola notoriously view The Order as saviors and those who don't would never dare oppose them.

Political Divisions:

The country of Ashola used to be several territories of competing clans, but eventually, they were unified by a singular ruling family that showed them that if they work together life could be far more blissful. Since then the country has been unified, but the Royal Families still claim rule over their people. They control the laws that only affect the well being of their people, whereas the Ruling Family controls major rules that affect the country as a whole as well as hearing and balancing the concerns of the different clans.

The Royal Families:

• The Nuba:

The Nuba is the current ruling family. They control no clan as in order to unify the country they had to become impartial. So, their clan was split into equal parts and evenly divided among the other clans. Currently, between the four living grandparents, the monarchs brothers and sisters and their kids the ruling house is made up of 31 members all residing in one mansion.

• The Tebega:

The Tebega is perhaps the smallest, but most caring clan. They only have 293,772 families, but these families make themselves responsible for the cleaning and protection of the world around them. They have sacred rules for how nature and people should be treated and because of this, they are typically very kind and caring individuals who are not easily offended. However, because of their kind and loving nature, some believe they can be taken advantage of and they are not always incorrect, but many will not let their kindness be mistaken for weakness.

• The Begat:

The Begat is quite a bit larger than the Tabega with 544,022 families. The Begat believe that the shape of your soul is a reflection of the health of your body and that it is possible to achieve true ascension exiting the cycle of reincarnation, but In order to do this the body must be trained to the peak of its capability and then beyond so that after death any new body your soul could inhabit would be too weak to contain such a strong presence leaving you no option but to exceed the material plane.

• The Vespa:

The Vespa Clan contains 380, 816 families. They can easily be compared to hippies in the sense that they are constantly high. The Vespa believe that entering an influenced state allows them to see both the earth and the more importantly people in their truest form. The Vespa allow their entire perception of reality to be based off of the drugs they take meaning that if they ever determine there is a reason to not trust a life long friend while under the influence they will easily write them off and likewise if while under the influence it becomes apparent that they should take up league with those who would love to see them dead then you best believe that they will embrace death with open arms.

• The Sebalo:

The Sebalo are perhaps the most controversial of the houses. Many of the other houses claim that they use the name of their god as an excuse to live crazy lives and make rash decisions. The Sebalo however, believe that if every life is another chance to do your life better then you might as well experiment as much as possible with the life you have now. Meaning that you should capitalize on every experience you have. Now not every member of the clan takes this mentality to the extreme, in fact most don't, but those who do have branded the Sebalo's name as a clan of irresponsible and crazy disgraces of society. Which can be really difficult to deal with even if they are the second largest clan with 1,055,403 Families.

• The Denga:

The Denga clan are those of the Asholan that have taken a liking to magic and enchanted items. They, for quite some time, have been learning and practicing how to use harness magic but thus far have only managed to get the hang of enchanting items. Which although fairly high level all things considered is also not the most usefully unless properly used, especially because enchantments only last a short period of time and they haven't yet discovered how to extend the period of time an enchantment lasts. The Denga is the 3rd largest of the Major clans with 970,971 families.

• The Neberto:

The Neberto Clan is the original clan the Tebega branched off from. The Neberto also believe in a love and respect for nature, but often times seem to value nature over their fellow man which the now Tabega did not agree with. Because of this love for nature, The Neberto often have skills in botany and animal husbandry. Most Neberto also have pets coming in many different shapes and varieties. This tradition is meant to represent The Neberto's respect for nature, but many go as far as to say that the creature(s) you chose to care for often represents your soul and the type of person you are. The Norberto is the smallest of the Major clans with 886,538 families.

• The Iba:

The Iba clan is the Original clan of the Begat. The Begat are not unintelligent by any means but they believe in only training the body for success. The Iba instead believe that you should strive to live the best version of this life as possible and once you've lived enough lives to their fullest potential there will be no lives left for you to live and you will finally ascend. This leads the Iba to be incredibly driven individuals who hold haste for no one and although they are not necessarily bad people the Iba can sometimes be seen as prudish or having a superiority complex. Something that them being the biggest clan doesn't really help. The Iba clan has 1,308,699 families each of which proudly carry the "Prestige" of their clan's name.

Census

When performing the Census Asholan's count family units as opposed to individuals. This is because The Asholan's believe the family is far more important than the individual as they don't believe the individuals' life harvests meaning without someone or someones to live for. Most times when counting family the census asks that only immediate family be included, with the exception of The Neberto who include their pets in their family count as they believe that their pets are someones to live for. Counting families also mean that resources are distributed per family unit, which is often estimated to be about five people. So, if an individual ever needs aid the entirety of their family enjoys that aid as well.

Transfer of Power

As everyone knows the Ruling Family and The Order of Belasco have a very close and ritualistic connection. This connection runs so deep that if either The Head of The Crow or The Monarch dies the other will sacrifice themselves to the successor as both a gesture of good will and luck. After this happens the Crow has their own secret methods for choosing and replacing their leader, but The Monarch is typically replaced by their eldest child or by a member of the closest royal family.

Foreign Relations

As a result of its proximity, Ashola does a lot of trading with Belwark which has lead to their fairly recent investment into oil-based energy, but because Ashola is pretty Continental invested as a result of their connection of The Crow. Many countries communicate with the Ashola for what the crow can offer, but atop currency, the company also charges in resources leading to much cultural diffusion and integration of foreign technology. This is part of the reason Ashola is so dependent on the existence of The Crow.

Military

Ashola is militarily allianced with Belwark, meaning that if Ashola is every attacked then Belwark will come into protect them and vicea Vercea. Ashola's own military is simply the combination of the different royal families clans as in times of war individual clans only have to intervene in conflict if their clan leader deems they must. However, all this is simply a formality as if Ashola is ever attacked The Order of Belasco has protocol for determining who perpetrated the attack and eliminating said perpetrator. So, no one would want to attack the country anyway. Not directly at least.

Infrastructure

Ashola's infrastructure is dependent on a combination of Enchantments pioneered by the Denga as well as oil and some steam based technologies. They communicate and clean their waters via enchanted powders and solutions. Travel via both steam and oil powered sky buses, and their electricity is oil dependent.

Guilds and Factions

The Order of Belasco

Continent: Urdic
Location Type: National Territory
Government: Monarchy

Ruling Family:The Nuba

Current Ruler:Nuba Sensufari

Population: 30,223,451
Total GDP: 2 Trillion GP
Magic Dependency: Medium

Ethnic Groups:

• Human

• Dwarven

• Half-Elf

• Gnomes

• Elven

• Hybrids

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