Yeon

Yeon is a long, narrow nation in the northwest of Fennengath. It is north of Tigue and west of Yangjuguk.
The capital of Yeon, Jinji'na, is a small, fortressed city surrounding an impenetrable palace. Most of the royal family lives within, and the rest of the walled city is reserved for elites. The majority of the city has grown up along the outside of the walls, and this area is much like a any other small city. Few foreigners have ever been granted access to enter the fortress, however the rest of the city is quite friendly. The population is estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000.
The largest city in Yeon is called Heung’na. Its population is approximately 15,000, though there are anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 others within the city on any given day, as permanent foreign residents and travelers both foreign and domestic are not counted. This is the only port legally open to foreign ships in the country. The city sits at the mouth of the Gyeong'wei River, its river valley being the one region of Yeon where foreigners are allowed limited, and often monitored, travel. Heung'na is known to the rest of the world for its markets and fesitvals, while the rest of the valley is known for its many temples.
Because of the nation's closed off nature, their exclusive capital city, and a common habit among Yeonese traveling abroad of being tight-lipped about their homeland, Yeon has a repuatation for being suspicious or even selfish. This has led to many throughout Fennengath, especially in the east, to be distrustful of Yeon and the Ryong royal family.

Demographics

Dragonborn: 10%
Dwarf: 5%
Elf: 12%
Halfling: 3%
Human: 41%
Mixed Race: 17%
Remaining 5%: Other
Aarakocra, Firbolg, Genasi, Tiefling, and Triton make up the majority of the remaining 5% of the population. Genasi and Tieflings are most easily found in Heung'na, Tritons mostly reside on the small southern islands, and Aarakocra and Firbolg populations are more often than not found in remote hamlets, far from other civilization. There are other races present in Yeon, though not at a high enough percentage to be of note.

Government

Yeon is ruled by a secretive monarchy. The King and Queen supposedly rule together, though anyone who has sought an audience with them has only ever seen the King.
Audiences are held at the palace every two months. Each of the four provinces of the nation sends a group of representatives to the palace once a year to pay taxes and discuss what their region wants in return.
Gyeong'wei, the wealthiest of the provinces, sends their representatives in spring, because they are the most flexible and bring the most money. Neup'yeol's audience is in summer, because they need good weather for their long trek north to the capital. Ye'cheol sends their representatives in autumn, because most of their taxes are paid in coal instead of gold, which Jinji'na requires for their winter preparations. Gang'seol sends their representatives in winter, because they are more skilled at travelling through poor weather conditions.
The Ryong family is the first, and only family to rule Yeon. The current monarchs are King DongSu Ryong and Queen EunJeong Ryong. It is unknown whether or not they have chosen an heir.

Industry & Trade

Yeon is best known for the cool and windy conditions along its coast, its cuisine, the parties of Heung’na, and its exports of dyes, trained hawks and falcons, painted kites, and coal.

History

Yeon was founded after The Tempest that brought the ancestors of most of Fennengath's citizens to the continent. The founders of both Yeon and Yangjuguk came from the same, now forgotten, homelands. Their different environments have led to a shift in modern culture between the two countries. During the first age, Yeon also had strong ties to Tigue.
Originally, the four provinces of Yeon were four small kingdoms that worked and traded together, each with their own individual relationships to Tigue and Yangjuguk which were both still solidifying their own borders and rule.
This lasted into the early third century when, in 212 AT, the original ruling family of Ye'cheol province, the Igarashi clan, disappeared. The Ryong family from Gang'seol, who does not appear in the written record before then, filled the power vacuum left behind. By 225 AT, they had united all four kingdoms into one.

Points of interest

The four provninces of Yeon are, north to south: Gang'seol, Ye'cheol, Gyeong'wei, and Neup'yeol.
Gang'seol:

Ye'cheol:

• Jinji'na, Yeon's capital city, built near the border of Ye'cheol and Gang'seol

Gyeong'wei:

• The Gyeong'wei River Valley, where most foreign visitors can be found
• Heung'na, the only port where foreigners are allowed to disembark
• Shin'Seong University, located on the outskirts of Heung'na
• Buk'heung, Heung'deok, and Nam'heung

Neup'yeol:

• The Yintak River, marking the southwestern half of the Tiguish border

Geography

The majority of the northwestern and southwestern coast of the country is lined with high cliffs, growing lower and lower towards the center at Heung'na. Gyeong'wei is the only province that slopes from east to west, following the river from the mountains along the Yangjugukin border to the coast. The other three provinces slope from west to east, from their coastal cliffs to the lowland borders.
There are several small islands along the southwestern coast, part of Neup'yeol province.
There is also a larger island, northwest of Jinji'na, where only select Yeonese ships are allowed access. That sea route and the waters near said island are well patrolled by the Yeonese Navy. Some rumors indicate that exiled members of the royal family may reside there. Any foreign ships that veer too close to the island are escorted away.

Founding Date

The Tempest

Type

National Territory

Population

Approximately 1,000,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Yeonese

Location under

Fennengath