Niagassal (Ne-a-gah-saul)

Capital: Great Kalbrange
Languages: Common, Marathi, Grollgh, Alavin
The people of Niagassal spent much of their history lagging behind the known world technologically and magically. For generations the halfling people lived in isolation on their island continent. For generations after the Spelljammer crashed to the surface of this planet the halflings have shown no interest in mingling with the other nations that would form. Change was first thrust onto the halfling people when Alivaran war ships landed on the shores of Niagassal in the year 150 AW. Further pain and change would be cast onto the people of Niagassal centuries later when slaves from Cultrius attacked the shores. From these moments in history the Niagassal people worked diligently to bolster their military as well as skill in diplomacy. Through their dedication the nation of Niagassal has managed to change the way that they interact with the world, and how the world sees the people of Niagassal.
Before these moments of change were thrust on them the people of Niagassal dedicated their lives to farming and protecting the animals that shared the lands of Niagassal. Over time the Niagassal people came to consider the local wildlife to be sacred and passed laws that made the killing of such creatures as punishable by death. It was from this harmonious relationship that the legendary masters of animal husbandry were born.
When the gnomes of Gnoglin were expelled from their homeland the people of Niagassal took in the refugees. Having experienced such great pains in their nations history had aided the people of Niagassal in developing a reputation for great compassion for others. In trade for providing shelter the gnomes spent time teaching and developing new technologies that would bring the nation of Niagassal into the modern era.

Demography and Population

Population: 150,000 (55% Halfling, 20% Gnome, 15% Goblinoid, 5% Human, 5% Other)
Life in Niagassal is rather peaceful and the largely tropical paradise is blessed with mild weather through the year interrupted only by the periodical rain storms in the summer and snows in the winter. Since the arrival of the gnomish exiles of Gnoglin the population of Niagassal has swelled as many other people have found their way to the island continent in seek of a safer and happier life. In the larger population centers such as Great Kalbrange there has been great cultural advances thanks to the amalgam of influence brought from people from all walks of life.
To the north the halfling people have remained largely the way that they have been for centuries as the people of this region cling to their traditions. The people here are simple folk dedicated to farming while providing a safe shelter for the wildlife of the land. Through these simple folk the Niagassal people are able to breed domesticated pterodactyl which are incorporated into both the Niagassal military and every day life.
For those that people who traveled from Falandas to Niagassal in search of an easier would find this to be elusive to them. Though the halfling people have opened their arms open to bring in any that seeks safety and security, the people that made their way to Niagassal found that they did not have the same rights as the native halfling people. The Elder Counsel has been slow to react to various petitions and proposals to remedy this as they Counsel continues to look at the presence of these new arrivals to be temporary in spite of the decades that they have been present on Niagassal. In contrast to this the gnomish refugees have managed to fair better thanks to the negotiations between King Loranth Tourbeard, leader of the Gnomish refugees, and the Elder Counsel. Using the position of the technology has helped the halfling people advance the gnomes have secured space beneath the Indelston Mountains where the gnomes have gone about constructing a new home for themselves.
For the other such races that made their way to Niagassal life has been less than pleasant. Various shanty towns have been constructed to house these people, forcing them to live in small, cramped huts with multiple families forced into a single structure. Work remains scarce for these individuals as jobs with the majority of positions being aboard fishing vessels and in deep mines for low pay. Those that look to fight against the oppressive forces and seek out immediate improvement find themselves part of a pirate crew or selling their skills as mercenaries to the Niagassal military. That that accept this line of work tend to live rather short lives.

Territories

Located in the Tasli Ocean the island nation of Niagassal is a land of varied environments.  The southern reaches of the nation contains the majority of the population centers to include the capital city of Great Kalbrange.  At the edges of southern Niagassal wind the many rivers known as the Tears of the Queen.  These rivers are rich with minerals as they form in the Indelston Mountains and flow along the base of the dormant volcano, Mount Crossmar.  A lush forest of pine trees surrounds the base of the Indelston Mountains and provides a quality supply of lumber for the Niagassal people.
To the north the land becomes rolling planes best suited to the herding of sheep and growing of crops such as potatoes.  The northern lands are less populated than southern Niagassal due to the colder winters that bring with them heavy snowfall.  Due to the lower population in the northern areas the natural wildlife here flurishes.  This are is populated with both the mundane and the exotic.

Military

Niagassal maintains a small military force for the purpose of protecting their shores and the sacred wildlife that lives on the island continent.  Military soldiers of Niagassal are trained primarily in spear and short blade techniques.  The short blade training takes advantage of the natural speed of the halfling people of Niagassal, while the spear techniques are refined around fighting from the back of pterodactyls.  Not all of the soldiers are trained in the art of mountain combat of this manner, however, as the number of pterodactyls trained for combat is not as plentiful as there are troops.
The Niagassal navy is the smallest division of the military and serves the primary function of patrolling the waters that surround Niagassal.  Thanks to their alliance with the gnomish refugees the Niagassal naval vessels are among the most feared in the known world.  Each frigate within the fleet is armed with a row of cannons imbued with arcane energies that give the weapons the added benefit of elemental damage.  The most notorious of these ships is the Imperial Revenge, a dromond warship that utilizes a combination of agility and strength to protect their home.  Sailors of ill repute speak in hushed tones when discussing the Imperial Revenge in remembrance of the many souls that this ship has sent to a watery grave.

Religion

A combination of tradition and turmoil influences the religion of the Niagassal people.  Over centuries the people here have developed a strong bond with the land and the animals that make this island their home.  This naturally transitioned to a devoted following of Monde and turning to the god for guidance on tending to crops and caring for their people.  Invasions from Alivara and Cultrius in the past brought the people of Niagassal closer to Cyril and Arion.  The Niagassal have developed a judicial system that fully envelopes the worship of these gods into the laws of Niagassal.  Outsiders do look at the punishments to be excessive at times, but few in the world can argue against the fairness of the Niagassal system.
Contrary to this the people of Niagassal have forbidden the worship of Soleil within their borders.  The reasons for this have been kept largely secret among the people of Niagassal, leaving philosophers to come up with their own conclusions.  Among the many theories comes the belief that the halfling people find that the compassionate nature of Soleil would taint the justice system that was developed.  Others believe that the Niagassal people refuse to worship Soleil because they feel that following her would prevent violent actions that may be deemed necessary.

Foreign Relations

The diplomats of Niagassal have developed an exceptional reputation throughout Falandas.  This reputation was carefully cultivated over the course of several decades and has been used to develop a special relationship with each nation.  Though these relationships vary in their depth there are no nations that bear ill will against Niagassal.
Niagassal has a direct alliance with the gnomish refugees of Gnoglin.  Through this relationship the gnomes have aided the Niagassal people in advancing their technologies into the modern era.  Conversely the Niagassal military provides training to the those gnomes that act as freedom fighters, as well as providing transportation to those trained specialists to Gnoglin.
Another note worthy relationship is between Niagassal and Cultrius and the trade agreement between these nations.  In exchange of construction materials to assist the Cultrius people in rebuilding their nation the Elves sent master arcanists to Niagassal to assist with the creation of an Arcane Academy.  The halflings have condoned the actions of the Cultrius elves for the aid they have provided the Orone military and their recent invasion of Alivara.  This has placed a strain on the relationship between these nations with Niagassal threatening to end the trade agreement if Cultrius troops join the war efforts.

Agriculture & Industry

Halflings still maintain strong farming communities across the nation of Niagassal. Many of these farms produce enough crops to feed those that occupy the island and the overflow from Gnoglin. Within these farms, however, are the famous groves of Niagassal Apricot trees. These fruits are coveted in their natural state in Alivaran markets as well as within the stately homes of Senators when the apricots are made into wine. Along the western shores the fields are dedicated to the growth of cotton which is made into bolts of cloth that are sold across Munasarja and Einsang Nat. Though there are many places closer and easier to obtain the material on Falandas the quality and strength of the fabrics do not rival those that come directly from Niagassal.
The most prized of the exports that the Halflings of Niagassal produce are their horses. These horses are of the Waler and Kathiawari breed and are used by Halflings for their speed and mental fortitude in combat. Before the dragons laid waste to Cultrius the elves prided themselves on having the largest known cavalry in the known world made up entirely of horses born, bred, and raised on Niagassal. There are two ranches that bred these horses, one run by the Halfhoove family, and the other by the Mainling family. Each family competes in an annual contest to determine who has produced the best stock. This contest consists of a horse race, load pull, tug of war, and jousting. The winner of the contest is granted priority over the other family when it comes to sales to foreign markets. This practice has caused conflicts in the past and is often a point of contention during meetings of the high council.

Important Locations:

GREAT KALBRANGE

SETTLEMENT 6

LN

CITY

Halfling

Cold

Built at the base of a potentially active volcano this capital city is the pride of Niagassal
Government Elder Counsel
Population 8962 (Halfling 4122, Elf 2061, Human 1523, 537 Dragonborn, Gnome 454, Ogre 89, Hobgoblin 88, Gnoll 88)
Languages Marathi, Uptali, Ajili, Alavin

Religions Monde, Cyril, Arion
Prohibited Religions Soleil, Malade
Threats Great Kalbrange was built at the base of Mount Crossmar, a dormant volcano which last erupted hundreds of years ago. Recent earthquakes lead residents to believe an eruption may occur in the near future.
Bestial Avery The animal wranglers of Great Kalbrange are renowned for their trained dinosaurs, in particular the pterodactyl. Nature checks to Command An Animal completed in Great Kalbrange gain a +1 for each week spent with these trainers in study.
Kleviss Bakery Serving extravagant pastries and a variety of breads, Kleviss’ Bakery is a beloved local hotspot. A successful Diplomacy check to Gather Information here is considered a Critical Success.
Hallingstone Shipwrights Built along the shore of one of the many tendrils of the river ways known as the Tears of the Queen these shipwrights craft many of the trading vessels used throughout Falandas.

Gilla Smallburrow (CG female halfling senior editor) Editor in chief of the Kalbrange Times and former foreign correspondent reporter.
Apphine Maycey (CN female halfling farmer) Apphine both owns the largest farm in Niagassal, but also acts as the Cardinal of the Great Kalbrange Church of Monde.
Ladore Mithmirelen (NG male elf barbarian baker) A retired adventurer who became the head chef of Kleviss Bakery.

Government System

Timocracy

Currency

Niagassal coin is referred to as Naasn (these).

Major Exports

Potatoes, Apricots, Lumber, Horses

Major Imports

Furs, Gemstones, Dye, Coal

Legislative Body

Niagassal government has advanced greatly from the days of nomadic tribes of barbarians roaming the island continent.  The nation is led by the Elder Counsel which is comprised of three of the eldest halflings who established themselves either through arcane, religious, mercantile, or military experience through their lives.  This government replaced the tribal leadership that had been in place previously.  However, to this day the political decisions that are made take into account Niagassal traditions before enacting new policy.
The halfling people of Niagassal are grateful to the Elder Counsel for their handling of the refugee problem.  It is through policies and decrees that the Counsel has managed to negotiate delicate trade negotiations with Munasarja and Alivara that provided the nation with the materials needed to craft the shanty towns that house the refugees.  Additionally, the Counsel has been working closely with Cultrius with additional trade negotiations to provide construction materials to the Cultrius people.  In return the Cultrius people have sent arcane delegates to Niagassal to establish an Arcane Academy in the city of Great Kalbrange.
From these negotiations Niagassal has established embassies in the capital cities of every country on Falandas, to include Inont and Orone.  Through these embassies the Niagassal delegates handle the delicate issues of foreign policy.  Due to their reputation many government officials insist on having a Niagassal diplomat present when discussing foreign policy or negotiating with another country regardless of Niagassal actually being a part of the matter at hand.