Ultuski Potentate
"Cut off from the wars of the mainland, the Kosva of the Ultusk islands regressed into a cultural backwater in the eyes of their cousins on the mainland, little better off then their conquering ancestors."
Demography and Population
Ultusk has one of the most homogenous populations in Zinruna, with nearly 100% of its people speaking the Ultuski language and following the Patrokian faith. This homogeneity is somewhat misleading as natives on reservations territories, such as the town of Ekuchi are not counted as citizens and are not taken into account for census purposes. Estimates state that anywhere from 5-10% of the population being culturally native and a large portion being of primarily native descent despite integrating into Ultuski culture.
Religion
Ultusk enforces religious conformity among its population as it is seen as imperative for the preservation of their culture. Ultusk is even said to persecute non-Patrokian Tosemuists, something extremely uncommon among the wider Tosemuist community.
Foreign Relations
Of all the competing states in Zinruna, Ultusk is by far the most isolationist, preferring to keep to themselves as they see the other Kosva peoples of the Heptarchy as "degenerates" for mixing with natives and adapting their cultural practices. Nevertheless, they maintain somewhat cordial relations with the neighboring Likovans and limited trade with them is maintained.
Agriculture & Industry
Ultuski industry and production is determined by its abundant natural mineral wealth and island geography. While less than 20% of its limited territory is suitable for farming, the waters around the home islands are among the richest fishing grounds in the region, allowing the isolationist people to maintain an independent food supply. The limited farming lands are dedicated to growing grains such as wheat and barley as well as vegetables, particularly beetroots, onions, and leeks which are well suited to the islands' soil. This has given Ultuski cuisine the widely known stereotype of being bland and is often hyperbolically described as inedible to mainlanders, despite most of the surrounding mainland's inhabitants having similar if not identical cuisine.
The Ultuski draw far more envy from their mainland counterparts for their mineral wealth and manufacturing capabilities. The Potentate has claim to the largest deposits of iron, copper, and coal in the region with only the mines of Bukoosa being able to seriously compete. Ultuski smiths and craftsmen make up a sizable portion of the nation's workforce and have led to her military to be among the best equipped in the region. Their manufacturing industry is less advanced than that of their neighbors due to a combination of their isolationism and the abundance of materials and labor, leaving no perceived need to innovate. Nevertheless, the stagnant methods of manufacturing have lead to the other nations of Zinruna steadily narrowing the gap between them and the Ultuski, though at least for now, the gap remains in the Potentate's favor.
Education
There are few opportunities for formal education within the Ultuski potentate and those few are generally reserved for the higher classes within society. The Potentate has one of the lowest literacy rates of any sedentary society with an estimated two thirds of the population being functionally illiterate. Most Ultuski grow up as apprentices to their parents or other local laborers from an early age, learning purely from experience and direct instruction. Parents of sufficient means can opt to have their child educated in the local temple as an adept or even hire a private tutor to teach them more advanced skills and grant them further opportunities for advancement. The high nobility are known to have their children educated abroad, studying at foreign universities such as the University of Tharsa or Empire University, though many choose to hire a myriad of private tutors instead to avoid the stigma of having relied of foreign resources for their child's education.
"Gods as our Witness"
Founding Date
16
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Ultusk
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Ultuski
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Ultuski Svuda
The Svuda is a common unit of currency in lands of Zinruna. They are small coins of gold, silver, copper, and tin. Svuda from other kingdoms are generally accepted outright for all purposes apart from taxation, leading to the widespread use of foreign coins in everyday life across Zinruna.
Major Exports
The primary exports are generally raw materials such as coal and copper but can also include gold and silver jewelry. Ultuski law prohibits the export of domestic weapons to foreign markets due to the fear that this could narrow the equipment advantage the nation currently enjoys over its rivals as well as the possibility that said weapons may later be traded away to non-Patrokian buyers down the line, which would be an affront to the central state church.
Major Imports
Despite the widespread isolationism the nation usually displays and touts, she does indeed engage in limited international trade. By far the largest trading partner is the Likovan Crown, despite general cold relations and territorial disputes along the border islands. The primary imports are timber, paper, dyes, and fruits. The Potentate is careful to avoid allowing itself to become dependent on trade from its neighbor and as such will not import food or essential supplies unless absolutely necessary.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Related Professions
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments