Eisen (EYE-zen)
Government
Eisen is set up as a Parliamentary Republic, also known as the Ducal Court where each noble represents their Duchy. Political factions within the Court are known as Houses, and the House that receives the most votes chooses the Chancellor. Lesser positions, such as those held at the city level, are generally democratic.Culture
Heritage: Dwarven Victoriana Victorious!Eisen is in a Golden Age at the moment of economic prosperity, technological advancement, and cultural cache. They are riding entirely high at the moment. Cosmopolitan Center of the World
Being centrally located in Europa, Eisen has become a sort of crossroads nation where one can reasonably expect to see a variety of civilized races and occasionally some of the less civil, such as beast tribes and other inhuman races. The Eisenvolk are always willing to give people a chance and as a result, are accepting of almost anything that is not overtly attempting to cause havoc and mayhem. Innovation at all Costs
Since the onset of the Elemental Revolution, the spirit of Innovation has taken the people of Eisen by storm. Regardless of what profession one maintains, it is almost expected that they tinker in their downtime and almost every house is expected to have some kind of lab as part of the house.
Cultural Norms
HospitalityOwing to old dwarven customs and a long period of agriculture and agrarian life, most Eisenvolk are more than willing to take in guests, offer hospitality, etc- until that guest acts in a way that disturbs the house Excellence
Eisenvolk throw themselves, whole heartedly, into whatever they do - and this produces a level of competition and one-upmanship which is baked into the culture; interestingly, it is not ‘success at all costs’ but instead “I want my neighbor to do well. I simply want to do better.” Duty to Country
Each adult male citizen of Eisen is expected to serve a tour of duty either as part of the Royal Order of Knights or in their local Barony, County, or Duchy House Guard. In recent years, women have begun to volunteer for those duties and there is a large push to adjust the constitutional language to include women in the expected service. Strong Guilds, Stronger Beer
Eisen maintains a strong guild presence which orchestrates much of the country’s commerce and society. Guild membership and success tend to be a source of pride among the EIsenvolk, though the Brewer’s Guild often gets particular favor culturally speaking.
Military
House GuardsEach local Duchy maintains a uniform number and composition of House Guard which, under the direction of the Chancellor, with the support of the Ducal Court, can be combined into a temporary standing army. In such an event, each Duchy may call the banners of their subsequent County and Barony lands to further support their military needs.
Economy
Eisen AleThe single largest export for Eisen is a rich, dark, ale which is the pride of the Brewers Guild and country entire.
Religion
Rhemnys, God of Crafting- Traditionally worshiped but is slowly losing favor Kallias, Goddess of Alchemy & Luck - Slowly coming into more favor as more advanced technologies are invented Loreali, Goddess of Healing and Light Lucetius, God of Oceans & CommerceHolidays
New Years - January 1st World’s Fair - March 20th The country all but stops for the World’s Fair which is celebrated in each major city and most large towns or villages. It is a holiday that is focused on invention and innovation and anyone, regardless of rank or position, may have an entry into the Faire. Scouts from major nobles and companies use the Fair day to find inventions and innovations worth sponsoring and many use the Fair to secure or maintain their patronage. Midsummer - shifts occasionally with the Solstice, traditionally in June. It is worshiped as a community building holiday - everyone helps farm, build things, do repairs, etc. Midwinter - Shifts occasionally with the Solstice, traditionally in December. It is worshiped as a relationship building holiday - gift giving, etc. Of note, asking for and giving forgiveness is a big part of the holidayWinter Holidays in Eisen
Due to the confluence of several holidays for several gods and the solstice, Eisen celebrates its main midwinter holiday the week of Dec 19. The secular midwinter celebration is set on the solstice meaning that the entire week tends to be a series of festivals, events, and parties throughout the country. The end of festivities is capped by Rhemnys’ crafters day - which while a celebration for one god often bleeds over into general gift giving for everyone.Decorations
With the longest nights of the year in force, light is a popular theme for decorations. Candles, mage lights, and the like are present as decorative items throughout the city. Most stores and homes light candles in their windows in the evenings. Evergreen boughs are also popular as a nod to Rhodena. The main “holiday” colors are white, blue, silver, and gold throughout the city. Trees are often decked with candles and ribbons to celebrate the shift of longest night.Gift Giving
While originally a nod to Rhemnys, gift giving as part of mid winter has been a part of Eisen secular culture for centuries. Many give small (or extravagant) gifts to families and loved ones. Hand made gifts and cards are popular and even for the rich, hand making cards is common and encouraged. The markets and stores often carry small items suitable for gift giving this time of year. In addition to hand made items, exotic or harder to get food items such as citrus or chocolate are also popular.Mid-winter day
While Crafter's day caps the season and officially ends the holiday festivities, Mid-winter Solstice is an Eisen secular holiday. The central areas of Novandria are turned into a large festival with ice sculptures, snow ball fights, sledding, sleigh rides, market stalls, and skating. Many Novandrians spend the day at the festival and the night observing one of the religious observances for one of the gods.Additional Information
Treaties Everywhere One of the reasons that Common has become so extensive is that Eisen uses Common as the language of treaties and invention - for the express purpose of allowing everyone to have free access to ideas. As a result, Eisen is one of the more diplomatically strong countries as it maintains active trade, non aggression, and mutual defense treaties across EuropaMy dearest friend, Enola, I am finally settled and comfortable enough to put pen to paper and write to tell you of the wonders I have seen here in the famed city of Novandria. The trip across the Sapphire Sea from Avalon was as calm and smooth as I could have hoped for; what impressed me most was the pure and simple speed. The entire trip took just under forty hours, when such a trip by sail would be the better part of a week. I occasioned to strike up a conversation with the Captain and managed to arrange a tour to see the engine room, owing in no small part to indicating a certain friendship between myself and your father. I’m certain nothing will come of it, but forewarned and forearmed. The first wonder of the trip was the engine itself, all housed in steel and with a massive flywheel seeming to constantly spin as the air elemental spun the tiniest tornado I have ever seen within the confines of the apparatus. The poor thing never seemed to tire, and the Captain, a native Eisenlander himself, assured me that the elementals summoned and bound into the engines that have begun to make their way out of the nation and across Europa are unfeeling and unthinking constructs of arcanotech and thus, completely safe. I have enclosed a daguerreotype of the harbor I purchased the other day from one of the street folk who seemed to feel that as an obvious foreigner I would need the memory. I can safely say that I need no such trinket to remember this city as it will live within my mind until my dying day.I have spent the last few weeks here in Novandria settling into the city, taking in the sights, and feeling wonderfully welcomed by the local ‘Eisenvolk’. The city lives up to every rumor and story we have heard, as befitting the very place of the Elemental Revolution, and is a place where my own storied past and uncertain prospects means little. It is a place rife with chance and opportunity, adventure and risk, and as much danger and depravity hidden under the surface as one can find the stomach for in the whole, wide, world. I find I am enchanted with this place, from the shifty eyes of the dockworkers to the rough and tumble sort that come through, and yes, even to the alleged heights of the aristocracy that I so crave to escape. There is a certain charm in this place where people from all over Terranon can meet to exchange ideas, coin, services, and of course… Secrets. I cannot wait to pit my wits against whatever intrigues and adventures this city can offer. If I am very good, very lucky, or some arcane combination of both, perhaps I will earn my fortunes and change my fate. I have the honor to be your friend and obedient servant,
Sir Victor Strange
The haze of the half lit opium pipe on the desk clouded his eyes for a moment as the detective sat back from his letter. He read over it again, thumbing a match-stick to relight the pipe as he took a long pull from it, letting the sweet smoke fill his lungs and mind. He always thought better as he smoked, and he had meant what he wrote to his distant friend when he had said that Novandria held the lion’s share of secrets. He’d seen travelers from every corner of the world in the last few weeks, even ones from as far as Patlov and Ruskovich, despite their nation’s avowed refusal to allow even the simplest of innovations to cross their borders. Strange turned to look out the window, letting the pipe rest on his desk once more and could not resist the smile that lit his face. The small room he had let overlooked one of Novandria’s main roadways and so it offered a wide selection of people watching opportunities, but more importantly, it gave an amazing view of the harbor. As he watched, one of Eisin’s fabled airships came into view, brilliant white of the ship’s side mounted sails filled with elemental wind. It made it’s slow bank into the harbor, the sails pulling back into the body of the ship as it touched water, and the detective mused that whomever had designed that particular bit of mechanical brilliance must have been watching the water birds land in the bay when the idea came upon him. He rose from the desk and slipped into his overcoat as a slow smile spread across his face. The public house was calling his name for supper, and he had every intention of being there before the evening rains rolled in. As he went downstairs and stepped into the encroaching gloom of the evening, the smells of the city greeted him as if he were an old friend, despite being a foreigner. The smell of the city, of horses and people, of the foundries with their fire elementals pouring smoke into the sky, and of the wind coming off the bay, all mingled together with the promise of rain that hung low and threatening over the shining city. Polished rooftops and spires dotted the skyline as if turning brilliant spears towards the darkness hanging over the city and as the rain began to fall, Victor simply pulled his overcoat closer around himself as he made his way to the pub with a single thought in his mind: There was nowhere else in all of Terranon that he wished to be.
Maps
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Eisen
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Leader Title
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Major Exports
Eisen Ale
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Traditions
- A Guide to the Arts of Flirtation
- Academic Symposiums
- Balls and Galas
- Banking
- Brothels
- Circus
- Concerts
- Dueling
- Eisen Naming Conventions
- Equestrian Activities
- Exercise
- Gambling - Illegal
- Gambling - Legal
- High Class Social Clubs
- High Class Taverns
- Hunting
- Lighten-Lantern Moving Picture Theaters
- Low Class Taverns
- Low Class Theater
- Middle Class Social Clubs
- Museums
- Options, Stocks, Funds
- Parks and Promenades
- Printed Publications
- Restaurants and Dining
- Secret Societies
- Sports and Games
- Street Entertainment
- Taxation and Tariffs
Controlled Territories
- Ayrith, Eisen
- Berunaford, Eisen
- Eisen National Museum
- Enylaneas, Eisen
- Frostspear Lake
- Jomdarihm, Eisen
- Kemberg, Eisen
- Lotans, Eisen
- Marketh, Eisen
- Novandria Museum of Science
- Novandria, Eisen
- Osterlind Wilds / Majestic Wilds
- Rodstock, Eisen
- Stralsund Point, Eisen
- Sunken City of Tresard
- The Citadel, Eisen
- The Misty Mountains
- The Shattered Peaks
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members