Khedrid
The nation of Khedrid is fairly young in comparison to the other nations of the world. Khedrid began as a veiled attempt at colonization by Kefrad, seeking to expand its influence and obtain new resources. Kefrad sent several teams by ship to the tip of Voslimir hoping to find rare and unique resources that they could monopolize in the untamed and hositle swamps. However, when the expeditions arrived and began surveying the land, they found very little in terms of raw materials. Khedris, the man who had taken charge of the expedition, did not want to return to Kefrad empty-handed or to waste the opportunity presented to him. So rather than send reports that it wasn't worth Kefrad's time or resources to pursue the colonization of Voslimir, Khedris lied and stretched the truth about the abundance of resources to be found. Khedris' reports spoke of vast amounts of natural resources and rare flora and fauna that could be sent back to Kefrad, using some of the discovered bog iron and a handful of captured wildlife to lend credulity to his lie.
Kefrad bought into Khedris' tales and continued to send money and resources to the fledgling colony over the course of several years. Khedris used this to establish the nation of Khedrid which, at least officially, would operate as an independent nation. Khedris hoped that with enough time he could find the treasure trove of resources he needed to pay off the debts that his nation owed to Kefrad. Unfortunately, between how difficult it was to settle the swamplands and how dangerous it was to explore it, Khedris was never able to fully deliver on his promises. The native population of lizardfolk, swamp elves, and boggards also made expanding territory extremely difficult. The Khedrians were strangers to the swamps and were at a distinct disadvantage. Their only saving grace was in the quality of their gear and in the disorganization of the local populations.
Over the years, Khedrid managed to grow and was officially recognized as a nation, albeit a moderately unstable one. Khedrid's continued survival as a government is mostly attributed to the backing it has received from Kefrad. Once it became clear to the governing body of Kefrad that they had been misled about the resources of Khedrid, it was already too late. Kefrad had already invested a sizable amount in supporting Khedrid. Khedrid now functions as a client state that is deeply indebted to Kefrad. Many of its government officials are put in place by the politics and machinations of the Kefradian government, which still provides enough support to keep Khedrid from collapsing. In exchange, Khedrid sends the majority of its trade goods to Kefrad. Most of Khedrid's income is based on the harvest and processing of bog iron which is abundant in the swamplands. Khedrid has also been able to establish a few other staples of trade in lumber and peat. There's also a small market in the rare foods and medicines that can be gathered from the local plant and animal life. Khedrid is allowed a small amount of control over its own economy but it is largely guided by the whims and desires of Kefrad.
The people of Khedrid are a stubborn and independent mix of Kefradian and local lineages. Over the years some swamp elves and lizardfolk have managed to integrate themselves into Khedrian society. This has created a unique blend between the cultural practices and spirit worship of Voslimir with the Kefradian culture and deific worship. While these cultures have managed to blend, it is not seamless and there are often rivalries or prejudices between those who choose to remain true to one cultural heritage. There is also still some enmity between the swamp elves or lizardfolk and members of the other races. Swamp elves are often viewed as cannibals and untrustworthy while the lizardfolk are sometimes perceived as monsters that shouldn't be treated as a civilized race. This creates a society that can sometimes be as unstable as the nation's economy.
Khedrid's government is run by a council of governors who are elected into office by the mayors of each province. It is intended that the mayors cast their votes based on the desires of the general populace, however their votes are more often dictated to them by Kefradian representatives. This has created an extremely corrupt and biased government structure that has allowed Kefrad to further ensure its control of Khedrid. This has also contributed to why Khedrid has no military of its own. Instead relying on the support of Kefradian troops stationed in Khedrid and provincial militias to protect their territories from undead and other inhabitants of the Voslimir swamplands. Any time the Khedrian government has proposed organizing a military of their own, Kefrad has ensured that its puppet governors quash the proposal.
Alignment:
Chaotic Neutral
Cultural Inspiration:
A mixture of afro-haitian voodoo and medieval European
Chaotic Neutral
Cultural Inspiration:
A mixture of afro-haitian voodoo and medieval European
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