Deeproots Elidian
The temperate forests of Deeproots Elidian may appear tranquil and idyllic, but the wise do not underestimate their dangers. Locals, fortunately, are well-accustomed and equipped to take advantage of all that the forests offer, as well as the caves below.
Structure
D.Elidian is ruled by a council, composed of members selected from each community across the country. The council elects a Crown every other year, to be responsible for officiating over the council. Elidians consider holding the position to be a service rendered to the community, not a personal triumph of mark of status (at least, that is their ideal).
History
After the fall of the Raithar Empire, the province that would become Deeproots Elidian initially rejected any centralized government or other sort of official power structure. However, as Valor quickly leveraged and remade the empire's infrastructure, establishing themselves as a new power, their neighbors grew nervous. A group of Fauns made the rounds, seeking out the newly-free people of the area to offer their plan for a formal country and a means to call together defenses if needed, without too greatly compromising their own values. Finally, in Year 11, the council was called together for the first time, and after nearly a year of negotiations, ratified itself and their country into being on an auspicious day in Year 12.
Demography and Population
D.Elidian was founded by Fauns as a safe haven for their kind, and it still has a strong faun majority. There are Dogfolk and Goblins as well and even a few humans, though some still regard the latter with suspicion. Naga and Sphinx are rare, usually having fled Anteus or Shaodan either as exiles or fugitives.
Technological Level
The founding Elidians forswore the technology of the Raithar Empire, banning anything that would harm their land to benefit only in the moment. This does not make them "backwards," however; they are experts at working beside nature to achieve their desires. Elidians can coax a high yield from their lands without depleting its resources, and read every sign to predict everything from natural disaster to which plants or animals will prosper in the coming year.
Religion
Elidians are quiet about their religion, considering it to be a personal matter, rather than a communal one. Generally, they practice ancestor and nature worship, curating a small shrine close to where they sleep with symbols or objects that have personal meaning.
Foreign Relations
Though seen as the weakest country militarily, D.Elidian proved early in their history that they were skilled infiltrators and fully willing to defend themselves as needed. Primarily, however, other countries seek to maintain good relations with them for their exports (and their assistance keeping Valor's taxes and fees reasonable, as all exports from D.Elidian must pass through their borders).
Trade & Transport
Both the forests and caves of D.Elidian produce a variety of desirable materials. D.Elidian tea can compete with the finest blends from Shaodan, Chimera hide is valuable for numerous reasons, and there is no better source of steel or its components.
Because of the restrictions on use of the Forsworn Lands, all trade between D.Elidian and either Shaodan or Anteus must pass through Valor; this is a significant benefit to the Valoran guilds. Even though it increases their expenses, the Elidians also tend to appreciate the guilds' efficiency and reliability.
Roots Too Deep for Tyranny's Scourge
Foreign Knowledge
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