The Ishtar Consortium

The Ishtar Consortium is a feudal confederation spanning the eastern half of Amerish as well colonies in the Black Frost, Earthwood Hills, the Corpse Copse, and “The Golden Fields” south of Handelret. Politically, the region is made up of smaller principalities, kingdoms, and tribes that act largely autonomously while giving fealty to the High King, Emperor Aramais von Rurik. While these nations may have demonyms specific to them, anyone coming from the region is called Ishtaran.

Etymology

The name for the region, “Ishtar,” refers to the first ruler of the land whose empire spanned the entire continent before their death caused the political landscape to fracture.

Geography

The Ishtar Consortium encompasses the vast and frigid steppes of Zeemland, famously known as "The Land of Barbarians," home to numerous nomadic tribes. To the north, the formidable Gecront Mountains act as a barrier, shielding the Consortium from the sweltering desert heat of Ajimbatt. The eastern boundary extends along Catherine's Coast, where the icy expanse of the Frozen Tide meets the sea. The southern edge is defined by the arctic desert known as the Eistod, or "Frozen Death," a harsh and desolate region. To the west, the natural border is marked by the Vantesh Hills, a rugged terrain that delineates the Consortium from the neighboring Trine Empire.

Flora & Fauna

(Redacted)

Government

The Consortium is a feudal confederation made up of smaller territories. Many of these territories send representatives to the capital city where they pay fealty and negotiate with other territories within the alliance. From among the territories’ rulers, a High King is elected to make executive decisions in the name of the nation.

Positions

• The High King/Queen - Elected from among the low kings, their rule goes untested until their bloodline dies out. Once this occurs, a new dynasty is elected from among the Low Kings. The High King has supreme power over military, economic, and diplomatic matters, while the smaller kingdoms provide tribute and loyalty.
• Chancellor - elected from one of the merchant or banker guild families, often still gnomish royalty. The Chancellor provides oversight on administrative and diplomatic functions in the realm and council to the king.
• High Priest of the Inevitable - the highest ranked Priest of the Black Star Order in Zhjesk and master of occultism and the traditions of Ishtar. They provide the High King with spiritual guidance, religious ceremonies and rituals, interfaith relations, religious education, advising on religious policy, community support, and maintaining religious institutions.
• Provost of (Principality) - a ruler or head of one of Ishtar’s principalities.
• Lord Ringmaster - the leader of The Grand Circus, elected by and from its members and serves for life.

All titles are inherited equally by both genders so both genders so men and women can inherit land, titles, and all property on equal grounds. This is in honor of Catherine and one of her original reforms.

Regions

The Ishtar Consortium is made up of several autonomous principalities that span large swaths of the land ruled over by their provost. Provosts may elect, or may be mandated, to honor individuals by bestowing titles and subdividing their lands into counties.

Istenkardja, The Old Capital

High King Aramis von Rurik
The northeast region of the country, it is where Ishtar’s original empire began and now houses the heads of the Ishtaran government. Its cities are wonders of opulence and fine craftsmanship.

Settlements

• Dastania - a city built in the center of a lake.

Zhjesk, Briarwood and The Dark Star Dominion

(Redacted)

Spanning the mountains, forest, and some of the Vlatva River between The Old Capital and Verdheuvel, this region is mired in curses and the occult.

Settlements

• Praha, City of a Thousand Spires - Headquarters to the region’s Black Star Knights and home to The Cosmological Clock.

Verdheuvel, Frostharrow

Provost Carey "Stonejaw" Eiermann
A nation nestled where the Vantesh Hills meet the Gecront Mountains, it is ripe with agriculture with a large quantity of windmills and flowers.

Provost Eiermann sits comfortably knowing his significance to the Consortium buys him easy protection. While it is referred to dotingly as, “Catherine’s Jewels” for its economic importance, the sloven nature of its provost provokes the lewd nickname, “Catherine’s Coin Purse.”

Settlements

(Redacted)

Hauzherz, The Heart of the Nation

(Redacted)
A small but well defended region with massive outputs of iron and salt.

Settlements

(Redacted)

Eisenadler, The Iron Federation

(Redacted)
This western nation is known for its strong tactical military force.

Settlements

(Redacted)

Krov’poklyas, The Bloodbound Clan

(Redacted)
The south western territory in the Zeemland and Eistod is occupied by roving tribes who have sworn fealty to the Consortium. The Tempestritter see them as having “betrayed the old ways.”

Settlements

(Redacted)

Lorbeerschafft, the Vineheart

(Redacted)
This central region is known for its wine and grapes, among other prepared beverages, but rarely receives the recognition or respect of its contemporaries. Overseen by Provost Weinhardt.

Settlements

(Redacted)

Negekron, The Union of Nine Realms

(Redacted)

This eastern region is made up of a republic of smaller counties and lordships working in tandem. They often send multiple representatives to the courts to prevent any one individual to have too much say over their collective regions.

Settlements

(Redacted)

Vetrehez, The Norland Sea Kings

(Redacted)

A kingdom in the far east north east of the continent, it is made up of several sailing tribes.

Settlements

(Redacted)

Tempestritter, The Stormrider Horde

(Redacted)

The southeast region of Amerish is home to clans who refuse to swear fealty to the Consortium. They are experts in horsemanship and keen marksmen which they utilize in raids on Consortium lands, especially those ruled by Negekron, Nolintrad, and Krov’poklyas. Their only obedience is to their deity, Hræsvelgr, the Frost Hunter.

Settlements

(Redacted)

The Grand Circus

Lord Ringmaster Ivan Wickewitch

In 1458, a small troupe of bards journeying the world encountered Catherine I’s quickly burgeoning empire and its economic boons from its trade. Their return sparked an exodus of those seeking out to learn about this distant culture and, most importantly, perform. A tent city was erected outside the capital showcasing a wide array of performers. Anecdotally, Catherine I was so entertained, she gave them the title of “Grand Circus” on the spot and offered them the space of the newly built coliseum and was politely refused, due to the nomadic nature of the people. Instead, Catherine bestowed Royal Protection and Sanctuary upon them, leaving them to freely travel amongst her growing territories. The word of Catherine stands true to this day with a single yearly tithe. It is overseen by Lord Ringmaster Ivan Wickewitch.

Trade and Businesses

(Redacted)

Defenses

(Redacted)

History

The Rule of Catherine I (1455 - 1489 ER)

(Redacted)

War Against the Dragons: (1597-1612 ER)

In 1597, the Empire of the Three Dragons blamed its neighbor and rival, the Consortium, for assassinating their leaders. The capital claimed to have no responsibility in the action but, regardless, the Trine Empire declared war. Assaults were volleyed between the two nations until reaching a tenuous standstill, both nations on the brink of re-igniting everything. Everything changed for the nations in 1612.

Rumors and Legends

(Redacted)

Inhabitants

(Redacted)

Culture

(Redacted)

Fashion

(Redacted)

Cuisine

(Redacted)

Guilds

• The Black Star Knights - An order of death-clerics and paladins of Zeroth formed to combat the cursed undead of Praha. Annullers fight and gain glory in order to combat evil occultism and one day ascend to the ranks of Exemplar and Principality of the Black Star.
• The Grand Circus - People from across Vielamor travel to see the world renowned performances of this roving society of diplomatically immune entertainers. They offer wonders of entertainment, vast collected oddities and relics of the past, and a neutral zone for businesses and political treaties.
• The Scholomance - a legendary and ancient hidden school/cult of Necromantic Magic said to be somewhere near or under Praha.

Religion

(Redacted)

Festivals and Holidays

(Redacted)

The Ishtar Consortium

A Carmine Field with a Black Bend, the top right bears a Silver Ship, and the bottom left is a silver eight-pointed star.

Geography

Aliases: Catherine's Empire; Ishtar
Region: Amerish
Size:

Society

Demonym: Ishtaran
Population:
Races: Human, Gnome, Dwarf, Orc, Tiefling, Firbolg, Goliath, Changeling, Warforged
Religions: Zeroth, Nurunset, Quin, Seta, Afret, Perkunas, Donaru, Agere, Crihe, Erdah, Juxis, Dregnu, The Dreamer

Commerce

Imports:
Exports:
Currency:

Politics

Gov't Type: Monarchy
Rulership: The High King/Queen; Chancellor; High Priest of the Inevitable; Provost of Principality; Lord Ringmaster
Legislative:
Judicial:

Parent Organization

Amerish

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Grand Circus