Area: 366,500 sq km (143,164 sq. m)
Population: 1,076,000.
Language: Nentsunian, Rakastan (Lynxmen dialect), Ursinian.
Coinage: Sin (gp), Yai (sp), Chu (cp).
Description: The Inner Circle is the northern part of Nentsun. It is known also as the Nentsun Coast, as it stretches along the shores of the Sea of Simurgh (the name by which the Sea of Brun is known on this side of the ocean). About half of the Inner Circle's land is covered by forests (mostly ash and coniferous), while the other half is settled by human and rakastan farmers, who get along very well and are distributed equally in most of the kingdoms. The agricultural activities deal with potatoes and wheat, and they are quite productive, if we consider the latitude. This is a consequence of the power of the Unholy Devices, who keep the land a little warmer than it would otherwise be. The sea outside Nentsun is cold, and cold currents wash its shores; many small islands, cliffs and dangerous maelstroms are present all over the coast, and have always been an obstacle for the few fishermen who dare the dangerous waters. However, where the sea is calmer, it is possible to do good fishing (as an example, in Ursi). Fishing is not, however, a major activity in most of the Inner Circle.
There are eight kingdoms, here. From west, the first kingdom is Cholonis; then there is Selemy; south of Selemy is Zeshuita; east of both are Vixen (north), Einikushagi (centre) and Wolven (south); lastly, east of Einikushagi is Pakishagij and lastly, in the easternmost border of the Inner Circle is Ursi.
The People: The settlers of the Inner Circle call themselves collectively as
Insunians (Nentsunians of the Inner Circle). They are all humans and rakastas,
with few exceptions (like the orc enclave of Einikushagi).
Humans belong to the Nentsunian racial stock: they are descendants of the
aboriginal settlers of the area, the Nasuuans, of mixed Thonian and Afridhi
ethnicity. They are tall, of a sort of beige tan that is completely unique in
Skothar, with white-blond or blue-black hair, and brown or green eyes. Blue or
black eyes are very uncommon, but not impossible to find. Brown hair is also
rare.
In Ursi, the common human population are the so-called Ursinians, descended from
a peaceful race of mixed Afridhi and Tanagoro stock who arrived here 1,700 years
ago. The Ursinians founded the cities of Ursi and Selemy, and while most of them
mixed with the Nentsunians (providing the genes for the rare black or brown
haired, and blue-eyed among them), in Ursi they remained quite similar to their
ancestors, and they maintain a language that they pretend to call Ursinian, but
that is just a Nentsunian dialect with a strong accent, and some old
true-Ursinian words in it. However, in these cities, the people are generally of
more slender built than the average Nentsunian, their skin is somewhat darker,
and they have mostly dark brown and black hair, and brown or blue eyes.
Rakastas here belong to the Lynxmen stock. A small enclave of orcs called
Ondonti live in Einikushagi [see below].
Flora and Fauna: Ash, coniferous, pastures, farmlands cover the region, depending on the humanoid presence and the Devices' influence. Deer, elks, bears, lynxes, wolves live in the forests. Lynxes and dogs are kept as domestic animals; cows, sheep and goats are among those farmed. No types of chicken seem to exist here, nor do pigs. Several species of small mammals, many different birds, and birds of prey (eagles, hawks), live in the region. The hilly regions of the Inner Circle are also home to a number of giant worms of different species, that sometimes pose a big threat to the smaller communities. Some of the animals are somewhat different from those of the Known World, being different varieties of the same species (ex. there are both the brown bear and the black bear, who is mostly unknown in the KW). Sometimes, a mammoth coming from the Outer Circle may be sighted.
Area: 37,300 sq km
Population: 95,700 (70% humans, 30% rakastas) Government Type: Cholonis is administered by a council of 11 Lords, hereditary nobles of the state. The Council votes every five year for its talesman, who has the duty of conducting negotiations, treaties, and wars, with the neighbouring kingdoms.
Important Figures: Lady Fuschia, elected Taleswoman of the Council Description: Cholonis is the northwestern kingdom of the Inner Circle, and is partly outside the area of effect of the Devices. This portion of the land, known as Lyxionis, is settled by about 28,000 rakasta, while the humans live in the area of effect of the engines, the proper Cholonis. Lyxionis is quite cold, and is a hilly forest where rakastas act as hunters, woodcutters and foresters. The forest of Lyxionis covers about 25,000 sq km, and the only big settlement there is Pavan (9,000 rakastas).
Cholonis, a much smaller region, hosts the human population and the capital city of Ydwan (26,000 humans). Most of the lords come from this city, although they have theoretically one seat for each of the eleven "cities" of Cholonis (not really cities, having a pop. that ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 ).
There is a quiescent conflict among the two regions of Cholonis. The rakastas, organized since 983 in the so-called Trade Unions (not officially recognised by the government), try to get more rights for themselves, as their economical situation is much worse than that of those who live inside the Inner Circle. While the central government's indifference at the subjects' situation out of the capital is well accepted inside the Inner Circle part of Cholonis, where the citizens are happy to be left alone and are able to live well thanks to the Devices, the rakastas would prefer a greater involvement of the Council, and possibly some economical benefit for their land.
Area: 26,580 sq km
Population: 142,600 (70% rakastas, 25% humans, 5% orcs)
Government Type: Monarchy. The King is advised by a Council, formed by 4 nobles ( 3 rakastas, 1 human), plus a representant chosen by the Corporation of Shimura. The Ondonti orcs of the Enclave of Kygwa elect a sixth member of the Council. However, the King is not bound to follow the advice of the Council, and is moreover leader of the Army, and head of the church.
Important Figures: King Murhan, VII Lord of Kushugi
Description: Einikushagi is a very rich kingdom at the centre of Nentsun's
Inner Circle. It occupies a small area but is heavily populated due to its
optimal climate. Nearly all its land is fields and villages, with only a couple
of big cities. The land is settled mainly by rakastas, with a small minority of
humans; nearly all of them live in the city of Shimura (pop. 30,000), a city
with special status, ruled by the Corporation of the Arts. Anyone who wants to
live and work in Shimura must be a member of the Corporation, who decides the
hours of work for each job, the salaries, the vacations, and takes care of any
activity of their members, being it recreation, religious activities, or medical
services.
The rakastas live sparse in the land, raising cattle and cultivating wheat,
corn, and several species of fruit trees (mostly apples and pears). The capital
of the kingdom is Kushugi (pop. 16,000), a rakastan city where strangers are
watched with suspicion. The past kings of Einikushagi have always been very
close-minded regarding strangers, and the population is more than a little
paranoid given the fact that Kushugi is near to four different national borders.
The city was built here by King Loer II in 746, after the kingdom returned in
the rakastas' possession [see History], in order to control better any possible
invasion by a foreign nation. However, Einikushagi is all flat land, and is not
defendable at all, so Kushugi is equipped to resist any attempt of siege for
months, and can host another 10,000 rakastas from the surroundings in case of
emergency. Einikushagi is one of the kingdoms who doesn't have access to the sea.
Last but not least, there is Kygwa, the orcish Enclave. Some of the Green Orcs
that arrived with Hjika in 731 had decided to settle down and was not killed
when the rakastas returned to the land: they were given some land, enough for
their sustainment, and they still live there peacefully. Now they call
themselves Ondonti.
Area: 65,802 sq km
Population: 208,600 (80% humans, 20% rakastas)
Government Type: Kingdom. The king is the only responsible of government and
military.
The land is divided in Baronies.
Important Figures: King Hallas Kleydon
Description: Pakisagij is the most populated of all the kingdoms of the Inner
Circle. It is in central position, at the east of Einikushagi.
Along with the former, it is one of the richest. The soil is fertile, also
because of the direct influence of two of the ten Devices.
Pakisagij is a land of farmers, dotted with villages, organized in rural
districts who rule themselves and bow obedience to one of the Barons.
There are 6 baronies in Pakisagij, plus the Royal Territories, that are ruled
directly by the king.
Paksha (pop. 41,000) is the biggest city of the Inner Circle, and is a centre of
activities with no equal in Nentsun. It has two permanent markets, a gargantuan
svlozzo arena (svlozzo is Nentsun's favourite sport) , and the biggest library
of the region.
Deklin (pop. 11,000) is the capital of the barony of the same name. It is the
only other city of importance in a densely populated kingdom, where most persons
live in the country.
Area: 52,400 sq km
Population: 151,400 (55% humans, 45% rakastas)
Government Type: Selemy is ruled by a dictator with strong military and theological ties. The Temple of Syrinx is the official religion, and the Army, controlled directly by the Queen, is extremely powerful.
Important Figures: Queen Vehea Luxor
Description: East of Cholonis and west of Einikushagi is the state of Selemy. Selemy is ruled by the human Queen Vehea Luxor. Selemy is a hilly region where most people live farming goats and sheep. The shepherding is semi-nomadic: during the cold winter months the sheep and goats are kept in ranches, while during the summer the shepherds take them through the hills in search of pastures. The shepherds are generally not-instructed people, rude and brutal, and they are equally split among rakastas and humans. Family enmities are frequent in the small rural communities, where they raise some corn, and are generally resolved with faidas. The villages are self-governed by local councils: the only requisite is that they pay taxes, mostly in the form of services (road maintaining etc.), to the state. The human population is mostly of Ursinian stock, and they speak a Nentsunian dialect called Ursinian.
The kingdom have three main settlements: * Selemy (pop. 27,000) is the
capital; a strict military law is applied inside its walls: there's curfew after
21:00, the only allowed religion is the Temple of Syrinx, and no alcohol may be
served in pubs and inns, all strictly controlled by the military. Nobody is
allowed to wear weapons nor cast magic, apart from the priests of Syrinx.
* Arenula (pop. 14,500) is ruled by the rakasta lord Striga. It is mostly
settled by the feline humanoids, who work in the few farmlands of the
surrounding region, more fertile than the rest of the country.
* Xining (6,100) is a small city whose ruler is the former king of Selemy, Lord
Nychari, who rule it in the name of Queen Luxor. It is built on the Xain river,
not far from its confluence in the ocean.
Area: 21,030 sq km
Population: 89,300 (95% humans, 5% rakastas )
Government Type: Ursi is a monarchy. It is ruled by a king, controlled by a Council that is made of 60 representatives, who have the right to depose a king if they manage to collect 45 votes. If this happens, they must choose a member of the royal family, anyway. Twelve representatives are elected by the cities of Sasarru and Calgaris, thirty are nobles, and eighteen come from the druids and clerics of the Bear.
Important Figures: Karkhangiu III, King of Ursi
Description: The easternmost kingdom of the Inner Circle is settled mostly by
the human race of the Ursinians. Rakastas are very rare, and not many are the
Nentsunian humans. The Ursinians are proud of their culture and ancestry. They
worship the Spirit of the Bear, and their druids and clerics possess
shapeshifting abilities. The Ursinians are watched with suspicion outside the
Inner Circle, and weird stories of werebeasts are told in the Outer Circle
nations that border the kingdom.
However, Ursi is a peaceful land, whose eastern borders are occupied by forests
where hunters and woodcutters live. In the western area, influenced by one of
the ten Devices, are most farmlands, and a couple of big cities.
Sasarru (pop. 11,400) is not the capital of the land, although it hosts the Palace of Consumption, where one of the Devices is kept. The city is built on the shores of the Sea of Simurgh, at the confluence of the River Rusu; the absence of dangerous cliffs and maelstroms near the sea has allowed the Ursinians, only ones in Nentsun, to have a consistent and popular fishing industry. A lot of cod is salted and desiccated, and then exported for good prices to the southern kingdoms.
Calgaris (pop. 27,000) is the capital. It is a city of artisans and merchants, where religion plays a very important role. During the year, several festivities in the name of the Bear are held; the city also hosts an University of Theology, and a College of Herbalism.
Area: 61,000 sq km
Population: 142,300 (95% humans, 5% rakasta)
Government Type: Pseudo-platonic politeia.
Important Figures: Wymer Chitclan, King of Vixen
Description: Northernmost kingdom of Nentsun, Vixen stretches all along the
sea, and 4 of the 10 Devices are located here. However, although they prevent
the sea from freezing for most of the winter, fishing is not a favourite
activity of the Vixenians. Vixen is heavily populated by humans. The Vixenians
are considered the most nationalist and arrogant of the Inner Circle. They
regard the Outer Circle's population as little more than barbarians, and all the
other nations of the Inner Circle are also considered inferior in culture and
civilisation. However, the Vixenians are also the most successful of the nations
of Nentsun, so they are partly justified in their assertions: with the help of
the devices they have created an agricultural heaven, and they work hard for the
country. The Vixenians have a complex political organisation, with a main
division of the population in three "activity groups": philosophers,
among whom the king is chosen, and who rule the country, fighters, who act as
police and army, and working men, who are mainly employed in farming activities.
Vixen is a meritocracy: when a child becomes twelve, it is examined by a
commission of members of the three groups, that value what the child will
become- there is no nobility, and the status of its parents is ignored. Then the
child is sent to school until twenty-one, when he becomes an adult and begins to
work in his group. Although the "philosophers" and "soldiers"
seem to be above the "working men" in consideration, they live harder
lives, as they are not allowed to have any personal possession, and suffer great
restrictions to their personal freedoms. Intermarriage between the groups is
allowed and encouraged. The few rakastas who live in Vixen are mercenaries and
their families.
There are not big cities in Vixen. The population is distributed quite regularly
throughout the land. Among the few cities is the capital city of Vixen (pop.
18,000), distant about three kilometres from the original city of the same name,
now just ruins since the war of 374-411 AC.
Area: 43,205 sq km
Population: 156,400 (90% humans, 10% rakasta)
Government Type: Wolven is a monarchy, although its ruler has the title of Duke.
Important Figures: Randolph Iuga, Duke of Wolven
Description: Southernmost kingdom of the Inner Circle, Wolven is also one of
the most ancient. It is divided in a northern zone, called Ayxia, a plain where
farmers cultivate corn and breed cows, and a southern one, known as the Fork
Hills, mostly used as pasture lands for sheep.
Wolven has a good military force, among the best of Nentsun, but it is a region
where few magic users are found. The official religion of Wolven is the Church
of Dragor, a wolfman divinity who bless its clerics with lycanthropy. The Church
of Dragor discourages intelligent youths from becoming wizards, and those who
become so are watched with suspicion in this country. It is interesting to
notice that the wolf-clerics of Dragor seem to be the only example of
lycanthropy in the Inner Circle along with the shapeshifting clerics of the Bear
in Ursi.
Wolven's capital is the city of Alba Mater (pop. 26,000), built along the river
Alius, in the northwestern part of Ayxia; the "Mark of White", main
temple of Dragor, is located here. The Duke lives in a palace a couple of
kilometres away from the city.
Another important city is Mizar (pop. 17,000), built on the road which leads
from Alba Mater to Shuyra.
Last but not least is the city of Shuyra (pop. 9,700), an important military
outpost on the frontier with the hostile state of Glajura.
Area: 59,183 sq km
Population: 89,760 (85% rakasta, 15% humans)
Government Type: Zeshuita is a Kingdom, though it is called a "city-state", and is ruled by a King. The King is leader of the army, fixes taxes and decides how to use them; he is supported by a Council, who is the only one to have rights in the foreign policy. The Council is composed by 60 rakasta (30 elected throughout Zeshuita by the two main cities and the villages, and 30 noblemen), and 12 humans elected in the two cities.
Important Figures: King Aori IV
Description: Zeshuita was an ancient Rakastan city who managed to get a quite
big territory west of Wolven and south of Selemy. It is not heavily populated:
most rakasta live in small villages, who control farmlands and pastures for an
area of several square kilometres each. An interesting feature of Zeshuita is
the lynx farming, conducted in the mountains located in the eastern portion of
the land. The lynxes are used as pet animals by many rakasta of the Inner Circle,
and are fancied by the aristocracies of all Nentsun. Although lynxes are also
bred in regions of the Outer Circle, it seems that the rakasta of Zeshuita are
the best lynx trainers of Nentsun.
A consistent community of humans live in the nation, although they are mostly
concentrated in the two cities of Mishiphura (pop. 11,300, 60% rakasta) and the
capital Zeshuita (23,000, 70% rakasta).