Aerholm

Geography
Aerholm is situated on the spine of the Diamondback Mountains. They form a natural border between Llanteyrnon to the west, the Sea of Steppes to the east and north, and a maritime border with Izdiharim In'timad to the south. Sixty percent of the surface area is covered in Ironwood forests, with the rest being tundra, and a small percentage of usable farmland. Much of the land is rocky, and the soil poor. Though disinclined to agriculture, the ground is rich with all sorts of precious minerals and metals, many of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Many of these are prized for their magical properties, which make Aerhom one of the leading producers of reagents. Dotting the landscape are disused ruins that find no place in historical texts, suggesting an older civilization that came before.

Situated at an elevation of three-thousand meters, the city-state is often shrouded in passing clouds that limit visibility. The air is thin and subject to extreme weather conditions including long, brutal winters, frequent gales, and massive ice storms that last for a week or longer. Nevertheless, Aerholm's climate is separated into four distinct seasons, with a mild spring and fall, and a pleasant summer.

Culture
Aerholm is a harsh, brutal, and unforgiving place to live. Only the strong are favored, while the weak are cast out. It is survival of the fittest, and special concessions are rarely given for those who are not able to demonstrate their capability. Indeed, as Aerholm is a nation that relies on the import of foodstuffs, they cannot afford to prop up those who would be a burden on their resources. Young boys and girls are regularly inspected for abnormalities, deformities, and chronic illnesses; if they are not able to pass exacting standards, the babes are left outside the gates to die. Rare is the child that is able to survive in the wilderness. The chill weather and dangerous creatures that lurk beyond the walls are even less kind, but there are many stories of uncivilized men and women combing through the forest who have been able to overcome both the trials of nature and their very bodies.

Aeran society is militaristic - it is a consequence of their values. Their prosperity is a fragile thing, so great care must be made in its perpetuation. All children are demanded to learn the art of warfare above all others. From a young age, they are instructed in the use of weaponry, drilled through formations, and taught a wide range of battlefield tactics. Other subjects are given great emphasis as well; Aerholm takes great pride in producing men and women that are rival even to the learned nobility of their sister kingdoms. Before coming of age, children and teenagers are cloistered within the cavernous walls of The Delving Hall, their great library. There, they study a wide range of scholastic fields such as mathematics, architecture, history, philosophy, economics, and alchemy.

Some studies are largely segregated by gender. For example, only men learn the art of stone-masonry and metallurgy, while women focus on tanning and gem craftsmanship. Despite some differences, men and women enjoy a relative equality compared to other nations; it falls to the skill of the individual, rather than the consequences of birth, to rise to social, political, and economic greatness.

Public education and other social projects are largely sponsored by taxes for goods entering and leaving the city. When tariffs are not enough, it falls to income or property taxes to support the undertaking of large works such as the renewal of buildings and the construction of new bridges, fortifications, and aqueducts. The notably high tax on Ironwood products alone patrons the creation of new literature. The majority of Aerans are responsible for authoring at least one work; it is all but expected for citizens to contribute their knowledge to their peers and new generations.

Demographics
Aerans make up the dominant majority of the major city and the outlying villages. Few races from other nations make their home in Aerholm; some are occasionally drawn by the promise of a nation that offers safety, wealth, and a society free from hierarchy. However, it is rare that foreigners stay past their first winter. Others are pushed away before then; foreigners do not find a warm welcome in Aerholm. Though the nation maintains a rather strict political neutrality, Aerans are frigid toward strangers, and in some cases, outwardly hostile.

Many Aerans themselves are drawn by the allure of the world at large; they venture out, seeking adventure and fortune. Others fall claim to the brutal seasons or dangerous wildlife. Compounded by problematic infant mortality, the population is slowly shrinking.

Religion
Aerans are predominantly followers of a creed known as the Skuldric Vigil. Less a religion in and of itself, the observers of its tenants follow no gods directly through its path. Rather, the Vigil is a philosophy that embodies their role as watchers over the world. Aerans believe that they have been ordained by the gods themselves to record history, gather knowledge, and serve as intermediaries between other nations; neutrality and lawfulness are the divine moralities.

Various religions and their sub-sects from all across the world can be found amongst the clouds. They are brought in from the furthest corners and cataloged. From observance of the old gods, to the emergence of vogue cults, there are many that find their way into the hearts Aeran Men. An astounding array of temples can be found scattered through the mountains, where Aerans go to pray and study alike. Every spirit, from the lowly to the lofty, are believed to be as real as the previous, and the next.

Few are worshiped, but all are respected for what they represent: the unending cosmos, the primal forces of nature, and the personifications of Man, which even proudest heart cannot hope to fully understand.

Economy
Although small, Aerholm is a comparatively wealthy nation. Precious metals, gemstones, and magical reagents are mined from the mountainside and are traded for staple foods required for survival. The region also produces high-quality hides, leather, and furs skinned from the dangerous indigenous fauna. The Diamondback Mountains are also home to unique trees found nowhere else in the world. Dubbed Ironwood for their hardness and difficulty in harvesting, the lumber produced is some of the most expensive that can be bought, but is prized for its sturdiness, resistance to rot, and warm color.

Government
The seat of power is organized as a functional republic, with representatives not to exceed one-hundred. Dubbed The Summit Council, the republic convenes twice every lunar cycle held, aptly, a the summit of a nearby mountain. To pass laws and approve legislation, a three-quarters majority must be met. Notable magistrates are selected from the population at large through an electoral council, both from the major city as well as from surrounding villages. There is no requirement of noble birth or specific gender. All are permitted representation. The only stipulation is that to be nominated for election, one must first make a significant contribution to the nation and prove to be of worthy character. Honor, honesty, strength, and trustworthiness are valued above all other traits.

Aerholm is known as "The Watcher Nation." They often remain impartial to international conflict; their involvement in foreign affairs is seldom, although the merchant guild does involve itself in the affairs of other realms to secure advantageous trade agreements. However, should their territory be invaded, or if a disastrous war breaks out that would disturb their own security, they will not hesitate to march to the battlefield.

Military
Every man and woman over the age of sixteen is a member of Aerholm's militia. Men typically serve as heavy infantry and cavalry, despite the unsuitability of equestrian warfare in the mountainous terrain. Meanwhile, women take up the role of archer support, scout, light infantry, and assassin. These two groups work together to specialize in a myriad of tactics such as night ambush, hit-and-run maneuvers, and flanking cavalry assaults done near the plains surrounding the mountain passes. Their most notable formation is the defensive Aegis, composed of a shield wall and spearmen guarding a central cluster of archers. Aerholm is few in number, and every life is precious. Each battle plan is carefully devised to capitalize on their strengths and suitability of terrain, while preserving their numbers.

Once per lunar cycle, a call to arms is sent out. All citizens are required to attend, barring engagements with other nations. Those with younger, healthier bodies are drilled through formations and survival tactics. They spar and work to hone their techniques constantly. Elders no longer fit to adequately lift a weapon collaborate on matters of strategy and hold lectures to impart their knowledge to younger generations; some contribute military theses for posterity, to be stored within their library. Therefore, it can be said that every soldier is capable of leadership, should their brother or sister fall.

There is no richer place for metals than the Diamondback Mountains; as such, every man and woman comes equipped with the very best in weaponry and armor. Many of these pieces, especially those wrought with magic enchantments, are passed down through the generations. Alongside common personal armaments, Aerans often devise clever weapons which see limited action: some of which include the repeating crossbow and a wide range of explosive devises, re-purposed from mining use.

History
According to legend, Aerholm was carved out of the very mountains by the First Men. Given domain of the high places, these ancient Aerans were tasked by the waning gods to serve as watchmen over the world. For countless eons they have held their vigil: watching, waiting, studying, but rarely interfering. Aerholm is known as one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the world; in their charge to observe, they have cataloged much of the histories of other nations, and were one of the first to develop a system for writing. First begun as runic carvings on stone tablets, Aerans discovered a technique for turning hardy Ironwood into sturdy paper. It is said that their library, The Delving Hall, which is centered in the heart of disused mine, contains over ten thousand volumes dedicated to history, philosophy, art and legend, as well as military treatises from around the world. All of their works are dated by solar cycle, but curiously there is a gap of five-hundred years where no books exist. Dubbed simply The Lost Age, scholars only assume what terrible things transpired. Some say that a terrible winter, which froze the Ironwood trees into spires of ice and chilled the very heart of the mountain itself, nearly destroyed the nation. Others claim that an ancient evil was unleashed from the depths of the mines, which drove the Aerans from their homes. No one quite knows for sure; what oral stories existed have long since been warped by fancy. They now serve only as legends meant to frighten children.

Domains
Aerholm alone makes up the majority of land holdings and population. The smaller villages of Vestri, Hefring, Meinhold, Amporo, Ovidgard, and Hildvald dot the mountains to support outlying watchtowers and forts.

Allies
Llanteyrnon - trading partner

Enemies
Izdiharim In'timad

Undecided
All other nations