Nation: Al’watia.
Government type: Theocratic matriarchy.
Coat of arms: Three spears crossed over a red river.
Capitol: Al’tia Ziggurat. (think the Anu District of Uruk)
Ethnic groups: 99% Trolls, various others in trading posts.
Religion: Eko worship, a blend of spirit worship and animism.
Imports: Silver, herbs, wood.
Exports: Gold, clay, fruits
Hallmarks: Isolationism, endless music, spying.
National dish: Soy chicken with rice
Interesting things about Al’watia
Officially no outsiders beyong diplomates are permitted in the Al’tia Ziggurat, or indeed beyond the trading posts at the border. Unofficially… well every place has corruption.
Ball games are a common pass time, often violent and resulting in lost limbs, the balls are often spiked, poisoned or rigged to fling out shrapnel at random intervals. Only one outsider has ever survived a game - he was sacrificed after.
The jungles are very dense and the most settlements hidden.
Charateristics of Al’watia
It’s a very strict law that no unblessed and sanctioned tree may be cut down, a very slow beuracuratic process.
It’s said that 100 a day are sacrificed at the great alter in Al’tia, though this is likely an exaggeration and, outside of wartime, generally only includes animals. Bunnies, being easy to catch and breed, are a particularly regular victim.
Outside of certain religious ideals, the notion of ‘legal’ is said to be a very dubious concept. Some would say crime is common, the natives would simply stare blankly. Then take that persons stuff.
Places of Interest
Al’tia Ziggurat - a large ziggurat poking out of the jungle. The bulk is made of gold, punctuated by unbroken silver patterns snaking down the structure. The top is puncuated by a great golden jewel sitting in a crown of red.
Zin’jaj trading post - the largest trading post in the kingdom, and one of only three places outsiders are officially permitted. It’s a bustling, almost international, place with trade happening day and night. Curiously most of the stalls are not directly run by native Trolls themselves, but outsiders who have been paid to do so.
The river of Al’tia - a great red river that snakes it’s way around the borders of the jungle kingdom. The myths of Al’watia tell them why it’s red, to the more scientificly aware… it’s just algae.
Politics and war:
Al’watia is, to most outside of the kingdom, ruled by a King. A single male on a gold throne. To most the three female priests to his side would be his advisors, in reality they are the rulers. Ruling through ‘divine’ right they lead the priesthood that permiates itself through the kingdom.
The priesthood, virtually entirely female, has ruled since the days of Al’tia, a mythical Troll said to have founded the kingdom by shedding her blood around the dense jungle.
With its own army, assassins, settlements and taxation the priesthood is both ever present and nowhere. The rare times somebody speaks out against it, the Al’ki assassins soon end that problem. These same assassins keep the trade posts in line and free of the more freestyle ways of the rest of the kingdom.
The more formal army is comprised of agile warriors, spears, the occasional firearm, toxic blowdarts. It’s not an army made to perform a pitched battle, but one made to fight in dense jungle and rough terrain.