Trabia (Nation)

Geography: The nation of Trabia is located on the eponymous northern continent, on the cusp of the vast Y’faric sea. The few pockets of civilization are separated by long stretches of unpopulated wilderness. Trabia is cold, and most of the continent is covered in snow for the entirety of the year. A crater separating the continents of Trabia and Esthar is considered dangerous territory and is avoided by citizens of both nations due to its unpredictable and sometimes volatile atmosphere.

Culture: Trabia’s capital is Caldera City which, unimaginatively, stands in the center of an ancient impact crater, surrounded by a deep frozen lake. In the winter months, when the lake is at its most solid, ice fishers and hobbyists take to its surface. This small nation is home to spicy cuisine, world-famous distilleries, ancient superstitions, a strong accent, snow-faring nomads, and wealthy upper crust businesspeople. Trabia has an elite training facility called Trabia Garden, which researches advanced agricultural methods and ore processing technology.

Due to the distances between population centers, many of Trabia’s smaller towns and villages are considered dying communities – meaning their populations are aging disproportionately to the amount of babies being born and living there. This is a cultural problem because many of its older citizens carry deep reverence and traditions based on the places they live, but the younger generations do not share that outlook.

Architecture: Trabia’s architecture is split between historic and modern styles. Historically, Trabian architecture was stone reinforced with wood, but the modern age has incorporated glass into most buildings. There is a high degree of decorative work with wrought iron, and idols carved from stone and wood adorn rooftops, alcoves and other hidden areas. It is common to see figures carved to resemble the blitzeugen, known to outsiders as the blitz, who are a demi-human nomadic species of monster known to prowl the forests and snowfields.

Industry: The mining of metals, ore and minerals and manufacturing of machinery, weaponry, vehicles and more. Exporting textiles, minerals and ancient curiosities has seen some families grow into great wealth, like the Faulkner Clan who owns Faulkner Heavy Industries.

History: At an undetermined point in ancient history, the founders of Trabia seceded from the Centran Empire following a bloody civil war. Taking a ship, they traveled far away and founded the nation of Trabia on the cultural basis of tradition, to which their former allegiance to the Centran Empire would not allow.

Military: The nation has no standing army, though an elite force of “rangers” are employed year round to defend and scout Trabia’s borders and protect her national interests. During wartime, all citizens are to be conscripted such as in the case of the Sorceress War 17 years ago. While not every conscripted citizen is put into combat, every able bodied person is collected from the Trabian people and either defends the homefront, keeps it running, or directly faces off against the nation’s enemy.

Trivia:

• The Trabian language has been described by outsiders as harsh and intimidating.
• Trabia’s Head of State is Johannes Fidchell, who’s grandfather before him also held the title.
• At the beginning of the S War 17 years ago, Trabia was briefly allied with Esthar. That quickly changed.