Baruktharbh
The Land:
The land of Baruktharbh is situated behind the natural border of a formidable mountain range. This advantage of the landscape has protected the land of Zephras for centuries from enemy expansion and occupation. This makes Zephras, and by consequence, Baruktharbh one of the most prosperous areas in all of Estir while still not the most advanced. To the west of Baruktharbh, just outside the city, are the Mamoru Mountains, to there is a gap in this mountain range further south, but they eventually continue. Also to the south lies the Soma River, with multiple other rivers flowing into it, two on its northern side and two on its southern side. The northeastern river is Aima River, the southeastern is the Kardia River, the northwestern is the Myalo River, and lastly, the southwestern is Kelyfos River.
The City:
The city of Baruktharbh is a prosperous metropolis filled with things to do and sights to see. They have a culture of beer and festivities that seem to contrast the drab backdrop of the mountainous landscape that surrounds them. There’s a tavern around every corner sporting their favorite houses of ale, and the citizens spend their off-hours joyously convening in these buildings to share good times and tall tales.
The People:
The people of Baruktharbh have never faced any real military threat for two reasons, their natural borders, and their terrifyingly expansive air navy helmed by their queen, Queen Annalise Strafford. This staid group of people find joy in their daily work and spending time with friends and family. While these people can be seen as simple by outsiders, they dedicate themselves to their work. A piece of art may be simple to the eyes but if you take a look closer you will see that the work is beautiful and it is obvious that the piece cost them blood, sweat, and tears. Their food consists of flavorful but simple hearty meals of meats, simple vegetables, and a healthy serving of potatoes. There is still internal conflict in the way of house loyalty to the three largest breweries in the city which dominate the market, and as such, the economy. Arguments can break into bloody brawls in the streets over who’s ale is the best. While at the surface this seems to be an ale-based conflict. This family pride has existed for generations and dates back to the conflict of the civil-war in Zephras. There are three families, the Merions, Scotts, and Straffords. Straffords being the royal family that instilled themselves during the civil war after crushing the Merions and Scotts in military action. Since then, the families have been rebuilt and the conflict between all three of them has slowly been brewing in the streets.
The Government:
The government of Baruktharbh is a monarchy in which Queen Annalise Strafford resides over. She governs the people and creates the laws that bind them, it is a rather progressive society, accepting of other races, nationalities, and sexualities. They hold a standard of gender equality, seeing as the main three houses in the city have been ruled by women for the last three generations. There are of course ignorant dissenters in the city who make themselves known, but their protests are seen as the vocal minority and no one gives them the satisfaction of acknowledgment most of the time. While the taxes in the city seem a little high at some times, it can be seen quite immediately upon entering the city that these funds are being put to use. There are constant renovations and expansions going on in the city to accommodate newcomers and keep up with infrastructure advancements. Queen Annalise sits atop an air navy of Skyknights helmed by her half-elf wife, Eva Strafford. This army is based mainly on the large Skyland above the country and expands to the other lands in the kingdom. This persistence on air superiority makes Zephras a force of nature to be reckoned with should war ever break out again, as no other kingdom or province has spent the resources to strengthen their aerial defenses.
Criminals:
While Baruktharbh is home to festivities and contentment, there is a fair share of crime that takes place under the darkness of nighttime. A contingent of the Void Community has taken up residence in this city for generations now, they spread dissent and distrust within the community from the shadows and overlook any form of organized crime in the city. This crime is usually perpetrated by freelancers hired by the Merions or Scotts to undermine the other families or from the shadowy Void Community, a terrifying criminal organization that has managed to stay anonymous while still having a presence over every district in the city.
Trade:
The trade of Baruktharbh is quite obvious as you begin to know their culture in even the slightest bit. They export their fine brews and wines across the continent to all of the kingdoms, even to the frigid north of Oratrova. This has given them quite a good reputation with other kingdoms, even leading some citizens to believe they are softies and want nothing but peace. This perception proves beneficial to the kingdom of Zephras, they don’t want war but understand the advantage of being underestimated.