Principality of Nyremi

The Principality of Nyremi is a landlocked country roughly the size of Wisconsin. About 40% of the land, largely in the east, consists of rolling plains. This part of Nyremi is a regional breadbasket, producing foodstuffs that are shipped downriver to other regions. It is heavily settled and farmed, and the soil is rich and well watered. The Rosdain River marks the eastern border with Halleck, and acts as a major trading route to the Keller Sea region. The remaining 60% of Nyremi is covered in a mix of small hills and mountains which greatly resemble the Appalachians in size and appearance. The Talbot River and the Hyros River, which runs into the Tunstall River far to the south, both have their headwaters in the western hill country.

In the center of Nyremi are two distinctive features - Lake Hyros, and Mount Hyros. Lake Hyros is extremely large, roughly the size of the Great Salt Lake, Utah. It is unknown how deep the lake is, but it is fed by numerous small streams and springs, and supports a thriving fishing and trading economy. Mount Hyros is a small volcano located on the western shore, near the headwaters of the Hyros River. It is the site of the city of Nyremi, which rises with the volcano, right up to the crater.

There are roughly a million people in Nyremi, divided among the capital of Nyremi itself, a dozen or so smaller towns, and hundreds of small villages. The majority of the population lives in the east, along theshores and banks of major waterways, or along the settled roads. Settlements in the hilly west tend to be sparser, smaller, and more isolated. Nyremi is something of a cultural anomaly - though squeezed between Halleck, Gemric, Tempelhoff, and Sarradastros, it is culturally distinct from its neighbors. The Nyremians are closely related to the Alastin and the Hyspedeans, speaking a similar dialect of Keller Common to both. It is believed that the Nyremians migrated here in centuries past, and established themselves here as a distinct people.

Nyremian culture includes a code of honor similar in some ways to the “Arab Code of Honor”; guests must be protected, any insult to their home state must be avenged, and a variety of other strange customs. In many ways, however, they are plainly related to Alastin culture. Men invariably go armed, regardless of how rich or poor. All carry at least a dagger, though short sword and buckler are very common for those able to afford them. All free men keep a shield and spear at home, decorated in a manner befitting the household - it is considered a status item to have an ornate shield and spear. Married women generally go veiled in public - this is believed to protect the household from evil influences. It is considered shameful to speak to an married woman when not in the presence of her spouse or other male relatives. Oddly enough, unmarried women are relatively free to do as they wish, though they are expected to dress and behave modestly so as not to shame their families.

Foreigners are invariably referred to as “Outlander” until their land of origin can be determined. Then they will be referred to as “______ - Lander” followed by their name. This is not considered disrespectful, simply how things are done. Nyremians tend to be fairly religious, though this is divided between majority Selectionist and minority Linealist sects in the northeastern part of the nation - each town and region has its own take on things, leading to frequent disputes, even pitched battles between local militias. In any case, both groups loathe the “Reformist” heresies, which often take root in southern towns near the Gemiri border.

The Nyremian Army is built on the large but well-trained militia, lightly armored free men equipped with shields and spears. The militia is usually issued helmets and other armor from local stores, as commoners are forbidden to own armor. The militia usually spends one week each season mustering in the nearest town and drilling in formations. The nobility are moderately-armored horsemen who are skilled with lance and bow, supplementing the infantry. Perhaps the most unique trait of the Nyremian Army is its reliance on Golems, hinting at ancestral ties to the Hyspedes League. The city of Nyremi itself is surrounded by dozens of ornately carved stone golems, dating from the time of the original settlement of the region. These golems may lie dormant for decades, but in times of war they can be awakened and controlled by whoever occupies the throne in Nyremi itself. The Nyremian Army has a long history of successfully defending the nation from outside invasions, especially as strategic chokepoints near Pozdega and Krucis, but has little ability to go on a foreign campaign. Likewise, Nyremi has not produced an inspirational military hero in generations. That may actually be about to change.

About a decade ago an ambitious noble named Reymer Valgrehn led a coup d’etat, overthrowing the existing royal family and assuming the title of “Prince-Despot”. His stated justification was that the ruling family was falling increasingly under the influence of corruptive Gemiri mercantile interests, sullying the “spirit of the Nyremian People”. Ironically, the Prince Despot, who was originally from the eastern town of Torontal, drew much of his support from foreign mercenaries, bandit gangs, criminal organizations, and other elements off the Nyremian mainstream. After the coup, the Lord Protector’s allies remained in Nyremi and were allowed to use it as a base of operations. So long as the various bandit gangs and mercenary units did not threaten his new status quo, they were allowed to remain in Nyremi. In most cases, these groups raid neighboring states, mostly out of the mountainous west. The Prince Despot has used the new influx of funds to modernize the Nyremian Army, especially the permanent Field Army, in hopes of developing an effective offensive capability.