Estivall

Travelers exiting the Trackless Wood to the east or northeast usually find themselves within the borders of the nation of Estivall. Any such travelers would be advised to stop at one of the border stations; travel papers are easy to acquire for outsiders, but leaving the nation without them might be a more difficult matter.

In addition to the Trackless Wood, Estivall borders the ocean to the east, and the various nations of the Territories to the west. Between it and the rest of the Territories is a buffer zone of five former small Territories nations, all conquered or otherwise absorbed by Estivall in the last hundred years. Relations on the border with the Territories are strained, and raids and other incidents occasionally occur.

Unlike most other nearby countries, Estivall does not refer to itself as a Kingdom; it was founded by freethinkers, exiles, and rebels from other nations, based on ideas of government brought from Earth. It is led by an elected President and Senate rather than a monarch. The citizens of Estivall have much greater impact on the governance of their nation than residents of other Ariathan countries, at least in theory. The nation's constitution guarantees certain basic rights for all citizens, including freedom of speech and movement within the country, and a basic subsistence living for those going through hard times.

The current president is a faun named Zosha Etrangel. Zosha was elected a year ago on a platform of economic reform, but is having a difficult slog moving any legislation of substance through the Senate.

Discounting the Kudarr, Estivall's capitol of Lisdinn is one of the most technologically advanced places in Ariath, with facilities and infrastructure comparable to Europe's industrial revolution. Lisdinn draws industrious and optimistic Folk from all over Ariath with the promise of a new life and wealth, but for the majority of immigrants this promise falls short. It's all too easy to fall into debt in Estivall, and much harder to get out. New arrivals can easily get loans in order to help get themselves established, but the government garnishes wages and seizes travel papers to make sure that people cannot leave the country without making full repayment. Outsiders without papers may be mistaken for debtors by the authorities, and such misunderstandings are difficult to clear up.

People of Estivall

About half the population of Estivall is human, with the rest divided between many other native Folk. Some people estimate that half or more of the humans in Ariath dwell in Estivall. Many of the nation's founders were human, and the country seems familiar enough to humans from Earth that many of them are drawn there.

Estivall has a sharp wealth divide between the labor classes, who are constantly in debt or near it, and the upper classes, who have wealth and full freedom of movement. Between these two classes, the volunteer Estivallian military serves as a way out up the social ladder, and has swollen with farmers, factory workers, and immigrants trying to improve their lot.

Estivallian garb varies according to social status. Most citizens wear simple Ariathan homespun, while members of the military wear uniform tabards and practical gear. The wealthy or influential wear either rich Ariathan garb, or use human clothing imported from Earth as a symbol of their status.