Avon Is Our Guide

Iksand

Iksand is a large country in between Civiel and Azoh, bordering the Iksandi Sea and the Dragonback Mountains. The official capitol is Denevir.

GEOGRAPHY

Iksand is generally divided into three bioregions: the night woods to the west, occupying most of Redfire; the fields of Tylen, and the forests in Dravos. Of the three, Redfire recieves the most precipitation. Tylen, bordered by three rivers, is home to the agricultural center of Iksand. 

Iksand is bordered to the north by the Dragonback mountains, to the east by the Kheri and Iksandi seas, to the south by the Veskei river, and to the west by the Black River and the Night Woods. The River Riwen flows partly through Dravos, though most of it lies in Riwen after the Riweni Rebellions.

GOVERNMENT

Iksand is a monarchy, ruled by the Queen and King, with six lords and ladies. The head monarch can be any gender, but must be directly related to the previous head monarch, usually the firstborn child. The current queen is Queen Adriana II, ruling with her husband King Merlin I.

The lords and ladies of the larger regions split their domains inbetween dukes and duchesses, who rule over smaller domains and split the land between barons and baronesses. The smaller regions do not have dukes or barons. The five lords and ladies are as follows: Lord Edric I of Redfire, Lady Morgan II of Tylen, Lord Edward IV of Dravos, Lady Charlotte I of Heiros, and Lady Kristine I of Vesland.

Lord Edric has discussed splitting from Iksand and forming the Free State of Redfire because of how isolated the territory is.

CULTURE

Iksand is a culture shaped by war. In its earliest days, it was a region on the border of the mountains, and soldiers were tasked with defending people from the wyverns that would come down from the mountains. The height of Iksandi power came from the reign of King Connor I, who brought about the age of the Iksandi Empire. The empire was considered the height of warfare and technological advancement in the west, until the fall and split of Civiel from the empire.

Iksand is a highly religious nation, shaped by the religion Avonism. Only in the largest cities can other religious spaces be found, and those spaces are often small and hidden. Many monarchs have tried to write laws that prevent the spread of other religions, but people still practice in secret. Religious symbols are often found in paintings and architecture.

Visual Culture

Architecture in Iksand is bright, with half-timbered walls, thatched roofs, and jettied levels. The exposed beams of the house are often painted in cities, as a way of protecting the wood and brightening the city. Most houses have small gardens on one side of the house, especially in rural areas. The styles vary from region to region, based on avalible materials and lifestyle. Firic architecture is solid and protected, made of wood and stone. The houses here have shingled roofs, and are most commonly painted red. Tylic architecture is short and wide, mimicking the architecture of the Riweni people. Most of the houses are made from wood. Dravic architecture is the most diverse, but most houses have stone foundations and clay shingled roofs. Ornamention is seen in almost every house, even the lower class. Most houses have protective symbols hanging on their door. Some manors have elaborate sigils carved into the doors or woven into tapestries hanging in the foyer.

Clothing in Iksand is simple, but contains layers of symbolism, especially in the upper class. Color and style of clothing caries especial significance. For example, purple is the color of magic and therefore, wearing it is seen as a symbol of rebellion against religion and social standards. Designs woven into the fabric or embroidered on also carry significance. Designs featuring dragons are restricted to the noble class, seen as a symbol of importance. The cloth is usually cotton or goat wool, and is relatively simple in structure. Women wear long fringed skirts with multiple tiers and often wear aprons over the top, with a blouse and vest above. Men wear trousers and a plain shirt, also with a vest over it. In Iksand, it is a tradition to wear hair long and decorated, no matter what gender. This is only strictly practiced by nobles or those living in Denevir, however, since it is impractical for any other professions. Most people keep their hair at about two feet long, tying it back in braids or ponytails.

The artforms Iksand is most known for are painting and needlework. Traditional embroidery is very important in Iksandi culture as a form of self-expression. Iksand has many master painters, mainly focused on religious and historical subjects like the War of Wrath and the Mage Wars.

Daily Life

Most Iksandi food is produced in Tylen and shipped to other regions via the River Riwen. Sheep and goats are raised for their meat and milk. Corn, originally domesticated near the border between Iksand and Azoh, is a staple crop and is produced widely. Most meals are based around a cornbread of some kind, from the thick, coarse breads of Redfire to the flatbreads sold in city streets across Dravos.

Iksand exports a variety of goods and services, most notably farming and mining products. Corn is the dominant food export, alongside goats. Iron, gold, and coal are important exports as well. Iksand recieves imports from all over Kessix, from Civielite lumber to Sianic crops and Jehisi hides.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Most people in Iksand are elves, specifically Dravinian elves and Sianic elves. Riweni elves are not a rare sight, but are less common than other elves. There is a large disapora of Azohican ahuatl in Dravos and Tylen. People from Iksand are known as Iksandi. Natives from Redfire are Firic, those from Tylen are Tylic, and people from Dravos are Dravic. People from the smaller regions are Heiric or Veslic. The primary language is Dravic Iksandi, but Azohican, Common and Faenlic are spoken as well.