Siana

Siana, formerly part of the Iksandi Empire, formally known as the Free Queendom of Siana, is a loose organization off the coast of Civiel.

GEOGRAPHY

Siana is divided into two main bio-regions: the northern highlands, which occupy Indiker, Mincast, and Dineway, and the southern forests, which occupy Tiramor and Avonig. Both landscapes get frequent rain, and there are large swaths of moorland and bog on the southern coast where the land is lower. The highlands are characterized by their rocky landscape, especially toward the north, and their relatively treeless expanse. The southern forests are mossy landscapes with tight canopies and plentiful foraging. Siana itself is bordered on the east by the Kenney strait, on the west by the Molic strait, and on the south by the Kheri ocean.

GOVERNMENT

Siana is a constitutional monarchy. The queen holds power and is an inherited position, but the council is elected every five years. There are six positions at council: agriculture, military, treasury, medicine, communication, and religion. Every member holds the same voting power. There are five states of Siana: Tiramor, Indiker, Dineway, Avonig, and Mincast. During elections, each town sends voting results to the head of state, who sends it to the queen. The title of Queen is matrilineal, and is passed to the firstborn daughter of the queen.

CULTURE

Relationships & the Self

Sianic families are closed off from other family groups, living in farm villages with a cluster of houses. There is a general distrust of strangers in ones house, and hospitality is limited to certain areas of the home. It is bad luck to invite strangers into the main family house, so some houses have seperate

Visual culture

The architecture of Siana is characterized by one-story houses, often with round or C-shaped floor plans. The houses typically have steep thatched roofs, dirt floors, and wattle-and-daub walls. Most homeowners have gardens of some kind on their property, often a vegetable or herb garden. In older buildings, the entrance is a seperate room from the rest of the house, and a narrow walkway connects it. This dates back to an old tradition where strangers were not allowed to sleep in the main family house, so they were told to sleep in 

Most people wear simple clothing made from cotton and wool. Women typically wear knee-length dresses with aprons and wool stockings. Men wear tunics tied at the waist with a leather or cloth belt and a short apron. Sianic people are known for metalwork, and the clasps and buttons on clothing can be very intricate, often featuring animals and weather. The most distinct accessory is their beaded hair. All genders have beaded strands of hair framing their face. Some beads have meaning, such as a triangular silver bead signifying power or a round wooden bead representing motherhood.

Siana is most known for trading lumber and craft works. Metalwork from Siana is particularly famous, though often done with imported metals from Iksand. Formerly, Siana exported large amounts of windwood to the Iksandi empire, though after the collapse, windwood is typically only traded in small amounts. 

Sianic craftsmanship is most seen in their metalwork. Detailed, curved lines curl like vines, often framing a symbol of Avonistic belief or of national pride. Woodworking is another well-known form of craft, seen in the Inderi windwood ships and carvings on pillars and chairs.

Daily Life

Sianic cuisine is simple, and consists mainly of mutton, blackberries, bread, hazelnuts, and herbs. Most foods are foraged or grown in small gardens, such as herbs and berries. Some animals and plants are raised in farms, typically run by two or three families. The most well known meal is shepherd's bread, a mix of herbs and mutton stuffed inside a pocket of bread. Siana is known for production of many kinds of alcohol, mainly cider and mead.

DEMOGRAPHY

The main demonym is Sianic, although the term Sianese can still be found in older documents. The largest population is Sianic elven, although populations of Iksandi elven and Audhyllic Vityr can be found. The most common language spoken is Faenlic, a language similar to the old Iksandi language. Common is the second most spoken language.

The most prominent religion in Siana is Avonism, and it is a point of national pride as it is the founding nation. St. Sadie is considered the patron of Siana.