Pronunciation: JAN-meer
Founding Date: 2 DA
Dissolution Date: -
Demonym: Janmeran/Janmerans
Capital: Tiri'tel
Racial Distribution: human (32%), halfling (28%), orc (22%), other (18%)
Official Language: Maglin
Janmere is comprised of three large states: Valmont to the north, Aelham to the southwest, and Draywald to the southeast. Each has its own margrave, who more or less independently governs their state, but all answer to the king or queen of Janmere, who rules over the entire nation from Tiri'tel. Minor lords and ladies hold sway over the various smaller cities and towns of the nation, and a somewhat extensive legislature of other minor nobility handles the drafting and enforcing of laws with the current monarch having final sway over all.
Janmere's government has been quite mercurial over the long years of its existence, with multiple noble families rising and falling and the three states vying for power. There is often tension over who, precisely, has the right to rule, particularly if the current leader is not well liked.
Janmere is best known for its livestock and agriculture industries. The coastal and riverside areas boast rich, fertile soil for the growing of grains, corn, and cotton, and the open plains have been traveled by nomadic shepherds for generations beyond counting. Many of Janmere's cities sprang up from farm towns and nomad outposts, which grew with the trade demands and now serve as focal points in Janmere's busy trade network.
As a central nation with easy coast and river access, most of Altandor's trade runs through Janmere. Ship's captains, cart drivers, and mercenaries to protect more valuable goods abound, as do inns and taverns to service weary travelers.
Janmere is situated on the bulk of the Byspell Plains, and also holds a decent chunk of the Luill forest. Much of Janmere's land is rolling plains and hills, with rivers and streams snaking throughout. The area is prone to severe storms in the late spring and early summer - ancient burial grounds dug into the earth double as a storm shelter in a pinch, and the larger cities are protected from violent weather by ancient wind wards built in ages long past.
Tiri'tel: situated on the riverbank where the Duvull River meets the Clerith, Tiri'tel has grown from a bustling center of trade into the largest city in the world.
Lokfort: despite being razed multiple times throughout history, this border outpost near the Scar has been rebuilt every time. It serves as the last stop before travelers enter the Wanderer's Way, the road that passes through wilderness to connect Votar and nearby territories to Janmere.
Tabria: miles upon miles of crops sprawl around this city, which hosts massive silos to store grain until it can be shipped elsewhere.
Stranta: this busy seaport fields trade from nations up the river and down the coast to the south.
Janmere is very much a melting pot thanks to its central location and trade opportunities, but the core of its culture arises from the nomadic traditions of the Shaninth humans and the Prahlla halflings. Shepherds have herded their flocks back and forth across the Byspell Plains since long before the nation of Janmere was even thought of, and their way of life is largely unchanged from these origins. Janmerans value the freedom, hospitality, and the exchange of knowledge, all tenets of nomad life - freedom to travel where the wind guides and the grazing is best, hospitality provided to weary travelers, and the sharing of knowledge important for one to survive and thrive in a lifestyle that is sometimes harsh. Though many Janmerans have long since settled into stationary life, the ancient migration paths are still kept clear of farmland so the nomads can travel unhindered.
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