NAME: Alcunica
FLAG/SYMBOL: The flag of Alcunica depicts a green mountain set in front of a salmon tinted sun and a pale blue sky. In the forefront sits a mythical artifact of Alcunican culture, the twisted hammer. https://imgur.com/a/xag08Jb Imgur link to all attached post images.
LOCATION:
GEOGRAPHY: Alcunica’s climate is utterly pleasant, its shorelines are baked in a constant warmth while the many valleys are shielded by the Western and Southern mountain ranges from the cold deserts bordering them.
The aforementioned valleys are vital to agricultural needs of the Alcunicans, providing copious albeit steep terrain for the many terrace farms needed to support the large population of the nation’s cities.
The lengthy shoreline acts as a trade highway to efficiently move massive loads of cargo to anywhere it is needed.
Finally, the Western and Southern mountain ranges are the most important geographic features, protecting Alcunica not just from the cold deserts, but creating a natural barrier against foreign interference.
BIOLOGY/ETHNICITY: Alcunica is inhabited almost exclusively by Ostevir. A humanoid race defined by the plates of bone which cover their skin. These bone plates vary from individual to individual, but their size and quantity are directly impacted by their diet. This “Second Skeleton” makes Ostevir incredibly durable and their muscles are naturally powerful to support the additional mass, but it also comes with disadvantages. The first is weight, depending on the size of the Ostevir their plates can add between 30-50 extra pounds of weight compared to other humanoid races of similar stature. Secondly, Ostevir do not possess sweat glands and thus have rather low endurance. Thirdly, as a result of the prior two disadvantages, Ostevir are incapable of swimming.
This is not to say that no other races inhabit Alcunican lands, but their presence is typically limited to foreign traders looking to profit. To avoid the harsh discrimination of the Ostevir, others who visit or reside in Alcunica can expect to wear porcelain masks designed to mimic the facial plates of the Ostevir elite. Not all foreigners conform to this attempt at appeasing the strict social segregation of Alcunica, these people are met with either respect or disdain depending on the circle.
HISTORY: To go far back, Alcunica began as a conglomerate of Ostevir tribes which dwelled in the caves of the bordering mountain ranges. These tribes first warred with each other, until they experienced the Bronze Age. It was during this time that certain tribes were able to advance far enough past others to force them under their rule, unwillingly at first, but later tribes joined the fledgling nation once they witnessed the fruit of progress. Beautiful cities of marble and limestone inhabited by Ostevir enrobed in gorgeous colors and shimmering bronze armor.
It was during this time that Alcunica as it is known today was born. Originally Alcunica was born as an Empire with ambitions to subjugate other nations, but before this ambition could be born the ancestors of today’s Oligarchs overthrew the Empire. They had decided in secrecy that profit could be greater if Alcunica was not disposing its people and resources into war, this is the same creed that their ancestors still follow. Despite this idyllic mindset, the Oligarchs were not very different than their dead emperor, they only chose to subjugate their own people over others.
SOCIETY: Alcunica is ruled by an Oligarchy formed from the oldest and wealthiest of their clans. The upper echelon of Alicunican society divides itself from the common Ostevir through not only wealth, but their physical appearance. As mentioned before, the quality and quantity of their bone plates is directly affected by an Ostevir’s diet. The lowest of society who suffer from malnutrition are easily discriminated against by their thin and often malformed plates.
High society, on the other hand, prides itself in maintaining prime porcelain appearances. Their rich and varied diets promote not only numerous and healthy plates, but in eating a calorie surplus they cause a sort of overgrowth. These bone spurs are highly desirable and are often filed down into alluring shapes.
CULTURE: Alcunicans are a people who perceive a great deal of value in the social standing of the individual, even the highest of nobles hold grand feasts to feed the poorest of their society. Every other part of their culture follows this mindset. Their architecture is most commonly constructed of skillfully shaped and painted marble or sturdy limestone and capped by roofs of brilliant red terracotta. Alcunican clothing is flowing and light to keep the wearer cool, while sporting brilliant colors and geometric patterns to elevate their appearance.
Food in Alcunica is simple and nourishing, typically served in bowls, Ostevir have a taste for cold and minimally cooked meals. Mixed grains and leafy grains accompanied by cured meats and unleavened breads, with a healthy side of olive oil and diluted wine. Foreigners will note a surplus of fish and pig in the Alcunican diet and a lack of other red meats and dairy, the lack of pasture in the native terrain makes it difficult to source such goods.
Due to the abundance of quarries and mines in Alcunica, masons and smiths are in no short supply and the clans that control these industries are among the most powerful in the nation.
OCCURRENCE OF MAGIC: Magic is seen as a curse in Alcunica, both due to the common belief that no individual should have such power, but also because of the physical effect magic has upon Ostevir. Magic is incredibly difficult for Ostevir to learn, but once understood it seems to almost channel naturally within their blood.
This is no boon however, Ostevir sorcerers find that this intermingling of biology and magic causes crystalline growths to sprout from their blood vessels, causing exsanguination and organ damage. A common way to avoid such horrible side effects is to drain a sorcerer’s blood and mix it with a coagulant. This mixture can then be used to draw runes to cast spells with the only damage to the sorcerer being bloodloss. However even this is seen as taboo and the black market trade in Ostevir sorcerer blood is snuffed out whenever it crops up.
When it is permitted however, typically only by those close to the Oligarchs, magic is used to improve arms and armor. A sword that can generate a wall of force, allowing the wielder to bludgeon an armored foe. A suit of armor that continuously heals any wounds sustained by the wearer.
FADED WONDER: It is believed that wonders did exist in the tribal era of Alcunica, but as civilization developed and the disdain for magic grew it is thought that they were all destroyed. Perhaps they may be rediscovered, if they exist at all that is.
IMPORTS, EXPORTS, & MAJOR INDUSTRIES:
Imports:
The most important import in Alcunica is lumber and wooden goods, ranging from carts, to fine wood sculptures, and even whole ships. Other imports that see a lot of traffic in Alcunican ports are dyes, exotic fruits, and leather.
Exports:
Alcunican exports include, fish oils and olive oil, marble sculptures, metal jewellery, travertine ashlar, and terracotta tiles (both roofing and flooring tiles).