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Zierathdom
Zierathdom, monarchist republic occupying the western coast of the continent of Scottlund. Zierathdom is also the nominal head of the Zierathan Alliance. Zierath is bordered on the north by the Hovden Ocean; on the northeast by Abode and Dietz; on the east by the Scottish Lake; on the southeast by Carlindom; and on the west by the Ae Ess Sea, which separates Zierath from the island nations of Perry, the Old Empire, William, and the Island of the Arrg. The total area of Zierath is square miles, making it one of the largest countries in the Zierathan Alliance. The capital city, Castle Zierath, is one of the largest and most visited cities, and Maz City is one of the centers of trade in its region of the Achar. Zierathdom is well known for its massive continuous forest in the western three-fourths of the country. This forest covers a huge rolling plateau sloping up toward the northeastern area of the country, made up the Mithril Hylands and the Scottish Lake. The land ranges from 500 feet above sea level at the mouths of the many rivers to 4600 feet at Castle Zierath. The Hylands have an average height of 5000 feet. The tallest mountain in the Hylands, the MacBain Cliff, is 6000 feet above sea level. The plains at the edge of Zierathdom continue into Abode. The plain is suddenly interrupted 50 miles from the Hovden Ocean. The Paladin River flows through the Bretten Mountains. These mountains rarely go more than 2500 feet above sea level. Nestled in between the mountains is a fertile valley which ends in a natural harbor. In the southeastern corner of the country, a wetlands - the United Swamp- has formed. Most of the rivers flow into the Ae Ess Sea or the Hovden Ocean. The Paladin, the Kodiak, and the Charles flow from the Scottish Lake. The Charles flows into Lake Lines, and then continues on the other side of the lake to the Ae Ess Sea. Other bodies of water feed the Paladin; one of its major tributaries is the Vibra River, which starts at Lake Ness. The Kodiak has many large tributaries as well, including the Ylvisaker, the Bandit, the Bretten, and the Roland. Other major rivers flow from two large lakes, Lake Tay and Lake Lamond to the Ae Ess Sea; the Arrg flows from Tay and the Davez flows from the Lamond. Zierathdom is an important agricultural country. The southeast area surrounding Tanyadee is one of the most fertile areas on the ring. The area between Maz City and Albaugh is also heavily farmed. The tree farms throughout the forest of Zierath provide the preferred lumber for houses and ships. The Niurb tree in particular, are much sought after for its versatile fruit. Mineral resources are extensive, including quartz, diamond, iron ore, chromium, phosphates, manganese, mica, graphite, gold, copper, silver, bauxite, zinc, tin, and mercury. One of the largest deposits of mithril is found in the hylands surrounding the Mines of Mithril. A large marble quarry is also found in the hylands. The Forest of Zierath covers three-fourths of the country. The forest has many deciduous trees in the south and west. Further inland, near Castle Zierath, the forest turns primarily coniferous, with the notable exception of the niurb. The wildlife of Zierathdom is extremely diverse. Notable large mammals include several types of bear, unicorn, moose, elk, many different species of deer, the mammoth, and the ground sloth. Large carnivores include the tiger, the smiledon, the leopard, the puma, the wolf, the coyote, and the fox. Several species of dinosaurs, notably the valaceraptor and the hadrasaur inhabit the United Swamp. A few of the reptiles, including the coral snake, the death rattle, and the minotaur lizard, are poisonous. Creatures such as the hydra and regens live in the forest while griffin, pegasus, and hippogriffs live in the hylands. The population of Zierathdom
is approximately 22,000,000 sentients. Several different racial
groups have made Zierathdom their home over the millennia. The most populous city in Zierathdom is Castle Zierath. The city of Castle Zierath itself has approximately 1.5 million people living within its walls. The suburbs surrounding it add an additional million to the metropolitan area. Other large cities include Maz City (1,000,000), Neverman (700,000), Tanyadee (650,000), MacBain (600,000), Leosburg (550,000), Scotton (500,000)Monroe (500,000), and Brummer (400,000). Schools in Zierathdom are administered by the joint efforts of the Huntian Papal Education Foundation, run by the Isles of Hovde, and the Zierathan Education Department. Elementary and Secondary Schools More than 4,100,000 pupils attended primary schools in this century, and some 1,500,000 secondary students attend the state run schools. Many students attend the public schools part time, and then spend the rest of the time either in an apprenticeship or in the private schools of their particular race. Universities
and Colleges Zierathdom’s museums, libraries, and theatres are spread throughout the entire province. Among the major museums are the Zierath Art Gallery in Castle Zierath; the Pict Museum in MacBain; the Markos Museum and Planetarium in Maz City; and the Monroe Public Museum in Monroe. The government of Zierathdom is a monarchist republic. There are three major bodies that form the governing forces of Zierathdom. Monarchy The Imrhys Lord Zierath
is at the head of the monarchy. Since coming to power in 11,465
I.C., Zierath has pulled back, only taking part in the day to
day business of running the government to the elected Senate.
The monarchy is in charge of maintaining the armed forces, the
diplomatic corps, and the nobility. The monarchy is also the body
that signs the Senate’s bills into laws. The Senate The different areas and races get to elect a representative to the Senate. The Senate is the body of people who decide what the laws are and how they should be implemented. The Senate can overrule the monarchy with a 2/3 vote. The Senate is monitored by the council of nobles and the Judiciary. The Judiciary There are many different
levels of courts. The most numerous are the city courts. These
deal with the land and property laws for the most part.
Ylvisaker Zierath The government was run out of Castle Zierath. They created a Noble Council, made up of many of the Imrhys who had taken part in the battles. They also created a republic senatorial system that was run by the sentients and a judiciary system which balanced the power of the other two. With the aid of Pope David of Hunt, Zierath implemented a public education program focused in reducing the rampant racism that had caused so many problems. Over several centuries, the program was mostly effective. In addition to training the citizens of the Alliance, Zierath turned his attention to newly Awakened Imrhys. Zierath and his friends would bring in newly Awakened Imrhys and start training them. After the younger Imrhys turn 500, the elder Imrhys would divide their land they controlled and give it to younger Imrhys. The aim was to teach the next generations responsibility. It did not always work, but the success rate is fairly high. Among the Imrhys who were trained by Zierath and the other nobles are Kerkove, Kuker, Carlin, Braithe, Xiola, the Mad Hatter, Lindsay, Andreea, Stavius, Nicholas the Axemage, and Landa. Many of the younger Imrhys move on and rule in their own countries. Others stay in Zierathdom or one of the surrounding land areas and remain members of the Zierathan Alliance. The biggest threat to the peace of Zierathdom are the vampires. The Sithnarn, in particular, have strongholds throughout the country. Many of the strongholds hold vampires that are in torpor. Occasionally, several of the Sithnarn will awake from torpor and go on a killing streak, creating mini-armies. The
most serious threat of this nature happened in 10,988. Two of
Sithnar’s eldest children – Rrex Grolla and Old Dolph
– come out of torpor in the remains of Fitzcairn Fortress.
They had been there since 10,079. The two start slowly taking
over the triple towns of Fitzcairn, Darius, and Methos. One of
the last they take is Drollo, a sergeant in Zierathdom is a pre-eminent
country within the Zierathan Alliance, and is currently one of
the major powers on the known Achar.
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Zierath
started building a new capital city called towards the center
of his territory. He started with his own castle which he called
Castle Zierath in 10,100. Sentients flocked to his newly designed
city, and they called the surrounding city ‘Castle Zierath’
as well. The Outer Wall, the third of five walls, was completed
in 10,210. It encompassed 
the Zierathan Regulars. Drollo is forced to send a message to
Zierath to have the Imrhys lord come and inspect the ancient fortress.
Zierath and his young protégé Carlin come to Fitzcairn
and are attacked by the army of vampires. The two Imrhys defend
themselves, and manage to kill Old Dolph and bury Rrex Grolla,
forcing the vampire back into torpor. Drollo, freed from Old Dolph’s
control, flees north. Maz, Zierath’s brother, finds the
freed vampire, and rather than destroying the vampire, allows
him to be a member of the city guard.
