Azag-Ithiel, The Newlands

“From your perspective the Newlands are an asylum. From our perspective, the rest of the world is a prison.”- Kurabn Ustam, Senator, Teacher, and Master Artificer
Capital: Paradigm
Government: Democratic Republic
Major Settlements: Paradigm (3,792), Azag-Lown (3,000) Azag-Khambir (3,600)
Ruler: Prime Minister Otag Nagen
Major Races: Dhorsai, Folarrians, Grippli, Half ogres, Half orcs, Kobolds, Taddol, Tengu
Major Religions: Tulis, Yolana
Resources: Precious Metals, ideas
Languages: Common, orcish, giant, draconic

History:

It is believed that long ago, before the Elemental Lords were, a meteor hit old Porphyra with such power that it cracked the surface and pushed up circular mountain range called the Abancoi Nicn, which translated from the old draconic means pond ripple. A millennium ago Kurabn Ustam, an exiled kobold immortal with a head full of weird ideas, came to the valley. The victim of a ring of wishes, Ustam was an oddity by kobold standards before the accident being that he was very intelligent, very brave, and very good. He hand come to the valley to build his wizard’s tower, and continue with his artifice experiments in seclusion. Fate had other plans. Refugees from the Jheriak Continuance, in particular half orcs, began to make their way across the high Abancoi Nicns from the oppression they found at the hands of the king’s men. As they made their way across the expansive valley, the half orcs found the tower, and to everyone’s surprise the ancient and powerful kobold welcomed them warmly. The half orcs saw the little wizard as a protector, a barrier between them and the mercenary bands and king’s military; Kurabn saw in the half orcs an opportunity for one of his strangest ideas to take root.

Stressing to their parents the need for education Kurabn began to teach the young half-orcs and other children of the valley to read and write. He taught them math, philosophy, the sciences but more importantly he began to teach them their worth as thinking creatures and that every sentient had rights and should be seen as equals. Multiple generations grew strong and wise under the tutelage of Kurabn Ustam. Even as the original settlement grew from a farming community and spread across the valley more refugees began to pour across the mountains, bringing with them stories of oppression and slaughter. The Continuance was on the move, and Kurabn and his students knew it was time for the second iteration of his experiment to begin.

A call was put out to the cities, towns, tribe holdings, and villages across the valley to send representatives to help form a central government, one where the people would have a say. The meeting took place in the city of Paradigm, the brick and limestone jewel that had grown around the base of the Kurabn’s tower. Farmers, doctors, wizards, priests, architects, warriors, engineers, smiths, and mathematicians came to the first parliament. The brave men and women met at the beginning of summer and argued and fought through to the next spring. The results of this first parliament were nothing short of a miracle. Azag-Ithiel, The Newlands, as they were commonly called, would be a democratic republic with each citizen, from the richest merchant to the lowliest sweep would have an equal say in who would govern and make the laws. They also created a declaration of rights that all sentients, no matter their species or country of origin should be treated to. They elected the half orc orator Inva Khambir the first prime minister, the only time the prime minister was not elected directly by the people, and created a citizen’s army wherein all able bodied citizens reaching the age of sixteen would serve an enlistment of three years and opened its ranks to volunteers. National pride swept across the new nation and the ranks of the military swelled with young men and women from over half a dozen species, warriors and ex mercenaries. The Continuance was encroaching, and there would be no time to train. Kurabn Ustam and his artificer students had been preparing for this for a long time.

The first attacks came simultaneously from the east and west. The Continuance had sent a massive army, outnumbering the Azag-Ithiel forces twenty to one, however the defenders of the valley had several advantages. Azag-Ithiel soldiers were much better equipped. They had three times as many airships as the Continuance. And there were the legion of ten foot tall steel golems and the contingent of half ogers and ogrillons wearing golem armor led by the ogre mage general Tharis Nal, who would later go on to be the commandant general of the republic and then prime minister. Even with these advantages, the fight was a stalemate exacting a heavy toll on both sides. The war continued in this fashion for years. The technology and magic of the Azag-Ithiel kept the Continuance at bay, but casualties mounted on both sides. However, Azag-Ithiel military gained confidence, and eventually the attempt to conquer Azag-Ithiel ground to a halt. While hostilities have never officially ceased, it seems that the Continuance content with containment for the moment.

Current Events

Azag-Ithiel, while not completely secure, is breathing a sigh of relief. The national system of roads nears completion connecting all the cities, towns, and villages. The Newlands had their first “peacetime” election, and while the proceedings were slightly derisive, Prime Minister Otag Nagen was elected for a second term.

Major Settlements

Paradigm Called the cradle of democracy, Paradigm is a marvel in red brick and polished stone. At the center of the town lie Patriot’s Square and the tower and workshop of Senator Kurabn Ustam. It is a vibrant place full of merchants, smiths, and boasts three universities within the city proper.

Azag-Lown Azag Lown is the industrial heart of the Newlands. Factory towers rise like monoliths over the flat valley floor. The secret to Azag Lown’s success is the heavy iron deposits around the town.

Azag-Khambir Azag-Khambir is a military town. Sitting near the center of the valley, the Karaden training grounds and air base can respond and assist any of the fortified border posts within hours. Called Fort Khambir by some, the city is an extension of Karaden, and exists in the same military discipline.

Intrigues

• Kurabn Ustam, after one hundred and fifty years in the Parliament’s Senate, has announced his retirement from politics, and will return full time to academia. Many wonder if the timing of this announcement had anything to do with Ustam’s Unity Party’s narrow victory in the elections. With the father of the nation stepping down, some fear political chaos while others rush in to fill the power vacuum. There has been a call for external observers to keep the peace.

• Reports are pouring in from the observer posts on the border that the Continuance is amassing forces along the mountain roots. This provocation is worrying but half as much as the disconnection with their allies in the Clockwork Lands. Something is blocking teleportation and messages. Thee have been calls for adventurers to find out what the Continuance is up to.

• Rumors are spreading about the junior representative from Azag-Lown. Atlier Mondri is the first Tengu to be elected to the parliament from that area. Mondri is from a wealthy merchant family, and she is a prominent banker. Mondri is also a Conservative-Federalist, the largest opposition party. The rumors say she bought the election and that she traded her soul to Eshsalqua for power. These rumors have become so provasice that she is facing a Parliamentary Inquiry. She is seeking aid from those who would help clear her name.

Regional Traits

Paradigm Born You were born and raised in the cradle of democracy and know a thing or two about political discourse. Gain a +1 trait bonus to Diplomacy or Sense Motive. That skill will always be a class skill for you.

Ustam Artisan You graduated from the Ustam School of Artisans and are handy with a wrench and hammer. Gain a +2 trait bonus when repairing a complex machine or mechanical artifact such as a golem.