Illian

Illian is a nation forced to reimagine itself following significant losses and conflicts in both the Third and Fourth Age. Formerly a monarchy, the throne and crown were taken by the Dragon Reborn before Tarmon Gai’don. With his death, the position remained vacant, filled in by the competing interests of the country’s other power brokers. War with the Seanchan further damaged their ability to function, and competition from the Seafolk and Traveling did significant damage to the Illianer economy. Today, Illian is on the rise, though in many cases through less than savory channels as they rebuild as best they can.

Geography

Illian features forests, marshes, and coasts, with a particular cultural emphasis on the last. Murandy is to the north, Far Madding across the Plains of Maredo to the east, Altara and Tai’Seanchan to the west, and the Sea of Storms to the south. Illian’s seas are also home to the Kabal Deep, a treacherous gulf often swept with storms. The Manetherendelle River makes its way to the sea here, allowing Illian access to a river trading network that extends throughout a significant portion of the Westlands.

Illian is the capital and largest city of the nation, home to perhaps the largest harbor in the world. Even in an age with Seafolk traders and Gateways, the port is always busy with ships Illianer and otherwise. The city is host to a number of canals, making the water an ever present part of city life. Illian’s center is the Square of Tammaz, located between the Seat of the Assemblage and the Great Hall of the Council. Here, the Great Hunt for the Horn is called on regularly to great fanfare, often sponsored by the rich and powerful looking for acclaim (and perhaps political influence.) The Seafolk have an enclave here, as stipulated by their agreement with the Dragon Reborn, something of a sore spot with local Illianers.

Governance

The monarchy of Illian was never restored following the death of the Dragon Reborn. The former king, Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar, refused to retake the throne, for reasons many speculate trace back to the treatment he suffered under one of the Forsaken. For several years, arguments and occasional violence sparked between the two remaining powers in the city over who would rule: the Council of the Nine or the Assemblage. The Council consists of the nine most powerful or recognized lords of Illianer nobility, while the Assemblage is elected by and from the ranks of Illian’s merchants and ship owners.

The Council immediately claimed the former King’s Palace as their own; in response, the Assemblage besieged and seized the former Great Hall, renaming it the Seat of the Assemblage. Things are markedly less tense today, only after intervention from the Companions that came dangerously close to a coup only three decades ago. The Council of the Nine, chaired by a rotating Lord of Laurels, acts to protect and guide the nation, while the Assemblage has primacy in economy affairs. Both can and do write and revise the laws, a process which remains messy, complicated, and at times dangerous.

Domestic Affairs

Illian’s economy has suffered badly as a result of the changes to the world order in the Fourth Age, while their military withered under war and, later, lack of funding. Today both are on the rise, financed in large part by piracy. Illian ships garnered a reputation for smuggling and theft in the early years of the Fourth Age, which further reduced their legitimate interests. This cycle led to the unofficial recruitment of captains as privateers, with a portion going directly back into Illian. Other illicit activities include the creation and sale of counterfeit Seafolk porcelain, a valuable rarity, as well as the periodic accumulation of gunpowder weaponry by enterprising captains.

The military, revitalized by the return of funding, remains one of the best outside of the Borderlands. The Companions, formerly sworn to the Crown, now swear to the nation itself. Their membership and leadership are largely left to their own devices, and continue to include the recruitment and promotion of foreign talent. Despite being a power unto themselves, the Companions rarely intervene in Illian’s political process, aside from putting an end to the constant feuding between Council and the Assemblage.

International Relations

Illian’s relations with other nations are often strained, particularly with nations involved in trade at sea or by river (including as always Tear, with whom they have settled into a state of cold war as required by the Compact). The Seafolk once had a solid relationship, but continued years of struggle gradually gave way to anger among the Illianer common folk. Now, the Seafolk find them particularly trying, given occasional mobs at their Illian enclave and a distaste for piracy.

They maintain strong relations with Murandy, Mayene, and the Tai’Seanchan. Murandy and Mayene operate as their largest trading partners, Murandy in particular for any more illicit goods, with Mayene utilizing Illian ships to import or export other goods. The Tai’Seanchan sought close ties with their neighbors to, in part, pressure rogue Altara, caught between them. That early support provides a crucial market for Illian, as well as enables Tai’Seanchan to be one of the few nations to have few worries about possible Illian piracy at sea or river, though smuggling remains an issue.

Flag

Map

Ranks

This is not an exhaustive list, feel free to apply for something not detailed to be considered by the Admins.

You may apply for any of the Adoptable or Restricted ranks, but only superior applications will be considered and must pass through Admins before being accepted.


Lord/Lady of Laurels
Council of the Nine Lord/Lady
Lesser House Noble

XXXXX, Lord Captain of the Companions
Companion Soldier
Soldier

Member of the Assemblage
Ship Captain
Sailor
Commoner

Gleeman
Hunter for the Horn