Shienar

All of the Borderlands stand against the threat of the Blight, Shienar among them. They remain among the Borderland nations in the Fourth Age, despite no longer being on the border directly with the resurgence of Malkier to the north. Their military play a crucial role in the Westlands' defense against the Blight, and the relatively safe positions of their farms makes them a vital source of food for the Borderlands as a whole. As a people, they are formal and traditional, holding tightly to strict standards of propriety in their dealings. They are also a deeply spiritual people with clear ties to the land, as well as an appreciation for life and beauty above all else. They also remain formidable as ever, with well trained lancers who follow a strict hierarchy in battle, so that down to the last man they know their duty. While influential, as with all the Borderlands they disdain the Great Game, preferring to focus their energies on cooperation in the face of the Shadow.

Geography

Shienar is a land of rolling hills, sturdy fortifications, and bitter, brutal winters. Its northern border is with the newly restored Malkier, with Arafel to the west, the Aiel to the East, and Tar Valon to the south. Its towns are fortresses, particularly the northern stalawart, Fal Dara, but all Shienaran towns are walled and ready to defend themselves at all times. With the receding Blight and the added defenses provided by Malkier, however, some Shienarans have spread out to tend hardy crops or raise livestock, though few dare do so much further than a day's ride from the nearest walls.

Fal Moran is the capital of Shienar, rebuilt following its destruction during the Last Battle. As with all Shienaran settlements, it is heavily fortified and easily defended. Unlike other settlements, however, it is Ogier-built: the first such city in many, many years. A wonderous fusion of stone and wood, Fal Moran is widely regarded as the most beautiful city in the Borderlands, if not the world.

Fal Dara was also burned during the Last Battle, but by contrast the rebuilt city is a stark and simply built fortress on the northern edge of Shienar. It remains the vanguard against any possible incursion from the Blight. A road was built from it to the Seven Towers, and it serves as the unofficial liason between Malkier and Shienar.

Ankor Dail is the easternmost city of Shienar, and a bulwark along the Spine of the World. It has strong ties to the two steddings in the mountains there, Stedding Qichen and Stedding Sanshen.

The Fields of Merrilor are not strictly part of Shienar, as they are a neutral meeting place for all members of the Dragon Compact. However, they lie just to the southwest of Shienar, and the Shienarans take it as their responsibility to defend them if need be. Over time, it has become a thriving border town representing cultures from all of the Westlands.

Governance

Shienar is a monarchy, and has remained such into the Fourth Age. Individual houses tend to rule over the major cities, while the monarch rules the nation from Fal Moran.

Some of Shienar's internal government structure remains unclear at this time, and will be investigated more closely in the future.

Domestic Affairs

Shienarans are a formal, honor bound people with strict rules of propriety that govern their day to day l.ives. Men and women, for instance, live in separate apartments inside their cities. The women's apartments are sacrosanct, and men may only enter at invitation, even to speak to a spouse. Honor and shame are important concepts to Shienarans, and much of their culture involves living (and dying) with honor. They believe that they came from the earth, and return to it upon death, and as a result have ties to the land and nature that are unique among the human nations of the Westlands.

Like most Borderlands nations, they have little patience for politics, preferring to advance through merit and follow the chain of command to their last breath. Military service is important and respected in Shienar, with nobility often acting as officers, but every individual involved knows their place in the chain of command. They remained renowned for their heavy cavalry, as Shienaran lancers are widely regarded as the most dangerous in the world.

International Relations

Shienarans are tied strongly to the Borderlands, of course, but none more so than Malkier. The rebirth of the Golden Crane was met with celebration by Shienarans, and in the aftermath of the Last Battle many young Shienarans from all walks of life sought their fortune in Malkier. As a result, there are strong blood ties on both sides of the border, and the two nations act in unison in the defense of the Westlands. That said, their military structures tend to act at cross purposes; whereas the Malkieri are elite and widely independent soldiers, they lack a formal command structure, whereas the Shienarans are strictly regimented with a tight chain of command, making military cooperation difficult and irritating for the parties involved.

Shienar's other major tie is to the Ogier. They are home to several steddings, and as Ogier activity has increased in the Fourth Age Shienar's has proved something of a like-minded hub for them. Shienaran's ties to the land and to nature are not dissimilar to the Ogier's, and the two people have gotten along quite well as relations have deepened between the two.

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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.


King/Queen of Shienar

House High Seat
Lesser House Noble

Shatayan or Shambayan of a city Keep

Soldier

Thief-Taker