Hryst

Geography and Climate: 

Located across a stretch of plains and hills to the North, Hryst is a vast country in size of land, but rather centered in location. The entrance and exit to the country is either by hikes through the Western forests, by journey of the flat lands to its south, or by passage of the eastern rivers which exit into the great lake of the mainland or simply spread further into the plains. This extremely large river system is the cornerstone of the nation in which they use for exporting, importing, and every other trade that keeps their country stable.

The summers are calm and luscious but can occasionally bring great heat to those above Lower Aster (which remains a bit cooler). The spring sometimes becoming threatening with thunderstorms, but often bring great winds for trade. However, the winter months are a dangerous time indeed.. frozen waters and snow-covered heartlands can mean for fatal travels and lack of income. Seldom do things come out.. and even less come in.




Cities:
Most villages, farms, or smaller cities are scattered around the plains. However, the nation is widely known for its trade of ore - heavily reliant on coal, steam, and small forms of electricity to energize and power. Aster, the capitol of Hryst, has two parts. Lower Aster lies within a massive cavern at the coast of the river system and underneath an enormous cliff-side underneath the plains. Add in what season you prefer into the personality section. Upper Aster sits just above it - connected by the sides of the cliff and by lifts within the cavern.This is the country's main location of trade, importing, and exporting. It acts as a port and as a home for all their mining needs.

There are extremely wide stretches of land between the towns in the plains. But travel is often necessary for farmers, hunters, and the like. They're connected by roads of dirt or by railroads and ports. Small boats, trains, and horseback are the main modes of transportation for most. If not, on foot.

Society :

The country thrives on the ores and agriculture at their disposal. They profit from trade for items that the other countries have to offer. Importing and exporting keep the nation afloat economically. The class system is very loose, as most everyone in the country strives for the same goal: to grow. As a people, as a nation, however. The governmental system is a hierarchical council made of three members whom are voted in after the age of thirty and must retire by the age of fifty five. Under them, mayoral heads lead each major town or city - leaving two mayors for Aster (Upper and Lower).

With rather socialist values, many in the city make their living as guards in the city streets, fishermen, miners, shop keepers, or crew hands. Recently, there has been a growing number of thievery and underhand dealing with the rise of a common street gang - but the peacekeeping force of guardsmen keep them very much in-check in order to sustain the safety of the people. The plains of Hryst have much less urban-related problems. Farmers and simple families live their lives in peace and hunters are constantly thrilled with adventure in the rich landscape of lush valleys, rivers, and fields.

The country is built off the power of coal and steam, greatly influenced by industry. The cities run smoothly and even those in the lower class may afford electricity and a few of the "olden modern-day" technology scraps that were once part of the Empire - light bulbs, lamps, even older sound systems can sometimes be a rare gem in a market! However, an old way also is very evident within the harbors and around the factories. A knightly air hangs about the city. An ancient code of honor, respect, vigilance, and courage is practiced in those that search for a higher calling.

Education is looked upon highly in the nation. From the ages of six to sixteen, all must attend schools closest to them for learning - a new grade for each new year. After their sixteenth year (tenth of schooling), education is not required. However, academies of higher learning are available for those who can test into them. The academies are only located in Aster and each focus on a different pillar - a magnet to those who choose them and can acquire their seat among the student body. There is an academy for engineering, for teaching, for geographical science (due to the mining), and for knighthood. All are extremely well respected as their numbers are not very large; especially the Academy of Knighthood - where students train to become the protectors of their country. 

With warriors plated in armor and armed with both blade and rifle, bellows blasting the steam of its workers, and vessels navigating the mazes of ice in winter; Hryst raises its banner proudly.

History:

The goddess of this country has never been one for the preening of worship or religion at all. However, she is the center of this country's very existence. Houses of prayer are located in every sizeable town with plenty scattered about Aster. Brynne has always wished that her people trust in her grace, her wisdom, and so she hears them out and any delimma they wish to give up to her.

In the days of the Empire, nothing existed on Hyrst but a few scattered farms who struggled to etch a living out of the prairie soil. Without any blessing from the gods, this land was wide open and plain and no one saw it fit to travel so far North on flat stretches of land that went miles upon miles.. especially when they found the Aman Arakh - the ancient and violent beings that lived within the earth of the rivers and rocks.

Around the time that Brynne helped to tear the Empire apart and save it from its own destruction with the other gods, she offered refuge to the people who'd been pushed down under the foundations of the caste system - those hard workers that kept the grand city afloat. She guided any who wished to follow her north to Hyrst and rose up stones on the great plains with her glowing sigil to ward off the most dagnerous of monsters (specifically the Aman Arakh). At first, people built their towns around these stones to take hold their protection, but as time went on they've gotten bolder and rather than the stones, follow the good soil.

Brynne did not stop leading the people further into Hyrst until she had reached the spot where the capital city stands today. She told informed the people of the richness of minerals that resided in the ground and told them to dig in and prosper. Since those days, Hyrst has been a country that thrives on industry, seeking easier ways to take on the wealth of the land. Being a country of refugees, they are known to be warm and welcoming to people who need shelter and are seeking a better life for themselves.

FAQ:

This section will be updated via player-asked questions and answers from the staff.