Settling - With rickety boats they sailed at night hoping to avoid unwanted eyes. With swells that nearly capsized the boats they made their way across the passage of water the lay between the mainland and the islands, they risked all on a rumor of untouched lands. At the peak of the night the first boat landed, with only a mere twenty passengers they clung together on the shore. Soaked to the bone, eyes gazing out waiting for loved ones who may never make the shore. As the hours passed eventually more boats washed ashore along with a few of the deceased. It seemed only half of their number had made it. Three thousand in all. Made it to shore, there were no fires the first night, just bundles of wet people on the shore waiting for the merciful light of the sun light. The following weeks were a blur for most. They lost another five hundred to sickness and accidents. A small town slowly rose up from the forest around them, they a few had managed to smuggle seeds to the island, they hadn’t been allowed to carry much with themselves. They’d managed to sow only two fields, it wasn’t enough for everyone to eat when it grew. So they took to hunting a few knew how and less than that knew how to craft a bow. Those who could worked like madmen and those who couldn’t they struggled for life. Their shelters rose from the earth often made with logs and sod. They were humble in appearance and in amenities. It was soon apparent that a need for a leader was needed. The town gathered, there was debate after debate even a few fights but in the end a single man was crowned “King” as they joked. His name was Kregor, a lowly poacher who fled persecution to the island.

The Raids

- A few hundred years later peace had been plentiful and the villages grew into towns. They had enough food for everyone, the shelter was plentiful. On a bright and sunny day sails arrived on the horizon, With orders to wait for hostile intent the town levy’s mustered on the shore waiting for their new guests. The King himself stood proud in front of his army. There were five hundred men mustered, though they were armed with peasant weapons and a few actual spears they had heart. It was calm like that before the storm, and quicker than a blink of an eye an arrow shot passed the king’s face, imbedding into the shoulder of his squire. Taking a defensive position they fired arrows back at the boat. When the hit the beach chaos broke out, blood stained the white sand beach. After the battle there were only a handful of the levy left, the raiders had fled back to their ship. The King was taken back to his manor mortally wounded, within the hour he passed and his young son took his stead. His first order was to assemble funeral pyres for the dead, and shortly followed would be to begin construction on defences. As months passed they managed to fortify the beaches surrounding the island with Wooden spikes dug into the earth, they had managed to start building an earthen wall around their border. The young king, used the unemployed to build the barrier, they were given shelter and food in exchange for their work. By the end of the third year and a series of bloody battles the managed to complete their work. He’d also ordered the colonization of two more islands, the smallest being where he would construct a grand fortress. Under young Kregor the Fourth, the island communities prospered. Soon after the discovery of large iron deposits were found on the north side of the island, three mines were erected to extract the ore. The men were paid a hefty sum of a silver per month for their work. The Smithys began to produce actual weapons for the garrisons, And soon they had a stockpile of armor and weapons for the men. Kregor the Fourth formed the Order of the Banished. The order started out with Two hundred men, they were the strongest and most experienced of the levy’s they were knighted by the king. Their sole purpose is to train, and master the art of wielding a sword and shield some were given axes. They trained day in and out readying for the next round of raiding.

Civil war - Seventy years later the Grandsons of Kregor the Fourth wage war on eachother splitting the islands into three petty kingdoms. The war was brutal leaving the body count at just below twenty five hundred. With the bastard grandson taking the title of king, he was cruel and unmerciful man. He Fortified the smallest island, Tearing down the wooden walls, and building them from stone, The walls were fifteen feet thick and over twenty feet high, The keep itself was re-vamped Another wing was added on and an armory was constructed against the side. It could hold a modest amount of men It was complete with its own fields inside the walls, and well to help it last against a siege. On the other islands the harbors were fortified and built to withstand against direct attacks from enemy ships. He used the power of several mages to raise rocky outcroppings around the harbors allowing only single entrance to them. He forced the men of the villages into serving in his levy’s for at least four years after they turned 16. After his death ten years later the people had grown accustomed to the way of life. The heir was a more lenient ruler more focused on hunting, he bolsted the archers. He had reserves of bows made and arrows to boot. The perimeter wall had stores of arrows hidden around so that archers didn’t have to carry more than a quiver with them. Or they could replenish their own stock.

Present Day - Eight hundred years later, they continue to reinforce their island. Though raids and attacks have been fewer and fewer. A system of riders were established to help with relaying messages, bring weapons or ammunition to the archers. They built watch towers along the perimeter wall, which were manned day in and day out. They designed Catapults and Ballistas, even cannons found their way onto the perimeter wall which were used to target ships. The discovery of pitch in the swamp allowed them to load pitch pots into their siege weapons. A low rise wall had been built on top of the Earthen barrier. Allowing for some shielding of arrows. More spikes were established along the beach, Large balls of hay were constantly supplied to the hill which could be lit on fire. A few small regiments of men armed with hand cannons were formed, they had a store house built inland of the wall. Though coming from the sea it would look like a small hill.

The kingdom of Drejur is ruled by the High Lord Wilhelm, Head of the Order of Banished

The people view honor and discipline above all else, they eat only what the need and use only what they need. They’re fiercely proud of their homeland and staunch defenders of their lands. They only celebrate two Holidays which is summer solstice and winter solstice. On these occasions they take time off and celebrate for a day. Usually there is much merry making, though the guard usually doesn’t get to celebrate.The people of Dejure are usually around 5’10-6’0, and weigh between 180-240lbs. They have very athletic physique and rarely overweight. Those gifted with magic abilities are Drafted into the order of the Banished, to become Spell Swords. They’re distinguished by their two different colored eyes. Those with magical abilities are held in the highest regard.

Religion: It is said that a wolf the size of a lords manor came to the first villagers who washed ashore. It lead them to where the first houses were raised, it showed them to fresh water and food. It spoke to them and told them "You were born from my flesh, and return to me when your life blood runs out. I will accept your soul into my Pack if you die with valor, and honor." And from here the religion formed the wolf faded into history. They believe that with death in battle or for the honor of their king or family they will gain access into the great pack of the Great Wolf, the wolf responsible for harvests and life. Those who do not gain entrance become its prey.

he magic of the Drejur comes from within the being themselves. This magic comes in two forms, The first branch is the ability to be an expert at something from birth such as cooking, fighting or math. While often times it doesn’t have its place on the front line they are highly sought after within the kingdom. If their ability is something special such as swordsmanship, archery, or cooking they’re often taken into a nobleman’s house and mentored by one of the servants in the manor. While the second branch allows those who are gifted with the magic to push their bodies beyond their normal limits, the only side effect is that internal organs can be severely damaged by overuse of the ability, it's not unheard of a man or woman using their ability in combat until their body breaks down, and most of their bones being reduced to dust.

Economy & Industry

Mainly exporting tools, medicine, raw minerals, weapons, and luxury goods such as gold and precious jewels. Soon to be the export of firearms and war dogs. They import a variety of crafted goods, weapons, and gunpowder.

Craftsmen of the realm are organized in guilds and often bid on projects unless directed by the High Lord. Inside the guild they’re organized into teams. With a Day leader and a night leader in charge of a 20 man group. The Isle of Drejur is lacking in technology and often have to trade to acquire new tech.

Traders sail by ship most of the time. Each ship has its own cart to help unload. The ships are often retrofitted fishing vessels.

Military Overview



The Drejur military is large in comparison to the nations size, it consists of Archers, heavy infantry, light infantry, war dogs and Artillery.

Each citizen is expected to serve at least four years in the military, the only catch is that first born are not allowed to stay in and usually only serve a year, which shortly after they’re sent back to where ever they came from.

All members of the Drejur military undergo routine inspection and drill, they often fight mock battles, to sharpen their wits also improving their strategy. A spectacle that sometimes commoners stop to watch. They tend to favor Guerilla warfare of traditional head on fights with enemies.

The War Dogs were Incorporated into the military about two hundred years ago since then the've been breading these dogs to make near perfect killing machines with heaps of muscle and that could tear leather. There are five dogs per handler. The Handlers let loose the dogs when signaled from the captain.

The average light infantry is usually equipped with a spear and shield, depending on the assigned regiment they wield between 16 foot spears and the average 7 foot spear. They wear steel chest plates, half helms, and leather boots. These men fight in shield walls or phalanx depending on the situation. Each Regiment has a banner man, a captain, and a signalman.

The Heavy infantry are the knights from the Order of the Banished, they use a variety of swords, maces, axes, and hand cannons. The heavy knights wear traditional plate armor each decorated with their house sigil, they take charge of their own regiments and often are the ones in command. The royal guard which is made up the elite of members of the order personally are over saw by the High Lord himself he often takes two regiments of light infantry as well. It should be noted that those with magical abilities are often inducted into the Order of the Banished. This can often elevate a peasant, but not their immediate family, they would have to pick a new surname.

The Archers of Drejur are of some renown because of their excellent marksmanship, its often said the a Drejur can hit a gnat at 100 yards with a cracked bow. This is somewhat exaggerated but due to the constant conflicts they have become excellent marksmen. They can hit a moving target with ease and often target bannermen, officers or anyone who seems to be in charge. They wield an impressive long bow which is usually as tall or taller than themselves. They wear simple peasant clothes so they can move with ease and traverse the battlefield. If a fight were to make it to the inland they would switch to guerilla warfare shooting from houses, hiding spots or even long range sniping.

The siege engineers are their own breed often greasy and dirty they continuously improve upon their ability to use the weapon of their craft. They work in four man teams not including an officer who also acts as a signalman. Every member is cross trained in the others duties and can perform the function nearly as well as whoever first did it. In short they can operate their equipment with only a slight delay after losing a member of their squad. Each member is outfitted with a short sword and can defend himself with ease, though if it comes down to them fighting hand to hand it probably means that the line has failed in that case they would destroy their equipment before falling back hopefully helping any wounded they find along the way. The use three types of siege weapons Catapults, Ballistas and recently added to the arsenal cannons. They’re well trained in all three and undergo routine inspection and drill. Apart of the Artillery are the Hand cannoneers. These men move in small regiments and generally shoot in a revolving line formation its effect is like a continuous firing shotgun. They wear steel chest plates and half helms.

Fortifications of Drejur Isles.

Each island has an earthen wall built approximately twenty feet in height the sea side is steeper than the inland side. The earthen barrier is approximately 300 meters from the water. The distance between is filled with traps such as caltrops, hidden trenches with spiked pits. There are a few artillery positions which in a pinch can be destroyed. Once Enemy troops make landfall they're detonated. Or they can simply be destroyed by the Artillery on the Wall. The earth barrier is retrofitted with large spikes tipped with iron causing the base of the fortification to resemble a porcupine. The spikes are angled so that if anything were to roll from the top of the hill downwards it would ram off of them and continue its path to the sea. In the stores which have been built into the Wall there are large balls of Hay and sticks which are taller than a man, these are used to set the enemy troops a blaze, they often crush anyone in their path as well as lighting them on fire. The artillery is spaced evenly along the wall and covered by movable bushes which are planted in clay pots, the slight lip hides the pot. If uncovered by bushes they'd find heavily fortified stone structures armed with a small guard of archers, a piece of siege equipment, and a powder keg that sits at the entrance which can be used to explode the position if they were to get over run. To protect from the bad weather they have small canopy that can be erected though the bushes still hide the artillery position. Besides the artillery positions, there are watchtowers placed across the perimeter, each one at a strategic position, each one within site of another tower. Each tower has a signal gun which shoots off a firework in case of enemy sighting or foreign ships being sighted at night. The wall has reserves of ammunition stationed strategically near firing positions and easy to grab spots for archers or Hand Cannoneers. The beach itself has nightly and daily patrols a six man group which marches up and down usually staying a fair distance from the water. Along with patrols there are observation points which are small dug out like holes which allow two people to sit within them and observe a wide angle of the beach.

Inland a system of riders is set up with way points across the islands, each way point has two fresh horses so the riders can go almost non-stop. The riders are outfitted with a special bronze belt that shows their direct lines to the High Lord. They relay orders and messages across battle fields as well.

Each port in The Drejur islands has only one entrance and one exit, each one being separate. A group of mages in long ago raised jagged rocks from the deep to create a sea “wall” which lays just below the surface waiting for ships to crash into them. The A single ship is stationed outside of the hidden rock formations, allowing those interested to speak with a representative of the islands nation.

The smallest Island Kauch is a literal fortress it has cliffs on nearly all sides, with only two sides accessible by the sea. The walls are thick and tall, with enough room inside to grow crops and its own personal water source. This facility is nearly self sustaining with their own hospital an armory that could outfit plenty of men or women. They have several artillery positions, and a garrison of a half regiment. With these men they could hold the island indefinitely. Also with the walls they have

General Introduction

^{"There's always sanctuary in the deserts." - Byzuaran Saying}
Population
10,000,000 est.

Demonym
Byzuaran

Capital
Syracosa

Brief Summary
Many other civilization often tell people that the The Herema Desert is worthless to live because of its barren lands; despite their words, they are lying. The desert holds many different civilization from The Clans of the Kashar to Byzuaraia. Byzuaraia is one of the few nations that's surrounded by desert, besides the Sahtix Rivers and the coastlines. The nation is between (NATION #20), (NATION #16), (NATION #19), (NATION #25), and (NATION #10).

Because of their location, Byzuarains (citizens of Byzuaraia) are able to survive the harsh heats and the daily amount of sandstorms. And they also control apart of the Sahtix Rivers, which can provide fresh water to the citizens away from the rivers. It's also where most of the population of the country is located at; however, the remaining population live away for the rivers.

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Location/Geography

^{"Siarq is our special jewelry box, containing some of the most astonishing gems around." - King Daljodh Dahiya II, 1250}
The geography of Byzuaraia is mostly deserts, the coastlines, and the Sahtix Rivers. To the south of the country, The Siarq Mountains stretch about three thousand miles. Inside the mountains, they contain some of the most enhanced gems and jewels in the world. That's why controlling the mountain range is important for the country, because that's their most important export item to maintain.

The coastline are also important, because they maintain trade with the rest of the world. Without them, they could economic downfall and unrest for the population. There's a chance that the coastlines could be taken by (NATION #9) and (NATION #25). They wouldn't let the coastlines fall to enemy control without making sure that it's worthless to them by destroying the cities among with it's ports and valuable things useful to the enemy.

And finally, the desert is useful in combat especially during sandstorms. That's why camels are commonly used instead of horses as a means of traveling around the nation and a way to fight the enemy. However, you will find a couple small villages and towns throughout the desert. Life is still going on for those people and they are happy with their homes.

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History

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The government of Byzuaraia is an absolute monarchy, where the King wields unrestricted political power over its people. However, the king can have a council along his side if he wises to form one. In this council, the king can have the maximum of fifteen people and the minimum of four. All of the kings had a council aside them for their rule until their death. After the king's death, the members of the council either apply for a political spot or retire.

The current king is Vaar Jatatier. The history of Jatatier family line started hundreds of years ago, where the family was living north of the Sahtix Rivers. They were facing execution for treason in the area and legend says that they flee towards The Herema Desert to escape death. Almost all of them died while they searched for water until they found the Sahtix Rivers. With the remaining members of the Jatatier, they were able to survive and soon founded the city of Syracosa.

Then, the rest is history.

As for the society, it's complicated to explain. The few, that live in the deserts, are suspicious and paranoia about outsiders and techonolgy. While the majority of the population, are more careless and civilized than the few. However, the military is more likely to select the few than the majority to protect their country. Because of their suspicious, they are more likely to know something quicker than anyone else.

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Byzuaraia always had a barter economy until thirty years, when the king introduced currency to the country. Despite the introduction, many people still barter to themselves unless it's foreigners. They would barter at markets at towns or cities, where people from all over would come to get the next best thing.

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Military Overview

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