Tombys

The region of Tombys is a vast swathe of land, encompassed by the Northrun Mountains. It's closest neighbors are Asgard, to the South, and the Tense River Basin, to the East. Tombys is largely isolationist, and self-sufficient.The heart of Tombys is the Dolina, the Great Valley, where the City of Tombys is located, as well as the Duza Voda, a massive Lake within the Valley.

History

Most of the early history of Tombys has been lost to time - either through war or reckless expansion. The oldest piece of history in the Region are the remains of the Pact of Cooperation, an ancient agreement between the Humans and Dwarves to work together, serving as the building blocks for the society we see today.

Nearly three centuries ago, the Dolina was ruled over by the Black Dragon Kalameet, until he was killed by Regent Ada and her firearm, the Black Hammer. The Black Hammer has been passed down from Regent to Regent ever since, innovated and improved upon each generation. Following the defeat of Kalameet, Regent Ada drafted plans to open Tombys to trade with the rest of Azure, by building a towing elevator system along the river that runs from the Duza Woda, through the mountains, and into the sea. She died before these plans could be carried out, but her successors found, refined, and enacted these plans - eventually leading to the construction of the River Barges and the Lower Port of Tombys. Recent Developments

40 years ago, Rebel elements attacked the City of Tombys directly, in the most violent uprising in the State's recorded history. In this attack, Regent Fryderyk Lech's wife was killed by a magic user, and he was grievously wounded. As a response, he tightened the laws restricting magic use in the region.

Following the death of Ayrin the Lightbearer, the Hive swarmed through the Region, toward the City of Tombys. This rapid advance caught rebel groups in the wilderness unaware, and the pockets of resistance were all but obliterated in the chaos. Once the Hive reached the City, the battle fought came to be known as the Siege of Tombys, and ended with the Guardians pushing the Hive away from the City, after the defeat of B'oblynn by members of Tempest.

Soon after, Regent Lech's failing health caught up to him, and he passed. Henryk Casimir now serves as Head of State, until the City is stable enough for Prince Hubert to take the throne.

Geography

Far to the north and at a significant elevation, Tombys experiences a brutal four-month Winter season, with two, two-month Fall seasons and a long six-month Spring season. Most attribute this to the warm desert air rolling over the mountains from Asgard, others to the insulating properties of the mountains. Fewer still claim the land was blessed by Pelor himself, carved to serve as a natural breadbasket for Azure. The Northrun Mountains that surround the Dolina keep Tombys isolated and defended against foreign aggressors, as do the hostile fauna that make those same mountains their home.

Demographics and Society

The overwhelming majority of Tombys's population consists of Humans and Dwarves, humans outnumbering the Dwarves 5:3. There are almost zero permanent residents of the City of Tombys who aren't either of the native races, though the Lower Port and the military has accepted traders and soldiers of different races who have adopted the State as their new home.

Though many outsiders see the Dwarves as slaves to the Humans, both species work together to create a single functional society, per the Pact of Cooperation. A Dwarf devotes 250 years of their life in service to the State, and in exchange, they are promised housing and food from the State for their entire life. A Dwarf who has not yet completed their 250 years of service is not allowed to grow a beard longer than two inches, to differentiate the young Dwarves from the older, retired Dwarves. Even then, many who have completed their service continue to work for the State, as educators or tradespersons. The Dwarves see the State and their Human countrymen as members of their larger Clan, a feeling all Dwarves across Azure could relate.

The Human population has no required service to the State, and for that reason, is not afforded the promises of housing and food that the Dwarves are. This leads many humans to join the Guardians of Tombys - the military force, as the only two groups who are promised food by the State are the Dwarves first, then the Guardian corps. Joining the military ensures you are fed, and you provide a service to the State. Those who do not join the Guardians are left to their own devices, exploring private industry, leaving the State for other ventures, etc. Unfortunately, those less talented or unmotivated fall through the cracks of society, and find themselves living in the squalor of the Ruined Quarter - the dilapidated outskirts of the City of Tombys, doomed to eke out a miserable existence, or starve and die trying. Government

The most powerful individual in Tombys is it's Regent, an overseeing ruler whose power is derived from the citizens of the State, responsible for ensuring the longevity of the nation. For this reason, the ruler's title is Regent - man or woman, they are not a monarch, as it is the strength and unity of all the people of Tombys who empower the Regent.

Overseeing day-to-day aspects of Tombys is a Council made up of three Dwarves and five Humans. The Council's duties are concerned with the management and development of the City and Lower Port, as the Regent oversees the State as a whole. If a decision cannot be made by the Council, they appeal the Regent for a decision.

Economy

Having been isolated from the rest of Azure for most of it's history, Tombys has developed into a self-sustaining juggernaut in the Dolina. Human ingenuity and Dwarven craftsmanship has coalesced into masterwork buildings and foundries, the best example of which being the Black Armory - home to the weapons used by the Guardians. Foreign parties have made many appeals for Tombys to export these wares, but the Armory Curator has denied every attempt, wanting to keep Tombyn arms in the hands of Tombyn soldiers.

Culture

The culture of Tombys forsakes ideals of rugged individualism, in favor of collective compromise and cooperation. Every citizen of the State is one part of a greater organism, Tombys itself. These ideals create iron bonds among the Guardians, who are always prepared to give their lives for the longevity of the State, and a deep sense of pride in the Dwarves, some of whom see other Dwarven Clans of Azure as too naive to understand the power in the unity of races present in Tombys.