Gesoria

General

Gesoria

Gesoria [gəzo:ʁi:a] is situated in the southwest of Áváhé and is often regarded as the edge of the world by some. Its status as an isolated and reclusive nation means that very little is known about Gesoria to the outside world.

Geography & Climate

Gesoria is situated in the southwest of Áváhé, featuring a varied climate that transitions from humid continental in the north to Mediterranean in the south. Its geographical makeup includes desert-covered northern islands and the island of Dýrrách, which boasts diverse climatic zones ranging from humid subtropical to subarctic continental.

Culturally, Gesoria's sphere of influence extends to the islands of Tammeren and parts of The Western Expanse, along with Dýrrách and Anath.

Politically, Gesoria shares its borders with the Aerznian Empire, with whom it maintains a hostile relationship akin to that of Quanar. However, Gesoria's isolationist stance means it remains shrouded in mystery compared to its more well-known neighbor.

To its east, Gesoria shares its border with the Free Riverine Peoples, fostering a positive relationship due to their common adversary in Aerznia. The Riverine Tribes historically defend against Aerznian incursions from the north, while Gesoria asserts its claim over the western territories. A persistent point of contention between Aerznia and Gesoria is the island of Elusia, located west of Haliodarnasos, which is divided and claimed in its entirety by both parties.

Sub-Regions

The sub-regions that belong to Gesoria are the following:

• Anath
• Dýrrách
• Elusia
• Fevero
• Kíovin
• Meomor
• Sakys

These regions also function as administrative entities, meaning they are districts within Gesoria.

Culture

Gesoria is inhabited predominantly by Humans but also hosts numerous Dragons, Kehdei, Old Ones, and even Wolves.

The nation of Gesoria views itself as the successor to the Imperii Draconi. Indeed, certain parallels exist between the two realms; for instance, citizens enjoy fundamental freedoms and rights, gender equality is upheld, and individual sovereignty is respected. However, in terms of cultural identity, Gesoria today bears little resemblance to the Old Empire compared to Quanar. Primarily, Gesoria serves as a sanctuary for individuals with magical abilities, the elderly, and those who have departed Aerznia for various reasons. This diversity is a defining characteristic of the nation.

Emblem

Gesoria's emblem is a stylized bell. This dates back to the Old Empire, but also to the Conclave of Owls.

Time Calculation

In Gesoria, time is calculated according to the principle of "before" and "after" the collapse of the Old Empire. The week consists of five days, honoring the five founders of modern Gesoria.

Languages

Much of the outside world's knowledge about Gesoria stems from the accounts of travelers who have ventured specifically to the country. The spoken languages include High Templic, an ancient Aerznian dialect, along with some derivative dialects, as well as modern Aerznian and Dýrráchic, an ancient Dragon language.

Gesoria's culture appears closed to outsiders, deliberately designed to be enigmatic, some might argue. However, it can be observed that to the west of the Tammeren Strait, an island culture with strong maritime ties prevails, while closer to the mainland and around the capital Templar, the Templar culture dominates. The influence of the Riverlands is also notable in the southern region of Anath.

Stone is the preferred building material, ensuring that even humble abodes are sturdy. Given the abundance of islands under Gesoria's jurisdiction, maritime trade thrives. While the world's understanding of Gesoria remains limited, the country actively gathers information from external sources through spies and networks, facilitated by dedicated organizations.

Fashion

In Gesoria, a widespread cultural notion of male beauty extols baldness and the cultivation of beards. Baldness is embraced from the tender age of ten and is equated with the smoothness of bells, which hold significant cultural significance in Gesoria for both long-distance communication and daily rituals. Consequently, men in Gesoria are often colloquially referred to as "bell heads," although not all men are bald, such as members of the Seer Order. The absence of hair is also perceived as a symbol of purity, and it is customary for men to undergo shaving rituals on the fifth day of the week.

Conversely, the feminine ideal of beauty in Gesoria emphasizes resilience and strength. Women often adorn themselves with braided hair from a young age, often reserving the act of wearing their hair down for a singular occasion: their wedding day.

Furthermore, Gesoria stands as the sole country south of the Scarlet Heights where obsidian is both mined and exported on a notable scale. Possessing objects crafted from obsidian, particularly ceremonial swords, serves as a marker of status and prestige in Gesorian society.

Food

Chestnuts, prepared in various ways, are esteemed as delicacies in numerous locales. Gesoria boasts abundant quantities of chestnuts, adding to its culinary allure.

Mysticism

Throughout Gesoria, pervasive mysticism permeates every region. Sacred structures abound, but their purposes are often shrouded in mystery to outsiders. Travelers - if any - frequently remark upon the widespread integration of magic across all societal strata. In Aerznia, Gesoria is thusly often perceived as the edge of the world, owing to its western location and cultural enigma.

In various locales across Gesoria, apparitions, public rituals, and recurring events occur, understood only by the initiated. Depending on the region and occasion, these occurrences hold significant status and are integral to the ritualized social fabric. Sometimes centrally organized, they serve pertinent functions. Leveraging the legacy of bell casting inherited from the Old Empire, bells frequently feature in diverse traditions. Moreover, numerous local idiosyncrasies further distinguish Gesoria's cultural landscape.

Examples

• Dragon statues, each holding lanterns in their mouths, stand as lighthouses along the Strait of Tammeren. Crafted in the likeness of a Dragon that once assumed this duty, they exemplify Gesoria's tradition of posthumous veneration and mystification of significant figures.

• In the western island regions, particularly, monthly cultic gatherings occur on beaches. These gatherings often feature five statues representing the founders of modern Gesoria, with lanterns ceremoniously set adrift in the water as part of the ritual.

Politics

Domestic Policy

Essentially, Gesoria operates under a federal system, although it functions more like a disguised unitary state. The country is divided into four major regions, each further subdivided into local government districts (see: Sub-Regions) with significant autonomy. However, the central government, based in the capital city of Templar, holds significant authority. The government, led by the High Templar, is elected by a council comprising representatives from each district.

Foreign Policy

Gesoria has cultivated an extensive network of spies and contacts to ensure its security. This isolation has allowed Gesoria to develop its diverse culture relatively untouched by outside influences.

Supra-regional Organisations

In most regions, there exist supra-regional organizations, with conclaves generally positioned above orders in a more or less official hierarchy.

• The Order of the Sighted Blinds: Communities of blind individuals who serve as spiritual and magical seers, fulfilling roles as counselors and occasionally discerning truthfulness in individuals.

• The Conclave of the Guardians: Individuals capable of transferring their consciousness into animals, such as eagles, are stationed as sentinels on Dýrrách. They operate within the Conclave of the Guardians.

• The Conclave of Owls: This organization is an organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of knowledge. A branch of it is also the Gesoria's spy network.

• The Order of the True Verdict: The Order of the True Verdict is the extensive spy network of Gesoria. It is subordinate to the Conclave of Owls.

• The Light Carriers: are a kind of civilian welfare organization, which is partly subordinated to the Conclave of Owls.

Special Case Dýrrách

The island of Dýrrách has long been deemed off-limits within Gesoria, with all districts instructed to bar entry to outsiders. Only a few cities stand on the easternmost point of Dýrrách, primarily serving as navigational aids and otherwise functioning as fortifications.

The precise origins of Dýrrách's forbidden status remain unclear, with the sealing off of the island occurring gradually and intensifying over time. It is possible that volcanic activity rendered the island hazardous, prompting restrictions on access. Yet, amidst the absence of concrete facts, legends and folklore abound, adding layers of mystery to the island's enigmatic reputation.

History

Gesoria's origins trace back to the heartlands of the Old Empire, which lent the region considerable cultural significance. Initially, it boasted a dense population due to its proximity to Dýrrách and Tammeren, both early integrants into the empire. However, the more eastern core provinces of the empire drew much of the populace, leading to a decline in Gesoria's population.

Nevertheless, with the onset of the Imperial Cleavage Wars and the subsequent collapse of the empire, Gesoria emerged as a sanctuary for refugees, including persecuted Dragons, Old Ones, and Humans. Notably, Dragons, in particular, were drawn to Gesoria, as it held historical significance as the place where their ancestors first ventured into the world. Despite its earlier decline in population, Gesoria experienced a resurgence as a refuge during this tumultuous period.

Unification

The Five Founders

The unification of Gesoria was peaceful. The four major regions of Tammeren, Dýrrách, Templar, and Anath met under the leadership of five individuals in Templar. These were two Kehdei (one of them an Akrádai), a Dragon, a Human, and an Old One. They are revered today as the founders of Gesoria. However, not much is known about them, apart from the numerous legends. What is certain is that they brought together the different peoples of Gesoria and worked out the constitution of the country, which was to last for over a thousand years.

Isolation

This turbulent and unstable period was also the reason for Gesoria's later isolationism. In order not to become a victim of imperialistic encroachments of new regional powers in Aerznia, Gesoria sealed itself off. Therefore, they quickly attached importance to clearing state borders, which had been less common in the Old Empire before.

Trivia

The skull of the ancient Dragon general Chrioseptico lies wedged in the fur walls of a small ravine on the Gesorian island of Fevero. How it got there and what happened to the rest of its body is unknown.