Khazarate of Vaarta
The Khazarate of Vaarta is an isolationist and monotheistic civilisation that was never conquered by the Empire despite an attempt at invasion.
The inner mountainous regions closest to the glacier are cold with long winters and vast tracts of virgin forest and mineral resources. The outer regions are the breadbasket of the nation, warmer but still experiencing bitter winters. The economy is fairly simple, with most of the population in keeps and surrounding villages. The only thing approaching a city is the settlement that has built up around Novomsk the keep of the Khazar. Foreigners are rare except in Novomsk where they come to trade; religious differences makes them unwelcome elsewhere.
Government
Vaarta is a feudal society ruled by a Khazar. His immediate vassals are the Kizen and then the Boyars. It is a largely rural society with serfs bound to the land and living in villages close to the local lord's keep for protection.
Religion
They have a conservative, monotheistic religion to contrast all the other polytheistic ones. This is their prime reason for an isolationist attitude to most foreigners.
They believe that God had two sons, Kebel and Markam, Markam is destined to be the saviour of the world, to smite the unrighteous and to lift up his devoted followers to heaven and eternal life. Kebel is the Tester, the Wicked One, the Tempter - sent to expose the evil inherent in mankind, to lead the unrighteous to their doom, to test the righteous in their faith, he must be constantly fought.
Way of Life
Serfs of course do not hold property, they are bound to the land but cannot be bought and sold individually. Illiteracy is high among them but not in the upper classes.
Places of Interest
The capital of Novomsk is one of the few areas seen by outsiders. Nearby stands the fortified religious headquarters of Medinavic. Much of the border between Vaarta and the Tlaxu Steppe is guarded by the massive inland Sea of Usk
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