Nedevara

Nedevara is a country in Karsen, bordered by Beiratros to the west and Caltai to the south in the Queltibran Peninsula. It is the fifteenth-largest sovereign state in the continent.

It is a confederation of loosely-affiliated city-states and its de facto capital is Aerestra.

Etymology
The origins of the name Nedevara is lost to history. According to local popular belief, Nedevara may have been the name of one of the first phrinu explorers to reach the area.

History
In ancient times, the region that would come to be known as Nedevara was a Fae stronghold, and the home of the Sylph's court at one point.

Following the Cosmic War and the arrival of the Starborn, the Fae population was greatly depleted thanks to Nedevara's central role in the war, with some cities being completely barren of life upon phrinu discovery. This allowed phrinu to take over the area in what was a remarkably peaceful event compared to other countries.

For most of its modern history, Nedevara was the eastern region of Beiratros. Only about 500 years ago did several city-states break away from Flareist controlled-Beiratros, whose theocratic regime they saw as totalitarian, economically and culturally restrictive. The city-states signed a treaty signifying their allegiance to one another to defend against Beiratran aggression and support one another while retaking their societies from the Beiratran cultural hegemony.

Geography and Climate
The north and eastern regions alternate with the mountain range known as the Silent Peaks and rocky plains, the Silent Marches. They have semi-arid or mildly humid oceanic climates. Towards the interior of the country and southwest, the climate becomes more humid sub-tropical, and forests and vegetation are denser.

Demographics
The native population of Nedevara mostly consists of phrinu and faeries.

Because of Nedevara's many port cities and central trading location on the Opal Sea, it has a diverse population. Phrinu, faeries, and drakes from all over Karsen have moved to Nedevara to take advantage of the rapidly-growing merchant economy there, especially around the coast.

Government and Politics
Nedevara's government has no single leader. Instead, the rulers of the 12 major city-states serve on a democratic council when deciding on important matters. In practice, Aerestra, as the largest, strongest, and wealthiest, has a good deal of political influence on the rest. Because of this, the other cities occasionally chafe under its power.

The rulers of the city-states themselves range from hereditary monarchs to dictators to elected leaders depending on the culture of the city.

Economy
Because of its unsuitable geography and climate, Nedevara has the least in the way of agricultural exports compared to other countries in the peninsula. International exotic goods trade, mercenary work, wine production, and fishing are famous industries.

Culture
What remains of the Fae of Nedevara has a rich history steeped in the aristocratic, spirit-mage-led sylvan court of ancient times. This, combined with the various phrini cultures that came after, has created a unique cultural identity whose individualistic streak stands out from its neighbors. Inhabitants of the myriad city-states take immense pride in their community's heritage, and Nedevara's to a distant lesser extent.