Isiza
From Almeopedia
| Isiza | |
| Native: | Isiza |
| Verdurian: | Isiza |
| Characteristics | |
| Capital: | Nofcer |
| Government: | Kingdom |
| Language: | Verdurian |
| Relative prosperity: | 48 |
| Population: | 390,000 |
| % Pagan: | 60 |
| % Eleďe: | 40 |
| % None: | 0 |
| Currency | |
| Gold | flave 12 |
| ořula 4 | |
| Silver | fale 1 |
| aržentei 1/3 | |
| Emur | alati 1/12 |
| < ISIZA |
Isiza [i ˈsi za] is the name of a river which flows from the forest of Kalimantan eastward to the Svetla, meeting it not far south of Žésifo. It's also the name of a kingdom whose southern boundary is the river, and which faces Célenor to its north.
The Duke of Isiza, of the Ešines family, found himself independent from Verduria during the Gray Years, and after a decent interval, started to call himself king.
Neighbors: Verduria (to N), Curiya (to SW), Ctésifon (to SE), Krasnaya (to NE).
Etymology: Ver. Isiza, Bar. Esiz; Cuêzi Siloi.
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Countries and important regions in or near Eretald: |
A scene in the palace at Nofcer
The king, old Žullon, sat with his most trusted advisors-- the Finance Minister and the War Minister-- in the council chamber. There were rich tapestries on the stone walls, not quite hiding a draft. The gilding on the table was faded. The king played idly with a dented silver goblet.
"I don't understand," he said. "We don't have money for stone? Stone is free."
"Masons are not, sire," offered the Finance Minister, who was even older than the king.
"Do we really need to repair this road?" asked the king.
"We do, sire," said the War Minister, middle-aged, with a scar on one cheek. "We must be able to quickly move troops from the Nof to the Isiza."
The king nodded. "Buy what you can... drag the work out. Can't we raise taxes?"
The Finance Minister was patient; he heard this question at least once a week. "They're as high as we dare keep them, sire. The merchants try to evade them as it is, and the peasants resent the rates already, especially as they also have to pay taxes to the Gongroi."
The king looked angry but puzzled. "They're in Peleu."
"They raid us, sire. The peasants are practical, they'd rather pay than be killed."
The king turned with a fierce look to the War Minister. "Brinumo?"
The War Minister looked tired. "We fight, sire, but we don't have the men or equipment for a full war."
"No money, right?"
"Right, sire."
The king sighed. "The Fates are unkind. Calto witness, I don't fritter away even an alati. Maybe I should, to forget my cares at least."
There was an uncomfortable silence; then the Finance Minister spoke softly. "There's always the Célenorian option."
"The Célenorian... Oh. Verduria. Aren't they interested in an alliance?"
"We have an alliance, sire. But if we call on it, they will call on us, and we don't have the men or--"
"Or the money. I know." He considered a moment. "Éres was a duke, though. I'm a king. I'd be, what, a duke?"
"That's right, sire," said the Finance Minister.
The king poured himself some of the local cleir, and smiled sadly. "We'll struggle through. I'll die a king. But my son... Getemil... he's duke, never been a king. It won't bother him if he becomes a Verdurian duke."
Categories: Eretald | Nations | Rivers
