Matarsah (pronounced mah-TAR-sah) is a nation primarily inhabited by river and wood giants on the coast of the Gulf of Timakal. The giants are content to tolerate the presence of smaller folk, as long as their traditional lands are respected. Non-giants are uncommon in Matarsah outside of the cities of River's End and Old Saden.
Geography, flora, and fauna
History
Though the wood giants of Matarsah generally see little use for detailed recorded history, the annals of their river-going brethren are quite in-depth. Mostly told through the format of long family histories, these records recount millennia of life in the region.
When the Sangiran Empire began to expand into the lands around the Gulf of Timakal, representatives of the Eternal Suzerain met with giant leaders in Y8200*. Not wishing to come into conflict with the giants, and seeing little practical reason to extend imperial control into the region, an imperial decree was issued guaranteeing the giants independence in Matarsah and limiting the population of smaller folk allowed to settle in the region. Even as the empire siezed modern-day Bukuran and Vothan grew inland, the decree was respected.
After the collapse of imperial control around the Gulf of Timakal in Y9612*, the decree no longer held any significance. Regardless, in the following centuries the lands of the giants have been broadly avoided, with the notable exception of the port city of River's End. Without the enforcement of imperial limits on the population, River's End has grown significantly, transforming the once small settlement into the largest city around the gulf north of Marakkate.
Recently explorers from Yadena have begun venturing into Matarsah in search of untapped skymines. The wood giants that live in the forests surrounding the cartel's territories are vigilant for these intruders, as they do not wish to see their woodlands taken over for the cartel's enterprises.
Demographics
Most inhabitants of Matarsah are river giants or wood giants. Some giants of other kinds have found their way to the region as well, but are rather more uncommon. Humans, half-elves, nagaji, and others live in Matarsah as well, though they almost entirely reside in and around River's End and Old Saden.
Culture
Government
The giants of Matarsah mostly organize themselves along familial and tribal lines. Leaders in their communities tend to be experienced elders, who are looked up to for guidance and direction. In the river giant settlements along the Lifewaters, tribal leaders convene councils to govern their communities collectively.
River's End is governed as a merchant republic city-state, functionally completely independent. Old Saden, meanwhile, is ruled jointly by two mayors, one elected from the giant population and one from the ranks of the smaller folk.
Economy
River's End is the only major port in Matarsah. Ships visiting the city carry goods to and from foreign cities, mostly those within Kea Racha. While the giants of Matarsah trade for goods they require and cannot easily obtain themselves, their communities are generally quite self-supporting.