Razivia (pronounced rah-ZIV-ee-ah) is small nation on the northern coast of the Phiora Sea. Some have joked that Razivia is merely a military with a vestigial state attached, though in reality this is not too inaccurate. Razivia maintains a stance of strict neutrality while selling the services of its military to any that can pay. Individual Razivians frequently take up adventuring or mercenary work outside of the army as well.
Geography, flora, and fauna
The Razivian Peninsula is a stretch of land that lies between the Bay of Dark Skies to the north and the Phiora Sea to the south and west. To the east, the peninsula connects to the rest of the northern coast of the Phiora. Across most of the windswept peninsula, a thin layer of soil is all that covers the bedrock. The region is poorly suited for agriculture, and has historically had a rather low population as a result.
Razivia also controls Makva Island, a rocky island in the Phiora Sea. Most of Makva Island has little vegetation, though a small forest grows in the center.
History
The modern nation of Razivia grew out of an alliance between the local population and long-defunct Viridian mercenary companies. Looking for a place to use as a safe base of operation, the mercenaries agreed to pay the local cities sizable sums in perpetuity in exchange for permission to build their fortresses and rule themselves. Gradually this arrangement evolved and the distinction between the existing local government and the military rule of the mercenaries began to blur. By Y9100* Razivia had become something resembling its modern state, an organized military ruling a nation.
Razivia was not directly affected by the Viridian invasion of Razgovir that began in Y9356*. The Viridian legions never attacked or occupied Razivia, and the nation was spared from the strife that would transform Koritan.
Demographics
The population of Razivia is largely human, joined by sizable numbers of orcs, half-orcs, ratfolk, and tengu. A few tribes of goblins live near Makva Island, moving between cobbled-together floating platforms that serve as small villages.
Culture
Religion
The people of Razivia primarily worship the gods of the Chaskan pantheon. As a god of warfare, tactics, and strategy, Mithrai is venerated especially widely. Other deities with large followings in Razivia include Nisaba, Harinna, and Shai. Temples in Razivia tend to emphasize grandiose designs, though it is also not uncommon for Razivians traveling with the army to construct small shrines as they move.
Traditions
The culture of Razivia is a fusion of those of the rest of Razgovir with aspects of Viridian traditions and practices. Due to the nation's history it has long been more connected with the broader world than its neighbors, and the Razivians that travel abroad inevitably bring new practices back to their homeland.
Many famous deceased Razivian individuals, whether their fame came from their their martial prowess, skills as a commander, or something else, are interred within the Hero's Palace. Located in the capital city of Razivia, this is both the center of government and a monument to the nation's greatest figures.
Military
Service in the Razivian military is compulsory. All Razivians are required to serve for between five and twenty years, depending on ancestry, after which they are free to continue life in the military or pursue some other path. Exceptions to this exist, for example in order to not deprive families living in rural agricultural areas of hands they need on their farm, but the majority of Razivians eventually join the military. After leaving service, a disproportionate number of Razivians end up using their training and experiences to become adventurers or independent mercenaries.
Foreigners are allowed to join the Razivian military as well, though they are usually carefully watched to ensure their intentions are honest before they have a chance to prove themselves. Any non-Razivian who joins is granted full citizenship upon completion of service.
The Razivian military is distinctly meritocratic. Promotions usually come as a result of particularly distinguished service, and the practice of trading ranks for political favors has historically been strongly discouraged.
There are four distinct branches of the Razivian military:
- The Home Guard protects the nation's territories, both against any dangerous creatures that may emerge and, although this has not happened in many centuries, any attacks from foreigners.
- The Band of the Brave is the main branch of the military, a trained corps of infantry. A subset within this branch employ magic in this role, particularly as magi or summoners. The name of this branch comes from one of the mercenary companies that founded Razivia - while the company is long gone, the name has endured.
- The Hussars are the Razivian cavalry. Most within this branch train as heavy cavalry, along the lines of the Viridian cataphracts. While the majority of Hussars use horses as mounts, some use significantly more exotic creatures for the same purpose.
- The Glorious Armada is the navy of Razivia. The smallest of the branches, the navy mostly serves to transport the other forces wherever required and to protect them on the seas.
Languages
Most Razivians speak either Razgovir or Thadrian as a first language. This divide is largely geographical - inhabitants of Kobar and the surrounding communities usually speak Razgovir, while those residing in Rusalka or the capital city mostly speak Thadrian. Of course, Common is used to bridge this gap as well. Orcish, Ysoki, and other racial tongues are used by relevant subsets of the population.
Architecture and urbanization
The architecture of Razivian cities is a mix of Viridian and Razgoviri styles, a result of the nation's mixed cultural influences. Temples and government buildings, like the Hero's Palace, often use more monumental designs, sometimes incorporating onion domes and other grandiose ornamentation.
Razivia has a disproportionately large urban population. Most of the nation's residents live in larger towns or one of the few major cities.
Food and cuisine
Unlike the surrounding nations, traditional Razivian cuisine is far more dependent on the sea than on terrestrial agriculture. Various fish-, mollusk-, and crusacean-based dishes are central to the Razivian diet and are eaten widely. Some fish are caught wild, while others are farmed in artificial tide pools. Modern Razivian cuisine incorporates more variety, and is similar to Viridian cuisine, though it has become largely dependent on imported foodstuffs.
Magic
Razivian mages tend to emphasize use of spells that either complement their martial abilities or support those of their allies. Many practitioners of magic in the region study to become magi, summoners, or bards in particular.
Travel
Bastion Yaro and the city of Razivia are both built around Tempest Halls.
Government
Razivia is a democracy, albeit one entirely controlled by its military. The leader of the nation, referred to as the Chief Commander, is elected by current military personnel for twenty year terms. The current Chief Commander, Dagurn Oetar, took the position in Y9960*.
The Chief Commander is advised by a council of the High Commanders, the highest rank in the Razivian military. While each High Commander officially only have control of their branch of the military, the council's deliberations are valued highly by the Chief Commander.
Simpler or less wide-reaching decisions are delegated to the various levels of officers in the military. Courts and city governance is also handled by the military, usually under the purview of the Home Guard.
Neutrality
Despite regularly sending its military around the world to fight other people's conflicts, the nation of Razivia maintains a strict policy of neutrality. It fights only when paid to do so, with no presumption of loyalty once its contracts are fulfilled. Beyond this arrangement, the leaders of the nation have no interest in involving themselves with the affairs of others. By and large, this is a stance respected by the broader world - even Koritan did not interfere with Razivia when it expanded eastwards.
The military keeps a level of standards in who they are willing to fight for or against. No matter the payment offered, they will not join forces with those that only wish to sow destruction, or fight against those they are already fighting alongside in any particular moment.
Economy
Razivia is economically dependent on its army. Neither the Razivian Peninsula nor Makva Island have any significant natural resources, and the nation does not produce enough food from the sea to do more than supply itself. Food and many common, everyday materials are imported to support the nation, which at this point has a larger population than it can naturally provide for.