Summerland is a small country consisting of one big and three small islands. The country lies west of the gap of the Dragon Sea. In other words the country has Turchi to the northeast and TurSikos to the southeast. The main island is mostly farm, grasslands and birch woods. The land is fairly flat and has no mountains. Two of the minor islands are placed to the northwest, consisting typically of sea cliffs, whereas the last island to the southwest is squat and flat with sporadic peaks. The islands are called the Northern Islands and the Southern Island.
Summerland is known for its long summers and its pleasant winters, and got its name for this very reason. They survive on agriculture, growing grain and linen; to make ends meet they also fish and keep sheep. The country is nevertheless most known for trading with art, handicraft and clothes.
There are only two major cities in the Summerland. The capitol city is named Ba’Sioreh, and lies in the heart of the country on the island’s highest peak. The city houses the royal family, the country’s university, numerous museums, artists and tutors.
It is a beautiful and bright city, with broad marble streets, several parks and chalk white houses.
The second major city in the country is Wirchu, The city lies on the east coast, and is situated on the shelter of a steep cliff, and is regularly the first the visitors to the Summerland see. The city houses the merchants, in addition to the royal house of Os’Javu. The latter has a castle on the top of the cliff. It also houses people that don’t fit in to the society, like Thieves, Escorts and Hustlers.
In spite of that they for many years tried to improve the cities reputation, as it is the Summerland’s facade to the World, Wirchu is regarded as the country’s dark side.
Summerland is moreover inhabited by the Warriors and Guardians of Zha as well as the Servants of Zha; the former keep to the northwest, where their seat of power is situated. This is an enormous park sheltered by a tall hedge. Only members of the religious order and summoned guests have admittance to the area.
The Servants of Zha have their seat on the Southern Island.
History
No one knows for certain when the Summerland were founded, but it is said that it’s the oldest country of the northwestern countries, conceivably the oldest in the World.
The Summerland have never been directly involved in war with any counties, although the religious orders in the country frequently have. The country has tried to stay neutral, and has acted as a peacemaker between struggling countries. The Summerland can take a lot of credit for the alleged peace in the northwest regions.
Population
The summerlanders are tall, slim and gracious. They have milky white skin, blood red or bronze red hair and blue or green eyes. They are exceedingly proud of their distinctive looks, and attempt to keep the population as “pure” as possible. However there are other races mingled among them, by and large because of religious orders in the country, but also as a result of trade with other countries.
The Summerland are also one of the few countries in the world where Zvagah is the major language, of which they are very proud.
There are also Golden and Red dragons on the northern islands, as they have their nests here. And the Sea Elves have a small village on one of the islands farthest to the west.
The humans in the Summerland consider themselves wise, knowledgeable and highly developed. They like to declare that they are the first people of the world, direct descendants of the first humans. They are therefore often considered somewhat arrogant by other people.
There are several social classes on The Summer Lands, the traders, farmers, tutors and royalty being the most important ones. The distinction between the classes is not strict though, and nothing prevents them from marrying outside their own class. It is occasionally said that the royal family in some way is related to everyone in the country.
Governing
The King or the Queen has the formal supreme power in the country. In addition to this there is an elected council of fifty people, which are the real governors of the land. The council is reelected every five years.
Even if they are the real governors of the country, all their decisions must be approved by the King, and he may also reject and decline laws and regulations concluded by the council.
Religion
Zha – The Spirit is worshiped in The Summerland, in the same way as by the Warriors and Guardians of Zha.
Religion is an important part of their life, and is the foundation of their teaching and tutoring.
Special laws, customs and rules
Since the country is so small, with so few people, they have to ask permission to wed. This is a custom to avoid people with a close relation to have children.
The Summerland is the only country in the northwest with public schools, and every citizen is obliged to attend the school for five years.
Because of their religion and the dragons’ nests on the northern islands, the Children of Zha, the Order of the Dragons and the Order of the Moon is banned from the country, and will be killed if they enter the island.
All children are given a name in a special ceremony, where one person is chosen as the name giver. The ceremony is a formal affair, as the name the name giver utters will be the name of the child. It is significant that the name reflects what is wanted of the child’s future and what sort of person they want the child to be.
Translation by Kerluen