=======Kilig======= ===[nation]=== \\ **Pronunciation**: (KILL-igh)\\ **Galactic Region**: [[galaxy:galactic geography#Perseus Arm]]\\ **Galactic Branch**: [[galaxy:galactic geography#Sikhara Branch]]\\ **Galactic Sector**: [[galaxy:Sector N4|N4]]\\ **Star System**: [[Sol]]\\ **Planet**: [[Terra]]\\ **Continent**: [[Saoirse]]\\ **Land Area**: 283,000 square miles\\ **Length**: 400 north to south\\ **Width**: 880 miles east to west\\ **Coordinates**: 53° N to 36° N, 87° E to 144° E\\ {{ :wiki:locator_color_-_kilig.png?nolink |A color map of Kilig}} \\ ~~TOC~~ Located on the southeastern tip of [[Saoirse]], this small country is home to the largest community of Ulfar that do not adopt a nomadic lifestyle \\ ====Cities==== * [[Akarn]] - The main point of contact with the baumeni, this city shares the bay with its sister city * [[Eik Mordr]] - A coastal city with a medium sized port, serves as the main channel for exports * [[Eldra]] - An agriculturally focused loose collection of small villages in the heartland of Kilig * [[Hamr]] - The primate city of Kilig, though not large. Serves as the main port * [[Strond hja Sol]] - This sleepy city in the far east end of kilig has a distinct culture among the Ulfar ==== Related geography ==== * [[Cheile Bay]] - Bay in eastern [[Saoirse]], location of coastal cities, [[Lorb]] and [[Akarn]] * [[Eilc Sea]] - Central sea between [[Saoirse]], [[Aimsir]], and [[Inis]] * [[Fodh River]] - Runs south from northern Kilig into the [[Eilc Sea]] * [[Ichipatl Islands]] - Pair of islands off the southern coast of Kilig * [[Iontaofa River]] - Runs east from northern Kilig to the [[cymyl|Cymyl Ocean]] * [[Katscroi Island]] - Island of the southeastern coast of Kilig * [[Mantap Lake]] - Lake in western Kilig, source of the [[Pantas River]] * [[Pantas River]] - Runs south from [[Mantap Lake]] to [[Eilc Sea]] * [[Solfylte Grasslands]] - Grassland biome covering the majority of Kilig \\ {{ :wiki:locator_-_kilig.png?nolink |A paper map of Kilig}} \\ ====History==== The nation of Kilig was officially declared as an independent nation in 2.8M BCE, towards the end of the [[timelines of terran historical ages#Age of Blood]], though long before the Council of Ceilidh ushered in the [[timelines of terran historical ages#Age of Balance]]. Kilig is primarily comprised of [[Ulfar]], and though it is not the first nation to claim that distinction, it has the only surviving claim. Kilig was founded by some of the survivors of the kingdom of [[Akkaus]], which was defeated by [[Jhua'nen]] in 4.65M BCE. After the fall of [[Akkaus]], the [[Ulfar]] were dispersed across the northern hemisphere. The vast majority of [[Ulfar]] adopted a nomadic lifestyle, a tradition which has survived to the present day. Those [[Ulfar]] that did not adopt this lifestyle found refuge and aid from the [[Baumeni]], who provided them with land among their borders and helped to foster a thriving community. The citizens of Kilig still feel a debt of gratitude to the [[Baumeni]] for this reason Roughly one and a half million years later, the [[Baumeni]] Council of Elders issued a decree formalizing Kilig as a sovereign nation, which came as a result of a widely held sentiment that Kilig should no longer burden [[Saor]] with its care. A delegation of Ulfar presented the Council of Elders with a symbolic gift of foods and practical items as thanks for the aid of the [[Baumeni]], but also as a sign of their ability to care for themselves. This gift has become a tradition, though now it often includes a wider variety of gifts, serving as a showcase of Kilig's accomplishments Kilig began to thrive and develop a unique culture, though they had not forgotten the loss of their homeland nor the hardships that the [[Ulfar]] faced. They developed a strong work ethic, and expanded their agricultural operations, creating great stores of food and offering aid to any Ulfar that wished to join their budding nation. They would go on to found two new cities, [[Eldra]] and [[Strond Hja Sol]], though the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] are dotted with many nameless towns and villages. Since their founding, Kilig has remained adamantly neutral in the wars and political discourse of the other nations. There have been many changes in the world since the dawn of the [[timelines of terran historical ages#Age of Balance]], but few of them have touched Kilig, a quality they seem to have inherited from their [[Baumeni]] benefactors. Visitors often note how this country seems to be lost in time In the [[timelines of terran historical ages#Second Age|Second Age]], when the [[carragh#Lili Mute]] uprisings were stifled across terra, the citizens of Kilig saw strong paralells to their own history, and engaged in an ambitious program to offer these downtrodden [[carragh]] a home within their borders. Despite the lack of any sizeable mountain ranges, a small population of the Lili Mute decided to call Kilig their home, and now play a vital role in Kilig society. Unlike the [[Ulfar]]'s experience, the Lili Mute did not carve out a community of their own within Kilig, instead choosing to integrate fully into society. The Lili Mute would also form bonds with the [[Baumeni]] through this arrangement, and this would eventually lead to the [[Baumeni]] helping the Lili Mute to form the city of [[Dheas]] **Timeline**\\ * **4.65M BCE**: [[Jhua'nen]] conquers [[Akkaus]], scattering the [[Ulfar]] across the northern hemisphere * **4.64M BCE**: [[Saor]] provides safe haven for a portion of the [[Ulfar]] * **4.64M BCE**: The cities of [[Akarn]], [[Eik Mordr]], and [[Hamr]] are founded * **3.2M BCE**: [[Saor]] removes [[Jhua'nen]] colonies and cities from [[Saoirse]] * **2.8M BCE**: Kilig is declared by [[Saor]] to be an independent nation * **1.833M BCE**: [[Eldra]] is established by the [[Ulfar]] of Kilig * **1.504M BCE**: The [[Ulfar]] establish the idyllic city of [[Strond hja Sol]] * **0.508M BCE**: Kilig grants assylum to a sizeable community of the [[carragh#Lili Mute]] * **484 CE**: Kilig holds the first celebration of [[Midsummer]] \\ ====Government and laws==== The city of [[Hamr]] serves as the nation's capitol, though this distinction is mostly nominal. The highest political office that can be held in Kilig is a seat on their National Council, and to be eligible for this position, you must have been elected mayor of one of Kilig's five major cities. The National Council is responsible for voting on proposed laws, and making decisions regarding the interaction with other nations. Kilig's foreign policy is staunchly neutral in almost all international affairs, and Kilig council members rarely visit other nations, at least officially On the local level, mayors see to the day to day functions of the major cities. Local laws are proposed and voted on by local councils. Elections for both local and national councils are held every five years, though candidates are rarely voted out of office. Kilig has an uncanny homogeneity in its political landscape, due in large part to its strong national identity Kilig has two official embassies, one in [[Hamr]] and one in [[Akarn]]. The embassy in [[Hamr]] handles international issues and relations, while the embassy in [[Akarn]] is responsible for relations with the [[Baumeni]], and receives three times as much funding as the embassy in [[Hamr]] Kilig's flag consists of a simple strip of cloth, dyed by the deepest indigo the grasslands have to offer \\ ====Society and culture==== Citizens of Kilig often refer to themselves as 'Kili(s)' Kilig society is heavily centered around loyalty to your family and your village or city. Both are often referred to as one's 'pack', interchangeably. The oldest member of the family makes decisions regarding ones family, and in villages, the oldest member of the largest family is the decision maker. In cities, this task falls to the mayor, who is elected **The Journey**\\ Kilig families are often missing one or more members. When a child becomes an adult, or shortly thereafter, they are expected to make a journey of undetermined length out into the world at large. If they find life outside Kilig to their liking, they are expected not to return. If however, they yearn for their homeland, they are to acquire two gifts, one for the family, and one for their village or city. Once they have acquired these gifts, they return home, and are repatriated into society. Though the length of the journey is up to the individual, it is expected that it will be no shorter than one year. This rite of passage is intended protect the culture of Kilig, but it is also meant to distinguish them from their nomadic [[Ulfar]] brothers **Values**\\ Kilis believe in peace, prosperity, and security, which they obtain by living a simple life. They strongly believe in hospitality and tolerance, especially towards outsiders, though these are often applied less fervently to nomadic [[Ulfar]]. To provide hospitality, Kilig homes are often open to travelers, and city squares are built with extra space, which is left available for wagon trains or travelers to make camp **Myths**\\ Kilig myths and legends often center around the experiences of a Kili taking part in the Journey, and invariably include elements of dangerous beasts or strange creatures, or hostile enemies. Typically, after encountering these dangers, the protagonist does the sensible thing, and returns to their homeland. Despite this proclivity for peace and security, Kilis often recite the accounts of their journeys, which is seen as an acceptable and enjoyable method for satisfying any wanderlust **Dress**\\ Kilis' dress is practical and modest, usually wearing light, earth-toned breecs, and a light, white or tan colored shirt when appropriate. They often go barefoot, though human kilis do wear shoes. Belts or bandoleers with many pockets are common. Hair is often worn in braids by both genders. For special occasions, kilis often wear similar clothing, but with shirts of yellow, red, and purple. Some kilis wear bells in their hair, an option favored by the Racoon-type [[Ulfar]]. Unmarried kilis often wear flowers in their hair to signify this fact, though on special occasions this is often ignored by married kilis **Food**\\ Meals and their surrounding tradition are a central part of Kili culture, and they are an important family tradition. Kilis are especially fond of a hearty vegetable stew that includes warm spices and a medley of whatever is on hand. It is said to raise the spirits, and it is one of the few culinary exports of Kili. More locally, their spiced lamb platter is very popular within the country. Mushrooms and tomatoes as staple foods in the Kili diet, the latter used as a common garnish Breads and wines are less common, due to the limited availability of suitable farmland for wheat and grapes, though great care is taken in maximizing production and Kilis regard these products as delicacies. Their wines are most often pink, and are named "Sol Rosés" as the vineyards grow around [[Strond Hja Sol]]. The Akarn region is home to fruit trees and produces a pear cider, though Kilig's strongest export is its "Eldran Blue" cheese, a soft, fruity cheese produced on the central grasslands, named for the indigo colored wax seal. None of Kilig's food products make it out of the country in large numbers, due to the lack of a strong export infrastructure. A few merchants travel to Kilig to acquire them in whatever quantity they can muster, and as a result, the rarity makes these items sought after **Music**\\ Kilig enjoys a lively musical scene which is seen as a very admirable form of entertainment. The music is folksy, and few Kilis haven't picked up a fiddle at least once in their lifetime. Bards are common, travelling with the caravaners and performing in taverns. Less commonly, traveling troupes will put on plays and recitals of Kilig legends \\ ==== Fauna ==== * [[fauna#Antelope]] - widespread across the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[fauna#Buffalo]] - [[Solfylte Grasslands]], higher concentrations in the northern and eastern regions * [[fauna#Bumblebee]] - Found across the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[fauna#Cat]] - Primarily found in and around the cities of Kilig * [[fauna#Cougar]] - Found throughout the nation's forests and grasslands * [[fauna#Deer]] - [[Solfylte Grasslands]], higher concentrations in the northern plains * [[fauna#Dove]] - Migrates from [[Culai Island]] to the [[Ichipatl Islands]] * [[fauna#Falcon]] - Found throughout the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[fauna#Firefly]] - Found throughout [[Katscroi Island]] * [[fauna#Northern Raven]] - Found throughout the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[fauna#Ostrich]] - Found natively throughout the [[Solfylte Grasslands]], used domestically across Kilig * [[fauna#Sheep]] - Central and eastern [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[fauna#Pelican]] - Coastal lands of Kilig * [[fauna#Rabbit]] - Across Kilig, plentiful in central Kilig * [[fauna#Walrus]] - Coasts of Kilig, primarily central and eastern coastlines * [[fauna#Pelican]] - Found along the coasts of Kilig * [[fauna#Porcupine]] - Found in the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] near the rivers and lakes * [[fauna#Rabbit]] - Found across the [[Solfylte Grasslands]] of Kilig * [[fauna#Rhinoceros Beetle]] - Found in the grasslands near [[Strond Hja Sol]] * [[fauna#River Ferret]] - Found in the [[Pantas River]], [[Fodh River]], and [[Iontaofa River]] \\ ==== Flora ==== * [[flora#Bluebells]] - found on the coastlines of [[Kilig]] * [[flora#Edelweiss]] - sparsely populate the northern plains, extending south as far as [[Eldra]] * [[flora#Indigo]] - widespread across the central [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[flora#Lavender]] - common in the central and southern [[Solfylte Grasslands]] * [[flora#Silver Fir]] - Strands populate the northern plains near the border with [[Saor]]