Pronunciation: (gehr-th)
Galactic Region: Perseus Arm
Galactic Branch: Sikhara Branch
Galactic Sector: N4
Star System: Sol
Planet: Terra
Continent: Aimsir
Land Area: 1,146,000 square miles
Length: 1,100 miles north to south
Width: 1,150 miles east to west
Coordinates: 20° N to 43° S, 15° E to 82° E
The nation of Gerth was formalized after the Council of Ceilidh, a reformation of the kingdom of Gherth'tah. Gerth has always been the ancestor of the Kingdom of Shak'tar. Shak'tar was conquered by Tael'Reshk, though the region maintained their loyalty to Shak'tar ideals. The southern region and the coastal region both seceded from Tael'Reshk when the opportunity arose, though by that time the cultures of the old Tael'Reshk and Shak'tar had become significantly intertwined. When hostilities between the east and the west surfaced, the two nation's joined together to repel invasion
This cooperation was the first step in putting their history behind them, and their relationship continued to develop in the Age of Balance. The two nations cooperated in sending scientists to form a colony on the continent of Saoirse for the purpose of exploring and learning about the region. At the present day, the two nations are formal allies and engage on a wide variety of diplomatic issues
In the Age of Honor, the people of Gherth'Jhaa developed waterwheel technology, and engaged in a large construction project to build massive versions of their waterwheels. The waterwheels are still in use in the present day, and are considered a source of national pride
During the First Age, Gerth experienced a severe ecological disaster known as the blight. The origins of the blight were never discovered, though signs of the blight were first discovered in the Ehkehki mountains. The blight spread to the north, killing a third of the Flaithiuil forest and destroying the Great Willow tree planted by the Baumeni. The blight would also spread west to southern Reithe destroying everything in its path. Southern Reithe's ecology never recovered, and is still a barren wasteland. The blight's effects crept into the Sliabh mountains and spread through the area which is now the Pikwata desert. The blight was eventually rooted out, and the Baumeni helped Gerth to replant the Great Willow and restore the forest
Timeline
Gerth is overseen by a Chancellor, an office which was created shortly after the Council of Ceilidh. At that time, the position was barely different from the King's position and it remained a powerful position for nearly a million years, until Gerth formed the Royal Senate near the end of the First Age. Over time, all of the power was moved into the Senate, leaving the Chancellor stripped of any real power. Despite this reduced authority, the office continued to hold influence. Many senators are former Chancellors
Below the Chancellor is the Royal Senate, in which the laws of the land are decided. The senate consists of 37 seats. Three senators are elected from each hamlet, though the monastery of Lus liath only ever sends one senator. The 37th seat is held by the Minority Minister. The senate determines laws at the local level and at the national level, though any national law can be vetoed if all three senators from a hamlet vote against the law. In this case, the law does not apply to any hamlet with a three vote veto. Many proposed laws will include a stipulation that the law will not take effect in the case of a three vote veto
Hamlets consist of a major city and the surrounding towns, and will often have a mayor to oversee daily business in the city, though some cities forgo this position. Each hamlet has a minimum of one marshal, an honored position that requires excellent combat skill and tempered wisdom in equal parts. It is the responsibility of the marshal to protect the inhabitants of the city, track down criminals, and to expose injustice within the society. Marshals typically train from a young age, and when they take their position, they choose an apprentice which they train to replace them
The death penalty and incarceration are strictly prohibited within Gerth. Those committing crimes are flogged, or exiled if the crime is violent. Drawing blood is a serious offense in Gerth, and even public flogging is not allowed to break the skin. Even Marshals are not exempt from this rule, if a marshal sheds blood unnecessarily they will immediately resign. If the marshal kills on three occasions even where there was no other alternative, they will resign as soon as a apprentice can replace them
Laws and regulation of business and society are common and tend to be strictly enforced. Laws governing personal freedom and behavior are among the loosest on the planet
Religion
Gerth has no state sponsored religion, and the majority do not practice any religion. Those that do either have roots in other nations or are borrowing a religion from another nation, as Gerth has no indigenous religion
Values
The citizens of Gerth simultaneously hold two ideals in balance. Unity and duty to ones country are on the one hand, and personal freedom and independence are on the other hand. They are friendly to outsiders but not overly so, and are unlikely to form strong bonds with foreigners
Dress
Clothing in Gerth usually consists of close fitting cloth pants or kilts in browns and greys, and thick flannel shirts dyed in colorful but simple patterns. White flannel or linen shirts are also worn. Wide, leather or hide belts are typically worn around the waist, and leather boots are ubiquitous. During summer festivals and holidays, most go barefoot or wear sandals. In winter, long scarves and hide jackets keep the cold away. Jewelry and adornment are rare and typically simple when found
Physical Appearance
Modern citizens of Gerth are direct descendants of the first people to be born in the region, the Shak'tar. Their skin ranges from light to medium colors, and their hair colors include light browns, blonds, whites, and reds. Their eyes are typically either pitch black, or some combination of blue and green. Their builds tend to be tall and range from medium build to something closer to a barrel
Food
The Gerth diet relies heavily on meat and bread, supported by fruits and vegetables in smaller amounts. Domesticated dairy animals are rare, but chickens and ducks are often domesticated for their meat and eggs. Boar and bear meat is hunted, though rarely, and usually only during the summer festival months. It is glazed with a honey based sauce that includes cloves and is high in salt
Winemakers and beer brewers are very rare, cider is the drink of choice. A few breweries exist in every major city, making ciders from apples, pears, and oranges. Cider recipes are constantly changing as brewers experiment in pursuit of the perfect cider
Outside of the central agricultural region, open space is a rare commodity which is usually reserved for the city itself. As such, tree top farming platforms are common near cities and smaller villages. Many smaller settlements are perched up in the tree tops along with their treetop greenhouses
Music and Arts
Art in Gerth comes in two main forms, music and sculpture. Music pervades the culture and is present in the daily grind and on festival days. The focus of their compositions is to evoke the strongest emotions possible. Some composers will focus on a particular emotion for a piece, but many shift between two or more emotions, sometimes very rapidly. Foreigners often find the music of Gerth unforgettable
Wooden sculpture is also a part of daily life, every household will have at least one sculpture in the home. The statues and objects are often carved out of a living plant and carefully pruned and maintained over centuries, often passed from generation to generation
