Pronunciation: (KILL-igh)
Galactic Region: Perseus Arm
Galactic Branch: Sikhara Branch
Galactic Sector: 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
The nation of Kilig was officially declared as an independent nation in 2.8M BCE, towards the end of the Age of Blood, though long before the Council of Ceilidh ushered in the 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 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 Second Age, when the 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
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
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
