> *”Of the Yssan character, fierce independence and pride is most notable. They will quarrel over a foreign boot touching their homeland’s soil, and draw a blade if the would-be conqueror so much as breathes a word of staying. They are also, in my learned opinion, utterly mad with superstitions about magics and witches.” -Jan Kysely, in his treatise about geography commissioned by King Miroslav II of Leus* ### Overview A land that prides itself on its independence, the Kingdom of Yssa is far more wild and rough than any other kingdom of man, the last settled frontier bordered on the east by the Dawning Sea and surrounded on all other sides by the great mountainous range known as the Stonemarch. Commonly viewed as provincial and perhaps even as a backwater, Yssa's folk are hardy people who make the best of what they have, with forestry and farming their primary modes of production. Yssa follows a manorial system, where its nobles are directly tied to its peasants in a give-and-take way, each lord owing fealty and the levies they can raise to the lord above them, though bonds are more about personal and family loyalty than anything official. The [[House of Mór]] has ruled Yssa since its founding in the wake of the old Eth Empire's collapse, a grip on power surprisingly stable for the many challenges the country has faced. Famous for its fear and hatred of [[Magic]], particularly the [[Blood Magic]] of [[The High Kingdom of Leus]], Yssa is a pleasant and hospitable place that can quickly prove unpleasant and inhospitable to those suspected of witchcraft. Yssans pride themselves on being plain, simple, honest folk who do the right thing when called upon and deeply resent taking orders from foreigners, though they sometimes turn that same unruly disposition upon their own nobles, as Yssa has suffered more peasant revolts than any other human kingdom even in its own short span of life. Where a Genevais lord might critique the Yssan crown for not crushing the rebellions enough to extinguish any spirit of resistance, however, many of Yssa's own nobles take a sort of pride in their ability to earn the respect and loyalty of their often cantankerous people. Most matters that can't be resolved with a stern talk are solved with fists or blades, even in the capital, which has led to Yssa's reputation as a place for the adventurous and free. ### Cities and Settlements - [[Aediobri]] - [[Arduinna]] - [[Deva]] - [[Lána]] - [[Laweden]] - [[Ros]] - [[Tamaris]] ### Natural Features - [[The Argent Forest]] - [[Brina Wood]] - [[The Dawning Coast]] - [[Rithogwen Wood]] - [[The Stonemarch]] ### Special Locations - [[The Tuama]]