Ardesia

Ardesia is a country comprised of three states--Arnon, Agonar, and Ardrun--to the north-east of Queensland, across the Purney Rise. It is a country built in long-standing traditions of capitalism and freedom, and what some consider to be hedonism. The original inhabitants of Ardesia were the Ardesi, who, prior to the Great Collision were a rather primitive people. While never under true rule by the monarchy in the west, the Ardesians still recognize the authority of the crown and seek peace fervently, in order to maintain their impressive trade routes.

People and Culture
The Ardesi, or Ardesians, are slighter of build than Islanders, and most are brown or black-haired. This is attributed to possible mingling with the Soderon people. The entire structure of their hierarchy is related soley to capital success; there is no monarchy. States are governed by guilds. Every guild has a presence on the town and county level, with elected officials in the capitol, Avale. Historically the Mercantile Guild has always held sway over the others which include farmers, mechanics, artists, hunters, fishermen, and cattlemen.

Land
Most of Ardesia is on a plateau to the east of the Purney Rise. As such it is a much higher elevation than any of the other countries in Earena. Winter is the longest season, lasting nearly a third of the year, and some parts of the country are inhabited only by the hardiest of folk. The coastline, while extensive, is extremely rocky, and pitted with cliffs, making seaside living nearly impossible. However, many people live, instead, on Lake Leila, which is still a high elevation, but has impressive fishing and vegetation.

The Silk Trade
Ardesia is well-known throughout Earena for the quality of its textiles, silk being the most prized. While silk is produced in Mor and Fenlie, the quality is severely lacking in comparison to the Ardesian variety.

Unlike in Queensland where one's birth in the Alderclass determines their lot in life, the Ardesians believe in the free enterprise of the individual. While many families have large dynasties, it is not uncommon to hear of skilled artisans taking on unknown apprentices. One of the largest mercantile families, the Listerbaughs, make a yearly selection from the nearby town of Lavalle, and an impressive holiday has built up around the event.

Queen Carine I was credited with full recognition of the mercantile classes, but it was not until the marriage of Ellinora Carine Vezina, the crown princess under Maelys I, that a more formal pact was made when she was married to Richard Davenport, son of Topher Davenport and Muriel Listerbaugh. As Continentals trace their lineage through the female line, the rather dubious claims that the Davenports were, in fact, distantly related to the royal line was of little consequence. The marriage was by and large considered reason for celebration, and many underclass dissidents of the time rallied to support Maelys I. However, many among the Alderclass found the decision to be purely political.