Umela
Umela, also known as the Kingdom of Umela, is led and founded by the Uma Family.
Structure
Each village, town, and city has its own local government, determined by the people living there. The kingdom as a whole is ruled by the Uma Family and the royal court in Riar.
Culture
It is common in Umela for most commoners to have a negative view of the Uma Family because they have held so much power for so long. This negative view is often plainly on display, spoken of openly and talked about in newspaper publications. However, making an open threat to the family is considered treason and subject to arrest and execution. Such an extreme is rarely seen and attempts to change anything have never gotten far. Most people simply accept that nothing can be changed nationally and instead concern themselves with local business. There is a strong emphasis on local community wellbeing throughout Umela.
Public Agenda
Most local governments are concerned with keeping local communities safe and growing. Community members support each other as much as possible, especially when hardships arise. They also work together to keep infrastructure sound and well-maintained.
On a national level, the government of Umela is concerned with continually increasing exports and quelling any social unrest before it becomes a threat. Infrastructure is considered a means for increasing trade and the wealth of the royal family, so it is improved periodically. However, repairs are left up to the local communities as a cost-saving measure.
History
The Kingdom of Umela has its roots deep in the past with the Uma family, who built many underground shelters for themselves and their communities for protection during Realm Conjunctions. Members of the family began traveling and assisting other communities to grow and expand their underground shelters, creating tunnel systems that sometimes became underground towns. For their help, however, the Uma family put themselves in charge of these communities, often manipulating them into paying to use the shelters that had once been theirs alone. This land control resulted in wealth and power, which the family has never lost, though wars and land agreements have changed Umela's borders over time. Even after Core Anchors made the use of underground tunnel systems during Conjunctions unnecessary, the Uma family was still able to maintain their power and territory.
Demography and Population
Umela has a fairly diverse population, and the cities along the coast to the north have a large population of Merefolk.
Military
The Kingdom of Umela keeps a standing army so it can maintain the peace within its own borders when the kingdom is not at war. All young adults within Umela must train and serve in the military for at least five years. This is due to the widely-held belief that the military is used by the King to unjustly crack down on even the slightest hint of unrest. This belief has made it exceedingly difficult to recruit new trainees into the military, causing the King to make it a requirement of all citizens unless medically exempted by one of the King's healers.
Technological Level
Many of Umela's technological and magical advancements have been in the field of mining. The government finances study in such areas because the materials mined through the hills of Umela are the country's greatest exports.
Foreign Relations
Umela generally has neutral relationships with other nations, though it has gone to war with Lzesh several times over mining rights in the mountainous regions along the border between both nations.
Laws
In Umela it is illegal to mine or sell mined materials without a permit carrying the King's seal. The forging of such documents is punishable by death. Anyone found guilty of mining or trading in mined materials will be sentenced to a minimum of five years of labor in the mines under a properly-licensed mining company.
Inciting riots or violence against the crown is also punishable by death. The punishment may be passed by the King without a trial to prevent the accused from speaking to an audience after being arrested.
Education
Some communities in Umela offer free education for all residents, while other communities may require payment for education. The poorest towns and villages have no system of education to offer their residents. Overall, on a national level, education as seen as something only for the wealthy.
Infrastructure
- Iron ore
- Spellstone
- Other mined minerals
- Gemstones
- Grain
- Lumber
- Fabric materials
- Household goods
Comments