Freesia

Geography: A small, landlocked, but quietly prosperous nation, Freesia hugs the rim slopes and foothills of the Cloudy Crown mountains, controlling the major passes down into the crater and Denedell. Its proper territory includes a broad swathe of lowlands, lakes, and forests. It shares borders with Raion, Denedell, Canton, and Troika. Switzerland

People: Freesians are descended from many tribes (distant cousins of the Painted Kingdoms of Land's End) who dwelled in the lowlands around Cloudy Crown. They were pushed out of their lands and found refuge in the mountains, where they made friends with the Korrigan Gnomes (supplying them with wood and wool). Some made it through the treacherous passes and settled what is now Denedell. The Freesians are closely related to the Denes, however, the Denes are genetically isolated by the rugged topography. Germanic tribes

Religion: Although they stoutly resisted the Tiberians they eventually submitted, though they remained fiercely autonomous and culturally distinct from the rest of the Ecumene. The Chantry of Raion and Tiberium's death cult didn't catch on with them, instead they held onto their old, weird gods. Lithuanian pagans

Industry: They harnessed the swift rivers and streams that came down from the mountains, using them to turn waterwheels which powered saws, mills, and smithies (pumping bellows, hammering metal). They produced vast quantities of lumber and learned much about masonry from the Dwarves. Water-powered industry

Military: Because Freesia is so "industrialized" its troops (professional militias) have good equipment; shock troops in blued steel plate, full face helms with narrow visors, sweeping halberds and two-handed swords (fight in Dwarf fashion, eschewing shields for heavy armor and long weapons). Levies consist of pikes and crossbows; every man attends regular battle drills once a week for their whole lives. They wear warpaint into battle, daubing tribal motifs on their armor. They have no cavalry. Gothic Germany

Architecture: Learned much about masonry and smithing from the Dwarves; their Gothic, cathedral/fairytale-like castles climb up mountain sides and their homes are tall and narrow like steeples, making use of the limited space (resemble Dutch favelas); this style is similar to that seen in dense cities like Seawall, and there is an emphasis on light triumphing over substance. Gothic, Amsterdam

Cities: Ostmark, Sundergard, Awndour

Culture: Grimms (storytellers, adventurers, monster-hunters); communal living