Meskause

Societal ties: Balhe

Current population: 1

Main language(s): Gevey

Area: 143,000km²

Natural and political borders

The Land is almost enclosed by mountain ranges: Zoiznuu Kauson to the northwest; Zoiznuu Famosizhuu to the southwest; Soufwhuu Mezizhuu and Zeesuu Baston in the east.

Meskause lays claim to the river Tiemagzuu and all its tributaries north of latitude 13.7°N

History

The Froshmuu Kausizhuu was explored as part of the Balhe expansion northwards in the mid gt730s, and all three settlements established by gt739. The northernmost settlement - Swaeye - proved to be the most productive and expanded rapidly over the next 50 orbits, until Swaeye Plantation encompassed much of the upper reaches of the Tiemagzuu river.

Although the Plantation was successful, trade between Swaeye and the rest of Balhe Society was made difficult by the valley's height - most trade in the eighth and ninth centuries was conducted by river, and the early land trails were often blocked by rock and mud slides along the southern sides of Zeesuu Baston. This also had its advantages, as the Taete wars in the mid ninth century had little impact on the city or Plantation - the local population had shown scant interest in being evangelised by the Jaesconesh.

After the wars ended, Swaeye declined an offer to join the new Land of Taete; not until gt904 did the plantation establish itself as the Land of Meskause. The driving impetus for becoming a Land was the rise of the Windmerchants; in gt884 a large, deep deposit of black sands, which included high levels of the mineral monozite, had been discovered in the western foothills, Scientists soon discovered the monozite was rich in helium. Discovery of this cheap, relatively easily extracted helium source allowed for the rapid development of a new form of transportation - airships. From the early tenth century the Swaeye Windmerchants undertook the transportation of luxury goods and passengers along the Taete valley and across the eastern mountains - a trade that continues to this day.

In gt921, after news of the Ba'hadim survival had reached Meskause, an expedition set out across the mountains, reaching Ayene in the autumn of that orbit. They returned in gt922 accompanied by Ba'hadim envoys, and over the course of the next ten orbits great efforts were made to build a durable trail to connect the two Lands together.

Politics and economy

Meskause is blessed by fertile soils, a unique mineralogy and an innovative population - all of which contributed to the development of the Windmerchants. The city of Swaeye grew rich on trade, and remains one of the most prosperous cities of the Balhe Society. The Plantation operates as a society of agricultural, manufacturing and trading guilds who dominate both the economic and political spheres of the Land. Individuals are free to join the guild of their choice when they come of age, and while movements between guilds thereafter is not uncommon, it is frowned on as a fickle way to approach life.

Meskause is not a democracy as such: each guild will conduct its internal politics in its own way, and national consensus is determined by negotiations between the guilds. A legal system operates separately from the guilds and, in theory, has precedence. The legal executive is directly elected by the population every third orbit.

Culture and other issues of interest

While the guilds dominate in the political and economic spheres, the family and neighbourhood dominate the social sphere. Families are extended and somewhat loose in their interpretation of who belongs to which family - you do not need to be a blood relative, or partnered to a blood relative, to belong - but there is a strong social belief that a person's choice of family at the time of their coming of age cannot be changed thereafter. Most legal disputes between individuals are settled by families rather than guilds, and families also look after the welfare of their members. Formal education is a shared responsibility between a family and its preferred guild.

When it comes to sports and culture, however, the neighbourhood dominates. Sports societies can be thought of as the fourth pillar of Meskause society (after the family, the guild and the law), and most people will make an effort to support and take part in the activities of their local sports society.

Key natural features

The Land is dominated by the mountain ranges that surround it. Key mountains include, on the western side running north to south, Mts. Kauson (6,190m), Fihston (5,740m), Jarhatuu (6,680), Minhakhuu (6,700m), Famosuu (6,860m) and Gorhuu (6,080m). The easternj ranges are much lower, and terminate at Zeesuu Baston which, while only being 3,350m high, is by far the most important - and dangerous - mountain in Meskause.

The Froshmuu Kausizhuu itself is fairly broad and flat, with the mountains rising suddenly from the flood plains. The valley opens into the Taete valley at an elevation, with the Tiemagzuu flowing over some impressive waterfalls and rapids to reach the Taete river below.

Habitats

While the western ranges form part of the hostile central mountains habitat, the rest of the Land's area is much more accommodating, enjoying a high valleys habitat

Plantations and settlements

Originally three settlements were established in the Froshmuu Kausizhuu, but the development of the Swaeye cultivation quickly subsumed the others within the Swaeye Plantation. Today the Plantation reaches over 210km along the Tiemagzuu river and its tributaries, and extends eastwards into the foothills of Zeesuu Baston where the most fertile soils are found.

Key towns and cities

Rural population: 0 (0.0% of total)