Society Name Poyazun World Placement
Poyazun is located in Namej, on the eastern shore of the Yezbek Sea.
Society Concept Free city that thrives on the trade between the Namujin warlords and the rest of the world. Although currently free, the memory of Namujin and Karatasan occupation is still fresh, as is the memory of their legendary founder, the Koga-Ra Zhallanin, who ignited the Poyazuni desire for freedom
Terrain Poyazun is a coastal city, situated on a large natural harbor.  The surrounding land is mostly flat coastal lowlands, gradually rising into rolling hills and then mountains to the north and south, but opening up into the high plains to the east.  The climate and land favor crops, which has made Poyazun a center for both agriculture and trade, due to its convenient position and natural harbor.
Climate Warm Temperate. Poyazun experiences increased precipitation and fog during the winter months, but it very rarely sees snow. Temperatures in Poyazun are warm to hot most of the year.

Society Age Age Value 6 Society Scope 4
Years 394 Society Location Namej
Founding Date Geographic Size Walled City
Population 15,000
Maps
Related Narrative Environments Namej, Karatas, Mandazar, Xeriam, Layota Tribes, Merochas
Major Heritage Groups Poyazuni (Namujan),  Zhalla (Cheyhro)
Minor Heritage Groups Namujan (Namujan), Karatasan (Mekys), Avazha (Dwarves), Mandazaran (Pyshwan), Xerian (Pyshwan), Merochasan (Jalani)

Orientation Survival Active Isolation Value 12
Aspects Conviction Poyazun is the largest of the small Namujan port cities on the eastern shore of the Yezruk Sea. Ships from as far away as Merochas, Aezjarea, and Karatas arrive to trade for Namujan resources.
By land, all trade routes pass through Namujin lands. Poyazun does heavy trading with the Namujin Koga-Rani, as well as Mandazar and Xeriam from which Layotan and Karatasan goods can be obtained. Occasionally, however, a Koga-Chirn may raid a Poyazuni caravan to exact a tribute, or just to gain more workers, but the profits are so good that most Poyazuni merchants are able to absorb the loss (although they complain otherwise to their customers).
- Legend of Koga-Ra Zhallanin
Prevention
- Defense against Namujan or Karatasan domination
Acquisition (Wealth)
- Profitable trade with Namej, Karatas, and other lands

Technology Value 16 Interaction Value 15
Areas of Emphasis Trade, agriculture Poyazun is the largest trade node between Namej and the rest of the world. Trade is routine, and well-developed trading relationships exist with several other lands.

 
Rate of Advancement 6 Subsistance Fully Agricultural
Rate of Assimilation 5 Major Fully Agricultural
Poyazuni value mystical and agricultural innovations, and will attempt to assimilate associated technologies where feasible.  Internal innovations are less common, but do occur. Minor Secondary Herder
Poyazun produces much of the grain and produce consumed in Namej, and serves as the primary trade center for imported foodstuffs.
Innovation
Dominant Material 16 Societal Mobility Sedentary
Power / Manufacturing 16 Subclassification
Agriculture / Environment 16
Building / Architecture 16
Transport / Communication 16 Kinship
Military 16 Ascendant Non-dominant
Miscellaneous 14 Lineage Determinant Omnidirectional
Cultural 15 Inheritance Pattern Partible
Political Infrastructure Advanced Aristocracy Economic Infrastructure
Poyazun is ruled by the Korvayla, or senate, and its appointed officers.   The Korvayla is elected by, and from members of, the landowning class. Exchange System Buying and Selling
Economy Type Medium of Exchange
Power 8 Poyazun trades with any and all neighboring cultures, and it has recently started minting its own coinage, although Karatasan and Merochasan currencies are preferred by most merchants.
Authority 7
Consent 7
Constitutional Support 7 Resource Value 8
Legal Complexity 6 Poyazun’s only notable resource is arable land. Most other resources were depleted long ago.
Military Infrastructure Exploitation 18 90%
Primary Force Mercenary 8 Poyazun thoroughly exploits its meager resources, although that level is tending to diminish as available land is converted to trade uses, rather than agriculture.
Currently, several mercenary companies from Mandazar, Karatas, and Merochas are employed by the city of Poyazun. Some of the Merochasan mercenary leaders are attempting to organize a citizen’s militia, which is enjoying mixed degrees of success.

Poyazun can field 3,000 troops in an all-out defensive effort, but normally

Relations Neutral Trade 15
Relations with Karatas are Neutral, tending towards Friendly.  Relations with the Namujan Koga-Rani range from Friendly to Hostile, depending on the Koga-Chirn involved and the day of the week.

To prevent further occupation by Karatas or the Namujin Koga-Rani, Poyazun maintains neutral relations with both powers, while simultaneously threatening to strengthen ties with one in order to gain bargaining leverage with the other. Poyazuni independence, however, does depend on the continuing détente between the 2 powers, so no meaningful overtures are made to either side, despite the efforts of a small minority within the Korvayla who are in favor of strengthening ties with Karatas.

Relations with Merochas, on the other hand, are friendly, and both sides are seeking better relations. Poyazun sees Merochas as a possible ally should either Karatas or Namej seek to break the détente. Merochas encourages that impression, although they have no intention of being caught between Namej and Karatas should hostilities over Poyazun break out. From a Merochasan perspective, it is convenient to have a friendly access to Namujin resources, but such friendship is not worth a war (yet).

Poyazun also enjoys friendly relations with both Mandazar and Xerium

 Poyazun trades frequently with Namej, Karatas, Mandazar, Xeriam and even distant Merochas.

Most of the Namujan trade in ores and mystical resources passes through Poyazun en route to Karatas or other lands.   Poyazuni merchants have gradually inserted themselves into the Namujan trade, and are now almost inextricably linked to Namujan economic growth.

Poyazuni alchemists have also become an economic force in their own right, processing Namujan mystical materials into usable forms and developing unique Alchemical applications and substances.  Their products are increasingly exported to Karatas and Merochas.

Religion Scholastics
Tolerance 15 Tolerance 15
Prevalence 14 Prevalence 13
Diversity 14 Diversity 11
The dominant religion of Poyazun is the worship of Langranen, (See Namej), and all funerary rites are conducted by Langranazha (Lanranaza in the Poyazuni dailect). In addition, Karatasan gods are also revered, and the largest temple in Poyazun is devoted to Kirsu. However, as of late, Merochasan gods have risen in popularity, with the exception of Caiphus. Caiphus is not well accepted by the Poyazuni since they believe their souls will go to Langranen when they die. In stark contrast to the Namujans, the Poyazuni do value scholastics. The Lawirsazin academy ("place of lore") is the oldest educational institution in Namej. The Lawirsazin has recently risen in prominence due to mystical and mundane innovations in agriculture, which have allowed Poyazun to maintain an agricultural surplus despite the loss of farmland due to growth in trade. It should also be noted that the Lawirsazin has the greatest repository of Namujin literature in the Karatasan orthography (seethe cultural notes for Namej)
Arts Magic
Tolerance 13 Tolerance 16
Prevalence 15 Prevalence 17
Diversity 12 Diversity 17
Poyazun’s arts have begun to flourish with their recent independence from Namujin control. Poyazuni art is a blend of Namujin and Karatasan styles. For the most part, Poyazuni artists use the same media that Namujin artists use, (swords, armor, etc.), however, experimentation with other media has begun.  Some Poyazuni have begun to experiment with free-standing sculpture, while others have developed beautiful works of illuminated literature. The Poyazuni have a similar attitude toward Spirit Magic as the Namujins (See Namej). However, some rune casters, who are not Lanranaza, do exist in Poyazun, and are tacitly accepted by the populace.

Although the Poyazuni have had much less time to develop their abilities with Mana, the have had access to two of the greatest bodies of Mana Lore in Geoza: the Karatasans and the Namujins.  Thus, depite having significantly fewer Loci, Poyazun has developed a significant body of knowledge concerning Mana Lore. 

Many rare alchemical materials are readily found in certain parts of Namej, which pass in abundance through Poyazun.  Poyazuni alchemists are very advanced (perhaps more so, in this one area, than the Namujans themselves).   Mystics (kalaza), enchanters (draadora), and alchemists (potagora) are readily found in Poyazun, and herbalists (luvalaza) are quite common.

Two significant Omnis have developed in Poyazun, both of whom hold Kongola in Namujin lands. The first is a branch of the Lawirsazin that specializes in alchemy and herbalism. The second is the Crystal-shapers’ Guild (Kollazt Glona Kruwazani, commonly referred to as Glona Kruwaza), a loose coalition of draadora-artisans who craft intricate crystal objects. Additionally, at least two foreign Omnis have holdings in Poyazun, the Merochasan College of Sorcery and the Karatasan Academy of Ascendant Sagacity, both of which serve their respective countries' interests in the region.

Knowledge of Sorcery is desperately sought after by the Poyazuni.  Both Karatas and Merochas refuse to share any of their knowledge, however.   So far only a handful of Poyazuni magi have learned any of the most basic methods of sorcery, of which only one is living (and she has a price on her head).

Status
Primary Foundation Tradition Kinship Custom of Status 3
Descent from the legendary founder of Poyazun, Lanzallanin, is the primary foundation of status in Poyazuni society. Lanzallanin, according to legend, was the son of Langranen and a Zhalla woman. Namujan physical features are seen as sign of descent from Lanzallanin, so the aristocratic class, or Usalawir class, is of mostly Namujan descent. As yet, no one outside of the Usalawir class has ever been elected to the Korvayla. Rigidity of Status 3
Secondary Foundation Wealth Land Ownership Other Cultural Notes
Until recently only landowners could vote for the Korvayla, or maintain a military force. Landowners who are not of the Usalawir class are known as the Ostor class.

During the war of independence, the Korvayla offered conquered land grants to any Poyazuni who served in the military. Little land was gained so the Poyazuni were offered deeds to their future lands. These deeds allowed those Poyazuni the same rights and privelges afforded to the Ostor class.

Recently, the Korvayla, realizing that no significant land could be taken from the Namujin Koga-Rani, passed a law stating that any person who served in the military was to be afforded all rights of citizenship regardless of land ownership, so no more war deeds are issued. Those who served in the military make up the new Kura class.

 Poyazuni display some of the same elements of animistic belief as the Namujans.  A common greeting is "agao's bolcan's slav" which means "to the wind, to the volcano, and to the mountains."  This is a blessing on the three-fold elements in Namujan belief.
Other Foundations Capability Martial
Warrior prowess is the most respected single attribute of any individual, male or female, in Namujan society. This ideal has carried over in Poyazuni society. Non-Namujans are accorded respect if they can demonstrate their warrior prowess.
Capability Magical
Magical talent, either mystical or spiritual in nature, is highly respected in Poyazun, and can be regarded almost on a par with martial ability in some situations.
Magic is the one pursuit that can most easily lead to upward mobility.

Spiritual sensitivity is only a source of status if the adept works their magic with the blessing of Langranen, or if the spirit mage is a rune mage. Otherwise, spiritual talent is a source of distrust or hatred.

Sorcerous ability is regarded as a source of great power, and any Poyazuni sorceror will be an instant celebrity.

Psychic talent is not generally additive to status
Wealth Material
Poyazun is a trading center, and thus any display of material wealth is taken as a sign of status.

Personal Freedom
Vertical Aspects Horizontal Aspects

 

Hierarchy of Social Estates
Social Archetype % Pop Number Vocational Clusters Sample Occupation Status
Ruling Agency Political I Korvaylaza (Senators) 20
Ruling Political II Aztarawna (The three chief executives of Poyazuni Government) 19
Political III High Officers, prominent members of the Usalawir class. 17-18
Ecclesiastical I Preyaz (Supreme Lanranaza) 17
Political IV City Officials, Usalawir class 15-16
Privileged Merchant I Powerful and wealthy Merchants (Ostor class) 16-17
Arcane I Leaders of the Lawirsazir 15-16
Ecclesiastical II Powerful Lanranaza, High priestess of Kirsu 15-16
Warrior I War Leaders, Mercenary Captains 14-15
Merchant II Prosperous Merchants (Ostor class) 14-15
Arcane II Powerful Potagora (alchemists), Draadora (enchanters), Kalaza (Mystics), and Luvalaza (Herbalists). Any sorceror. 14-15
Labor I Wealthy Farmers (Ostor class) 13-14
Professional Merchant III Well-to-do merchants (Ostor), caravan masters, ship captains. 13-14
Ecclesiastical III Lanranaza (spirit priests), Powerful priests of Karatasan or Merochasan gods 13-14
Warrior II Distinguished warriors (Ostor) 13-14
Arcane III Potagora (alchemists), Luvalaza (herbalists) 13-14
Artisan I Celebrated Artists 13
Academic I Celebrated scholars 13
Warrior III Distinguished warriors (Kura), Proven warriors (Ostor). 12-13
Arcane IV Kalaza, Draadora 12-13
Artisan II Talented Artisan (Ostor or Kura) 12
Merchant IV Common Merchants (Ostor), or prospering merchants (Pobal class) 11-12
Ecclesiastical IV Priests of Karatasan or Merochasan gods 11-12
Labor II Freeholders (Ostor) 10-11
Academic II Scholars 10
Warrior IV Proven Warriors (Kura), Mercenaries 10
Artisan III Talented Artisan (Pobal) 10
Merchant V Common Merchant (Pobal) 9-10
Labor Labor III Caravaners, sailors 9
Warrior V Unproven Warriors (Pobal) 9
Artisan IV All other artisans 8-9
Labor IV Farmers (Pobal) 7-8
Labor V All other laborers (Pobal) 4-5
Labor VI Namujan Zhalla 3
Marginal Fringe I Smugglers 2-5
Fringe II Criminals 1
Fringe III Sridrazhtora (Necromancers, secular Spirit Mages) 0