Demographics Report

The Nation of Bismark

Summary Ecology
An island nation situated in the middle of the Great Dividing Sea, whose shoreline is largely that of cliffs. It is surrounded by a number of peculiar ocean currents that made navigation difficult for centuries without the magic of the Prowstones. These currents contribute to a very different environment than the land of Alftiaria or its Colonial Shore. Bismark has a warm, Mediterranean climate at the shoreline, but further inland it becomes increasingly desert. Vermin are a frequent problem there, and, particularly in the desert, wild animals can be dangerous. Only 75% of BismarkiI is inhabited, despite a fair share of natural resources, most of which are well-exploited at any event.

Magic
Magic is a well-known phenomenon among the elves of BismarkiI, but its professional use is seen only by a few, though it is by far more common among the urbanized elves than in the wild reaches. The root sources of magic are thought to be well-understood, but the elves lack a uniform theory of its development, citing different and often contradictory sources depending on which scholar trained the particular arcanists. Magic derived from natural and divine sources is also present, but far less common than arcane magic. Users of all magics are held in relative esteem. Enchanted objects are almost-ubiquitous among the upper class, but what few fall into the hands of the common folk are often of some aid to daily living.

Politics
Traditionally, Bismark has always been ruled by a monarch advised by a senate of noble families and the members of the Sacred Orders upper echelons. Recently however, the previous monarch, Petra ASilvanna, was murdered in a bloody coup that saw the sack of the August City of Amsher, the result of a civil war that started over the political status of half-elves within the Sultanate. In the resulting chaos, the senate elected Doirian Slater, the leader of the revolution, as Sultan. Dorian disbanded the nobility-dominated senate and demoted himself to the lesser title of Sheikh, a move that earned him massive popular support among the common folk but lessened him in the eyes of the nobility. This lead to the noble-houses naming Petras eldest daughter, Sayadina APetra, as Sultan. The Sacred Order, pleased with neither the renegade Sheik nor the over-young Sultan, appointed one of their own as Caliph. The three groups each take their seats in the districts of Amsher, and issue their own edicts, though the Sheikh is by far the most popularly-obeyed and widely supported. Another running problem is the matter of the Farah rat people, who also claim rulership of these lands, though the last five thousand years or so has seen them as slaves to the elves. At present, the situation is becoming more egalitarian, as discussions between the so-called Rat Prince Dommik and Sheikh Dorian continue.

Each of the factions has their own crests: The Sultan and her followers use the old seal of the senate, which is a fig among an olive crown; the followers of the Sheikh (including most of the old House Royal and House Militant) use the image of a shield of elfin make, and the followers of the Caliph make use of the sun.

Culture
The elves are host to a well-defined social structure that has gone through rigid periods, but is presently considered to be rather more fluid, as half-elves and Farah are folded into the existing political structure. Traditionally speaking, however, the divisions between class were very clear, with social class and often occupation remaining constant within a family line for centuries or more. Though all of the arts of the elves are well-developed, they are particularly known for their poetry. Cuisine places a grand emphasis on rich flavours, and meats are often secondary or tritiary elements in a given meal. Two meals are eaten in the run of the day. The evening entertainment almost always consists of music, whether they are the grand concerts attended by those of high station, or the evening gatherings of local storytellers. Songs are often of the history of both recent and past times. By contrast, athletics is widely respected among the BismarkiI and the seasonal Games at Amsher attract competitors and spectators from across the island. Although the elves are more egalitarian of late, they still suffer from rather strong discrimination along the lines of philosophy and religion, both of which are often sticking points in their interaction with outsiders, however superficially polite they may seem on the surface. Many bodily functions are often considered taboo, and there are various interactions that are forbidden as a result (eating with the left hand, for one example). Homelessness is a growing issue among the urbanized elves, and with the division of the state, it seems unlikely it is nearing resolution.

Religion
The religion of the elves of Bismark, shared by their half-elven cousins as well as the Ferrah, is monotheistic, and focuses on the worship of the sun-god, Theanekum (Domains are Law, Magic, Light, Knowledge), the traditional symbol of which has always been the sun over a stylized Palace of AmSher. The worship of Theanekum calls followers to be outward-questing, seeking to understand the world around them. Many homes contain shrines to Theanekum, and the homes of literate followers often find this shrine combined with a laboratory or library of some form. Theanekums followers believe that a good afterlife is possible, and is attained through knowledge and wisdom, which are prized. They believe that evildoers will be punished by being cast into a bitter limbo, from which no distinctions can be made, effectively ending their existence. Public worship of Theanekum involves solemn services of sacrifice in public spaces, though in the modern age the sacrifice is more frequently of some form of trade good than any living animal. The holidays of his religion are frequent and include commemoration of past martyrs, saints, prophets, and miracles. Major holidays, coinciding with the two solstices, are Theanekums Procession, in the week leading up to the summer solstice, and the Ascent from Ignorance, beginning on the night of the Winter Solstice. Both involve pilgrimages to the nearest large city temple, which can take the full week to complete in some cases. Clergy live an average lifestyle for people of the middle-class, but are chosen only from male, full-blooded elves. They function as spiritual advisors to the people, and are leaders in ritual. They are permitted to marry and raise

children as all men are, but must abide by a strictly vegan dietary code, and are subject to years of study leading up to their ordination. The religion itself has a main holy text which is widly-distributed among those who can read it, but much commentary on the same has been published and discussions among the Sacred Order result in frequent shifts of doctrine. At present, the creation myths are considered literal, and there is a belief that the universe was in a state of chaos before it drifted into order. Plants began to exist, from which the Elves were eventually created, under Theanekums express intervention. There are deadly sins connected to indifference to the suffering of others and to pride, though this has not created a truly egalitarian (or even roughly so) society among the elves, who are as proud and stiff-necked as any other race. High Virtues are placed on moderation, humility, abstinence, diligence, responsibility, honesty, thoughtfulness, and tolerance all with caveats and limitations. As might be expected, this religion is frequently taught in storytelling and parables Under the worship of Theanekum, persons are considered to be of age on thirtieth birthday, which in elven lifespan is more or less equivalent to the age of eleven, and the rites related to that age include declaring ones intended profession. Marriage is often done to gain social status, with the lower agent often being elevated to the status of the higher agent, and such marriages are arranged, sometimes from infancy, to both families benefit. These rites are attended only by close friends and family of the couple to be wed. Funeral rites are also in such limited attendance, and are performed after a period of mourning, during which the surviving spouse, parents, or eldest child is paid visits by other family members and given gifts of food and drink. Strong emphasis is placed on proper clothing, and styles are extremely modest. This religion is generally followed by the whole of BismarkiI and outsiders (including other elves) are often shunned.

Economy
Despite (or perhaps, as a result of) the political upheaval of the capital, trade is alive and well, especially since the development of the prowstones simplified trade with the Alfitarian Empire. The elves chiefly import raw materials, which they in turn use to produce fine works of art and arms. Since many of these works remain within the country, they trade at a slight deficit. The wealth is largely controlled by the state, which in this case are almost exclusively the Sheikhs followers.

Military
The military of Bismarkii is complex and well-historied, and of average strength, which is not surprising for a nation with a history of political upheaval. There are four key military factions: The Crimson Guard The mainstay of the old army, the Crimson Guard consists of roughly 5,000 men and women, organized in brigades made up of 5 troops of 140 soldiers. Within troops, the chain of command is relatively loose, and promotion is granted by officers above. At present, they are in the service of the Sheikh, safeguarding the capital of Amsher and the outlying areas, and remaining a constant threat against the Sultan and the Caliph. They are known for their red-and-brass armour and their skill with a javelin, as well as a certain reliance on devious tactics. The Surf Warlords Mercenary at best and pirate at worst, the navy of Bismark serves whoever they please at a given moment, and are famed for the speed and capacity of the ship. The marines of the Surf Warlords use bucklers

almost ubiquitously and said shields are the butt of many outsider jokes. They are mired in beaurocracy and are employed almost entirely in trade and the transport of troops for other groups. At time of writing, they are chiefly involved in policing the waters around the island for smugglers. The Grey Guard Practitioners of necromancy using rituals dating back to the founding of Amsher, the Grey Guard were known as guardians of last resort, and during the previous coup, they raised legions of already-fallen troops to combat the rebels. Despite the use of the dark arts, they are considered valorous, especially by allies of the current Sultan, under whom they are still employed. Many are nobles. Their cohort contains 5 sections of 500 soldiers, with strict chains of command, based chiefly on wealth. The Lawgivers Making up for their lack of numbers with talent and enchanted equipment, the eight Lawgivers are warrior-enforcers of Amshers laws. Essentially non-political, they keep the peace within the city, breaking up fights and watching over sanctioned duels. Each has a different weapon, and they often go simply by that as their name; for example, their leader is known as Lawgiver Scythe.

Demographics
The people of Bismark are almost entirely elves (see the table in the Dungeon Masters Guide for Isolated Communities for a percentage breakdown), and only 15% of the population lives within the city of Amsher. The majority are rural. Literacy is low at 5%, mostly nobility and their scribes. Families are often quite large, with wed couples having as many as 7 children on average (with just as many larger families as smaller).

Prestige Classes
None at time of writing.s