Central Gosterra

Central Gosterra
Image	Historical Baddaen A painting of Baddaen from around 200–300 ME
Location	Gostaldi Location Central Gosterra Location
Reagion	Gosterra
Capital	Bóinbile • Baddaen
Largest City	Baddaen
Population	2,350,000

Introduction

Central Gosterra is the central and most populous subregion of Gosterra. It holds the whole of the mainland Kingdom of Bóinbile and the northern part of the Heialdyn Stratocracy's province of Baddaen. It contains both national capitals: Bóinbile, the seat of the Kingdom, and Baddaen, the capital of the Stratocracy and the largest city in Gosterra. The first human settlers of Méniail landed at Baddaen in the Great Migration.

History

Landing and the early kingdoms

The Méniail armada of the Great Migration landed at Baddaen in 0 ME. Its settlers spread along the coast and up the river valleys, and Baddaen was founded as the first city in Gosterra in 45 ME. From about 90 ME the settlements gathered into small kingdoms. Bóinbile was founded on the Odhan in 125 ME, and in 151 ME the Kingdom of Bóinbile united central and southern Gosterra. Many of the settlers who later left Gosterra sailed from its ports, among them those who reached Balúrail in 201 ME.

Division

In 640 ME the southern duchies of the Kingdom rose in revolt, the Duchy of Baddaen among them, and the Free People's Army was formed. When the War of the Southern Duchies ended in 645 ME, the Kingdom kept the land north of the Eals River, and the Heialdyn Stratocracy took Baddaen and the land around its bay. The Eals has marked the border since.

Modern period

The first railway in Gosterra opened between Baddaen and Urbala in 848 ME. Bóinbile was linked to Uirsiriar in 856 ME, and the lines of the two states were joined across the border in 863 ME.

Geography

Central Gosterra covers about 68,800 mi² (178,300 km²). It runs from Mount Croan and the Yeege Peninsula in the north to Baddaen Bay and the lands south of it. The sea lies to the west. To the northeast the Aráinia Mountains separate it from Aráinia, and to the east and southeast the Bogh Mountains separate it from Khamria.

It is a green country of farmland, lakes and forested hills, with a cliffed coast broken by bays. The Odhan is its principal river; it flows west past Bóinbile and reaches the sea at Glibhe on Raos' Bay. Other rivers include the Malobh, which flows into Lake Malobh; the Bálg, which flows past Donga to Reas; the Eals, which runs from the coast at Muanal past Uirsiriar and marks the border with the Stratocracy; and the Ochi in the south. The largest lakes are Lake Uirssiais at Uirsiriar, Lake Leagh at Reas, Lake Duinear in Murbal and Lake Felm north of Baddaen.

The Scairiof Hills cross the center of the region, and the Baddaen Hills rise on the peninsula north of Baddaen Bay. The large forests are the Uiniac Forest in the center, the Grang and Meallum forests around Uirsiriar, and the Ardor Forest near Baddaen.

Climate

The climate is oceanic, with mild winters, cool to warm summers and frequent rain. Fog is common on the coast.

Goverment and Politcs

Central Gosterra is divided between two states.

The Kingdom of Bóinbile holds the north and center. Its mainland is divided into three duchies: Murbal in the north, Uiniac in the center and Uirsiriar in the south. The Kingdom's fourth duchy, the Goirleach Islands, lies offshore and forms a separate subregion. The capital, Bóinbile, is in Uiniac. Forts guard the coast and the approaches to the capital, among them Fort Mys, Fort Múnd and Fort Cealrus.

The Heialdyn Stratocracy holds the northern part of the province of Baddaen, which is run by the General of the Army. Fort Dungu guards Baddaen Bay.

The border between the two states is open.

Economy

The farmland supports cattle, sheep and grain, and wool is a major product. Fishing, shipbuilding and sea trade are major industries. The chief ports are Baddaen, Glibhe and Muanal, and Bóinbile is a river port on the Odhan.

Demographics

Central Gosterra has about 2,350,000 inhabitants, about 34 per square mile (13 per km²): about 1,650,000 in the mainland Kingdom and about 700,000 in the Stratocracy's part of Baddaen province.

The largest cities are Baddaen (about 320,000), Bóinbile (210,000), Glibhe (120,000) and Uirsiriar (85,000).

Most inhabitants are Gostaldi, who speak Gostaldi in the Kingdom and Heiosdyn in the Stratocracy. The Yeparchist branch of Tefar is the main religion.

Transportation

The main railway line runs south from Bóinbile through Eistirigh, Reas and Uirsiriar, crosses into the Stratocracy and continues to Baddaen and on to Urbala. The Odhan is navigable to Bóinbile, and coastal shipping links Glibhe, Muanal and Baddaen.

Culture

Central Gosterra is the heartland of Gostaldi culture and the seat of its monarchy. Wool and weaving are long-established crafts. As the site of the first landing, Baddaen holds a central place in the history of the human peoples of Méniail.