Vykaria

Geography
The land of Vykaria lies at the south pole of Arvald, and is widely considered inhospitable to other states due to the freezing temperatures, short growing seasons, and scarcity of fresh water. However, the Vykarian tribesmen have adapted to the harsh climate over thousands of years, and have several traits which allow them to thrive in the tundra environment. While the Vykarian society has remained archaic, lagging behind other nations in technological and economic development, the discovery of several Antartic trilite deposits has brought Vykaria into a new age of prosperity.

Diplomacy
The High Priest of Vykaria has encouraged a policy of isolationism in the past, only responding to exigent threats to the security of the Vykarian people. This is most notably accented by its neutrality in the Great War, which took place miles away, but the rapid militarization of Vykaria when the Aliks attacked. As of now, Vykaria holds no direct diplomatic relations with any state outside the tribes which compose the theocracy of Vykaria. However, should a foreign state wish to seek conversion to the Akylo faith, the people of Vykaria would readily open their arms to welcome both diplomatic and economic partnership.

Lore
The Vykarians are a tall, stocky, and pale race of Arvaldians who are specifically adapted to survive in harsh, frozen climates. Vykarians are a particularly superstitious and pious people, and remain in touch with the spirit world, or the "Kyma", through an animist meditation practice that was once used by many different peoples to augment the world and people around them. However, the Vykarians are the last remaining culture to who practice attunement with the Kyma. After the Great Prophet Laryk founded the Akylo faith, the followers of Akylo were united under a single state by Vykar, the first High Priest. While the Priest-Chieftans of each tribe serve as oligarchs and have some say in state affairs, the High Priest is the final arbiter of all political, judicial, and religious institutions.