Pieda (State)

Pieda, alternatively known as Grand Maeffrai, is a state in Omnia that borders Aurelia to the west, the Kaelmar province of Eastbay to the east, The Great Bay to the north, and the Scourged Lando the south. Although it has a strong seafaring culture, it is primarily a land power, gaining tolls from land travel across Omnia. Its capital is the eponymous city of Pieda.

History
Before The Scourge, Pieda was one of a number of minor city-states along the coast of The Great Bay. After the fall of Lyndrast to the south, it was left in an advantageous position. The Isthmus it sits on was then, as now, the only safe route between the east and west halves of Omnia. At its smallest, all travelers must go through an area no greater than 5 miles in width. This reality was what caused the construction of Pieda's Gates, making the government fantastically wealthy.

The newfound wealth went towards conquering the lands of the Lyndrast Isthmus in the south. The effort has required the extensive work of soldiers and contract fighters to rid the area of its monster infestation.

Politics
Pieda is a constitutional monarchy. Power is divided between the __________ Royal Family and the legislature.

The state's voting population is divided into three main factions, the Wolf Faction, the Porcupine Faction, and the Salmon Faction.
 * The Wolves believe in expanding the state southward into The Scourged Lands.  They are made up of adventurers looking for glory, businessmen in search of new resources, and those looking to resettle the Lyndrast Isthmus and beyond.  They are quite fond of the old Elven ways of Lyndrast.  This sympathy extends to elves across Omnia.
 * The Porcupines support the status quo of collecting tolls from Pieda's Gates.  They often propose social programs with that income, and they support a strong army to maintain its position.  When dealing with other states, they use Pieda's central position in Omnia to emphasize their importance in trade.  Their support comes from the Army, the merchant class, and the poor.  Their resistance to change endears them to the established power of the Republic of Kaelmar, as well as to Aurelia, their western neighbor.
 * The Salmon believe that the future of Pieda is in building the Maeffrai Canal.  This would connect Lake Maeffrai to The Great Bay and the Gulf of Benelain.  By allowing sea travel through the center of Omnia, they could make Pieda a naval and trade power.  They are made up of the Navy, sailors, mages, and a number of small fields.  As a faction pushing a longshot idea, they find themselves drawn to The Kingdom of Comer.  They believe that they could work together to oppose the Republic of Kaelmar, who they see as too controlling over The Great Bay.

Geography
Pieda occcupies the only safe land path between the two halves of Omnia.

Notable People

 * Ella Karstus: Daughter of a Kaelmin ambassador who defected to Pieda.  She served as a diplomat to Kaelmar before defecting and joining the Salmon Faction.  She sailed off for a voyage north, and has not been seen since.

Points of Interest

 * Pieda's Gates
 * Lake Maeffrai