Dutchy of Estalia

Estalia is a Human Kingdom that is located east of Italy and in the region of Croatia.

The land of Estalia is not a unified one. Like Tilea to the south east, it comprises a number of minor city states, of which the largest are the states of Magritta and Bilbali. Unlike Tilea, however, the states are not continually at war with one another. Most of Estalia’s war efforts are concentrated against the Empire of Kandor, and (Find another enemy in Croatia) along their borders, rather than against the other principalities and kingdoms that cover the land.

Overview
Estalia is a land shrouded in mystery and myth. Very little is known of it elsewhere in Europe. It is cut off from Central Europe and Asia by the ranges of the Sierra del Draco running from north to south just to the east of Tobaro and the Sierra del Diablo running East/West almost to the sea. The mountains are infested with a wide range of monsters as well as renegade goblin tribes driven south by the orcs of Mordor. North of the Sierra del Diablo is the Rio Tigre which runs north to the sea.The river is a raging torrent during all seasons. Only one bridge crosses the river halfway between the mountains and the sea. The bridge is heavily fortified at both ends. To the east, the land is infested with the tribes of the ruthless and aggressive Basquoni. Land travel between Estalia and Europe is almost unknown except for occasional heavily armed trade caravans. Sea travel is equally perilous with pirates of all nations and Dark Elf raiders roaming along all of Estalia's coastlines. Though even on the doorstep of the Empire, Rome and Gondor to most inhabitants of Europe Estalia is as remote as fabled Cathay



Geography
As most parts of Europe Estalia is dominated by agriculture. Although not very productive, the peasants do their best to get at least the most basic food. Very little of the corn is exported from Estalia. The only noteworthy products that are shipped out of Estalia are wine, which is grown mainly in the hills near the west coast of Estalia, and leather. Especially Bilbali and Magritta got rich through trade which is done with Tilea, Nehekhara and Byzantine. Although the relations with Nehekhara are strained, at best, this has not stopped the merchants to import silk, herbs and perfumes from these distant lands.One speciality of Estalia is its bulls. Although also used as food, they play a great role in Estalian tradition. Twice every year bullfights take place in all towns and cities of the peninsula. The two biggest events are, of course, in Bilbali and Magritta. In most towns the bulls are taken out of the normal stock of cattle and the toreros are just young men eager to prove their manhood. In the cities, however, bulls are especially raised for these events and the toreros are professionals who, when victorious, enjoy great popularity among the nobility of the region.