Gulparia

Geography and climate
The far north west portion of this nation is the edge of the Setsu desert. This quickly becomes a thorn steppe which covers the western and southern portions, forming a kind of crescent around the Dead Woods, which log ago were part of the Whiteoak Hardwood Forest. Gulparia has a long summer featuring a very warm climate and moderate rain in the winter and spring seasons. It almost never has snow.

History
Gulparia was once part of the Eastern Kingdoms of Man with Otore, Rak'ang Ridge, Drald Territory, and the Duchy of Coterii. At that time the region that was acknowledges as Gulparia also included what is today the Barony of Liefen. At the death of the Emperor in 4500, Gulparia immediately began discussing independence. The King in Dragonhall sidestepped Countess Sasha Viklov, who he did not trust, and negotiated with the families controlling the Whiteoak Hardwood Forest. This caused a split in Gulparia, with the part remaining in the Eastern Kingdoms of Man being renamed the Barony of Liefen. A treaty was set establishing the boundary between these nations at the western most living Whiteoak Hardwood.

This boundary remained settled for more than 50 years, even as the trees on the western boarder of the forest began to die, allowing Gulparia to expand. In 4553 the new leader of the Barony of Liefen accused Gulparia of intentionally killing the trees and immediately declared war. The Whiteoak War, as it was called, lasted until the leader of the Barony of Liefen died from seeming natural causes. It is whispered the Countess's agents caused this to happen and the trees continued to die.

By 4578 the line of dead trees was two miles past Otodea shifting that city to the control of Gulparia. A year later the countess made it her new capital, shifting from Turnu Kiu, and had a second shadow fortress built there.

By 4717 boundries of Gulparia included Gulari and they built Rargu Pass on the newly acquired land.

Government
The government is lead by the powerful vampire Countess Sasha Viklov. She rules each of the cities through human, and usually fearful, Burgermeisters. The reason they are fearful is because they are appointed, and they can't refuse. Also, they are under the close watch of the Countess's agents. A twisted race of vampires, which live beneath the streets. In Gulparia the agents are everywhere forming a massive information network, which have been the eyes and ears of the hidden Countess for more than 400 years.