Gracia

Gracia, The frozen champion of the Old World. The country has the most land and economic power and puts the aristocracy at the top. It once had a century-long war of independence with Patria, and continues to conduct trade negotiations with the Patria's North region of a hundred years later.

Map of Gracia.

Summary

Gracia is The oldest and most powerful nation in the Old World. Gracia encompasses more territory than any other country in the Old World, though it still cannot compete on that score with Patria. Even as industrialization advanced, the culture of the aristocracy stubbornly remains. Commoners are permitted to vote in elections, yet defacto control of the government is in the hands of the members of a few bloodlines.

The Industrial Revolution was expected to upend the dominion of the aristocracy's vested interests, but in fact it worked to benefit of the nobles, who had the assets and education to furnish equipment. It only heightened to divide between the haves and the have-nots. The dominant faith is Aletheian. The Aletheian Church claims almost all aristocratic government officials, and has great influence in public affairs.

In the Patrian War of Independence, Gracia sent a fleet to put down the revolt, but it was only a small fraction of the national armada. Even now, a hundred years later, speculation continues as to the reason: Was it because of domestic political squabbles, or perhaps an overestimation of their military might? Gracia still trades actively with the North. It is as if this ancient enmity is water under the bridge.