Kraiss is the country where Ikota takes place. They are the most technologically advanced and wealthiest country.

Contents 1 Climate 2 Geography 3 History 4 Religion 5 Government 6 People 6.1 Races 6.2 Culture 7 Country Relations 8 Festivals 9 Kraiss and the "Forsaken Epidemic" 10 Future 11 Comments

ClimateEdit

GeographyEdit

HistoryEdit

ReligionEdit

Over a hundred years ago, Kraiss did have one religion that was prevalent in their rural areas, but it is by now virtually extinct. The rest of Kraiss is against any sort of religious ideas because they believe it will corrupt them and take away from their productivity. As the cities spread, so did that idea, and the religion got abandoned in favor of maintaining focus on their industrialization.

GovernmentEdit

Kraiss' government is a plutarchy. This means they are ruled by a group of wealthy individuals, who are also highest in their social hierarchy. Nearly all of these individuals are company owners. Because of this, most of their decisions are based with their company interests in mind.

These individuals include Ridda Ziice (Northern Kraiss Train Co.), Josif Kinnton (Kinnton Gun Co.), Kaït Nammin, and Laatin Crii amongst a few others.

PeopleEdit

RacesEdit

The following races are native to Kraiss: Humans, Demons, Elves, and Kaztin. There is a growing population of Dragons who live in Kraiss while the Human population is depleting.

• Humans: 4%
• Demons: 24%
• Kaztin: 65%
• Elves: 2%
• Dragons: 5%
• Other: 1%

CultureEdit

Kraiss is often given a reputation as having "no culture", which is of course untrue. Kraiss believes in suppressing self-expression as much as possible because they believe it prevents progress. They believe if one gets too involved with their emotions, it leads to negative consequences - hate, revenge, lust, etc. This doesn't mean they act devoid of emotion, however. On the contrary - they often maintain an image of friendliness, confidence, and assertiveness. They are very good with their words and get along with other people of all cultures well. They will never say anything downright demeaning to anyone. If they do say something negative, it will be the most positive sounding insult one will ever hear. Their friendly demeanor, although convincing, is often only a facade. In a way, they are all like salesmen - they want you to like them, and they want you to want what they have to offer.

Public art is usually glorified images of technology and industrialization. Art is often either black and white or contains very muted colors. They do not want their work to evoke strong emotions. Any poetry, fiction, or art that is too opinionated, passionate, or against the norm are only found in underground publishing. It is not technically illegal to own or create any such material, but it is highly frowned upon and anyone who outwardly expresses an interest in such things would quickly become a social outcast.

Occasionally one hears of a Kraissian who had an emotional outburst - the individual almost immediately become a social outcast as well. If you can't control your emotions and passion past childhood - regardless of whether it was a positive or negative outburst - it is assumed you will never be able to. To become an outcast in Kraissian society is the worst thing that could ever happen to you. They are generally ignored by the rest of the population and treated as though they simply do not exist. Most outcasts end up committing suicide. Those who don't end up leaving their town or the country.

The only thing Kraiss loves as much as science is money because money funds their progress. There are many rich Kraiss families, and just as many who act rich. They like to spend extravagantly and their clothes tend to be heavily embroidered and colorful. Kraissians tend to be very proud and often arrogant. They are resourceful, pragmatic people who love all things efficient.

Most of their time is spent working or learning. They have a very high literacy rate and most of their citizens are formally educated. Games that Kraissians enjoy include puzzles, riddles, and card games where understanding mathematics is an advantage. They like games which challenge their mind and think any that do not are a waste of time.

In the past, there were conflicts between rural areas of Kraiss and urban areas. The rural areas resisted adapting to much of the technology the urban areas created and tended to be more emotional than urban citizens liked. However, Kraiss' urbans areas have expanded so much that there is little rural land left. Those that are rural have adapted to the mindset of praising industrialization.

Country RelationsEdit

• Matré and Kraiss have very good relations. Matré always had in interest in what Kraiss was up to, but through the last fifty years especially they have come to be heavily influenced by them. Eastern Matré especially the influence is very obvious in their cities, dress, etc. Most Matreians admire Kraiss as hard-workers. Kraiss sees Matré as a place primarily to do business with, but they do like the influence they have over their culture as well. Even though Kraiss is more advanced technologically than Matré, Kraiss would never attack them because Matré has four times their population and that terrifies them.

• Asfaran had little interest for Asfaran and Asfaran the same for them. Kraiss thinks of Asfaran as a "stubborn, backwater country" because of their government's initial refusal for what technology Kraiss had to offer. However, now that Kraiss has found a technology Asfaranians would be interested in (guns), their interest in the country has grown exponentially and they want to push their ideas to Asfaran in hopes of making a profit.

• Su'son

• Geirna

• Zuhon

• Jagery

• Vwatnam

FestivalsEdit

Kraiss has no official holidays. There are, however, local holidays which vary from area to area.

Kraiss and the "Forsaken Epidemic"Edit

Kraissians do not like to use magic, especially Kraissian Kaztins. For them, it was primarily only used for hunting animals or competition (racing or fighting in their animal form). This mostly occurred in the rural areas, and since the rural area has shrunk, less and less of Kraiss' population use magic.

While the rural areas were shrinking and their industries booming, children started to be born who don't have magic, despite their race. Kraiss has hardly given it a second thought and finds it "interesting". By now, 75% of all newborns will not have magic and 55% of the current living population do not.

Matré is now starting to have children being born without magic as well. Unlike Kraiss, they are concerned, and coined the term "forsaken" to refer to one without magic. A Forsaken cannot transform into their mahlik form if they have one. A Forsaken Demon cannot fly nor fight with magic, and a Forsaken Elf has no healing abilities.

FutureEdit

It has been predicted that within fifty years, all Kraissians will be Forsaken.