Jadali: A Wiki-Style Entry

Jadali is a large island country situated 12 miles east of Kiillaana and a fair distance west of Cayadora. The name of the country itself comes from an ancient Catin word meaning "together" or "blended/intermixed." The native inhabitants of Jadali are called Jadali-Kiillra, meaning that they are a blended race originating from Kiillaana. True, pure-blooded Jadali Kiillra have, like many famous bloodlines, a mark in their eyes to denote their lineage. In this case, their right eye is blue and their left eye is brown.

History
Main article: The History of Jadali

The large island off the eastern coast of Kiillaana was uninhabitable due to extreme weather- a barrier placed upon it by Jinjo who created it, later removing it and gifting the island to Terabi and Osai for the purpose of creating a country, race, and culture as a representation of their friendship. In the year 1019 of Kiillaana's creation, 13 people (6 young couples and one Man of Osai) were personally chosen and gathered in the Kiillaanian capital of Tevernid and instructed to travel northward along the coast until they arrived at the city of present-day Taleah. From here they gathered everything they would need and took a boat to Jadali, landing in Leena Eithre-Resa. From here, the 13 were personally transfigured, all given their distinctive eyes, Sorela blood (which several already had), a unique mix of Catin and Kiillaanian traits, and were imbued with the language of Keòen (a blend of the Catin and Kiillra languages with a different syntax). This new race was divided by the couples into 7 crests, with the Eldin's being Freloch. His daughter became the first Lochgren. All of the crests were passed down by birth except the Freloch crest, which was given to those who dedicated their lives to the building and formation of the capital and its buildings. The capital of Jadali is on the opposite side of the island from the original landing site. It is called Leena and contains Dahsir Castle, the Great Law Hall of Jadali, University of Leena, the history center, and many other official buildings.

A list of the original 13 Jadali-Kiillra representing the 7 crests:

Isiador Freloch
Barthàl and Akèli Lochgren
Saldin and Iria Lochmont
Henal and Tania Balthòr
Kalo and Aranel Hieldin
Eahron and Nathàli Montàlo
Viervan and Sofia Ardin

Jadali is known for its heavy cultural emphasis on nature, love, and compassion and is heavily Terabi-oriented. However, the people are also Osai-oriented; it seems lopsided because Terabi didn't have any place dedicated him until Jadali was formed, while the entire city of Rihanu was turned to Osai. Therefore, Terabi is more prominent in Jadali.

Government

Jadali is unique in the fact that it is ruled by a Man of Osai, known as the Eldin of Leena. This was a promise made by Osai when the original 13 were transformed. The Eldin of Leena resides in Dahsir Castle. As Osanokai live much longer than others, there have only been 9 rulers of Jadali, despite the fact that it is almost 1,000 years old.

List of Eldins:

Isiador Freloch- 984-1120
Kalo Freloch- 1100-1239
Drakon Lochgren- 1223-1364
Arador Montalo- 1342-1479
Meiro Bhangren- 1460-1583
Riedlan Migala- 1559-1690
Trevin Riedlore- 1670-1805
Lore Hieldin- 1792-1928
Ilonwyn Lochmont- 1908-Present

As the younger Osanokai ages he is taught in the ways of governing the country and there is always a period of roughly 10-30 years where both Osanokai occupy Dahsir Castle at the same time. Dahsir Castle is the meetingplace of the representatives from each province as well as ministry officials during their bi-annual meetings.

Each province has a local ministry that comes together at Dahsir Castle at least twice a year (more depending on the position) to discuss government business. These figures are often celebrated by the people and well-loved. Every decision is overseen by the Eldin but the local leaders are somewhat free to enact regional rules.

Military Involvement

The Jadali-Kiillra have always remained loyal allies of both Kiillaana and Catarika, since they are a meld of those two races. Throughout history Jadali has raised up armies and navies to keep order in their own land but mainly to send to Kiillaana as needed. Many soldiers and warriors were sent from Jadali to the Kiillaanian capital of Tevernid to fight in further battles with other countries. Lots of these men and women stayed in Kiillaana, eventually heading west along the Wise Trail and settling a city about 20 miles west of Tavener along the massive maple forest which they called Tarra. They further traveled deep into this maple forest, establishing Dahhod and later Yofreya, the Jadali Quarters of Kiillaana (outside of the eastern coastal states). In addition, many Jadali were sent to Catarika for service there and went onto establish Andaradd, the Jadali Quarters of Catarika, northeast of Rihanu.

The most notable service done by Jadali-Kiillra was their role in The Great Battle (also known as Terabi's War) which lasted from 1354-1360 and took place very near Jadali in the very northern and east parts of Kiillaana. The Jadali lent their services in 1358 under the command of 16-year-old Arador Montalo, the Osanokai next in line to become the Eldin of Leena a few years later, succeeding Drakon Lochgren. The Jadali made up a huge part of the army that would go on to eventually defeat the enemy powers with the aid of Terabi himself.

Environment

-Provinces
Jadali is divided into seven provinces, named after the seven crests, signifying the areas of the country that family members initially went to after about the third generation. Because of this, the most common last name in any province will match (the most common crest in the Hieldin province is Hieldin and so forth). Each province has about 40 cities except for Freloch which only has a handful of cities but also houses the capital and the country's university, taking up lots of land. Each province has a capital city where all provincial matters are housed and directed. The capital city is also the home of the local ministry which sends its officials to Leena at least twice a year to meet with the Eldin and discuss government-related things. The capital, in every province, happens to also be the largest city.


-Geography
Jadali is quite diverse in geography. Traditionally the land is divided into three sections: First, the heavily forested and hilly southern region dotted with both smooth beaches and rough coastlines that make up the provinces of Lochgren, Freloch, Lochmont, and Balthòr. Second, the tall, rugged mountains and large valleys that make up the provinces of Montàlo and Hieldin. Third, the very flat farming land north of the mountains which the province of Ardin fully encompasses. The large and flat expanses of land are used for the raising of livestock and the farming of crops which are traded for other goods. No section of Jadali is isolated; the most common mode of travel from the northern part of the island is by boat, followed by horse or ox. Several rivers run through Jadali with the largest and most well-known being the Ried Bhroch (Red River) which runs from Hieldin through Balthòr, Lochmont, and Freloch, exiting into the Cayan ocean just south of Dahsir Castle in a brilliant waterfall over the dark, rocky coast.





-Climate
Jadali is located along the strip of the earth that encompasses wild jungle life. The areas closer to sea level remain fairly hot, averaging 80 in the summer, 40-60 in fall and spring, and 30-40 in the winter. Snow seldom falls in the lowlands but such occurrences are not rare. In the mountain regions the weather is about 20 degrees cooler and large snowfalls in the winter are common.

-Biodiversity
Jadali is home to several species of plants found nowhere else in the world. Many of these are gifts from Terabi and Osai to make Jadali self-sufficient. Several herbs grow wild and in gardens used to make potions to treat a variety of things. Several jungle trees grow as well as maples, oaks, palms, and other tall trees. The animal life is a lot less but contains typical jungle and forest animals and has lots of horses, cows, oxen, goats, chickens, and the like.

Demography

-Ethnicity/Immigration
Jadali had closed borders for 20 years, opening them in 1040 after the third generation was starting to be born among the 13. At that time, a large number of Kiillaanian people who felt drawn to the land moved there. Over time, the number of people immigrating to Jadali has been far less than those leaving for cities like Andaradd and Dahhod, keeping the pure-blooded Jadali race alive and growing. Today, a majority of the population is pure and can trace their full and often complicated lineage back to the original 13. Several Kiillanian, Catin, and non-pure Jadali Kiillra live in Jadali and enjoy the country's unique culture as much as everyone else. If a Jadali-Kiillra marries and has children with someone who is not pure, they lose their two-colored eyes. However, there are several famous nonpure crests that do have unique markings in their eye such as the Loch crest which has green eyes.


-Language
Main article: A Guide to Keòen Pronunciation
The language of Jadali is called Keòen and is, in essence, a blend of the Catin and Kiillra (now extinct and replaces with Kevian), the two languages that make up the Jadali-Kiillra. However, Keòen uses a much different flow and several different sounds than Catin and Kiillra alone. It is also known as one of the only Aural Languages, meaning that the idea comes merely from the speaking of the words rather than the words themselves. Because of this, Keòen can be understood by someone who does not speak it, called the Gift of Jadali.

-Education
The school year in Jadali is very different from schools in any surrounding country. Instead of starting in September the school year starts on January 1 (or the 2nd or 3rd if this day falls on the weekend) and schooling begins the year that students turn 5 (essentially a year earlier than schools in Kiillaana and Catarika). Since Jadali is not industrialized students learn many more things than in other countries. The school year is divided into three periods of four months each with the majority of heavy learning taking place in all months but summer months. Every third week has either half days or no school and the months from May through August are half-days or no school. At the age of 13/14 students have the option to attend high school in Kiillaana if they so choose, attending nearby Taleah High School.

If a student chooses to attend Taleah High School, they must take courses in their home town school called Kiillaanian Studies to teach them life in an industrialized world so they know what things like electricity and cars are before they arrive. Since it takes the good part of a day to travel from Jadali to Taleah and back again all Jadali students stay throughout the school year with host families, known as sponsors. Most of the families living in Taleah are signed up and have preparations made for students to stay with them. Many students become very close with their sponsors and enjoy each others' company. Most students travel home on the weekends or extended holidays as well. Each year about 75 students from Jadali go to school in Taleah.

Students that do not attend Taleah High School either attend their local high school or attend boarding school at University of Leena which also contains a large national high school. Jadali students graduate the year that they turn 18, which totals to 14 years of schooling. After high school many go on to obtain mastery and double mastery in a variety of skills ranging from cooking to art. All mastery certification takes place at University of Leena or, if the skill is one like ranching, a panel will travel to their home for certification. As Jadali has no electricity or factories, everything is handmade and an enormous array of skills are available to choose from.

Culture

-Music
Jadali is well known for placing music above every other form of art and communication, believing that music is one of the most powerful forces in the world, ranked just below love. Jadali is probably most famous for its irregular 7/8 dance meter (the 7 beats represent the 7 crests), called the Keòen Dance. Several dances have been written around this unique meter of 2+2+3. In addition, several beautiful melodies have been composed by the musicians of the times and are sung often.

Two instruments were invented and evolved in Jadali that define the country's sound: Ddachàr (oboe), a double reed instrument; and Bharchai (flute) a keyed pipe. Other instruments such as brass horns and bowed strings made their way to Jadali from Catarika and Kiillaana, coming together to form full orchestras that perform in large music halls and the many resonant caves that dot the Jadali landscape.

Manuscripts of pieces from the country's early age is still preserved in the history center and shows a love for both dong and dance. Every city has some sort of ensemble and nightly concerts entertain natives and visitors alike.

-Art
There were several visual artists throughout Jadali's history, the most popular being versed in the skill of Art Metal. These artists made things like pendants, rings, necklaces, and other jewelry in addition to larger works like statues, railings, and decor. Others entered the art of carving, since stone is the primary building material of Jadali, and several metal-cast or stone-carved statues can be found in every city, village, and town. Still others became masters of visual crafting such as weaving, knitting, painting, and the like. Visual art, like music, is a very important piece of Jadali culture and is celebrated often.

-Literature
Several great writers emerged from Jadali, bringing to the world stories, songs, and extremely detailed journals. The most famous literary writer in Jadali history is Mera Visi, a Terabikai who lived among the country's 100th-200th years. Receiving instruction from Terabi himself, Mera Visi wrote a daily journal of not only experiences of the Realm but also of the people, places, thoughts, and dealings of his time, inspiring several others to do the same. All of his original manuscripts have been preserved and reside, in their original bound books, in the history center of the University of Leena. Thanks to his work there are several full diaries and journals of people from all walks of life, giving a very accurate picture into the lives of the people of such a unique country. All works are handwritten and only seldom copied by scribes or rare printing presses. Today, with the help of Kiillaana, it is much easier to publish many copies of stories and documents.

-Entertainment
The Jadali-Kiillra are for the most part a social people and enjoy being together. Therefore, large social gatherings such as festivals, concerts, readings, and dances are common and highly favored. Small towns often hold weekly parties and concerts at the local pub in which song and dance unites everyone like family. Many places, especially in the rancher regions like Ardin, olympic-style games are held periodically, demonstrating fitness and skill in a social setting. Other more solitary entertainment activities include rafting down sections of rivers, sledding, whale-watching, surfing, and a host of small playground games. Children are taught many songs and dances and will often make their own, creating new ones that may become national favorites.