Gaellicia

The United Kingdom of Gaellicia (Rìoghachd Aonaichte na Gaellicia), colloquially referred to as Gaellicia, is a country located in $place on the continent of $Europa or Argis. In broad strokes Gaellicia’s terrain comprises lowlands, highlands, islands, and mountains. Gaellicia is a union of four historical nations, the Kingdoms of Prettaney and Gael, Ilwyn, and the assorted tribes of the indigenous Nunuit people. These four constituent countries are the basis of the nation’s four administrative divisions, Siorrachds.

Geography

Terrain

Gaellicia’s has approximately 240,000 square kilometers of land mass. It comprises craggy and duney coast, fertile marine lowlands, highlands, small stretches of coniferous forests and temperate woodlands, mountains, tundra, and collected islands.

There are many bodies of water in Gaellicia, the majority of which are fed by glacier and mountain snow melt. The nation’s rivers are known for their cold temperatures. Many long thin lakes and sea inlets, known as lochs, cut and separate the nation’s terrain. Gaellicia has three major rivers that connect lochs to each other and to the sea. They are the Sil, the longest in the nation, the Cumberland, the only entirely navigable river, and the Bryn. The Sil river notably connects Loch Carolinea to Cath Bay. Above Loch Carolinea the Sil is not navigable by vessels larger than personal paddle craft as it rapidly increases in elevation.

Natural Resources

Large populations of fish congregate on the nation’s coasts and internal bodies of water, with salmon being the most popular and numerous catch. The rolling hills and valleys of the lowlands provide the perfect cradle for Gaellicia’s agriculture. The region’s fertile soil produces enough crop yield to feed the nation. Long haired highland cattle and sheep are shepherded through the nation’s grass covered highlands and foothills. The mountains of Ilwyn produce coal and slate.

Demographics

Gaellicia has a population of approximately 40 million people. The major ethnic groups are Gael, Nunuit, and Ilwyn. In recent decades immigration has increased the presence of other ethnic groups within the nation, particularly in metropolitan areas. There are two official languages, Gaelic and Nuna. In Ilwyn a dialect called Bwrais is spoken. It and Gaelic are mutually intelligible.

Gael’s are the most numerous ethnic group totaling 59% of the population. Genetically Gaels tend to have pale white skin, though some have the ability to tan when exposed to sunnier climates. Gaels have straight, wavy, or curly hair that colors blonde, yellow, red, black, and brown. The most common eye colors are blue and green. Historically the Gael ethnicity arose from the intermingling of Pretans and Gelts.

Ilwyn are approximately 16% of the population. Ilwyn are genetically similar to Gaels, sharing Geltic ancestry. Ilwyn have pale white skin, with the ability to tan being a rare trait. Hair colors are blonde, yellow, red, black, and brown, however, the latter two are far more common than the fairer colors. The most common eye colors are black and brown.

Nunuit population numbers have increased following nearly a century of decline. The amount of Nunuit in the country is now a healthy 14%. Nunuit are completely genetically distinct from the Geltic Ilwyn and Gaels. Nunuit people are indigenous to the islands, coastal regions, and tundras of Gaellicia. Their skin ranges from red to lighter brown, eye color is usually brown and black. Nunuit hair is mostly coarse or wavy in texture and black in color. Historically the Nunuit have been underrepresented and even disenfranchised in Gaellician society. Nunuit culture is divided on whether it is more desirable to have an independent Nunuit nation or to be more equitably included in Gaellician society.

The remaining 11% of the Gaellician population is composed of various ethnicities due to immigration.

Siorrachds

The four Siorrachds of Gaellicia are self governing nations that together form the Rìoghachd. The Siorrachds are further divided into Cantons or in the case of the Nunuit lands, Eyjas.

Cities

There are $number of major cities. The national capital is Penzance. The Siorrachd capitals are Culloden for Gael, Cathures for Prettany, Beaumris for Ilwyn, and Tshiueten for the Nunuit lands. Other significant cities are…

Penzance is the nation’s capital. It is located on Loch Carolinea and the Sil River where the fertile lowlands meet the grassy highlands. Penzance comprises a 19th century planned core and an older portion built on the city heights and the remains of iron age earthen fortifications. The older section is referred to as the old city, or the àirdean cashel (cashel heights). Buildings that are hundreds of years old, narrow cobblestone streets, rocky vistas, and steep elevation changes are characteristic of this part of the city. Building materials here consist of stone, stucco, and in particularly old buildings, wattle and daub. The highest point in the city is commanded by Brig Speur (Sky Top) Castle. An iconic image associated with the city is yellow streetcars climbing through the narrow streets of the old city.

The newer city core dates to the 19th Century; Riog Dorian I ordered for its design and construction. At the time Penzance was struggling with overcrowding and hundreds if not thousands of years of haphazard planning. The new core of Penzance is a grand city with wide avenues, large road circles, squares and plazas, and deliberately plotted monuments and buildings. The staple building materials in this part of the city are brick, stone, and quartz. Architectural styles are primarily neoclassical, victorian, neo gothic, and beaux-arts. Penzance has earned the nickname of Baile Draoidheil (the magic city) due to its’ grand designs and in particular due to the Draiodhad (magic roadway) that traverses the city.

Culloden sits firmly in the highlands proper. Historically it was the heart of the Kingdom of Gael and continues to serve as the Siorrachd capital. Coastal city Cathures is notable for its natural deep water port on Cath Bay at the mouths of the Sil and Cumberland Rivers. Historically Cathures has been the major manufacturing center of Gaellicia, with factories and shipyards being the largest employers within the city. In the 21st century, Cathures has seen a decline in its two largest industries. Prettany’s capital is Stirling despite it being smaller than Cathures. Ilwyn’s capital is Beaumaris, notable for the heavy use of slate in its architecture. Offshore Tshiuetin serves as the seat of government for the Nunuit lands.