Leader Name: Eckhart Klein
Leader Description: A short man, like many in Grauerstein, Eckhart Klein is a Master of Logistics, the mastery earning him his seat on Grauerstein's High Council, and the subject of mastery making him the unofficial leader of it. With a muscular body, black hair, and a full beard; he somehow cuts a fierce appearance in spite of his diminutive stature.
Country Name: Grauerstein
Country Description:
Grauerstein is located on the peninsula to the east of Icthos. It is a very mountainous region, with very little forest or viable farmland, but plentiful mineral wealth. Of particular note, is that to the northeast of the nation is the volcano-island of Vulkaninsel, the ash from it from rendering what little farmland Grauerstein has very productive, but not enough to provide for the nation. Unfortunately, the sparse forests leaves little timber available for ships for a fishing fleet. However, Vulkaninsel has provided once again, the vast amounts of pumice formed from volcanic eruptions over the centuries a constant source of stone light enough to float, and Grauerstein's stone fleet is very distinct and notable. The difficulty and shear waste produced by carving a ships hull out of stone limits the size of the fleet, with most vessels serving as fisher and trade ships to help feed the population.
Grauerstein's military is highly specialized for fighting in the narrow mountain passes, relying on a heavy iron-clad phalanx backed up by crossbowmen, the immobility of their formations a relative non-issue when flanking is nigh-impossible with the mountain slopes. It's navy is small, due to the difficulty in carving a stone ship, and the need for fishing and trade vessels. On top of that, the minimal timber supplies have rendered repair material in short supply, often necessitating the mass dumping of cargo after a battle to allow the natural buoyancy of pumice to keep the crew dry.
The Capital City of Steinbucht is located to the west of Vulkaninsel, on the eastern shore of the cove. Built mostly out of the carved grey stones that gave the nation it's name, this city serves as the hub of trade with the rest of the world, often trading metal and stone goods in exchange for food. The Cove forms a natural shelter against naval raids, and the mouth of the cove has great twin fortresses to make a direct naval assault on Steinbucht outright nonviable.
Government/Culture:
Grauerstein is a Meritocracy, where one's individual contribution determines their position in society, with the overall ruling body being the Council of Masters, where every member is among the Best of the Best at their trade. Apprenticeship's are commonplace, and beggars are rare, as there is always room in the pumice fields and mines throughout the mountains. The people themselves tend to be unusually short, however.
The currency consists of a system of engraved stone credits, with stone type determining its value. The government buys most goods as they are produced, and puts most of those goods on the market for the same value.
Starting Unit: Master Metalsmith
Oh right, use grey as my color.