each of the six colors and the dragon symbol represents one of the tribes of Balak Grokug
Introduction to Balak Grokug:
The 'nation' of Balak Grokug is actually a tribal confederation defined as one nationality by the shared language of Grokugblas ('Peoplespeak'.) Though culturally similar enough to be recognizable to the uneducated eye, the individual tribes of the Grokug ('People') each have their own identity, and each has its quarrels with the rest. Despite this, the Grokug have formed a loose agreement which provides for a central government, in which tribal loyalties remain strong.
The culture of the Grokug is not well understood by outsiders. Tribal disagreements are frequent and often bloody, making military readiness much more important in the tribal regions than, say, technological advancement or class equality. Because of this, the Grokug are a somewhat technologically and economically backward people.
A strictly defined shaman class maintain significant amounts of power on the tribal level, though they hold no official duties in the government of the Grokug. The religion of the Grokug varies across the tribes, and so is another common point of contention.
The average Grokug is most likely to lead a short, poor, and violent life. The warlike tendencies of the tribes leads to a relatively stable, if small, population, and the Grokug for the most part are quite content to remain isolated from Balamb Haven and the world at large.
Language of Balak Grokug:
Grokugblas, or 'Peoplespeak' is a linguistic anomaly specific to the tribes of the Grokug, and not spoken natively anywhere else in Balamb Haven or, indeed, the world. The origins and evolution of the language are largely unknown, and Grokugblasian words bear little resemblance to any other major tongue.
Naming conventions in Grokugblas are fairly simple. A given name is the first piece, and a patronymic name follows. The gender denoting gro (male) and gra (female) prefixes allow for distinction when given names are not telling. An example of the naming structure: Burz, a male Grokug whose father was also named Burz, would be named Burz gro-Burz. Generally the father's name is the furthest extent that this is taken, though for formalities it may be extended further, eg. Burz gro-Burz gro-Jar, etc.
Geography of Balak Grokug:
Map of Balak Grokug
Relative location:
southwest Balamb Haven, not far west of the Corsair Islands, far south of Pythria
Neighboring nations:
unclaimed land to the west, no others
Terrain:
high mountains in the Balak Range in the Balakdon and Grona tribal regions make their way into foothills and plains moving north and east. Though the mountains are sparsely vegetated due to elevation, the foothills are thickly forested.
Climate:
cold climate dominates the mountainous regions of Balakdon and Grona due to high elevation. Closer to the coasts, a temperate climate is found.
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bol Wa (Great Ocean), 0 m
highest point: Ra Balak (Mount King), 7,483 m
People of Balak Grokug:
Population:
~50,000,000
Nationality:
noun: [the] Grokug ('the People')
adjective: Grokugian
Ethnic groups:
- 30% Balakdonian
- 20% Regnian
- 14% Grona
- 12% Balagrokalan
- 9% Lurian
- 8% Graznyzi
- 7% Ardenese
Religion:
HUGE WORK IN PROGRESS
Languages:
Grokugblas, English
Government of Balak Grokug:
Country name:
conventional long form: The Community of Balak Grokug
conventional short form: Balak Grokug
local long form:Drezka Balak Grokug
local short form: Grokug
Government type:
tribal confederation
Capital:
Balakgroz
Administrative divisions:
7 tribal regions; Arden, Balagrokala, Balakdon, Graznyz, Grona, Lur, Regno
Suffrage:
by military service
Executive branch:
head of state: Chieftain of the People (Ra Grokug) Burz gro-Burz, elected by the Tribal Council for life
head of government: Burz gro-Burz, head of state is head of government
cabinet: Tribal Council, one representative elected by each Tribe for life or until replaced
current:
Arden: Galag gro-Burnoz
Balagrokala: Rus gro-Kalak
Balakdon: Ugar gro-Redra
Graznyz: Ugar gro-Graar
Grona: Vim gro-Nordo
Lur: Kalash gro-Malak
Regno: Galag gro-Galag
elections: the Ra Grokug is elected at the death of the previous Ra Grokug by the Tribal Council. The Tribal Council is comprised of seven members, one from each tribe, whose terms are for life, unless their tribe sees fit to unseat them by popular election
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Balakim (Mountainvoice, 35 seats; 28 appointed by the Tribal Council for 4 year terms, and 7 appointed by the Ra Grokug for 5 year terms); and the Grokugkim (Peoplevoice, 70 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for 5 year terms.)
Judicial branch:
the Ra Grokug may hear appeals, or defer them to any member of the Tribal Council, or to the Balakim as a whole.