Ivanstead

Appearance
It is a small but bustling town, buried deep in the Free Slopes region of Echnabalalil. In the middle of the town stands a large bronze statue, a well muscled man sitting bareback upon a massive galloping stallion. The town has a pastoral appearance, surrounded by vast tracts of grasslands. Two great airships are moored above the town, a rarity for such a small town, but a testament to their thriving economy and export. Everything in the town revolves around horses. The artisans work at saddle making, the blacksmiths on horseshoes, and the gamblers on the racing circuit.

History
The town was founded by Ivan Ivanoff Ivantsky. The beloved historical figure has become a legend within the town. He was the first man to catch, tame and ride one of the great Balalilean horses. His family domesticated the wild creatures; and began breeding them for their size, strength, endurance and speed. To this day, the various Ivantsky Balalilean breeds are virtually unmatched by any non-mythical equines.

Economy
The entire economy of Ivanstead is built upon the export of their horses and related equestrian apparel and paraphernalia. Their horses are sought after by the wealthy all over the world, hence the need of the two airships to deliver the animals. The town’s economy is thriving, with poverty being virtually absent in the area.

Relation with the Republic
Although falling under the jurisdiction of the Echnabalalil Republic, operation of the town occurs largely independently of them, with rule of the town being held by the Ivanstky family. The strong economy of Ivanstead earns the Republic a great deal of wealth through taxation, and hence they are willing to secede influence and control in exchange for a steady and income. The town rarely sees any official presence from the Republic beyond the taxman.

Demographics
Due to the legacy of Ivan Ivantsky, the name Ivan is associated with luck and fortune. For this reason, everyone in the town is known as Ivan (males) or Ivana (females). This often proves to be incredibly baffling for outsiders, however subtle differences in pronunciation and emphasis allow locals to call everyone by the same name without becoming confused. Furthermore, this naming convention is carried over to domesticated animals too, hence all exported horses bear the name Ivan. The town is relatively tolerant to orcs and maintains good relationships with the neighbouring tribes. There are a handful of orcish residents in the town, however most orcs prefer the tribal life to human society.

Military
Ivanstead does not maintain a Republic-sanctioned barracks, but rather a small civil force charged with protecting the town. This militia consists primarily of a cavalry unit known as the Knights of Ivan. They are a lethal and efficient force, believed to outclass professional Republic soldiers. They are able to move with great speed across the terrain of Echnabalalil, and the town has never been successfully raided, by either human or orcs.