Sel Gehana is an island colony of Illhad'or, located far to the north in the waters west of the Noravian coast.
Geography
Sel Gehana is a small archipelago, consisting of one large island with a few smaller islands at its tip. Its lands are hilly, even mountainous near the southwest region of the island.
Mt. Iniri
Mt. Iniri is the tallest peak on the island and an active volcano. Local spiritual groups equate the mountain with the Nine Hells, and as such it is often treated as a minor deity among native populations. While it remains active, it has not erupted in several thousand years.
A section of the mountain's interior is home to an incomplete Sanctuary.
Politics
Although it asserts its independence, Sel Gehana is recognized by Illhad'or as a holding of House Amaaril, and as such is formally ruled by one of the house's Secondes. While the Amaarils do not hold a military presence on the island, they keep a local council and maintain connections with other houses in order to supply resources to the settlement. Although most Amaaril officials live near or in the city of Karashai, some live in more rural areas to maintain the farmlands.
According to Seconde Alarias Imsedel, former governor of Sel Gehana, the politics of the island are nowhere near as contentious as the Illhad'orian mainland, partly due to its smaller population. However, the local population is inclined to look for political guidance from its religious leaders moreso than its state leaders.
Economy
While the island is primarily zoned for agriculture, most of the plants grown on the island are for non-edible export and very little of the products or their monetary value make it back to the Gehanians. Most of the goods available on the island are raw goods or those grown and collected locally for subsistence. Manufactured goods are rare, and often carry a high price to offset the cost of import.
Many locals on the island make their living either as textile workers (such as weavers, tailors, or those involved in the production and use of dye), fishermen, or artisans like jewelry-makers and spice grinders. While most locals are caught in the cycle of a failing economy, some, like Albrecht, have found a great degree of success after proving their talents to the Amaarils.
Culture
Sel Gehana is generally regarded as a friendly place, and its people are generous. Its society has few rules and is accepting of the island's disparate ethnic and racial groups. While much of the island's goods and information come from Illhad'or (or occasionally from neighboring Noravia), its people consider themselves to be wholly separate from these nations.
Religion
Worship of Asmodeus is the most common tradition on the island, encouraged by the near-rule of theocrat Queen Beshala who claims to be an aspect of the archdevil. In the absence of medical care and welfare programming, Beshala provides much of the hope and healing the community needs, so long as believers call upon her. Although her followers profess their faith to be in Asmodeus, their dedication to Beshala herself is strong enough that much of the population is willingly blind to the narcissistic folly of her assertion.
The Nine Trials
Conceived as a coming-of-age tradition for Gehanian youths, the Trials are a quarterly series of somewhat punishing challenges that children between the ages of twelve and fifteen undertake in order to be recognized as adults in Gehanian society. The challenges largely include environmental hazards – wild animals, volcanic phenomena, and so on – and although there is some variability in the Trials that are given each season, the first and last two are always consistent. Each Trial is designed to represent one level of the Nine Hells.
While children are undergoing this ritual, typically a three- to five-day period, they are shunned by the community and unable to communicate with adults outside of a number of masked volunteers who ensure the safety of children along the path.
In secret, however, Beshala largely uses this ritual to test the fitness of her followers as soldiers, and inducts those she sees fit into her own service.
Jalana's younger brother Mercy undertook the Nine Trials in Tarse'iel of 1347, along with his companions Kel, Sabi, and Saffron. With some assistance from Aurumvorax, the quartet successfully completed the ritual and rose to adulthood.
History
Sel Gehana was founded during the Morindal Dynasty as a penal colony, and was populated by Illhad'orian tieflings shipped to the island against their will. The island's previous population, if any, is unknown. Under the guidance of House Amaaril, its fertile lands were zoned for agriculture, primarily for the textile trade.
War for Independence
In 1347, closely following the New Years' conflict in Morravin, Queen Beshala called upon her followers to take up arms against Illhad'or, beginning with the Amaarils living on the island. Following the massacre, troops were sent toward the mainland in hopes of taking advantage of the chaos in Morravin.