Gusteko

The Holy Kingdom of Gusteko (グステコ聖王国, Sei Ōkoku Gusuteko), usually referred to as Gusteko (グステコ, Gusuteko), is one of the world’s Four Great Nations. It is a theocracy ruled by the Gustekan Church.

Geography
Gusteko is located directly north of the Kingdom of Lugunica, and east of Kararagi.

As it is located in the high north, Gusteko primarily has a cold climate in its central areas. The region is very mountainous, which, combined with the cold weather, makes it a very difficult environment to live in. Because of the year-round snowfall, only cold-tolerant crops can be planted. However, in the east of Gusteko lies the snowless Kanai Mountain, whereas the smoldering Jimuna Volcano lies in the west.

Culture
Molded by the harsh weather, among other unfortunate circumstances, Gusteko, as its complete name suggests, is a spiritual nation. Its national culture reflects the geography and history of the region.

People with dark or black hair tend to be rather alienated in Gusteko, as they are thought to be disliked by Spirits. It is also said that the women of Gusteko prize fair, snow-white skin.

Population
Information about the population is scarce, but it can be assumed that like the other three great nations, it has a human majority with a Demi-human minority. Though not technically "people", the many spirits count for subjects within the Holy kingdom.

Slavery is illegal in Gusteko. The Demi-Human War in Lugunica is said to have been a relatively distant event in the national consciousness of Gusteko, even during the war. However, this does not stop slavery from being an open secret, nor does it stop powerful people, including members of the Church, from illegally making others into their slaves.

It is also known that an extremely powerful individual known as the Mad Prince lives in Gusteko.

Government
Gusteko is a theocracy where the Gustekan Church, also known as the Holy King Church, holds a significant amount of power.

The ruler of Gusteko goes by the name of the Holy King and is selected by Odglass. It is mentioned that the race, blood and origin do not play any role when choosing who will become the Holy King. However, the Holy King is but an acting puppet; Odglass and the Church itself hold true dominion over Gusteko.

Unlike Lugunica's southern neighbor, the Sacred Vollachia Empire, the Holy Kingdom does not seem as ideologically opposed to warming relations with its neighbor. In time, events culminated in the marriage of the Viscount Misère, lord of Lugunica's entire northern region, and the daughter of Gusteko's archbishop.

Mages
Users of curse arts have historically resided in Gusteko.

Religion
Spirits are far more commonplace in Gusteko, than any other country, and thus, the reverence of spirits has become incorporated into the national teachings of the Gustekan Church. According to what the they teach, all life is equal, for there is no difference in value between human beings. Their doctrine further says that the permafrost of Gusteko is a trial given to its people by a greater being, and the only way for one's soul to feel peace in the afterlife is to endure said trials. These teachings are a salvation to many in the nation, who are driven to believe in something higher — in this case, Spirits like Odglass — as a result of the climate.

Odglass, one of the four Great Spirits, is revered as a deity in the country. For her friendliness and aid towards humans, she is known as the Church's Benevolent Mother. According to tradition, the one who selected the first Holy King was Odglass, therefore founding the country.

Economics & Currency
Instead of animal husbandry, there are many mountains in the steep mountains with magical ore, relying on the mining industry and dealing with magic ore to maintain national strength.

Military
While next to nothing is known about the Holy Kingdom's military, a specific group of individuals known as the Acolyte Knights (神殿騎士), executioners for the faith, are said to be on par with the Nine Divine Generals of the Vollachia Empire, in terms of strength and skill. All of them possess a unique Blessing similar to Elsa's–they're granted partial immortality, allowing them to survive fatal strikes. Each member of the Acolyte Knights seems to train with their very own special set of weapons such as dual katanas, whips of different kind, twin snake swords and others. Moreover, another group serving the Gustekan Church with the same type of Blessing as the Acolyte Knights. Known as Itinerant Preachers (巡回聖教師), this group both spreads the religion's teachings across Gusteko and take action against anyone who contradicts them.

History
As the founder of Gusteko, Odglass created a contract with a person known by the name Holy King, and now Odglass is associated with the election, also having the right to choose who the Holy King of Gusteko will become.

Many years ago, after the creation of the pact with Farsale Lugunica and Volcanica, curse art users moved to Gusteko from all over the continent. They were famous for killing people with various spells known as a Curse, however these are just a subclass of users of magic and spiritual arts of the place.

Locations
Glacia (グレイシア, Gureishia): Glacia, also known as the Holy City of Glacia (聖都グレイシア, Seito Gureishia), or simply the Holy City, is a city that lies at the foot of the Sacred Mountain Pardochia.

Sacred Mountain Pardochia (霊峰パルドキア, Reihō Parudokia): A mountain where one of the four Great Spirits, Odglass, resides. The Holy City of Glacia lies at its foot.

Inorandum (イノランダム, Inorandamu): Inoradum, also known as the Snow Field Capital of Inoradum (雪原の都イノランダム, Setsugen no Miyako Inorandamu), is a great city built on one of the largest hallowed lands within Gusteko. It is located in one of the snowiest regions of Gusteko; though, the effects of the cold are felt less in the city due to it being built on hallowed land.

Eternea (エターニャ, Etānya): Eternea, also known as the Spirit City of Eternea (霊都エターニャ, Reito Etānya), is a city located in northeastern Gusteko, near the Sacred Mountain Kanai.

Albis (アルビス, Arubisu): Albis, also known as the Glacier City of Albis (氷河都市アルビス, Hyōga Toshi Arubisu), is a city that lies beside the Sibarell Great Glacier.

Drisstay (ディリステイ, Dirisutei): Drisstay, also known as the Mountain Gate City of Drisstay (山門都市ディリステイ, Sanmon Toshi Dirisutei), is a city in the north of Gusteko situated near the Tekran Ravine in the Virga Mountains.

Zesperga (ゼスペルガ Zesuperuga): Zesperga, also known as the Torrid Hot City of Zesperga (炎熱都市ゼスペル, En'netsu Toshi Zesuperuga), is a city in Gusteko's humid west. It is located at the base of Jimuna Volcano.

Vast Eder Snowfield (エーデル大雪原, Ēderu Dai Setsugen): A vast snowfield that lies in the heart of Gusteko. The Snow Field Capital of Inorandum is situated in it.

Sacred Mountain Kanai (カナイ霊山, Kanai Reizan): A mountain located in the northeast of Gusteko, near the Spirit City of Eternea.

Great Sibarell Glacier (シバレル大氷河, Shibareru Dai Hyōga): A large frozen glacier that connects with the river Tigracy on the Gustekan side. The Glacier City of Albis lies near it.

Albis River (アルビス河, Arubisu Kawa): A river which originates from Kararagi and is for a small part located in western Gusteko.

High Virga Mountains (ビルガ高山脈, Biruga Kō Sanmyaku): A mountain range in the north of Gusteko, home to the Mountain Gate City of Drisstay.

Jimuna Volcano (ジムナ火炎山): A large volcano located at the west edge of Gusteko. It is in close proximity to the Sweltering Hot City of Zesperga.

Orcos Territory (オルコス領, Orukosu-ryō): A stretch of land that was controlled by the former Baron Victor Orcos. It was mentioned to border the Kenash Territory. The main stronghold of the Orcos family lay deep within the territory.

Kenash Territory (ケナシュ領, Kenashu-ryō): A stretch of land that was controlled by the former Baron Igor Kenash. It was mentioned to border the Orcos Territory.

Tekran Ravine (テクラン峡谷, Tekuran Kyōkoku): A ravine situated in the Virga Mountains.

Leanotte (レイアノット, Reianotto): A town in Gusteko. In the past, it was destroyed in an avalanche caused by the Ice Thieves. The town was later restored.