Belshai: For mark

[Warmaster]

I was just reading the historical atlas and this little country suddenly intreagued me. how much information do you have on it zomp? as it really intrests me how this little multi-ethnic country actually exists. the main question is what is the most used language there? and is there an "official" one? its is described, for the want of a better word as a "paradise" compared to the states around it.

[zompist]

This came up on the old board... my answer then was:

There are at least half a dozen languages spoken in Belshai. There really is no common language, but multilingualism is common, and the most-spoken languages are (forms of) Sevisre and Lenani. Educated people may also know Tzhuro or Xurnese. So it's not very hard to get national business done, or do some trade.

Multi-ethnic states can be a political disaster (Austria-Hungary), but sometimes they allow a burgeoning of cross-cultural ideas. The founders of Belshai, of course, just wanted mutual protection in a region that three or four civilizations considered their backyard. But the federalism, mutual respect, and mixing of peoples was just the right thing for the beginning of the modern era.

[Warmaster]

Ah thanks. i thought i'd looked through all the posts on the old board, but i must have missed this