Wispa is an island kingdom, small and separate and strange. They keep mostly to themselves, but you will find their representatives at foreign functions such as royal weddings, christenings, and peace meetings.
There are four rulers in Wispa; one main ruler, and the three who follow them. They are all of the same family; the rulers today are all descendants of the family who unified the islands generations ago. The eldest brother took control of the main island; his three siblings (two brothers and one sister) took the other islands. To this day, the eldest in the family inherits, regardless of gender, and other positions filled by the younger siblings.
The main island has final say in any decision; the smaller islands follow their orders, but have freedom to rule as well. Traditions and rules vary between the islands, despite their similarities. One island places far more importance on education and art. Another is militaristic. The last cares for their island, and works on harmony between man and nature.
All the islands have a good relationship with magic. Their magic-users tend to function more with fortunes and charms, leaning more towards being seers, and communing with nature, than anything else. However, their charms (depending on the strength of the magic-user) have the power to dispel bad luck, ill humors, and the grudges/curses of others. Not everyone has this power, and those who do are well respected and trusted in society; most magic-users keep themselves available in temples for when they are needed by any. Riches and status mean nothing; many magic-users work for nothing, but they are provided for by the temples and the people they serve.
There are some magic-users that travel instead of living their days in a temple, and it is custom that when they come to town, the highest ranking member in town offers them a meal and a bed for the night. In return, the traveler might offer to purify the home, or provide another magical service to their host, as well as the others they choose to help.
Wispa, despite its small size, has never been attacked. They know the sea better than most, and their naval forces are devastating. Add that to some of their magic-users being unnaturally connected to nature spirits, and no unwelcome ship ever gets close to shore.
The islands, and their rulers, are all extremely protective of each other, despite distance and difference in leader’s ages. Insult one, and you have just insulted the entire kingdom, and they take offense very seriously. When they choose to leave the islands, very rarely, people from Wispa tend to make good teachers (in whatever subject they specialize in; Theo’s weaponry instructor is from Wispa) and can sometimes make people uneasy with their ideas on honor.
