Drasnia

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Drasnia is a fictional nation in the David Eddings book series The Belgariad (and its sequel The Malloreon) located north of Algaria and east of Gar og Nadrak. Its people are known as the Drasnians.

While Drasnia is not as wet and humid as Nyissa, its proximity to the Gulf of Cherek means that a large portion of its area is marshland. The fens and moors at the southwest side of Drasnia is particularly damp and inhospitable. As a whole, Drasnia is humid in the summer and freezing in the winter. Most Drasnian merchants (and spies) say that they became merchants to avoid being in "dear old mucky Drasnia".

Drasnia was founded by Dras Bull-neck and is a brother nation to the Alorn countries Algaria, Cherek, and Riva. The Drasnians are skilled in espionage and trade. They have the largest and best intelligence service and merchant group in the world. The two professions are very compatible, and it is said that every Drasnian merchant that one meets is a spy. The Drasnians also invented the secret finger language, a complex and discreet sign language that can be performed in secret while talking about something entirely different.

In large-scale strategic battles with other armies, Drasnians fight as large infantry units armed with pikes. In addition, Drasnian Intelligence provides its allies with valuable information on enemy activities.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The King of Drasnia was Silk's uncle Rhodar, but upon Rhodar's death, his son Kheva was made king. Kheva's mother, Queen Porenn was named as Regent.

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