Iron Country
Iron Country
Name
Romaji: Tetsu no Kuni
English: Iron Country
Data
Formed: 20 AF
Government: Daimyo
Status: Neutral Moderate
Location: Between Waterfall, Rice Field and Fire Countries
Industry: Mining, Mediation, Mercenaries

One of the older countries still existing, Iron Country created the concept of neutral countries and cemented it by negotiating the end of the First Great Shinobi War that had raged for nine years. It has since negotiated the end of two more great shinobi wars, numerous smaller wars, and been the location for summits between leaders. It is also unique in that its strength comes from a large standing army of samurai rather than a hidden village.

History

Formed in 20 AF north of Fire Country, Iron Country declared itself neutral territory and refused to allow any forces from either side to pass into its territory. Its position as neutral was officially acknowledged when its daimyo negotiated the end of the First Great Shinobi War at a summit within its borders. Nearly all wars between countries have their peace talks in Iron Country since then. One glaring exception was in 70 AF when Kumo had peace talks with Konoha held in Konoha, and the head negotiator attempted to kidnap the heiress of the Hyuuga Clan the night after the treaty was signed.

In 56 AF, the southeastern section of the country peacefully seceded and formed Rice Field Country. Iron Country suddenly faced unexpected competition as the location of choice for neutral talks between parties when Rain Country and Ame declared neutrality in 83 AF. An "arms-race" of sorts commenced between the two countries to be the neutral grounds of choice for negotiations. It's largely considered the location of choice for the northern Elemental Lands and for meetings of parties from opposite ends of the Elemental Lands region.

In 130 AF, Iron Country declared caps on the number of troops or ninja that could be stationed up to a day's journey from their border and reduced to number of guards that could enter the country with dignitaries or ninja leaders. Rice Field Country and Waterfall Country, being nearly entirely within the range of the request, were given exceptions that reduced the range to a half day's travel for their forces. There are also reports that border garrisons have been beefed up since then.

Treaties and Alliances

  • Declaration of Neutrality (signed in 20 AF)
  • Treaty of Funkakou Gai (signed in 25 AF)
  • Treaty of Koganeiro Toshi (signed in 52 AF)
  • Treaty of Ryokugyoku Toshi (signed in 66 AF)

Notable Organizations

Iron Samurai
The standing Army of Iron Country, the Iron Samurai are the equal to most ninja and provide the muscle that allows the country to stay neutral despite massive wars occurring on its borders. It's frequently thought that Snow Country was inspired by the armor of these warriors when it started the chakra armor design. The army has several garrisons and bases throughout the country, some placed near vital locations such as mines and others near other countries to protect the borders. The Iron Samurai are also unique in that there are no class distinctions and all troops in the army are trained as samurai.

Notable Locations

Funkakou Gai
City in the southern part of Iron Country, near the border with Fire Country. The location was formed by an early battle of the First Great Shinobi War that leveled a just-evacuated town. It turned out that the town was located above a sinkhole and the fighting caused the sinkhole to collapse. After the battle, the locals returned, cleaning up and rebuilding the city within the crater. It rose to prominence at the end of the First Great Shinobi War, when it was used as the location to mediate the treaty ending that war. In the years following, it gained a garrison of samurai and became a hub of trade along the northern-most major east-west route through the Elemental Lands. The garrison was moved out during the Second Great Shinobi War when a large fortified base was built south of the city to act as part of the defense force for the Fire Country border.

Ryokugyoku Toshi
Named for the extensive emerald mines located nearby, Ryokugyoku Toshi was the site of the mediation efforts that brought the Third Great Shinobi War to an end. Its primary industry is the emerald mines, and a large samurai garrison is located at the city to protect it and the mines. Its main claim to fame is that it was used to mediate the end of the Third Great Shinobi War.

Koganeiro Toshi
Said to take on a golden hue at certain times of day, this city is mostly a tourist and mediation city located in the southeastern part of the country. It was the capital of Iron Country from its creation until 60 AF, when the daimyo had the capital moved to a more central location. The last major treaty signed at the capital before the shift ended the Second Great Shinobi War.


Regional Location

Ocean
Iron Country
Waterfall Country Rice Field Country
Fire Country
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