Location

Huxley is the province in the southeast of Elan. It shares borders with the provinces of Wyllis to the north, Gauld to the northwest, Peverin to the west, and the country of Nepton to the south. To the east is the Bryne Ocean, and in it are two islands belonging to Huxley Province: the larger, Terry Island, and the smaller, Bullyholly Island. Huxley’s capital is Cape Hamill in the south, and in the north is the capital of Elan - Duriana. 

Environment

Due to the numerous rivers that run through it, Huxley is predominantly made up of deltas and marshlands. To combat the constant flooding and tide fluctuations, most of Huxley’s homes and buildings are built on stilts, floating platforms anchored to the silt below, or, for the cities, on man-made islands. Storms whipping in from the Bryne are a common occurrence. 

Livelihood

The people of Huxley are not rich in ore, nor do they have plentiful farmland. Most live by the rivers, the deltas and the sea. Boats get them from settlement to settlement on the riverways and shorelines. Fishing is a strong industry, and the province has the reputation of the most diverse assortment of fish species in Elan. Most coveted of all are the fine shellfish and bivalves, including clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Oyster farms are plentiful in the inlets around Huxley, and it is a somewhat more relaxing life than planting and farming.

Huxley’s small amount of farmland is rarely devoted to growing food. The favored crops are cotton and hemp, planted and harvested by farmers in rural locations. Most of Huxley’s farms are not run as corporations: they are run as group co-operatives, bringing close-knit communities even closer. Where most of Elan has bent to the power of the dollar and profit, Huxley seems steadfastly devoted to the community and the preservation of it. Come harvest season, the co-operatives send their hauls by river to textile mills closer to the ocean. 

The textile mills and factories are less ideal places to work. Here, factory workers spin the fibers and mass produce clothing by working with large and often dangerous machinery. Whereas in the rural areas much is still dyed and woven by hand by artisans, the cities push for quantity and speed to clothe a growing populace and export to other provinces. 

With so many textiles available in such quantity, Huxley cities also host a great number of clothing factories. Seamsters, cutters, and dyers are all employed in large buildings, furiously focused on meeting quotas and turning out piece after piece of clothing. These garment districts have grown large and have begun to dominate the economy far more than fishing. However, even here there is creativity. Fashion designers have flocked to the cities of Huxley, desperate for particular fabrics and vibrant colors. Fashion shows have become popular outings for the wealthy or well-connected, even as poor laborers work long hours in the factories several streets over.

Though these cities march ever onward towards their idea of progress, what sets Huxley apart is the number of people that do not desire wealth or material goods. Most people live off their land, keeping to their rivers and creeks and the spaces that they have grown in. It takes a great need, or a great deal of trouble, to make a Huxleyan move from their home.

Specialties

Foremost of the specialties of Huxley is the textile work. Huxley’s fabrics and clothing are sought after all over Elan, especially by those who can afford the best. But, due to the variety of meats, fish, plants, herbs and spices, Huxley is also widely known for its food. Culinary specialties abound in this province, and talented cooks are always sought after by employers. 

Key Cities

In the north, Duriana, the capital of Elan, sits as a sparkling jewel of a city. The city’s core districts are made almost entirely of limestone and marble, though the newer neighborhoods are more often made of lumber and brick. Unfortunately, although it was built in a lovely site overlooking the ocean, it was built mostly in reclaimed swampland. As a result, in the winter months, the city tends to flood. Regardless, it is still seen as the pride and joy of Elan. Outside of the hustle of politics, there are two prominent schools: the Jillert School of Fashion and Wittingham University, the first university of Elan. 

While the Republic’s capital sits in the north, Cape Hamill, the province’s capital, sits in the south. It is not an overly showy city, except with its celebrations. It is widely known that Cape Hamill hosts the most outrageous festivities for the holidays in Elan. Aside from its exuberance, the place holds a handful of factories and canneries. Being at the meeting of a river and the ocean, its main concern is shipping and trade of raw and finished products.

Views from Others

Elanites hold disparate views of Huxley’s social strata. Those living in the city are seen as opportunistic, boisterous, and indulgent, while those in the rural stretches are seen as slow, simple, and lazy. Unquestionably, there is an ease to these people, but it often hides deep feelings and a love of simple pleasures.