It is a land of turbulence and intrigue, yet inundated with tranquility and serenity, of majestic hills and sterile deserts, of grassy plains and forests thick with trees. A land teaming with wildlife, with skies darkened by endless flights of birds, and with streams and rivers and mighty lakes of pure freshwater.It is where the Spanish soldiers of fortune force themselves upon the native peoples in search of gold. Where French explorers push into the interior on the water highways. Men like Cadillac, Cartier, Champlain, LaSalle, and Marquette spread their cultural influence on the many peoples of the land. Where Swedes, English, Dutch, Portuguese, and other Europeans seek to extract the wealth of the bountiful land.Caught between these powers is a population of diverse societiessome with strong social structures and laws, and many facing external pressures with which they cannot cope, ancient peoples who called this land their home for many, many years.The Five Nations of Iroquois exist with a truly representative form of government, unwritten rules that guide their everyday lives and affect all neighboring peoples and a completely volunteer military that enforces council decisions.