Merralalin, Republic of (Failed River Kingdom)

Merralalin, Republic (failed), River Kingdoms-

Government collapsed, small population has sought refuge but are trapped and cut off.

Merralalin had a brief but glorious rise and an equally tough fall. Formed from a large group of idealist settlers from Marble and a smaller group of Timbalese middleclass people seeking more religious freedoms, the nation was to be a republic. Merralalin was going to be a place that sought for all to prosper. Its initial push found good farmland and a ready harbor along a part of the coast just north of the River Kingdoms. As they traveled there, they picked up quite a few more families from the River Kingdoms who got caught up in the fervor. It was a good combination. The Marblian provide the financial resources the long term planning. The Timbalese families brought practical knowledge. The River Kingdoms populace provide local information and grit. Merralalin got off to a great start. In the first twenty years its population tripled. From its capital of Darlington it spread out along the coast and inland. Several towns and a great many smaller farming villages appeared. Land was cleared, timber harvested, and laws were enacted. 

Marralalin had two main factors in its downfall. The first was its isolation. In the initial planning, its location further north provided it with a lot of empty, quality land. They did not count on how difficult this location would make for trade, receiving military help, or for new settlers to reach. They also underestimated the local threats. The tribes of goblins and kobolds in the area both had troll and ogre allies, which possess a dangerous threat. The harbor of Darlington was also attack twice by pirates, seeking to test their defenses and looking for an easy target. They were turned away both times, but damage was done and the population grew more fearful. The second factor was the unwillingness of the leadership to cede authority to the military leadership. The ideals of the Republic were very much in the forefront of all the founders hearts. They refused to cede power to the military figures (who were uninspiring anyways). This lead to slow and ineffectual responses to threats. Eventually, the outlying villages could not be protected and the border shrunk in land. Confidence in the government lagged and some of the soldiers deserted.

At a crucial moment, Merralalin was attacked by two enemies they had not even been aware of. The Fanged Maw orc tribe, whose home territory was many miles to the north invaded from that direction, bringing with them two tribes of kobolds. At the sametime, a small group of pirate ships, mostly from the Senpat and Jeweled City regions stormed the harbor. The pirates retreated back to sea after hilling their holds with loot and slaves. The orcs moved in and the Republics solders melted before their brutal attack. They reached the capital and found it smoking and in chaos. The terrified townsfolk and the remaining solders took refuge in the old keep that had been repaired. They were able to turn back the orcs, but the nation was in ruins and those who escaped death either fled south into the River Kingdoms or hid in the Keep. The Orcs have claimed the territory for themselves and continue to loot the empty towns and farms. They keep the remaining human and halfling settlers trapped in the ruins of the city. Attacking them only if they leave. They are running out of supplies and it is becoming desperate.