Santean Democracy (San-Teh-Ah)

On the southeastern edge of the Varsemian Isles Confederation, the great island of Santea rises from the azure waters, its white-stone cities gleaming under the golden sun. Santea, the City of Scholars, stands as a beacon of knowledge, culture, and philosophy, its influence stretching far beyond its shores.
The Santeans are the inheritors of the ancient kingdom’s vast libraries and study halls, preserving and expanding upon the wisdom of ages past. Where others wage war for land and wealth, the Santeans conquer through rhetoric, art, and learning, shaping the thoughts and ideals of the continent. Their cities are open to all who seek enlightenment, and in turn, scholars, inventors, and philosophers from across the archipelago flock to Santea’s grand academies. Few civilizations can rival their cultural prestige, and though they are less zealous in faith than their neighbors, they hold deep reverence for deities of art, knowledge, and protection—foremost among them, their patron god, Apolnos.

Society & Government

Unlike the rigid feudal structures of other nations, Santean society is structured into three distinct classes:

• Pathes – The citizens of Santea, direct descendants of Santean parents. Only Pathes may vote or hold political office.
• Periokoi – Foreigners and skilled laborers who have made Santea their home. They enjoy protection and prosperity but lack full political rights.
• Helots – Indentured servants or prisoners of war, bound to labor in service of the state. Unlike other nations, however, Santeans do not view them as property, and in rare cases, Helots can earn their freedom.

Governance is conducted through a direct democracy, a complex system where political power is vested in the Chrysi Ecclesia, or Golden Assembly—a council of masters of arts and knowledge elected by the Pathes. From among their ranks, the Assembly chooses a ruler every five years, a position that may be renewed through re-election. The most successful and charismatic of these rulers is the current leader, Pericles, a statesman and orator whose vision has guided Santea to new heights of influence.

Military & Defense

Though dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, the Santeans do not neglect the art of war. Their military doctrine is built upon disciplined formations and precise tactics, favoring a highly trained infantry rather than large armies. Their warriors fight in close ranks, forming unbreakable phalanxes with spears and shields. Though their fleet is not as large as some of their neighbors, Santean ships are well-built and expertly navigated, ensuring their interests remain protected on the seas.
Their warriors embrace a philosophy of strategic warfare, preferring to win conflicts through superior tactics, cooperation, and intellect rather than brute force. This is reflected in their Horde Tactics, emphasizing teamwork and coordination.

The Pursuit of Knowledge

Santeans believe that knowledge is power—not just as a philosophy, but as a tangible force that shapes the world. Scholars and investigators from Santea often make for keen strategists, inventors, and explorers, using their vast intelligence to uncover secrets, outthink their enemies, and influence global affairs. Their love of debate and discovery makes them natural diplomats, while their tradition of philosophical inquiry ensures they remain among the most learned people in the world.
Even in battle, intellect and training define their warriors. A Santean soldier does not simply charge into battle; they observe, analyze, and adapt—a trait reflected in their ability to counter specific nations and enemies over time through the Knowledge is Power trait.

Architecture & Culture

Santea itself is a city of white marble, towering columns, and grand amphitheaters. The Great Lyceum, a legendary center of learning, hosts some of the finest minds of the age. Its streets bustle with philosophers debating in the open air, playwrights performing in public squares, and engineers sketching grand designs for the future. The city's skyline is dominated by statues of historical thinkers, sprawling gardens, and vibrant marketplaces, where merchants trade rare books, exotic spices, and intricate works of art.
Evenings in Santea are filled with the sounds of lyres and storytelling, as poets and orators capture audiences with tales of the past and visions of the future. Athletic competitions, theater festivals, and scholarly symposiums are held regularly, ensuring that both body and mind are honed to their fullest potential.

Main Hub

Santea

Perched upon the sun-kissed cliffs of its namesake island, Santea is a city of marble and wisdom, its grand avenues lined with towering columns, sprawling academies, and vast open-air forums where philosophers and scholars gather to debate the mysteries of existence. The city’s skyline is adorned with ornate domes and towering statues, depicting the greatest thinkers and leaders of Santean history. At its heart stands the Great Lyceum, a legendary center of learning where sages, mathematicians, and historians from across the world come to study, teach, and innovate. To walk the streets of Santea is to be immersed in an atmosphere of intellect and artistry, where knowledge is the highest currency, and ideas shape the destiny of nations.
The city's architecture is a testament to Santean ingenuity and aesthetics, blending functionality with grandeur. White stone buildings with intricately carved friezes house vast libraries and lecture halls, while hanging gardens and open courtyards offer tranquil spaces for contemplation. Bridges and aqueducts, marvels of engineering, stretch across the city's waterways, ensuring that even the most practical aspects of life are imbued with artistic elegance. The people of Santea believe that beauty and knowledge are intertwined, and their city reflects this philosophy in every column, mosaic, and sunlit plaza.
At the center of the city lies the Agora of Apolnos, a vast public square dedicated to their patron god of knowledge and the arts. Here, orators stand upon stone platforms, engaging citizens in lively debates, while playwrights perform tragedies and comedies that explore the nature of existence. Market stalls brim with rare manuscripts, exotic inks, and delicate sculptures, as merchants from distant lands seek an audience with Santea’s learned elite. Towering over the agora is the Chrysi Ecclesia, the Golden Assembly, where the elected masters of knowledge convene to shape the future of the republic.
Beyond the bustling heart of Santea, the city stretches toward the coast, where elegant harbors and shipyards support a well-maintained fleet. Though not as vast as some of the naval powers in the archipelago, the Santean fleet is famed for its exceptional navigation and strategic prowess, ensuring the island remains protected from hostile forces. The docks are also the gateway to the city’s cultural exchanges, where scholars and emissaries arrive from distant lands, seeking admission to the Great Lyceum or political favor from the Assembly.
Despite its grandiosity, Santea is not a city of decadence, but of purpose and discipline. Its people take pride in their pursuit of knowledge, and even the humblest citizen is expected to engage in thoughtful discourse. Schools, libraries, and athletic training grounds are open to all who seek to improve themselves, fostering a society where intellect, skill, and cooperation form the foundation of strength. Whether one is a philosopher pondering the cosmos, a strategist devising the next great military formation, or an artisan crafting a masterpiece, every citizen of Santea plays a part in shaping its enduring legacy as the beacon of knowledge across the Varsemian Isles.

Santean Traits

Men of Knowledge

[p+2 to all knowledges checks and +2 to Heal checks. This bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Santean Phalanx

+1 AC and +1 Atk while fighting with spear and shield and have an adjacent ally. This bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Santean Persuit of Knowledge

one extra GENERAL feat for characters at level 1. Every 5 levels they get an extra GENERAL feat.

Santean Philosophical Learning

One extra trained skill that uses either CHA, INT or WIS, at level 1. +1 bonus to all it's checks. This bonus doesn't stack with "Men of Knowledge". This bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Horde Tactics

Characters with this trait get a Teamwork Feat at level 1. They get another Teamwork feat at level 8 and level 16.

Knowledgable Investigators

Santean Investigators get +1 extra extract per day according to their Intelligence Bonus. this bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Knowledge is Power

At level 1 a Santean character chooses a human nation. It gets +1 to Knowledges checks regarding that nation and +1 ATK against that nation's characters. Every 5 levels they can choose one new nation, and increases it's former bonuses by 1.

Heavy Armor Restrictions

These characters can't use heavy armor nor tower shields.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic