Brandis (brahn-dee)
Once a great kingdom spanning across the southeastern part of the present-day Everyn Federation, Brandis is now a province containing only one notable settlement and endless grassland. This vast territory has many farms and herding lands, providing a good amount of food for the province and surrounding areas.
Originally founded at the beginning of the Second Age, the Kingdom of Brandis saw ebbs and flows in its power and territory. The height was around 900 2A when the kingdom controlled land as far away as Velchester and Crowsbane, while also threatening Dumein Keep in several wars. This territory quickly fell apart during the various wars of the neighbors, when the Dumein Dominion consolidated their hold of the Keep and pushed Brandis out of Velchester. A few decades later, Crowsbane fell to the western neighbor of Wessil, leaving Brandis with only its capital city and surrounding farmland.
Through all of these wars and conflicts, Mont Brandis was never in serious threat from external force. Several wars saw sieges of the city, but its robust walls and vast food reserves made the attackers retreat within a few months. The city still stands to this day and can boast a history of never being conquered or under serious attack.
The official recognition of the end of the kingdom's imperial hopes came in 1234 2A, when the monarch at the time abdicated the throne in favor of consolidating the city and kingdom governments. Since then, the ruler of Mont Brandis has also been the head of the kingdom's - and now province's - government. The council that assists the elected monarch have moderate power and influence on their own, though the Trade Workers' Guild representative is said to be the real person in charge of Brandis's politics.
Structure
Within the kingdom, a monarch is elected by the people every ten years - with no term limits on individual leaders. This monarch is assisted by a council of varying size (no fewer than 10 but no more than 15 traditionally), made up of both elected and appointed officials. The elected members face reelection annually but likewise have no limits on successive terms or length of holding office.
It is still unclear what relationship the city and province will have with the Federation, though many Brandisians are loathe to give up any sovereignty. The importance of Brandis to trade all across and through the Federation gives the province's leaders a strong bargaining chip, and many feel their city's early and peaceful acceptance of Dumein rule should give them preferential treatment.
Foreign Relations
Brandis has strong relations with Gel Morgran, due to the subterranean trade road connecting both. In addition, Mont Brandis's status as a trade hub brings the opportunity for city and province leaders to interact with peoples from across Ayndrinor.
Within the Everyn Federation, Brandis has buried the hatchet with the Dominion, though old feuds still sour the relationship with their other neighbor, Wessil. Wessil was one of the staunch holdouts that opposed the Dominion's expansion and fought pretty hard to maintain independence; whereas Brandis accepted Dominion rule amicably without fighting and started to work toward building the Federation. Wessil also has bountiful farmland and a large port on the Gulf of Viskii, so there is direct competition with Brandis for trade and production status.
Where Roads Cross
Founding Date
2 2A
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Capital
Demonym
Brandisians (Brandisiennes)
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Legislative Body
Monarch's Council
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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