Sanzenean Commonwealth

The Sanzenean Commonwealth is a sprawling, decentralised political entity formed of a patchwork of smaller states, each with its own identity, governance, and traditions. Situated in the western part of Eldoria, the Commonwealth stretches across fertile plains, rolling hills, and towering mountain ranges. Major rivers crisscross the land, providing vital trade routes and linking the numerous states. The climate is temperate, with warm summers, mild winters, and ample rainfall, making it ideal for agriculture, forestry, and settlement. The land's natural resources, including minerals, fertile soil, and abundant forests, support a wide range of economies.

Political Structure

The Commonwealth is governed by a council of rulers from its constituent states, presided over by a High Chancellor, who serves as a symbolic head of the union. Realistically, the Archduchy of Envara leads the other states through force of will, prestige and military might, having held the position of High Chancellor for practically all of the Commonwealth's existence.
States are bound by treaties that require mutual defence against external threats and adherance to shared trade laws. However, conflicts between member states are common, often mediated by the Chancellor or external arbitrators. The balance of power between states is maintained through diplomacy, alliances, and occasional military skirmishes.

Culture

The Commonwealth’s diversity is its greatest strength. Each state has its own traditions, festivals, and cultural hallmarks, yet a shared sense of Sanzenean identity unites the people. This identity is rooted in a common language, trade, and a generally constistent religion. The Commonwealth’s dominant faith reveres a pantheon of gods, each embodying aspects of life, death, and the natural world. However, religious practices and interpretations can vary wildly by state, with many worshipping their own gods in addition to those of the Commonwealth.
Art, music, and architecture flourish within the Commonwealth, blending influences from its constituent states. Majestic cathedrals, fortified castles, and bustling marketplaces reflect the wealth and creativity of its people. Festivals are frequent and vibrant, often centered around seasonal changes, religious observances, or historical events.

Religion

There are many deities within the Commonwealth, with individual states having highly individualised religious practices. However, the Commonwealth does enforce worship of the Crowned Eleven, considered the eleven most important deities of the Commonwealth as a whole, for whom it is illegal for any state to ban the worship of.
In particular, the dwarves and elves of the Commonwealth maintain their own pantheons, and there is a lot of bleed over between the 'lesser' deities of the Commonwealth and these deities of other ancestries.

Economy

The Commonwealth’s economy thrives on trade, agriculture, and craftsmanship. The fertile plains produce grain, wine, and livestock, while the mountains yield precious metals and minerals. Major trade hubs, such as coastal ports and free cities, facilitate commerce within and beyond the Commonwealth’s borders. Artisan guilds play a significant role, particularly in urban centers, where master craftsmen create goods ranging from weapons to fine jewelry. The rivers that wind through the Commonwealth are its lifeblood, enabling trade and communication. Caravans and river barges carry goods across the land, fostering interdependence among the states.

States

The most iconic feature of the Commonwealth are the individual states, the Commonwealth itself comprising of 179 states, 16 dwarf clans, 25 free cities , 2 'directly administrated regions' and 3 dependant territories.

Dwarf Clans

Practically all of the mountains regions in this section of Eldoria are inhabited by the dwarves. While most of the dwarves belong to the Gaffaserchuan Clan, the clan itself is heavily fractured, meaning that various holds and factions within the clan have made their own decisions on whether to join or reject the Commonwealth.

Free Cities

Individual cities within the Commonwealth can apply for Free City status, rather than being a part of their state. While there are exceptions, a Free City must be able to support itself and its people, meaning that most are either trade hubs, or highly monopolise a particular good or service. Additionally, a Free City can only directly control land that is within a one day round trip's distance from the city itself. In other words, if one were to leave at sunrise on any given day, they must be able to reach the border and return to the city by sunset.

Directly Administered Region

This framework exists to allow for states to hold territories outside of their normal borders. In practice, this is only employed by the Archduchy of Envara, who holds the regions of South Saile and Envaran Calthorn.

Type

Geopolitical, Country