Mersan Union
The Mersan Union is the largest democratic state throughout all of Emicara. It is located north of Forard, east of the Shin Empire, and west of the Kingdom of Recfrere. They consider themselves to be the heirs of the Nameless Empire, a purified form of the governance of old. They are proud of their republican traditions, which date back centuries, through both war and occupation by other powers. The Mersans are slow to war, but they are known to be nearly as stubborn as dwarves when it comes to the settling of old grudges and feuds between families and nations.
Structure
The Mersan Union is an egalitarian state which is organized with democratic offices from towns and villages all the way up to the highest office. The Presider, the head of the nation, is elected by a popular vote every six years from all registered citizens within the Union. He is the supreme executive and head of state for the Union, acting as the commander of the military and the tie breaking for any votes within the Dale. A Presider cannot run for reelection, although some have been allowed to prolong a term of office under times of crisis. The Dale consists of elected representatives from every town and city with a population of greater than one thousand people. These representatives are known as Dalemen, and they act as the legislative body of the nation, with all acts ultimately approved by the Presider.
History
The Mersans were only lightly affected by the collapse of the Nameless Empire. Their towns deep in the Apps Mountains were too isolated to be a target for the enemy's magic and they were spared the destruction that the rest of Emicara received. The lack of destruction led to many of the towns of the Mersans becoming flooded with former governors and leaders of the Nameless Empire. In the communities they established, they formed what became known as the Mersan Regency, or the Mersan Interregnum. The Mersan Regency was founded upon the principles of restoring the old ways of governance and life in Emicara, and bringing about a restoration of the Nameless Empire. They began harboring the relics of the Nameless Empire in preparation for the restoration.
Plans for restoration were thrown awry when the Shin-Mersan War, as the Shin struck from their own holds further west and attacked the Mersans. Both sides possessed the technology and magic of the Nameless Empire, but the Shin wielded these tools more effectively, striking down some of the Mersan leaders and looting the reliquary that had been established. After the reliquary was looted, the Mersans and Shin made peace, as the Shin chose not to continue the war any further. The Regency army was left in tatters, and reconstruction began, as the Mersans began moving into the southern lowlands, unwilling to provoke another war with the Shin Empire in the mountains.
Colonization of the lowlands went at a rapid pace, as the Pit Orc invasion in the First Century had destroyed most early attempts at restoring civilization in the region. The rapid pace of expansion led to a need for a new system of government, and while the Regent was kept in place, elected officials were obtained from the numerous new towns and settlements that had been established. This also brought the Mersans into conflict with the Jorgans and the Caroans, who had formed the new Kingdom of Recfrere. Recfrere had been just as hastily expanding into the same territories as the Mersans, and ample conflict existed. This directly led to the outbreak of the Oddity War.
The Oddity War was a brutal conflict between the Recfrerans and the Mersans, over who would become dominant in the Jorgan lowlands. Ultimately, the Mersans prevailed, but only after nine years of constant warfare, sieges, and skirmishes. A new border was drawn east of the town from which the war gained its name, and an uneasy peace began. This uneasy peace ultimately turned towards alliance, as the Jakonians invaded the Badlands, presenting a direct threat to the territories of both the Mersan Republic and the Kingdom of Recfrere. Together, along with the Kingdom of Forard, these three states formed the Enclave of the Old Empire, an alliance against aggression from the Jakonian Empire.
The Enclave War that followed brought about devastation and destruction for the Enclave. The Jorgan lowlands were annexed entirely into the Jakonian Empire, while the Mersans and Caroans were forced back into the hills and across rivers. The Mersans were forced to surrender the descendants of the Nameless Empire, still serving in honorary positions throughout the Republic. They were executed by the Jakonians, and the Mersan government was left rudderless. Possessing less than a quarter of the territory they once had, the Mersans began feuding and fighting amongst themselves, and the regime nearly collapsed under over a decade of civil strife. The end to the Feud Wars only came with the reformation of the government into the modern Mersan Union.
The Union's first business was distancing itself from the Jakonian Empire, and the Conference at Three Horse Mount was a culmination of the success of these policies, with the end of the Church of the One Sun in the Mersan Union and the establishment of the Church of Keshush. The Mersans became more active politically and established colonies north of the Savanna River, into lands long considered part of Recfrere. Recfrere, in even more dire straits than the Mersans, were forced to allow it for a time. This gave the Mersans confidence to involve themselves in the War of the Five Hammers, providing some support for the Shin Empire in exchange for resources and a handful of other concessions for mining rights in the Apps.
The Recfrerans finally figured out their internal policies, and this led to a series of wars between Recfrere and the Mersan Union, as they struggled for dominance on the north side of the Savanna River. Cities and towns alike were burned, and ruins were left splayed across the Caroan countryside. These conflicts carried on for over one hundred years and four different wars, and by the end, the Mersans were drive back across the river and their settlements destroyed in the conflict. The Mersans were humbled and forced to look internally once again. This time, the Mersans were spared more Feud Wars, but they faced increasing orc raids along their mountain frontier, as effective dwarf and Shin border control sent them into the lowlands.
The Mersans were nearly content to continue in this manner for centuries, occasionally attempting to stir up relatives and division in the Jakonian Empire to the south. Everything changed with the arrival of the first goblin tribes in Emicara, coming from locations unknown to the north. The Mersans, exhausted from constantly fighting orcs, decided to negotiate with the goblins, and allowed them free passage into the south. This enraged the Jakonians, who sent a punitive expedition against the Mersans, sparking a war. The Mersans fought against a fraction of the Jakonian military strength and lost quickly, with half of their remaining territory being annexed into the empire, including the holy site of the Three Horse Mount.
It was clear to most within the Mersan Union that democracy could never thrive if the Jakonians were allowed to continue their imperialist rampage. Allied with the Shin, the Sypi Confederacy, Recfrere, and Alsona, the Mersans launched into the Great War, a major conflict that brought down the Jakonians and their empire. All of the former Mersan lands were restored to the Union, and even some Forardi towns and cities were annexed. The Union and the Dale was expanded to its greatest extent so far, and new projects began as the people of the Union embraced the freedom they had obtained over their own fates.
Freedom proved to be terrifying to some, and backed by the Monastic Brotherhood and the Fellowship of the Palm, the new territories in the south rose up in rebellion. The rebellion was lackluster in support, and the rebel armies consisted of paladin regiments from the brotherhood, dwarf mercenary regiments from Kiralyno, and a handful of regiments raised by devout One Sun worshipers in the rebellious region. For the most part the rebels were not supported by the majority population in these areas, and the war was brief as the Union restored order against these outside armies. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Recfrere was quicker to consolidate its new gains and deal with dissidents, leading to the outbreak of the Arcadean War, as Recfrere sought to expand into some of the liberated Mersan territories. The Kingdom did manage to annex a few settlements on the border, but after only three years of war, both sides were exhausted.
The Mersan Union spent decades afterward mending years of war and establishing new trade and commerce, but the hostility against Recfrere was deeply embedded as with no common threat to bind them, it was clear further conflict was all but fated. The Mersans also had not forgotten their enmity against the Jakonians, aiding both Bamard and Forard in their conflicts against the Empire, to various degrees of non-military support. Recfrere assisted somewhat in these efforts, mostly so that they could witness modern Mersan tactics. All preparations for the next conflict ended in 930, when the War of the Pig began. Started due to a debate over ranching rights, the War of the Pig led to the reconquest of territories lost during the Arcadean War and the gain of some other minor territories to boot.
The Mersans also intervened in the Great Northern Rebellion, and again ended up fighting the Forardis only a few decades later, but the vengeance of the Recfrerans could not be denied. In 986, the Recfrerans attacked again, this time also spurring orcs in the Badlands to attack into the Mersan Union simultaneously. Despite having all the advantages, the Recfrerans were held back and the war was deemed a stalemate. Both sides retreated once again to lick their wounds and prepare for another confrontation.
The closure of the Shin Empire's borders changed everything in 999, as the Mersans were convinced that this was a prelude to an invasion from their oldest of enemies. Preparations were made and all threats of war with the Recfrerans were dropped. Similarly, the Recfrerans faced new threats from the Populresi, causing them to draw half of their armies north. Today, the Mersan Union stands braced for a new war with either power, but they are determined to prevent the light of democracy from being extinguished.
Demography and Population
The majority of the Union's population are Jorgan and Mersan humans, but only when the entire union is taken into account. The northern communities of the Union are actually heavily populated by a variety of races, caused by the time when the Mersans were in desperate need of any workers and individuals to join them while the south was under Jakonian rule. The main other races present are mountain dwarves, gnomes, and snallygasters, all of whom serve equally in roles throughout the nation. High elves have established their own outposts in the major cities, bringing their banking families with them, but they have not established the same scale of neighborhoods and communities as they have in nations further south. The southern communities have much greater human populations, and other races have been slow to enter these communities that still have influences of the Church of the One Sun and their xenophobic beliefs.
Military
The Army of the Union is the main military force of the Mersans. The Army of the Union is organized somewhat along Jakonian lines and styles of combat, having learned much from the forces of the south. Unlike most Emicaran armies, the Army of the Union consists entirely of volunteer forces and soldiers, who have joined for pay under a single government, rather than for the loyalty of an individual lord or company. The soldiers of the Union are dedicated towards the protection of their people and the nation. During times of extreme war, the Army of the Union is known to conduct drafts, but this takes place only in desperate need. Most towns and cities have their own militias, which while not as well equipped as the Army of the Union, are more than capable of the defending the walls.
Technological Level
Technology in the Mersan Union is somewhat behind its southern neighbors and the nations of the Jakonian Peninsula. This is due to longstanding hostility, and overall a reluctance of the Mersans to adopt new techniques and technologies used by the softer nations to the south. A handful of artifacts and relics from the Shin Empire have made their way into the Union via smuggling, and a lot of these help with day to day tasks in areas they are located. The scientists and engineers of the Mersans are usually replicating advancements made by other nations rather than innovating ahead or creating new methods.
Religion
The Church of Keshush is the main faith of the Mersan Union. Practice of other faiths is not illegal, but is often deemed as highly suspicious, especially of pagans. Dwarves who migrate into the Union typically follow the Church of Keshush rather than retaining their old beliefs, seeking to blend in. The only faith that occasionally faces discrimination is the Church of the One Sun. They still retain a handful of temples and churches in the southern part of the nation, and in the past they have been marred by anti-Jakonian sentiment. This sentiment remains somewhat, and every once in a while violence erupts between followers of Keshush and the One Sun.
Foreign Relations
The Mersan Union's relationships are defined by the never-ending hostility towards the Kingdom of Recfere and constant threats and wars waged between them. Over the past few decades, they have been constantly jockeying for position to prepare themselves for what is viewed as the inevitable next war between the union and the kingdom. This has only been interrupted by the closure of the Shin Empire, as many in the Union are concerned for what could be taking place beyond the great gates of Zordonium. The greatest fear is an army of Shin warriors descending upon the Union and destroying everything that has been worked so hard for.
Outside of Recfrere and the Shin Empire, the Mersan Union has attempted to build new relations with the free towns of the Badlands, hoping that they would act as allies, or at least remain neutral in the next war. Similarly, Bamard has been courted as a new ally, with exchanges in information and technology a constant presence. The Mersans have refused to work with the monstrous folk of Populres, but the Bahamis have been approached, along with the Free Cities for mercenaries, and a naval threat against the lengthy coasts of Recfrere. The Mersans keep an eye on the Jakonian Peninsula, but most believe that the peninsular states lack the cohesion and have too much enmity towards each other to prove an effective role against the Recfrerans.
Agriculture & Industry
Mining is the lifeblood of the Mersan Union. Coal, gold, iron are all found in the hills and mountains of the nation. These resources are often brought into the Mersan war machine or industry, allowing for mass production of steel goods and metalwork. Farming is also present in the Mersan Union, but due to the terrain, it is often difficult to find arable land, most of which exists only in the south. These farms produce enough food to support the nation, and occasionally cotton as well to provide for the clothing industry and other support.
Education
The government of the Mersan Union does not contribute to the education of its people. Instead, most education is done through families, with hired tutors for the wealthy, and collaborative family schooling for the poor. Some private schools have opened up in the larger towns and cities, some charitable, and others requiring a tuition from those who would seek a basic education. Service in the military also provides with basic literacy and education, which helps encourage volunteers to seek out employment in the regiments. Only a handful of locations for higher education exist in the Mersan Union, both for mundane and arcane purposes.
Infrastructure
The bulk of infrastructure development in the Mersan Union has gone towards the establishment of strong town walls and redoubts, to help protect centers of population from attack and siege. The fortifications of the eastern and southern parts of the Union in particular have had lavish defenses heaped upon them, daring anyone to challenge them. The fortified town of Ranger is another example of this, as it possesses several massive fortifications designed to hold back a sustained Shin invasion, and recently has been expanded only further. Beyond this, most Mersan cities have paved roads, while towns typically only have dirt and gravel ones. The roads connecting cities are large, and well maintained, but unpaved, as the Mersans rely on siege defense, rather than rapid response to invasion.
Republic on the Mount
Founding Date
Bloodset 28, 128
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Mersan Republic
Demonym
Mersan
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Copper/Silver/Gold
Major Exports
Steel goods, cotton
Major Imports
Luxury goods, foodstuffs, lumber
Legislative Body
The Dale
Judicial Body
High Courts of the Union
Official State Religion
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments