Barisea
Once known as the "birthplace of government," the nation of Barisea is located along the eastern coast of Allethra. After being plagued with a series of natural disasters, it is currently ruled by a military coalition.
Barisea was the seat of power in Allethra before the rise of the Allesend Empire. Ruled by an elected senate, it was the origin of Allesend's original form of government. An egalitarian culture, Barisea allowed everyone equal opportunity in life and government.
Geography
Barisea has a mostly dry climate, punctuated by fierce winters. Only hardy crops grow in Barisean soil. Large quarries in the south provide limestone, granite, and marble. A long coastline provides ample fishing and whaling.Structure
Prior to the natural disasters that destroyed its government, Barisea was a constitutional republic. Senators would be elected from defined districts in each city, each of which would be assigned neighboring peasantry. Every citizen voted for a representative from their community, who would meet in Metrovo. Smaller officials, such as mayors, burgomeisters, and sheriffs ran local affairs.
Currently, after the destruction of the Senate Rotunda two years ago and the death of many Senators, the government is now under the direct control of the Triumvirate, a trio of generals who assumed command after the natural disasters. Local officials still rule their town, though the oversight of the Triumvirate has grown since their assumption of power.
Culture
Bariseans typically have dark skin, ranging from dark black to light brown. Their clothing style has changed little over the centuries, and many wear loose-fitting robes or togas. Plentiful dyes both grown at home and, in modern-day Barisea, imported from Edrana provide a vast palette of vibrant colors with which Bariseans adorn their clothing.
Personal responsibility and social activism is important to Bariseans. Democratic elections have been held for hundreds of years, and every Barisean citizen is expected to be educated and well-informed of their political choices. Philosophy is a common profession for the wealthy and poor alike, and public debates are a common pasttime.
Elves are a large part of Barisean society. Descended from fey of a different Iterum, these beings fled to Barisea from some unknown danger. Even now, large populations of elves can be found living in communities across the nation. Half-elves and humans with elvish heritage are extremely common in Barisea.
History
After the Pliscian Winter 1,500 years ago, Barisea was the first nation to rise from the ashes of the alien empire. Archeological digs have shown that Barisea suffered relatively little compared to nations to the west, so when the winter lifted, Bariseans were able to immediately re-establish farmlands, fishing vessels, and supply lines. The Barisean Senate was established in 1358 BE, a mere century and a half after the disappearence of the Pliscians.
At the time, Barisea's borders stretched south into what is now the Talc Desert and as far west as central Allethra. Their military might, augmented by their development of bronze and iron metal, was unsurpassed for centuries.
In 913 BE, magical researchers on the southern coast unearthed a Pliscian Working in the volcano of Srolgistnir. It's unknown what exactly occurred, but shortly after the Working's discovery, the volcano erupted and covered the southern portion of the country in clouds of ash. Over the next century, water and sunlight was denied to the already-arid landscape, forming the Talc Desert and rendering the region uninhabitable. The Working was never found again.
As the province of Allethra grew, it requested autonomy from Barisea in 592 BE. The Senate assented, and was instrumental in helping the Alln Senate develop its constitution and rules of law. Conversely, when the province of Ithon requested the same in 576 BE, they were denied independence.
In 218 BE, a nation of elves found their way to this world from an adjoining Iterum. Fleeing from some unknown danger, Barisea offered them asylum. A few of the original elves who arrived are still alive today, though not many. The rest have integrated into Barisean society, though they have maintained their cultural identity and are often considered more of a client state to Barisea.
In 1 AE, when God-Emperor Alles-Taluus rose to power and formed the Allesend Empire, Barisea joined their former province willingly as the first nation to join the Empire, but Ithon resisted and was occupied by Barisea's military for much of the Empire's history. Barisea flourished under the Empire's rule, and were allowed a high degree of autonomy.
Barisea was the last nation to declare its independence from the Empire in 318 AE. With the final tipping of balance, Barisea joined the rest of Allethra to victory over the Empire. Under the Treaty of Celestina, Ithon was granted its own independence, much to the displeasure of Barisea. Additionally, much of Barisea's western lands were granted to the remnants of Allesend.
In 455 AE, a series of natural disasters struck the nation. It began with powerful earthquakes in nearly every corner of the country, and eventually ended with a tidal wave that struck the entirety of the eastern coast. The tidal wave struck Metrovo destroyed the Senate Rotunda, killing almost 90% of the senators who were present. To reestablish order in the chaos that followed, the military siezed control of the governenment and established a triumvirate of generals known as the Coalition. For the past two years, the military has extended their use of power in the name of rebuilding. Some citizens welcome the help, while others claim that this is the end of democracy in Barisea.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Barisean
Government System
Stratocracy
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Related Myths
Ancient Greece, Medieval Germany