Karelian Republic (kah-RELL-ee-yen)
The southeastern portion of Estemor has had a long history of cultural melding. At various points of strife, its lands were occupied by Wild Elves until the Empire of Amertus could drive the invaders off. Records from the Fallen Empire of Yora suggest that the area was often targeted by Elf conquests, even in the ancient past.
As a remote, resource-poor fixture of the Empire, the Karelian Coast was seen as possessing limited strategic value, save a few token forts near the Warden Peaks. Even if marauding elvish bands were able to overpower the local levies and push inward towards the coastal cities, it would take quite some time for the inner Empire to deploy regiments capable of driving them back. Things began to change after the Invasion of The Eagle & Spider, when local Karelian leaders were able to put up a fierce resistance in their lands while Imperial armies struggled to keep effective blockades against the elven tribes. As thanks, the leaders of these cities were granted full status as noble counts.
By the early 600s, the cities began to explode, both culturally and financially. Expeditions sponsored by the coastal nobles led to communication with the far region of Falida. Before long, trade flourished in Karelia. But it was not without undue attention. First, from the Imperial leadership, which sought to regulate the trade and cultural exchange. Second, from the Principality of Dullac, who feared what an increased presence of non-humans might mean. Diplomatic pressure only galvanized support for the regional leaders from the locals, turning them against the far away lords.
Things came to a head in 640, when Dullac invaded the southern Empire to seize control of trade ports and enslave the sizable population of elves there. The local Karellian lords, beating back Dullac's initial forces without much trouble, made an agreement to stand together not just against Dullac, but the Empire itself. No other power would restrict the source of their wealth. The battles raged for over a decade before the Emperor brokered a deal to recognize Karelian independence in exchanged for a joint assault on Dullac, who refused to cease hostilities.
Not long after the war ended, the great houses of the Karelian cities appointed their first Grand Duke to lead the new republic. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to set up trade hubs across not just Karelia, but all of Estemor.
Structure
Each of Karelia's seven cities is ruled by a Duke, typically from the family that owns the most property within it. Each Duke governs their city and its neighboring holdings and votes to appoint the Grand Duke, the functional head of state. In practice, the Grand Duke's family becomes the ruling dynasty, so many Dukes conspire to seat a member of their own kin, especially since the position is for life. As such, the voting procedures are quite cutthroat, with the Ducal families arranging a vast web of dealings in order to sway the votes into their favor.
A Grand Duke may appoint a successor at any time during their reign. This successor will automatically become the next Grand Duke without needing to be approved by the other Dukes, though this new Duke will be unable to appoint a successor of their own and if the successor dies or refuses the nomination at any point during the original Duke's life, a second nomination cannot be made.
As the position of Duke is determined by one's wealth, it a far less stable seat of power than others in Estemor. A rival family may challenge the Duke for control of the Dukedom, in which case an investigation into the finances of each family is undertaken by a third party to determine which group is most deserving of the position. The other members of the Ducal Council must acknowledge this new Duke if they are found to be truly deserving of the title and the previous Duke is ejected.
While the Ducal Council has broad authority over both their individual holdings and shared policies, a lesser council known as the Invited Council handles most of the day-to-day law making for the Republic. The Invited Council seats approximately 120 representatives from prominent families across each city. It was originally formed to provide lesser families with more direct input, while also reducing the duties of the Dukes. The Ducal Council has veto authority on any pending laws passed by the Invited. Councils similar to the Invited exist for legal code governing individual cities as well. If the seven Dukes are unable to reach a consensus when voting for the next Grand Duke, senior members of the Invited are given temporary voting powers in the matter until a new Grand Duke is appointed.
History
The term 'Republic' comes from the Fallen Empire of Yora. It has been surmised to refer to any human governments that were not yet part of Yora's Empire. If any policies were associated with the old republics, they have been lost to time. The word was selected by the Karelians to signify their independence.
Demography and Population
While humans are still the majority in Karelia, the population of minorities is far larger there than anywhere else in Estemor. Elves have been settled there since the earliest days of the Imperial Dawn, with many human crossbreeds being born since then.As half-elves gradually mate with other humans, their offspring will inevitably lose any trace of elven features, though their souls are likely permanently stained.
Still, elves of all kind are tolerated to a far greater degree than anywhere else in the continent. Even with their wild brethren still occasionally causing trouble in the Highlands, so many have been settled in the region since the ends of the dark ages that they are functionally accepted as a part of society, especially after many of them rallied against the invading Wild Elves during the Invasions of the Eagle and Spider. Many refer to them as "City Elves", though this term is often meaningless outside of Karelia.
Other than elves, the various outsiders that can be found at any trade hub are treated as guests, even if their traditions are somewhat strange. The prospect of honest trade is simply too strong a prize for most Karelians concerned about their own cultural norms.
There are still limits to the mobility of non-humans. All members of the Ducal and Invited Councils are implicitly meant to belong to strictly humans. It is considered bad form to permit a family member with elven blood to hold a seat. Few have done so in the history of the Republic and all had met significant resistance.
Military
While the traditional conscription system is still in use by the republic during wartime, each Duke is responsible for financing a significant percentage of the republic's active military forces. Failing that, they have the authority to recruit any number of able-bodied commoners or simply hire mercenaries. The armed forces can be divided into three main branches:
Firstly, there is the Navy that protects the ports and trade routes of the Republic. Commoners are often drafted into this branch in order to fill any number of important roles both at sea or on land, though it is typical for mercenary ships to be hired by merchant convoys with far-away destinations.
Then, there are the Watchmen who enforce the laws within each city. as well as protect the roads between them. Most are financed directly by the regional Dukes to ensure loyalty, though trade companies often hire their own security as well.
Lastly are the Highlanders tasked with patrolling and protecting the vast stretches of land outside the cities, where roving groups of bandits, monsters and Wild Elves can easily grow if left unchecked. They are by far the most elite of the three branches, serving a variety of vital functions during times of war.
Religion
The Republic intentionally pursues a more open policy when it comes to religion. In order to avoid tensions with either the Church of Saints or the Church of Solidus, there is no state religion. Both creeds are represented as equally as possible in any settlement with moth demographics. Even so, the local priests tend to be more relaxed about worship. Stricter traditions might be scaled back for convenience. So long as the teachings instill good values, the dogma does not need to be extreme.
Even creeds from outside of Estemor will have their places of worship in the large trade hubs. Even Elven ancestor worship is not always frowned upon.
Prosperi Simul
Founding Date
05/13/650
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Karelian
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Estemori Dollar
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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