The Republic of Orelithia
The Republic of Orelithia is a thriving, multicultural nation located along the Silver Coast and Silver Valley of Shaewrend, where freedom, commerce, and innovation form the pillars of its society. Founded by refugees, exiles, and pioneers seeking a new way of life, Orelithia has grown into a cosmopolitan republic, where diverse peoples unite under a shared commitment to progress, equality, and prosperity.
Situated along the Sungate Sea, Orelithia maintains deep trade ties with its closest international partner, The Mosaic, fostering a relationship of cultural and economic exchange that strengthens both nations. Its capital, Iscaris, is a bustling port city, where commerce, diplomacy, and innovation intersect, allowing goods, ideas, and cultures to flow freely between continents.
Unlike the oppressive regimes that dominate much of Shaewrend, Orelithia stands as a beacon of self-governance and opportunity, embracing knowledge, artistry, and industry to shape its future. The nation is governed by the Silver Assembly, a democratically elected body ensuring fair representation for all its citizens. Its founding document, the Charter of Unity, guarantees individual rights, political transparency, and freedom of belief, making Orelithia one of the most progressive nations in the region.
Structure
Orelithia is governed by a democratic assembly, ensuring equal representation for its diverse citizenry. The nation’s commitment to political transparency and freedom is enshrined in its founding laws and upheld by an elected executive and independent oversight bodies.
The Silver Assembly
The Silver Assembly is Orelithia’s democratically elected governing body, responsible for:
- Ensuring representation for all major species and regions.
- Managing national resources and overseeing economic development.
- Allocating government spending to maintain infrastructure, defense, and public welfare.
The Charter of Unity
The foundational document of Orelithia, the Charter of Unity guarantees:
- Individual rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, belief, and commerce.
- Political transparency, ensuring accountability in governance.
- The separation of government from religious and private institutions.
The President of Orelithia
The President serves as Orelithia’s elected executive, acting as:
- A diplomatic figurehead, representing Orelithia in international affairs.
- An overseer of governance, ensuring that laws are upheld and the Assembly functions efficiently.
- A moderator in political disputes, working to balance legislative and executive powers.
The Argentum
A council of academics and legal scholars, the Argentum is responsible for:
- Interpreting and maintaining the Charter of Unity to safeguard Orelithia’s democratic values.
- Ensuring that the Silver Assembly and the President operate within constitutional limits.
- Providing expert consultation on matters of law, governance, and ethics.
The Port Authority
Operating under the Assembly’s oversight, the Port Authority manages Orelithia’s harbours and waterways, ensuring:
- Smooth and efficient trade operations with foreign nations.
- Maritime security, protecting against piracy and illegal trade.
- Regulatory compliance, overseeing taxation, tariffs, and shipping laws.
The Trade Council of Shaewrend
A multinational council based on the Silver Coast, established to:
- Manage diplomatic and trade relationships with the other nations of Shaewrend.
- Facilitate Orelithia’s role as an intermediary trade hub, providing access to major ports.
- Include representation from:
- The major Shaewrendian nations.
- The High Magistrate of the Port Authority.
- A representative of the Silver Assembly.
- A member of the Argentum, ensuring legal and ethical oversight.
Culture
Orelithia thrives as a melting pot of cultures, where multiple races, traditions, and philosophies coexist in harmony. Its cities are vibrant centers of commerce, art, and intellectual exchange, filled with markets, forums, and artistic hubs that reflect the nation's embrace of creativity, collaboration, and progress.
- A Nation of Diversity – Home to humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and other races, Orelithia actively celebrates multiculturalism through festivals, artistic expression, and public discourse.
- Innovation & Learning – Institutions like Silver Coast College drive advancements in magic, science, and philosophy, reinforcing Orelithia’s role as a center of scholarship and discovery.
- Freedom of Expression – Art, music, and public debate thrive in places like The Silver Quarters, where thinkers, artisans, and performers shape Orelithia’s evolving cultural landscape.
Gender Roles
Orelithia does not impose rigid gender roles on its citizens. While some traditionalist communities within the republic maintain cultural norms based on heritage, Orelithian society as a whole is founded on meritocratic principles, ensuring that talent, ambition, and ability—not gender—determine an individual’s opportunities and success.
The Role of Slavery
Slavery is strictly forbidden in Orelithia. However, the nation permits regulated systems of indentured labour, where all agreements must be:
- Voluntary, ensuring no coercion.
- Legally protected, with contracts overseen by government institutions.
- Time-limited, preventing exploitation.
This approach reflects Orelithia’s philosophical commitment to fairness, self-determination, and justice, distinguishing it from neighbouring nations that permit slavery.
Social Tensions
Despite its progressive values, Orelithia navigates cultural tensions stemming from its role as an international trade hub.
- The Trade Council’s sector, home to foreign merchants and diplomats, often operates under hierarchical systems that contrast with Orelithian ideals of equality and meritocracy.
- Some Shaewrendian nations that engage in trade with Orelithia permit slavery or enforce strict gender norms, creating ideological friction within the republic.
Though these differences challenge Orelithia’s cultural identity, pragmatism and diplomacy prevail. The delicate détente with its neighbours is considered a necessary compromise to maintain stability, economic influence, and international cooperation.
History
The Early Settlement Era (1140–1200 CE)
During this period, various tribes and refugees fleeing the wars of expansion that shaped Shaewrend sought refuge in the Silver Valley. Protected by the Sundering Peaks and with easy access to the Silver Coast, the valley offered a natural sanctuary. Despite their diverse backgrounds and cultures, these settlers banded together for mutual defense, forming a closely-knit community that laid the foundation for Orelithia.
The Expansion Era (1200–1600 CE)
This era was marked by rapid growth, as birth rates surged and settlements flourished. The Silver Valley tribes established contact with the Dweorg, Durgan, and Gnome clans residing in the peaks, forging alliances that spurred economic and infrastructural development. Together, they constructed deep-water ports along the coast, expanding trade opportunities.
Orelithia was first discovered by Viranue in 1230 CE, and its strategic location quickly made it a critical trade gateway for Viranue, facilitating their entry into international maritime commerce. With the naval strength of Viranue, the diverse skills of Orelithia’s people, and the region’s rich natural resources, the fledgling nation became a major player in global trade.
To consolidate its growing influence, Orelithia established the Trade Council of Shaewrend, positioning itself as the primary hub for intercontinental trade. By accepting embassies from foreign nations, it further solidified its status as a diplomatic and commercial center while balancing the aggression of neighboring powers.
In 1550 CE, Orelithian traders made contact with the nascent Mosaic. Recognizing its potential, Orelithia lent its expertise—just as Viranue had once done for them—helping the Mosaic grow into a thriving trade power. This relationship laid the foundation for a lasting partnership, and the Mosaic would eventually emerge as Orelithia’s sister nation.
The Exploration Era (1600–1741 CE)
With its economic and political strength secured, Orelithia turned its focus outward, launching an era of exploration and discovery. Dedicated exploration ships were commissioned, and new ports were established along the Silver Coast to support maritime expeditions.
During this period, Silver Coast College gained prominence among the world’s leading Colleges and Academies, fostering academic exchange programs and funding exploratory ventures. One of the most significant expeditions led to the discovery of the Seam, an event that would later give rise to the Cult of Kaelis.
Military
Orelithia maintains a modern defensive military, ensuring both sovereignty and trade security across the Sungate Sea and Silver Valley. While its primary focus is defense and deterrence, Orelithia’s forces are well-equipped to handle both internal stability and maritime security.
The Unity Legion
Serves as Orelithia’s primary land-based defense force, responsible for:
- Border defense and maintaining national security.
- Internal stability, including protection against external incursions or unrest.
- Integration of diverse military traditions, drawing from the many peoples who settled the Silver Valley.
- Magical warfare, incorporating battle-mages and specialized arcane units trained at Silver Coast College.
This force represents Orelithia’s multicultural foundation, ensuring that its army is as diverse as its citizenry.
The Orelithian Foreign Legion
A volunteer military force, the Orelithian Foreign Legion consists primarily of:
- Recruits from Viranue, the Mosaic, and Cruentum, offering experienced fighters from diverse backgrounds.
- Skilled mercenaries and adventurers, who serve in return for citizenship opportunities, land grants, or trade incentives.
- Rapid response units, capable of reinforcing Orelithia’s forces during wartime or crisis situations.
The Foreign Legion enhances Orelithia’s defensive capabilities while maintaining a strong international presence.
The Sungate Navy
Orelithia’s maritime military branch, responsible for:
- Defending the coastline and securing the Sungate Sea.
- Protecting maritime trade routes, ensuring economic stability.
- Engaging in naval warfare and anti-piracy operations.
As Orelithia’s economy is heavily reliant on maritime commerce, the Sungate Navy is one of the most well-funded branches of the military.
The Cruentum Accords
In partnership with the Mosaic, Orelithia maintains a pragmatic alliance with the pirate nation of Cruentum through the Cruentum Accords.
- Cruentum, known for its anti-slavery stance and elite shipwrights, is granted safe harbor within Orelithia, allowing its vessels to engage in legitimate trade.
- In exchange, Cruentum’s ships agree to avoid attacking the trade routes between Orelithia and the Mosaic.
- Cruentum’s naval expertise is leveraged for defensive operations, assisting in coastal defense against threats such as the Stormforged Host.
This arrangement ensures that Orelithia’s maritime security is reinforced, while maintaining economic and diplomatic stability in the region.
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