Esterland Republic (EST-er-land)

Once one of the great kingdoms of Galania, Esterland reformed into a republic at the behest of Queen Belaneste over four centuries ago. Since then it has struggled with numeous internal struggles and failed attempts at conquest by outsiders, but ultimately it was galvanised into a formidable state of free thinking, cultural revolution and military discipline. It is governed by the Oratory, consisting of 100 Orators who are elected by the people. Every three years, the Oratory elects a Grand Council consisting of 5 Grand Orators and a High Justice, whose role is to investigate and eliminate corruption within the Oratory. The High Justice relinquishes their voting rights during their tenure. If an Orator is found to be corrupt, the punishment is death in the capital's grand arena: the Sanguine Temple.

Grand Council

Grand Orator for War
Rebus Tarantalus
Oversees all military matters.
Grand Orator for Divinity
Nemira Selaphina
Oversees matters pertaining to religion and the arcane.
Grand Orator for Civics
Valene Jolitus
Oversees public construction, maintenance and housing, as well as food production and distribution.
Grand Orator for Diplomacy
Gracia Arcanda
Oversees foreign affairs, including espionage.
Grand Orator for Trade
Bronkus Blatulus
Oversees all financial matters.
High Justice
Trasken Graive
Investigates and eliminates corruption in the Oratory.

Settlements

The capital of the Republic is Erentus, an imposing but beautiful city of limestone towers and palaces sat atop high, white cliffs. The centrepiece of the city is the Oratory, home to the Grand Council, and the arena of the Sanguine Temple. Between them stands the Tower of Justice, a pillar of obsidian terror which acts as a warning to the Orators should they betray their sworn oaths. At the base of the cliffs are extensive docks which serve trade ships across the Cobalt Ocean to the distant lands of Keretania, where exotic goods and strange tales of stranger people filter across the Republic.
To the west of the Republic is the city of Galbrant, a trade route which sees itself as a rival for Erentus, though it has little to back up that claim. Governor Destrius Melentium does his utmost to entice traders from the south to sell their goods in Galbrant rather than Erentus, even at the risk of drawing the attention of High Justice Trasken Graive. There are rumours of a secret route through the Tempest Spine mountains which allows trade with the Market Lake - a route which would bypass trading laws but go some way to explaining the conspicuous wealth of an otherwise unremarkable city.
The market town of Lestel is a modest but bustling market town which sees constant footfall between the Republic's two major cities. Surrounded by a wealth of geographical protections, it is a favourite neutral ground for informal diplomatic discussion away from the political fragility of the capital. Governor Frecia Lemestel is highly regarded across the Republic as a woman of sharp honesty, warm hospitality and little ambition. While a lack of ambition would be considered poor form elsewhere in the Republic, in Lestel it is met with respect - a recognition that a town as calm and comfortable as this would not be improved by a great citadel or a sprawling metropolis.
Destriel is a town of many peoples and cultures, living in uneasy cooperation. Visitors would be forgiven for thinking that its residents all loathe each other, and yet they will happily unite against any outsiders who dare suggest as much. The ecclectic nature of Destriel's townsfolk is generally attributed to its proximity to the Forest of Many Eyes - a dense knot of trees which hides many presumed secrets, and it is ill advised to enter without a guide from the town. Those who have ventured in and found their way out report strange sounds, stranger creatures and even people who make a permanent home amidst the rapidly-changing trails. The dwarves of Gleamrock will sometimes venture through the forest to Destriel to trade or visit surface relatives, including the town's dwarven Governor, Gruforn Dunstone, but most prefer to give the forest a wide berth.
The Rift fortress of Esterguard is manned by a permanent garrison of 100 elite troops and a rotating force of 500 recruits who are sent there for intense and unforgiving training. The garrison is led by General Venetaria Victus, a battle-hardened warrior of advancing years whose love for the Republic comes second only to her love for her troops. Far from being a doting mother figure to them, however, Victus trains her recruits by sending them on sorties into the Deadlands to batter back its denizens and explore its ruins for long-lost treasures. Those who survive return with renewed vigour for protecting the beacon of civilisation the Republic has built in a cruel world.
The Silent Fort stands in the pass between the the Splinter Peaks and the Troguhl Hills, guarding it from any who would journey to the Arcaneum without permission. It is garrisoned by the Silent Order, who take vows of silence regarding anything to do with the Arcaneum and its activities. No records are kept of who has passed through the gate in the Wall of Obscurity, nor is it common knowledge how someone is granted permission to pass. To the Silent Order's commander, Prelate Nurmantian Cerus, it is not for debate or discussion, and those who attempt to pass without permission are not given the luxury of a trial.
There is no place in Galania more protected from prying eyes than the Arcaneum. The Oratory in Erentus will reluctantly acknowledge its existence if pressed on the matter, but all they will say about it (or perhaps know about it) is that it is a place of arcane research. Scant few pass through the Silent Fort in either direction, and those who do outright refuse to discuss their business at the Arcaneum. Every now and then, intrepid adventurers overburdened with curiosity will attempt to get close to the tower by crossing the perilous Troguhl Hills, or by scaling the gigantic cliff-face to the north, or by crossing the violent rapids of the eastern river, but they soon discover that the Arcaneum is protected by more than inhospitable terrain.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic