Mercadia - Defunct
Nestled amidst the vast plains, Mercadia emerges as a beacon of prosperity and resilience. Its fertile lands, bathed in the golden hues of sunlight, yield abundant harvests, vast mines of gold, nourishing its people and fueling their dreams. Mercadia's wealth, however, extends far beyond its natural bounties, for it is a nation fortified by strategic alliances and unwavering determination.
To the far west lies the enigmatic realm of Palandis, a nation of gaul steeped in seasoned traditions of fishing and trade. For centuries, Mercadia and Palandis stood as separate entities, yet intertwined through the Royal Trade Route connecting their nations across the difficult terrain of the Firefang Jags. The elves, dwelling in their secluded ancestral lands, refrained from interfering in the expansionist ambitions of the gaulan kingdoms. Their absence marked a void that stood as a testament to fifteen centuries of resentment and separation.
The Firefang Jags, a rugged mountain range guarding the eastern reaches of Mercadia, posed a formidable obstacle. It was here that the Vul'Adnian Magistrate held dominion, their watchful eyes fixed on Mercadia's prosperity. Separated by these looming peaks, Mercadia and Palandis stood divided, their potential unity stifled by the ever-present threat of the Vuul.
Yet, within the heart of Mercadia, a steadfast alliance was forged beneath the earth's surface. The Dwarven Viscourt, renowned for their indomitable spirit and unparalleled craftsmanship, became an essential pillar of Mercadia's economy. The dwarves' unwavering loyalty and resourcefulness proved invaluable, shoring up Mercadia's defenses and ensuring the collective survival amid the trials and tribulations of a changing world. The Pact of Prosperity has proven very beneficial to the alliance of the Mercadians and the various dwarven races of the Plains.
As dark clouds gathered on the horizon, the treachery of neighboring nations threatened to plunge Mercadia into the depths of despair. Ivoria, an ambitious kingdom to the east, and the Vul'Adnian Magistrate to the west conspired to exploit Mercadia's vulnerabilities. The very fabric of Mercadian society was at stake as loyalty crumbled and betrayal festered within its borders.
The Fracturing War began in the jealousy of Ivoria and the Vuul. The Plainsqueen Sadie Skytracer died in a mysterious event known now as the Skygarde Incident. The wealth of Mercadia sat leaderless as the frail father of Sadie, Sal, was barely able to hold up his own weight let alone bear the burden of this nation. Years of fighting began to encircle both Mercadia and Palandis. Sal died on horseback in the first year of bloody battle. The young Ella Skytracer was put in charge while the Mercadian generals struggled to fight without a head to their strategies. 4 years passed and both allied nations had lost much of their land. The Palandeans and Mercadians were losing footing and on the verge of being eradicated.
Ella, despite her youth, began to see the war with seasoned eyes. She rallied her generals to work on achievable battles. Gained funding from bankers and nations from outside her borders. She brought in mages and politicians, rallied soldiers and peasants, she was able to bring a sense of unity to the faltering Mercadia. She listened to many advisors and she knew she was not near their experience. The people in her court began to push back against their enemies as a single figurehead allowed information to flow and decisions to be made faster and with intention. She was a young leader but she emerged to guide Mercadia to its destined greatness. Ella Skytracer, an unlikely heroine, defied expectations and rose to become a formidable ruler. With unwavering determination, she confronted the perils that beset her land, leading her people through the darkest of days.
In the spirit of partnership, Ella also found aid in a marriage alliance to the well-connected Curdrake family. Darius and Ella were married in a temporary camp amidst the warring Plains, a setting unbefitting of the weight of this royal engagement. The flags of the Lilac Knight and his Curdrake bannermen rode with the Skytracer's on the morning. The enemy nation of Ivoria fought fiercely with some of the greatest barbarians to roam the mainland. Their allies in conquest, the Vul'Adnian Magistrate was conniving, powered by old magic and a devout pragmatism with twisted incantations. The allied forces of Mercadia and Palandis fought well but faith was wavering.
In their final hours of peril, Mercadia found an unexpected lifeline in the face of imminent collapse. The aelves, long estranged from the realm of men, shed their seclusion and emerged as unlikely saviors. Drawn by a shared desire for a united and healed continent, Ella convened with the Rootmother and the Cinderlord, the first time the leaders of the elves has been spoken to by a gaul since the Fourth Era began. They set aside the animosity of centuries past and joined Mercadia in its struggle. Their arrival breathed new life into the fight for survival, rekindling hope and reinvigorating Mercadia's waning spirit. United against a common foe, Mercadia and its newfound allies defied the odds that once threatened to shatter their existence.
With every victory, their resolve strengthened, inching closer to a future where unity would triumph over division. The War did not meets it's end abruptly. Ivoria surrendered when their Eastking fell. The Vuul would not officially surrender for a few more years and countless, wasteful deaths later. With the defeat of Ivoria, Ella was declared as the Highqueen of the continent, promising safety to Palandis. The defeated, hungry nation of Ivoria was given food and resources after their ruler bent the knee to their new Highmonarch. The elves were welcomed back into trade talks and alliances. The Highqueen Ella Skytracer promised a better life for all that lived on the mainland continent, whether they were Aelfe, Dwarf, Gaul or any of the other less populace races of this realm. Borders blurred and nations dissolved as Mercadia sacrificed its own identity in pursuit of a grand vision: a united mainland under the banner of the Joint Armistice Lands.
Her ascendancy to the position of Highqueen marked a turning point—a beacon of hope for a continent yearning for stability and unity. This was the beginning of the FIfth Era.
Today, the nation of Mercadia exists not in physical form but as a testament to its indomitable spirit. The alliances that shaped its history endure, with the dwarves standing as steadfast pillars and Palandis representing the enduring bond between gaul. As the Joint Armistice Lands stand as a united force, Mercadia's legacy lives on, inspiring generations to revel the stories of its triumphs and the resilience of its people. The scars of the nation may have faded, but the history bears witness to lifting the idea of unity upward.
Timeline of Events
4E, 517
Sal Skytracer ascends to Plainsking as his father Fredericus retires to the seaside village of Cottonbreeze.
4E, 536 The Luminous Festival:
To celebrate the alliance with a long-standing ally in the western kingdom of Palandis, Mercadia hosts the grand Luminous Festival. The city is adorned with countless colorful lanterns, and a week-long extravaganza of music, dance, and feasting takes place, strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations. The lanterns are a stable of Shiman and Daijin culture and are used to light their streets, homes and boarded paths through the marshes of Echose.
4E, 539
Sal relinquished his title to his daughter Sadie while she was pregnant with a child, he was losing the use of his right eye and could not walk without assistance. He planned for her to slowly gain full control once she was no longer with child.
4E, 540
Ellary Skytracer is born. She is nicknamed Ella by her grandfather Sal
4E, 549 The Merchant's Revolt:
The influential merchant guilds of Mercadia rise up against the oppressive taxation policies imposed by the ruling nobles. Their revolt leads to negotiations and compromises, resulting in the establishment of a fairer system of taxation and greater representation for merchants in the governance of Mercadia..
4E, 552
Sadie dies in a mysterious event known as the Skygarde Incident. Her daughter is too young to rule so Sal steps back in. He is frail and the other major houses see this. Ivoria and the Vul'Adnian Magistrate attack the wealthy Mercadia and the 550 years of peace are broken as the Fracturing War begins.
4E, 553
Sal is killed on the battlefield when the Tung family betrayed him and allied with the Ivorian barbarians. Sal was killed as he led an attack against the Windslayer army attacking the farms surrounding Skygarde. Although he could not walk at this time, he rode a horse to rally his troops. Ella, now age 14, took control of her family's army. She struggled to hold her people together to not get wiped out by this ambush.
The young teen, Ella Skytracer, daughter of Sadie takes over as Plainsqueen of this warring nation.
4E, 554
Ella agrees to marry the young son of the Curdrake Family. A mage and noble knight named Darius Curdrake. This alliance gave new breath to their fighting chances as the Curdrake's had many noble houses on their side.
The next two years were full of brutal conflict. The generals held their ground as best they could. The Fracturing War looked bleak but in a final moment of trust, Ella allied with the wild elves of Galfin who were rivals and enemies of man for the last 15 centuries. Ella and Mercadia, the naturalistic elves and the nation of Palandis were able to fight back and declare victory in the year 4E, 555. Ella knew that borders and nations caused constant infighting and conflict. She abolished her own country as well as every other nation on the mainland. Ella became Highqueen of the newly formed Joint Armistice Lands. The leaders of the nations were allowed to keep their titles while bending the knee to the new monarch of the mainland continent.
4E, 555
This began a new era as the 5th Era began with the reign of the Highmonarch.
4E, 459 (97 BHM) - 5E, 0 AHM
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Predecessor Organization
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Economic System
Market economy
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members