Republic of Viltanor

The republic is on the edge of the Katawani Peninsula and the desert. They have thrived off of trade in the Varotra Sea, controlling the trade routes that lead further inland to Soldern and Sunar. Like their imperialistic neighbor, the Domuc Empire, the republic places great value on education, freedom and military honor. That does not keep the two from fighting. The republic has a lackluster army, but their navy is disputably the best in Vadovass. While the republic has tried to quickly start magic back up in their nation, it has been a slow process. The republic unfortunately suffers from great corruption, with many guilds funding senators to have greater sway in politics.

History

Post-Cataclysm

The region of Viltanor that makes up the eastern part of the Katawani Peninsula was once inhabited by several different kingdoms, mostly living in peace. However, the kingdoms were united in a series of wars that united the area under the rule of a warlord, who established the capital in the great port city of Whystoll. The warlord become a king of a great nation, with his generals serving as his governors across the land of Viltanor. However, the kingdom was short lived. The new king died before he could name or produce an heir, and the nation started to tilt towards war once again. However rather than fight and tear each other apart, the five generals that had served under the king convened, and decided to reestablish the government as a republic, of which they would become the first magistrates.

For many decades, Viltanor flourished. Having access to some of the best sea routes, trade across the sea to Charmonte, the Hadaran Empire, the United Clans of Midiiz and deeper inland through the Free Kingdom of Soldern helped the republic financially. This open trade allowed for the free movement of knowledge and ideas as well, making the republic a cultural capital for southern Vadovass. However, tensions began to rise in the west with the rise of the Domuc Empire in 2077 P.C. Though initially an ally and trade partner, the Domuc Empire was extremely aggressive and expanded rapidly, destroying other bordering kingdoms the republic was using as buffer states. When a border dispute got out of hand, the two declared war in 2131 P.C. Initially confident due to their military heritage which had bested all others in the past, the republic was quickly humbled when they were indisputably defeated by the armies of the Domuc. While the republic's navy was doing well at sea, their armies suffered, constantly losing ground and never regaining it. As the Domuc armies pressed deeper into the republic's territory, they were forced to make major concessions, giving up territory and granting the ability to sail through their sea routes, as well as an annual tribute to the Domuc Empire. The loss caused serious social and political upheaval within the republic, while their new rival continued to get stronger and spread. Luckily for the republic, the Domuc had made another enemy in the United Clans of Midiiz by similar circumstances. In 2139 P.C, five years after the previous wars had ended, the republic joined forces with the clans, who had been at war with the Domuc for another year and had a much better army than the republic. Though the war was still a stalemate, it stopped the Domuc Empire from spreading at the rate it had. Since then, the republic and the clans have been good allies. In each war since, the two have fought against the Domuc together, with most conflicts barely managing to keep them at bay.

Age of Restoration

The return of magic and the gods was good news for the republic, who has both a very learned and religious population. To many, magic was another commodity to be traded in or a new skill to learn. Many of the military leaders of the nation also hope that it will tilt the scales in their favor in future wars with the Domuc Empire, who remains the republic's greatest enemy. In 15 A.o.R. the Domuc Empire began to invade the southern border of the United Clans of Midiiz while they were fighting the Kingdom of Kildranos in what is now known as the War of the Warlocks. The republic of Viltanor and the Katawani Kingdom, a small kingdom to the north of the Domuc declared war on behalf of the clans. Though it distracted the Domuc from their conquest, they quickly turned to defend their eastern borders. Eventually, they overwhelmed the smaller Katawani Kingdom, and almost entirely took over. While some of the nation was spared, its people were so beaten by the war that what remained of them was eventually integrated into the republic.

Social

The republic's prosperity and ideals of personal freedom allows each person to make the most of their life. Unlike some other countries of Galledall, there are no social classes that people are grouped into. While there is certainly economic classes, no such structures exist socially. Many of the shops and taverns in the republic are just as likely to contain aristocrats as they are commoners. However, certain people are seen superior to others, as with any society. While expensive, those who can afford an education are considered more reasonable and wiser than those who do not get one, with such an education begin required to be a voting citizen. Another way to obtain voting rights is military service. Starting at the age of eighteen, those who wish to gain higher status and have the ability to vote enlist in the navy or the army for four years, after which they are granted the full rights of a citizen. This means that many craftsmen and farmers cannot vote, except for those who served prior. Those who acquire both an education and serve in the military become qualified to run for a political office.

The people of Viltanor view themselves as both culturally rich and tolerant, a claim that is typically backed up at least among the ranks of the educated. Viltanor has a very rich culture, with universities for many schools of bards who perform all across the nation, and travel around the continent. In addition to bards, the region is famous for its other scholars who are experts in geography, history, medicine and navigation. The University of Whystoll is known for its cartographers who produce many of the expertly made maps of Galledall that make their way around the continent. Racism and bigotry are rare, and races typically not found in Viltanor are often seen as welcome additions to the nation. This friendliness also extends to outsiders in general.

Political

The republic elects a grand magistrate once every two years, who serves as the leader of the nation. Below the grand magistrate serves a council of four magistrates, each voted in once every four years. The four magistrates select one among themselves to become grand magistrate along with the votes of the senate, each of whom are voted in once every four years as well. Finally, beneath them lies the popular assembly, who are made up of all those in the nation who are eligible to vote. While the popular assembly typically doesn't get involved very often, they are the only ones that can be elected to become governors, senators, judges, and mayors. They are also appealed to when the senate or magistrates are split on matters.

While the republic's bureaucracy slows it down to some extent, it also grants it a level of adaptability over its enemies that also helps it with economic issues. However, the senate and magistrates can become quite corrupt thanks to the prosperous guilds in the region who promise generous donations and other perks for acting on their behalf. Though typically unnoticeable to most, the political situation in the republic has become a mire that can be very slow to work through, especially when it would harm a wealthy guild. Many politicians who have tried to fight the guilds end up isolated and voted out, with those who endure slander or negative publicity sometimes dying or resigning under mysterious circumstances.

Economic

The trade routes the republic has access to allow for quick and mostly safe travel between other countries by sea. Many rare and exotic goods are traded from one side of the continent to the other with the capital as the midpoint, allowing for access to many items unobtainable anywhere else on Vadovass. Trade with nations further inland allows for access to goods that typically only remain in landlocked regions. The republic also has almost complete naval control of the Varotra Sea, with those wanting to trade or travel through the area having to pay a tax for doing so. While piracy in the area is quite high, many guilds pay off pirates to serve as privateers while those who remain are hunted down by the prestigious navy of the republic.

The republic's great access to some of the furthest corners of the continent has granted a level of wealth nearly unprecedented. The republic is home to crafting guilds which send their goods across the sea, while trading guilds are responsible for navigating the seas. While some trade does occur by land, it is far less lucrative, since the republic's neighbors by land are not as friendly as those by sea. The wealth that most the guilds have amassed has given them great prestige and power both socially and politically. Some guilds even maintain their own personal armies, and the government has to occasionally step in and implement regulations when the guilds begin to fight each other, with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Religious

The Galledallian Pantheon has classically been the most popular religion in the area, but Viltanor has no state religion. While many serve the Galledallian gods, the pantheon has become less revered with time. The openness to ideas that the people of the republic has has allowed the spread of the Wizgaran Pantheon, as well as more exotic religions such as the Dragon Cult, Druidry, the Cult of Man and even some Shroud Worship. Though many are reverent of whatever religion they hold dear, many put aside their beliefs to pursue their personal interests. Still the Galledallian gods have many remnants of temples and shrines scattered around the region from once devoted people.

Military

The republic's military operates as a meritocracy, with promotion requiring outstanding service. While military service is not required to be a citizen of the republic, it is one of the two ways to become a voter. Viltanor's army is rather average, mostly serving as guards along the borders of the nation, especially on the edges of the desert. Meanwhile the republic navy is often viewed as the most powerful navy in Vadovass, with few being able to dispute this claim. During times of peace, the navy patrols sea routes and hunts down troublesome pirates. Those who wish to turn military service into a career often are promoted to high ranking positions if they serve well enough, while those who additionally pursue an education are made into officers.

Foreign Relations

The republic has cordial relations with almost every other nation, except for two. The first is the Domuc Empire, who has historically been their biggest rival and antagonist. The two war at least once every couple of decades, with each new war getting bloodier and more costly. The other nation which doesn't get along well with Viltanor is the Hadaran Empire. In the early years of the Age of Restoration, the two warred when the Hadaran Empire challenged the republic's control of the Varotra Sea, ultimately failing and making an enemy in the process. Still, the two trade. For every other nation south of Middelgemard, the republic has an ambassador serving to keep relations good and trade moving. The main ally of Viltanor is the United Clans of Midiiz, who are military allies and share a common rival in the Domuc Empire. The two have a defensive pact, and often coordinate attacks when they are at war. Their great relations allows both the guilds and the clans to come to very generous terms in dealing with one another, benefiting both nations greatly.

Magic

Though magic has returned to the world, it has taken its time to make its way back to Viltanor. The public, government, guilds and military all eagerly seek to start institutions similar to those in the north or in Midiiz, but few mages make it as far south as Viltanor. While a few have filled positions as teachers in the universities of the republic, many positions remain open. Though the ally clans have regained magic, they are hesitant to immediately give out knowledge in fear it may fall into the wrong hands. There are rumors that the republic has given asylum to mages who participated in the War of the Warlocks in return for their help in mastering the returning art of magic.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic