The Republic

For over seven hundred years, the Republic of Ballera has been a shining light of law and knowledge for humanity between Middle Sister and the Great Continent. Slowly expanding since its inception, the Republic nearly destroyed itself in a great civil war three centuries prior, only to be saved by the enigmatic figure now known only as the Brass Emperor. As the world begins to slowly panic over the great changes wrought in the realm of the gods, the Brass Emperor strives for apotheosis, seeking to answer his people's prayers and bring the same order he imposed on the Republic to the heavens themselves.

Structure

A senate of roughly four hundred meets to pass laws, while the Emperor executes them with assistance from the military. A tribune of twelve is elected by commoners and given limited power of veto against laws affecting only the plebians, though the Emperor sits as the thirteenth member of the tribune and most defer to him.

Public Agenda

The Republic has spread from the mountains of Middle Sister in the west to the northern half of the Scythe in the east, with all the islands in between under their control. They are expanding slowly into Older Sister in an effort to bring all of humanity under their control, to better share their enlightenment with the world. Conquest is always popular, and most legionnaires who survive twenty years in the military are granted land to settle afterward, which means the Republic is ever seeking more land.

Assets

The Republic is a massive nation with ample trade to dwarves, man'di tribes, and unaligned humans alike. Ample but not overly cumbersome taxes pay for a strong navy and a military currently at 26 legions (of roughly 5,000 soldiers each), with tax relief given to wealthy nobles who enter military service and pay for their own equipment (and sometimes entire units). The Republic maintains a martial tradition that instills civic pride in all classes of its people, and paying for the war machine is something most are proud to do. The Republic also spends money on defenses and civic improvement, making for cities that are generally well defended, clean, and safe.

History

Refugees from a war on the Scythe founded the city of Balleron in 8713. Approached by a dwarven trading guild, the humans initially submitted to dwarven governance, appreciating the dwarves' assistance in setting up their infrastructure and larger buildings. Four and a half centuries later, dwarven rule had become despotic, and the humans of the city rebelled, casting the dwarves out and establishing their own line of regents. These monarchs too came under fire for abhorrent practices, and in the year 9412, Balleron cast these down, installing a republic under the watchful eye of a senate and consul. In declaring themselves a republic, Ballerons saw themselves as liberators, and swiftly set about toppling the tyrants neighboring them, using a combination of military ingenuity and fanaticism among their troops, who faced either large slave armies with no morale to speak of or elite but extremely small bands of personal guards. The Republic has been slowly expanding, annexing some peacefully and others less so, ever since.

"We shield humanity from chaos."

Founding Date

Year 8713 (the city of Balleron), Year 9412 (The Republic)

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Alternative Names

The Brass Republic, the Empire

Demonym

Ballerons (or by absorbed city-state)