Baratox Conglomerate
The conglomerate is an extreme meritocracy that oversees its member cities so that they follow the same guidelines. In Baratox, everyone has a chance to show their strengths. And they are judged by what the accomplish. Those with skill and talent are elevated to the highest status. Those who can't provide for society should find a way to make something useful at all or be left outside.
The extreme focus on results has given the Conglomerate and its members access to technology that is always at least two steps ahead of everyone else. They also rely less on the blessings of the gods and prefer to bind any arcane forces in ways that make them more predictable. This has made them less popular with some organisations, but they are too useful an ally not to talk to.
Structure
Each member city has a representative on the Oversight Board which determines the validity of the Sovereign's decisions. The Sovereign themselves is elected in terms of five years but with no term limit. The election is in the form of a job application to the Oversight Board, stating qualifications. In theory, this means that the best experts hire the most suitable for the job. The current Sovereign, Parenae Zarkinet, was elected for her third term in 1363.
Many have pointed out that those selected as Sovereign tend to be personal friends of those on the Board. Some have even questioned if the right credentials are taken into account. Such thinking is seen as unreasonably subjective by the elite of the Bartox Conglomerate.
Member city-states are expected to select their leaders in a similar way to the Conglomerate at large. There are no public elections, only reviews of someone's work before appointing them to a position. One of the worst accusations possible would be that a ruling is irrational or based on too much emotion rather than logic.
Public Agenda
Progress must be allowed - not stifled. The mines around the Conglomerate are always pumping out more raw materials for the talented industries to make into wonderous creations. What is possibly holding the nation back is the emphasis on individuality which means that everyone is working on their own inventions rather than building on greater ideas together with others.
While few things here are designed to be around for centuries, the latest and greatest is always on display.
Assets
The @mounta inland are rich in many important minerals, gemstones, and more. These resources are rarely used as exports but instead feed the industries and manufacturing that usually happens closer to the sea. The things built in the Conglomorete are instead the things sought after by the rest of the world.
What needs to be imported are primarily various foods and animal-based products such as leather.
History
The cities that are now members had already traded in mutually beneficial ways for centuries when the Conglomerate was formed. It was the result of a rebellion against the Tarkwen Kingdom at one end of the Wikane island, that spread to surrounding areas that either welcomed some protection against outsiders or were very effectively subdued. Three more cities have been taken in after that and the Conglomerate now control most of the island.
Demography and Population
While the majority of the population, like in most of the world, is human, there are large groups of other races. Dwarves and, especially, gnomes are very commonplace. You will also see more of the races sometimes not welcome in other regions of the world. A hard-working orc is given as much of a chance here as a dwarf is. And an orc who doesn't provide is as useless to society as a dwarf who doesn't.
Territories
The conglomerate claims the southern part of the Dagger Coast as its territory, but in theory, any sovereign entity could apply to join. Most of the member cities are of the opinion that it would be harmful to their local interests to have members too physically far removed from the rest. They also agree that while they will defend the territory, any conquest should be one through trade or joint partnership.
Military
Every member city has its very own guard and is required to assign some of them to the jobs required to keep the whole of Baratox safe.
Technological Level
It's fair to say that in many ways, Baratox might have access to the most advanced non-magical technology in the world. Their complex apparatuses, firearms, and inventions are sought after everywhere and rarely replicated. The nation is also eager to keep as much of a monopoly on these things as they can and will harshly punish anyone unlawfully sharing secrets. Of course, sooner or later someone else catches on and the Conglomerate has to rely on even newer inventions.
Education
All citizens are given basic education for free. As long as they keep passing tests after that, they keep being allowed more education. Those who fail one of the increasingly difficult tests might be required to pay for a little bit of the education they have already gone through.
Mnid over Matter, Mind over Soul
Founding Date
890
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Bartox Confederacy
Kingdom of Cogs
Kingdom of Cogs
Demonym
Bartians
Head of State
Government System
Meritocracy
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
1 Emerald Crown =
10 Platinum Crowns =
100 Gold Crowns =
1.000 Silver Crowns =
10.000 Copper Crowns
10 Platinum Crowns =
100 Gold Crowns =
1.000 Silver Crowns =
10.000 Copper Crowns
Judicial Body
The guidelines set by the Sovereign must be obeyed by each city unless they are given special dispensation. The cities each have an Arbiter that sees cases and interprets how to apply the law. Both the accused and the city might appoint legal representatives to put forth all arguments.
In the cities large enough to have deputy Arbiters, the only appeal one can get for a case is to the head Arbiter, and they rarely see a case already handled by someone else.
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments