Suxad
The Elven Homeland
I found the elves of the Minor Continent to be some of the most peaceful and welcoming people on our journey. I expected them to be rather akin to the dragons of our own homeland, having severed themselves from human company many centuries earlier. But they retain well-maintained trade routes with their neighbors to the south, and those entering their territory are not met with threats and spears, but with gift and greeting. So it was for my sister and I, who were honored guests at the Elven tables, though the honor was surely greater for us.
--Journal of Marcus Pfieffer, 1506
Structure
Suxad's government has three branches. The executive branch is headed by the president, who is elected by the people every 5 years. The president can only serve one term, and they select a cabinet to help them. The legislative branch is headed by a unicameral legistlature, where members serve two year terms. They are elected by the people, and they represent specific areas, based on population. It is common that a legislator will be re-elected for several terms, sometimes with no challenger running. The judicial branch is headed by a supreme court of 15 judges.
Public Agenda
Because Suxad was originally Elven territory, but now makes home to both Elves and humans, and because Suxad has maintained longstanding peaceful borders with its neighbors to the south, Suxad actively promotes rights for non-human races and equality between humans and others.
History
The Elves of Suxad are believed to have broken away from the nation of Brightland early in its history. Though maintained a peaceful border the with the other country, as well as trade routes, this allowed the Elves to form a government which was more suitable to their culture, much like the Snoiks people, who also broke off around the same time.
Though some misconceptions exist that Elves have a generally peaceful nature, the history of this "Elven Homeland" is fraught with many of the same conflicts that are found in human dominant nations. For example, in the 15th century, the Suxadi king declared a state religion and executed any who did not follow it. At this time, many Elves fled the country, smuggled aboard trader ships, often headed for distant nations, such as Nefrale. But the king began an iron-fisted religious order which ruled the nation for nearly two centuries, until a ruler who secretly harbored a different religious faction rose to power and reversed the policy.
Suxad remained almost entirely an Elven nation until the 17th century, which travelers from Zenxon landed on their shores. Though the Suxadi Elves greeted the Zenxonians warmly, they quickly learned that the humans did not have good intentions of their own. Nevertheless, the Elves were able to fight back the humans in what is now known in Suxad as The Triumphant Rebellion. Suxad remained a thorn in Zenxon's side, however, and a century later, the new human imperialist leader sent a much larger army to put the Elves in their place. After a 21 year war, the Suxadi queen was taken, and Zenxon officially took control of the territory, doing everything they could to impose their new culture, religion, and language on the people. This period is known in Suxad as The Human Era.
This lasted until 1838, when Brek invaded Suxad during a war with Zenxon. After seven years, Zenxon and Brek struck a treaty in which Brek retained the territory of what is today Suxad. This was seen by the Suxadi as a new chance to gain independence, but their rebellions had little effect on Brek. Finally, in 1855, the Suxadi rebels got support from Ethion, and after three years of fighting, managed to win their freedom.
Suxad's long and violent history has contributed to its progressive politics, as well as its diverse population and reputation as a magically innovative nation. In 1876, Copperridge University was founded, which is now known internationally as Nideon's leading university in studying magic. The founding of Copperridge even inspired the founding of Faraday High School in Nefrale two years later. Suxad has also started a program that is meant to benefit low-level criminals trying to escape the overly harsh justice system of their northern neighbor, Oron, especially those who are relatively young. Through the program, such criminals trade service for citizenship in Suxad, which has a more fair justice system.
Demography and Population
Suxad is the country with the largest population of Elves on Nideon. Since the invasions of the 17th and 18th centuries however, there is also a large human population, and is the only country in Nideon that has a larger population of elves than humans. There is also a small Mermish population, primarily on the coast. Multiple languages and religions are present, and though government business is usually conducted in Elvish, several other major languages are recognized in the nation.
Military
Suxad keeps both an active army and navy.
Technological Level
Though Suxad is technologically lacking compared to many other countries, for the same reason that its infrastructure is, the degree of available technology again differs greatly area to area. More urban areas, such as the cites where the textile factories can be found, have much higher technology, while some rural areas have very little. Some of these rural communities, however, prefer the lack of technology, insisting that the country needs to return to "old ways" from before the Zenxonian invasion.
Religion
The most dominant religion in Suxad is Vitnu, with the second and third most common religions being Mun and Calistian beliefs. Together, these make up more than 95% of the population. Much of the rest follow the Snoiks religion.
Foreign Relations
Suxad has always had strong relations with its Southern neighbors, Snickerry and Brightland, which have welcomed Suxadi refugees during several times of crisis throughout history. Their relationship with their northern neighbors, however, are much more strained. Suxad disapproves of Oron's harsh penal system and has started a reform program to assist young people who are convicted of petty crimes and sentenced to harsh punishments. This program allows such people to work toward Suxadi citzenship. Suxad still has a strained relationship with Zenxon, due to its human supremacist values, but it is now on good terms with Break. It also still maintains an allyship with Ethion, for helping it during the revolution.
Agriculture & Industry
Like Brightland, Suxad plays a large role in the creation and processing of textiles. They are a large producer of cotton and wool, as well as completed articles of clothing.
Trade & Transport
Suxad as always maintained strong trade routes with Snickerry and Brightland, as well as sea routes with some of the southern nations. Their transport stations are relatively new, however.
Education
Before the Zenxonian invasion, communities in Suxad set up schools which students attended to learn basic skills, with young adults apprenticing under others from whom they would learn a vocation. Schools were often led by a rotating group of community members who were knowledgeable in different areas. Similarly, a young person might apprentice to more than one person, to master several different skills before settling into a more permanent profession. The Zenxonians believed this education system to be primitive and set up official schools based on their own school system. Elves and humans were usually separated in these schools and treated differently. Since gaining independence from Brek, Suxad has maintained a public school system akin to that used under the invasions, though it is still lacking. Those who can often send their children to private schools, where they believe they will get a better education. Some rural communities have returned to the old version of education, though they fight with having this approved by the government, which has declared nine years of mandatory schooling.
Infrastructure
Suxad was fighting a revolution at the time that other nations were beginning to industrialize. Furthermore, after gaining independence, Suxad struggled economically and had to rebuild areas of its territory. As a result, the quality of buildings and roads differs greatly from area to area. The country is also subject to earthquakes. A coalition has been formed to improve housing in general and quake-resistant housing in particular.
Hope, Peace, Unity
Founding Date
1858
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Demonym
Suxadi
Government System
Democracy, Presidential
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
acet
Major Exports
clothing
Major Imports
machinery
Location
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments