The Principality of Al-Tiba
O Principado de Al-Tiba, or The Principality of Al-Tiba, is an old nation on mainland Efaanu known for its liberal views on most things in life.
Ruled by the Grand Prince or Princess, Al-Tiba is a mostly desert nation known for its love of culture and philosophy, as well as its fierce love of independence and personal freedoms.
Al-Tiba had been fighting on and off wars with the Mernite Sovereignty to the east for several generations, but those wars came to a halt with the conquest of the Sovereignty by The Realm. This was a boon for Al-Tiba, though it saw a sudden influx of refugees from the region. Shortly after the Consuming Darkness passed, the Crusaders from the north came and formed The Holy Mernite Sovereignty, forming a buffer state between Al-Tiba that is far friendlier than the former Mernite Sovereignty.
Structure
Al-Tiba is ruled by the Grand Prince (or Princess), a quasi-elected monarchial title. The Grand Prince rules for life and chooses a successor upon their death. However, the lower nobility of Al-Tiba can veto this choice upon the Prince's death and instead elect a successor. Or alternatively a Grand Prince can just opt to leave the election to the lower nobility and not choose a successor.
Below the grand prince are the Amirs and Amiras, these higher nobility control vast swaths of land but are effectively powerless in many ways. They live in fortresses or castles provided and paid for by the Grand Prince, but hold very little personal power over their land. Instead they merely help administrate their lands, called Amitra's, that are more directly controlled by the nobility below them called Regatras. Amirs and Amiras are lifelong appointments, but upon the death of the Amir or Amira they are replaced by the Grand Prince by whoever they choose, tradition dictates that the Amir or Amira be somehow related to either the dead Amir or the Grand Prince, but Grand Princes have broken tradition many times if they see a reason to.
Below the Amir's are the Regatra, a landed class of nobility that oversee lands from the size of a single farming manor to a massive city. Regatra's are responsible for their lands wellbeing and serve both as legislator and judge of those lands. While appointments are for life Regatra can be recalled by the Amir above them (as long as The Grand Prince signs off on it). When they die their holdings go to their oldest children, as long as the Amir judges that the child is capable of ruling the land the Regatra oversees. Regatra are expected to help their citizens live up to the ideals of freedom and personal responsibility that are espoused by the state, and they can and often are punished if they fail to do so in any way. Regatra is both a title, and the name of the land that the Regatra oversees.
History
During the time of the Atkorian Empire the Al-Tiban peninsula (as it was known by locals) was mostly a get away for artists and philosophers from the Empires capital and homeland. This emphasis on artistry and free thinking bled into the local culture. When the Atkorian Empire began to fall the Al-Tiban people quickly took to the sword to kick out their hypocritical overlords. The land split into mostly peaceful and co-existing petty kingdoms after the fall of the Atkorians. This was changed during the days of Frant Carlegn, who arrived on the southern shores of the peninsula and quickly conquered the region.
During the days of the Carlegnian Empire the Al-Tibans were a constant pain point for the ruling family. Rebellions and dissent were common as the idea of freedom and independence could not be truly shaken. When the Empire weakened the Al-Tibans were the first to launch into open rebellion, with the first Grand Prince, Sulanan Magnitan Asafor Nazaro, uniting the people of Al-Tiba under his banner. After the fall of the Carlegn's Sulanan formed the modern state of Al-Tiba as it is known today.
The Principality of Al-Tiba has become known as a refuge for anyone who feels oppressed in their homeland, especially The Realm and to a lesser extent Lethennor. It has also, until it was conquered and later replaced with The Holy Mernite Sovereignty, waged several wars with the Mernite Sovereignty
Demography and Population
Al-Tiba, like much of Efaanu, is very much heavily weighted towards Humans. However, it does enjoy a much larger amount of diversity than other nations. Dwarves, Elves, Genasi, and more come from both the rest of Efaanu and even occasionally Kalin to the far north.
Territories
The Principality of Al-Tiba controls the entirety of its namesake Peninsula, which is aided by the Plusios mountain range to its east. The only way by land onto the peninsula is through the Plusios pass, a narrow passageway that is easily defended. Otherwise an invader must attack from the sea, and Al-Tiba ensures it has a first class navy to defend its shores.
Military
In times of war The Grand Prince will call on the Amirs and Amiras to gather troops, who in turn will call upon the Regatra to call forth troops. These troops vary greatly. Some Regatra pay and equip professional soldiers that can match any force in the field, whereas some Regatra will call forth farmers and mill workers with pitchforks. These forces are enhanced with mercenaries that The Grand Prince will hire, as well as the extremely well known and proficient Lanzarnos.
Religion
The Principality doesn't have a state religion, allowing for any religion to be worshiped in its borders as long as it doesn't harm others. Due to its proximity to The Realm and Lethennor the worship of the Elements and Sulanar respectively are the most popular religion, though worshipers of The Mantle aren't unheard of.
A cada un a súa liberdade, de cada un a súa lealdade (To each their freedom, from each their loyalty)
Type
Geopolitical, Principality
Alternative Names
The Philosophers Desert, the Storming Sands
Demonym
Al-Tiban
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Al-Tiban Pesatas
Legislative Body
The Grand Prince, with significant input from his Amir's, makes the nation-wide laws of Al-Tiba. The laws have been built up since the nations founding and are pretty comprehensive. Where gaps in the law exist, it is the job of the Amir's to ask the Grand Prince to make decisions on these blank spots.
Judicial Body
Most local interpretations of law come from the Regatra, or a chosen representative of the Regatra.
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
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