Republic of Gashain (gah-Shane)
The Republic of Gashain was the largest nation on the continent of Isera stretching from the western coasts to the Braghmaine mountains and Epron in the east. It was a prosperous nation with a high standard of living from decades of peace and massive agriculture production. The majority racial group, Halflings, tended to live north of the Rouralt River and tended to the sprawling fields and orchards of the countryside. The other major racial group, Dwarves, had longstanding centers in the Braghmaines and the hills south of the Rouralt. Finally in the southwest, the large swamplands were full of tiny fishing hamlets and isolated communities.
From 1172-1181 the Republic was at war with Epron. Originally managed by the heads of the branches of the military, the war was lead personally by Robinia Bracefoot who formalized her third term as Orator in 1174 after the elections in 1171. The war made forming a government difficult but Bracefoot succeeded in creating a coalition of the Military and Nobility Estates and rammed through aggressive new legislation in 1174 known as the "Shout Doctrine". The Shout Doctrine created a new position during times of national emergency that superseded the Oratorship and the Body of Speakers and gave massive executive power to the Orator. An Orator using these powers would be known as the Shout and Robinia Bracefoot was the first to enact the doctrine in order to more effectively wage war against Epron.
Structure
The Republic of Gashain is a federated parliamentary democratic state. 'Speakers' are elected to the Body of Speakers by national vote based on four Estates: The former Monarchy, the Military, the Guilds, and the Populace. Each Estate is granted an equal number of Speakers in the body. Once the Body is formed the Speakers individually align until a majority voting block is created and a government can be formed. Typically this is done by rallying around an individual Speaker to become Orator, or head of government. Once a government is formed, the Orator can appoint a Presidium council form other Speakers. Elections are held five years after a government forms which can lead to irregular elections depending on how long it takes from election to formation.
Since 1174, and the passage of the Shout Doctrine, as it is known, the Orator of Gashain has had sole executive power over industry, personnel, and the military. Many in the former nobility cannot identify a difference between the powers of the Shout and the former Monarch.
Culture
The ability to speak and have opinions is highly praised by Gashanians and intelligence, elocution, and writing are all virtues. Gashanians make fantastic conversationalists and performers but are notorious gossips. After centuries of democracy Gashanians tend to have a disdain for monarchical states like the neighboring Epron and Eshor and find respect for nobility and crown amusing and somewhat backwards. The monarchy of Gashain is loved and respected as a connection to the nation's past and as a political block but citizens do not feel loyalty beyond fondness for individuals and respecting the ancestral titles.
Since the outbreak of war and the passing of the Shout Doctrine, the culture has shifted towards a warlike individuality.
History
Halflings and Dwarves have lived in the area now known as Gashain for centuries. From 327-984 the Kingdom of Gashain ruled most of the current area of the nation but was overthrown in the brutal Gashainian Civil War (980-984). The territory east of the Braghmaine mountains was lost to Epron during the war. Beginning in 984 the current governmental structure was created with the former monarch and their nobility retaining a portion of control in the legislature.
Demography and Population
Gashain boasts a population of over 174 million inhabitants as of 1170CE. Any and all races live within Gashain's borders. The majority of citizens are halflings and dwarves but all races are present especially in the larger cities.
The demography is 42% Halfling, 34% Dwarf, and the rest is comprised as follows:
- 4% Human
- 2% Elf/Half-Elf
- 6% Gnome
- .02% Orc
- .98% Aarakocra/Kenku
- 3% Tiefling
- 6% Dragonborn
- 2% Other
Debate Creates
984 - 1174/1181
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Republic of Gashain
Successor Organization
Demonym
Gashanian
Leader Title
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Gold Piece
Legislative Body
The Body of Speakers
Judicial Body
Lectureship of Justice Courts
Executive Body
Presidium
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments