Reuni
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This document has been contributed by: Maria Vesette
Reuni is the largest nation in Vehasi, both by land area and by population. Formerly an expansionist empire, its outward expansions have been halted, leading it to turn its militarism inwards. The Reunic government has an iron fist around its inhabitants, controlling trade and travel between cities, establishing federally-controlled individuals in seats of power of large settlements. It borders New Vransi, Khastoro, and Vechia, and Dostros is just across the Great Scar, though has no land connections to Reuni. The nation is a descendent of the empire of Ryalor, which fell after its leadership collapsed. In this collapse, the new regime of what would soon become Reuni established itself in place.
Culture
The culture of Reuni, seemingly vibrant at first glance, has an undercurrent of fear to it. Once it has been spotted, it is visible everywhere, nearly every citizen looking over their shoulder, having hushed conversations, and halting their speech when strangers near. The festivals and parties hosted by the nobility and aristocracy are bright and brilliant, but not quite enough to draw the eye away from the families living on the streets who steal because that's the only way they can feed themselves. The criminal underworld is pervasive in Reuni, Shadowspeak acting almost as a secondary official language of the state, spoken by most other than the wealthy. While some of this underworld is fierce and dangrous, a sizeable portion consists of those who want to aid others who have been dealt a bad hand by the laws of Reuni, and those wishing to find their way out of the nation unseen. Smuggling, both of goods and of people, is an incredibly in-demand profession.
History
Reuni was formed in the fall of Ryalor when its leadership began to collapse. The specifics of how the government of Ryalor fell is shrouded in mystery; the nation was strong and ever-growing, its people happy and its culture flourishing. From what historical accounts can be gathered, there was some sort of internal conflict that led to two deaths and one disappearance. After the government collapsed, Ryalor fell into a state of ruin - at which point the God-Queen stepped in to restore the kingdom. The original God-Queen was a woman who the people of Ryalor had never heard of, but who expressed impressive power and might, subjugating the fractured remnants of the Ryloran government to her own will. She pieced together the falling nation in an impressively short span of time, establishing herself as ruler and restructuring the entirety of the government into the state it is in today.
Demography and Population
The majority of Reuni's population is human, at about 71% - the highest majority percentage of any of the other nations. This is in part due to Reuni's heavily restricted travel, and in part due to the fact that the only bordering nation they are on good terms with is also a majority human. A good portion of the population is of orc descent, due to Reuni's conquest of the former nation of Vorogo. While much of this orcish population is mixed, much of their population and culture is concentrated in the northern regions of Reuni, in what was once Vorogan territory. The frigid climate makes it less desireable to human inhabitants, while Vorogan blood is more resilient against the temperature. The language of Vrogic-Reunic Creole is commonly spoken in those areas.
The remainder of the population is a healthy mix between the remaining three of the five core species, halflings, gnomes, and dwarves. The halfling and gnomish populations can be found mostly near the Khastoran border, with more dwarves found to the nation's west, on its border with New Vransi. There is some hostility towards dwarves in Reuni, as an extention of their conflict with New Vransi.
The remainder of the population is a healthy mix between the remaining three of the five core species, halflings, gnomes, and dwarves. The halfling and gnomish populations can be found mostly near the Khastoran border, with more dwarves found to the nation's west, on its border with New Vransi. There is some hostility towards dwarves in Reuni, as an extention of their conflict with New Vransi.
Currency
Reuni's currency is the second most widespread on the continent of Vehasi, in common use just behind VSC in the northern areas of the continent. Reuni has three different coins. The first and least valuable of these coins is the ashtel, a round copper coin which has a depiction of a set of scales with wings and a halo on its tail side, and on its heads side a depiction of a blindfolded woman. Engraved on the tail side of the coin in Reunic is the word "Justice". 15 ashtels make a siirin, a round silver coin, which on its tail side depicts four hands spreading out from the centre of the coin, and on its head depits a skull held in a single hand. Engraved on its tail side is the word "Death" in Reunic. 20 siirins make one myleth, a round gold coin. On the face side of the coin is the visage of Myldala, and on its tail side is a depiction of her symbol, two interlocking golden rings with an eye in their centre. Below this depiction is a Reunic inscription reading "Arcana".Territories
Reuni can be split into two major territories, Reuni's primary territory, and the northern Vorogan territory. The southern territories are where most of Reuni's major cities are located, such as its capital of Ralas, major trade city of Corell, and legislative capital of Meidal. The southern areas of Reuni are, on average, much more developed than its northern regions. The Vorogan territory gets a lot less of an architectural budget, though often is even more monitored than the southern areas of the nation. The cities in the north have dilapidated buildings, stagnant expansion efforts, and low populations; they are much less vibrant than the lively centers of civilisation in the south. The northern areas of Reuni are cold, prone to snow, hail, and freezing winds, while the south has a more temperate climate. The seasons, in particular the winter, are much more extreme in the Vrogic territory.
Military
The Paladins of the God-Queen are the primary military organisation of Reuni. They are split into multiple sub-sections that operate within them, including a collection of elite soldiers, an organisation of assassins, and guards that serve the crown directly. There are a number of knightly organisations, paladinic orders, and coalitions of war priests that operate under the regulations of the Office of Knightly Orders and War Priesthoods (OKOWP), which are afforded a bit more freedom in their operations and methods than the official military.. However, Reuni's intelligence offices keep a close eye on these organisations, to ensure none participate in traitorous activity. The organisations are incentivised to keep their members on a tight leash, as if one goes rogue, the entire organisation is decommissioned. They are subject to strict laws and regulations as to how they accept and train members, and their leaders must report directly to the OKOWP.
Technological Level
The majority of Reuni's research goes towards innovations in the arcane. The nation's Office of Arcana has close ties to the Cobalt Sun, which approves funding for many of their interests in arcane research. While Reuni is not as technologically advanced as nations like New Vransi or Vechia, their connections with the latter allow for them to focus on the magical side of things and worry less about the technical. The Office of Arcana employs an elite force of mages that aid the nation's millitary, as well as funds and houses a collection of arcane researchers who work on experiments for the advancements of the nation's magical power - anything relating to magic on a professional level goes through the Office of Arcana for approval or funding.
Religion
In an official capacity, the primary religion of Reuni worships the God-Queen. The doctrine of the state's official religion, the Exaltation of the God-Queen is that the line of rulers of Reuni were granted power by the gods themselves, a gift they use to rule with care, benevolence, and strength. The gift is granted to the currently-reigning member of the royal family, which is matriarchal, and so the queen and her heir will always be a woman - though not necessarily by birth. The nation's motto is "in faith and service"; this phrase references faith in and service to the God-Queen. The nation also worships the Core Deities, though Myldala is a larger focus of worship, and believed by some to be the sole god responsible for the God-Queen's power.
Notes from Saibra
Notes from Saibra
The powers of the God-Queen, contrary to the widespread knowledge of the people of Reuni, do not come from the gods. In fact, the gods are indifferent to Reuni's leadership, as well as the leadership of the majority of Dulūn's nations. In reality, the God-Queen's power comes from an artifact she carries with her everywhere. Specifically, the magic stems from the central gem in her crown.
Foreign Relations
New Vransi
Reuni is in a cold war with New Vransi. While the mountains between the two nations put Reuni at a disadvantage if they were to attack, and New Vransi's inferior numbers prevent them from launching their own attack, both fear what would happen if the other nation grew more powerful without them being able to catch up. As such, the two nations are actively gathering intelligence on one another, creating weapons to match the other's power. While New Vransi has more of a mechanical focus, Reuni has made multiple arcane innovations, and the Office of Reunic Intelligence is working closely with the nation's Office of Arcana to develop weapons to use against New Vransi.Khastoro
Khastoro is wary of Reuni, though their thick forests and accordingly-trained forces continue to deter Reuni from attacking. Reuni has no intentions of attacking Khastoro, as a war with them would weaken them to an attack from New Vransi. However, Reuni has had its eye on Khastoran territory for a while, wanting to gain access to the high-traffic trade ports and the varity and abundance of natural resources that Khastoro has. Khastoro is well aware of all of this, and continues to maintain border security. Port travel is the primary method of travel in and out of Khastoro, and border patrols observe any travellers coming from Reuni. These patrols stop travellers if there is any suspicious activity.Vechia
Vechia and Reuni are trade partners, and on good terms with one another. The Vechian Pass, the only section of land that connects the two nations, has constant travel and communication. The Vechian embassy is located in Reuni's capital of Ralas, while Reuni's embassy is in Astrakkhan, near the Solorim Mountains and the border between the two nations. Both nations have multiple consulates in other major cities of the partner nation. Reuni provides resources, millitary support, and diplomatic support to Vechia. In turn, Vechia provides some of their own natural resources and diplomatic support, and acts as a proxy for trade with the other southern nations.Dostros
Dostros is the closest nation to Reuni that does not actually share a border with it. Del'Verun, Dostros' predecessor organisation, formerly expanded further north into modern-day Reuni. However, when the earth ruptured and the Great Scar was formed, Del'Verun's northern territory became part of what would soon be Reuni, and it's land area was greatly decreased. Despite the two nations sharing no land border, there is still much animosity between then. These feelings are only furthered by the fact that Dostros provides direct support to New Vransi, Reuni's enemy and the most direct threat to their seat of power in northern Vehasi.Laws
Reuni has a more strict set of laws compared to the other nations of Vehasi. A lot of Reuni's regulations surround movement between cities and registration of habitation. Every Reunic citizen must register with the nation's Office of Population Registration (OPR). This office issues two documents to citizens - a certificate of citizenship, and a certificate of residency. If a citizen decides to move, they must first get permission from the Office of Internal Travel and Transportation (OITT). Once this process, which can take between days to months to even years, is complete, the resident can then get their paperwork updated with the OPR - this process generally takes between a few weeks and a few months.
Travel between cities is slightly less complicated. The OITT has an office in every large city in Reuni, and all travellers must either show their registration papers from OPR (if they are a Reunic citizen), or external visitation papers received from OITT when entering the nation (if they are not). Small villages and towns often do not have these same restrictions, as it would be a waste of resources. However, this also means that sometimes, residents of small villages do not have the same residential papers as those from the cities, as OPR does not have offices set up. Some villages are close enough to larger cities that its citizens can make the trip to that city's offices for their papers, while others are too far out, and are separated from Reuni's systems. These villages are often havens for fugitives, defecting members of the millitary, or others who wish to be outside of the law.
The Office of Internal Regulation (OIR) is responsible for law enforcement in Reuni. They have offices stationed in every major city, and all adult citizens are required to either pay a fee or serve as a member of either the OIR or the nation's millitary for an amount of years determined by species, unless exempt. The OIR keeps a close eye on the citizens of the large cities, and are a source of fear and concern for most citizens. Many will avoid eye contact with them, and some try to avoid them entirely. The OIR tends to stay away from the wealthier districts, however, choosing to give them some privacy.
Travel between cities is slightly less complicated. The OITT has an office in every large city in Reuni, and all travellers must either show their registration papers from OPR (if they are a Reunic citizen), or external visitation papers received from OITT when entering the nation (if they are not). Small villages and towns often do not have these same restrictions, as it would be a waste of resources. However, this also means that sometimes, residents of small villages do not have the same residential papers as those from the cities, as OPR does not have offices set up. Some villages are close enough to larger cities that its citizens can make the trip to that city's offices for their papers, while others are too far out, and are separated from Reuni's systems. These villages are often havens for fugitives, defecting members of the millitary, or others who wish to be outside of the law.
The Office of Internal Regulation (OIR) is responsible for law enforcement in Reuni. They have offices stationed in every major city, and all adult citizens are required to either pay a fee or serve as a member of either the OIR or the nation's millitary for an amount of years determined by species, unless exempt. The OIR keeps a close eye on the citizens of the large cities, and are a source of fear and concern for most citizens. Many will avoid eye contact with them, and some try to avoid them entirely. The OIR tends to stay away from the wealthier districts, however, choosing to give them some privacy.
In Faith and Service
Founding Date
203 A.G.W.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Demonym
Reunic
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
Council of the God-Queen
Judicial Body
Divine Court of Reuni
Executive Body
Office of Internal Regulation
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
- Council of the God-Queen
- Divine Court of Reuni
- Exaltation of the God-Queen
- Office of Arcana
- Office of Internal Regulation
- Office of Internal Travel and Transportation
- Office of Knightly Orders and War Priesthoods
- Office of Population Registration
- Office of Reunic Intelligence
- Paladins of the God-Queen
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Really interesting overview of the country. The undercurrent of fear is particularly interesting, and and I definitely don't want to live there. I like that Reuni isn't really on good terms with their neighbours in general.
thank you! one of my characters grew up there, though her childhood was a bit worse than than the typical one lol. alas, such is the fate of a dnd character