Grand Republic of Durham

The Grand Republic of Durham was initially founded by the disperate factions found in Kincadia, Karst, and Darntorm as a response to the invasion of the Iron Hills by the Anorian Empire. They had long aided one another in defending themselves from some of the greatest threats emerging from the Colossus Mountains, but they were no longer allies and were now compatriots of the new Grand Republic of Durham. They would not be the only people that sought protection from an ever expanding empire, and eventually the people of Genecia and Luker joined into the Republic to protect themselves as the Anorian Empire expanded across Jarrenvale. As the Republic ballooned in size, it became too large for the Anorian Empire to simple sweep aside like it had done to so many civilizations before. This security allowed for the flourishing of Durham's people, uniting a diverse set of civilizations under one banner and pushing forward into the 2nd Age as a mighty force in the Reach.
Many of the leaders of the Grand Republic of Durham foresaw a future in which they would be embroiled in constant conflict with the Anorian Empire. These visions plagued the early leaders of the Republic, as they sought answers for how they would protect the project that all their people had suffered to create. It was the Primordial's who would have the answer they desperately searched for, and it was the creation of the Pillars of the Republic. This new pantheon would not be devoted to the old dead gods of the 1st age, but it would instead be devoted to the living body of the Grand Republic. The virtues that they aspired to treat one another with would be the basis of their own pantheon, and faith in these virtues would become the Pillars of the Republic. A new faction of devote clergy would be formed, known as the Arbiters, who would be tasked with the management of the religious organization around the Pillars, as well as the enforcement of the laws of the Republic.

Grand Assembly of Durham

The Grand Assembly is the ruling body of the Republic, and is made up of members from each of the five provinces. The members of this body must be elected by the citizens of their province, and the rules of these elections are decided on by the Grand Assembly. Provinces are given different allotments of representatives, based on the size of their voting body. This body is charged with writing Republic laws, and handling most issues that are too large for individual provinces to manage on their own. Alongside these responsibilities, they must also appoint the heads of the Pillars of the Republic and hold hearings to ensure that the Arbiters are correctly enforcing the laws of the land. 
The Grand Assembly has far reaching power, and is the ultimate authority within the Republic alongside the Arbiters. That being said, it's power is much less centralized than that of other nations. The body is made up of members from divergent states, who are often resistant to enacting laws that would upset the populace of their province. This is the reason that provinces have never been officially forced to change the way they internally organize power, leading to a differing types of local governance from province to province.

Culture

The five provinces of the Grand Republic share very little in common with one another, but their interdependence on one another for protection from the Anorian Empire has allowed for the exchange of different provincial cultures to spread all throughout the Republic. Small pieces of each province's culture can be found in all of the rest, as things like food, music, and art are shared widely throughout the Republic.  
Collective protection from imperial expansion provides the base for uniting the Republic, but it is the pillars of the republic that have fused the nation together with one singular identity. No matter the difference between provinces, the pillars of the republics provide a framework for people to work together.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic

Controlled Territories

• Ottoheim