Serene Republic of Dalkar (dahl-karr)
The Serene Republic of Dalkar - usually just referred to as the Serene Republic - is one of the nations that calls the island of Dalkaria home. The nation occupies the southern portion of the island, between the Punchbowl Mountains and the coast of the Midor Sea. The land on which much of the Serene Republic sits was once hostile and filled with warring Giants, but through determination and ingenuity the humanoids of the area have managed to push those forces back to the Forbidden Forest.
The eastern three cities of the Serene Republic were some of the first settlements founded in the Second Age, and the western three were settled as the first act of a united republic, in or around 941 2A. In fact, it was the founding of these three western defensive towns that brought the other three cities together, where previously they were independent city-states. An invitation was also extended to the nearby Amach, but they declined to provide settlers for the new towns and have remained independent ever since.
The moniker of the "Serene Republic" was adopted somewhere around 1200 2A, when the nation was struggling to attract settlers. None of the three defensive towns - which range from actively dangerous to slightly on edge, and definitely not 'serene' - are accessible directly from the sea, so any port a traveler or would-be settler stops in is actually part of the relatively peaceful half of the nation. It is somewhat of a sarcastic joke amongst the western towns that the republic is serene specifically because they toil day in and day out to make it so.
Structure
The nation has a unicameral Parliament that is made up of representatives from the constituent towns and cities. The western towns, being generally smaller than their eastern compatriots, have fewer representatives each - as does the smaller Plainsview. Each of these four settlements has 1 representative per 2,000 people (or just 1 for the town of Plainsview, which has a population smaller than that threshold). The larger two cities have 1 representative for every 5,000 citizens. Plainsview has the fewest total representatives with 1, while Gullthorpe has the most with 8. This single-chamber legislative body deliberates laws and tries to strike the right balance between adequately supplying the western defensive towns with letting the eastern towns thrive and keep most of the fruits of their own labor.
This body holds elections for all positions every five years - with special elections taking place in individual cities when seats become unexpectedly vacant. When the new Parliament convenes for the first time, they elect a Serene Speaker from amongst their midst, as well as several cabinet positions. The Serene General, who oversees the nation's military apparatus, is similar appointed by the parliament from amongst eligible senior commanders and has great leeway to make military decisions without interference from the parliament. The larger body does control the budgets and manpower allocations for the military, though the Serene General can request more men or supplies at any time, and the parliament will deliberate and make a decision on the merits of that request.
Culture
The Serene Republic has two distinct cultures, depending on whether one is from the western defensive towns or the eastern part of the nation. The western inhabitants are more hardy folks, who see danger and death on a regular basis and know their singular purpose is to protect their countrymen further to the east. They drink hard to celebrate or calm the nerves, and many have hobbies they partake in when not actively on duty or scouting. It is a very interesting mix of free-time enthusiasm and rugged survivalism.
The eastern portion of the kingdom is more "traditional" in what one would expect from at-peace cities and towns. The concentration of people makes for a stronger sense of community - though mainly among the neighborhood or city and not extending to other citizens of the nation. The giant-kin culture has somewhat faded in the east, giving way to a cosmopolitanism and semi-industrial feel that leaves some people in poverty and unable to attain steady food or shelter. Contrasted with the western areas where every citizen is cared for and the giant-kin sense of hospitality remains, the eastern cities can feel cold and harsh despite their vibrant mix of cultures.
Demography and Population
In the early days of this region, the vast majority of the population was made up of the giant-kin races, humans, and halflings. With more recent (in the last couple centuries) immigration and instability around the world, people from all cultures and walks of life have relocated to this nation, making it far more cosmopolitan and melting-pot than it was previously. Nowadays, members of almost any culture or people can be found throughout the nation, be it in the bustling cities of the eastern kingdom or the rigid military towns of the west.
In general, the Serene Republic is a poor nation compared to others, but the main reason for this is that a good portion of their output has to go toward supplying and maintaining the defensive towns in the western plains. Without this constraint, the cities and towns of the eastern republic would be able to produce more high-quality and high-value goods for export. The main industries or occupations amongst Dalkarites are: soldier/mercenary (around 25% of the population), agriculture (around 25% of the population), and trading/goods transportation (around 15%). The remainder of the citizenry are engaged in various service industries and goods processing, such as milling, pottery, smithing, etc.
Foreign Relations
The Serene Republic remains largely aloof from its nearby neighbors, mainly due to geographic isolation. Its closest ally and trading partner is the independent city-state of Amach. There is limited trading and interaction between the Serene Republic and the Demesne of Ice to its north - mainly due to the massive mountain range and dense forests that separate the two, not to mention the tundra that one would have to cross to reach any Demesne settlements.
Across the Strait of Dalkaria is the newly-formed Everyn Federation. While the Serene Republic did not take a side in the recent wars that saw much of eastern Ayndrinor conquered under the banners of the Dumein Dominion, they are slowly beginning to wade into relations with the Federation.
Shield Against the Giants
Founding Date
940 2A
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Dalkarites
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
Parliament
Judicial Body
Serene Magistrates (5)
Executive Body
Serene Speaker
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments