The Southern Union
The Republic of the Southern Union is a land of wealth and prosperity. Formerly part of The Southlands, the Southern Union was formed after the nation split following the Kanarosh Crisis, and has remained a powerful player in both continental and international trade ever since. While it's neighbor, The Undying South, took the Jungles, The Southern Union got the grasslands and Savannah Plains, as well as vast swathes of the Howling Sands Desert.
The Southern Union is a Republic, with the people of the five cities electing twenty representatives each every eight years to sit on the Merchant Senate, the body which decides the future of the nation. The Senate elects a Grand Senator at the start of each eight year term to lead them. The Southern Union also has a figurehead position, The Prince (Or Princess), who is elected by the people for a sixteen year term during which they act as head of state, referee with the Senate, trade negotiator with other nations, as well as a myriad of other functions.
Structure
Within the Southern Union, The Merchant Senate holds the highest power, with the Grand Senator leading them, and the Princess of The Southern Union representing the state. Below them are the Judiciary Board, a broad group that act as both government officials and judges, responsible for the dissemination of the Senate's law across the country.
Culture
The people of the Southern Union tend be jovial and welcoming as a whole. Straddling the only land border between Hestoria and Sud-Hestoria, the Southern Union receives traders and caravans of all kinds, and it's people view outsiders and friends and customers first, avoiding conflict unless necessary.
Demography and Population
The people of the Southern Union are a unique amalgamation of peoples. Humans are the most numerous, at thirty one percent of the population, but the rest is a glorious, colorful mix of people of all stripes and walks of life. There is even a dedicated quarter in the city of San Ulfar for Drow and Duergar, as well as other sunlight sensitive folk.
Nearly half of the people in the country live in the five cities, San Hifez, San Ulfar, Moristetta, Kimet, and Galath, as this is where the trade comes in. The others live in the towns and villages scattered across the savanna lands and grass plains, where crops are grown, or in the coastal towns.
Territories
The country of The Southern Union ranges from warm upland hills in the North West, bordering the Gosbutt Orcish Territories, down to grassy plains and savanna lands in the south. The most eastern reaches of the country are taken up by the Howling Sands desert, a hot and desolate place. These lands were all once part of The Southlands, before the Kanarosh Crisis.
Military
The Merchant Guard are the standing military of the Southern Union. They have a major barracks in each city, as well as smaller outposts along major roads and in the towns. Trade is the lifeblood of the Southern Union, and it is the job of the Merchant Guard to protect it, as well as the people. The Merchant Guard not only has large standing ground forces, but also a sizeable navy, consisting of nearly eight dozen ships, that protect Union water. There is also a pair of Airships, outfitted for rapid combat deployment, that dock in the city of Galath.
Technological Level
A bustling place, Technology is making life easier for many people in The Union. The Legion of Progress has a large presence here, taking advantage of all the wealth and materials that flow through the markets. Airships are becoming more common sight, with each major city having an airship dock.
Religion
As followers of the Pantheon, Temples to the deities are common in all settlements of The Southern Union, although The Merchant receives particular preference here.
Foreign Relations
The Southern Union has no enemies, only friends. As least that is the official line. In reality, The Union pushes an agenda weighted heavily towards trade with foreign powers, and this makes the Union seem greedy and grasping in the eyes of some.
Agriculture & Industry
The Southern Union could not be considered any kind of industrial or agricultural powerhouse. Indeed, it produces just enough food to feed it's own people and imports everything else.
Trade & Transport
The act of trade necessitates good transport systems and, as the world's marketplace, The Southern Union has some of the best. The roads are wide, paved, and well maintained and patrolled. Naval routes are kept free and clear of pirates, debris and other hazards.
Education
With plenty of trade comes he need for people to know how to count, read, write, and barter and haggle. To that end, every city and large town in The Union has a state sponsored school where children up to the age of fifteen can go and learn how to read, write, and count. This puts the Southern Union a step ahead of most nearby nations in terms of basic education levels. However, these schools are over-subscribed, and many of the more well-off families send their children to private schools that offer a much broader education, including schooling in the arts, literature, and trade skills.
Founding Date
PR.2937
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
The Union
Demonym
Southlander
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Direct
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
As a highly trade based nation, The Southern Union has no official currency of it's own, and instead bases the value of coinage off weight and material. It is not uncommon to see gold coins from a dozen different nations in the same handful of coin handed you by a shopkeeper here.
Major Imports
If you can name it, The Southern Union buys it. They act often as a middle man broker, buying goods at a lower price and selling them on higher.
Legislative Body
The legislative body of The Southern Union is the Merchant Senate. This group of one hundred elected individuals debate over laws in the Senate, and then vote them on them. If passed, the laws are written up as Bills, which are signed by both the Grand Senator and Princess of The Southern Union, as well as a nominated committee of signatories.
Judicial Body
The Judiciary Board are responsible for taking the Bills passed by the Merchant Senate and ensuring their requirements are met by the populace. To this end, members of the Judiciary Board take positions as Mayors, Judges, and City Watch heads.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
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