Olivaan Union
The Olivaan Union is the shared central nation on the continent of Olivaan. Centuries ago the nations of Olivaan were at war over the region surrounding the Prime Tower. As this tower's eclipse provides the largest boost to Dust of any of the Towers, it of course was highly sought after. Decades of war raged between Timoria, Veritan, Kentrid, Zelor, Idiir, and Fahlis. Only Rensif stayed out of the conflicts, content with their position so close to the tower they share with Timoria. A ceasefire between the nations was held in Order to settle the conflict with no further bloodshed. They performed the ritual to summon The Judge, a powerful Fragment of Order. Each pleaded their case to The Judge on why their nation should control the region. Each knew that if The Judge rules on the matter, it was final, as the magic behind his judgement has never been broken. Ultimately, The Judge ruled that, "Each Nation's claim to the tower is valid. It's power feeds all of Miramai. For that reason, I rule that each nation shall surrender an equal portion of land. This land will form a new unified nation. It shall be governed by a Council formed of one Member from each Nation. From this day on, any Nation that shares a border with this Olivaan Union, shall maintain a seat on this Council, and a place in its Capital."
The moment The Judge completed their ruling, the space around the Prime Tower shifted, the long fought battleground was cleared. Surrounding the Tower were the emblems of each of the 6 Nations. Equally spaced and pointing towards their respective homelands. The magic The Judge left behind was immensely binding. Nations found they were unable to build on land belonging to any of their rivals, at least not without approval by an authority of that Nation. A council was formed and base laws were set. A decade passed as the nations tenatively tested the waters of this ruling.
The Council agreed to share an area directly surounding the tower. Government buildings, a central ECHO office, a Grand Library, and Market were all constructed with collaboration of all parties. It was found that as the central city grew, so too did the divided districts for each Nation. Firm boundaries were always known. Though in some cases buildings were built over these boundaries at the agreement of each nation.
Over a few Centuries, the Capital City of Olivaan, flourished. Though Nations still squabled, their position in the Union would often resolve disputes in the end. The City itself had grown to be the largest on the Continent. Each nation held a sizeable district, where their culture and people could live. However, the ruling for the Union held some specific wording that could be exploited. Though Rensif never felt a need to test these waters, a new Nation began to rise to the north of the Union.
La'Collet rose to power with no bloodshed. For that reason no Nation felt the need to take action against the industrius founder. As they expanded their borders, eventually came the day that they would reach the border of the Olivaan Union. The moment the papers were signed, and the last bit of land signed over to La'Collet, they became an equal member of the Union.
What felt like an earthquake tore through the streets of the city. Each of the original 6 districts shifted and collapsed into one another. Making room for a 7th. Even the council's various chambers shifted. Though they existed after the ruling, they were the voted upon area's for the council. Any place that held 6 seats for the members, found a 7th was added, and all space was condensed to make room for this 7th. Even their personal offices. A 7th office with a plaque waiting to be filled appeared.
It has been a little over 50 years at this point since La'Collet joined the Union. Though there is still some animosity, most of the districts have been brought back to their former glory. At least, outside of the poorer sections of the city. La'Collet provided a significant amount of aid to each of the districts in Order to apologize for the unforseen damage they dealt to the city. They however were never willing to surrender their position in the Union, claiming it would only lead to further catastrophe.
Geography
The Capital City of Olivaan is now made up of 8 districts. 7 of which belong to the nations belonging to the Union. The 8th is a shared region at the center surrounding the Prime Tower. Surrounding the city to its borders is fertile ground full of forests and grasslands. The Union also holds equal right to two of the massive freshwater lakes on its northern borders. The Prime Tower that sits at the center of the Union provides, easily, the most magic of any other tower. Due to this, the region sports a few floating islands. These islands rise during and after the eclipse over the Prime Tower. Then slowly fall after the eclipse over the Negative Tower.
Government
The Union itself is governed by a Council as decreed by The Judge at it's Creation. Each Nation selects their council member by their own means. Idiir for example chooses their representative through an election once every so many years. The election is held with no names or campaigning. Simply their intentions for policy. On the opposite end, Timoria's representative is chosen by whichever entity within the nation provides the most value to the nation. As chosen by the chairman of the guild co-operative. This has in the past been given to a chosen member of the lumber guilds, at which point all buildings in the Timorian district were built of wood. Later points it was changed over the to the Mason Guild... of course then Timorian district buildings changed over to various stone materials.
Below the Union Council are the Union Courts. These are judges appointed by 1 Council Member, and then approved by at least 2 others. These judges oversee interdistrict disputes and can approve permits for buildings that would cross district boundaries. They also select cases that are outside of their power that are then passed up to the Union Council. Below them are the District Courts. These of course are judges selected by each Nation as they choose to govern over their specific distrtict. All Districts are under the general rule of the Union Council and Union Courts, however they may fill in the gaps of law as they choose.
The Union outside of the capital also sports a few cities and several smaller towns and villages. Each of these have their own courts once they've hit a certain population. An elected council for those under that population.
Society and Culture
As the Union was created through a ruling from The Judge, courts and judges hold a special place in the Union. Acting as both lawmakers and overseers, they are held often times in very high regard. The positions being some of the most sought after on the continent.
Due to the nature of being a Union, influence is felt throughout the Union from each of the Nations. Holiday's from each Nation have begun to bleed over the boundaries of the various Districts and even Nation borders at this point. Things like Harvest festival traditions have spread to most of the Union nations. Tavern games once exclusive to Timorian Guild Taverns can now be found all the way on the coast lines of Kentrid.
Economy
The Olivaan Union does possess a centralized bank for the Union itself. However each citizen does belong to one of the connected Nations and is expected to pay taxes to their Nation. Though most Nations in the Union do give a moderate break from taxes for being citizens of the Union.
Trade is the largest part of their economy since all Nations feed goods into the Union.
Military
Each Nation hires and maintains their districts guards. However there are also guards under the shared District that report to the Union Courts. As well as the best of the best that report directly to the Council. Each Council member tends to keep guards provided by their Nation or hired by themselves. Each also have a personally selected soldier that form one of the most feared and respected forces in all of Olivaan. This diverse group is typically deployed in situations that the Council feel requires quick decise action. Their presence at negotiations all but assure parties will respect perset guidelines. In rare cases, criminal organizations have risen to a level that the Council felt there was no choice but to deploy this unit. Within days the entirety of the criminal leadership were standing trial in front of the Council.
Allies & Enemies
All members of the Union are allies at this time. Though the nations do occasionally squable amongst themselves, none see the Union as an issue. Generally the Union is seen as a positive.
Current Members of the Union:
Rensif is currently waging a campaign against Fahlis in Order to gain enough land to reach the Olivaan Union border. So that they will be given a seat on the council. While the Council does see this as a potential threat, how to handle it has not been decided. as Zelor and Timoria have good relations with Rensif. Many of the Union Nations believe that it is up to Fahlis to handle the situation.
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