Ornemere

Grand Republic of Ornemere

Overview

The Grand Republic of Ornemere, simply known as Ornemere, is a country found on the Soramari sea. It is one of the most powerful states in all of Nirann, lording over half of the city states in Soranna as their hegemon.

Etymology

Ornemere

Ornemere, officially spelled Ornemir, is an imperial name from the old Ingharan Ornhe ra Mahr - meaning Gulf of the Sea. A modern Imperial equivalent would be Orne dai Mari.

Oremmi

Oremmi, the formal name of the capital city (although most call it Ornemere), is from Ingharan Orim ra Mhis - meaning the Soul of Waters. In modern Imperial, this would be something like Nimmiras.

History

Early History

Ingharan Age and Early Ilsairi Ketsing

Ornemere as a state has its foundations in the city of Ornemere. Ornemere city has its origins in a monastery from the Ingharan age during the Anevia persecutions, where a sect of Anevia radicals established the Orimmhis monastery in the isolated isles of the Gendur river's delta. This is how the settlement remained until during the later years of the Ingharan age up until the witherance of Sumehuua (378), where in the aftermath, he invested heavily in the Gendur river's transportation system, encouraging several small towns on the island where Ornemere is located to come together as a single city, thus Argomen was born.

Later Ilsairi Ketsing

During the later years of the ketsing, the site of Ornemere remained relatively rural until the era of Illomin, where the first town was settled there, taking the name Oremmi after the local monasteries. This port grew immensely, especially after the Okhotai rode south under Suigan and this caused a swelling of refugees to the islands. With these new refugees to the area, the city began its monumental growth as a regional capital, overtaking Argomen and the other towns on the island. After building an alliance with the cities Esamar and Onno as well, Oremmi became known as the head of the League of Seven Cities. At this time, Oremmi was under a system of governance known as the Iksavang - or House Mandate, which implies that a king and his house will continue to rule so long as prosperity is brought to the realm. This system of elective monarchs, although hereditary by norms, led to the city styling itself as the Republic of Ornemere.

966-1400

The Starfall and Recovery

When the Starfall (Shattering) struck, Oremmi, now known as Ornemere, led rebuilding efforts and development works. The city itself was relatively well off due to the trade networks, but the infestation of the delta meant that shipments were harder to get, and a subsequent famine led to a revolt that ousted King Irakkime.

Selkai Genturin

This interregnum led to an unstable series of rulers for the next while, until the late 1100s, where a young officer named Selkai Genturin was able to seize power and launched a radical series of reforms that culminated in a persecution of the established nobility and a great war that resulted in his death. Despite this, the new Ornemeri state had built an empire in the Gendur valley - and had grown interested in the Soramari sea due to the worries of Genturin concerning the Ataarad. The Ornemeri state began to build trade connections southwards, inviting cities like Ramuan, Zhiamo, Isshumo, and several others to join the League of Ornemere. The league even helped comission the rebuilding of the Ithellenoi city of Komas, in order to build influence and have a fort in the south. This period saw the league centralize under Ornemere, and its rule was made to be led by an elected Tai Ahrokan - Grand Duke. This Grand Republic of Ornemere was thus born, soon to be baptized by fire.

1300-1430

In 1358, the city of Ornemere was sacked by Atshara, with legends saying he burned the city atop a great dragon as his troops landed from the eastern banks of the river. The sack saw the city utterly destroyed and the official end of the War of Dethronement, but was also a boon in that the city was to be built anew - artistically and in a planned fashion that would make any ruler jealous. The city's survival was largely due to the money flowing in from the many client states and allies that helped rebuild the city. Despite many wars with the Thadians and Ischurri in the years to follow, the Ornemeri recovered stronger than ever - city states flocking to their vast wealth and prestige. This period past 1380 saw great constructions begin, such as the royal palaces of Ornemere, built on a natural spring on the southern heights of the city. The most notable project began in 1429 in collaboration with architects and masons from Illoreanna, Korthai, Tirresten, Mivamo, and Iysarne - the rebuilding of the great Imperial city of Koraci. Repairs to the bridges and port took many years, with many of the lower sections around the port being rebuilt, with some basic repairs to the heights before the project eventually ran out of steam. This northern jewel became an important base for the Ornemeri, who had a major arsenal built on the location - ensuring their dominance of the region to the point that Thadia could never again capture the Gendur. This age saw the great competition for Soranna with Ischurrai ramp up and become a major political game.

1430-1568

First Ornemeri War

At the same time, the southern reaches of the Soramari saw more and more Ornemeri traders and warships as privateers and ducal ships clashed with the Sitalans and Ataarad. This erupted into a full on conflict in 1432 when Ataarad envoys requested the neutral Ithellenoi hegemon swear fealty - which he agreed to do out of fear for his realm. Ornemere, unwilling to lose a vital position in the south, sent a large invasion fleet that ousted the hegemon of Attenes, leading to a series of naval clashes that Ornemere initially lost. Learning the enemy in these battles though on a flagship galeass Orkai'mar, was Admiral Magise and one of his crew - a young sailor named Ekko. In a battle off the coast of Eghora, the two fleets met for a skirmish, but the Ornemeri fleet soon retreated to a strait to the east before preparing to engage. The Ataarad struck first, sending in a huge contingent on their southern wing that was bogged down by veteran ships from previous engagements. As this happened, the northern flank was won by Ornemere when the Ataarad commander's ships were spread thin and picked off by reinforcements from the center. The Center saw the two flagships meet, with heavy casualties maintained on both sides. The Admiral Magise was wounded by an Ornemeri gunner, causing Ekko to take control and direct the crew. Reinforcing his ship were the galleys Sassha'ni and Mi'amike led by Captain Salo of Mereste - who flanked and led a boarding of the enemy flagship Migal, starting a fire that led to an explosion on the water which all could see. With the center collapsing, the Ataarad waivered and were defeated ship by ship - that is except in the south, where the Ataarad under renowned admiral Sa-Esshak crushed their way through the line, although slower than expected. This allowed for the victorious Ornemeri to regroup and assault the southern lines as they were repositioning, leading to the largest victory on the Soramari since the ages of yore. This allowed for a status quo ante bellum to be signed, although in the years following, the region fell under further and further Ornemeri influence. The battle led to Salo's growing influence allowing him to be elected as the next Duke. Ekko ended up becoming an Admiral that led a renowned raid on Arrak itself in 1448 - freeing many slaves and restarting more the war with the south. Under Salo, Ornemere reached far and wide in influence, becoming home to many treasures and artists.

Great Southern War and the Modern Day

In the 1560s, Ornemere engaged in the Great Southern War as the main combatant in the eastern conflict, along with Ischurrai, Immestrai, and other Soranni city states. The war resulted in a Nirrani victory that saw the rest of Ithellenoi become vassals - even the Hegemon of Attenes. Thus, Ornemere entered the height of its power as the war ended in 1568.

Government and Administration

The Grand Republic - Tai

Government of the Grand Republic

In effect, all citizens are granted the basic right to vote in the Republic of Ornemere. Citizens may vote to veto issues brought forth by the government, requiring 3/5 vote to veto.
The most established citizens are members of the Maesso, the organization which is affirms the higher members of government and is able to bring votes to the people. The Maesso are the patricians and veterans of the republic.
The Maesso affirm the appointment and election of the Isenntuna - the lower cabinet that is in charge with checking the power of the higher cabinet and implementing laws put forward by the Aresshkano. They are also in charge of proposing laws and thus act as the legislatives - albeit they may be vetoed by the Aresshkano.
The cabinet, or the Anniti, are the highest level of government - made up of the patriarchs of all of the major families as well as the most prominent Isenntuna. They are the primary level of government that acts as the executive and judicial branch.

Aresshkano - Grand Duke

The state, or Tai, is the word used to refer to the highest body of government in the Ornemeri republic. It is characterized by the head position, titled as Osaari Aresshkano - meaning Serene Honored One or Serene Duke. The Aresshkano is the head of state and all other government institutions, although he is most renowned for his ability to implement law proposed by the

City of Ornemere

The city of Ornemere is run by the Aresshkano and his ministers, although a magistrate is appointed to govern the city in the name of the Aresshkano traditionally.