Republic of Wailaia

The Republic of Wailaia is a very loose collection of regions and states. It does not posses a constitution or otherwise formalized government and the republics mechanisms are guided by tradition.
It is led by a Grand Minister, usually the ruler of one of the regions. There isn't a election procedure, gather whomever enjoys the support and loyalty of most of the regions is acting Grand Minister, something that can change very rapidly and does so often.
== Geography ==
The majority of Wailaia's land is located in western Eratium. To the east it borders the Confederation of Haystan along the Skyfallen Mountains. To the south it borders the Laurian Empire along the Western Gate and the Grand March of Dru along the Whitestone Mountains. To the far west it borders Krugwih along the River of Tears.
Internally the nation is almost cut in half by the Laian Sea.
== History ==
=== Origin ===
The republic found its origins in the end of the era of tranquillity. The colonization of Eratium mimicked the history of the early Confederation of Haystan; a spread apart collection of farming villages and small towns. The Confederation of Haystan incidentally was also where the settlers of these new lands came from.
After some time, it became clear that the Confederation of Haystan at the time did not seek to expand further past the Skyfallen Mountains, so these sparse towns and villages agreed to some sort of common unity but never fully formulated what shape it should take. So, in 1196 AtS, the rulers of the towns just elected the most popular amongst themselves, Grand Minister Gerjium Badejak to lead them. 
The towns however maintained their autonomy and with little to do for the government of the republic, the position of Grand Minister primarily became a prestige title. The citizens of Wailaia felt more loyalty to their regions than they did to Wailaia and the nobles and rulers of the regions enjoyed their autonomy. As such there were never any serious attempts to properly formalize or centralize the government. Instead, the republic acted more like an alliance and a large blob on the map to make the regions seem less vulnerable against outside attacks.
=== The Dragongrove ===
In the year 1225 AtS, the first settlers climbed what is now known as the Dragongrove Mountain. Here they discovered the Dragoncove Flight, a great dragon flight gathered around Dragon Queen Velverosa Karif'Haurach 
Though the existence of the dragon flight became somewhat known across Ferra, few people travel to seek them out. Not only is the task of taking on a full flight or even just the Dragon Queen a terrifying thought, but the Laians generally do not like people disturbing the dragons and are known to refuse service or even kick people out of their towns and villages if they suspect the traveller to seek out the dragons.
==== The era of Unrest ====
The Republic suffered greatly from Beastfolk raids due to its situation near the opening to the Highlands Corridor. However these raids were relatively short lived. Local rulers agreed to pay a small tribute for protection by and from the Beastfolk. Soon warbands would patrol the open fields of Wailaia, chasing off any bandits, raiding parties of wild beasts. While the Laians did hold an aversion to the Beastfolk like most other Imperials, they simply didn't care enough to change the circumstances and felt that just paying the tribute is cheaper and easier.
Due to the way Grand Ministers are chosen, the republic was always seen as an interesting target to be influence by outsiders. Particularly after the formation of the Laurian Empire, it and its rival the Confederation of Haystan started a bidding war in the republic, bribing local leaders with exorbitant donations to support their favourite. The local leaders didn't much care for their manoeuvres but did enjoy the influx of cash. Due to this, Laian cities are surprisingly wealthy despite their relatively rural and sparse cities.
Category:Nation