Maldoarvan Commonwealth

The **Maldoarvan Commonwealth**, also known as **Maldoarva** or simply the **Commonwealth**, is a nation located in southern Eukitia. Known for their academic prowess, the Commonwealth focuses almost solely on the development of sciences and magics. An entirely neutral nation, and somewhat isolationist, the Commonwealth tries to avoid interactions with other states - at least, on a governmental level. It is not entirely uncommon for Commonwealth citizens and educational institutions to take it upon themselves to travel outside the nation's borders and forge relationships with foreign powers, either to enhance their own knowledge or in order to help others.

## Geography

The Maldoarvan Commonwealth is situated on the Viohra Penninsula, a region primarily covered in forests and grasslands. The eastern side of the nation is more densly populated than the western side, as a result of soil fertility - much of the eastern side of the nation is covered in coastal cities, where the western half is relegated primarily to farmland and rural areas.

## Government

The Maldoarvan Commonwealth is ran by a council of 99 senators and one High Magistrate. Each senator is elected from one of the 100 different districts on the mainland, with the colony of Scholar's Spire having a separate government. These senators then select one of their own to serve as the High Magistrate, who oversees most foreign relations and means of defense. Whenever a law is meant to be passed, the 99 senators will gather in the capital city of Gnosis, within the senate chambers of Nautilisa. From here, they will hold a discussion on what laws or orders currently need to be discussed, and then hold a majority vote to approve or disapprove them.

Much of the Commonwealth's senators are elves, owing partially to the nation's demographics but also to the fact that many elven houses have influence in their borders. These houses are hundreds of years old and holdovers from older, less enlightened societities, yet wield great monetary and political power through generational wealth. As a result, many senators that are elected are members of influential houses, such as House Alkinoth. These houses often tend to maintain power over other areas of Commonwealth government as well, such as universities and village leadership.

The government of the Commonwealth also operates the Bluecoats, an organization that functions as the Commonwealth's defensive guard forces and standing army.

## Trade

The Commonwealth rarely trades outside of what it actually requires. Typically, trade agreements with other nations involve imports of inks and papers, which the Commonwealth is ever in a shortage of. In return, the Commonwealth often offers research agreements of subjects that the other nation may find particularly useful. Many non-official agreements also exist with other nations, tribes, and states, however, typically between universities in the Commonwealth and other organizations on foreign soil. For example, Strixhaven University maintains close ties to the Rotgut tribe of orcs in Orkfeld, studying orc culture in return for providing assistance to their shaman.

## Culture

In the Maldoaravan Commonwealth, much of the culture revolves around the neverending pursuit of knowledge. Studious natures and eager-to-learn attitudes are the most coveted traits among Commonwealth society. Even farmer and laborers are often experts in their respective fields, and nearly every citizen above the age of 30 holds some form of educational honor or degree. This pursuit of knowledge is near-constant for Commonwealth citizens, leading to a development of a somewhat antisocial culture focused solely on academic perfection. Many other aspects of life in the Commonwealth have become by and large ignored for the pursuit of knowledge - for example, their food is often quick to make and quite bland compared to other cultures, in order for researchers to quickly return to their work.

## Academics and Studies

The Commonwealth's primary focus is the pursuit of knowledge, as their national motto - *"Knowledge does not seek the man, the man seeks knowledge"* - would imply. Much of the population of the Commonwealth consists of scholars and academics, even with relatively menial yet important roles in society, such as farmers and laborers, being extremely intelligent and well-versed in their fields of knowledge. The fool is rare in the Commonwealth, as a result of rigorous, yet effective compulsory academic programs and colleges. The Commonwealth explores research in almost any field imaginable, ranging from earth sciences to studies of Focus and magic. As a result of hundreds of years of this scholarly culture, the Commonwealth has amassed a substantial amount of knowledge, kept throughout countless libraries that litter every city's streets.

### Colleges and Universities

   In the Commonwealth, almost every city has some form of college or university attached to it. These universities often specialize in numerous fields of study, however certain universities are coveted above others in certain fields. Universities function both as educational learning centers and as locations where individuals can study and research their fields; oftentimes, students return to their universities shortly after graduation in order to act as researchers. One of the most prestigious colleges in all of the Commonwealth is Strixhaven University, located in Scholar's Spire, which focuses on studies of the arcane arts.

### Sages

Appearing late into the Third Era, Sages quickly became an important part of the Commonwealth's academic pursuits. Representing the pinnacle of knowledge turned action, the sages of the Commonwealth are well known for their abilities to defend and protect others, and their adventurous spirits. As a result, they are often paid to protect Bluecoats or to go on missions to retrieve artifacts or information for colleges from dangerous areas. While sages represent an important arm of Commonwealth academic society, it is also important to recognize that they are not sworn to any particular organization in Maldoarva, and often act of their own volition.