Elendul

**Elendul**, later known as the **Elendul Republic**, was a city-turned-nation in the northern edge of Central Vestya, between Cauldor Peak and the Elearian Wall. A majority human city, Elendul's was the only major government in the Saulis Isles to survive post-Cataclysm. The city grew significantly after that event, filling the whole region between Cauldor and the Wall, and claiming now-abandoned territories around the Elearian Springs and Thiamor Lake. As of 4161 ANW, its president is Volkmar Hightaker.

## History

Elendul was likely founded around 500 BNW. Not much is known about the original settlers, other than they likely originated from Ereneas.

Elendul's first major conflict was the North War, where it fought against Iannocia over newly discovered resources in the Elearian Springs. Elendul made the first move in the war, attacking the Iannocian village of Ghurdeth. With assistance from Bevrimn, Elendul was victorious. The duration of the conflict is unknown; records from the era are hard to come by. Some sources have it lasting only five years, while others put it at more than thirty.

When the Lost Cataclysm occurred, Xilokiir was annihilated and Iannocia was nearly destroyed. Bevrimn slowly collapsed as criminal syndicates such as Coldcrest spread their influence from Grayhaven. This left Elendul as the last standing government in the Saulis Isles.

Soon after the Cataclysm occurred, caravans of refugees from around Vestya headed towards Elendul. As they began to enter the city, then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert van der Wolde closed Elendul's borders, detaining any migrants attempting to enter. The most violent result of this came about when a caravan of Elven refugees from Iannocia arrived, with individuals separated from their families, having their valuables taken, and being held in inhumane prisons and holding facilities. A group of these refugees eventually fled Elendul, settling near the abandoned Drimwell Prison on the coast of Thiamor Lake. The commune was named Etelehta, and its residents include a group of rangers known as the Eterúninde Riders. The riders are called pillagers by many in Elendul's upper class, as they've attempted to right the wrongs committed against them during the refugee crisis.

The criminal syndicate Coldcrest has slowly been growing their influence in Elendul. Some say they have bribed government officials to keep their illegal activities secret. The group has run into trouble with the growing Project, a cult based out of the Xiloks Forest.

## Districts

Elendul proper has 43 districts, with many more outside city limits.

## Government

Elendul is technically a democracy, led by a President and with elected representatives in its Parliament, but power has been consolidated among a select few for a while now. President Hightaker is in his seventh term in office, having first been elected in 4130. Nepotism plays a large part in the selection of government officials. The most prominent case of this is the van der Wolde family. Albert van der Wolde, Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Cataclysm, came from a long line of MPs, with his son Emiel continuing that legacy.

There are four major political parties in Elendul:

 People's Union Group (PUG)
 Vocal Voter Party (VVP)
 Liberal Progress Party (LPP)

### Structure

Elendul's government is led by a President and Vice President, with a cabinet of ministers overseeing several departments under the executive. Its legislative branch is its Parliament, with constituencies made up of the main city's various districts as well as other territories claimed since the Cataclysm.

Elendul's Executive Officers and Cabinet members as of 4161 are:

* President: Volkmar Hightaker, Human, CSP
* Vice President: Ransden Vitsk, Human, CSP
* Cabinet:
	+ Minister of War: Throlgratir Wraithmace, Dwarf, CSP
	+ Minister of Education: Haryk Adbalar, High Elf, VVP
	+ Minister of the Treasury: Alwena Kenefick, Human, PUG
	+ Minister of Trade: Lars van Dorland, Amnian Bear, PUG
	+ Minister of Foreign Affairs: Fenna Warmberry, Halfling, LPP
	+ Postmaster General: Garrik Iarran, Wood Elf, Independent
	+ Attorney General: Gösta Lennartsson, Amnian Fox, VVP

For the Parliament, its constituencies and their respective MPs are:

A parliamentary election is coming up in early 4162, with the following being some of the candidates vying for various seats:

* Híthion Virric, High Elf, PUG. Candidate for Rotterhout.
* Ingmar Hjortsberg, Amnian Squirrel, CSP. Candidate for Peaks.
* Oridani Ekdahl, Tiefling, LPP. Candidate for Rounoît.
* Cefre Tulach, Human, CSP. Candidate for Arlon.

## Trivia

* President Hightaker has been somewhat reclusive as of late. Rumors say his health has taken a turn for the worse.