The Sovereign Republic of Basilia

The Sovereign Republic of Basilia was a large country located in the Calandes peninsula in southeastern Madruna. In the year 609 2EP, it was one of the most fair and democratic nations on Madruna and on Manuven in general, and by far the most developed uncolonised nation on Madruna.

### History

Beginning as a small tribal nation, Basilia's precursor nation known as the Rionic Union was created in the year 705 of the First Epoch by the conquering tribal general Acelyrion of Vhalo. A national hero of the nation, Acelyrion sought to liberate his city state of Vhalo from a number of small, aggressive raiding tribes. However, unlike many conquerors, he followed his campaigns not with the enslavement and alienation of his defeated enemies, but by conceding a certain amount of autonomy, and by working to integrate his previous enemies into the new, united nation of the Rionic Union. This created what would become a longstanding aspect of Basilian culture; mercy and consistent efforts to integrate and befriend foreign peoples, whether they be neighbours or inhabitants of newly annexed lands.

In the years of 945 to 951 1EP, the Rionic Union passed a number of reforms which transformed the still rather simplistic bureaucratic system of the nation into what would become a modernised state, and the name of the country was changed according to the name which had come to be used about all the various peoples of the nation as a collective: Basilia. This saw the transformation of the council of elders into the Ularican: the first parliament to be created in any native country on Madruna. The first King of Basilia: Libas Beragohs was crowned in the year 949. This would initiate a line of Kings who would rule the nation alongside the Ularican for the next 700 years.

In the year 524 2EP, the Kingdom of Basilia would be abolished and reorganised into the Sovereign Republic of Basilia after several hundred years of unpopular and authoritarian kings. The Ularican resultantly became the sole ruling political institution, and a new office of Grand Curator would be created to replace the King.

### Geography

The Sovereign Republic of Basilia was located in eastern Calandes, bordering the colonial Governorate of Coloviom in the west, and the Province of Damnaw in the north. With mountains lining both the north and large parts of the western borders, Basilia was quite well placed to defend itself against foreign colonial powers. The majority of the central part of the nation consisted of fertile grasslands and forested regions, and large cave systems in the northwestern mountain ranges provided the country with an ample supply of valuable natural resources which would propel it into a certain degree of prosperity. Given the relatively uncorrupt nature of its political institutions, these resources were often used to fund large projects in service of the common good of the nation's people.

### Politics

In the year 609 of the second epoch, the political system of Basilia consisted of a parliament known as the Ularican, overseen by the Grand Curator, who was elected every ten years by the Ularican. Each member of the Ularican was a representative from one of the country's administrative provinces, and was elected every five years by a public assembly in their province. Proposals for legislation were periodically be brought before the Ularican by individual members when the public assembly of that member's province desired change, and the proposal would be discussed and amended in the Ularican before a final vote would be held, and pass if an absolute majority was achieved unless it was vetoed by the Grand Curator. This brought a great deal of influence from individual provinces on the legislation of the nation.

### Culture

Basilian culture was relatively egalitarian and highly developed compared to other natives of Madruna in the year 609 2EP. Generally welcoming of foreigners during peacetime, natives of Basilia were often trusting and believed in the goodwill of the state and of their neighbours. However, this tendency also brought a level of vulnerability to the natives of the nation, as ill-intentioned individuals may take advantage of their trust.

Almost universally adhering to Basilian Xicarianism, the religious tendencies of Basilia were similar to their neighbouring countries of Damnaw, Úorthol and Malfora, as well as the various city states which still remained independent as a result of diplomatic guarantees from Basilia. However, there were also a number of smaller cults and sects which worshipped other gods, such as Kiraxa among the magicians.

### Trivia

Vhalo, the capital of Basilia, is home to perhaps the most prestigious university on Manuven: the University of Vhalo. A longstanding institution, this school taught everything from history to alchemy to politics, but would become most famous by far for its faculty of magic.