Republic of Wailaia

### Races

Imperial (Majority), Dwarves (Sizable Minority), Gnomes (Small Minority), Dragons (Tiny Minority)

## Geographical data

### Neighboring Nations

Confederation of Haystan, Laurian Empire, Grand March of Dru, Barian Diocese

## Historical Data

### Overview

The Republic of Wailaia is less of a formal nation and more a collection of regions and states. Wailaia does not posses constitution or otherwise formalized government and the republic is 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 Republic is primarily located in the plains of Eratium, where it is the only nation. 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 the Barian Diocese along the River of Tears.

Internally the nation is almost cut in half by the Laian Sea.

### History

#### The era of Tranquility

The republic found its origins in the end of the era of tranquillity. The expanse of the Eratium plains mimicked the history of the early Confederation of Haystan; a spread apart collection of farming villages and small towns. It was also incidentally 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. There were few attempts to formalize the government, nor any serious attempts at independence as people just didn't feel affected by the republic and most people, citizens and local rulers felt apathetic to the overarching nation.

##### 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.

The flight had isolated itself up on the mountains, survivors from other flights joining them, to escape both the brutality of the Old Empire and the spite of the Lizardfolk. When they were first discovered they acted in anger to expel the intruders but when no army arrived to hunt the dragons they grew both curious and anxious. Concealing themselves in humanoid form, they went to the close-by villages to investigate.

Here they found that the villagers didn't much care about the dragons. In the time since the Stormrift appeared, Imperial descendant cultures began to appreciate the rare dragons as icons of might, wisdom and mystery. So dragons too began to relax, often turning to their human forms to visit the towns for food, drink and entertainment, an arrangement that suited the citizens all to well.

Though the existence of the dragon flight is 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 Dragon Queen Velverosa Karif'Haurach 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 despise 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 a infesting target for manipulation 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.