Republic of Nysa

The **Republic of Nysa** is a sovereign state and maritime republic on the southern coast of North Orentia on the Sandorian Riviera. Nysa won it's independence in the Calderian War of Independence in 182 AD.

## History

### Founding and independence

In 95 AD King Hilderbrand I of Calderre sponsored the exploration and settlement of the Sandorian region. The only occupants of the region were the nomadic Hathian tribes who were hostile towards the Calderian settlers. The settlers founded the settlement of Nysa in late 96 AD which started as a military and trade outpost.

During the Holy War of Kellodia from 128 - 135 AD, the Sandorian region saw and influx of Elven and Adeleynist refugees fleeing persecution in Kellodia. Many of these settled in Nysa, where work was easily found in the rapidly growing town. The immigrant Elven and Adeleynist communities became an important factor for the growth of Nysa.

By 150 AD, the outpost had flourished into a large town and prospered from the wheat and salt trade.

In 173 AD, Hilderbrand IV was crowned King of Calderre and instantly looked to strengthen the Royal treasury, which under the rule of Rothmund II had been depleted and mismanaged. Hilderbrand saw that the Sandorian cities were the only Calderian cities flourishing with the region boasting large numbers of rich merchant families. Hilderbrand introduced heavy taxation on the merchants and Elven community. With the highly unpopular taxes rising each year tensions began to grow.

By 176 AD the ruling council, nobles and merchants of the Sandorian cities met in Nysa where plans of rebellion were discussed. Representatives from Korgun, Vassuryn and Kalmunia discussed the alternative options and it was finally agreed that the four cities would withhold all taxes. Whilst they began raising an army, they hoped the King would choose to negotiate the taxes rather than send his army. However the King's response was a summons for all members of the ruling council to attend the capital. When the nobles failed to respond to the summons, the King had little option other than to raise an army which arrived in the Sandorian in the Spring of 177 AD.

Hilderbrand led the army laying waste to the farms surrounding Nysa before laying siege to the city. The Sandorian allies had planned for this and instead of leading the rebel army against the Kings forces, marched west into Calderre sacking a number of towns and villages under the command of Edus of Kalmunia. In response the King split his army, with half remaining to besiege Nysa and the other half led by the King to hunt down Edus' rebel army that was ransacking northern Calderre. This too had been planned for and seeing a much smaller army besieging Nysa, a second Sandorian army led by Cassander of Nysa, along with a sizeable Hathian mercenary army, ambushed the Calderian army in a night attack, setting fire to their camps and killing hundreds.

King Hilderbrand eventually managed to corner the rebels under Edus of Kalmunia and won a substantial victory and managing to capture a number of Sandorian nobles. Hilderbrand returned to his capital with his prisoners and entrusted the war to his uncle, Jon the Ironhammer, who gained several victories against the rebels but then himself rebelled. He was replaced with the King's brother-in-law, Edwin Kalcortain, a good strategist but unfamiliar with the guerrilla tactics used by the rebels. His army was ambushed, suffering heavy losses, after unwisely pursuing the enemy into the Sandorian forests.

The third general in charge of fighting the rebels was Angus Balbarris, who, in turn, rebelled and turned on the King. Hilderbrand defeated him with the help of a second brother-in-law, Dystan of Montberrian, but this civil strife had diverted attention from the rebels and Hilderbrand was able to send out a new army only in late 180 AD. The King obtained a few minor victories before winter, but the rebels, helped by the Hathian mercenaries and employing their guerrilla tactics, still held the advantage.

In the spring of 182, Hilderbrand attacked the fortress of Lovisella, but failed to capture it after a three-month siege and with threats mounting back in the capital, the King was forced to the signing of a truce, thus de facto recognising the independence of the Sandorian city states.

### Republic of Nysa

At the conclusion of the war the Sandorian nobles and powerful merchant families met in Kalmunia to discuss the newly founded independence. Some called for a unified Sandorian Kingdom but in the end, the politics and differing of opinions of the four Sandorian cities was too varied and thus the four Sandorian city states were founded.

In Nysa the old city council was replaced with the Lords Council, a committee of 51 Lords who would govern the city state. The 51 Lords were selected from the richest merchant families. Once the Lords had been selected, a vote took place to elect the first Grand Lord of Nysa. After six rounds of voting, Cassander Mon Ducassan was elected as Grand Lord of Nysa, beating Hugh Caldertore by 29 votes to 22.

## Governance

The Republic of Nysa is ruled by the Grand Lord of Nysa along with 50 Lords known as the Lords Council or Council of 51. The Lords title is hereditary and passed on to the eldest son after death. The title of Grand Lord is voted upon by the Council of 51 and is elected for life.