The Union

The United Republic of New Medland and West Novan, more commonly referred to as **the Union**, is the largest human nation in the known world, resting on the eastern third of the continent of Arrana.

## History

### Pre-Independence

#### New Medland

The area that is now the states of Ardevan and Rymark were settled as the Territory of New Medland by the neighbouring Kingdom of Medland. Prior to colonisation the area had been home to a few nomadic human peoples as well as occasional gnoll packs toward the west. Due to the high and near-impassable Westry Mountains and the Arrana Strait that divides the Oldlander nations from what is now the Union, there was little influence on the native people.

In 2110, Maxim Karst, 4th Earl of Ardevan made the first large-scale attempt to settle west of the mountains. Previous explorers had visited the lands, but due to the difficulty of the passages, there hadn’t been any serious consideration for a colonisation effort. When Lord Ardevan returned to Pyden he was proclaimed a hero and given the title of “Viceroy of the West Territories” in 2111. Eventually, with 3,000 pioneers, Lord Ardevan returned to his new territory and proclaimed all the land up to the newly discovered Temmon and Coral Rivers to be the territory of New Medland.

In 2126 the Territory of New Medland was subdivided into the Provinces of Ardevan (named for the Earl of Ardevan) and Rymark (named for the abundance of Rye grown in the borderland territory).

#### West Novan

Following the proclamation of New Medland, the neighbouring power of Nerro began a colonisation of their own, traversing the Westries in 2133 to found what they called West Novan. Whilst the commonly accepted northern border was the Coral River, this boundary shifted for many years due to the wars between Medland and Nerro.

### Independence Wars

#### Origins

In early 2337, the 3rd Governor of West Novan, Carno Tyke, issued a decree that all able-bodied men in territory would be expected to either serve in the Royal Army or pay a high sum to be excluded from the conscription. This was to fight against the Orchid Confederation in the 2nd Republican War. This move was seen as unpopular as it was demanded that the men leave just before the harvest, which had been particularly poor that year with little aid from the homeland coming to the Territory. Later that year a group known as the Loyal Brotherhood of Pioneers began calling for greater autonomy and the retraction of what had become known as derisively the Ransom Act, which they saw as a conscription without representation in Nerro’s parliament. Originally led by Oswin “Odie” Quince, an army clerk from the farming town of Duggan, the group began attracting many followers. During a Harvest festival in Duggan in 2337 a Tyke-loyal militia stormed the festivities and beat those present before lynching Quince. Odie’s death was seen as a turning point from a small protest regarding conscription into a full blown independence movement for the Territory. The Loyal Brothers then elected Quince’s younger brother Aldus as their leader and he began campaigning for justice for Odie Quince’s death.

In early 2338 during a rally for his reelection, Carno Tyke was assassinated onstage by a Loyal Brother, Toban Cleft. Cleft was wrestled to the ground and hanged later that month.

It was at this point a full blown rebellion began. The Loyal Brothers renamed themselves the Patriot Legion and marched on New Tyr. Martial law was enacted shortly after and Colonel Klarrus Braythe was called in as military governor of the territory.

#### Total War

The Patriot’s Assembly, meeting in Duggan shortly after Col. Braythe’s appointment as governor, declared this void and voted that the true leader of West Novan should be Aldus Quince. However, as money was short amongst the movement, Quince sent his brother-in-law Toban Yardman north over the Coral River to petition sympathetic New Medlanders to send the Patriots alms.

Yardman successfully crossed the Coral and went to the small town of Longhorn, where anti-colonial sentiment was strong. There, Yardman was able to secure a meeting with Horsa Whitmeer, a New Medlander war hero and vocal critic of the King. Whitmeer agreed to a loan for the Patriots in return for aid during Whitmeer’s own desired rebellion. The two men signed the “Longhorn Accord” before parting ways. On his return across the border, Yardman was ambushed by both New Medlander troops as well as West Novanian soldiers across the river. Trapped overnight in a small fishing shack, Yardman held the forces off until Whitmeer returned with a militia and drove away the combined forces in the “Battle of Longhorn Crossing”. With this act, however, the fate of the territories were sealed and all-out rebellion was inevitable to survive.

Whitmeer returned to his hometown of Kanwall and rallied others around him. He eventually attracted the attention of the mayor of Kanwall, Hyram Bridleman - a wealthy landowner, who was a closeted patriot and offered to finance the beginnings of the war.

Over the course of 2338 until the autumn of 2341 the wars raged on, but due to the financial toll the ruling Kingdoms faced from wars to their east, they eventually rescinded and left their colonies. Victory was declared on the 2nd of Reptide 2341, a day after the anniversary of Odie Quince’s lynching. Since then, these two events are celebrated as the National Holidays - Bloody Harvest and Union Day.

*West Novan*
*New Medland*
Col. Hyram Bridleman (*West Novan*)
Maj. Toban Yardman (*West Novan*)
Col. Barber J Grister (*West Novan*) ✝
Lt. Gen. Horsa Whitmeer (*New Medland*)
Col. Alden Dowd (*New Medland*) ✝
Lt. Col. Matheld Down (*New Medland*)
Gen. Tymon dan Hower (*Nerro*)
Reckart Fliers, *4th Duke of Carrow* (*Medland*)
Gen. Solman Dalford (*Medland*) ✝
*12,000 (professional), 25,000 (militia)*
New Medland:
*17,000 (professional), 18,000 (militia)*
*19,200*
Medland:
13,000
18,000

### Early Independence

Work was quickly set out to unite the two territories. Believing that one federal state was better able to defend itself from reprisals, the newly independent territories of New Medland and West Novan united to become the United Republic of New Medland and West Novan. However, this was quickly abbreviated to the Union.

The election of 2341 was uncontested and Aldus Quince was elected to serve as the first Chancellor of the Union. Hyram Bridleman was elected as the Governor of the State of New Medland as well. However in 2342 he split this into two States (due to his Rymark roots) and so the Union became a federation of 3 states: West Novan, Rymark, and Ardevan.

For the Chancellorship of Aldus Quince, the capital was established in New Tyr. However this was unpopular in the other two states as it was a sign of West Novanian superiority. After Aldus Quince had settled the nation, he stepped down from a second term due to growing illness and so the election of 2346 was hotly contested between the Independence Party’s successor candidate of Toban Yardman and Bridleman’s new Federal Party. Yardman was not a popular figure in the northern states and with the newly admitted state of New Corsayn due to his anti-expansionist leanings. These states voted heavily against him and he lost the election. The Independence Party dissolved shortly afterwards and was succeeded by the Progressive Party, which defeated Bridleman in his attempt for a 3rd term as Chancellor. His defeat also signalled the end of the Federal Party, which had been fraught with squabbling as, other than their opposition to West Novanian domination in the political field, very little bound them together. Some of the party joined the Progressives, whilst the remainder founded the National Party - which encompassed most of Bridleman’s original ideas of how the republic should be governed.

### Expansion & the Temmon War

After Shira Oslyn’s election as Chancellor in 2357, she declared westward expansion into Gnoll County. This was done to appease eager settlers and to alleviate the demand on improving the economy. The federal coffers were slim and new taxes would be unpopular.

Osyln’s deputy chancellor, Leeman Pel, declared an expedition into new lands that were considered unclaimed. However, this was the territory of the Tiyemmenon (often referred to as Temmon) Gnoll Clan. The land was organised into a new Federal Territory of Temmon.

The so-called “Pel Grant” (or the *Westward Land Settlement and Homesteading Act of 2358*) was passed unanimously by the House of Delegates and was approved by the Senate in early 2358. This was the landmark legislation that was intended to set out the intentions of the new Progressive government. 600 settlers were given homesteading rights under the Pel Grant. The first group was led by Maj. Samwin Bitters, a veteran of the Independence Wars who served as Aldus Quince’s one-time Chief of Staff.

The Tanner Party settled down close to the border and founded the city of Newstead (now an area of Thee Falls City). When word reached the capital of their success, the second settling party was sent out, led by Algern Fearnley - a banker from North Point and backer of the Tanner Party.

#### Orphan Ford

The Fearnley Party, composed of 38 families and totalling 231 people, arrived at Newstead in Sescray 2359 to leave supplies gifted by Fearnley’s employer, Northeastern General Bank. Two of the families, the Gardeners and the Unsters, stayed at the settlement. By the end of the month the rest of the settlers had moved on.

Their location had by a point on the Blue River that was thought to be a prime spot for fertile land and fresh water. It had been a rest point for fur trappers for decades.

It had been agreed between Fearnley and Tanner that once settled at the Blue River, Fearnley was to send word back to Newstead. However, as the weather changed for Autumn and word had not yet been received, Tanner led a group along with Hoban Gardener (the Gardener family patriarch) and Sorgo os Vella (the party’s Verrian scout) to check on the Fearnley Party.

The search group arrived at the site on 28th Salwan 2359. There, they found a pile of bodies - partially decomposed. There were only two survivors, Matheld Worst (aged 14) and Fearnley’s son, Leeman (aged 3). They were found nearby, having survived off dried crackers and river water. Matheld described to Tanner that the party was attacked by Gnolls for encroaching on their land. Word was sent to Hoburg, AR of the attack which became sensational news. Chancellor Oslyn ordered that a cavalry regiment be sent to Newstead. The regiment’s commander, Col. Hoban Larroton rallied a militia from the settlers and organised an attack on the Gnolls.

Tanner was given command of the militia and reserve. After crossing the Blue River (near Orphan Ford), Larroton established Fort Smallhill as the outpost from which they would attack. On 3rd Nerewan, a supplemental squadron of cavalry and an artillery battery arrived.

Maj. Samwin Bitters (*militia)*
Capt. Enno Helcoop (*9th Cavalry detachment*) ✝
Capt. Raylan Lengraf (*3rd Artillery detachment*)
*Militia* (53 men & women)
*B Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment* (96 men)
*D Battery, 3rd Artillery Regiment* (81 men)
**Total:** 1,217
*South Tiyemmenon* (approx. 700)

#### Temmon War

Larroton had limited supplies but secured an early victory at the Battle of Low Bend. However, an ineffective raid on a gnoll supply line ended with a defeat at Dogwood Ridge and the death of Captain Helcoop.

The war finally came to an end with the unsuccessful Siege of Smallhill. Larroton had left the fort in the charge of Maj. Bitters and Capt. Lengraf, as he attempted to relieve the forces at Dogwood. During this time, the bulk of the gnoll forces, led by Zutir - the South Tiyemmenon Clan Chief. The gnoll wee unable to take the fort, however, and Zutir was cut down during his retreat by the returning 21st Cavalry. Uzuoc, the surviving Chief, signed the treaty of Smallhill on 22nd Coloran 2360, a few days after the siege. This treaty established that the Gnolls recognised Union sovereignty over the Temmon Territory and agreed to relocation north of present Union Borders.

### Assassination Crisis

On the 1st Dusray 2361, Shira Oslyn officially declared her campaign for reelection and set off to visit as much of the country as possible. The new National Party had stood Horsa Whitmeer, who had previously served as Deputy Chancellor under Bridleman. Whitmeer had returned to his hometown of Longhorn and become its mayor following his leaving deral politics but had taken a stand against Oslyn and Pel, accusing them of abandoning established rural communities in favour of Western expansion and currying favour with the Union’s previous overlords with the Overseas Trade Act of 2360.

Oslyn had remained, however, a popular figure. She and Pel appealed to many voters and had both a soft touch in Oslyn and a powerful force in Pel. On 29th Dusray, less than a month into the campaign, Oslyn visited her hometown of Worston and was warmly met by many of her supporters. However, Worston had had a strong cottage industry of silk work that sprung up amongst the immigrant population from Yanam. This industry had mostly collapsed following the Overseas Trade Act, which allowed higher quality and low price silks to be brought in from the Old World. A disgruntled Yanamese silkworker, Chen-Gao, pushed himself toward the stage where Oslyn and Pel were making speeches and shot Oslyn through the throat with an old flintlock pistol.

In the aftermath, Pel leapt from the stage and beat Chen-Gao and restrained him with support from the locals. He then attempted to save Oslyn, but she died quickly on stage.

In the following hours Pel declared himself acting Chancellor for the remainder of her term. The new National Party opposed this seizure of power and demanded an early election. The case was taken before the supreme court, with Haywin Estermark concluding that the constitution makes explicit provision for the Deputy Chancellor to succeed if the position becomes vacant, and to fulfill the term. Pel, therefore, served out the remainder of Oslyn’s term and with the popular backing for his heroics in Worston, won reelection. He also brought on Oslyn’s brother, Reckart, as his deputy chancellor. However, the Progressives lost their majority in the House of Delegates to the National Party. This became known as the “Do-Nothing Assembly”.

### Verrian-Union War

The Union’s policy of endless expansion was a cause for concern elsewhere in the world. To the south of what was then West Novan’s border, was the Verrian colony of Vermello. The colony was small in population, focused mostly on the city of Lonpraia (modern day Far Beach). There was indeed a cause for concern as newly elected Chancellor Horsa Dax was looking to expand his home state’s boundaries. Dax had carried on the anti-colonial fervour and had enlisted Aldus Quince’s son Oswin Quince II as his running mate. They won a landslide against incumbent Leeman Pel who at this point had begun to seem out-of-touch and old, leaving office at 61.

One of Dax’s campaign promises was to remove all colonial presence from the Union’s borders. After his inauguration as Chancellor, Dax swiftly began issuing homesteading permits in land nominally controlled by Verria. In response, the Verrian King Cibran V declared war on the Union. The Vermello Squadron of the Verrian Navy was sent to fire upon the city of Tymouth. In retaliation, Dax ordered the army under General Arlan Roose to march south. A detachment sent to circle around and take Sida Vermello was led by Lieutenant General Horman Rook dan Gefft.

Theddian Gold, the newly appointed Admiral of the Fleet was ordered by Chancellor Dax to form an amphibious fighting force that could be deployed from the sea. This new Marine Regiment was led by Colonel Onsen Taberfore, who had served both as a seaman in the Navy during the Independence Wars and fought with the Union Army against the Darry Raiders. Taberfore became the first commanding officer of the Union Marine Regiment.

Gen. Arlan Roose
Brig. H R dan Gefft
Brig. Leeman S Peddler
Col. Hoban Larroton
Adm. Theddian Gold
Col. Onsen Taberfore
Ferrico Uxamin (Governor of Vermello)
Gen. Serano os Pelaria
8,500 (*volunteers*)
**Total:** 31,500
6,200 (*Dominion Guard*)
3,500 (*volunteers*)
7,540 wounded

#### Aftermath

In the wake of the Union Victory in 2370, the territories that constituted Vermello were ceded to the Union and, in 2371, were absorbed by the state of West Novan. Despite the longstanding history of the Vermellans who had inhabited the land for generations, many left - either retreating further west into what is now the Roc Gulf Territory, or returning to the Verria (an option limited to the ruling *Patrio* class).

### Population Growth and the Mass Settling

In the later half of the 2300s, the Old World became embroiled deeply in several wars that decimated populations and weakened governments. There were many popular uprisings aimed at collapsing the monarchies and rigid systems of yesteryear and implementing republics or constitutional democracies. Many of these ended in failure and those that did succeed left their nations crippled with debt, death, and destruction. Many fled the violence (especially republican sympathisers and dissidents) and arrived on the shores of the Union. Vast swathes from Nerro came following the First Nerran Republic collapsed after the War of Restoration). Mineral resources had been discovered in the country’s grounds, however, and new mining industries popped up in the south of West Novan, before Chancellor Dax signed in the Mining and Settlement Act of 2371 (which established the provisional territories of Roc Gulf and Toroll), the Toroll Organic Act (which split the Toroll territory into North and South Toroll) and the Roc Gulf Organic Act of 2381 (which provided a permanent framework for Roc Gulf’s governance).

This period became known as the “Great Settling” as thousands arrived in the Union to make their fortune in the various mining rushes in the territories. It was during this time that further settlements were made, with the Orroyo Territory being founded by Vermellans in 2388.

#### Opposition and Anti-Expansionism

With an influx of new cultures, and new land, under the Union’s domain there began to be a rejection of the Medlander/Nerran culture that had held sway over the country since its inception. Indeed, for a time the Nationals had come to be known derisively as the “Foreign Nationals Party” for the embrace of immigration. The Progressives sought to increase their voting base by appealing to those in the heartlands of the Union who had lived there for generations. This led to the defeat of Oswin Quince II as he attempted to succeed Dax as chancellor. He was defeated by Karon Reeder, a senator from Rymark. However, Reeder’s insistance on trying to fight back against the new settlers and his continuation of the Progressive Party’s stance of anti-expansionism made him unpopular in the long run, and he was defeated in the election of Oswin Quince II, Dax’s deputy chancellor. It was in this election that Nerran-born Hedrik dan Burg was elected Speaker of the House.

#### The Great Revival

As settlement continued the religious order that had also held true for most of the Union’s history had broken down. Whilst Orthodox Trinalism had never been the state religion, it had been held to strongly, especially in Ardevan and West Novan. But with isolated settlements unable to be reached by the Ecclesiarchy (which had already become autonomous of the central Old World seat), congregationalist ministering took hold - which led to a variety of denominations rising up, including: Contrapraxism, the Alarene Sect, Ixan Zanas, and the Blessed Movement (Cromism).

### 1st and 2nd Buff Wars

#### Background

The borders of the Union had been growing for nearly a century. However, in 2407, the Alevarian Dominions, who ruled over the western third of Allaran demanded a ceasing of this expansion or else risk war. The Elven natural ability gave them a great edge over the Union’s fighting capability (which was limited at the time to rudimentary black powder). However, the Union was unwilling to stand down from what they saw as their innate right to settle westward. Samwin R Tedd, the chancellor, sought appeasement - however he was rebuffed by Aldus Clithero - the ambitious Speaker of the House - who led a motion to preemptively declare war on the Alevarian Dominions. Clithero had secured the military support of Medland, Nerro, and Dernland in anticipation of this event.

* Union
* Medland
* Nerro
* Dernland
* Gnoll Confederacy (nominally)
* *Alevarian Empire*
* *Thurshald*
Samwin R Tedd (*Chancellor*)
Gen. H R dan Gefft
Brig. Onsen Taberfore
Col. Hyram Quince-Lees
Col. B H Quince
Col. Theddian Kental III ✝
Medland:
Maj. Gen. Hal Caledon
Nerro:
Col. Kaspa dan Meek
Dernland:
Prince Strom, Duke of Kannig ✝
Elarion IX (*Emperor*)
Salar Esh-Kesteva
Salar Fel-Mandanari
Thurshald:
Golag (*Batz-Vek/King*)
Vek Magdos mag Gol ✝
Vek Vegag mag Avag ✝
Bolga:
Sahran Kami (*Minister*)
11,500 (*Medland Army*)
7,400 (*Nerran Army*)
3,300 (*Dernish Army*)
**Total:** 31,500
20,000 (*Orcs*)
2,000 (*Firbolgs*)
9,576 killed in battle (8,416 soldiers, 909 marines, 251 gnolls), 13,410 wounded
Medland:
2,113 killed in battle, 3,638 wounded
Nerro:
986 killed in battle, 2,142 wounded
Dernland:
149 killed in battle, 608 wounded
**Total:** 12,824 KIA, 19,798 WIA
Orcs: 8,000 killed, 9,000 wounded
Firbolgs: 500 killed, 1,000 wounded
**Total:** Approx. 9,000 KIA, 11,000 WIA

#### Pixite War

During the mining boom of 2413, a Dernish-born prospector named Thenn Harken began to examine a cave west of Bulwark, Orroyo in search of gold. However, during his excavation he came across a blue mineral that expressed a great deal of energy. This mineral was bought from Harken (as well as the rights to the cave) by the Kallan Western Mining Company (informally known as the Kallan Co.). The mineral was eventually examined and concluded to be the legendary material known in antiquity as pixite - a mineral that has absorbed arcane energy, stored, and preserved it for use.

Pixite mining boomed, and Orroyo was deemed to be very rich in the material. The Kallan Company set up multiple settlements across the territory and began to exert excessive power over the region. Locals who had inhabited the area prior to the discovery, as well as disgruntled workers, demanded that the federal government step in to control the situation. Kallan had also begun removing competition from the area through extortion and violence and, whilst they could not be brought down by the government, the Orroyo Statehood Act was accelerated through the National Assembly and passed in 2416. The state was admitted to the Union on the 4th Sowtide 2417, the same day Aldus Clithero ascended to the Chancellorship.

The use of Pixite enraged the Alevarian Empire and they demanded ceasing of all mining operations within the Buff. However, this order was disregarded by Clithero and his government. Clithero had hoped to shed some of the anti-expansionist sentiment from his party in the hopes of securing his bid for a second term. He was successful, however this drew the ire of the Elves who eventually sent Orc raiding parties into Human mining settlements. The westernmost mining town of New Kannig was destroyed in 2421. Clithero won his election with his bluster but immediately signed a concession treaty with the Empire after his 2nd inauguration to cease the foundation of any new mining settlements in the Quresh Accords. This led to an unpopular 2nd term for him.

In 2426, Northam Lees defeated Progressive candidate (and incumbent Speaker of the House) Raylan Oaker to become the 13th Chancellor of the Union. He immediately, after his inauguration in 2427 suspended the Quresh Accords and allowed the establishment of furhter mining settlements - doubling the previous yearly quota on mining licenses.

A month later, on 21st Torran 2427, the Alevarian Dominions declared war on the Union.

* *Alevarian Empire*
* *Thurshald*
* *Bolga*
Northam Lees (*Chancellor*)
Gen. Samwin Thorsley
Brig. B H Quince
Brig. Oswin Larroton
Col. Reckart Reel
Col. N D Pyle ✝
Col. Barron Klay ✝

Elarion X (*Emperor*)
Salar Esh-Kesteva
Salar Fel-Mandanari
Thurshald:
Magdos II (*Batz-Vek/King*)
Vek Throd mag Vegag
Vek Gados mag Gados ✝
Bolga:
Vehruus Kami (*Minister*)
Cef-Setravana (*Justiciar*)
Golla:
Kravhik III (*High Chief*)
46,000 (*Orcs*)
4,500 (*Firbolgs*)
2,100 (*Gols)*
Orcs: 17,000 killed, 25,000 wounded
Firbolgs: 800 killed, 1,300 wounded
Gols: 1,100 killed, 300 wounded
**Total:** Approx. 20,000 KIA, 28,000 WIA

The War initially looked in the Union's favour. The use of pixite as well as the increased firearms technology gave an edge against the traditional weaponry of the Alevarian forces. During the winter of 2427, the Union forces under Brigadier General Oswin Larroton managed to break the borders of Bolga and besiege the capital of Desh. The siege was eventually broken, however this was a blow to the Alevarian morale. Using the newly conquered Gol people, the Alevarians made an aggressive push against the Union forces and eventually routed Brig. Larroton's army at the battle of Thunder Fork in Sescray 2428. The war eventually came to an end at the end of the year with an armistice signed on the last day of 2428, guaranteeing a 70 year ceasefire between the two peoples and the establishment of formal peacetime diplomatic relations.

## Geography

### Physical Geography

The Union straddles the eastern third of the continent of Arrana north-to-south. Thus the country receives a variety of weather and climate. In the far north, in North Toroll the land is mostly covered by tundra, with permafrost in the furthest north reaches of the territory. Throughout the “Grain Belt” (most of Darry, Rymark, and New Corsayn) the weather is fairly temperate almost year-round, though during the winter the temperature often dips far below freezing.

Toward the south, in the regions of West Novan and the Roc Gulf Territory, you find prairie in the north with desertification toward the southern coast.

The primary mountain chains are the Hennoan Mountains that run north-to-south on the borders between South Toroll & Temmon and Ardevan, before terminating in northern Rymark. The other main chain separates the Roc Gulf Territory from West Novan.

North of the Union lie the Gnoll Reservations.

### Administrative Divisions

The Union is made up of 7 states and 6 territories. The states are (alphabetically): Ardevan, Darry, New Corsayn, Orroyo, Rymark, Temmon, and West Novan. The territories are (alphabetically): Capital District (Newpoint), North Toroll, South Toroll, Roc Gulf, Whitmeer, and the new Unorganized Territory. State Governors are directly elected by voters, whilst Territorial Commissioners are appointed by a vote in the Territorial Legislature. Governors are elected the year prior to General Elections, with commissioners appointed after a new legislature is voted in.

## Demographics

The Union is the second-most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of 21,380,000 as of Sowtide 2496.

The Union population almost doubled during the Great Settling from about 4 million in 2366 to 8 million in 2406. It is estimated to have reached the 10 million mark in 2486.

Middern people constitute the majority of the population, with a total of about 13,500,000 or 63% of the population as of 2496.

Southron people are the fastest growing cultural group.

### Culture

The Federal Census Office (part of the Department of Domestic Affairs) collects cultural data based on self-identification. The cultural classifications and definitions used by the FCO are:

* Middern: a person having origins in Medland, Shenlan, Lekland, or Dernland
* Nerran-Kurtian: a person having origins in Nerro or Kurton.
* Southron: a person having origins in Corland, Mazzi-Settuno, Beagrostino, Laconi, Collenia, Verria, Vermello, or Ansalus.
* Oshern: a person having origins in Rannikko or Rynholm.
* Anrumi: a person having origins in Anrum or Ansalus.
* Garafani-Alemi: a person having origins in the Empire of Garafani or elsewhere on Alemi.
* Native: a person having origins from one of the pre-colonial humans.
* Gnoll: one of the native creatures.
* Halfling: a creature having origins in Hinter.
* Other: Elves and other Alevarian races.

Data about culture are self-reported to the FCO. It is important to note any nonhuman is not permitted citizenship of the Union, but are still counted as residents.

According to the 2496, the cultural composition of the Union was:

### Religion

The table below is based mainly on data as reported to the FCO in the 2496 census:

## Government

The Union is a federation. The States are mostly autonomous whilst the territories fall primarily under Federal Law.

### Chancellor & Cabinet

The Chancellor of the Union is the head of state and government of the Union. Through a direct election, the Chancellor is elected to a term of 5 years. There are no term limits, but it is considered an unwritten law that once one has left office they may not run again.

The Chancellor must be over 30 years old, Human, and a citizen of the Union.

#### Cabinet

The Cabinet is the governing body of the executive branch. The members of the cabinet are the deputy chancellor and the secretary-level positions. The cabinet serves as an advisory body to the chancellor. Members (aside from the deputy at election) are appointed by the chancellor, subject to their confirmation by the senate.

### Legislature

The National Assembly is the bicameral legislature of the Union. It is split into the Senate (upper house) and the House of Delegates (lower house). Senators serve for life, whilst Delegates are elected for 5 year terms alongside the Chancellor.

#### Senate

The Senate consists of 27 members elected from the states and territories. Each State elected 3 senators, and each territory is allotted 1. At the beginning of each session (which begins after the General Election), the eldest Senator is made Speaker of the House - and does not vote on issues, except as a tie-break.

#### House of Delegates

The House of Delegates forms the lower house of the National Assembly. Each member is elected to a five year term with no limit on reelection. Each delegate represents a single constituency. There are currently 105 delegates. They are divided between the states and territories as thus:

### Political Parties

There are two primary political parties in the Union: the National Party and the Progressive Party. The Nationals sit on the centre and right of the spectrum, whilst the Progressives swing further left. Additionally, there are local parties (usually in Coalition with the two major parties) - such as the Land Party (allied with the Nationals, active in Rymark and Darry) and the Cooperative Party (allied with the Progressives, active in Ardevan and the Capital District).

Originally the first political parties were the Federal Party and the Independence Party. The Independence Party was, whilst led by national hero (and first Chancellor) Aldus Quince, focused on West Novan. The Federal Party was established to oppose their West Novanian-centric policies. After the lack of success following Quince’s retirement from politics led to the collapse of the Independence Party collapsing into the Progressive Party and the National Party (which began as a fringe movement). After the Federal Party’s defeat by the Progressives, the big tent organisation disbanded, with most forming the National Party. Originally the Novanian Reform Party was opposed to the Progressive’s lack of Novanian-centric policies, however since then they have grown closer due to larger-scale ideological opposition to the Nationals.

 National Coalition
 Progressive Alliance
 All:

### Military & Law Enforcement

#### Military

The Union Armed Forces is comprised of the Army, Navy, Marine Force, and Coast Guard. The Chancellor is ex-officio commander-in-chief of the military.

##### Army

The Union Army is the largest and oldest of the armed force, having been founded in early 2342 to replace the disbanded militias of West Novan and New Medland. The current strength is around 38,000 soldiers in the Regular Force and around 62,000 in the Federal Militia (the reserve component - mostly ex-soldiers). It is headed by the Secretary of the Army, with the General of the Union Army serving as its professional head.

##### Navy

The Union Navy is the maritime force of the Union. It was officially formed in 2344 as a separate entity to the army. The navy is headed by the Secretary of the Navy, with the Chief of Naval Operations as its professional head.

##### Marine Force

The Marines serves as the expeditionary and amphibious force of the Union. It was established in 2368 during the Vermello War, and became an independent branch of the military in 2370. It is part of the Department of the Navy, still, but has its own professional head - the General of the Marine Force.

##### Coast Guard

The Union Coast Guard comes under the joint-management of Department of the Treasury and the Department of the Navy. The day-to-day operations are managed by the Treasury (in the coast guard's capacity as an anti-smuggling force) whilst it may be transferred to the Navy to act as a maritime auxiliary force in times of war. Its governmental head is the Undersecretary of the Coast Guard, with the Chief of Coastal Operations serving as its professional head.

#### Law Enforcement

Federal Law Enforcement is taken care of by the Union Marshals Department (UMD). The UMD is focused on the capture of fugitives and dealing with cross-state cases.

Each state also has a State Police Division, which deals with intra-state matters. The territories have Territorial Police Services. State and Territorial Police also help with rural settlements, especially on the frontier.

Cities will have a Police Department, whilst rural counties will have a Sheriff's Department.

##### Cazadores

The Cazadore Agency was founded by a group of Vermellans after the Vermello War. Originally inspectors within the Dominion, they founded what has become the largest private detective company in the Union, taking contracts for many large clients like the Kallan Western Mining Co, the Cooley-Leland Railroad Co, or Great Inland Railway.

## Education

Education is controlled, vaguely, by the Union Education Administration (UEA) - a part of the Domestic Department. It is administered by the Under-Secretary for Education. Education is considered free and compulsory until the age of 12 but, due to the lack of control the UEA has over the country most of this is overseen by local authorities, relgious bodies, and charities. Federal grants are mostly felt in the original states of Ardevan, Rymark, and West Novan - and then only in the major towns and cities.

Schooling is split into Basic and High schools by-and-large. Basic tends to last from ages 6 to 12, with High School lasting until 18.

Education tends not to be segregated, with no public school boards allowed to offer only single-sex education since the Coeducational Act of 2455. Some boards still have boy's and girl's schools seperately, but must operate both with equal services.

### University

Unlike Medland, which has only a few large universities, the Union has many small higher education institutions. These tend to be grouped into "Academic Regions" which tend to compete in different sporting competitions, as well as sharing of research and learning material. Atop this system is the *Purple Group*, the most prestigious universities in the Union, which was established in 2448.

\*Worston-Oslyn College was founded as a merger of Worston College and Oslyn College following the Coeducational Act. Worston was a men-only institution with Oslyn as its unofficial women's counterpart.

## Culture

The Union is home to many cultures, ethnic groups, and traditions. Aside from the Native population, nearly all Unioners or their ancestors immigrated within the past three-and-a-half centuries. Mainstream Union culture is largely derived from the traditions of Meddish & Nerran immigrants with influences from many other sources. More recent immigration from Yanam and Alemi has added to a cultural mix that has been described as both a homogenizing melting pot, and a heterogeneous salad bowl in which immigrants and their descendants retain distinctive cultural characteristics. Union citizens have traditionally been characterized by expansionism, competitiveness, and individualism.

### Sports

Pitchball is by several measures the most popular sport with the All-Union League being the top, and only professional, league. Fieldball is also popular, with both the traditional League Fieldball as well as the Union-originating "Nines".

#### Pitchball

Pitchball is a bat-and-ball game played between two opposing teams of seven who take turns batting and fielding. The game proceeds when a player on the fielding team, called the pitcher, throws a ball which a player on the batting team tries to hit with a bat. The objective of the offensive team (batting team) is to hit the ball into the field of play, allowing its players to run the bases, having them advance counter-clockwise around three bases to score what are called "runs". The objective of the defensive team (fielding team) is to prevent batters from becoming runners, and to prevent runners' advance around the bases. A run is scored when a runner legally advances around the bases in order and touches the starting base (the place where the player started as a batter). If a runner manages to make a full run on their own ball, they score 2 points. The team that scores the most runs by the end of the game is the winner.

The opposing teams switch back and forth between batting and fielding; the batting team's turn to bat is over once the fielding team records three outs. One turn batting for each team constitutes an inning. A game is usually composed of seven innings, and the team with the greater number of runs at the end of the game wins. If scores are tied at the end of nine innings, both teams record the game as a loss.

#### Nines

Nines, officially known as **Union-rules Fieldball**, is a contact sport played between two teams of nine players on a rectangular field. Points are scored by kicking the ball between the goal posts (worth five points) or placing down the ball in the opposition's home-end (worth two points). It was developed from League Fieldball.

During general play, players may position themselves anywhere on the field and use any part of their bodies to move the ball. The primary methods are kicking, handballing, passing, and running with the ball. Players can tackle using their hands or use their whole body to obstruct opponents. Dangerous physical contact (such as pushing an opponent in the back), and interference when marking are discouraged with penalty points or suspension for a certain number of matches, depending on the seriousness of the infringement. The game features frequent physical contests, fast movement of both players and the ball and high scoring.

### Cuisine

Mainstream Union cuisine is similar to that in other Middern countries. Wheat and Rye are the primary cereal grains with about two-thirds of grain products made of wheat or rye flour and many dishes use indigenous ingredients which were consumed by Natives and early Old World settlers.