Dale

## Republic of Saene, Dale and the North

Fourth Age (Third Kingdom)

VA 100 ca (Fourth Kingdom)

VA 187 (Dalish Republic)

## Flags and Symbols

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Official Motto: *”United against tyranny”*

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*Unofficial Motto: "Forth, oh Dalish Republic!"*

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**Dale** or the **Dalish Republic,** officially the **Republic of Saene, Dale and the North**, is a young democratic State of men in the north of Middle-Earth. Its borders extend from the Greenwood to the west to the steppes of 'Great Balchothia' to the east and the Dorwinine border at Carnen to the south. The Republic has two capitals, **Saene** holding the administrative power and **Dale** being the seat of the old noble families. The largest city is at Esgaroth, followed by the old great cities of Dale and Bardhaven, and by the quickly expanding Saene. It neighbours the Woodland Realm to it's west, Dorwinion to it's southeast, the Dwarves of Erebor to it's immediate north and the plains of Rhovanion to the south.

It's population consists of a Dalishmen majority and distinct minority groups include Dorwinhrim, Easterlings and Middle-Men. Dalishmen belong in the Northmen ethno-linguistic group, and speak Dalish, related to Westron.

## **History**

### Third Age

The Kingdom of Dale used to be a city-state near the Lonely Mountain, ruled by Lord Girion. Dale was founded around 2590 of the Third Age, as a small town along the River Running. It grew rich by acting as a meeting place between the races of the Northmen, the Dwarves of Erebor and the elves of the Woodland Realm. However, in the year 2770 of the Third Age, the city was lost to the Dragon Smaug, as well as Erebor. It was burned to the ground, and its riches taken by the dragon, who hoarded it in the caverns of the Lonely Mountain. Those who survived fled to the nearby settlement of Esgaroth, Lake-Town. For dozens of decades, Smaug remained inside the Lonely Mountain, and Dale a ruin. In TA 2941, Thorin Oakenshield, the grandson of King Thror of Erebor, travelled with his fellow dwarves, the wizard Gandalf and the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, to Erebor. They wanted to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the treasures within from Smaug, and refound the Kingdom of Erebor. However, during the process, they disturbed Smaug, who, believing it was all part of a plan to take the gold inside the mountain devised by the Northmen of Lake-Town, flew out of Erebor to attack Lake-Town. While Lake-Town was burning, Bard, a Descendant of Girion, the former Lord of Dale, killed Smaug with the Black Arrow. The dragon died, but the town was almost all but lost. The survivors sought refuge in Erebor and their former city of Dale. Things took a turn for the worse, however, during the Battle of the Five Armies, when the orcs of Gundabad tried to seize the city of Dale, and the treasure inside Erebor. After a long, hard-fought battle, the Dalish emerged victorious. Their city was taken back, and now they crowned Bard as King of the Second Kingdom of Dale (whether this was second or first is disputed, as there is a debate regarding whether Dale under Lord Girion was a kingdom or city-state).

A hundred years or so later, an emissary of Sauron came to the gates of Erebor, and made parley with King Dain. He was quickly dismissed, and the people of Dale and Erebor had made themselves an enemy of Mordor. When the War of the Ring broke out, an enormous force consisting of hundreds of thousands of Orcs and Easterlings invaded Dale, attacking the lands around Redwater Ford and burning villages. Unprepared and comparatively weak, the Kingdom of Dale withdrew its forces to the capital city of Dale. Here, King Brand, son of King Bain, son of King Bard, gathered his men and fortified the city. But this would not be enough; after a catastrophic siege, the city gates were broken, and Dale was sacked. King Brand of Dale retreated with his people into Erebor, where they and Dain Ironfoot held out for 7 days against the Easterlings. Then, news reached the defenders that Barad-Dur had been destroyed and Sauron defeated, and rumours that an army of Gondorians was coming to their aid. In a desperate final assault, their last stand for freedom, the Dalesmen and Dwarves sallied out of the Lonely Mountain, fighting with a relentless vengeance agains the invaders, driving them back. However King Brand was slain, and Dain was killed as well defending him. But their final stand would make them martyrs, for they had fought and won the North’s freedom.

### Fourth Age

Not much is known about Dale during the 4th Age, save for the fact that at one point the Kingdom of Dale lost its king, and any semblance of organised centralised government disappeared with him. This period has been dubbed by some scholars as the Dalish Dark Ages, though others have used the same term to refer to the time when the dragon Smaug lay sleeping in the golden halls of Erebor. At this point Dale was near total anarchy. In this era, numerous settlements such as duchies, earldoms and principalities began competing with each other, 2 notable factions being that of Winterfell, led by RobbStark and the quickly growing Ankorien Poltzen of Redwater. Earl Tankrid, who originally came from Central Rhovanion, fought against the warlords and tribes in Eastern Dale, and united them into the Earldom of Redwater.

However, much to the surprise of everybody, a small town on the banks of the River Running grew to be the richest of them all, with their prince Hope becoming the King of Dale at the mere age of 16, thanks to outside support and his wealth. Hope’s coronation was welcomed and embraced by the people of Dale, until he got Dale annexed by the Khazadul dwarven empire a few weeks later. It was also at this time that Tankrid Ogh-Feandghainess first arrived in Poltzen, becoming its ruling earl. For many months, Tankrid and King Hope planned a rebellion against Khazadul, secretly building armies and making strategies. But before Hope could make his first move, the Khazadul Empire collapsed in on itself, with Dale becoming a sovereign nation once more.

After Dale became independent from the dwarves, what became known as the Golden Age of Proudhaven began. The Gilnea family became the royal house of Dale, claiming their bloodline from the famed Bard of Esgaroth himself. During this period the caste system was solidified, with the ranks of Barding, Bogatyr and Earl being founded. The Dalish Royal Council was also founded, a group of the kingdom’s nobles who discussed important matters of state with the king.The Proudhaven Royal Guard became one of, if not the best, military units in all of Dale, renowned for their loyalty to protect the Gilnea family and also their extravagant uniforms. Dale made plans for the future, to expand their lands and grow rich, always wary of their neighbours. However, things made a turn for the worse, when Hope tried to secure an alliance with Angmar. This outraged the public, and what made it worse was that Hope was said to have been killed in a duel with Emperor Hexnethor of Gondor; though it is stated they never found the body. Tankrid was appointed as regent, who using what little time he had ruling the country to try and smooth over diplomatic relationships, and also supported the Beornings and Woodmen in their expansion in the wilderland. In a letter before his presumed death, Hope wrote:

“If my plans don't work for Dale as they should, I will abdicate the throne and hand it over to someone more fit to lead; if it works, I will pay everyone I betrayed what I owe them, and promote a new era of peace for the northmen and even then, I may abdicate just to pay for my betrayal with my own blood and name a successor to be the next king of Dale. With time I may forgive myself for my betrayal on the other free people, and let it be known that everything the young King Finn Hope Dalian Gilnea did, he did for Dale, against his own ideals, to protect the land and people he cared about. And in the end, he may have sacrificed his life and future for them. He knows his current path is not the correct one, but neither are the others he could see, lost within the jungle that is politics, spirit torn apart by decisions that a young boy should't take. His path was always blurred but now its seems even blinding, it’s times like this he wishes a better leader was there, to lead him away from the darkness of the night and lead him home. His, my, life is wasted, seeming the end is near, I will make this my final decision as a king and go into the life of a mere human in a world full of things a boy should stay clear of, who will lead after me I don't know yet, it will be someone I trust to lead Dale to prosperity, the thing I never achieved and may they be the right one. To victory and Dalish future!”

Then, Anduin, the cousin of Hope, became King of Dale. The Gilnea family were once again in control, and Anduin, being much rasher and more aggressive than his cousin, believing Hope’s kindness and timidity were a mistake to be learned from, immediately began drawing plans for military campaigns, and began securing and breaking military alliances. He was famous for rejecting a battalion of longbowmen Tankrid offered to him during the Arnor-Angmar war, and again during the Arnor-Gondor war, which Arnor lost, breaking up into numerous small states. Having soured relations with both the Woodland Realm and Gondor, Anduin ordered to build a wall around Mirkwood, and to place an embargo on all trade goods from the elves. But he forgot the wrath of Gondor. Emperor Amandil, angry at Dale’s role during the Arnor-Gondor war, annexed the Kingdom of Dale under the New Númenorean Empire, at which Anduin promptly abdicated. With no other members of the Gilnea family to take the spot, Anduin appointed Tankrid, who had planned a long time for this moment, to finally become King of Dale.

Tankrid’s first move as the new king of Dale was to negotiate a deal with Gondor, resulting in Dale finally becoming independent once again. And it would remain so for a long time. Tankrid was wise and careful in his diplomatic dealings, though always remembering the military side of him. He drafted tactics for effective deployment of longbowmen in the field, and also signals for infantry and cavalry units. Although traditionally enemies, a non-aggression pact was formed between the Kingdoms of Dale and Rhudel, beginning moderately peaceful relations, and for a while even collaboration in an attempt to unite Rhovanion and Rhun into an empire. Then, tragedy struck. The Gilnea family home burnt down, with only 1 family member confirmed to have survived; that being Princess Madeleine, who had a certain bias against Gondor and towards the DLE. But she made no move to pursue a position of leadership, and went to the land of the Half-Trolls in the south, leaving the job of ruling Dale to Tankrid. Tankrid also reformed the Dalish caste system, introducing the new ranks of Hetman, Patrician, and later Governor. The king employed many builders, who built for him the Girionsburg Dome, and many forts across the land. New names emerged among the list of Earldoms and settlements; Ruarden, Westerheim and Mac Coghadhainn. The last of the names just listed was a new addition to the Kingdom of Dale, with Tankrid colonising a chunk of Rhovanion with a hillfort and several small outposts. Dale also grew rich, from selling gold and iron to many countries across Middle-Earth. Many new nobles were chosen, more knighted, and more citizens added to the workforce. The Kingdom of Dale soon joined the Forodrim Ardhim, a coalition of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth who bowed to neither the White Tree or the Red Eye.

It should be noted that under Tankrid, Dale also had its first democratic vote, where a majority vote was passed stating that all Dalish citizens would serve a certain period of compulsory work for the state, also being recruited into the now flourishing Dalish Royal Army and/or its specialised units. While the Dalish Royal Army grew in size and organisation, with standardised equipment and uniforms, along with specialised units such as cavalry, scouts and engineers, the Earldom of Westerheim became Dale’s main agricultural sector, the produce of its harvests appearing on the dinner plates in many households. Redwater became known for its excellent engineers, who were skilled in the art of siege craft, while the massive forges churned out weapons and armour, both for sale and use by the Royal Army. The city of Bardhaven also flourished, with the construction of many ships, with the shipbuilders and merchants of Dale excited as the government secured a deal with Dorwinion, resulting in them receiving the northern tip of Dorwinion, and by extension sea access.

But the Gilnea family was not completely gone yet. Tankrid received a letter, bearing the seal of Hope, who it turned out had fled into Far Harad. Although Hope lay dead, slain by a Mumakil, it turned out he had a son and daughter, who soon showed up at the gates of Ankorien Poltzen, Tankrid’s city. Hope was given a state funeral, while Tom, his son, was given the lands of Proudhaven, which had fallen into disrepair. However, Earl Tom went to the work of reconstructing the city with enthusiasm, the young man earning valuable combat and diplomatic experience while fighting alongside Anardil of Gondor during a Wainrider raid on Redwater Ford.

This became known as the Golden Age of Girionsburg, during which Tankrid encouraged the development of architecture and the arts, planning many universities and guilds, while also strengthening and expanding the Dalish Royal Army. King Tankrid was the first non-hereditary king of Dale, and also the longest reigning one so far. He renamed the Dalish Royal Council to the Dalish Royal Parliament, its headquarters in Girionsburg, as the kingdom became more democratic in its internal affairs. The role of Housemaster (Hausmeister) was created, who would act as a magistrate and administrator of relations between the Earldoms and Hetmanships of Dale. Dale had come a long way from its humble origins as a backwater ruled by a boy king. With Yule drawing near, Tankrid invited nobles and ambassadors from all over the world to celebrate the winter festivities. When the snows finally thawed, Tankrid received a boom in Dale’s population, but this was not to last long.

The people of Esgaroth, once the original Bardings of Dale, slowly began turning to the dark side, under the corruption of Mordor. Jarl Tom of Esgaroth, seeing this, demanded secession from the Kingdom of Dale, and despite much bickering, arms races, and even a couple skirmishes between “dark” Esgarothian fishermen and a nearby Royal Army garrison, the land would still not be granted independence. Seeing no other way, Tom had told his people, and those of Proudhaven, to pack their things, and they began the great migration down to their new home they had chosen on the southern marches of Rhudel.

Aside from the succession of Jarl Tom from Dale, the spring also saw the designing of Vinburg, the capital of the Dalish special administrative region in Dorwinion, along with the construction of the Bardhaven House of the Admiralty.

However, suddenly Dale fell upon grave times. When King Tankrid Ogh-Feandghainess was out hunting he fell unconscious off his horse, and started sweating profusely. Elven medicine was able to bring him back to life, but only as a shadow of his former self. He could hardly walk and knew in his heart of hearts he would not sit upon the throne of Dale again. He understood his weakness, and to the great dismay of the citizens of Dale he announced his abdication. For many weeks Dale was in a limbo phase, with no clear successor to the the great king. And so Tankrid took it upon himself to choose the successor. Otrick Barenfeur, a descendent of Beorn, who was the saviour of Dale during the terrible battle of the Five Armies, was chosen. He was the current governor of Westerheim; the most western state of Dale. And so an era of greatness came to an end and a new chapter of Dale was beginning.

Following the rise of the Red Party, the dominant political party in the Kingdom of Dorwinion which advocated to secede from the Forodrim Ardhim and instead join the Kingdom of Dale in an empire, Dale began having disagreements with the FA, especially with their leader, Legolas. However, a deal was struck just in time to avoid the hot-headed elven king launching a full scale invasion of Dale, especially since the northmen had just recently sided with Durin's Folk, whom Legolas hated with a burning passion. Major work began on the city of Girionsburg, and work also began on rebuilding and renovating old Dalish castles, many of which were brought to ruin during the Easterling invasion in 3019 of the Third Age.

Halfway through the 2nd year of King Otrick's reign, the region of North Dorwinion, known by the Dalish as Vinburg, was given in exchange for Dalish holdings in Central Rhovanion by King Brasus of the Kingdom of Dorwinion. A charismatic and prominent leader among the Red Party, Lord Tostor was chosen as Prince Tostor of Vinburg, and preparations quickly began to build the new capital.

During the 3rd year of King Otrick's reign, a famine spread across Southern Dale. Resources were scarce, and many became idle, sick, and more died. The winter was harsh and unrelenting; ice could be seen flowing downriver as far as Bardhaven. However, when the spring came, those who survived the famine were stronger, and more determined to live and flourish. These attributes would be important when nomadic tribes from the Palisor raided Dale's colonies across the Redwater, capturing forts and farming villages while they were still under construction. Earl Tankrid of Redwater went forward in one last battle, and defeated the Easterlings, forcing them to withdraw.

Work soon began on urbanising the capital city of Dale, transforming it from a ramshackle walled town to a proper metropolis. Hope II was also elected as King of Dale after King Otrick abdicated, due to fears about his old age. Around this time, Madeleine Gilnea was captured, and tried for high treason in the city of Dale. She would be sentenced to hard labour in the coal mines for her crimes. At this time also, an assassination attempt was carried out on Tankrid, but the assassin missed his shot and was arrested. Madeleine Gilnea and Amalie Gilnea, her granddaughter, tried to escape while they were being escorted to the coal mines, but were recaptured. Hope gave an executive order to have Madeleine hanged.

In 430 of the Fourth Age, a force of orcs attacked Dale's colonies in Rhovanion. An army of auxiliaries was quickly formed, made up of locals and colonists, and were trained to ambush and fight the orcs by the Rangers.

In 432, a messenger was sent by King Hope II to the East Bight, seeking to convince the Woodmen to join the soon to be Dalish Commonwealth. However, the messenger never returned, and was presumed to have been killed. With the expansion of Dol Guldur, it was decided that it was necessary to deny them any further territory in the region, so the Dalish Royal Parliament decided to annex the East Bight. The Dalish Royal Army was sent into the East Bight with a declaration of war against the Woodmen. There was, however, heavy resistance. The Woodmen hid in the forests of their land, ambushing Dalish units and wiping out entire companies at times. However, in the end the Dalish managed to wipe out the Woodmen by shear numbers alone, and conquered the entirety of the East Bight by 435 of the Third Age.

Watching the recent international events unfolding around it with careful interest, the Dalish government grew paranoid of invasion, due to the recent alliance between Gondor and the forces of Mordor, along with the alleged increasing aggressiveness of the dwarves. It was decreed that a series of "super" forts would be built along the border in an attempt to repel invasion. Additionally, the Dalish Royal Army began to hold annual military exercises, so that they would be able to gain combat experience, and improve their tactics and skills.

With the dissolution of the ERE, negotiations began between Dorwinion and Dale. However these were cut short, with the rise of the Greater Rhunic Empire, headed by the Easterlings of Rhudel and the Wainriders. Around 445 of the Fourth Age, Dale received an invitation to join this new superpower, however it was rejected under the pretext that Dale had to maintain their neutrality and had plans to unite into their own Commonwealth with Dorwinion. Negotiations came crashing and burning down, and Dorwinion was swiftly forced to join the Greater Rhunic Empire under threat of immediate invasion. This served as a wake-up call for the Third Kingdom of Dale, which had to steel itself once again for an unjust invasion by foreign aggressors.

The same night that he delivered a speech denouncing the Wainriders and announcing that total war was imminent, Chancellor Tankrid died of a heart attack and was promptly cremated. With grief and sorrow mixed with fury and rage at the Greater Rhunic Empire's threats and actions, thousands of Dalishmen turned out onto the streets in the coming days carrying flaming brands, rioting and demanding for total war and mobilisation against the "Evil Forces of Foreign Aggression". As war drew nearer and nearer, hundreds of young men enlisted as Dalish Royal Army officials commissioned recruitment articles in bulletins and turned their fury into an enthusiasm to work and fight to defend the fatherland and liberty. A few years passed before the invasion finally came; by that time a handful of border forts had been put together, along with the armoury of the nation expanded and strengthened greatly. By that time King Hope II had also lost his title due to a legal dispute, and Dale was effectively run by the new Chancellor, Gunter Kunnelsorf. Dale allied with the FA once more, and received their support when Étila, the Wainrider leader, launched his invasion through Eryn Caran with his Avari supporters. In 451, Dalish-FA forces engaged the Greater Rhunic Empire's armies in North Dorwinion, and succeeded in forcing them to retreat after a long battle made up of numerous forays and withdrawals from both sides. With the invaders pushed back past the border, Dale was able to rest for a moment; Kunnelsorf carried out Tankrid's plans to expand the city of Dale. Soon the old, dilapidated houses barely standing from the days of the War of the Ring were replaced by large, new and tall townhouses, designed to improve the standard of living in the city and get rid of the cramped conditions which much of the capital's rapidly increasing population had been forced to live in for generations.

### Fifth Age

#### **Post-Bragolmor years**

Although it was further removed from the eruption of Mount Doom during the Bragolmor, Dale suffered terribly from the harsh winters and drastic drop in temperatures which followed. Many settlements became disfunctionate, and thousands of troops left the Royal Army to support their families and communities instead. Crop failures and famines resulted in entire villages being left deserted, while cities could barely support their urban population. Unsatisfied by the capital's ability to do anything, due to the Kingdom's infrastructure being turned into seas of mud and ice and thus unusable, many regions seceded from the Third Kingdom with barely any resistance. This included not only Vinburg, Dalish Rhun and northern Rhovanion, but also Redwater and Bardhaven.

#### **Birth of the Fourth Kingdom of Dale (ca VA 100)**

When the Andrhiw ended and the Fifth Age began, the first priority of the Dalish was to re-establish their government and reclaim their lost territories. A constitution was written by the Altinget, and Fineas Barding - at the mere age of 14 - was elected as King-to-be, due to him being the closest in blood to Lord Girion and the previous king, Hope II. Around this time, the previous motto of "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" was also beginning to be replaced by "Fearless and Free", due to the new upstart and more liberal spirit sweeping through the Fourth Kingdom.

Dale attempted to unite with Dorwinion into a single union controlling Rhovanion. However, disputes over which type of government to adapt with neither side able to concede in front of the other and rapid changes of mind led to the attempt failing. Basilinna Elbereth of Dorwinion, who was effectively leader of the Union (sources disagree; some say she had earned the position by being the only option available and showing initiative, others say she was only made leader because of a deal with Fineas Barding and her own ego), announced that with her powers she would disband the Union. Shortly afterwards, it was heard that the forces of Gondor and Mordor had joined together.

With events around them getting stranger and stranger, with most of the wizards abandoning their allegiances to the Free Folk and falling under the yoke of Sauron, the Kingdom of Dale stagnated for a short while. A massive drive to reconquer its territory lost from the Bragolmor, frequently harassed by orc raids, exhausted Dale's workforce and logistics.

#### **The Decentralization and Sigurd Barding's coup (mid 2nd century of VA)**

In more recent times, Dale gradually devolved into a highly decentralised political entity where the King, while still maintaining control over the country, cannot exercise his powers as extensively as before. The last vestiges of Tankrid's legalist policies faded away before a new order in the Kingdom, spearheaded by - somewhat ironically - the newer generations of Dalishmen born purely after the Bragolmor, bringing new ideas once perceived as 'barbaric' in practice. Traditional easterner cultural practices, such as the policy of raiding, local ranking systems and vernacular architectural styles have swept east, taking the urban old guard by storm.

This influx of eastern ideas was abruptly halted by an extremely daring and audacious attempt at political upheaval; soon after the succession of the ailing Hope III Barding to Finn I Barding, Sigurd Barding of Bardhaven launched a coup in the city of Dale with over a thousand men. The speed of the coup, it's shockingly unpredictable location and the unexpected defection of the urban militia caused little resistance to be had for some time.

While most of the nobility supported Sigurd's coup, the majority of the army and the Royal Guards sided with Hope. Sigurd then marched on Proudhaven with the united militias of Bardhaven and Dale, but suffered a huge loss. Being unable to get completely rid of Hope III, the coupist forced him to resign from the rule over the territories, while keeping Proudhaven as the single city where to be considered king; in the meantime, Sigurd reigned in Hope's place on the remaining territories. In those days, the dalish kingdom joined the Commonwealth of Rhovanion, an empire led by the Wood Elves of Greenwood and that ruled over Dale and the lands of Dorwinion.

#### **The years of the "Warring Lords" (ca VA 160 - VA 187)**

Though, this golden rule didn't last long for Sigurd. Famine fell on the lands of Dale and small local lords started taking care of their cities as independent States, while Sigurd's kingship was being resized ever more to the mere Stadtholding of the city of Bardhaven. Despite this isolation, Bardhaven could still live some times of relative peace and prosperity, creating bonds with foreign countries, first of all Arahad's kingdom of Artheloth, through marriage with the sister of the most influent lord of that realm: Sigurðr Halfdansson.

But the situation couldn't be endured anymore. Although there had been a good harvest again, the independent lords refused to recognize any rule over them: the parliament was disbanded, and in most of the cities violence became the primary weapon of the petty-kings to control the population. Soon, most of them fiercely started fighting one another for the rule of ever bigger territories, ravaging the lands and burning villages and farms of their rivals, and even for the control of the ancient throne of Dale. Notable, among them, were the Earl of Lordsport, the Lord of Esgaroth and the Lord of Eisenheim.

#### **The Defenestration of Bardhaven and the Dalish Revolution (VA 187-188)**

In this delicate situation, discontent increased in several cities, first of all Bardhaven, although it had suffered the consequences of the war less than any other town, and it exploded the 17th of Blotmath of VA 187, when a neighboring Earl visited the city with threats of annexion and slavery. During the - dramatically nervous, sources say - confrontation between the Earl of Lordsport and Sigurd Barding, the people of Bardhaven gathered in the Square of the Admiralty, and after a violent attempt of keeping the order by the escort of the Earl, they set to fire the carriage, rushed into the Palace of the Stadtholder and killed the Earl and his guards by making them fall from the windows of the building. Led by Forodréd Sigurðrsson, emigrated son of the well known Jarl Sigurðr Halfdansson of Artheloth, and by Nurvó Eressë-Aenlas, last descendent of the old king of the Avari Nénwë Eressë, the rioters spreaded the flames of rebellion from the city in all the lands between the Celduin and the Redwater, with common people, bourgeoises and proletarians fighting together in a unified Folksguard.

The war that followed, lasted two months, saw the end of every dominion of the "warring lords", the foundation of the city of Saene (later chosen as administrative capital of the new government) and the establishment of the first democratic State of the Fifth Age. The provisional government, in charge from 10th of Afteryule to 14th of Solmath of VA 188, wrote down the Constitute of the Republic, leaving the place to the first government actually elected by the whole nation. The first Prior of the Republic was Forodréd Sigurðrsson.

#### **The Dalish Republic: Priorate of Forodréd Sigurðrsson (VA 188-193)**

Although, the creation of the Republic caused the anger of many neighboring powers. Despite having strengthened the bounds between Dale and Dorwinion, the emperor of the Commonwealth of Rhovanion, Neithoron, firmly opposed the new freedom of the Dalishmen, and enforced a godly cult of his personality. As an answer, in the month of Amstrong of VA 188 a cohalition of Dale and Dorwinion occupied the Woodland Realm, kicking Neithoron and crowning Erick Barding as new king. On the eastern borders of Dale, though, had formed Al-Kazeem Brigades, a Woodland Realm-supported religious terrorist organization, with the namely aim of "freeing the border from Dalish oppression". This, though, was meant to cover the not really hidden intention of creating an Illahvatarist Khaliphate in Dale, threatening the freedom of the Dalish citizens, and even of the Dorwinine ones.

In this situation, an edict by Neithoron, emperor of Woodland Realm and Rhovanion, that restricted dramatically the freedom of the citizens and that submitted even more the vassal nations of Dale and Dorwinion to his rule, caused uprisings in all Rhovanion, and the armies of Dale and Dorwinion to march on Thranduil's Halls, razing them to the ground and placing a member of the Barding family on the Rhovanion throne, starting a process of democratization of the Commonwealth. After his fall, Neithoron fled to the territories under the control of Al-Kazeem, converting to Illahvatarism. The 5th of Thrimidge of VA 188 the Brigades announced a "First Intifada" against the Dalishmen, while Dale declared illegal any form of religious terrorism. In the meanwhile, Dale, Dorwinion and the Woodland Realm published the First Commonwealth Act of Constitution.

##### **The War for Eastern Dale (VA 188-189)**

On the eastern front, due to the cautious moves of the Republic, Dalish citizens started to group in freedom-fighters battalions, the biggest one being the Obrona Liberation Army (OLA), a far-left section of the Folksguard that split from the levymen army and crossed the Carnen to fight the Al-Kazeem in the occupied territories of Obrona, Idnoyem and Ostheim. Initially the Republic took distances from the OLA, but when the Al-Kazeem Brigades declared, the 15th of Wedmath of VA 188, the Independent Illahvatarist State of Dale, the government of Saene quickly refused to recognize it as a legitimate political entity, banned it for breaking several articles of both the Dalish Constitute and of the Commonwealth Constitution and declared the State of Alert, beginning to openly fund the OLA and displaying the Folksguard and the Republic Armed Forces in all the territory.

One year after the beginning of the revolution, the Defenestration of Bardhaven, Dale officially integrated the OLA battalions in the Republic Armed Forces as a special operation unit. At the same time, in Saene was held a commemorative horseback race in the Field Square, named Race for the Drape or simply Drape, with the intention of keeping it yearly. This first edition was won by the rider Einar from Esgaroth, that obtained 500 silver standards and a custom banner, displaying the palace of Bardhaven on the white and black field of the Republic flag. Said banner was customized every year, and it gave the name to the race and the prize of the Drape.

The 12th of Astron of VA 189 was officially signed the end of the war in the East. During the siege of Al-Jarut, the new leader of Al-Kazeem, Ibrahim al-Masri, came out of the city to discuss peace with Forodréd Sigurdrsson and Basilinna Arenelyya of Dorwinion; such discussion ended with a trial planned for all the officers of Al-Kazeem, and the establishment of two quasi-States in Dalish Territory, the Autonomy of Obrona and the Autonomy of Jarut. Months later, at the beginning of Blotmath, Al-Fataq, the last village-fortress of the Illahvatarist State, fell under the hits of the IEDs-powered artillery of Obrona and Jarut, marking the end of the war.

##### **The Constitutional Crisis of VA 190 and the third Commonwealth**

At the same time, though, the internal structure of the Commonwealth was wracked by civil strife and disagreements over the place of each state within the union. Neithoron's legacy had, in a way, remained; an imperial structure still stood, with the Emperor of the Woodland Realm at the helm (albeit with limited powers), something that many in the Republic viewed as unnecessary and dictatorial. Worse yet was the abrasion present between the Barding line, who had assumed the role of the Imperial House, and the Republic institutions, that viewed their existence as an insult to the freedom of the people of Rhovanion and to the heritage of the Revolution, and the Serene Realm of Dorwinion, that saw the Bardings as a foreign and unsympathetic and defeated dynasty, unsuited for rule over all of Rhovanion. The situation exploded when the emperor signed, alone, an edit to the Rhovanion Constitution that gave more decisional power to the Woodland Realm. Said action was seen by Dorwinion as a threat to their power, and by Dale as an insult to the democratic foundations of the new Commonwealth. Both the nations issued an order of general mobilization, isolating and sieging Proudhaven; though, the situation was solved with the agreement on a common rework of the Constitution as a Third Act, but the Chamber of Dale, although the Prior tried to convince them to lighten the penality, seized all the properties of the Barding family "bigger than the needs of a man to live and work", de facto giving Bardhaven and Proudhaven new Prefects, through elections, and converting Northgard into the headquarters of the Republic Armed Forces.

At the beginning of VA 191 was elected the first Director of the Commonwealth, the wizard Gandalf.

##### **The Beorning Matter of VA 192**

In the next years, Dale formed even closer relations with the neighboring Dorwinion, in order to make Rhovanion safer, and the borders between the two nations were officially defined, and the customs on said border were lifted. Though, soon the Beorning issue was brought under the eyes of the three member nations of COR.

This particular issue was born due to the expansionistical aims of Durin's Folk and of Gundabad in the upper Vales of Anduin, where the Beorning folk lived, leaderless. The dwarves occupied the northern part of the area, placing strong military control over the area. In answer, Gundabad and the Kingdom of Greenwood occupied the remaining territory, and a complex series of meetings and guerrilla actions started, while each of the three factions claimed that they were "defending the Beornings from the invaders". In such a situation, Dale and Greenwood opened several humanitary corridors towards their nations, that resulted, for Dale, in a massive repopulation after the civil war and the War for Eastern Dale. The Republic granted citizenship, work and instruction to all the refugees.

#### **Priorate of Katya Hoxha (VA 193 - present)**

In the first months of VA 193, new elections for the new Chamber of the Twelve and for the new Prior were held. While the new chamber confirmed the socialist deviation of the second one from the first one, the Prior was reconfirmed to be Sigurdrsson. Though, he refused the role, and the second choice fell on Katya Hoxha, general of the OLA and iconic character of the Obronian propaganda. In her first year of priorate she had to face several issues rising around Dale and the Commonwealth, first of all the Dorwinine destabilization and the consequent Commonwealth reform.

## **Dalish Republic**

### **Settlements and Landmarks:**

**SAENE:** Administrative capital of the Republic, it's the seat of the Chamber of the Twelve and of the Prior. Despite its recent foundation, it has grown big, having a unique architectural style that features aesthetically simple buildings in a demotic gothic style. The city became soon famous because of the insanely tall clocktower of the Town Hall, because of the shell-shaped Square and of the elegant North Gate, as well as for the horseback races held on the square. Being inhabited by people from the whole republic, a strong sense of a mixed heritage and common future grew in the town. Politically, it's the city with the strongest popular and progressive elements, pushing its economy towards trade and production of food, tools and jewels for exportation. Social and civil rights are taken in great consideration.

**DALE:** The city of Dale, spiritual capital of the old Fourth Kingdom of Dale, is now the most important city of the northern territories of the Republic, and stays as the eponymous city for the whole area. The reorganization of the Fourth Kingdom into a republic has grown it stronger and more lively, but the high part of the city is considered by most a ghetto for the last "fighting lords". Despite being the most conservative of the cities, its citizens embrace the rejection of monarchy the most, having experienced on their own skin what effects are carried by the bloody wars for the throne.

**ESGAROTH:** The township of Esgaroth was formerly a humble fishing settlement on the shores of the Long Lake, known for housing refugees from Dale and other regions of Rhovanion after the disastrous assault on Erebor by Smaug in the late Third Age. Thanks to the rapid influx of immigrants from Dale during the Bragolmor, the town has expanded into a thriving and vibrant city housing the cream of the crop of the Kingdom - Intelligentsia, Bourgeoisie and Aristocrats all call the town on stilts home now. For some time, it hosted the Royal Court of Dale. When anarchy and absence of power hit Dale, Esgaroth was left almost untouched by the Fighting Lords, although it suffered the never-ending war at least as much as Bardhaven due to famine and poverty. With the Republic, the city is slowly restoring its former relevance.

**BARDHAVEN:** Bardhaven didn't suffer many changes from its aspect during the Fourth Kingdom, being the city that started the revolution. Vivid and sparkling, Bardhaven is considered the "capital" of the southern territories of the Republic, and has the closest relationships with Dorwinion, both economically and politically.

### **Economy**

The new Republic's economy is heavily focused on primary goods production and on their exportation, mainly towards the Iron Hills and Dorwinion. Thanks to the inner pacification and the relatively calm period, the wealth of Dale has significantly increased comparing to the previous years.

Dale's main imports are wine from Dorwinion, equipment and metal articles from Erebor and tissues from the east; instead, the Dalishmen are known for exporting large surpluses of food, particularly potatoes and carrots, prior to the Winter, as well as bread, wood and game.

A close relationship is being built also with the Rohirrim, thanks to the common ancestors and the bonds of Saene with horseback racing. Many Mearas horses have been imported in Dale, although not many Dalishmen are proficient in riding them.

### **Culture**

The reunification has put the different ethnicities one alongside another, helping them to develop a strong sense of kinship. Thanks to that, many mixed families have formed, giving new life to the already open mindset of the Dalish people. Moreover, the folk-led government has increased the self-awareness of the population about their own interests, and several instruction and literacy campaigns have started, expecially in the poorest areas of the republic, the countrysides nearby its borders. Non-dalish ethnicities are sometimes present in the territory of the republic: Bardhaven has a consistent Dorwinine community, both mannish and avarin, and some Lossoth refugees from Artheloth live in Bardhaven and in Saene.

### **Constitute of the Republic of Saene, Dale and the North**

#### **I. - Fundamental Principles**

1. - The Republic of Saene, Dale and the North is founded on the People and the Commune. The People is the set of all the citizen of the Republic, the Commune is the set of the administrative organisms of the State, elected representants of the People. Sovereignity belongs to the Nation, meant as union of the People and of the Commune.

2. - The Republic rejects monarchy as submission to one single Lord. The Government shall be in care of virtuous people, and citizenship is the core of its interests, for the Governments is the representant of the People and of the Nation.

3. - The Republic recognizes and guarantees the rights of the citizens, both as individuals and as community, and as individuals in a community. From this follows that every citizen has equal rights socially and in front of the law, independently from their species, ethnicity, language, religion, opinions, personal and social condition, except for cases of extreme danger for the Republic. The Republic expects that the basical duties of social, economical and political solidarity be fulfilled.

4. - The Republic recognises the right of all citizens to work and promotes those conditions which render this right effective. Every citizen has the duty, according to personal potential and individual choice, to perform an activity or a function that contributes to the material or spiritual progress of society, as long as this doesn't go against the safety and the stability of the Republic.

5. - The Republic is one and indivisible. Local autonomies are supported, and the needed decentralization for administration is granted.

6. - Endangered minorities will be protected as long as they don't side with the enemies of the Republic.

7. - As consequence of the rejection of monarchy, the previous nobility is subject to the same laws, and has the same rights and duties of any other citizen. The fights for the old throne are forbidden, and if the nobility will keep playing its games, a special court will be called to deliberate for their ghettoization.

8. - The Republic promotes arts, sciences and technologies, and the preservation of the historical heritage of the territory, conformely to the sense of the Good Government.

9. - Foreigners are subject to the Dalish Law in the territory of the Republic, unless stated otherwise by specific accords taken with the home Nations of the foreigners.

10. - The Republic considers war as a mean of mere defense, and won't attack first unless the Government decides that a specific situation of danger for the Republic or for an ally of the Republic requires an offensive maneuver. Political means of solving issues between Nations are preferable.

11. - The banner of the Republic is Saene's city banner, per fess argent and sable.

#### **II. - Institutions**

12. - Every charge of the government is called to respect the Six Virtues of the Good Governance: peace, fortitude, prudence, magnanimity, temperance and justice.

##### **Part 1 - The Prior**

13. - The Prior is the highest charge of the Republic. They're elected by the Chamber of the Twelve, plus a representant from every province of the Nation. The vote is secret and the candidates need the approval of two thirds of the total votes; if two votes fail to find a Prior, for the third one is enough the absolute majority. If the third vote fails, the former Prior stays in charge. Empty votes are counted inside the majority; if they're the majority the vote is invalid.

14. - Every citizen older than 25 (for humans) and older than 80 (for elves and dwarves) can be elected as Prior, if they have the civil and political rights. This means that they have to be citizens of the Republic and have no criminal records in their past. The Prior has also the charge of President of the Chamber of the Twelve and, in exceptional cases, of High Magistrate (highest judiciary charge).

15. - The Prior holds the power for six years [*6 weeks*] after their election. [*1 week*] before the end of the mandate the elections are held, supervised by the High Magistrate. If the Chamber is under re-election, the powers of the Prior are extended until the new Chamber is elected.

16. - If the Prior can't temporarily fulfill their duties, the power is held by their Vice, chosen by the Prior at the beginning of their mandate. Upon death of the Prior, the Chamber shall elect as soon as possible a new Prior.

17. - The Prior is the head of the State and represents the identity and the union of the People and of the Commune. They can order, once during the process, the Chamber to vote again for the rejection of a law; if the law is approved again they cannot do anything anymore. They call the new elections of the Chamber, following the Constitute. They make laws official after the decision of the Chamber; they can call for *referendum* when necessary, and name the officials of the Nation when needed. They represent the Republic with foreign countries and their representants, discuss and sign international treaties after the Chamber's approval. They also have the command of the Army and can declare the state of war. They can grant grace, and commute penalties; and they confer the honors of the Republic.

18. - The Prior has to be confirmed by the elector(s) that suggested them for the role. Else, the election is considered invalid.

19. - The Prior is not responsible for their actions during the mandate, unless he commits high treason or attempt to the Constitute. In such occasions, they're impeached by the full Chamber, that works as Temporary Government and Jury, and judged by the High Magistrate unless the role of High Magistrate and Prior are held by the same person. In that case, the Chamber works also as judge.

20. - Before the beginning of the mandate, the Prior has to pledge to the Republic and swear to follow the Constitute in front of the full Chamber and the High Magistrate.

##### **Part 2 - The Chamber of the Twelve**

21. - The Chamber of the Twelve is elected directly by the People of the Republic, and its members are citizens older than 18 (for humans) or 50 (for elves and dwarves). The representance is not territorial, nor the members are assigned to provinces after their election.

22. - The Chamber's mandate lasts 3 years [*3 weeks*] and can't be extended unless there's a war in act, and in such a case a Prior's edict is needed.

23. - The election of the new Chamber is done [*1 week*] before the end of the mandate of the previous one.

24. - The Chamber is reunited once in a year [*1 week*]. Extraordinary reunions can be called by the Prior.

25. - The Prior supervises the Chamber's work and leads it. They also take a record of the reunions and the decisions.

26. - The Chamber decides its regulation and decides the situations of ineligibility.

27. - A Chamber's member represents the Nation, union of the People and of the Commune. As such, they hold great responsibility, and their role can be revoked if considered unsuitable. The Chamber's members officially sign charts, laws and records as "Governants and Defenders of the People and the Commune of Saene, Dale and the North".

28. - A Chamber's member cannot be impeached, put on trial, have their house searched, jailed or have in any way their freedom restricted without previous authorization of the rest of the Chamber, unless they're caught in the act. They also can't be held accountable for their expressed opinions or given votes during their duties. An authorization is also required for wiretapping on Chamber members.

29. - The Chamber holds legislative and executive duties.

30. - A law can be proposed by the Chamber, or by at least the 10% of the People. The project of law has to be structured in articles and signed by the suggesters.

31. - Every project of law is examinated by the Chamber and rated, by article and as a whole project. Edits can also be discussed and made. The Chamber has the right to reject a project of law, edit it and approve it in first stage. If the Prior rejects it the law can be re-sent to the Chamber for further edits that need to be done. After that, the Prior doesn't have the right to block the law anymore.

32. - Laws are published by the Prior. [*4 days*] have to pass since the promulgation for the law to be enabled, unless stated otherwise in the law's text.

33. - If 5 members of the Chamber ask for the total or partial abrogation of a law, a *referendum* can be called, unless such law regards taxation, amnesty or international treaties. All citizens older than 18 (for humans) and 50 (for elves and dwarves) can vote in the *referendum*, and absolute majority is needed for its success.

34. - The Chamber decides the state of war, and the Prior formalizes it.

35. - Amnesty or pardon can be given after deliberation of the Chamber, with at least 8 votes favourable.

36. - The Chamber has to approve with a law the international treaties discussed by the Prior before the signature, and suggest changes if possible.

37. - Equilibrium in the Nation's balance has to be ensured in the Chamber.

38. - The Chamber can make inquiries on matters of public interest.

39. - After the election, the members of the Chamber have to pledge to the Republic and swear to follow the Constitute in front of the Prior and the High Magistrate.

40. - The executive duties of the Chamber concern the political address of their decision, that has to be preserved through the mandate. The Prior can choose some of all of the members as directors of some Ministries, with the objective of organizing the administration of the Nation.

##### **Part 3 - The High Magistrate**

41. - Justice is administrated in the name of the People and of the Commune. The High Magistrate is subject only to the law.

42. - Extraordinary judges cannot be named. Though, in exceptional situations the Prior can work as High Magistrate.

43. - The High Magistrate is, in normal circumstances, the only working judge in this small Republic. If the situations will require it, they're allowed to institute an academy for the instruction and the nomination of new judges, that shall help them or work on cases of little importance. Military Courts can be established for crimes committed inside the military or during the state of war.

44. - No member of the Chamber can be the High Magistrate. The only exception is the Prior, in special circumstances.

45. - If the High Magistrate breaks the law, they're subject to a process directed by the Chamber.

46. - The High Magistrate doesn't have a limited time for their mandate, as they should keep separate from politics. They can suggest a successor for their charge, that has to be approved by the Academy (if it exists), the Chamber and the Prior.

47. - When named, the High Magistrate has to pledge to the Republic and swear to follow the Constitute in front of the Prior and the Chamber, and of the previous High Magistrate if allowed.

48. - The Constitute of the Republic of Saene, Dale and the North is flexible. Changes have to be made after common reunion of the whole Commune, meant as Prior, Chamber and High Magistrate. Changes can be done only if the whole assembly agrees, and cannot regard this article or the Fundamental Principles.

#### **III. - Rights and Duties of the Citizens**

##### **Part 1 - Civil rights**

49. - Personal freedom is sacred. No restriction to it can be applied, unless any judicial authority orders to do so, and that's only possible in the cases allowed by the laws. In exceptional cases of urgency, the Chamber, the Prior or any security authority can apply the restrictions, that need to be confirmed before [\_48 hours\_] by the judicial authority. No physical, verbal, or moral violence is allowed on people subject to freedom restriction, and it shall be punished accordingly. The preventive detention cannot last an indefinite timespan.

50. - Domicile is sacred, as well as freedom and secrecy of any form of communication. No restriction, inspection, search or seizure can be applied without certified authorization of the judicial authority. Guidelines specified in art. 49 need to be followed.

51. - Any citizen is allowed to travel freely in the territory of the Republic. Restrictions can be applied only in specific cases or urgency situations, and need to be ratified either by the Prior and the Chamber or by the judicial authority. Any citizen is also free to leave the territory of the Republic and to come back in, unless ordered otherwise by the judicial authority. Although, a citizen cannot enter another nation's territory without approval by said nation.

52. - Citizens are allowed to gather peacefully, without restrictions, unless openly a threat to the public security.

53. - Associations of citizens are allowed, except secret ones and those that pursue political aims through military or paramilitary groups.

54. - The Republic recognizes Iluvatarism as official religion. Although, any religion can be freely professed, and religion can't be a way to discriminate citizens. Although, any terrorist association linked to a religion is to be considered banned and against the law, for spreading terror and damaging the society.

55. - Freedom of speech and of press cannot be restricted, neither by the authorities nor by other people. Although, one must always remember that this law is double-edged: if one's freedom of speech limits another person's dignity and freedoms, their freedom of speech and of press shall be restricted for morality's sake. Such decisions can be taken only by the judicial authority.

56. - Nobody can have their name, citizenship or judicial rights removed for mere political reasons.

57. - Only the Chamber can restrict freedoms through laws. Such laws can be published only if allowed by the Constitute.

58. - Everyone has the sacred right of defence during every step of a trial. The ones that cannot afford a defence will have it granted by the Republic. The Republic will also compensate for judicial errors.

59. - Nobody can be punished through laws published after the events that led to the trial. Also, nobody can be subjected to security measures, if not stated by the law.

60. - The Republic can request extradition and receive requests of extradition. Such requests have to be discussed with the counterpart. Every request has to be denied and none can be made if the reasons are merely political.

61. - Responsibilities are to be considered personal, unless stated otherwise by the High Magistrate and in exceptional cases. The defendant shall not be considered guilty until the definitive sentence. Penalities cannot break the sense of humanity and must aim for the re-education of the offender. Death penality cannot be applied.

62. - Functionaries of the Republic are direct responsibles of the effractions committed during the exercise of their duties, and they shall be judged as any other citizen of the Republic.

##### **Part 2 - Social and ethical rights**

63. - Marital parity must be the foundation of any marriage or civil union. It's among the duties of the parents to grow their children, even if born outside of the marriage. If the parents are unable to fulfill their duties for any reason, the law will fix the situation. Same rights must be granted to the children born outside the marriage, and the law enforces the fulfillment of this condition.

64. - The Republic shall protect families, maternity, childhood and youth, by favouring the institutions aiming to help those categories.

65. - Health is a right of the citizens, and healthcare must be free. Nobody can be forced into sanitary treatment, except in cases of urgency or risk for the whole population.

66. - Arts and sciences must be free to profess. Any school must be public and free, and public universities need to be free as well, to grant equal rights of instruction to all the citizens of the Republic. Private universities are allowed. The most capable and deserving, even if not wealthy, will be allowed to reach the highest levels in their studies. Such right will be enforced with scholarships and other helps to the students and their families, given through competitions. Instruction is a right and a duty for thirteen years, and a mere right later.

##### **Part 3 - Economical rights**

67. - The Republic protects work, meant as a way of formation and professional elevation of the citizens. Associations that aim to protect the rights of the workers are supported. Freedom of emigration is granted, in the limits of the international laws. The maximum daily work amount can be of 8 hours, to allow the citizens a healthy life.

68. - Any worker has the right to get paid proportionally to the amount and quality of their work, and in any case enough to grant them and their family a decent and free life. Workers also have the right to weekly rest and yearly vacancies, that cannot be refused.

69. - Payment discrimination cannot be applied on sex, gender, race, species, religious or political reasons. The minimum age for a worker is 18 for humans and 50 for elves and dwarves.

70. - Any citizen unable to work and without the necessary means to live has the right to ask for welfare, that can be granted in cases of diseases, injuries, disability, old age and involuntary unemployment.

71. - Labor unions are allowed, at the condition that their bases and statutes are democratic. They need to be registered in local bureaus.

72. - Right of strike is sacred, as long as there are valid conditions for it.

73. - Private economical groups are allowed, but cannot go against the social utility, nor damage health, environment, safety, freedom or human dignity. Needed checks will make the Republic sure that these conditions are fulfilled.

74. - Economical property can be public of private. Private property is granted by law, but it has to be accessible to everyone and needs a social function. Private goods can be expropriated for common interests motivations and after deliberation of the judicial authority. Heredity and testamentary successions are to be discussed in front of the judicial authority.

75. - For fair social relations and rational exploitation of the territory, the Republic puts limits to territorial private property. It also encourages land reclamation and reorganization of latifundia in smaller units.

76. - Cooperation with mutuality traits is granted by the Republic, as a way to increase the prosperity of the nation. Its limits are defined by the law. The republic also protects and encourages artisanship.

77. - Aiming for the moral elevation of the workers, their cooperation in the organization of companies is encouraged by the Republic. The Republic also encourages saving methods and establishes a national bank.

##### **Part 4 - Political rights**

78. - All major-aged citizens are allowed to vote. Voting has to be organized by national and local authorities, and is a right and a duty of the citizens. Dalish citizens in foreign countries have the right to vote in their nation, upon accordance between said nation and the Dalish Republic. Vote is personal, equal, free and secret, and it can be revoked only for civil incapability, judicial sentence or moral indignity.

79. - All the citizens can advance projects of law or show common needs to the Chamber, that shall be discussed by it.

80. - All citizens can be elected and run for charges in the Chamber and in local administration councils. Same opportunities must be granted independently of sex, gender, race, religion, orientation and political views. Those called in public offices can still keep their previous work, and the Republic grants them that they won't lose their workplace.

81. - The defense of the Homeland is a right and a duty of the citizens. Obligatory levy is regulated by laws. The military conforms to the democratic spirit of the Republic.

82. - Every citizen is asked to help with public expenditure in a progressive way, depending on their wealth and regulated by laws.

83. - All the citizens have to be faithful to the Republic and follow its laws and the Constitute. Public officers need to swear on the Constitution to follow the laws and protect the Republic with honor and discipline.

## **Ethnicities**

While most of Dale comprises of Northman ethnic groups, the myriad local customs of different tribal and clan loyalties remain in place, a legacy inherited from the lack of a homogenous national identity until well into the Fourth Age. The Dalish can be grouped into several rough denominations across the Kingdom, some of which may have connections outside the Kingdom proper:

**Bardings -** Bardings live in the north of Dale and are the most well-known of the Dalish ethnicities, their aesthetic and customs encompassing what is typically perceived as 'Dalish'. They are skilled workers, shrewd merchants and wealthy aristocrats, and maintain a highly cosmopolitan lifestyle and mindset. They are given to both the arts and sciences, and are somewhat eloquent and well-mannered. Bardings are also known to be very skilled archers and serve in such a role in the army.

**Rhovanine Middlemen -** The Middlemen of Rhovanion are mainly refugees from central Rhovanion who fled from the Shadow's influence during the late third age to early fourth age, or otherwise the indigenous inhabitants of Dale's central territories. They are largely farmers, hunters and warriors, blunt in their ways of speech, hardy, and practical.

**Poltzen:** The Poltzen are a offshoot of the Middlemen, but contain a potent mixture of Northman and Easterling blood. They populate the lands around the Jarldom of Eastmarch, especially in the region by the redwater known as *Great Poltzen -* that is, the hinterland of Ankorien Poltzen. They are largely farmers, warriors and fishermen, and are grim but brawny.

**East Bardings -** While part of the Barding ethnicity in blood, East Bardings are vastly different in culture. They have always been a minority(however tough) in their home regions and make a living raiding and sacking. They populate the easternmost regions of Dale proper, particularly the northern Redwater, and live by tight-knit clan identities. They maintain that wealth is taken, not earned, and thus comprise almost entirely of Dale's most capable warrior élite. The notorious Ironguard were of East Barding descent, along with Jarl Björn Ubbing and his father, Jarl Ubba. They are straightforward but honourable, and are famed throughout the Kingdom for being vigorous and strong.

**Haveners -** Residents of the area around and within Bardhaven. They are not strictly an ethnicity by blood, but share a common evolved culture and identify themselves strongly as Haveners as such. Haveners are merchants, artisans and craftsmen, and are opportunists with excellent business sense. They are known throughout the Kingdom and without for being *troublesome* to haggle with, and they never miss even the most worn of Standards(currency).

**Lakemen -** Inhabitants of Esgaroth. They are highly distinct from the Bardings around them, although a good portion of them actually claim descend from Bardings prior to Smaug's assault on Erebor. Notable examples of Lakemen include the legendary King Bard I 'The Bowman' of Dale, although he was a direct descendant from the Dale-Lord Girion\*. The lakemen are proud merchants, fishermen and shipmakers, with a cosmopolitan and pragmatic mindset.

*Girion and Bard were both 'Bardings' by the modern description of the term, but as the term was not coined in those days there is no recognised connection between ancestors of Bard I and the 'Bardings' we know today. The Barding ethnicity is not to be confused with the Barding family, who are the ruling family of Dale. The Royal Family does not claim specific ancestry, though experts agree that they are Bardings by virtue of customs and to placate the Barding majority.*

### **TRIVIA:**

* **The "Dalish Cross" was a symbol used by Tankrid and the Dalish Royal Army to this day as an emblem of the army. It was used during Tankrid's southern campaigns, when it was too difficult and time consuming for the uniform-makers to sew the national crest of Bard's Bow and Black Arrow onto surcoats and banners; so a white cross was used instead, which was eventually called the Dalish Cross. It is meant to represent the Northern Star.**
* **Tankrid was not Dalish. He was a refugee from Central Rhovanion.**
* **While the Dalish are known for their use of honeycomb coloured brick, in Eastern Dale, red brick is used more common, as it is cheaper and also reflects local culture and traditions (as they live along the Redwater).**
* **HM Toymakers' Dalish Crackers cost $10 each, no refunds.**
* **Dalesmen, the original inhabitants of Dale, could communicate with birds such as ravens and thrushes. In fact it was a thrush which told Bard the Bowman where the dragon Smaug's weak spot was, allowing him to kill the monster. However, this skill has slowly been lost over the centuries, although some people still bear its gift.**
* **The Folk's Guard and, later, the city of Saene and the Republic use horizontally cut white and black banners because of the weird colors made by the smoke of the burnt carriages during the Defenestration of Bardhaven, that led to the revolution.**