Gysandrian Republic

###

8242-8695

The Gysandrian Republic is the name given to the period following the semi-mythical Grand Councilship of Gysandria, officially lasting from 14176 until 14530, when the Republic was dissolved by the Three Houses at the Summit of the Houses and replaced with The Sectors, wherein each of the three leading familes in Gysandria controlled an independent state which operated autonomously.

## History

### Foundational Origins

According to myth, the republic was founded by Bariptins Zari, who overthrew and murdered the tyrannical Grand Councilor Gentin Onti and created the structure of the republic alongside Maneuqis Tyranis in 14176. In reality, there is very little evidence to support the existence Bariptins as the assassin of Gentin Onti or as the foundational leader of the fledgeling republic; many modern historians believe that the oligarchical families which made up the Grand Councilor’s court at some point instigated a class uprising, most likely in response to the increasingly high taxes of the Gentins. The name of Bariptins Zari does appear in the earliest surviving Republican records,

### Gentin Wars

The Papti attacked Gysandria, led by a stranger who claimed to be the abandoned son of Gentin Onti. The Pretender Onti proved to be a formidable opponent, causing great destruction to Gysandria’s outskirts. Bariptins engaged in combat with the Second Onti, but was eventually struck down. Before passing, Bariptins insisted that Minora, a young and inexperienced general they had taken along with them, must take on the burden of leadership and continue the fight for the republic.

With the fallen Bariptins in mind, Minora donned Gysandri's breastplate and led the soldiers to a renewed vigor, rallying them to fight until the last Gysandrian had fallen. Despite the tragedy of losing Bariptins, Minora and the soldiers fought on, driven by the desire to honor Bariptins' memory and protect their republic. The city then mourned the death of Bariptins, though inspired by the courage and determination of Minora and the Gysandrian soldiers.

Minora led troops against the Papti, berating them following a Gysandrian loss; however she was rebuffed by Sinthis Arubin, a young Shoni soldier who defended the efforts of the soldiery. The crisis in the city in the year 8264 was caused by a series of events that began with the election of two Veksin of positive leanings toward the Orentes and the denial of Lirino Orsenis's Veksinry for his outright disdain for the Orentes and their causes. The name of Sinthis Arubin was found amongst several votes for the new Veksin, indicating that Sinthis was held in high esteem by many, and that the Orentes were making further use of their voting power than they had in many years in the republic. Sinthis Arubin was attacked by a ruffian wielding a dagger in an alleyway, and it was rumored that an embittered Lirino had paid the man. For the third time in as many years, the Orentes were provoked to riot, toppling a statue of Bariptins in front of the Congress temple. Many called for the resignation of Lirino, and at some point, the call went up that the problem was not the shoni in the Congress, but the men who wielded their power too fiercely. Herento, a woman in the crowd, threw the first stone at the Congress temple, and soon more had taken up stones and seemed intent on further violence unless they were presented with Lirino Orsenis. Sinthis presented themselves to the crowd with Lirino Orsenis, and the crowd took Lirino as prisoner, with the crowd insisting that Sinthis be given a Veksinry. Many in the Congress heard the remarks of the woman Herento, threatening once more with the Sinquine troops, and at this, the crowd, despite the pleas of Sinthis for surrender, retreated from the Congress temple.

In the year 148, the IO reached an agreement with the Veksin called the Pine Compact. It required the Orentes citizens to procure one hundred pine trees annually for religious rites. In return, the IO would transport the trees for the harvest festival and receive fifty pieces of silver for their people's improvement. The IO used these funds to repair dwellings in the northern tangent of the City.

During this time, a religious zealot named Panna emerged among the Zarenti people, who soon began conducting raids and expanding their territory. The Torians, Gysandria's allies, requested intervention as they feared Zarenti aggression. The Veksin for the year [149], Herens Bardo and Abindis Ari, decided to send delegates led by former Veksin Henerins Bureno to reason with the Zarenti.

Henerins faced disrespect from Panna and her followers in Naredi, as she dismissed the Gysandrian customs and religion. Unable to reach an agreement, Henerins returned to Gysandria to report the Zarenti's attitude. The Congress discussed the matter, but the Gysandrians lacked the means to wage a war against the Zarenti. However, by the end of the year, the Torians reported raids, and Panna's power grew. The Veksin for the new year [150], Linuits Horans and Densos Henimis, decided to send defensive forces to aid the Torians.

Verno Arentis volunteered as Pine General and swiftly led the Gysandrian army to join forces with the Torians in Bakal. The Zarenti soldiers fought fiercely, but were forced to retreat, and the Gysandrians celebrated their victory.

However, a brawl broke out between a Torian and a Gysandrian soldier named Moriso, causing damage and injuries. Verno reprimanded his soldiers for their lack of discipline, sentencing the infantry to walk the camp as punishment. Despite the internal tension, the Gysandrians returned to the City in triumph. The year marked the thirtieth anniversary of the republic, and the Veksin oversaw thirty days of celebratory events, including feasts and games. In the new year [151], Marovartis Dansis was reelected as Veksin, while Oranora Abdilo, daughter of Oranora Caldensis, served beside him. However, the Zarenti attacked the Gysandrians, targeting the city of Antis. Oranora hurried west with soldiers to defend Antis, led by Pine General Verno Cordons. The Gysandrians initially pushed back the Zarenti but were later forced to retreat behind Antis' walls. The Zarenti attempted to siege the city but were eventually repelled. Some Orentes soldiers who held grudges against Verno engaged in a brawl, and those who had attacked the Veksin were later executed. In the new year [152], Funtero Anins and Morinso Bardis were elected as Veksin. The Gysandrians focused on strengthening Antis' defenses as the motion to renovate the Zanthian Quarter was again rejected, leading to tensions between the IO and the Congress. In the new year [153], Ardensis Morto and Gorans Abolis served a rare third term as Veksin. Ardensis proposed launching an offensive against the Zarenti, but Gorans advised patience. The motion passed, and Ardensis led an army to confront the Zarenti near Bentu. Initially successful, the Gysandrians suffered a defeat when Ardensis was injured and the Zarenti counterattacked. Ardensis was taken back to the capital while Gorans rushed with reinforcements to defend Minoro, eventually forcing the Zarenti to retreat. The city endured the rest of the year under siege, and Ardensis retired from public life.In the year 154, the Veksin Corino Ansis and Lamir Moribon, who were serving their second term, realized the gravity of the situation in the west. Corino wasted no time in gathering an army with the Congress and quickly headed to Minoro in spring with a sizable force. Lamir remained stationed at Antis, prepared to bring additional troops. Panna had been gaining support from the remaining western powers through her victories against the Gysandrians and the Zarenti council, unable to interfere further, reluctantly supported Panna, naming her as the Holy Lord of the Zarenti and arming her.

Corino arrived in the besieged city of Minoro, where the Gysandrians were under attack by the Zarenti. The Gysandrians managed to lead their army out of the city and establish a camp three miles westward, where they faced the larger Zarenti army. The Gysandrians were on the verge of retreat until Merito, with skilled archery, managed to kill the Zarenti general, causing their resistance to collapse and forcing a retreat. Following this victory, Corino sent messengers to the western peoples, urging them not to ally with Panna and warning of divine retribution for those who followed her. However, there was no response, and the west remained quiet for some time as Corino signed a new peace treaty with the Umeri in the east. In the following years, various skirmishes took place in the west, with the Gysandrians achieving some indecisive victories against the Zarenti. The Zarenti were repelled at Antis and Silui, and their encampments on the edges of Gysandrian territory were dismantled or abandoned.

In the year 156, Veksin Corinsiu Dansis, inspired by the legendary soldier Arans, rode west to respond to raids against Minoro. Despite warnings from the priests about ill portents, Corinsiu rode on, confident of victory. However, he underestimated the size of the enemy army and was caught in a vulnerable position, resulting in a disastrous defeat. Corinsiu attempted to flee but was killed by the Zarenti, and his soldiers fought to the last, with only a few managing to escape.

This defeat was a major blow to the Gysandrians. Veksin Renu Gerain hurried west to defend Minoro, but she was unable to gather an army in time and the Zarenti invaded the city. Renu was forced to retreat to Antis, and the Zarenti claimed Minoro for Panna. The loss of Minoro and the continued advance of the Zarenti caused great distress for Gysandria and strengthened her client states.

Gorans Abolis ran for a fourth Veksinry but faced criticism and didn't succeed, instead Derenis Ardo and Creteros Iratis were elected. They marched towards Minoro but faced exhaustion due to the warm weather. However, the Gysandrians made progress and reclaimed Minoro. Gorans remained there while Derenis planned the army's next moves. The Veksins requested supplies for winter quarters, which were approved by the Congress, and returned to the capital, leaving Gorans in defense of Minoro.

The new Veksin Verno rode west while Merito stayed in the capital. Gorans and Verno met the Zarenti forces and achieved a swift victory. Unknown to them, however, Panna had escaped and captured Paretik. The Congress and Merito tried to raise an army to defend the capital as the Pannists marched towards the Olibian Caves, greatly threatening the Gysandrians.

Merito arrived at the Olibian Caves, where Panna was desecrating the religious statues. He forced the Zarenti into a retreat, pursuing them to Antis, where a final battle took place. Panna engaged in combat with Merito but was wounded by Gorans and captured.

The following year [159], Veksin Marovartis Dansis, serving his third term, conquered Tenizinti, the capital of the Zarenti, and obtained their final surrender. The capital was renamed Merito in honor of the fallen Veksin, and Marovartis emphasized the importance of remaining loyal to the gods, even in the face of danger. In recognition of the Orentes' defense of Gysandria, Marovartis and Terinin Artis gifted the IO with ten additional pieces of silver from the war spoils. The captured blasphemer, Panna, marched at the back of the victory procession with her generals and Zarenti armor. Panna was sentenced to death and her body left in the fields of Mother Chrias. Rumors of her remains being moved were likely rooted in ancient superstitions.

After the recent victory, the Gysandrians founded a temple in honor of Minora and celebrated. However, they soon learned that the Pordin had allied with local tribes and were attacking Gysandrian lands. The Gysandrians led by Cordins Artinio defeated the Pordin in an open battle, then marching on Kera before being ambushed by the Pordin, led by Arkinund. A young foot soldier, Turinsio Iratis, secured the army a safe retreat from the Pordin by tricking them into confusion. Cordins later punished the soldiers besides Turinsio for their failure, causing dissent in the camp, and Osko Forentis led a group of soldiers who demanded improved conditions.

Soon after the Pordin broke the peace agreement with an unexpected and powerful attack on the city of Paro. The Pordin were led by Queen Enka, who tricked the Gysandrians into thinking the Pordin had no intentions of war. The Gysandrians were led by Turinsio, now a general, alongside Sherains Iratis and Kenro Ordons, managing to repel the invaders and launch a counter-attack on Heka. Following a brutal battle Gysandria captured Heka and moved on to Tanta, where they faced an even tougher fight, as Arkinund, the Pordin warlord, released a volley of beasts upon them, including elephants and tigers. The Gysandrians were nearly overwhelmed, but Turinsio managed to defeat Arkinund in battle and capture him, which threw the Pordin into disarray. The Gysandrians eventually won the battle and took control of Tanta, but suffered heavy losses and had to reinforce the city quickly to prevent another Pordin invasion. As the tide of the battle turned against the Pordin, Enka herself began cutting down Gysandrian soldiers, which shocked the troops. Turinsio in turn stepped in and fought the barbarians alongside his troops. Osko and the Veksin joined the battle as well, and together, they were able to push back the Pordin forces.

After a long and grueling fight, the Gysandrians emerged victorious. Enka and her surviving warriors retreated back into Pordinia, chased by the Gysandrians. Gysandria eventually breached the walls of the city and occupied it, ending the war.

In the year 8296, the Ourish, who were allies of the Pordin, began raiding Gysandrian traders and harassing Remerua. Morinso Ilandis, the Veksin, was able to beat the invaders back from Remerua and disarm an Ourish encampment. The Veksin then dispatched Turinsio to deal with the remaining barbarians and, following his victory, the Veksin Cardons Inbis and Relero Bentis then elected that Turinsio should continue his campaign against the Ourish. Turinsio rallied his troops and attacked the Ourish in their capital, Pekti, and after a siege that lasted just over a week, he and his troops defeated the Ourish and captured their warlord and valuables. Turinsio was given a Victory March, and awarded the title of Vustiarretis, the terror of the West. Following this, Turinsio stood for the Veksinry, winning election alongside his old friend Oslo Forens. However, in researching Turinsio’s lineage, it was discovered that he was the forgotten grandson of the tyrant Gentin Onti, being abandoned by his mother when he was young. The Congress wished to explore the matter further, but Turinsio denied the charge, claiming that he was being sabotaged, and after resorting to violence Turinsio was exiled from Gysandria. Wandering for some time, Turinsio eventually gained audience with the old Queen of the Pordin Enka. Turinsio managed to secure an army from the Pordin, marching on Silui, where he faced Gysandrian forces led by the Veksin Densos.

Densos and Turinsio duel to decide the fate of the city, which Turinsio wins, killing the Veksinr. He then captured the city of Silui and terrorized the Gysandrian outer lands. Morinso Ilandis led the Gysandrians to stop Turinsio, and the two armies clashed, Turinsio himself appearing. The Gysandrians were forced back until Morinso entered, against the wishes of the congress, and the Gysandrians regained ground. However, Turinsio cut a large swath through the armies, determined to take Morinso.

Osko Forens, despite being called a coward and traitor by the populace, refuses Turinsio's offer to join him in his conquests. Osko believes that a rightful lord would not bring destruction upon those who once knew him. Turinsio, realizing that Osko is against him, decides to end his life. However, Osko surprises Turinsio by swiftly stabbing him multiple times with a dagger, leading to Turinsio's death. The citizens of Gysandria, witnessing this act, celebrate and join in the fight against Turinsio's guards, successfully defending Osko. Osko returns to Zirek and is accepted by the people who had previously turned their backs on him.

Osko led the Gysandrians in reclaiming their city and defeating the remnants of Turinsio's army, the Gentin family name at last dying. The following year, Osko accepted his third and final Veksinry, becoming a highly respected figure. He led the armies of Gysandria to defeat the Pordin in Silui, establishing peace in the region once again. The city undergoes repairs under the guidance of the second Veksin, Corino Ultusus. Although Turinsio had taken Gysandria, it is acknowledged that he did not destroy the city he once called home.

### First Gulti War

The First Gulti war officially began in 14374, when Gulti raids against Torio Mantuo resulted in the Gysandrians’ learning the extent of their ancient rivals’ empire in Basero, north of Serona. The Veksin of the year, Inpar Oribdis and Relero Dansis, declared war against the Gulti as their final acts of office, and in spring of 14375 fighting between the two powers began in earnest. The Gysandrians were initially surprised by the Gulti’s military capabilities, being forced to adapt the army’s rigid training to the new threat. Led by Lentis Dari and Merito Herans, the Gysandrians nearly took the capital city Gultis in 8461, before being repelled by the young Irinquitis, Gultis’s most capable general, and father of future Gulti general and dictator Chariziuz. As Irinquitis seized power, by 8487 the two sides were yet again deadlocked, the Gysandrians losing nearly their entire foothold in Basero. It was only due to the efforts of Merito Iratis and the young Lentis Coravis that the Gulti were at last forced to announce a formal surrender in 14472. Lentis Coravis was killed in the final year of the war, forcing her father, the timid Lentis Borito, to come out of retirement to hold a final Veksinry in which the Gysandrians wrote terms of surrender for the Gulti. Following this, Gultis became little more than a dependent state, unable to declare war, limited in terms of trade, and taxed for every import and export by Gysandria. For a time this enterprise was incredibly lucrative for Gysandria, and the empire experienced prosperity for some twenty years, until the young Chariziuz began leading Gulti militias against Gysandrian outposts in Basero, leading to the Second Gulti War.

## Geography

The republic began as a relatively small settlement, encompassing Gysandria proper as well as Umerio in the east, K’tharto in the south, and Wornano in the west. However, massive amounts of territory were gained during the course of the Republic, until the empire eventually stretched as far east as Ferihk, northward to Toriano, westward to the yellow mouths (later rechristened Amber Retreat to serve as the new capital of Gysandria), and southward to Boshka.