Lahaila Merchant Republic

**Population**: 70% Westrasi Human, 9% Other, 13% Halfling, 8% Giant Capital : Freeport

##### **Goverment**

A Liberal Republic, with leaders elected by a voting class consisting solely of entrepreneurs.

##### **Culture**

Lahaila was founded on the principals of individualism and free-enterprise. Being your own business owner, and making money for yourself is the ideal in Lahailan life. This can mean the owner of a merchant fleet, a mercenary guardsman, a shop owner, a subsistence farmer, or even a career criminal. Most Lahailans work as independent contractors for larger business owners, hoping to invest their earnings in a business of their own. Many Lahailans are merchant sailors, working for shipping fleets.

##### **Religion**

Many Lahailans believe Gloria Etalia was just a myth perpetuated by the old-empires to keep the populace complacent. This does not mean they do not find their own ways to be spiritual.

##### **Origin**

The origins of the Kingdom of Vesterland and the Lahaila Merchant Republic, are intrinsically tied. During the expansion of Ancient Westrasi culture, there was a prominent zeitgeist of moving northward. Lahailain, a warlord of one of the more powerful Westrasi warbands, disgruntled that many of the new fiefs and lordships of the north were becoming so quickly occupied, and that the dishonesty and politics of courtliness were beginning to permeate Westrasi culture; decided to instead move westward, into largely unoccupied lands. Him, and his people, settled along the westernmost shores of the continent, the site of the modern day nations of The Kingdom of Vesterland, and The Lahaila Merchant Republic. They named it simply Vesterland or the Western Lands, in their toungue. Lahailain declared himself the king of these lands, and declared them sovereign from the greater Vestrassian Kingdom. After the Vestrassian Kingdom split into Voros, and Vestlaria; Vestlaria, invaded the Vesterlands. Having become significantly larger and more advanced, compared to the outlanders of Vesterland, Vestlaria easily defeated the Vesterlanders, despite their prowess and valor in battle. Vesterland became the Vesterland colonies of Vestlaria, which overtime became Belara. After the Split of Belara, Morloux controlled the former Vesterland colonies. These colonies were largely regarded as outlands, and were all but neglected by the rulers of Morloux. The inhabitants of these colonies saw an oppurtunity to restore the Vesterlands to glory and sovereignty. Morloux busy with it's Revolution, and subsequent aftermath, was powerless to expend the resources far southwest to stop this secession. The organizers of this secession were split amongst themselves. One half wished to return completely to their old kingdom., the other half wished not to be under the thumb of any monarchy, but create a new and freer government based on the old Vesterland values. The former took the northern peninsula, and named their country The Kingdom of Vesterland, as it was in the times of old. The latter took the southern shores, and named this new country Lahaila, in honor of their original founder, and hero Lahailain. They valued individual liberty and enterprising innovation, and developed a republic where leaders were elected by those members of society who had established businesses for themselves. Being some of the more industrious and entrepreneurial Westrasi, they began to establish themselves as vital pieces in major world trade routes, even being responsible for establishing previously non-existent trade routes. Their affinity for business earned them the modern name: The Lahaila Merchant Republic.

##### **Diplomacy**

The Lahailans are business people before all else. Although once they had to take their independence from Morloux, in modern times they are deeply involved in global trade with Morloux, a decision which grants them access to a greater market than they could reach on their own. They also have positive relations with The Kingdom of Vesterland, whose bay they use in conjunction with Morloux, in exchange for fair taxation. They retain good reltions with the Kingdom of Uoros, who they view as the other parent, in the birthing of the Lazari Confederation. Even though Lazari declared it's independance from both Lahaila and Uoros, both countries maintain positive relations out of trade necessity, but also admiration.

##### **Geography**

Lahaila is the southwestern most part of the former Vesterlands. It is a mostly comprised of flatlands and rolling hills, with temperate deciduous forests, tapering off into grasslands closer to the shore, with a river valley in it's northeast corner.

##### **Economy**

The Lahalia Merchant Republic is mostly liberal capitalist economy, which encourages entrepreneurship. Although there are many small-businesses, there are several large shipping corporations, whose vessels transport most of Morloux's international trade. To eastern Westrasi, to the Giant-Halfling Alliance, and to Morloux's colonies in the east.