Republic of Silty Clay Loam

## History

The Republic of Silty Clay Loam came into existence on M2-11 437 ASB following the Sunbell Conference and the signing of the Maricis Proclamation which restructured the North Fleet into the Republic of Silty Clay Loam. Following it's creation the President of Silty Clay Loam Skellard Moaruit announced the creation of two "Special Cities" within the border, Moon Town to serve as a homeland for the surviving Lunar Regoliths and Port Peat to serve as a rival to the Silt Loam Republic's Peat Homeland.

## Politics

The Republic of Silty Clay Loam uses a Unitary Constitutional Republic system, as the nation consists of a single state. The Office of the President and council-people are elected via popular vote. The nation follows the rules set forth by the Constitution of the Silty Clay Loam.

## Geography

Consisting mostly of forests, bogs, and wetlands and is a mainly rural and natural country. Three main bodies of water exist within the nation. Clear Lake is a large natural eutrophic lake along the Western border. It is used both by the North Fleet for military exercises as well as by the citizens for recreation. Local farms in the area are also able to acquire permits to use it for irrigation. Crystal River is a large freshwater river that flows East from the Silty Clay border in the North, and eventually drains into the ocean. Shine Bay is a large brackish bay in the center of the delta. The fortunate location of the bay allows for easy shipping and trading of exports from within the nation, and for convenient imports to the more in-land areas.

Ripe with wetlands, the county has many bogs and marshes scattered throughout the country. Of those, there are three main ones. The Davis Boglands are located right along the Davis Proving Grounds. It is primarily used to host combat and survival scenarios. The Org Wetlands are located in-land from the Northeast Coast. Several farming families lay claim to various tracts of and nearby land. The Gorgo Bogs are used for farming by the Jorvis Family.

The Shale Wastes are located in the South along the Silt Loam border. This tract of land was ruined and made unusable during the Shale Empire in an attempt to cripple food supplies. The Jorvis Family owns a majority of the parcel and is working to make the grounds fertile once more.

### Cities

There are not many cities and developed lands throughout the nation, instead hosting mostly smaller villages, cities, and ports that are scattered throughout. The capital city of Maricis is located at the Western point of the lower branch of Shine Bay. The country has three main ports; Port Shine, located inside Shine Bay, the Eastern Peak Port, located along side the coast in the upper East, and Port Peat at the Northern area of the mouth of the bay. Larger military institutions include the Plains Garrison, Fort Quad, and Fort Symtar, as well as the Davis Proving Grounds. At the latter, recruits of the North Fleet military undergo basic and specialized training. Medium-sized cities include Couiert, Wasigy, Plains City, Ytiv, and New Maricis.

## Local History

### Families of Note

Internally, there are two main families that hold a lot of the nation's wealth; the Jorvis Family and the Gunart Clan. The Jorvis Family has roots in South Estuaria since the days of Loaman Empire's presence. A family of farmers, the members of the Jorvis Family supply a lot of the nation's local food supply. Owning a large tract of land in the Southwest, including the Gorgo Bogs, the family is able to produce large amounts of food products, like wheat and cranberries. Such vast amounts of land have allowed the family to accrue wealth heavily over the years. During the Shale Invasion, the Jorvis land was permanently damaged following bombing runs carried out by the Lava Empire, forming into the Shale Wastes on the Southern border. The family leases land out to the North Fleet to hold the Fort Quad military installation. The Gunart Clan runs a lot of country's trading. Laying claim to the Eastern Peak Port and holding large numbers of shares in Port Shine, the Gunart Clan effectively controls external trade and imports into the nation. After successful investments in Port Shine in 371 ASB, the Gunarts decided to build a new port in the Northeastern corner, and thus the Eastern Peak Port was built. Both families are friendly to one another, and often work together on exporting goods grown locally and importing necessary supplies.

### Business and Exports

The country's main exports are wheat, bamboo, various temperate fruits produced from trees, guns, and medicinal aquatic plants. They have been known to import building materials and produce from outside their nation via sea-trade.

### Institutions of Note

The University of Maricis is a private university that was founded by the Loaman Empire in 356 ASB. Known for its high graduation rates and focus on the liberal arts, the university has become a symbol for the nation. During the Second Shale Invasion of the Soil Texture Continent, parts of the campus were destroyed by heavy fighting, but Steward Smart's minuteman militia was able to hold up in Baiur Library and hold back a mass attack from the Shale Empire forces. A statue was built on the quad to commemorate both the militia and North Fleet. Alumni of note include President Skellard Moaruit, Gorg Gunart, General Yui Davis IV, and the SCL Daily Host Reut Ruthy.

The Davis Proving Grounds is the nation's military training complex. Every recruit of the North Fleet attends a four month base camp at the installation, where combat, medical, survival, and naval skills and techniques are instilled. Clear Lake and the Davis Boglands are also used in training, the former for naval practices and the latter for survival and combat simulations.

The SCL Daily (SD) is a private news source and is currently the most popular in the nation. Boasting "unbiased and raw content," reporters from the RD have been able to cover many notable events throughout the nation's history. Most notably, the host herself, Reut Ruthy, covered the Shale Invasion in the field, traveling alongside both evacuating citizens and North Fleet military personnel. Other events covered are the nation's elections of the Office of President and for seats on the Federal Council, as well as the foundation of Moon Town, the Dracus Event, and local news.