Ardevan

The **State of Ardevan** is the most populous state in the Union. Before its statehood it was a part of the Meddish colony of New Medland. It is named after the 4th Earl of Ardevan, who led the first successful settling expedition.

## History

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

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

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

### Statehood

Since the Union's independence, Ardevan has continued to be the hub of much of the country's industry. It has 5 of the 10 largest cities in the Union: North Point City (2nd, after Newpoint), Hoburg (4th), White City (6th), Charger City (8th), and Worston (10th).

## Geography

Ardevan is a temperate state with high mountains in the east (the Westries) and rolling hills throughout the rest of the state. In the north, the state borders North Toroll. To the west is South Toroll, Temmon, and Rymark.

The Coral River marks its southern border with West Novan and Newpoint, with most of the major cities lying on the coast.

## Politics

### Government

#### Executive

The executive branch of Ardevan's government is headed by the **Governor of Ardevan**, who is assisted in managing the executive branch by Cabinet Secretaries appointed by the governor with the consent of the Ardevan Assembly. The **Deputy Governor of Ardevan** is in line to succeed to the governorship in the event of a vacancy. The governor determines the role that the deputy governor performs. The Governor and their deputy are elected on the same ticket.

##### Elected Officials

* Governor - Alden Magral II (National)
* Deputy Governor - Willem Twist (National)
* State Attorney General - Q D Scutter (National)

#### Legislative

The Ardevan State Assembly is the state's 65-member unicameral legislative branch. All of the State's legislative authority is vested within the legislature. The most important of these powers are the powers to levy and collect taxes, borrow money, and raise and maintain the militia of the State. The constitution grants the legislature the authority to legislate on all rightful subjects of legislation.

The legislature meets normally once a year. Meetings begin in Sowtide and usually last for a period of 120 days. Under special circumstances, the governor can call special sessions. The governor has a strong influence in shaping the agenda of the legislature. All acts of the legislature must be approved by a majority and signed by the governor to be enacted into law. However, should the governor veto the bill, the legislature, by a two-third vote in both houses, may over turn the governor's veto and the bill be enacted into law without the governor's signature. On appropriations bills, the governor has a line-item veto.

#### Judicial

The judicial system of Ardevan is the branch of the state government that interprets the state's laws and constitution.

All judges and justices requiring appointment are appointed by the governor without the need to consult the State Assembly.

The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices, who are appointed by the governor from a list of three judges submitted by the Judicial Nomination Commission. Justices may serve for life. The Supreme Court's decisions are binding on all lower state courts.

The current Chief Justice is Edane Clearwater.

### Administrative Divisions

Ardevan is split into 49 counties and city-boroughs. The state capital of Hoburg is an independent city-borough. There are a total of 9 city-boroughs in the state.