Santeem Republic
The Santeem Republic is a nation in Iluvitar in the northwest seas of Azimuth. It is the dominant government of the landmass and its territory covers the majority of Iluvitar.
Description
The Santeem Republic was formed in the early Fifth Age in the wake of the Tarterian War. Once a kingdom, the government has been reformed as a representative republic under the leadership of the Gilded Concord and the Lustrous Assembly. The lands of the republic cover most of the Iluvitar landmass and are connected by the Brass Highway, including the Komi Plains in the west and the Sevnaya River Valley in the east. In addition, the republic claims dominion over several other areas, such as the Gnome Lands in Central Santeem, and the Grand Bazaar in the Flat Peaks Desert. The high society of Santeem can be a maelstrom of politics and intrigue. Though the general populace of western Santeem enjoy a greater quality of life than they did historically under a monarch, the clamoring for power is often at the expense of actual governing, which has started affecting the public opinion of the system.Notable Locations
- Kasltun: Also known as Santeem Castle City, it is the capital of the republic, where the Lustrous Assembly and the Gilded Concord operate.
- Tempe: A city in central Santeem, and the defacto capital of the subsidiary Gnome Lands.
- Grand Bazaar: A major port in the Flat Peaks Desert, the largest trading city of Iluvitar.
Society
Notable People
The Gilded Concord
- Master of Development: Hearthmaker Timur Valentin
- Master of Arcana: Arcanist Lukas Berezin
- Master of Law: Arbiter Elena Kirilo
- Master of Commerce: Coinmistress Lyuda Grigor
- Master of Defense: Guardian Savvin Leoni
- Master of Information: Vacant
- Master of War: Vacant
Culture
The population of Santeem is largely human. There is a culture around community and food, including smoked fish, caviar, rye bread, and peppered soup. Captain Levka Ruslan said that a “proper Santeemite goodbye" was "lengthy and requires a meal.” There is a significant population of gnomes largely located in the Gnome Lands. In addition to this, though rare, there are few elves that still call this place home, and as a result, half-elves can be found here too. Though few in number, orcs and half-orcs can be found on the fringes of society here, surviving as they can against the animosity leveraged against them here. These lands were once a number of smaller cultures before the Founding Conflicts in the Third Age, which formed the now gone Kingdom of Santeem. Though the kingdom is gone, the human culture, with its prominent symbology of sphinxes, is dominant now, and the influences of gnomish industry, elven constructions, and the mercantile prowess of the desert peoples affect aspects of daily life in Santeem. Santeem is split largely between the affluence felt in the west and the hardships faced in the east. While the populace of western Santeem enjoy a greater quality of life, the clamoring for power and influence from members of the government can be at the expense of actual governing. This is especially felt in the east where individuals are not as well off, and public opinion of the system is degrading. In response to this, those in charge have started to pay more attention to those seeking change, labeling them as radicals or extremists. Despite these campaigns, any aid from the capital is infrequent and rarely more than pittance. Many individuals in the frontier households and smaller towns of the east feel those in the Santeem capital may not have their best interests in mind and are becoming frustrated with the ineffectuality of the current Santeem political structure.Religion
The worship of Zenethia, the Plane of Light, is relatively weak here compared to elsewhere in Azimuth, and it is not considered the primary faith. The elves in their time built natural places of great beauty dedicated to Gaia, The Allmother. These wild places would be left here for the humans that came next to rediscover and worship the Allmother in turn. Additionally, Avianor, The Timefather, has a large following in Santeem, which led to the construction of the grandest Avianor chapel, the Lodestar Basilica. The God of the Skies is also widely worshipped by gnomes.Government
The Santeem Republic is an elective government with representatives chosen by popular vote from each region of the country. Representatives are sent to the seat of government in Santeem's Castle, the repurposed royal house of the last Santeem ruling family. The representatives gather in the Lustrous Assembly, often shortened to “the Assembly”, to discuss matters of state. These representative seats change every five years and form the lower house of the government. Stationed above the Assembly are members of the Gilded Concord, which forms the upper house and is the primary seat of power for the government. Unlike those in the Assembly, the seats in the Concord are near-lifelong positions. There can be up to seven members of the Concord that manage the power once held by the crown. Although legislation can normally be introduced in either chamber, the majority of government issues originate in the Lustrous Assembly, with the Concord acting as the chamber of "sober second thought". The intent of this is to prevent radical and sweeping change that could destabilize the government, but this results in many issues brought forth by the lower house being strongarmed or set aside at the whims of the Concord. Still, having a set of rulers as opposed to a single monarch has historically led to greater care taken for the needs of the populace, and many in the west enjoy a greater quality of life.Politics
Santeem enjoys steady trade relations with the countries and cities of Gimora to the east. Santeem is seen as a place beyond the reach of royalty, and so there are those who seek refuge here from these places. Tensions are high with the Aarakocra of Stancia to the northwest, as increasing military presence threatens to shift deterrence into open conflict. Fortified strongholds along the northern border have been resupplied and their garrisons have been bolstered against this apparent threat. Though few believe the peoples of Stancia could even legitimately threaten Santeem, the Aarakocra are rallying against this aggression in turn, and tensions between these peoples are high. Due to the history involving orcs during the end of the Fourth Age, the Queendom of Keeleon to the south distrusts the republic. Though reparations are being paid, these have become fewer and far between, and the orcs view these as not enough and Santeem’s citizens view them as a waste of resources better spent internally.Military
The army of the republic is called the Rusguard. It consists of professional soldiers equipped with scale mail and white tabards bearing the emblem of the republic. Though rare, as it has fallen greatly in number compared to previous ages, knighthood is still practiced in Santeem. Santeem has a strong navy which operates in the northwest seas around Iluvitar.History
The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
The Founding Conflicts would lead to the creation of the Kingdom of Santeem. Human expansionists would reclaim the abandoned elven colonies in Iluvitar and subjugate the Gnome Lands and the Flat Peaks Desert, and would become the dominant force here by the time of the Great War.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
During the Tarterian War at the end of the Fourth Age, the evil influence of Esturk, The World's End, led to the untimely deaths of the Santeem royal family. The nation was weakened and the government collapsed.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
In the early Fifth Age, the Zenethian Hero Leo, Captain of the Black Barrow, was instrumental in crafting the fallen kingdom into a representative republic. On 4 Jeran 5A 009, the Santeem Republic was officially formed. This day would become a holiday in the region, celebrated as Republic Day. In 5A 044, the first aid caravan from the republic to the Queendom of Keeleon was sent to Tarteria.
2021 Art by K Bredain
The emblem of the Santeem Republic consists of three orange segments to represent the primary regions of eastern, western, and central Santeem, which surround the center, standing for the representative assembly that binds them.
The emblem of the Santeem Republic consists of three orange segments to represent the primary regions of eastern, western, and central Santeem, which surround the center, standing for the representative assembly that binds them.
Founding Date
4 Jeran 5A 009
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Demonym
Santeemite
Controlled Territories