The Sarendian Trust
The Sarendian Trust is the least centralized of the Successor States, even when compared with the aloof Ekoran Conclave. It is home to many Artisan and Trade Guilds, which operate across the rest of the continent in both imperial legacy states and independent sovereignties. Rather than being concentrated in the capital however, Guild Halls are spread across various cities and towns. Originally two successor states, the Republic of Sàrèn and Republic of Erintrel, the two republics faced markedly different fortunes in their early history, leading to the annexation of Erintrel. Over the years since, the Trust has gradually amassed sovereign authority.
The Trust is a “Guild of Guilds”, and it consists of a Council of Guild Representatives made up of the elected representatives of the members of the Trust. Members that sit on the Council have certain requirements, such as belonging to a Guild with a Guild Hall in Sarendian territory. It's origins are in the early years after annexation. Due to the constant political instability of the Erintrel Republic, people sought order from the more stable artisan, mercantile, and labor guilds. As a result, guilds in the Republic of Erintrel were better organised, and had more members relative to the rest of it's population. After the annexation of Erintrel, the Erintrene Guilds merged with their Sàrène counterparts, and (in Feloran terms) quickly became the dominant political class of the Republic.” In regions where guilds are in control, they shape labor, production and trade within the settlements they operate.
Dependence on the Grand Feloran Canal and the Dotharan-Qua'daran monopoly on Galisean trade keeps the Trust members largely peaceful and restrained, however they are far more organised than the Republic of Saren's Senate, which nominally has control over the whole of the former provinces of Erintrel and Saren but only has control over it’s capital city. In recent decades, the Merchant's Guild in particular has become estranged from it's counterpart in the Dotharan Alliance, and has begun establishing new trading routes outside the Qua'adaran-Dotharan circuit.
Demography and Population
Saren, the inner region of the Trust's lands, is densely settled along the best maintained and most travelled canals. 4 out of 5 cities with over 15,000 people are in the country's eastern inland, where there are more stable connections to the Feloran Canal System, and matching the rough borders of the defunct Republic of Sàrèn. The remaining fifth city is the capital, Port Asha, with approximately 16,700 residents. The Trust's population has grown steadily in the past two centuries, particularly thanks to the flow of artisans and merchants from abroad, many of whom establish a steady presence in Sarendia, often bringing their loved ones or making new ones with the locals.
There are approximately 2.5 million permanent residents in the Sarendian Trust. A vast majority of them are Feloran Elves, with their largest subgroup being the Grayàv'ya. The Sarendian Trust is one of the most diverse successor states, with stable and sizeable human, half-elf, and even orcish and dwarven minorities. Unique for the successor states is the size of the visiting population at any given time. Though not a complete record, according to the Tax Registry of Bræntræsh, the chief port of entry into the Trust and the point at which tariffs and transit fees on the Grand Canal are levied, between 400 and 600 thousand additional residents are present across the Trust throughout the year. All varieties of Elven races are found as productive Guild members in Sarendia, including half-elves and drow.
Territories
The Trust's domain is distinctly east-west in it's axial orientation. It's compact territory follows the Grand Feloran Canal and later the Sarendian River to the Yulan Ocean, the claimed border goes as far as 183 kilometers from the banks of either the canal or river, and 90% of the population lives within 30 kilometers of them. The territory of the Trust consists of most of the territory of the former Republic of Erintrel and the Republic of Saren. It is slightly smaller than the Feloran provinces of Erintrel and Saren, having lost some territory to the north and south after losing their populations in the dontrìlɦ famine. Along the Sarendian river, only the northern bank is part of the Trust, as the southern bank fell into ruin and was overrun by bandits, brigands, and outlaws during the stagnation of the Erintrene Republic.
In the east, development is high with many small towns linking together the larger cities, with different Guilds governing some of the smaller towns and sharing responsibilities in the cities. In the west, the Guilds are far more domineering, with less population and further distance between settlements ruled directly by high ranking Trust members. The entirety of the territory sees frequent rain, and becomes more rocky and uneven the more one travels westward. What is now the Trust was settled over 8 thousand years prior, during the Royal Era, a formative time for the Felorans.
Military
Due to the decentralised political structure in the Trust, there is no standing military. However, members of many of the Guilds that deal in martial weapons and other tools of war will act in defense of the Trust should the need arise, and most large Guilds hire mercenaries or have dedicated Guards. These vary widely in their equipment, armament, and professionalism. The Metallurgists Guild has manufactured a few cannons and muskets, and the other more forward thinking Guilds have contracted with them for more.
Of the Imperial Feloran military legacy, the Sarene Senate maintains a small Oyemörn and Mörn Dolïn. Consisting of Feloran Empire veterans, the Oyemörn consists of 45 archers and swordfighters. They are well equiped, if with outdated weapons, and donning metal helmets and cuirasses dating back to the Feloran Empire. The Mörn Dolïn consists of two seperate navies, one under authority of the Sarene Oyemörn and another that is part of the League of Shipwright's, Sailors, and Bargemen. In total, the Trust has 12 vessels, 2 of which are oceanfaring.
Technological Level
Sarendia is of the typical advancement of Feloran legacy states, with a professional mercantile class and a modest portion of the population engaged in non-agricultural activity. There is a large disparity, however, between the quality of life in the cities and east compared to the rural and western areas. While in Port Asha and the other cities built in the Feloran Empire and never depopulated, one can find running water, streetlighting, and civic infrastructure. Notable inventions of the Trust, due to the collaboration of Cyrenic and Feloran smiths and metalurgists, are the collapsable longbow and bayonet. Outside the cities, and especially in the sparsely populated west, only the most well established Guild Halls and the residences of Trust and Guild members come close to the same level of advancement.
Religion
Ëlhyaea is nominally the state religion of the Republic of Sàrèn, and was the state religion of the defunct Republic of Erintrel. The Trust does not officially have a religion, and member's of its Guilds practice faiths from across Galisea and Felora. In the east, there are some temples still functioning from the days of the Empire, and the Ëlhyaean faithful will come for general prayer or spiritual guidance from a Lëkabrì . Also, the Ekoran Conclave has continued to assign Shrine Custodians that tend the frequented shrines and other sacred sites throughout the Sarene Republic. In the west, there are few public temples, and instead of Conclave-assigned Shrine Custodians, the majority of the Erintrene sacred sites are tended only by devoted faithfuls.
Foreign Relations
The Trust maintains peaceful relations with the other successor states, largely due to its dependence on both the Sorenians and the Dotharans for their canals and ports, respectively. Relations with the Alliance have become strained, as Sarendian merchants begin competing more directly for the Galisean trade circuit. It has had relations with the Kingdom of Daramar in the past, however the tortle state's envoys have become few and infrequent. The Sarendian Trust is closely aligned with several independent communities along the canal system between the Trust and the Sorenian Sovereignty, whom the Sarendians consider a check on unwanted influence from the Sorenians. Relations with the Ekoran Conclave, the successor state the further from the Trust, are cordial but cold, largely to the lack of relevance one has for the other.
The upper portion of the Sarendian River facilitates a symbiosis of diplomacy and interdependence between the Trust and the Dotharic Orc Polity, despite initial skepticism when trade policies were first introduced 15 years ago. The Polity’s reputation improved substantially over time; the markets remain professional and reliable. The increase in high-quality material particularly benefits the artisanal Guilds, as it has further expanded the vast catalogue of goods available. Occasionally, trusted members of the Polity will even take on mercenary or exploration contracts for the Merchant's Guild. Though most orcs and half-orcs prefer not to stay in the Trust for extended periods of time, many return in search of opportunity, and rarely leave without something of interest.
Outside Felora, the Trust only has active trading relations with the island of Leandris, mostly along it's western coast; with Nikea and Artenos, two Aeillan successor states involved in transoceanic trade with strong mercantile classes of their own; and with the Kingdom of Gallaca. The Sarendians have also established coastal routes to the Southern Reaches of Felora, and are exploring the southwestern coastlines for potential resources and trading opportunities. These connections are being strengthened as the Trust begins looking at the projecting power along the Yulan coast.
Agriculture & Industry
The Trust relies on the fruits of its skilled labor, producing manufactured items such as furniture, armor & martial weapons, and the incredibly expensive Sarendian Glass. Lands controlled by Trust member-Guilds are bountiful in natural resources. Non-Feloran crafts, most notably firearms, have taken root in Sarendia, and a settlement of predominantly Cyrenican Dwarves has been dug into the mountain near large deposits of sulfur. This had led to a collaboration between the mechanical and structural genius of the Dwarven and Elven mind resulting in the creation of innovations like collapsible longbows and bayonets.
Trade & Transport
A merchant class, made up of members of the League of Canal Merchants, has a monopoly on trade within the Trust and is the official authority that regulates foreign trade. The eastern (or upper) portion of the Sarendian River is the principal aquatic trading route of the Trust, as it includes the western leg and terminus of the Grand Feloran Canal. The western extremities of the Sarendian River are not navigable, as the river careens over multiple spectacular waterfalls on it’s way to the Western Sea, and it is not connected to the canal system due to the extreme difference in water level. While some trade out of the Sarendian harbor occurs, the more developed and interconnected canals keep Sarendia dependent on Dotharan ports and Sorenian canals. Trade links with the western coast of Leandris and the Aeillan Republics of Artenos and Nikea are strengthening.
Markets in the Sarendian Trust are modest in the breadth of their goods, as most trade is out of Sarendia, not into. Being home to many organised guilds affords consistent access to high quality smithied goods, textiles, and parchments. Fresh goods, including exotic herbs and spices brought back by southern expeditions. Foreign goods from Galisea are rare, but increasing as trade with Nikea and Artenos becomes regular. Magic items are practically nonexistent and anyone knowledgeable to be in the market likely knows to look elsewhere.
Infrastructure
In the more heavily settled east, the Grand Feloran Canal and the broader system of canals, channels, and irrigation systems is well maintained, however the Sarendian Trust lacks the willpower and labor force necessary for any major improvements or expansions. The Sarène Republic did succeed in repairing damage done in some of the violence from the collapse of the Empire and the subsequent deterioration during the Dontrìlɦ Famine, however the power of the Trust has since eclipsed that of the Sarene Senate.
The roads in the Trust are generally well kept, particularly in the progressively sparsely settled western Erintrel region, and connect all the major Guild Halls and settlements. These roads are often owned and maintained by the Guild's the need them, and passage on them can be quite expensive depending on what fees are charged. Poorly maintained roads into the neighboring Kingdom of Daramar (due to increasing isolationism from Daramar) and Independent Canal Settlements (due to preference for water transportation) do exist, however portions in the thicker parts of rainforests have detoriated harshly, and many connect to abandoned cities from the Imperial Era.
Founding Date
204 PE
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
the Trust, The Republic of Sàrèn
Demonym
Sarendian
Leader
Leader Title
Head of Government
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Sarene Rëtrìrëkà, Rëkà
Erintrene Rëtrìrëkà, Rëkà
Imperial Rëtrìrëkà, Rëkà (rare)
Erintrene Rëtrìrëkà, Rëkà
Imperial Rëtrìrëkà, Rëkà (rare)
Legislative Body
Sarene Senate (de jure)
Sarendian Trust (de facto)
Sarendian Trust (de facto)
Judicial Body
High Tribunal of Arbiters
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Related Ranks & Titles
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Diplomatic Recognition
The two former geographic extremities of the Feloran Empire are not surprisingly that interested in each other. Peaceful diplomatic relations exist, but there is no formal or permament diplomatic efforts between the two. The Conclave continues to assign Shrine Custodians and advise temple Lëkabrìs to the communities or authorities that request it.
Diplomatic Recognition
The Trust and Sovereignty have a stable, if cold relationship. Trust members have their individual opinions of the Sovereignty, and the Sovereignty cultivates material and martial connections with some of them. Their is no permanent mission between them, but envoys are common between the Sovereign Court and various Trust Guilds.
Diplomatic Recognition & Permanent Trade Mission
The Dotharan Alliance is neutral toward the Sarendian Trust, and continues to manage a majority of Trust exports to Galisea. The Trust increasingly wants more autonomy in pursuing it's economic interests, and relations are deterioriating.
