Erothena
Erothena, officially known as The Repbulic of Erothena, is a tropical country located on the eastern end of (X) and the southern half of (DINO PENINSULA). The country is split by the (CANAL) with the lands west of it a dry savannah rich in mana deposits, as well as including occupied Dwerchus, and east of the (CANAL) tree-rich savannahs give way to tropical jungle in the far north. Geographically, Erothena borders [Name Pending] in the north-west, Lu’umil in the north-east, Nevexyl in the west and Malaszec to the south. It is the third largest nation on the continent by area.
Erothenian Elven civilization arose millennia ago as one of the first magic-using civilizations in the world. Urendir, as it was traditionally called, was governed by powerful hereditary monarchs that oversaw an expanding empire that reached beyond even the modern borders of Erothena. Throughout the pre-industrial era Urendin magitech was among the most advanced in the world but as the industrial revolution the empire became surpassed and humiliated by its rivals, culminating in the end of the monarchy in the June Revolution that established a pluralistic republic.
The Erothenian government has been criticized for sapient rights abuses and systemic discrimination especially in its military occupation of Dwerchus that has been ongoing since 1998.
History
Ancient Elven Kingdom
The kingdom of Urendir appeared around the end of the third millenium BCE, centered around the mana deposits of modern day Thinetavu. For much of its early history the kingdom was only one of many elven city states across southern Erothena but over time Urendir would grow in power with their readily available mana allowing the creation of effective irrigation and agriculture, swelling the population of its capital city.
Urendin Empire (1700s-1938)
After Urendir Xathaya ascended to the imperial throne in 1698 she launched a military coup and formally suspended the Elder Council and the kingdom’s constitution, establishing a new era of royal absolutism. During the century of her reign the era of Erothenian colonialism began truly, with the foundation of Port Tilive in 1748 to unify the so called String of Pearl Settlements on the southern coast of modern day Lu’umil and the establishment of client kingdoms in Dwerchus and Levantia-Malcadi.
Revolution (1938)
The heavy cost of maintaining the Imperial Colonies and the slow pace of industrialization lead to a deep financial crisis in the mid 1930s with famine sweeping through the northern territories. Under mounting pressure from an agitated population the king accepted the constitution of 1936 that transferred more power to the Elder Council and the Royal Chancellor appointed by the council. The new government struggled for the next two years but the king repeatedly vetoed bills attempting to alleviate the crisis. In May 1938 a cadre of soldiers commanded by members of the low nobility seized control of the capital and declared the constitution dissolved returning the king to absolute power.
In response to the May restoration popular uprisings sprang up across Urendin, with both the royal armed forces and the powerful private military of the Imperial Dwerchus Company siding with the rebels. The king was forced to abdicate on June 16th with the declaration of the Republic of Erothena.
Early Republic and Dwerchus (1938-1950)
“Golden Years” (1950-1985)
Rise of the Megacorps (1985-1994)
Second Dwerchus War (1994-1997)
Civil Rights Era (1998-2020)
Boom Years (2020-2060)
Recent History (2061-)
Government
Erothena is a unitary presidential republic. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected for a three-year term, with the possibility of re-election for two successive terms. For the presidential elections Erothena is divided into 331 electoral districts, each providing a single electoral vote decided by first-past-the-post.
The legislative consist of the bicameral National Assembly.
Congress of Equals
The lower house of the National Assembly is responsive for initiation all legislation. Although any bill passed by the Congress can be rejected by the Elder Council, a supermajority of the Congress can bypass the upper house. All 425 members of the local house are directly elected to represent individual constituencies through a First-Past-the-Post system.
Elder Council
The upper house of the National Assembly has an advisory and checking role, they have final say in the appointment of cabinet members and ambassadors and can delay or reject legislation that has passed the Congress of Equals. The 105 members serve six year terms, 35 are appointed by the President, 35 are appointed by regional legislatures and the final 35 are directly elected on national lists.
Culture
Neo-Orcism
Main Article: Neo-Orcism
The Neo-Orcish movement arose during the early 21st century among orcish scholars and intelligentsia and centered around the creation of a distinct Orcish identity in opposition to the leading philosophy of integration into the greater Erothenian elven culture.
Heraneres
Main Article: Heraneres Heraneres, also known as the Festival of Fire, the burning days or the purification, is an Erothenian holiday celebrated at the end of the dry season (and the end of the calendar year). The holiday is celebrated over nine days, forming three segments known as Preparation, Contemplation and Festival. Heranares focuses on the themes of renewal and purification, with an emphasis on fire and all its symbolism.
One of the most famous events of the holiday is the fire dance, where pyromancers carry notes where the community has written down their regrets of the past year and ceremoniously burn them by dancing through a great bonfire.