Darokin (Republic of)
Location: West and north of
the Five Shires.
Area: 68,964 sq. mi. (155,169 km2), not including the
Orclands, which is only nominally under control of the
Republic.
Population: 1,260,000 humans, plus a scattering of elves,
dwarves, and halflings.
Languages: Thyatian Common (Darokinian dialect), but many
other languages are represented among the populace.
Coinage: Daro (gp), half-daro (ep), tendrid (sp), passim
(cp). For transactions involving large amounts of money (larger
than 500 daros), a CLOC - Certified Letter of Credit - is used.
Taxes: 5% of annual income (8% for incomes over 100,000
daros), collected annually on Thaumont 1. Every 5 years, a net
worth tax is assessed; anyone whose income has increased since the
last assessment must pay 5% of the gain in taxes. There is also a
3% sales tax.
Government Type: Republic Plutocracy; it is a republic as
leaders are voted in, but only the wealthy can apply for positions
of power, therefore Darokin is also a plutocracy.
Industries: Agriculture, fishing, mercantile ability, and
diplomacy.
Important Figures: Corwyn Mauntea (President, human, male,
T6)
Flora and Fauna: Herds of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and
buffalo. The various mountains around the nation are home to
mountain lions and bears. Malpheggi Swamp is known for its
crocodiles and giant lizards, as well as being the refuge for
roving gangs of bandits and goblinoids.
The southern part of Darokin is mostly covered with oak forests, while to the north, evergreens dominate. Around the nation of Aengmor, blight oaks can be encountered within the borders of Darokin.
The northeastern section of Darokin
is known as the Orclands and is completely dominated by bands of
goblinoids.
Further Reading: GAZ 11 - The Republic of Darokin, AC1010 -
Poor Wizard's Almanac to AC1012 - Poor Wizard's Almanac 3, and
Joshuan's Almanac.
Description: by Ursula Bremen
It is with the utmost pleasure that I am able to submit this description of my home, the Republic. It is a particularly nice change to be able to write a report that hasn't been carefully censored to relieve it of any potentially dangerous information. Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the highlights of this land that I love.
The Land
The wealth of our nation can be traced back to the resources of the very land we live in. The vast Streel Plain - rich, fertile farmlands - provides food for all of Darokin's population, and the surplus is exported to many of our neighbouring countries, as well. A long history of struggles against outside oppressors, notably goblinoids from the northern Amsorak Mountains and the Broken Lands, has ensured that most of our heartlands are free and safe for people to live in.
Merchants and fishermen alike prosper in the waters of Lake Amsorak and the Streel river, while the surrounding mountains provide a wealth of natural resources to mine. Even the great, dismal Malpheggi swamp harbours hidden treasures - oil, exotic plants, and more - though it is only the most daring of merchants who attempt to take advantage of those.
The People
Derogatorily termed the "Land of Leftovers" by outsiders, the Republic boasts one of the single most diverse populations of any nation in the Old World. Thyatians, Karameikans, Ylari, Glantrians, elves, dwarves, halflings - all contribute to the long and rich cultural and racial history of the nation.
The people of the Republic benefit from the great wealth of our nation, perhaps more so than any other nation. Though there is a significant minority of truly wealthy people, even the most poor citizens (those of the Copper class) are still more well off than lower class citizens of other nations... and there are more opportunities for raising one's status in Darokin than anywhere else, too!
Most of the nation is ruled by the Outer and Inner Councils, with a heavy influence from the various Merchants' Guilds. There are still a number of dominions that are more feudal in nature; they are owned and governed by individuals, and their ownership is inherited. Such Borderlands tend to be less organised and often more dangerous than Heartland territories. Occasionally a Borderland is absorbed into the Heartland when its owner dies without an heir, or when the Council buys it out.
Recent History
Darokin's economy suffered greatly during the Great War, but has been steadily on the rise ever since. The DDC (Darokin Diplomatic Corps) was largely responsible for the creation of the Western Defence League in AC 1010, a union of Old World nations that mutually agree to provide assistance to each other. The WDL consisted originally of Darokin, Karameikos, the Five Shires, Ylaruam, and Rockhome. Rockhome withdrew over the Oenkmar incident in AC 1012 and Ylaruam withdrew in the midst of their civil war last year. The WDL hopes to renew its ties to these countries, as well as induct new members.
Trade with the nation of Sind has been steadily on the rise, following the events of the Great War, and ties have been renewed with the Atruaghin peoples to our south - notably with the Bear Clan on the northern side of the plateau. Tiger clan attacks on the Tenobar Borderland territory have been on the rise since the induction of a new high priestess last year.
Don't Miss
The city of Athenos is certainly a notable spot for tourists to visit. One of the largest cities in the nation (pop. 15,000), it is also one of the most ethnically diverse. The port town boasts travellers from all over the Old World- Ierendians, Minrothaddan, Sindhi, even the occasional Yavi. The Hin quarter is the largest population of halflings in Darokin next to the town of Hinmeet, and the city and surrounding regions boast the largest concentration of Makai tribesmen outside of the Ierendi Islands. Having one's fortune told by a Makai Oungan (shaman) is a popular tourist attraction.
The Averoigne Quarter is also popular. Averoignians fleeing the Forty Years War in Glantri [c.788 AC. Ed.] ended up in the region of Athenos, which was then a minor port town. The Averoignians were among the earliest settlers of the region, along with the Makai (many of whom had fled there centuries earlier, following Thyatian invasions of the Ierendi Isles). When the Athenos Canal was finally completed in 868 AC, and the city burgeoned as a major commerce centre, the Averoigne and Makai cultures were already well ensconced within the populace. They remain so to this day, and the Averoigne Quarter is one of the greatest legacies to their influence. Athenos is also one of the few cities in Darokin (Selenica being the other one) where most of the population is bilingual (speaking Darokinian and Sylaire).
Another site of interest is the
Great Wall. Work began on the Great Wall of Darokin way back in
Sviftmont AC 1010 [see PWA1, Ed.] and was finally completed in
Vatermont of AC 1014. The 6 meters (20') high wall runs for 200
kilometres (125 miles), from Fort Fletcher to Corunglain City,
following the southern edge of the Broken Lands. It is a remarkable
feat to have built such an immense project by human hands. I also
find it rather amazing to stand on the wall, look to the horizon,
and still being able to see the exact same wall stretch all the way
out of sight.