Just five months ago, the Herwanese were nothing more than a scattering of tribes along the far eastern edge of the Thaydelus River. Pressured by massive growth in Octavton to the north, the Herwanese were forced to settle and establish a Republic.

Concentrating their nomadic energies on nation-building, the Herwanese quickly founded a large country, cutting off Octavian expansion to the river and enveloping three sides of Igoslavia.

By April, Herwanese development had reached the gates of Aveholm in Lindsholm, and built right over the fledgling Pauldelphian colony of Tierra del Nievus and another struggling Jennevan claim.

While Octavton concentrated on developing commerce in Terra Exortus, the Herwanese emphasized their military. Subsequently, Herwan was catapulted into most powerful country in Terra Exortus.

A member of the TXE (a commercial union led by Octavton and Hongolia) and the Eastern Bloc (a defensive alliance with Octavton and Igoslavia), Herwan had easily joined the community of nations developing in Terra Exortus.

However, when Hongolia attempted to acquire Ichiben and Soozhou through Responsible Determination, tensions within Terra Exortus became painfully apparent in the resultant Tsinguo Question.

Ichiben and Soozhou were later turned over to Herwan through historic nomadic ties between the three countries originating from their tribal days before they had settled in Terra Exortus.

Buoyed by success in the Tsinguo Question, the President of Herwan established the Pacific Exchange (PXE), a commercial union led by Herwan. Some saw this as a rival organization to Octavton and Hongolia's TXE.

On July 14, 2004, just a day after the Danikistani President's abdication was announced, Herwanese officials flew to the country and secured mandateship from the interim Privy Council in charge of the government.

This move annulled a potential Congressional competition, apparently leading to anti-Herwanese feeling among some nations who would have ventured their candidacy.

On July 16, Herwan managed to secure the abdication of the Lady of Novara. The move shocked the entire Mapp, as Novara was a major power with critical ties to the once-powerful Hanseatic League (SPQH).

Although a modern anachronism, the SPQH still exists as a political, economic, and military union between Denisia and Novara. Immediately the issue of Herwanese rule over Novara brought into question whether such a move would violate the Hanseatic constitution. However, the Amrylin is reportedly on vacation and her cabinet has not yet provided a response.

Nevertheless, Novara has military links with other countries, notably Rattanjeetland and Marcusburg. In Rattanjeetland, the development has generated fury and outrage in the Adiposia (Parliament).

Deputies are angry that traditional Jeeto-Novaran links have been disrupted since Novara used to be a Rattanjeetarr protectorate during which time it financed construction of the superbase which Rattanjeetland jointly shares with Novara.

Likewise, in Marcusburg, the move has raised concerns over the fate of the grand base it shares. Marcusburg had also paid for the construction of the grand base following the Great War, during which Marcusburg allied with Novara to defeat the hostile nation of Bendover.

So while acquiring Novara may have propelled Herwan to the ranks of major power, it has also raised major questions concerning the future of the Hanseatic League; and Jeeto-Herwanese and Marco-Herwanese relations.