The Republic of Subriya

I have sailed the five seas, from Djapar to the southern city of Chorbrag, and in all that time I have seen nothing that matches the beauty of home. Subriya with its great cities, ancient monuments, and vast ports, it is like nothing else on Aebrynis, even the marble cities of Aduria can not match the beauty of home. You would do well to remember this when you sail off seeking adventure in far away lands. While others marvel over gems and magic you should pray to Nasri that you will make it home safe from your journey, with a good profit of course.

Spoken by Captain Tern, Guildmaster, to a young sailor (2613 AR)

 

Alignment: Neutral Good
Status: NPC domain.

Provinces/Holdings: Last of the once great Masetian Empires, Subriya is also the oldest. Once it dominated the Subriyan peninsula but over the past two thousand years has been forced back across the Valsenio Mountains following the expansion of the Adurian Empire to the west. It now covers only the eastern tip of the peninsula. The republic is split now into five main states each ruled by a Governor. The city of Subriya itself is ruled by the President.

Abbreviations: LS = Latius Surmur; (Governor of Isalide); ITN = Isalide Temples of Nasri (High Priestess Hermile); SM = Subriyan Mining (Morn Farwar); IS = Isalide Shipping (Captain Tern); TA = Temple of the Ancients (High Priest Yorius); MR = Marcus Renoild (Governor of Blarn); GN = General Normun; CTN = Central Temple of Nasri (High Priestess Carina); CT = Crossroads Traders (Ramond the Moneylender); GR = Governor Ruffus (Governor of Subriya); MTN = Modern Temple of Nasri (High Priest Gerad); SS = Subriya Shippers (Donatalo Blackwood); TCM = The College of Magic; PG = President Gerold (President of Subriya); JM = Juli Martine; HK = Haius Karn (Governor of Murkwood); LRT = Lost Temple of Reynir (Unknown); MF = Murkwood Foresters (Malik Duaratile); JK = Julius Karn (Governor of Jantori); JS = Jantori Shipbuilders (Julias Karn); STN = Southen Temple of Nasri (High Priestess Adara).

• Law: The Law of Subriya is divided among the Governors and the President. Each Governor is only permitted Law Holding inside there own state to maintain stability, although in the past the various governors have been known to fight amongst themselves. The only other law holder is General Normun, head of the western armies that guard the pass through the mountains from Moita Castle.
• Temples: The worship of Nasri is the official religion, other temples are discouraged. Despite this a small temple of Reynir has established itself in the Murkwood and is fighting the Forester's Guild there. The most powerful of the temples is the Temple of Ancients, which worships Masela. It has little support among the common folk, but is widely worshipped by the upper classes and the government which gives the High Priest great influence. Several different temples of Nasri can also be fond in Subriya, the relationship between them remains good, although differences have occurred from time to time.
• Guilds: Many different guild fight for control of the market throughout Subriya. Among the most powerful as the Subriyan Miners Guild which can be found across the Republic and the oldest of the guilds, the Jantori Shipbuilders.
• Sources: Because of their contact with other lands Subriya has over the years had several blooded individuals move to the republic. As a result a few blooded scions exist here. Three can be found in the College of Magic, and another is Juli Martine, an woman widely regarded as a witch.
• Provinces: The President rules no actual lands, instead each of the five governors rule the provinces in his name. The fives states are Isalide, Blarn, Subriya, Murkwood, and Jantori. The province of Moita Castle is outside the borders of Subriya and is ruled by the general of the western Armies.

Regency Generated/Accumulated: 0/0
As the president is an unblooded regent he collects no regency.

Treasury: 390 GB.
The treasury of Subriya is incredibly vast, and has been built up over many centuries. All of the guilds must pay a trade tariff on top of the normal state taxes and with the inclusion of the taxes from each of the province this leads to a considerable amount of gold being saved up over the years. The Governors must pay half of their income to the Republic's coffers and this income is then used to pay the wages of the military and navy.

Army/Navy:
Subriya does not support a large army, at least not compared to their neighbor Aduria. Currently there are
- 5 Units of Swordsmen,
- 8 Units of Archers,
- 4 Units of Cavalry,
- & 3 Units of Elite Swordsmen.
With the exception of the Elite Swordsmen who guard the capital all of these units are based around Moita Castle guarding the only pass into Subriya. A smaller force was once kept further south, but the fortress there fell to the Reigar and is now the city of Bu'Zian.

The Subriyan Navy however is large and powerful. The Jantori Shipbuilders have designed many new vessels over the years and they can be seen from Ariya in the north to Chorbrag in the south. The three great coastal cities are all heavily defended by the Navy as most invasion would come by sea, rather than over the dangerous mountain pass. Currently Subriya supports
- 7 Cutters
- 12 Clippers
- 1 Conquistador
- 18 units of Marines

Regent(s):
Gerold Morstar (MMa; 0-Level; Unblooded; Age 62) is the current president. He is a crafty administrator and over the twenty years of his rule Subriya has saved up large amounts of gold, and at the same time expanded its military and navy. The President is elected ever five years by land owners and may serve a maximum of five terms. Gerold is the first president in many year to serve more than two. In his time as president he has also managed to sign a peace treaty with Aduria. No-one expects it to last but at least for the time being there is peace between the two ancient enemies.

Latius Surmur (MAd; Unblooded; Age 54) is the newly elected Governor of Isalide, the second largest city in Subriya. He is the son of a merchant from Aduria, but has gains much respect in Isalide with his promises of lower taxes on merchants. He is a kind man and has much support with the common folk. He is a strong supporter of the President usually backs anything he does.

Marcus Renoild (MMa; Unblooded; Age 45) is the iron fisted ruler of the state of Blarn. He has already served one term as governor and maintains tight control over his lands. Although he is disliked by most of his people he is still better than the previous governor who let security in the state slip and allowed bandits and other criminals free reign. Marcus Renoild has managed to restore order and through his heavy taxing of the people has mustered a small army to capture the bandit chiefs and to collect his taxes.

Ruffus Maximus (MMa; Unblooded; Age 51) governs the state of Subriya and the capital. He is an extremely wealthy merchant who likes nothing more than lining his own pockets. He has lost many of his supporters since taking office and is likely to be kicked out at the next election. He does not get along well with the President and has recently taken up residence in the province of Corran to avoid the Presidents inspectors who are interest as to where the money from the provinces are going.

Haius Karn (MMa; Unblooded; Age 34) is the youngest of the five Governors. He rules the city of Murkwood, which sits right on the edge of the great southern forest. He has many opponents to his position at the moment with the temple of Reynir and the Murkwood Foresters all challenging his position. He was elected mainly because of his name and has yet to prove he is worthy of the position.

Julius Karn (MMa; Unblooded; Age 60) is the longest serving governor in Subriya. Unlike the president the governor's may serve as long as the people continue to elect them. Julius has serve in Jantori for nearly thirty years. He is a member of the famous Karn family, the most famous seafaring merchants in Subriya, or Aduria for that matter. His family also owns the Jantori Shipbuilders guild which employees nearly half the workers in the state. The Governor himself spends little time watching over his state, preferring to keep an eye on his guild instead. This has had little effect on the state so far as to many the state is the shipbuilders guild.

Important NPC's:
High Priest Yorius (MMa; P15; Ma, tainted, 4; Age 76) is the patriarch of the temple of ancients, the oldest temple in Subriya. Once his temple dominated the lands of Subriya and also much of what is now northern Aduria. Since the destruction of the old gods at Deismaar it has been reduced to the few small holdings in Subriya. Ships from Subriya visited the Khinasi city of Ariya several centuries after Deismaar and bought back with them priests of Nasri. Since then Nasri has taken over as the principle deity in Subriya. Yorius has been able to increase his influence among the upper classes but most of the people now follow Nasri and there are several different faiths to the new goddess of the sea throughout Subriya.
They include the Isalide Temples of Nasri which is run by the fiery young Priestess Hermile (FMa; P7; Unblooded; Age 28), The Central Temple of Nasri headed by Priestess Carina (FMa; P12; Unblooded; Age 45), the Southen Temple of Nasri with High Priestess Adara (FMa; P11; Unblooded; Age 43), and lastly the newest of the faiths the Modern Temple of Nasri run by High Priest Gerad (MMa; P4; Unblooded; Age 39).

Morn Farwar (MMa; T6; Unblooded; Age 46) controls on of the most powerful guilds in Subriya, the United Subriyan Miners Guild. It is a collective of the various mining companies that was set up by Morn and his partners to get a better deal for their products. Ore from the mines is sold to the southern states which have few mines. Guildmaster Farwar is generally looked on as a criminal by the other merchants and guildmasters for the way he deals with competitors. With ruthless efficiency he has gained almost total control of all the mines in Subriya driving out all his competitors. He has also set up several smaller companies in the major cites to export his goods. His competitors however have now allied against him and pledged not to work against each other if it would benefit Morn.

These competitors include the Isalide Shipping owned by the famous Captain Tern (MMa; F10; Ma, tainted, 7; Age 62) who is said to have sailed across much of the world in his lifetime and even been a pirate for a time. No-one knows how much of this is true or not but it is certain that Tern is a great seaman and even now still sails his clipper, Laila's Glory, on short journeys. In his home port, the city of Isalide he is a popular inclusion at any party or feast and can often be seen striding the streets, his cutlass by his side, with a spyglass tucked under one arm, and his hat under the other. He has many stories of far off lands, including one of an island where all the people worship a giant snake, and how he and men had to fight their way off the island, faced with hordes of angry natives.

The other guilds are the Crossroads Traders owned by Ramond the Moneylender (MMa; 0-Level; Unblooded; Age 44), the SS = Subriya Shippers run by the old naval captain Donatalo Blackwood (MMa; F7; Unblooded; Age 57), the Murkwood Foresters run by the dangerous Malik Duaratile (MAd; T7; Unblooded; Age 37), and the renowned Jantori Shipbuilders part of the merchant empire of Governor Julias Karn (MMa; Unblooded; Age 60).

Not much is known about Juli Martine (FMa; W4; Ma, minor, 13; Age 25). Many see her as some sort of evil witch or spirit due to her study of the wizards arts. She is the descendant of one of the few Masetian survivors from Deismaar, and although over the centuries her bloodline has lost much of its former strength it has enabled her to be one of the few in the entire continent of Aduria to learn the art of True Magic. Her grandfather before her was also a wizard and on his death she inherited his source holdings, although so far has not been able to increase them much. She is known to be allied with the Lost Temple of Reynir and has aided them several times to hide their followers, but has done little else to raise attention to her presence yet. Her Grandfather was a recluse who lived in the mountainous province of Nino most of the time. Juli prefers the forest and dwell mainly in Martine province, in an ancient tower near her most powerful source holding.

History:
The oldest of the Masetian Empires, Subriya was great before many other civilisations came to power. Once it dominated much of the east of the continent, stretching from what is now Solontara to the eastern tip of the Subriyan Peninsula where modern Subriya now sits. It fall from power and strength however was due mainly to a decaying culture, and a civil war that broke the empire into four parts. The civil war was bought about by several years of famine and drought that plagued the empire. The people of southern Subriya rose up against the imperial capital and after several years of warfare the survivors were driven even further south into the lands of the Andu. Order was eventually achieved but the emperor was forced to give independence to two of the largest Masetian city-states, Bari and Udine. Although still official part of Subriya these two cities would expand over the next couple of centuries to become empires in their own right, further weakening Subriya.
Before this was to happen however another problem was to arise. In -1090 HC, or 0 AR in the Adurian calendar those responsible for the civil war, who had been driven south by the empire's army captured three Andu villages and formed their own civilisation, taking their name from the continent. These people of Aduria were made up at the moment mainly of the Masetians who had rebelled against the Empire five years earlier. Now they sought to reclaim their lost lands, using the captured Andu villagers as slaves. War soon broke out between the Andu and the new Adurian empire and despite assistance from Subriya which at the time was the dominant culture the southern Andu empire was defeated, their cities and towns captured by the Adurians. With the old Andu population absorbed into the Adurian Empire as free citizens the threat became even greater and Subriya was forced to act.
Fifteen years after the capture of the Andu capital, Bella, Subriya begins raids against the southern villages of Aduria. The newly proclaimed Adurian Emperor enraged by this sends his youngest general Alexander Tibius to do battle with Subriya. Although not expected to succeed the young general breaks through the pass at what is now Bu'Zian and soon captures many of the southern provinces. Despite the extensive use of mercenary troops and the destruction of most of the Adurian troops during a battle for the only remaining bridge across the mighty Subriyan River general Alexander managed to capture the capital itself, bringing to and end the greatest of the Masetian Empires.
The occupation of Subriya was not to last however. The Fortified city of Isalide still held out and the Subriyan navy was still much more powerful than Aduria's weak navy. The emperor may have been dead by his soldiers still fought on, eventually forcing an Adurian retreat in 252 AR. Aduria was by now embroiled in other wars and its survival was threatened by the Masetian empire of Udine which was driving the Adurian south in a particularly bloody war. The 4th legion which was then occupying Subriya was stripped of men until it could no longer hold onto power and was force to the retreat, leaving Subriya once again in the hands of the Masetians. The leader of the Subriyan army, Smoros Kern was elected as the first president of the Subriyan Republic and even today his descendants remain in power. During his time in office he built two mighty fortresses to defend the west of Subriya against a future Adurian invasion and strengthened the navy until it became the most powerful in the known world.
His precautions proved to be valid when in around 500 AR the Adurian Empire, strengthened by Azrai's priests began a Holy War to drive all other religions from Aebrynis. Subriya fought in the war to assist the other Masetian empires, but they were lost and many of the people fled before the advancing Adurian legions. Some came to Subriya but most sought safety in Cerilia. Subriya did not surrender or flee however and safe behind the Valsenio Mountains and their powerful navy were able to survive. The Adurians eventually tired of throwing themselves against the mountain passes and headed east to fight other races, defeating the Andu, and Vos before capturing much of the ancient Nehalim empire. Then follow the defeat of Azrai at Deismaar the Adurians were weak and could not threaten Subriya.
Since then however over the next thousand years or so the Adurian Empire has been rebuilt from the shattered shell it was and again threatens Subriya. At the moment their is peace, but some small border conflicts have been fought. So far the Subriyan army has held out quite well but the president knows that if ever the entire might of Aduria is turned in their direction they can not hope to stand against them. For the moment though the war with Nehalim is keeping the Adurians occupied.

Description:
There are five main states that make up the Republic, as well as a city and a vast fortress.

• Isalide is the most northern of the states. It is centered around the city of Isalide (9/0), the second largest city in Subriya. The west of the state is made up of the provinces of Elvas (3/2) and Roztez (2/3) and is a mining center. The province of Elvas is home to the Subriyan gold mines, large deposits of gold ore that have kept the Republic wealthy for many, many centuries. No-one is sure how far the gold deposits travel into the ground, but so far no end has been reached. Gold mining is heavily regulated by the government however and two units of swordsmen, maintained by the Governor of Isalide watch over the mines at all times to ensure that theft is kept to a minimum. The gold was discovered during the Adurian occupation over two thousand years ago and were one of the reasons why Subriya was able to fight off Aduria after two hundred years of occupation.
  Further east are the provinces of Vicosa (3/4), Cordel (3/2), and Reinosa (3/4). Although not heavily populated all three a home to large areas of farmland and grazing country.
  The city of Isalide itself is situated in the north of the republic. It was once home to the government before it was moved back to the now capital, the city of Subriya. Although its ancient fortifications have long since crumbled to rubble it is still remembered by most as the city which held out against the Adurian legions in the siege of Isalide from 130 - 132 AR where the city was surrounded by the enemy and forced to survive on fish for nearly two years before a rebellion in the south lifted the siege. It tale of the siege is still one of the most popular told by the bards. Nowadays though Isalide is no longer a city of war, but rather a city of culture and trade. With peace has come prosperity and the city has flourished. Most Subriyan cities remain small when compared to the the cities of Aduria, Halwan, and Chorbrag, with Isalide maintaining a population of around one hundred and thirty thousand.
• Moita Castle sits in the north west of the Republic. It is the largest fortification in Subriya and dominates the pass over the mountains from Aduria. The northern pass is the only one that is open all year round, with the southern pass closed for much of the year due to the snowfalls. Towering over the pass is Mount Valsenio, one of the largest mountain in Aduria and the namesake of the Valsenio Range which protects Subriya from the Adurian Empire. Moita Castle is built in the west of the province and is really more a giant gate, with wall nearly fifty meters tall in places. It is the frontline of any land invasion from Aduria and the province is more an armed camp with much of the Subriyan army stationed there.
• Blarn is the most central of the Subriyan states. It is made up of mainly fertile farmland with the one exception, the province of Tordeas (2/7), a mountainous mining region. The city of Blarn (7/0) is home to sixty thousand people, and more live in the surrounding country side. The other four provinces, Estrada (4/1), Barcon (4/1), Turne (5/0), and Hermida (3/4) are also heavily populated farmland. The southern border of the state is the mighty Subriyan River which feeds the thousands of irrigation channels that allow Subriyan farmers to be supplied with water even in the driest season. Through an amazing array of deep channels the farmers are able to flood irrigate their lands, allowing almost any crop to be grown. The Subriya river is fed from the Valsenio range and is never low on water as during the winter when there is no snow melt from the mountains the heavy winter rains keep the water level high.
• Subriya State is the most eastern of the five states, and also the most populated. It is made up of five provinces, and the City of Subriya (10/0), one of the great ancient cities. While the other provinces, Orel (5/2), Corran (7/0), Lerma (5/0), Gela (2/5), and Duero (4/3) are dedicated to farming and herding the city itself is one of the great centers of culture and art in the continent. Subriya has a history dating back nearly three thousand years and is the forth oldest city, and widely declared as one of the wonders of Ancient Aduria. Its wall, although destroyed during the Adurian occupation have been rebuilt and stand thirty meters tall around the entire city. In the past they were manned by thousands of archers, but now with few enemies capable of making it past the mountain blockade or the fleet the walls are left unguarded and the gates open.
  Beyond the walls lies a city of nearly half a million, not as many as in the more populous western cities, but still a great number. The markets team with traders from a hundred kingdoms, lured by the wealth of the gold mines of Subriya as well as the chance to trade peacefully with other without the dangers of the other kingdoms. In the past it has not been unknown for traders from Cerilia to dock at Subriya's wharves and even Djaparian merchants have not unknown. Unlike other cities the building are not crowded together, the streets are open and wide, lined with trees and flower beds. Squares filled with musicians and theatre are common, and in Subriya the people visit one of the many great theatres, libraries or halls of learning for entertainment rather than the bloodthirsty arenas that are common in the other Empires.
  Beyond the main city lies the island where the government and the temples are situated. Two great causeways are the only way to the island and for much of the day they teem with people visiting the temples for prayers, or simply wandering through the parks. The largest of the temples is dedicated to Masela, the dead goddess of the Masetian people. It is a sprawling complex of temples, gardens and lakes all built around the most ancient of building the Great Lighthouse of Masela. Said to have been built by the goddess herself to guide lost ships to port its beam travels several kilometers out to see and allow sailors to travel safely to the dock of the city. The light is magical in nature and it is not known how it is created, or by what. Each night it lights up and shines over the sea, and it never falters.
  The lighthouse is not the least of the wonders of the city however. Also situated on the government island is the Hall of the People where all may come to here their leaders speak and once a week question them on their policies. This building is said to hold as many as ten thousand people at once and is built around the domes hall of parliament where all the leaders of Subriya meet and discuss matters of state.
  Beyond the hall is the largest building in the city, the Library of Subriya. Said to hold the knowledge of a thousand civilisations it is a storehouse of knowledge from across the lands of Aebrynis, and even from the planes beyond. Hundreds of thousands of book, scrolls and tablets will its shelves and scholars from across Aduria regularly visit for research and study. Some never leave and stay on to join the ranks of the monks that keep the library. This current library is the second built on this site, the first was plundered by the Adurian armies during the occupation, with its knowledge taken back to the Adurian Capital to feed the hunger of Azrai's followers for knowledge and power. Despite this plundering the Great Library remains the main center of knowledge on the continent.
• Murkwood covers a wide region from the borders of the state of Subriya to the mountainous realm of Bu'Zian. Much of this land is still wild despite the efforts of the people of its provinces to settle the lands. The lands remain however dangerous and untamed. Only the city of Murkwood (6/0), and the eastern province of Orlam (4/1) are truly settled. The Murkwood, the large forest of southern Subriya fills the provinces of Parmera (2/5), Martine (7/0), and Nombleo (3/4). The forest is dark and mysterious and despite heavy logging each year continue to grow back year after year. Some claim that the forest is cursed and any who enter two far into is depths will die. The truth however is the followers of Reynir live deep in the forest and fight the efforts of the woodsmen to cut the trees and also repair the damage done to the woods. In the province of Martine the young wizard Juli Martine dwells, in a tower that has belonged to her family for centuries. She gets along well with the druids and will aid them if necessary.
  The remaining two provinces, Coura (0/8), and Sveti (0/9) are lands of high mountains and few people. Only a few sturdy miners and hermits can be found in a land where avalanches are common, as well and monsters and other dangers.
• Jantori is the last of the five states. It is sparsely populated and home mainly to the shipbuilding industries situated in the city of Jantori (7/0) and the navy in the fortified province of Esprien (2/7). The other provinces, Giar (2/5), Arola (3/4), Naral (2/7), and Nino (0/9) are home to either lumber camps, farmers, or in the case of Nino virtually no-one at all.
  The city of Jantori has always been home to the shipbuilding industry and is responsible for the superior navy that Subriya enjoys today. Almost everyone in the city is employed by the guild that runs the ship building and each years as many as a hundred new vessel can be turned out. Most go to join the merchant fleet but Jantori also supplies the navy with better and better vessels. The latest ship to be constructed is the mighty Conquistador, a five masted warship nearly twice the size of anything constructed before. This floating fortress is currently being tested, and should it prove successful then it will take its place with the Clipper and Cutter vessels that currently serve in the Subriyan navy.

Allies:
Once Subriya could count on the other Masetian Empires for assistance, now though they have no allies.

Enemies:
Aduria remains the most powerful enemy, although the tiny realm of Bu'Zian is also an enemy of the Republic after it was conquered by the Reigar twenty years ago. Subriya prevents a lot of trade getting through to Bu'Zian and the once prosperous trade route has now dried to a trickle. This of course does not worry the two Reigar and they generally ignore Subriya except when soldiers are sent to retake the province, something that has happened several times since it was captured.

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