History

By Y942 the Kingdom encompassed all inhabitable lands of Cullania and the northern regions were colonized by merchants that formed together creating large companies to take advantage of the wealth in natural resources there.

Over the years, the Royal Family kept increasing the taxes imposed over the northern companies to found their lavish living style resulting in widespread discontent.

In Y1033, a number of merchants were chosen to represent the northern lands. After failed negotiations, the merchants declared independence and seceded from the Kingdom, forming a ruling body to protect their own interests, the Forum.

The years to follow were marked by bloody civil wars between the Kingdom and the now independent merchants. Civil wars between the two often ended in a stalemate and with an unstable truce.

After the first ceasefire agreement in Y1037, a name was officially chosen for the fledgling nation. The Principality of Saren. Named after the richest merchant family of the time, who had contributed the most to the war efforts.

Over their tumultuous history, the boundaries of the Principality of Saren changed often in the aftermath of bloody wars. The current borders were drown after the last war that ended in Y1486 in a peace treaty that is set to expire in 1506.

Borders

The Principality of Saren borders south with The Kingdom, the only other civilization in the continent.

The Principality of Saren is surrounded in all other directions by powerful natural barriers. South-East is the Black Mountain Range. North-East are the Wild Lands. North and West is the Red Sea.

Population

The Principality of Saren has a population of about two hundred thousand humans. Roughly half, Fair Skin humans, the other half, Dark Skin humans.

No Elven humans are reported to currently live in Cullania, but they had an unknown presence in a far past, before Dark Skin and Fair Skin first arrived in the continent.

Population is divided in classes that are decided at birth. One's class restricts where one can live, and what job one can apply for.

It is possible for one to buy their way to an higher class and obtain access to better living areas and better jobs, but it's a rare occurrence. Similarly, one needs to maintain a level of wealth to maintain his social class, leading to a fierce competition to maintain one's status.

Government

The Principality of Saren is ruled by the Forum. An assembly of the wealthiest merchants at any given time. Members of the Forum are simply called Merchants.

Every citizen is expected to contribute to the Forum in proportion to their wealth. The highest the contribution, the higher the voting power the Merchant.

The seat of the government is the Trade Forum, a structure built on the tallest point of the largest city of the Principality, Dorado.

Transportations

From the westernmost point, the Red Bridge to the northernmost point, the Wild Lands, the Principality of Saren spans 240Km.

The Silk Road connects the major settlement, and was originally built in the early days of the Kingdom. Roads inside the Principality of Saren are almost always unpaved and barely maintained.

It is possible to safely travel by boat alongside the coastline, but setting sail deeper in the Red Sea is considered suicidal. Few rivers are navigable, like the Red River and the Saren's River.

Religion

Early Merchant decreed that one's destiny depends only on their skills and that prayer are for naught. All religious cults are thus banned inside the Principality of Saren.

Military

The Principality of Saren has no national military force. Instead, peace-keeping is handled by mercenary groups, and each individual is responsible for their own safety.

In times of war, Merchants contribute to the Forum which in turns hire Mercenary and Low Class citizens to fight for the principality of Saren. Spoils of wars, if any, are distributed in proportion to one's contribution to the war effort.