| Confederation of the Archipelago of Largiza | |
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| Government: Trade Republic | |
| Capital City: Cerunia | |
| Leader: Dux Alfonso Cadiz (humanoid), Locarath (draconic) |
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| Official Language: Draconic, Largizan | |
| Other Common Languages: Tanish, Amayan, Common, Kaduan, Aquan, Elven |
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| Races: Humans (majority), bronze dragons, half-dragons, sea elves, half-elves |
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| Terrain: Small islands | |
| Demonym: Largizan | |
| Prominent Religions: Bahamut, Io, Zilchus, Lendys, Tamara, Astilabor, Deep Sashelas, Fharlanghn, ancestor worship, animism |
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| Magical Advancement: Medium-high, with arcane magic edging out divine |
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| Technological Advancement: Medium - Renaissance-era non-magical technology |
General Description
The Confederation of the Archipelago of Largiza (Draconic: Largiza Enel'thaczil) is a republic originating from the island chain between Amaya and Dartane, far west of Akellon. It is often called "The Largizan Trade Republic" or "The Largizan Republic", shorthand, due to it's unique system of government. It is formally known as the The Trade Confederation of the Archipelago of Largiza (Draconic: Enel'thaczil di Darastrixi vur Mabliki Svern vur Vhir Qumado, literally "Trust-land of Dragons and Mortals Above and Below the Sea.") It had declared it's indepedence from Amaya and Dartane from approximately 300 years ago in 800-900 CA. The Republic's reputation is chiefly based on its status as an economic and trading power.
History
Life and Society
The golden rule of Largiza is as follows: "Aurix ui froneel." (Gold is everything.)
This plutocratic sentiment permeates every level of Largiza's society, from the simple commoner to the Dux and Locarath. Even the patricians see the wisdom in this statement, as opposed as they are to the merchants in the Great Council. All of the republic's political power is in some form or another, built upon gold, and they have irredeemably entrenched themselves into indefinitely perpetuating this social dogma.
That said, the system works, to a degree. Contrary to it's detractors, Largiza does not forget it's social responsibilities completely, owing much to the Council of Ten and the existence of the Minor Council. The rationale being that keeping the local populace happy is good business for the Largizan elite, allowing them to run their commercial districts and trading empires to begin with by supplying the necessary manpower. However, considering that most of the power lies within the Great Council, these policies are minimal at best.
The combination of the two above have set Largiza's social obligations to a level of sustenance on average, driving Largizans to work hard for retirement and often attempt to strike it rich upon the sealanes of Akellon as a trader or a servant of one. That isn't to say poverty and indentured servitude does not exist, but it is common that the poor would find work eventually as the Largizan merchant marine expands to match population growth.
Government and Politics
Largiza is a republic that operates under the autocratic authority of the Dux, but his executive powers are limited by a pledge he takes when elected by the Great Council (from their own ranks). This pledge is also towards the Council of Ten, a collective of bronze dragons under the current leadership of Locarath. The Dux' executive powers can be vetoed by Locarath, under the oath that it is under Largiza's best interests that the dragons remain the final say in it's policies. As it is said, "Dux loex, shar Asildk ti." ((The) Dux (is) dead, but The Ten (are) not.) The Dux reigns indefinitely, until death or resignation.
Further division of power amongst the people is accomplished by the Great Council and the Minor Council. The Great Council is composed of patricians and wealthy merchants who have bought into their positions whereas the Minor Council is composed of popular or active citizenry in political affairs. Legislative and judiciary functions are given to the Great Council and Minor Council, under the supervision of the Council of Ten, granting a lot of power to the plutocracy as the Great Council approves or denies the Minor Council's legislation and delegates upon judicial decisions sent further up to their purview.
Power Groups
Since most of the executive, legislative and judicial powers of Largiza is within the Great Council and the Dux, it would be fair to say that immense power is given to the plutocracy. Largiza is a place where you can buy yourself into power with gold very easily, however one must keep in mind that there are other people doing this as well, and the Council of Ten is the final word in anything and everything. That said, there exists four major power groups in Largiza.
First is the citizenry, represented by the Minor Council. Although their power is superseded by the Dux, the Great Council, and the Council of Ten, they are in the end what the legislation of Largiza are for. Keeping the citizenry happy is good business for Largiza's merchants and politicians, and as a consequence they have their place within the trade republic.
Second, are the patricians. Patricians are the old guard of Largiza, well known families holding status and power from before Largiza declared it's independence from Amaya and Dartane, and are themselves a part of the Great Council by virtue of seniority and experience in political affairs. They represent the interests of the aristocracy, and find themselves at odds with the merchants at times over the division of power between them. In fact, the word patrician, in itself is synonymous with 'aristocrat'. Their reactionary and conservative policies are a matter of such debate, but they are not without their means and points.
Third, are the merchants. The merchants are the most numerous and most powerful members of the Great Council, representing the interests of the plutocracy. Indeed, they do believe that wealth is a direct translation of power, and their safeguard against Amaya and Dartane. Gold is everything to them, as it buys their ships, their weapons, their armour, and pays for their troops. As a direct result, they are also in extensive control of the military of Largiza, both on land and more importantly at sea. They also hold the most contacts with Largiza's undersea allies, further securing the independence of the archipelago.
Fourth, are the bronze dragons, represented by the Council of Ten under the leadership of Locarath. Bronze dragons are the most militaristic of the metallic dragons, and it reflects within their internal and diplomatic policies. Although their motives and actions are incomprehensible to everyone else, it is widely assumed that their intentions are benevolent, and indeed they have many times proven themselves as such. Their edicts and proclamations are strict, but not without merit. They are the primary reason for the prolific use of the Draconic tongue and written word within Largiza, often as natural to the humans as common is.
Religion
Worship of the ocean, sea and trade gods are paramount in Largiza, as the Largizans owe much to them for their survival and growth. As a consequence, not only is blue and all it's shades common in Largizan artwork and architecture but oceanic motifs are a common feature of them. Even in the more rural areas where organized religion isn't effected, this faith and preference extends to pagan practices.
In Cerunia, Largiza's capital city, three very massive cathedrals stand as a testament to this devotion, to Deep Sashelas, Zilchus and Astilabor (the latter, for the dragons) While the other deities of Akellon have their place within Largiza, they approach nowhere near the following had by these three gods. On average, you would see Pelorite and Cuthbertine missions from mainland Akellon, simply as a matter of natural course.
Industries
Largiza doesn't particularly have any noteworthy industries of it's own aside from the production of naval supplies such as citrus and preserved rations as well as a healthy shipbuilding industry. Most of it's wealth comes from it's skilled cartographers, navigators and merchants that are controlling the trade between Aldusia and Kaduar. In addition to the lucrative trade of spices from the southern Aldusian islands, it's neutrality in foreign policy allows it to trade with nearly all mainland ports of every nation as well as it's undersea allies, giving it numerous and often excellent trade opportunities.
As a consequence of it's success in trade, Largiza's commercial districts have numerous bank and moneylending institutions, boasting excellent security and progressive investment opportunities due to the republic's neutrality and excellent trading relations. Indeed, it's economic strength has started to reflect upon Largiza's architecture, building ever larger cities out to sea via the construction of bridges, canals, bulwarks, fortifications, and stone buildings funded by the Great Council and the Dux.
Military and Tactics
Being an archipelago, and having a healthy shipbuilding industry, Largiza has a long standing naval tradition and a large well equipped fleet of capable and experienced admirals, captains and crewmen. With over three hundred years under their belt, and lavish funding from the Dux and the Great Council, the Largizan navy is the wooden wall with which it uses to defend it's independence from the two feuding island nations nearby. It is the also the oldest service branch, and the very standing military force that the Largizans used to declare independence with. The Largizan navy is also part and parcel for the success of Largiza as a seafaring trading and economic power, protecting the merchant marine from privateers and other hostile threats. Almost all of Largiza's manpower available for active duty serves in the navy, or the logistics thereof. Navy admirals and captains are often from patrician families, part of the old guard that started the revolution on the islands. Their preference for fast mobile ships, able to tack faster and more precisely than their contemporaries makes them challenging opponents at sea, and this impression of professionalism, skill and expertise is one Largiza seeks to maintain.
That said, Largiza doesn't have an army. Rather, its army is folded into the marine corps, with the mindset that it's land forces needs to make full use of the republic's greatest strength rather than as a separate unit. This affords Largizan troops a great deal of manoeuvreability, but at the cost of the lack of expertise in entrenchments and fortifications. At best, they would have coastal fortresses, fit for fighting against naval threats, as opposed to forces that have already landed on Largizan soil. Of course, the Largizans are confident that will never happen so long as it's navy exists.
It's economic strength, and the fact that the Great Council and the Dux are themselves still merchants and private individuals with their own goals, affords the Largizans a great number of mercenary troops under their employ. This practice is so prolific that it is not uncommon to see Tane, Amayan and Kaduan troops within the cities, protecting the plutocracy's personal interests as well as serving a more conventional military function in times of war.
Part of it's defensive military strategy also involves good relations with Kaduar and Aldusia, who guarantee the island chain's independence on the grounds of Largiza being vital to the spice trade and the economic interests of both states.