General Introduction

Nacáil began, like most of the Maritime Republics, as an independent city-state founded as a trading center and port for the ships engaged in the lucrative silk and spice trade. The city of Navar, the political and economic heart of Nacáil, lies on the Heragas coast and seems to have been founded by a Esh-Nyezzai population. Although no records survive concerning the founding of Navar, it is most likely that is was founded around the time of the collapse of the Ejantuli province of Cüljagan which controlled most of the area now ruled by the western Maritime Republics. In that period of chaos and constant warfare a number of small communities built fortified cities to protect themselves both from their neighbors and from raiding nomads from the interior.

Navar came to dominate the region known as Nacáil during the third Trade War (1275-1302 CR) through the selling of its soldiers as mercenaries to the other city states in the region. By the middle of the war, the other cities of the region had come to rely so much upon the Navarese for their defense that they could do nothing when the Navarese effectively seized control of them in 1283. Since then, the Navarese have proved to be detached and efficient administrators of the region and while there are still conflicts (especially with Herag separatists) the country is mostly prosperous and stable.

The Glorious Republic is the most overtly militaristic of the Maritime Republics and their standing army is formidable. They are, however, somewhat weaker in overall naval prowess having not yet discovered an accurate means of determining longitude at sea.

Political Structure

Nacáil is an aristocratic crowned republic (unlike the parliamentary Republics of the League and Orothos) headed by the Doge, the supreme magistrate. Originally the position of Doge belonged to one of the traditional ruling triad common to many of the Esuin City States (Doge, or Archon, Strategos, and Consul) and functioned much like a high court judge. In Navar, the Doge’s power increased over the years until the position was the de facto ruler of the city. When Navar annexed the region of Nacáil, the Doge extended his power over the whole state. The Doge is elected to office for life by a council of wealthy citizens known as the Council of Primes who act as the parliament of the Nacáil, debating laws, hearing certain legal cases. The Primes are appointed to their offices by regional councils (usually city or town councils) and, like the Doge, serve their terms for life.

The election of members to city and town councils is the only form of direct election in Nacáil but suffrage is by no means universal. Only those citizens who pay above a certain threshold in taxes are granted the right to vote. The reasoning behind this is that those who do the most to support the state deserve a say in politics. City and town council members serve six year terms and are responsible for selecting various government officials, including the Mayor and the Primes.

Respect for the rule of law is robust in Nacáil and the judicial system is active in maintaining civic order and addressing discrepancies in the law. Magistrates are not only allowed to interpret law, they are permitted to suspend laws that they deem illegal or against the public good and to enact new laws in keeping with legal precedent. The body of laws which govern the republic are seen as being a kind of adaptive charter and a guide to how to properly govern. As such new laws are constantly evaluated on the basis of previous decisions. This gives the Nacáilen legal system a decidedly self-referential flavor which is the subject of numerous debates.

Peoples of Nacáil

The Navarese

The natives of the city of Navar and environs, mostly gnomes and humans, represent a single cultural and political group. Much of the governing culture of Nacáil is derived from this group and it shares many traits with the majority population of Orothos and the League. However, the Navarese do possess several unique cultural traits that warrant discussion. Not the least among these is the extreme form of civic pride they exhibit. The people of Navar believe themselves to be culturally superior to the other peoples of the republic simply because they are from Navar. They often flaunt their ‘privileged’ status, bringing it up at any and all occasions.

The Herag

The majority of the humans of Nacáil belong to the Herag ethno-lingustic group. Traditionally the Herag were a coastal people with a strong tradition of maritime nomadism. Many Herag groups lived their whole lives upon their boats, traveling between islands and making their living as fishermen. Today, most Herag have assimilated into the mainstream culture of Nacáil which blends their own traditions with those of the Navarese. Despite this general syncretism, there are still some Herag groups that maintain they are being unfairly exploited by the Navarese and by the majority of the Herag as well. Most of these groups are in the far western islands and maintain the traditional maritime nomad existence, refuse to pay taxes, and generally do everything they can to be a thorn in the side of the republic. Some have even resorted to violent acts designed to get the government to give up control of the west. These separatists have been gaining more support over the years and it is possible that a civil war could eventually result from their agitating.