Lesser Semnus
- Lesser Semnus is the eastern-most country in Antara. On the eastern
border, it is protected by mountains. The Empire of Doluth is on the
other side. To the south, it has ample access to water. Lesser Semnus
is not a monarchial power in Antara; it is the only republic government.
The senate-like structure is called “The Trust.” Instead of a King giving
orders with absolute power, The Trust, made up of men who can afford
to leave their families for long bouts of time, and their elected Chancellor
meet in Fellowship to settle the laws and decisions for the country.
- Those of Noble blood do live within the Lesser Semnus borders, but they
have all but forgotten the strict class system. They are treated special
because of their wealth and knowledge, not their inherent blood. Also,
The Trust, with a full committee vote, has the power to endow anyone
they see worthy with a title and land in Lesser Semnus, despite where
their blood originated.
Brief History:
- After years of struggling with the Nobility and Royalty of the kingdom,
clubs of men began to push the idea of equal rule. Influenced by the
Hinoan way of government, men started to question their place in the
country. (Soon after this was realized, Hinoan citizens from an island
south of Lesser Semnus were no longer welcome in the country, but the
damage was already done.)
- When it was obvious the country would never shift from House Semnus
rule, the lands of Lesser Semnus claimed their independence. The
supporters of the split violently threw out any factions and families that
supported the ways of House Semnus. Those that were not simply
ousted to Greater Semnus territory were beheaded or worse. In turn,
Greater Semnus treated equality supporters with the same level of
respect. This tremulous time lasted about a decade, many years ago.
- The Great Myrensian War brought a change to the aggressive intentions
of Lesser and Greater Semnus when they united against Myrensis. Old
feuds were put to the side and even after the war, the peace endured.
With the hostilities over, Lesser Semnus hopes to enter an era of
tranquility and lawfulness.
- As for the Kur Invasion, all sources say Lesser Semnus is handling it
pretty terribly. The Kur still run rampant over parts of the country and
not much as been done about it. A special committee has been formed
solely to deal with the Kur issue.
Ruler:
- There is no one ruler of Lesser Semnus; there is one Chancellor that
leads a group of men for the decision making process. Well-to-do men
venture to Fellowship to discuss all matters of importance. This senate,
called The Trust, sees all men in equality, rather than a class system,
like the other kingdoms in Antara. Or rather, that is the goal, for true
equality is rare, even in Lesser Semnus. Only the wealthy can find the
time necessary to spend most of their days in the port city of Fellowship.
Most men are still left behind, toiling in fields and providing for their
families. Unlike a monarchy, The Trust takes months to make decisions
that members can agree on, so Lesser Semnus is known to be slow in
response to requests from other kingdoms, threats, or verdicts.
- Not much is known about the Chancellor of Lesser Semnus, except he
was there when the split occurred and he is still there today. He
currently serves as an advisor for the The Trust, rather than full fledged
chief of discussion. His appearance marked the last straw for the
country during the riotious years. He was the leader the country needed
to finally secede from tyranny, and he quickly gained support and
followers. The Chancellor led the name changing ceremony in Endrei to
Fellowship, the night intentions for disaffilliation with Greater Semnus was
stated. He is a tall, extremely imposing man that always dawns masks
when in public. No one has ever seen his face.
- Guilds also have a strong influence in Lesser Semnus and on The Trust.
Rather than a court system, like most countries have, Guild
representatives typically stay near all meetings and Trust members
alike. Lesser Semnus is the only kingdom in Antara where a Guild can
have so much sway over what happens in the country.
Laws of Note:
- Lesser Semnus has the typical rules found around the Empire, minus the
laws aimed at the class structure. Slander is not illegal and punishments
for crimes are not based on who the crime was performed upon. It is
the same punishment whether you kill a poor man or a noble man.
(Rumor has it there is a motion in The Trust to make the penalty higher
for misdeeds towards a Guild member.)
- The judicial system is particularly slow in comparison to other places.
Cities and Geographic Features of Note:
Fellowship
- Fellowship is a town taking up the entirety of the snake-tongued river
mouth in Lesser Semnus. Formerly named Endrei, after King Endrei
Semnus II when it was part of Greater Semnus, the city was renamed
the night Semnus split as a declaration of freedom. It also became the
new capital city of Lesser Semnus. This port city, the largest and busiest
city in Lesser Semnus by far, is host to the Fellowship Hall, where The
Trust has all of their meetings. It has an array of guild halls that tower
over the streets. As room is limited between the two river mouths, many
of the structures are built up, rather than out. Between The Trust, port
city trade, and the guild presence, the city is a constant hustle and
bustle.
Dandrin
- Dandrin was formally called Leditous, after King Leditous Semnus I,
when the city was part of Greater Semnus. It was renamed after Lemy
Dandrin, the famous, or infamous, fire-starter of self-government that
brought about the upheaval of old ways. When the city was still part of
Greater Semnus, it was the first place the rule of monarchy was
questioned and where violence first erupted. Citizens began to revolt
against nobility here, at Dandrin's coaxing, causing a slaughter of the
poor when the military finally arrived. Now in Dandrin, a school is being
constructed to teach those who can attend the wonders ofa life without
absolute monarchy. Some of the school is already complete and
sessions are available.
The Drench
- Nestled in-between two heavy water sources, The Drench is an area
that is flooded at least half of the year, and sometimes fully submerged
in just a few hours, if there is a heavy rainfall at just the right time.
Living here would be considered dangerous, but somehow people have
managed. This is a shadier place of Lesser Semnus, as most tend to
stay away from the marshy area. Bands of suspicious folks, mostly non-
human, squatted there until they felt as though they owned it, and The
Trust never said otherwise. This is one of the more despicable places to
visit throughout all of Antara and somehow it grew into a festering
community. People from towns completely overtaken by Kur have found
The Drench as their last hope of refuge.
Interactions with Kelnia:
- Kelnia allied with Myrensis during the Great Myrensian War, so The Trust
has not fully cooperated with the country. Outsiders get the idea that, if
Lesser Semnus could forgive Greater Semnus, then Kelnia should have
little issue finding its way back to good terms, but nothing has
happened. Since the Kur outbreak, no one from Kelnia has heard a
single word from Lesser Semnus.
Racial Diversity:
- The Trust has made it known that all races are welcome in Lesser
Semnus, as long as they are willing to pay mandatory taxes, of course!
Everyone in Lesser Semnus is to be treated equally and fairly. Because
of the promises of The Trust, many families from different races have
scattered over the lands, making Lesser Semnus quite a diverse place.
Human is still the most dominant race, and it is apparent that some of
them do not like the change.
Playing Characters from Lesser Semnus:
- Young men and women from Lesser Semnus are idealistic. When they
are born, unlike most people across Antara, they are able to decide what
they want to do in life. They can marry whomever they want, go to
school and learn about the horrors of monarchy, continue working on
their farms, join guilds without criticism from prissy nobles, and even one
day become a member of The Trust! They tend to think the world of
Lesser Semnus, and thus assume all other countries are wrong to be
controlled by one monarch because of his bloodline.
- Lesser Semnians are rambunctious and talkative. Where they grew up,
there were no laws against slander and no one was considered better
than them! (Except members of the The Trust… and Guild members …
and if they weren’t humans, maybe all of the humans.) Every other
kingdom is oppressing its people and it’s time for change!
