Bornea

''"Ever wondered what would happen if everyone just wanted to help each other, everyone had a say in who rules them, how they're ruled, and how they're represented abroad? Look no further than Bornea. It's fuckin' asinine." -'' A Synghgarthic Dwarven Innkeep, 20 years after the Great Schism of Denthir.

''"I'd like to see anyone attempt to conquer our friends in Bornea. Invaders are liable to stumble and drown in a shallow ditch before they as much as see a Bornean soldier. And that's why I think they should remain our -friends- in Bornea, your Imperial Grace." - ''Lady-General Lyssa of Tyrhavnr, 4th Varnian Army, at an audience with the Emperor.

Description
Bornea is the reborn republic of Stadtholders situated in the North-Western Tatrian continent. Having only gained its independence from the Denthiran Empire relatively recently, it is run by a surprisingly powerful and efficient parliamentary government. Borneans vote in local representatives, known as Stadtholders, who in turn are responsible for 1) local rule, 2) representing their local region in the central government’s parliament. Borneans are a resilient folk and are accustomed to navigating and living in their native marshlands. They are incredibly proud of their democratic ways. Additionally, they are considerably wealthy and possess a large and powerful navy, rivalled only by the navies of Prithus and Varnia. Bornea considers itself neutral and uninterested in international matters such as Varnian expansion, but it is incredibly wary of Denthiran ambitions to reconquer their lands and is thus, technically, still a member of the Trinity alliance it joined during its war of independence.

Races
Borneans are typically Dragonborn, Halflings, Humans or Tabaxi.

Culture
Borneans are natural survivors, having lived in marshlands, forests and swamps that quite often were ridden with a variety of monsters. Foreigners are often astonished by the ease with which Borneans navigate nature, track prey, and find herbs to fashion primitive, but effective, medicines from.

Despite their survivalist-like lifestyles, Borneans are renowned for their kindness and helpfulness. They are often simple but life-loving folk who simply want to live their lives in peace, tackling the challenges of the day one at a time.

As always, this does not define your character should they be from here - it is merely a description of how people around your character behave on average. Not all or even any people around your character need adhere to these norms, either - it is entirely up to you.

History
Bornea was already a prosperous republic before the Denthiran Empire of old conquered it, however its regions were significantly more autonomous, and its central government was significantly weaker. Bornea thus technically has no specific beginning, but the first parliamentary meeting occurred some nine centuries ago. Bornean history also makes a point of not naming any ‘significant’ figures in their history, arguing that the achievements of the few belong to the Bornean people that made the achievements possible in the first place, not the individuals that utilised the advantages they were given. When Bornea was conquered by Denthir, they entered an age of aristocratic repression they were not accustomed to. For a few centuries, it was made very clear to the Borneans that they had not appreciated the freedom they once enjoyed enough to defend it. A few decades before the Bornean Uprising, youthful revolutionaries would target Denthiran barracks, administrative establishments and aristocratic property in order to express their distaste for everything Denthiran and their desire to see the fabled golden times of Bornea returned to reality. Luckily for the Borneans, similar sentiments were prevalent in Prithus and Synghgarth. Three months before the Great Schism of Denthir began, five unnamed and unofficially elected Stadtholders were sent to meet with Prithan and Synghgarthic rebel leaders to sign what would soon be known as the Trinity Alliance, which would later be responsible for bringing Denthiran aristocracy to its knees. After signing the treaty, all officials returned home and set things in motion to mobilise troops and prepare for potential Denthiran Intervention. Three months after the treaty had been signed, all three nations declared independence. Bornea’s enthusiastic military, consisting mainly of volunteers who were looking forward to reclaiming their lands from the oppressive Denthiran nobles, quickly seized all forts and other military holdings in Bornean land. The populace too joined the rebellion, but the peasants and traders primarily wanted to expel, if not outright slaughter, the nobles that had exploited them for so long. Bornean military ultimately saw little struggle within their own lands, as Denthiran military leaders knew that assaulting the marshland natives on their own turf would be certain death. Instead, most Bornean military saw combat on the Synghgarthic front, where they also benefitted from Varnian assistance. Whatever forces remained in Bornea merely held the forts of the border. Three years after the three nations had declared independence, Denthiran military finally gave up: they had lost much of their eastern holdings to Synghgarth, and Prithus had occupied every single profitable patch of land in the North-East. The Denthiran military had little funding as much financial pull was required to save the fleeing nobles from across the land. Thus, Denthir was humiliated and forced to recognise the independence of Bornea, Prithus and Synghgarth. Borneans celebrated the homecoming of their soldiers with joy, and for half a year the nation knew nothing but celebration, as there was no need for war reparations. Ever since then, the nation has prospered despite its marshy terrain and its people have enjoyed peace and stability that most peoples of Kranos will never know.

A True Democracy
Bornea is the most democratic nation of Kranos, making it an attractive place to live. While Stadtholders do represent local regions in the central government and run day-to-day governmental administration of their local regions, every major decision is voted on by all Borneans. In other words, the Bornean state is a representative direct democracy. As this is a rare privilege that the nation's peoples do not take for granted, Bornean forces fight with almost unmatched fervor to protect their beloved home.

A Naval Superpower
Bornea is one of two nations, the other being Prithus, that possess navies that may be able to compete with the navy of Varnia. What they do not have in technology, they make up for with sheer numbers of ships and experienced sailors. Unlike Prithus, Bornea does not need to fuel their navy with extreme amounts of money, either, as they have more than enough natural resources and ports to maintain their sizeable standing navy.

A Land of Lakes, Marshes and Swamps
Considering the geography of Bornea, you'd think it'd be sparsely populated. You'd be wrong. The Borneans have mastered their home's terrain like no one else could, prospecting for resources where no one else would look, and prospering where anyone else would falter. Bornean mastery of their homeland is one of their primary strengths and defenses - only a fool would invade.

Denthir
Relations between Denthir and Bornea are, to put it mildly, strained. Denthir is aching to reclaim the territories it lost and reintegrate 'unlawful' separatists like the Borneans, and the Borneans are well aware of it. While diplomatic relations are established and embassies and diplomats have been exchanged, neither side will support the other in matters of politics.

Firsan Provinces
Bornea has no direct dealings with the Firsan Provinces beyond trade, which has been heavily limited since the Varnians conquered the Firsan Provinces' eastern lands. While full diplomatic relations have been established, the two nations have no issues of note to describe.

Khiva
Bornea enjoys rather good relations with Khiva as a result of the Khivans desperately wanting Bornea to remain independent in order to 1) oppose Varnia and Denthir, 2) stay on the friendly side of the owner of one of the world's strongest fleets. Full diplomatic relations have been established, and the two nations enjoy a profitable trade agreement with each other.

Na'tar
Borneo-Na'tari relations are, surprisingly, rather strained. This is because of the Na'tari's remorseless conductance of unrestricted warfare on naval vessels passing by their coastline to reinforce and supply the Varnians in any way. The problem arose when Bornean trade ships came under attack and the Na'tari refused to apologise or offer recompense. For a while, it looked like the Borneans were poised to join the Varnians in their war against the Na'tari to exact revenge, and perhaps even expand, but instead Bornea decided to hasten the Na'tari's defeat by forming a total naval blockade. The Na'tari haven't forgotten or forgiven, but neither have the Borneans.

Niva
Niva's neutrality is deeply respected in Bornea, and as such it has always been Bornean policy that the Bornean fleet is also Niva's fleet, effectively guaranteeing the island-nation's independence. As such, Borneo-Nivan relations are incredibly friendly, and the two nations enjoy full diplomatic relations as well as a range of beneficial diplomatic agreements, including a mutually beneficial trade agreement.

Prithus
The relationship between Prithus and Bornea is a matter of debate. Officially, Bornea has never left the famous 'Trinity Alliance' and is thus, technically, the closest ally Prithus has in that they are bound by a defensive alliance. Unofficially, neither side is sure whether the other would honour the agreement that led their nations to victory and independence. Luckily, neither nation covets the other's lands, paving the way for, at the very least, cordial diplomatic relations.

Synghgarth
Synghgarth was once a part of the Trinity Alliance, but left after independence was achieved. Synghgarthics have since taken to raiding and propagating an incredibly warlike culture, none of which is truly compatible with Bornean ideology. As such, Synghgarth and Bornea, much to Prithus' dismay, refuse to establish diplomatic relations with each other, as Bornean leadership demands absolute guarantees that no Bornean ship will ever be touched by Synghgarthics again before engaging in negotiations with Synghgarthic leadership. Needless to say, there has been no success on that front.

Varnia
Generally speaking, the Varnians and the Borneans have not had much to do with one another, which coincidentally means that the Borneans are the least hostile southern nation to the Varnian Empire. The Argent Emperors have tried to cement an alliance for more than a century now, but are typically met with total indifference from the Borneans. Varnia offered the Bornean Stadtholders the South-Western Khivan continent in exchange for military support during the Grand Invasion, but the Borneans refused, stating they had no interest in expanding their realm - until the Na'tari began targetting Bornean tradeships, which led to the Bornean navy's total blockade of Na'tari shores. Varnia offered to force the Western Na'tari to accept annexation by Bornea as thanks, but Bornea declined in a letter claiming that the Stadtholders "were simply grateful that the Argent Empire of Varnia had seen justice done". As of right now, the two nations have embassies in each other's capitals and are on relatively good terms.

Xholorian Tribes
Bornea has no diplomatic ties to any of the tribes of Xholoria.