Republic of Pentium

Republic of Pentium
1822 Flag after unification
Motto: Courage in Every Heart, Unity in Every Hand
Anthem: Dreaming of the Sun
Capital	Whedon's Row
Largest city	Saltbrook Channel
Official languages	Pentian
Ethnic groups	77% Pentian   13% Others 10% Mesean
Demonym(s)	Pentians
Government	Federal Republic
• President	Iain Callahan
Independence
Area
• Total	87,500 km2 (33,800 sq mi)
Population
• 2022 estimate	36,000,000
GDP (PPP)	2023 estimate
• Total	725.832 billion
• Per capita	$20,162
Gini (2023)	32.7 medium
HDI (2023)	0.871 very high
Currency	Pentian Dollar (PTD)
Time zone	UTC +2
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right

The Republic of Pentium (Pentian: Poblachd na Coavia) is a nation located in Eastern Argis, its closest neighbors Skibbenon in the north and Aurivizh to the west To the South is the Geltic Sea and to the west is the Cetan Sea. It has a total land area of 87,500km^2, making it one of the smaller nations on the Argis continent. The Republic of Pentium has a population reaching approximately 36,780,182, making it one of the most populated nations in its local area. The nation is subdivided into 12 administrative zones that each form regional governments that are responsible for tasks that are delegated from the federal government.

Pentium has long been inhabited by a mixture of local peoples and peoples who migrated into the area for its preferable climate and fertile land, the mixing of these peoples and the native population has been a process that has been ongoing for thousands of years in the nations history. The oldest surviving records are dated to 200 BCE, written by proto-Gelts that inhabited the area. From that period up until 932 AD, the area that currently encompasses Pentium were city states or fledging states and were separate to each other. Smaller wars between city states rarely occurred and typically resulted in few changes to the map. The status quo would be interrupted during a period known as The Troubles, starting in 935 AD a series of progressively more intensive raids from barbarian states began directly invading the western parts of Pentium.

The troubles would last until 985 AD, the invasions culminating into a major offensive into Pentium's heartland after 50 years of on and off raiding and invasions. The King of Whedon's Row, whose name was lost to history allied with the city of Riversguard to defend each other against the invaders. Utilizing the River Mercy rapid transportation of supplies and materials gave two cities an advantage over the overextended armies opposing them and gained the alliance an impressive victory. The two warriors of the city-states fought hard, and managed to repel the invasion of Whedon's Row. During one of the final battles, both kings were slain and a new monarch was given reign over both kingdoms. Edmund Callahan merged both states into the North River Federation and successfully saw off the barbarians near the turn of the century.

The new entity continued expanding its borders, many city-states that had surrendered or had been conquered flocked to the banner of the North River Federation. Giving the entity the status of a dominant power in its local region, ending The Troubles in 1002 AD and planting the seed of a unified state within the peninsula. Over the years, the North River Federation went through a series of changes and reforms under its various leaders, and other than pushing back and reconquering lost territory from barbarian raids, the federation knew peace and began to prosper under the watchful eye of its leaders.

However, the status quo allowed normalcy and relaxation to seep its way into the leadership of all levels of society. Despite the newfound wealth that many citizens enjoyed, it would not last. As in 1207 AD, an overwhelmingly large force of allied clans from the west invaded the North River Federation, having allied with the trade states of the south. After decades of fighting and losses, they coordinated an extremely successful offensive that stripped back vast amount of land and wealth from the Federation. Ancaster Pentium would lead the Federation to victory, and restore the Federation to its previous state in the west, but struggling against the Southern States before retiring peacefully, not before the upset from the assassination of the king was swept away with the establishment of a proto-republic. Power was divided between an elected parliament and the king, though the King held the majority of the power still due to a weak constitution.

Despite the treachery of the Southern States, the Federation was largely unable to reconquer much of its lost territories. The offensive to claw back what it had lost in the west had drained it too much to consider retaliation, the Federation would keep a close eye on the Southern States from then on, but did little beyond defending from border skirmishes. The constant worry about their neighbor would keep the Federation on watch however. This uneasy period was known as the Boreal War, called such because of how little happened between the two nations despite the mistrust between the two states. The Boreal War would heat up after a resurgence in Federation territorial and military expansions, seeing the Southern Union encircled on land and sea by Federation forces.

Starting in 1898, border skirmishes increased along Pentium's borders. Seeing minor territorial changes, up until 1905 when the Southern Union declared war on the Republic of Pentium, which had since become a Federal Republic after broad public demand to follow through on Ancaster's idea caused a deposition of the Monarchy. Despite the build-up on the border with the Southern Union, they led a ferocious campaign that tore through Pentium's armed forces. Crushing entire armies decisively, and causing major defeats at sea. It was nearly hopeless, and Pentium was on the brink of collapse. However, Pentium's Navy had a hail mary up its sleeve. Sending a truly massive fleet towards the Capital of the Southern Union, Charthaven (now Blemish). Ultimately, victory was achieved at great cost at sea. Allowing the Southern Union to be isolated from supplies and eventually starved into unconditional surrender in 1967. Pentium imposed a full annexation, which the Mesean people were unwilling to contest, though many would leave Pentium.

Corporate interests would begin to grow after the Pentian-Union War, there were benefits to allowing the free market into Pentium. However, after the Sunhaven agreement signed in 2014 gave corporations a voice within parliament, corporations ran the government and the Republic unjustly, if profitably. In the end, a motion thinly veiled as a coup was overturned when the sitting president Iain Callahan revoked the agreement. Sparking a civil war, the short and bloody affair ended in victory for the Republic and put the government on a path less reliant on corporations and restored elected officials as the only representatives in government.

History

Prehistory

The earliest recorded records that Pentian historians have access too are dated from 200 BCE and are theorized to be authored by the pre-Gelts that inhabited much of the northern parts of Argis. Records from other nations archives point towards Geltic settlement going farther back than Pentium's records, however it is known that these people settled down over most of the continent and would begin to form settlements that would provide the beginnings of an inhabited far east in Argis.

City States of Pentium

Much of early Pentian history was defined by city states, places like Whedon's Row and Riversguard were centrally important cities during this era. Small kingdoms and fiefs existed within the modern Pentian borders but were generally isolationist or insular states that didn't interact often with each other beyond trading, historians generally agree that conflict between these City States were typically limited actions, resulting in few casualties and were often the result of settling a dispute rather than conquest. This period of relative peace and calm would be interrupted in 932 AD. When several raiders from barbarian states, or rival clans from the west would begin raiding the peninsula. Resulting in The Troubles.

The Troubles

The Troubles is generally accepted to have begun in full in early 935 AD, after several years of independent City States repelling raiding parties. A large coalition of rival clans and barbarian mercenaries commenced a concentrated push into the Peninsula, typically the border cities, who were most adept at fighting most threats would have held off the attack, the sheer numbers and fresh tactics were able to handily overcome most border cities. Allowing the coalition to advance nearly unchecked through the heartland of Pentium, this sack would last nearly 30 years, taking pauses to consolidate and recruit on both sides. The King of Whedon's Row at the time, whose name has been lost to history had been following the situation closely, Whedon's Row was a fortress built into the hills and would be adept at resisting attacks, but had vulnerable flanks and could be cut off. Acting on this concept, the King sent a message to the Archon of Riversguard. Toland Han, responded with equal concern, having nearly the opposite problem. The two would meet near the River Mercy, and forged an alliance to defend one another.

First Siege of Whedon's Row

The first siege of Whedon's Row was a decisive victory for the allied cities, resulting in a rout of the coalitions forces away from the Northern cities. Records state that the King devised a strategy to break coalition forces into two separate armies, separating the more numerous mercenaries and their clan allies into two separate armies, using Riversguard troops to block attempts at reinforcements, militia archers would pepper the mercenaries with arrows while the cities guards forced a surrender against the hills. They turned to the smaller force of clans. Forcing a retreat from the field.

Battle of Riversguard

5 years after the first siege, the clans had regrouped with allied forces from captured city states from across the peninsula. Instead of marching for Whedon's Row, the Archon of Riversguard was able to find the force far sooner than expected and called for aid. A further combined force of Whedon's Row Levies and Riversguard Milita managed to win another victory from an ambush and forced another rout from the Clans. The rapid movement of troops was critical in the success of the operation, which was facilitated by using the River Mercy to ferry troops quickly and effectively by boat.

Battle of Brackish Point

It took a further 13 years for the coalition to replenish its numbers from the previous losses, and recruit more mercenaries who were willing to work with them. Operating in secrecy, several elements of this combined force marched on Brackish Point. A city located to the west of Riversguard, and began a siege. The city itself was well-supplied, and armed with levies and militia troops. The city would hold out for a year, where the siege would be broken by a combined army of Riversguard and Whedon's Row. The victory would be costly however, during the frantic fighting after the gates of Brackish opened to allow the Archon and King inside. The coalition had laid a trap, and despite efforts from city defenders and bodyguards both the King and Archon would be slain. It was a hollow victory for the coalition, causing a sally from Brackish and the nearby armies that would encircle and crush the coalition, ending The Troubles around 1002 AD.

North River Federation

Following the Battle of Brackish Point, a new king would be crowned. A boy said to be heir to both crowns was elevated, having hit the age of majority only a year prior. Edmund Callahan would lead the two cities for a few years after his ascension but would choose to unify the two states around their growing similarities and culture. The new state would be known as the North River Federation. Many city states that had survived the troubles unharmed or had seen the victories the Federation had completed decided to join the new entity willingly. Some states close to the borders of the Federation would have their installed leaders overthrown and would be absorbed by the entity, or set free with a ruler placed on their local governments by the Federation.

Expansion of the Federation

After securing its borders and overthrowing old coalition leaders from rival city-states, the federation embarked on a military expansion to the south and west. Focusing on reclaiming on what the old coalition had fought to take, the campaign would see moderate success in the South and great success in the West. Reclaiming most of the territory lost, except for the Southern States who formed a defense bloc and successfully maintained their independence from the Federation, the campaign would end in 1012 AD.

Era of Calm

The period of calm refers to a period of peace and prosperity encompassing roughly 200 years of history as well as recovering the economy from its tattered state, rebuilding settlements and entrenching systems within the Federation. Trade increased internally and people began to accrue wealth slowly over time, later in his life Edmund Callahan would begin to transition the armies of the Federation into smaller and more mobile units while reducing the size of the Federation's army by 20% and lowering the cost of defending the quiet borders. Edmund would oversee the Era of Calm until he died in 1070 AD. passing the rule of the Federation to his son, Signis Callahan. Signis was largely considered to be a historical footnote, where he and his successors would maintain the upward trend of the Federation until a succession crisis in 1180 AD saw Alexis Ventarus elevated to the throne. Young and arrogant, Alexis would further reduce military spending to bolster his personal coffers further.

1st Southern War

Despite the newfound wealth that many citizens enjoyed, it would not last. In 1207 AD, an overwhelmingly large force of allied clans from the west invaded the North River Federation, having allied with the trade states of the south. They coordinated an extremely successful offensive that stripped back vast amounts of land and wealth from the Federation, King Alexis Ventarus sallied out at the head of one of the Federation's largest armies yet assisted by General Ancaster Pentium. By all accounts, Alexis was a poor leader and was largely ineffectual during the campaign, leading the combined armies in a series of minor defeats that led to his encirclement against the hills North of Whedon's Row. During the armies dinner, Alexis confided in his remaining generals that he received a list of demands from the opposing general, the foremost demands were his abdication and the elevation of the clans as the sole leaders of the Federation. Alexis admitted he was going to accept the demands. In the uproar that commenced from the announcement, Ancaster drew her sword and murdered King Alexis. The next morning, when the Federation army took the field, Ancaster led them to victory after victory, using unorthodox tactics and clawing any advantage she could from the terrain.

2nd Reconquering

The counter-offensive from Ancaster revitalized the hope of the Federation and spurred its soldiers to keep fighting for their home, Ancaster would gather as many volunteers and levies as possible and split her command among her most capable subordinates to push back the tides of rival clans and the Southern States. The victory was costly, and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilian volunteers would die in the effort to reconquer their home, however, the territory lost to the Southern States was inevitable. Ancaster was able to mitigate the territory lost, but a significant chunk of territory was irrecoverable.