Esturia

Esturia is a democratic nation centered around the Decalian Valley, perhaps the most fertile region in Chrace. Shot through with rivers and bordered by inland seas and high mountains, the Decalian Valley has a perfect climate for agriculture, particularly wheat. First settled by halflings, the great bounty produced by its fields every year combined with its natural protections allowed Esturia to grow into a wealthy country focused around economic power. Its shrewd (some would say rapacious) traders ply Esturian grain throughout Chrace, but often drive a hard bargain, especially in places where food is temporarily scarce. Esturia is also home to the Emerald Trust, the largest bank and lender in the world. Esturia has expanded its borders several times not by conquest but by buying up land in neighboring regions from bankrupt sovereigns.
The natural barriers between Esturia and most of its neighbors help to ward off many threats. The Esturians have managed trade agreements with all their neighbors, and are often able to use economic pressure to avoid armed conflict as well. There are whispers of another element of Esturian foreign policy - a secret cabal of assassins known as the Midnight Society that arrange for the elimination of stubborn rivals to Esturia's plans. More than one foreign noble has choked on their meal or fallen from a high tower at a very convenient moment, but the existence of the Midnight Society has never been proven.
Esturia's military makes heavy use of mercenaries. The Esturians pay well and provide bonuses for high performance, which helps to keep their hired swords from straying. On several occasions, mercenary companies that have had a long and fruitful relationship with Esturia have signed exclusive contracts with the Esturians, essentially becoming permanent Esturian soldiers, although these units are allowed to keep their colors, insignias, and their leadership. Galfast's Wolves are perhaps the most famous, an extremely well-equipped company of disgraced knights and professional soldiers gathered from many lands. Besides mercenaries, Esturia maintains a small standing army of Esturian regulars, mostly halfling soldiers trained to fight with swords, spears, shields and slings. These units typically employ ambushes, guerrilla attacks, glass sling beads filled with alchemical substances, and other clever tactics over engaging enemies head on.
Esturia elects a leader, called merely the Executive, by popular vote every ten years. The Executive rules as a king during their term, supported by a large civil service that remains stable even when Executives change. The power of the Executive is informally checked by the various powerful merchant lords of Esturia, who can severely hinder an Executive's agenda if they withdraw their support. Arguably another check upon the Executive's power is the threat of assassination. While an Esturian Executive has never been proven to be the victim of an assassin, at least twice in the past an Executive has hastily changed course after finding a scythe and a single sliced ear of grain mysteriously left on their pillow.
The current Executive is Malia Barleywine, an aging halfling elder stateswoman. She has proven a canny politician, so popular that is one year into her third term as Executive. Fundamentally she is a conservative who wants Esturia to maintain business as usual, and under her reign business has been good.

Structure

Senate with one representative from each city, town and village.

Public Agenda

Profit!

Assets

Large swathes of the most fertile farmland in Chrace, protected from rivals by natural barriers. Home of the largest bank in the world. Skilled laborers in several large cities.

Type

Geopolitical, Republic

Demonym

Esturian