General
The Notar Republic lies on the south coast of Calidon, the center of three large peninsulas extending south from the main mass of Telthrea. It is bordered on the east by the Greybones, on the west by the Sisunen River, and on the north by the Kelibar Fangos. To the south lie the Straits of Nornissa.
It boasts Elcea's only known human representative democracy (see Government). The Republic is well placed to be a center of trade, and its advanced form of government has proven to be a boon to the prosperity of the land and its people. This has attracted the attention of neighboring realms, but so far they have been able to fend off their enemies. Currently, the land is at peace, though relations are tense with the Kingdom of Harragard.
The Notar Republic was formed less than 80 years ago, following the wreck of the Empire of Thargossa. It has a significant halfling population, though elves, dwarves, and gnomes do not dwell there in any numbers. Relations between the halfling and human populations are good - both races regard themselves as Notarian, and thus a cut above the members of nearby kingdoms.
Geography
In general, the land (which is only about 200 miles wide and 300 miles long, roughly the size of Alabama) consists of two broad river valleys separated by a spine of low hills that runs south down the center. Tall mountains border the country on the east and north. Most of the Republic is a land of fertile fields and farms, though parts of the north are heavily forested, and the northern part of the country in general is hilly and rugged.
The coast is generally rocky, an exception being the Salt Fens near Ustil. There are numerous streams and small rivers that drain out of the highlands to the east and north into the two major river systems, and the country is dotted with lakes, especially in the northwest.
Climate
The Republic lies in a temperate zone. Summers are warm, though temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees except in the far south. Snowfall can be heavy in the northern highlands and eastern foothills and falls occasionally elsewhere, though it is very rare in the far south around Ustil. Humidity is generally moderate, though it can become unpleasantly high at times during the summer, especially around the Salt Fens. Thunderstorms are frequent in the summer, and in the spring and autumn gales can sweep in from the west, especially lashing the coastal areas.
Government
As mentioned, the Notar Republic is, as the name implies, something of an experiment in representative government. Many in neighboring lands (and some in the Republic, as well, though they are a small minority) regard this as very dangerous. The fact that it seems to be succeeding is even worse.
The country is ruled by the Notarian Council. This council consists of 12 members. The Republic is divided into six regions, and each region elects one representative. Five are drawn, one each, from the Council of Mages, the Council of Scholars, the Ecumenical Council, the House of Nobles, and the Council of Guilds. The final member is called the Voice of the People, and is elected at large. The head of the council is known as the Lord Arbiter, and this position rotates annually among the councilors in a set order, so that each council seat holds the position once every 12 years.
To vote in a given territory, one must be a taxpayer, that is, one must own property. The different councils each elect their own representative, who must be a member of that council. The Voice of the People is elected by those who have no guild memberships. It is perfectly possible to vote for at least two council positions. A wizard from Dindale, for instance, who is a member of the Council of Mages, would vote for both the representative from her region (Esus, in this case) and from her guild.
Council positions are all four-year terms, and three new councilors are elected each year. All council decisions are by majority vote; in the case of a tie, the vote is given "to the Gods". The Lord Arbiter flips a specially blessed coin, kept for this purpose, onto the council table. On a few occasions this coin has landed on its rim. When this happens the council members generally go to great lengths to come up with a third alternative. The Lord Arbiter is responsible for deciding all matters of procedure, such as the order that items will be voted upon, though he can be overruled by a vote of eight of the other councilors. The Notarian Council meets in the city of Ustil.
The Notarian army and navy are under the control of the Council. All of the cities and some of the larger towns maintain their own City Watch, but these are police forces rather than standing armies. Notar maintains a modest but highly trained military at all times due to the danger of invasion from the western kingdoms, and more troops can be called up at need.
Major cities
Dindale
Dindale lies in the northwest, at the confluence of the Sisunan and Esus rivers. It is a major river port, and handles much of the trade coming down the river from the kingdoms to the west and north. It is also at the heart of one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the Republic. The city, with about 100,000 residents, is stoutly walled; the docks district lies outside the walls, but is guarded by the fortress of Riversgate.
Har
This city lies along the southern coast near the east end of the Skerus Gap. It is a relatively small city of 45,000 people. It has no harbor to speak of, but is rather a center of ranching and mining (mostly copper). It is also the home of the Council of Sages, and the University of Har, with its copper-covered domes and halls, is one of the major centers of learning in the Republic.
Heron
Heron is about 60 miles north of Ustil, at the junction of the Aleradam River and the River Rhovel. It sits between the two rivers, and graceful bridges of white stone arch into the city from the east and west. It has a population of about 60,000, and sits on two low hills above the rivers below.
The River Rhovel carries a lot of barge and ship traffic, and Heron is where much of this traffic is transferred to and from overland traffic to the large central city of Tymul. Outside of the busy commercial centers around the docks the city is a quiet, pleasant place of gardens and attractive wooden structures. It is also noted for its vineyards and distilleries, and much wine and brandy is produced there.
Lake Rhovel
This city sits on the banks of the large lake of the same name in the northern Republic. It lies at almost 2000 feet of elevation, and is sited in a wide valley, surrounded by hills to the east and west and mountains to the north and south. The city is not walled, but the east and west passes into the city are guarded by large castles. It has about 80,000 residents.
Lake Rhovel produces much lumber, and also does significant trade in furs and silver ore. What trade there is with the dwarven kingdom to the north also comes through this city. Its beautiful natural setting, combined with the graceful architecture of its grey and white stone buildings, make it the most attractive city in the Republic.
Malijor
This is a very busy seaport at the mouth of the Sisunan River on the south coast of the Republic. It receives a lot of traffic from both upriver and from Tacindalloc and the realms across the Evenwater. The docks and quays that line the river are full of river barges and graceful sailing ships from distant parts of Telthrea.
Malijor is home to the Library of Lisdexia, an ancient center of learning. The Council of Sages is also located here, and their nearby University is the most prestigious in Calidon. People from all over the Telthrea come to consult at these institutions. The city has about 130,000 people.
Tymul
This city, sited upon a hill near the center of the Republic, is the largest city in the country, and a vital crossroads. Roads radiate out from here like spokes from a wheel to all of the other major cities. The land about is heavily farmed in the lowlands to the east, and the hills to the west are covered with ranches and herds. Much of the realm's grain comes from this area, as does much of its leather.
The city was walled in former times, but the city has outgrown the wall in recent decades, and most of it has been pulled down. It is a busy city and a working city - not the most attractive place in the Republic, but an energetic, boisterous place. The area of the city called the Barracks (though there have been no barracks there since the days of the Empire) is a twisty maze of narrow alleys and streets, and a hub of criminal activity. The city is home to almost 200,000 people. The Council of Guilds is located here.
Ustil
Ustil is a seaport at the mouth of the River Rhovel, near the southernmost point in the Republic. Until the founding of the Republic it was a small seaport and fishing town, but since it was chosen as the capitol of the Notar Republic it has grown greatly, and continues to grow. It now spans both sides of the river, and numbers about 125,000 residents.
A lot of traffic comes down the river from Heron and Lake Rhovel, and, like Malijor, ships call here from many distant parts of Telthrea. There is also a large naval base here, and a substantial fishing fleet.
Ustil is a colorful, attractive city. The old city was walled, but it has long since outgrown that, though the walled portion of the city, atop a bluff overlooking the sea, remains a separate district. In addition to being the meeting place of the Notarian Council, Ustil is also the home of the Council of Clerics, and the city boasts many large and beautiful temples.