to the Silvers who rule that piece of field or plain. The Silvers then in turn owe fealty to their lords, up to the Warlords and Warladies in feudal hierarchy. Therefore, most Reds in Prairie are bound in servitude, with little education. Their life spans are shorter than their counterparts in neighboring nations, and most of the Reds in the Disputed Lands are refugees from Prairie.
* * *
THE FREE REPUBLIC OF MONTFORT was formed from the collapse of several smaller mountain kingdoms ruled by Silver overlords and monarchs. The new government relies on people’s representation, from both sides of the blood divide. Representatives are elected from communities within the Republic to serve in the People’s Assembly, where an even split of Red and Silvers is maintained. The head of state is known as a premier, and while the first premier was elected directly by the People’s Assembly, the system has expanded to utilize a national vote.
Currently, PREMIER DANE DAVIDSON is several years into his term as leader of the Free Republic. He is a newblood shield who was born in Norta and fled to Montfort after escaping the Nortan military, which was attempting to exterminate newbloods.
Montfort is uniquely situated as the only nation on the continent with blood equality, which was only achieved after total civil war. Following the collapse of the mountain kingdoms and the formation of Montfort, the Silvers who chose to remain in the Republic swore an oath to uphold the new status quo. They were granted amnesty for any crimes committed before or during the wars. This approach was championed by LEONIDE RADIS, a Silver prince of the former kingdom of TETONIA, who abdicated his throne in favor of the Republic. He now serves as a representative in the Assembly.
* * *
And will be running for premier in the future if my instincts are correct.
* * *
Due to still-chaotic volcanic activity in the northwest, as well as the barren Grand Desert on the Cironian border, the majority of Montfort’s population is clustered in the east. The capital of ASCENDANT is the largest city, followed by CROWNWATER, BRONCO, and THE PAINTED GATES. The port city of CASCADE is the only Montfortan holding on the Western Ocean.
Because of both geography and national borders, the crossing to Montfort is very difficult for any hoping to reach the Free Republic. However, large migrant populations exist, mostly from neighboring Prairie. Montfort maintains a policy of open borders to any willing to accept a blood-equal society. Migrating Silvers are subject to greater scrutiny than Reds, but welcome in the Free Republic. They must swear to uphold the blood laws, dictating the equality of all humans, as well as restricting speech or actions seeking to diminish the value of redblooded humans. Punishments for Silvers attempting to undermine blood equality are harsh deterrents, ranging from exile to execution.
* * *
Must ask the premier to arrange a visit.
* * *
Montfort reportedly has the highest population of newblood citizens, though this number is impossible to ascertain as Silver-led nations either do not recognize the existence of newbloods or have not begun recording them. Many newbloods are refugees and are most likely to join the Montfortan military to defend their adopted home.
The Montfortan military, due in large part to the information kept in the vaults of Horn Mountain, is very technologically advanced. The Free Republic also champions military recruitment, and most citizens serve or served in the military in some capacity. The wars to form Montfort are fresh in most minds, and most citizens are eager to spread their way of life to their oppressed Red brethren. Montfortans share a pride in their country and its duty to free the world.
* * *
Like the Lakelands, CIRON is strongly rooted in religion, and the kingdom is both a monarchy and a theocracy. The monarch and the religious head, known as the Sun’s Voice, rule together. Before coronation, a prospective monarch of Ciron must be blessed and accepted by the Voice, which has resulted in several succession crises over the centuries. Ciron has the longest-standing monarchy on the continent, its dynasty stretching back more than a thousand years, when Silvers were fewer and were worshipped as gods in their lands.
The current king of Ciron is the burner ILFONSO FINIX, of the long-standing Finix Dynasty. The Sun’s Voice is the Silver woman SERANNA, a talented shadow of no noble bloodline. Both the crown and the religious post must pass to a burner and a shadow, respectively, for fire and light