The Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH)

Year founded: 220 AI

Capital: Anthi Laguna

Estimated population: 33,000

During the eastward expansion of the Mercurian Empire in the Old World, it encountered many indigenous groups for the first time. This brought a sudden wave of new cultural influences and technology into areas that had changed little since the fall of the Old Empire and the Fleeing. As a result, some natives became nomadic, wandering an Empire that offered new experiences and the potential for fortune. After some time, many came together into tight-knit communities, earning them the name “the Gathered”. However, they lacked any official form of government, political power, or homeland within the Empire.

In the first mercannum of the final era of the Cycle of the Owl, a new member of the Gathered, the Chairman, had amassed significant wealth and political power. Using this position, he gained approval from the Council of the Crowned to permanently settle the Gathered in the Empire. With help from Pylos of Casadia and Faringar Talin of Zhuque, their first permanent settlement, Tidewater, was established in Venusi around 212 AI. However, around two mercannum later, the events of the Unraveling and the resultant Great Exile forced the Chairman into hiding and caused many of the Gathered to abandon Tidewater out of fear.

The first Chairman returned to tidewater after spending a mercannum wandering the wilderness only to discover it largely abandoned. After giving his famous Quarryton Speech to what remained of the GRHH's population, he spent the rest of his life reuniting the Gathered so that they could rejoin the Empire. Unfortunately, he died before his dream could be achieved, passing on the title of Chairman to his son Dax Chairmanson in 270 AI.

After the many of the Gathered reunited, a new petition was put forth for them to rejoin the Empire. This petition was slowed somewhat due to the involvement of the GRHH's emissaries in debates over the yet to be ratified Indoles Carta. They pushed for major reforms to the Empire, arguing that the handling of the Great Exile necessitated a more democratic government. Despite this, the petition was accepted in 306 AI, under the condition that the Gathered initially resettle in the lands of one of the kingdoms. A mining town, Caldera, was founded in the Kingdom of Ertia, quickly earning county status. Shortly afterward, an expedition was sent to the southern end of the Imperial Sea, and the independent settlement of Anthi Laguna was founded that same year, 311 AI.

The mantle of Chairman passed to Nicholas "Kol" Daxson in 314 AI. Anthi Laguna grew significantly in this time, achieving county status around 330 AI. Around this time, the GRHH expanded north, building a sandstone quarry in a desert. This later became Greytower. A road was built in 352 AI to a small bay and the town of Burning Shore was founded there, make the transport of goods to and from Greytower much faster. In 354 AI, yet another new settlement, Uptree, was founded in a swampy archipelago north of New Venusi.

Axel Kolson became the next Chairman in 362 AI. In 366 AI, Uptree had grown into a small village that supplied the GRHH with a steady supply of clay and fish. At this time, the GRHH put in a bid to be recognized as a duchy of the Mercurian Empire. It proved difficult to achieve this goal, due in part to the smallness of the GRHH, causing few Kings to visit and even fewer to vote, as well as changing laws that increased the number of votes required.

As a result, growth in the GRHH, largely driven by the hopes of becoming a duchy, slowed significantly. Even though growth of Gathered communities within the GRHH had slowed, a new community appeared in the international city of Concordia around 368 AI. Renewed contact with the Old World and the return of Imperial Authority also brought about new conflicts. The GRHH participated in the final battle against Borgrasmer, helping the Casadian allies return peace to the region. Around 374 AI, Alexander Stark led his people to the GRHH, founding the town of Alos Island north of Anthi Laguna. Also grew quickly, in contrast with the greater stagnancy of the GRHH. In 391 AI, the GRHH participated in the first Imperial Games in the New World.

In 422 AI, Eino Axelson became Chairman. Around 430 AI, the GRHH finally gained duchy status after nearly an era of waiting. Alexander Stark, with the assistance of the GRHH, led his people to found a new settlement far to the west, what is now called Arah, Laghima. However, many continued to remain on Alos Island. Around this tiime, Prismaros, a joint settlement between the GRHH and Casadia, was founded. Construction was finished on its sea wall by 434 AI, and attention was shifted to the roads and municipal buildings.

Not thirty years later, during another long period of stagnation, the use of slaves in the construction of Ikwe by the Minervan government dealt a significant blow to the Empire. The loss of faith in one of the oldest and most respected realms in the Empire – and one which had played a key role in the Empire's government – resulted in widespread chaos and civil strife. During this dark age, much information was lost and entire structures were leveled. The GRHH was largely spared the direct effects, but it still felt the damage done to the larger Empire.

As the Empire recovered and reunited, the GRHH did as well. After more than a century of near stagnation, Gunnar Einoson became Chairman in 475 AI and ignited a wave of new construction and economic growth in Anthi Laguna. Under his guidance, the town doubled in size and a new bridge was constructed over the middle of the lake. In 482 AI, the GRHH and Casadia were finally linked over land by a road stretching from Anthi Laguna to Duras. In 504 AI, the GRHH contributed workers and architects to the construction of a new Imperial Games site. In addition, the port of Petra Nova was founded around 510 AI, quickly growing into a large town.

Many new buildings were built on speculation in this period, resulting in a recession that lasted for some time. In 525 AI, Ulrik Einoson took the office of Chairman and vowed to end the recession. The channel of the port of Petra Nova was opened to permit the passage of ships in 530 AI. Seeking to expand eastward along the Anthi Laguna River, the settlements of Wadidiz and Wadidu were incorporated by the GRHH in 537 AI. In 546 AI dredging teams were sent to open up the Anthi Laguna River to permit the transit of goods and people along it year round. In addition, the GRHH sent troops to fight in the Östron Civil War of 544-547 AI on the side of Östlond.

The government of the GRHH is a Republic with a bicameral legislature and a prime minister elected by the upper house. This form has existed since before the GRHH's founding in 212 AI. While many outside the GRHH believe the Chairman of the GRHH Co. is the leader of the nation, this is actually untrue. However, the Chairman's significant economic clout grants him great influence with the GRHH's government and its people.

The GRHH is a major producer of agricultural and animal-based products. These are mainly produced in Anthi Laguna.

The primary manufactured goods produced in the GRHH are ceramics, carpentry, and textiles. Stonecarving is produced in Petra Nova and is used on numerous buildings around the Empire.

The GRHH has one of the largest mercenary populations of any realm in the Empire. Mercenaries have legal status and are regulated by the Mercenaries' Guild. These mercenaries operate both within and outside the GRHH.

Petra Nova

Anthi Laguna Burning Shore

Lumber, woodworking, masonry, flowers, dyes, wool, textiles, Anthi Laguna Dark Lager, ceramics, leather, mercenaries

Iron, gold, gemstones, tools, weapons, armor

Casadia, Östlaed

Imperial Isle, Laghima, Ertia, Kaine

The anniversary of the founding of their first settlement, it is marked by feasts and parties as well as an air of jubilation and patriotism. Some people wear sheep masks or fake ram’s horns and a few (usually younger) are known to head-butt each other.

The anniversary of Gathered independence from Ertian rule, this day is one of rest and relaxation. Some feasts occur, but the festivities are far less energetic than on Chairman’s Day. Ertian flags are flown as a show of appreciation. They are lowered ceremonially and replaced by GRHH flags at sundown.

The anniversary of the birthday of Dax Chairmanson, this is a day of reflection and service. Community leaders will often meet with citizens and/or give speeches. People will clean the streets, host potlucks, and perform acts of charity.

Other festivals are culture dependent, but commonly include solstice and harvest festivals.

Practices surrounding marriage are specific to the culture, religion, and values of the individuals involved. Divorce is legal, but is often disruptive when it occurs due to the close nature of communities. Not all couples have children and many adopt the children of others who cannot care for them. Children are seen somewhat as a community responsibility.

Most Gathered identify first as being one of “the Gathered” and second as their culture of origin. The Gathered form tight-knit, family-like connections with each other, and it is not unusual for neighbors to eat meals or celebrate festivals with each other. Newcomers are often heavily encouraged to integrate into their community and a desire to remain separate is often seen as a discomfort that can be overcome or mere haughtiness. The Gathered are very open-minded when it comes to other peoples' culture.

Many Gathered ascribe to the “Philosophy of the Three Paths” which places emphasis on being steadfast, harmonious, and morally balanced. Many Gathered also hold animistic beliefs that are not necessarily exclusive to other religious convictions.

The basis for their attitudes toward death is twofold. First, it is believed that death is absolute; there is no reversing it, no continuation of life beyond it (at least not in a way that life is understood), and no way to communicate with the dead. It is the cessation of existence as we know it. Second, death is not an end, it is a transformation. One’s consciousness, body, and spirit are converted into other things through natural processes. These two ideas lead the Gathered to have peculiar practices surrounding death. There is little, if any, reverence for the dead or corpses; the primary concerns are the prevention of disease and quick acceptance of the loss. Most bodies are either discarded in the wilderness, burned, or buried. Important people are sometimes buried with a tree or flower planted above them, and their body becomes fertilizer. Embalming, purposeful mummification, or any other attempt to preserve a body is seen as unhealthy fixation, for the body is not the person who once lived in it. Wills are used only to avoid conflict in the allocation of the deceased’s assets, and have little power beyond that. Condolences are expected to be provided to survivors by close friends and family, but are not offered by strangers because they are believed to prolong mourning. The Gathered do mourn death, but it is not formal and is seen as something to be moved past rather than practiced. The Gathered do not honor the dead, but do construct memorials; they are meant to use past people as examples of virtuous behavior.

The Gathered are often wary of foreign authority, though this feeling has faded over time. They are quite liberal, having been a force for more democratic governance in the Empire.

The Gathered are generally accepting of foreign cultures and races, but there is a minor dislike of Kairatites and Minervans. Their isolation from most other peoples in New Hermertia has stifled cross-cultural interactions to an extent. However, they have a close relationship with Casadians, with many of the Gathered being Unburnt.

A verdant peninsula located at the southern end of the Imperial Sea.

Founded around 312 AI by Chairman Dax, it is naturally fortified by hills and cliffs that provide a striking backdrop to this bustling town. Each neighborhood has its own name, helping visitors locate themselves. The city doubled in size under the guidance of Chairman Gunnar during the 470's AI.

Located just outside Anthi Laguna proper, this village is home to many farms and the docks that connect Anthi Laguna to the rest of the world.

Home to the GRHH Co. headquarters, the County Vote Fountain, and the tree under which Dax's body was buried. A tunnel leads out of town to Clayroot.

Home to livestock and small farms, this area produces a great volume of animal products and pumpkins for consumption by locals.

Built by Chairman Gunnar during Anthi Laguna's expansion, this area is home to Anthi Laguna's oldest tavern. The Laguna bridge is the easiest way to cross the lagoon without a boat, and receives major traffic every day. Some say they've seen strange figures vanishing into the south abutment of the bridge at night, but most think it's just an urban legend.

This bustling street is actually just a small part of Anthi Laguna's main thoroughfare, but it is arguably as lively as the rest. Located north of Laguna Bridge and south of the nether portal, it is home to a cafe, park, brewery, inn, and one of the few gay taverns in the Empire.

Founded by Chairman Nicholas around 354 AI, this small village in a swampy archipelago produces surprising amounts of fish, clay, and slime.

Incorporated by Chairman Ulrik as part of a new growth initiative around 537 AI, this fishing village was located at the extreme eastern end of the GRHH.

Another fishing village located along the Anthi Laguna River incorporated around 537 AI.

Though they make up less than half land area of the GRHH, these islands are home to most of its population and a significant amount of its industry.

Founded by Alexander Stark around 374 AI, this village has grown to be one of the larger settlements in the GRHH. The natural beauty of the island and idyllic community attracts many visitors.

Originally founded as a quarry for special kinds of stone, this onetime backwater is now the largest city and port in the GRHH. Its dense and organic construction leads some to get lost in its narrow streets. It is also home to Gunnar Plaza, which hosts a bustling marketplace.

Founded as a quarry and mining operation by Chairman Dax, this village near the Kaine-GRHH border is well fortified. Due to its small size, it has expanded vertically, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the Empire.

Also known as the “land of water,” this peninsula east of Sothis and Arcadia is peppered with many lakes and inlets.

The first permanent settlement created by the Gathered and of the GRHH, this small town specialized in fishing and agriculture, possessing a large sheep farm. Its Lighthouse Authority was the site of a near-fatal bombing during the Unraveling. Other bombs were found and diffused around the town.

A small sandstone quarry located south of Tidewater. It was the site of the First Chairman's famous Quarryton Speech where he called the Gathered back from exhile after the events of the Unraveling.