First Republic of Bardonia

The Republic of Bardonia, also known as the First Republic of Bardonia or simply Bardonia, was a nation in eastern Syltor. It was the first government of the nation of Bardonia, and led the nation through its formative years, including the establishment of the Senate & their victory in the Great Golden War against the Empire of Uldarash. The nation acted as an senatorial meritocracy, electing people to the Senate based off their ability to provide for the state.

Etymology
Bardonia is named after the pre-existing discord server of its founder members, The First Republic of Bardonia, which is called "Dank Bard". The community largely theorized that the name of Bardonia was actually inspired by a hamlet in the real-world United States, that uses the same name, located in the State of New York within the city of Clarkstown in Rockland County, which is the same state that BackToTheHub is confirmed to have admitted in a Discord conversation. However, this may of just have been a coincidence, as this has been denied by Unic0rnb0i.

In Aurlûnoren, it is called "Orchendor", which literally means Dandelion Land.

Foundation
Bardonia was founded on October 18th, 2020, according to the earliest records of the world of Rathnir. It began as a series of 5 towns along the southern coast of Syltor, expanding across the Bardonian Plain until eventually reaching the Zlate Mountains to the east & the Septan Darkwoods to the east. Bardonia adopted a book of laws & a unique form of republic with no head of state or political parties, instead electing people based upon their talents to serve a life-long term of office similarly to a meritocracy, electing 8 original senators.

Fearing the recent northern expansionism by Yimmu-Audal under Emperor Harbardr would eventually encroach upon Bardonian lands, Bardonia began militarising, and senator Unic0rnb0i presented the idea of using Nether travel to go underground in the Uldarash Mesa, where he had heard a recent treaty was signed over Mesa Rights, and mine the mesa's abundant gold. The senators agreed and Unic0rnb0i, BackToTheHub, and Ezexus mined the mesa for almost an entire week before they were found. They were able to mine over a million in gold, strengthening their armour and weapons using this new wealth.

The Golden War
On October 27th, 2020, the Empire of Uldarash would declare war on Bardonia after failed talks to settle the Bardonian Illegal Mining Incident. Uldarashi forces would surround Bardonia City using the Dalatra's Ring tactic, setting up Siege Camp. Despite initial advances by Uldarash deep into the capital & extremely violent trench warfare in the very centre of the city, Bardonia would push Uldarashi forces out of the city and quickly counterattack, sacking one of their three capitals, Sanctuary. Uldarash would surrender on November 4th, with Bardonia stripping Uldarash of their mesa territory and granting independence to Paloro. The Golden War established Bardonia as a regional superpower, while also not punishing Uldarash too harshly in order to establish diplomatic relations in the future. Bardonia would lose 3 of its senators following the war, leaving only the most devoted members of the Senate to continue the nation. Those who remained ultimately decided to reform the nation into a new republic.

Government
Initially, Bardonia operated as an oligarchic republic, however one with little common involvement from the Bardonian citizenry. There existed no official leader but it was run by a single senate body who elected new members to the senate and voted on laws, diplomacy, policy, and many other aspects of state. There were always 8 senators of Bardonia and if one of them were unavailable a previous senator or respected member of Bardonia will be promoted to an Honorary Senator for meetings.

First Republic Senators

 * Ezexus - The Prodigy
 * Moyye - The Brewmaster
 * Tzseu - The Architect
 * BackToTheHub - The One Man Army
 * Unic0rnb0i - The Chancellor
 * Shimesa - The Artificer
 * PercocetFranklin - The Angler
 * RamthekidRS - The Nautilus
 * Socius - The Gemologist
 * shockturtle - The Tinkerer