The Kingdom of Mercania

The Kingdom of Mercania is a large coastal region of the continent of Agrea. It borders The Saltlands and Southern Gratia. Mercania's coasts face southerly and easterly into The Sea of the Pale Moon, where traders can enjoy safe routes to the Eastern Kingdoms for the purchase of silver and exotic meats.

Mercania was founded in 604 by the three sons and three daughters of King Draewold of Kyr. Scriptst from the time state that each child of Draewold was gifted an equal portion of the king's far reaching lands and received the title of Vassal under his banner. None of the six children were legally recognised as the heir to Draewold's throne however and instead, upon his death, each child would be given an equally weighted vote on a which of the six would be a worthy successor to Mercania's crown.

Monarchy Electorate
Since its founding, the Kingdom of Mercania has respected the tradition of the Monarch Elect that stood as the foundation of centuries of prosperity for the Nation. Over many years however, the once strong and pure bloodline of the Draewold house dissipated until in 956, King Joffen the Red died of natural causes with no heirs of his own to be elected in his place. As the last remaining blood relative of King Draewold of Kyr, Joffen's death plunged Mercania into a period of societal and political change.

After the wake of Joffen the Red, the 7 noble houses of Mercania met for the first time as what is now known as The Small Council. After weeks of diplomacy, trade disputes and power grabs Felganun of the house Krenbald was named as the first Monarch Elect of the new Kingdom of Mercania. Each of the 7 recognised noble houses would have a place at The Small Council meetings, represented by the leaders of their households. This small council and its elected monarch would share equal say over the passing of new laws and the reforming of those already in place. Each household would also have an equal vote on the current monarch's successor upon his passing. This new system gave slightly more power to the common folk of Mercania, at least in spirit, as any household had the potential to become a member of the small council should they impress the ruling King or Queen, likewise any Noble house that had outstayed their welcome or greatly wronged the people of Mercania could be removed from power if the ruling monarch saw fit.

The Small Council
The Small Council of the King's Court is currently shared by the seven ruling households of Mercania's elite. The current ruler of Mercania, King Bartholomäus III is the lord of Highwater and the head of House Athelsten.