11-24-2006, 03:54 PM
There are two governments in the Black Marsh. The Traditional and the Royal Government. The first was a loose confederation of Argonian tribes formed to fight foreign invasion and often the union was broken in times of peace. The Royal government is the product of the Reman Dynasty.
Black Marsh Provincial Government
There are three elements to the Provincial Government. One is the Imperial Legion, another is the Royal Court, and a third is the Archeins. First I will explain their origins in Black marsh and then go on to explain each facet of the politics.
Origins of the Current Government
The provincial style government in Black marsh began when the area was conquered by Reman II. When conquering the land, Reman realized that the excellent guerilla tactics of the Argonian peoples would destroy his forces. Thus he won over a few powerful chiefs to aid him in traversing Argonia and subduing local resistance. These turncoats were conquistadores of their own kind. Reman was later able to trick the confederacy of Argonians including Kothringi, other tribal men, and people of root to fight in the open. This resulted in the only true victory for Cyrodiil, and the only loss for Argonia, yet this battle was so decisive that Reman was able to lay claim to all of Black Marsh. At first the and was ruled by Imperial governors and two leaders, a Priest-King, and a Battle-Chief. The Battle-chief was often used as an tactical aid for the Emperor and the Priest-King mediating between Cyrodiil and the local Argonians. However this systme broke down as corruption ensued and the Imperial Governors became local dictators... thus something had to be done about the disaster...
Rise of the Provincial Government
When Tiber Septim arose, the commerce in the Marsh stabilized somewhat, and a powerful clan of Argonians decided to take control. With the secret support of Cyrodiil, the clan instigated the Archeins, advisors to the now corrupt Imperial governors, to rebel. Thus in a year, all of Black Marsh had rebelled and established a new regime. The clan became a Royal Clan, and formed the Royal Court. The Archeins thus became the governors of the land. However a dilemna developed, the Archeins had control of the trade and military in the young nation. Thus, the Royal Court developed a way to maintain control over the Archeins; assassination. The Dark Brotherhood and the Royal Clan collaborated to form the Shadowscales. The Royal Clan also incorporated into the Royal Court a Royal Agency to train spies and agents, as well as a special Royal Guard, and a 'Division of Salvaging Extinct Argonians' devoted to finding all surviving men of the Knahaten Flu. Their success is unknown but they are based on Crimson Island. So while the the Archein mantain control over all the cities aside from Helstrom and Lilmoth and the trade and military, the Royal Court controls the Archeins and also provides the naval protection for the Archein's lucrative trade fleets. They are also said to own a private army.
Current state of the Government
The rise of the government has some drawbacks. Though the Mages Guild flourished and a small middle-class and city-dwelling group emerged, the economic boost in the Marsh, though pathetic compared to most other Provinces, was due to intense slavery. However currently, slavery has been outlawed in reality, where it was only been outlawed in name, and frequent trade with Elsweyr and Cyrodiil, both legal and often times illegal, has helped stabilize and promote the growth of the economy. The Legions, now mostly Argonian, are based in each city (aside from helstrom) and counter the Archeins' military forces. The Legion now has become more of a police force and their gear reflects this. Use of the Shadowscales has decreased slightly as more loyal Archeins had arisen. However, the rulers are still known by the more educated commoners as Kleptocrats. Rulers who take from their own people to maintain power.
Helstrom's Council of the Root
The survivors from the Battle fo Argonia fled to Helstrom, home of the Council of the Root. Once this loose confederation had representatives from the human tribes in Argonia, but now it comprises only of the people of the root. Argonian legends explain how Nagas grew too warlike to cooperate, Paatru too hungry, and Sarpa too free-spirited, and so are no longer in the council. They would discuss tribal matter and how to execute war, etc. The Paatru and Sarpa traditionally took very little part in such debates and meetings and showed up only occasionally. They are also slightly more beastial and less concerned with the events outside of their inner Marsh habitats. The Naga however take an active part is raiding Cyrodiilic caravans and attacking Dunmer in Arnesia. They are joined by the northern Tribes. While the Western Tribes are defensive, retreating back to the Tenmar wall when there is a need and surviving by small subsistence farming, the northern tribes and the naga are offensive and primarily semi-nomadic hunters. The eastern tribes were closest to the Kothringi and lived in sea-side hamlets, and engaged primarily in fishing. Southern tribes were farmers and fishermen as well. And the central tribes were hunter-gatherers, except in Helstrom. The central tribes tended to actually live with the Hist, or under, or amongst the roots. The Council of the Root has recently sent an envoy to the Royal Court. Rumor has it that the Council demanded the Royal Court give over Crimson Island so its inhabitants can rejoin the Council. What this means is unknown, but surely has to do with the Division of Salvaging Extinct Argonians. Currently the Council of the Root is fighting off the remnants of the Blackwood Co. with assistance from the dubious Knahaten Liberation paramilitary forces, and mustering warriors to fight the Dres refugees. Also, recently the Naga have begun to cooperate with the Council and while not actually in the Council, Paatru and Sarpa are aiding them.
Problems in Black Marsh
The Imperial Legion in Black Marsh is disgusted at the level of favoritism in the government, and they are beginning to secretly plan a coup. Menawhile, Dres refugees swarm into Thorn and some sail as far as Archon to get away from the political struggles of their land. The Dres nobles has sided with Helseth and many of the old councilors were killed; most commoners were disgusted with the nobles and many traveled south hoping to practice their traditions and slavery away from the abolitionist and progressive young Dres nobility. With the influx of hostile Dunmer, and the growing unrest in the Legion, the Provincial Government is finding itself unprepared to deal with these issues. The government is struggling to avoid conflict but skirmishes with Imperial on the coast have been reported and warfare has ignited in Arenesia along the Morrowind-Black Marsh border once more. The Naga banditry and guerilla activities in the north and west that had just so recently subsided has risen again. The tribal argonian now no longer adhere to the Royal Court and the Council of the Root is gaining more influence after a long period of complacency.
Black Marsh Provincial Government
There are three elements to the Provincial Government. One is the Imperial Legion, another is the Royal Court, and a third is the Archeins. First I will explain their origins in Black marsh and then go on to explain each facet of the politics.
Origins of the Current Government
The provincial style government in Black marsh began when the area was conquered by Reman II. When conquering the land, Reman realized that the excellent guerilla tactics of the Argonian peoples would destroy his forces. Thus he won over a few powerful chiefs to aid him in traversing Argonia and subduing local resistance. These turncoats were conquistadores of their own kind. Reman was later able to trick the confederacy of Argonians including Kothringi, other tribal men, and people of root to fight in the open. This resulted in the only true victory for Cyrodiil, and the only loss for Argonia, yet this battle was so decisive that Reman was able to lay claim to all of Black Marsh. At first the and was ruled by Imperial governors and two leaders, a Priest-King, and a Battle-Chief. The Battle-chief was often used as an tactical aid for the Emperor and the Priest-King mediating between Cyrodiil and the local Argonians. However this systme broke down as corruption ensued and the Imperial Governors became local dictators... thus something had to be done about the disaster...
Rise of the Provincial Government
When Tiber Septim arose, the commerce in the Marsh stabilized somewhat, and a powerful clan of Argonians decided to take control. With the secret support of Cyrodiil, the clan instigated the Archeins, advisors to the now corrupt Imperial governors, to rebel. Thus in a year, all of Black Marsh had rebelled and established a new regime. The clan became a Royal Clan, and formed the Royal Court. The Archeins thus became the governors of the land. However a dilemna developed, the Archeins had control of the trade and military in the young nation. Thus, the Royal Court developed a way to maintain control over the Archeins; assassination. The Dark Brotherhood and the Royal Clan collaborated to form the Shadowscales. The Royal Clan also incorporated into the Royal Court a Royal Agency to train spies and agents, as well as a special Royal Guard, and a 'Division of Salvaging Extinct Argonians' devoted to finding all surviving men of the Knahaten Flu. Their success is unknown but they are based on Crimson Island. So while the the Archein mantain control over all the cities aside from Helstrom and Lilmoth and the trade and military, the Royal Court controls the Archeins and also provides the naval protection for the Archein's lucrative trade fleets. They are also said to own a private army.
Current state of the Government
The rise of the government has some drawbacks. Though the Mages Guild flourished and a small middle-class and city-dwelling group emerged, the economic boost in the Marsh, though pathetic compared to most other Provinces, was due to intense slavery. However currently, slavery has been outlawed in reality, where it was only been outlawed in name, and frequent trade with Elsweyr and Cyrodiil, both legal and often times illegal, has helped stabilize and promote the growth of the economy. The Legions, now mostly Argonian, are based in each city (aside from helstrom) and counter the Archeins' military forces. The Legion now has become more of a police force and their gear reflects this. Use of the Shadowscales has decreased slightly as more loyal Archeins had arisen. However, the rulers are still known by the more educated commoners as Kleptocrats. Rulers who take from their own people to maintain power.
Helstrom's Council of the Root
The survivors from the Battle fo Argonia fled to Helstrom, home of the Council of the Root. Once this loose confederation had representatives from the human tribes in Argonia, but now it comprises only of the people of the root. Argonian legends explain how Nagas grew too warlike to cooperate, Paatru too hungry, and Sarpa too free-spirited, and so are no longer in the council. They would discuss tribal matter and how to execute war, etc. The Paatru and Sarpa traditionally took very little part in such debates and meetings and showed up only occasionally. They are also slightly more beastial and less concerned with the events outside of their inner Marsh habitats. The Naga however take an active part is raiding Cyrodiilic caravans and attacking Dunmer in Arnesia. They are joined by the northern Tribes. While the Western Tribes are defensive, retreating back to the Tenmar wall when there is a need and surviving by small subsistence farming, the northern tribes and the naga are offensive and primarily semi-nomadic hunters. The eastern tribes were closest to the Kothringi and lived in sea-side hamlets, and engaged primarily in fishing. Southern tribes were farmers and fishermen as well. And the central tribes were hunter-gatherers, except in Helstrom. The central tribes tended to actually live with the Hist, or under, or amongst the roots. The Council of the Root has recently sent an envoy to the Royal Court. Rumor has it that the Council demanded the Royal Court give over Crimson Island so its inhabitants can rejoin the Council. What this means is unknown, but surely has to do with the Division of Salvaging Extinct Argonians. Currently the Council of the Root is fighting off the remnants of the Blackwood Co. with assistance from the dubious Knahaten Liberation paramilitary forces, and mustering warriors to fight the Dres refugees. Also, recently the Naga have begun to cooperate with the Council and while not actually in the Council, Paatru and Sarpa are aiding them.
Problems in Black Marsh
The Imperial Legion in Black Marsh is disgusted at the level of favoritism in the government, and they are beginning to secretly plan a coup. Menawhile, Dres refugees swarm into Thorn and some sail as far as Archon to get away from the political struggles of their land. The Dres nobles has sided with Helseth and many of the old councilors were killed; most commoners were disgusted with the nobles and many traveled south hoping to practice their traditions and slavery away from the abolitionist and progressive young Dres nobility. With the influx of hostile Dunmer, and the growing unrest in the Legion, the Provincial Government is finding itself unprepared to deal with these issues. The government is struggling to avoid conflict but skirmishes with Imperial on the coast have been reported and warfare has ignited in Arenesia along the Morrowind-Black Marsh border once more. The Naga banditry and guerilla activities in the north and west that had just so recently subsided has risen again. The tribal argonian now no longer adhere to the Royal Court and the Council of the Root is gaining more influence after a long period of complacency.