Evolution of Solhaven

[Aerandariel]

The Solhaven Confederacy is about to undergo its most important evolution. Right now, as you all know, the Confederacy is a nation of nine territories with little to no central government. All of the territories have their own separate governments, militaries and economies but all adhere to some central policies created by the Confederate Governing Council. This Council is made of delegates from all nine territories that are subjected to elections based on their own territories' electoral schedules. So the Council never really stays constant.

Recently, there has been a major pull from some of the territorial governments to abandon the long-held Confederate system and evolve into a unified government system. The people backing this position argue that with the world moving increasingly towards hostility and anger that Solhaven must evolve and become a much more stronger country economically, politically and socially. What comes of that unified government is a matter of some division. But on the flip side, other territories actually want to keep things the same. Those backing this position say that Solhaven is better off remaining largely separated as it is, as other territories are capable of defending themselves without having to worry about bailing out other territories.

Here's a general breakdown of each of the Nine Territories and where they sit:

HYPERION
The de facto capital of the Solhaven Confederacy is largely behind the idea of a new central government, especially considering that it is likely that a new government will remained headquartered in Hyperion, the second largest city in Solhaven. Hyperion has remained on the "Unification" side the entire time, its delegates voting on resolutions to support a constitutional convention and other steps to push the debate forward.

ENCELADUS
The largest city in Solhaven has been a pivotal vote for the "Unification" side, as much of the Confederacy's business community resides here. With big business and the moneyed interests in Solhaven backing the "Unification" campaign, it made it almost certain that Enceladus would move to support a new government. Enceladus's delegates have been among the first to propose the varying resolutions putting together the Constitutional Convention.

MAGECASTLE
Along with Enceladus, the powerful southwestern port city of Magecastle is dominated by big business. Though somewhat less enthusiastic about a central government clamping down on their control of Magecastle's economy, the business and financial interests in the territory swung behind the "Unification" side in the belief that in the end result, they could control the new government no matter what or who was in power.

MIMAS
Mimas, an eastern territory with a border with Goldecia and a rich history of military prowess, has become one of the hotbeds of anti-Adwestian sentiment as an extension of the strife gripping much of the rest of Kvaenna these days. As such, the Mimas delegations to the Council quickly jumped on proposals to join the "Unification" side. Mimas's military-industrial complex rivals that of most other Kvaennan nations, and throwing its support behind unification essentially gives the Constitutional Convention all the key pieces it needed to essentially succeed. But, that is not to say that Mimas is totally behind unification. While its delegations favor unification, the citizens of the territory do not. That fact alone will make it treacherous for Mimas later on down the road.

HIGHWYN
The north-central territory of Highwyn serves as a key route point between Enceladus and Magecastle and as such tons of money flows through the territory. Despite the money power, Highwyn is still largely agrarian - 57% of all the agricultural output of Solhaven comes out of the Highwyn territory - and also very conservative. As such, the territory's delegates in the Council have cast conflicting votes. In the initial debate, Highwyn came out against unification along with Mallowlyn and Meadowgate. But in the second vote in the Council, Highwyn swapped sides and voted to initiate debate on the issue. The territory of Highwyn is highly divided over the issue.

ESTERRIVER
The south-central territory of Esterriver, much like Highwyn in the north, is deeply divided by the issue of unification. Esterriver, a territory wounded by crime and near-lawlessness at times, is one of the industrial heartlands of Solhaven. With talk of unification abound, Esterriver is fearful of what a central authority could do to the industrial and manufacturing structures in the entire territory. Because of the divisions in the territory, the Esterriver delegates in the Council could not agree on a consensus decision on the first vote on the issue of unification. The delegates then got their act together and voted solidly against starting debate on unification and calling for a convention. Now, outnumbered, it is unclear how far Esterriver is willing to go to stand in the way of unification.

MEADOWGATE
The northwestern territory of Meadowgate, a fishing port city with a strong industrial background, has been a consistent opponent of unification. Meadowgate territorial officials have repeatedly resisted attempts by the Council to regulate the territory's fishing activities and it is in no mood for a stronger central government to move in and attempt to interfere. In both of the first two Council votes, Meadowgate voted unanimously against both resolutions moving the unification debate along. It is highly likely that Meadowgate will do everything within its powers to try and stop unification if given the chance.

GRIFFINFORT
The southernmost territory of Griffinfort - the city itself mere dozens of miles from the border with Adwest - is much like Highwyn in divisions between urban and rural. But the biggest problem in Griffinfort is the issue of border security and - to a lesser extent - xenophobic attitudes throughout the territory. To that end, Griffinfort's delegation has been a pivotal vote. Early on, Griffinfort backed the original proposals for a new government. But for some reason, it turned on its heel and went the other way on the convention vote. It appeared that Griffinfort wasn't content to battle it out with the other territories and just wanted to create a new government and start it up.

MALLOWLYN
Mallowlyn, sitting on the western coast and facing the Detectatian Sea, is a fairly liberal city and is a cultural center. But like other territories, Mallowlyn is divided on the issue of unification. In the debate, Mallowlyn went against unification in the original Council vote. But as time went along, Mallowlyn's mood swung enough for its delegation to vote for creating a constitutional convention. But with the territory seemingly moving towards unification, it definitely appears Mallowlyn will look to make any new government as liberal and as free-flowing as it can be.

Why am I telling you all this? Well... I want to play out this whole convention. And I'd like to hope I can get some help with that. There are eight open slots (I'd likely play Hyperion), and all of them have their own strengths, weaknesses and agendas. Just like the Constitutional Convention likely did back in the 1780s.

So... what do you all think? Who wants to decide (or f*** up) a country's future?