The Californios
OOC: I'd like the California region if possible. I have neither the time nor the ability currently to edit that map. It would extend south to Baja California and East to the nation of Utah. I dont care what color you choose for it.
***
My people have no flag.
The Californios are not a nation. They are a people. They are the outcasts, the ones who decided to travel where others dared not to. Settling in what used to be California, holds sprang up like blades of grass across a field of near-virgin soil. These formed loose alliances with each other, until eventually their population and technology levels reached a point where consolidation was possible- if not likely.
This changed when Miguel Francisco inherited Franciscohold- previously known as San Francisco. This once great city had become a rabble of whorehouses and thieves within moldy walls and stony farmland. Francisco, a master negotiator, forged this ruin into a shining city on a hill, with no small help from neighboring holds. Pledging his loyalty for help, he instead earned the love of his indebtors; without spilling a drop of blood, he brought all these diverse people under one banner. Then- instead of forming a dictatorship as a lesser man would, or a theocracy as any other pious man would- Francisco created a completely new goverment: a Meritanarchy.
Those who are visibly the best of society make decisions for the advancement of the Californios as a whole, but within the society each name, each hold decides for itself how to govern. They pledge allegience to no banner but themselves, and loyalty to no man but God. If a foreigner invades, they defend each other- but they are just as likely to come to blows over a yards' disagreement on two maps. This unique people have a singular situation which allows for wonderous imaginations, and this more than compensates for any disadvantage to the lacking of a central government. The future is in the palm of their hands. Our hands.
-A.W.
***
OOC: I think I struck a fair balance between the canon of the book, with the many minor states of the region, and my personal flavor. This seems like it will be a fun one.
Capital
The Californios have no capital, but the Visible Best meet in Franciscohold.
Government
Meritanarchy- see flavor text above. The visible best act for the betterment of the whole.
Visible Best
Miguel Francisco- Chief among Equals. 37 years old. A great diplomat and a natural leader. The creator of this united people.
Shawn Marian- General among Equals. 55 years old. A great tactician and philosopher. His high squeaky voice is mostly ignored due to his massive size.
Jack O'Neill- Banker among Equals. 20 years old. A great economist and planner. His slight frame contains the arching plans for every hold of the Californios.
Isabella Moore- Lady among Equals. 22 years old. A great entertainer and entrepeneur. She runs all entertainment programs in the holds, and is not afraid to use her considerable charm.
Otto Schmidt- Thinker among Equals. 31 years old. A great thinker and inventor. His wacky attitude is balanced only by his ancestral sense for order.