The San Saba Republic
Summary
Moments of historical significance are, always in retrospect, defined by the decisive action of a few indispensable actors in times of flux. In the whirlwind weeks following the assassination of Holy Mother Queen Jasper of the Tribes Disparate, the election of the new Antler’d Queen, and the departure of several key figures from the Disparate tribal structure - the Tribes themselves have turned inward and sought to redefine their place in the San Saba without the their departed Holy Mother, while honoring their promise to democratize their leadership and bring their faction into the robust and political future of the contemporary San Saba.
The remaining Tribes, roughly a month after Queen Jasper’s death, settled on a sweeping contract, to be signed by every participating member, that binds the Tribes together not under a monarch like the old Holy Mother; but under a Troika of power located in the municipal seat of Essex. The San Saba Republic is no longer the tenuously strung together tribes, brought together during wartime under threat of annihilation; but a deliberate government designed to enforce the prosperity of its citizens.
The San Saba Republic makes its capital in Essex, where the Local 727 overhauled the forested supercity under the direction of Big Boss Deb, into a productive and alluring horizon to which any enterprising delver or hopeful businessman might sojourn. A settlement where technology progresses seamlessly alongside nature; and where the Tribes once Disparate gather to make promise and policy.
Key PHrases
“Long Live the Queen.” ; Inspired by the first queen of the Tribes, this is an all-purpose catch-phrase that can be used as a swear, an idiom, or literally.
“If You Don’t Like It, Do It Better.” ; Boss Deb’s can-do attitude comes down to this simple statement, that she repeats often; to herself and to her peers. It’s been echoed down the hierarchy until even the youngest Rabbits quote Deb to one another. Applicable in any context, sarcastically or sincerely.
“From Dirt, All of This.” ; Said in moments of great joy or great sadness; a kind of reflection on the Seasonalistic belief that all things ultimately spring from the same root. Might be said upon buying a home, or upon the death of a loved one.
Why Should I Join?
There is strength in numbers — the San Saba Republic is the largest faction in the San Saba Territories. By joining this Faction, characters are guaranteed friends everywhere they go. Fully 50% of the population of the San Saba territories belongs to this faction, so you’ll be guaranteed to be involved in the story of our setting. The San Saba Republic is also something of a “White Hat” Faction. Spearheaded by ethical leadership, the San Saba Republic has very little to hide. Generally a moral government, it stays that way by staying in its lane and staying small and task-specific. If you enjoy being part of the setting and generally supporting the good guys, you’ll be right at home in the Republic.
Faction Objectives
Each of the three leaders of the San Saba Republic has shaped the future of their faction with their own goals.
To Reconstruct Essex (Deb) - The new Queen prefers to be called “Boss” and her focus is almost purely infrastructural. Big Boss Deb seeks to utilize the deep pool of resources that is Essex post-Fountainhead Incident to establish her new Republic as the largest stop on the Bravado Line. She seeks not to specifically import or export, but to provide manufacturing to settlements across the San Saba; and in doing so, create an indispensable niche for her people.
To Develop a Informational Network (Mab) - Malorous Mab has been a shadow broker in Essex since before the Fountainhead Incident. In the verdant and misty years that followed, Mab has only further developed her network of beggars, brokers and bruisers. She essentially runs the underworld in Essex. Now, with the formation of the Republic, it is in the best interest of her charges (and her own philosophy) that she pursues power not just in Essex, but across the San Saba.
To Establish a Military Presence (Sabbath) - Following her return to the fold, Sabbath’s belief in the San Saba Republic is magnified by the zeal of conversion. The old Antler Military was made up of scouts, warriors and bloody-minded berserkers. Under Sabbath’s clever direction, the Republic military will modernize beyond anything the San Saba Wastes has seen before.
Casted Characters (NPCs)
The Troika - The San Saba Republic has three Authorities that manage the day to day affairs of the faction, from whom policy and position ultimately derive.
Big Boss Deb - The Queen holds the power of veto, and is generally understood to be the moral compass of the Triumvirate. The Boss wears the Antler’d Crown, and defines the identity of the San Saba Republic. Under Queen Deb, the city of Essex is going to become a thriving city of commerce thanks to her focus on infrastructure. Boss Deb sits on the San Saba Board, as the voice of the Republic, but is closely advised by her Troika.
Justicar Sabbath Jacinto- The Justicar is the military leader of the Tribes Disparate. Sabbath was brought back from the “other side” during the events of Collection Day, and made her peace with Boss Deb and the vision she presented of the Republic. Her renewed zeal following her return will continue to redefine the presence of the Republic in the wastes of the Lone Star.
Spymaster Malorous Mab - The Spymaster is a necessary role in the contemporary San Saba, where law is listless and contracts are made of words. Mab already possesses a uniquely powerful spy network throughout Essex, and with the support of the Republic behind her, she will be the most powerful shadow broker in the San Saba.
The Regents and their Sundry Houses - The San Saba Republic is made up of various tribes, businesses, families and systems that have agreed to operate under the same economic principles for a shared purpose of wealth and prosperity. There are now more than two dozen houses who have signed the contract that allows them entrance into the San Saba Republic; though eleven of them are holdovers from the original Tribes Disparate. These Regents travel to Essex, and sometimes Bravado which is considered to be true neutral territory, to develop policy and lobby for their houses' interests. Some houses make their home in the Republic’s capital city of Essex, but many tribes are nomadic.
Some of the major families and tribes of the new San Saba Republic are:
The Rabbit Family
Sweetwater Clan
The JaCintos Militia
The Torchlights
The Longberth Fleet
Hermits of Helios
SCAdian Clan
Cervaxi Tribe
Cali*Co Caravan
Curators
Cloudskippers
Local 727
traditions of the tribes disparate
The Summit — Each year, the leaders of the various Houses of the San Saba Republic meet to conduct business, trade with one another, and settle disputes between the varied groups. This is a joyous festival, normally held in the Spring that celebrates the unity of the new faction, the cycle of life, and the inextricable connections of family. The SCAdians hold a Spring Festival, celebrating the strongest and most skilled warriors in the Tribes, and the Queen hears new ideas and allows any to present a new project for consideration.
Key Story Points
The Fountainhead Incident — This event destroyed much of the old population of Essex and allowed the Tribes Disparate (now the San Saba Republic) to settle there unimpeded. This event also transformed the boom town from a western cowboy podunk into a jungle city of mist and mystery, with a massive holy tree growing in the center. The newfound push towards industrialization alongside nature offers a unique and profitable future for the capital of the Republic’s people.
The Assassination of Holy Mother Queen Jasper — Murdered just before her heir was determined, Jasper’s death was the impetus for the formation of the San Saba Republic. In her passing, the tenuous nature of the alliances they shared as a faction was brought into stark contrast. It was clear that they would need more than a single popular leader ruling by fear and strength of arms to ensure the legacy of their people. Jasper was killed by Grandfather Nichols of Killhouse Prison on order of Tabitha St. Mercy. Her death led to the defection of the Antler Tribe and the Oxkillers, as they refused to join under the leadership of Boss Deb and her new Triumvirate.
The Formation of the Republic — During the Events of the Summit, the citizens of New Bravado convinced the people of the Tribes Disparate to modernize their government. In doing so, they lost some members of the original 13 tribes to defection. Among them, the Ox Killers, the Antlers and (briefly) the JaCintos. The various Regents of the Houses came together in a purposeful direction to rebuild their alliances not out of fear or tradition, but mutual interest and support.
The Defection and Return of the JaCintos — Upon realizing Lord Hush’s true motivations, Colonel Sabbath realized that her best bet for a united San Saba she wants to see is in the bosom of the Tribes she rejected. After settling her differences with Boss Deb, Sabbath made a heartfelt return, pledging alliance and allegiance to the Republic. In doing so, she has sworn to make new roots for the JaCintos in Essex, and defend it till her Tribe is destroyed or all evil is absolved.
Favored SKills & Pfas
Combat Tactics (Battlefield Commander)
Agricultural (Shepherd of the Land)
Foraging (Scavenger)
Faithful Will (Life-Binder)
Education (Sage)