Vorancia

The Kingdom of Vorancia is an island state located off the eastern coast of Westeros. Vorancia is apart of the Eight Kingdoms of Westeros, though it is commonly considered one of the two that are least historically and socially bound to Andal and First Men culture along with Dorne.

Vorancian history begins with the emergence of the Andals in the Hills of Andalos in Essos. When the Andals transited onto Westeros, the early Vorancians were the Andals who remained on the island of Vorancia instead of continuing to the Fingers. The Vorancians, unlike the Andals, did not believe in the Faith of the Seven, which is said to have caused the split as to why many remained on the island of Vorancia. The island kingdom remained relatively isolated from Westerosi history until the invasion of Aegon I onto the continent. The natural defenses of the island and the highly skilled warriors of the island prevented the immediate takeover of Vorancia by Aegon and his dragons, and he was eventually forced to recognize the kingdom's autonomy. The success of Vorancia and Dorne led to an increased relationship between the two nations, though when Dorne was married into the Six Kingdoms to make them Seven, Vorancia faced an explicit trade deficit as the Targaryen regime refused to take any further exports of the independent nation. This caused an economic crisis for the Vorancian Throne, as the country made most of its funds through the export of luxury goods to merchants in Westeros. While the Free Cities provided to be a middleman in trade for the island kingdom, the ultimate economic downturn forced Queen Uthgurd II to swear fealty to the Targaryen King Aerys II in 274AL. Only eight years later did the island nation rebel against King Aerys, and the nation successfully won full self governance for their continuous support in the rebellion. The Kingdom of Vorancia is a folksay monarchy with the head of the government as the Monarch who rules from the Silk Throne. The nation is unique in having the only government where all citizens have a say in government. The nation's historical social values allow for the most freedom out of any other nation in Westeros. If a citizen has an issue with the rule of the Monarch, then they are protected by law to protest their issue freely if it does not in turn cause major problems with the Monarch's rule. Citizens are also protected from abuse by Nobles or the Monarch, and violations of these protections can lead to punishments as severe as death towards the Monarch. The Iron Throne has attempted multiple times to end these policies to protect its reign of the Eight Kingdoms, but they are forced to respect the agreement made during the Rebellion or the islands would be granted full independence at the support of several Free Cities and Dorne.

Vorancia has a self sufficient economy that generates a positive trade deficit through the export of the luxury goods of silk, honey, and fine woods, the minerals of Vorancian steel, iron, silver, sapphires, and quartz, and the artisan goods of fashions, tapestries, ships, and furnishings. The nation has proven to successfully support itself for long periods of time, though it primarily came to its great wealth with the uniting of the first Six Kingdoms and the opening of a single large market for luxury goods. It was also through its trade based economy that the Silk Throne earned its name and its great wealth. The historical social policies of equality allow for all to hold property and establish businesses, giving the Vorancians the greatest amount of economic freedom in Westeros. While many citizens enjoy economic freedom, the larger scale of the economy is regulated by the Silk Throne through a system of Guilds which allow for the maximization and the nationalization of luxury, mineral, and artisan exports. The nation has very well relations with the rest of Westeros and excellent relations with the Free Cities. It is incorrectly referred to by some as an independent state for its large amount of freedom from the Iron Throne, though it technically still is apart of the Eight Kingdoms. The Silk Throne remained largely neutral during the War of the Five Kings, though it was rumoured among many courts that if Vorancia supported a rebelling claimant that claimant would easily win the war. Vorancia, however remained neutral to insure that its trade with the mainland would not be put at risk and cause an economic downturn as Aerys caused.