The Politics of Guild Wars, Nightfall
The people of Elona don't have a unified governement, instead each province handles its affairs seperately, and the three work together on common issues.
In Istan, meritocracy rules, with the best and brightest floating got the top, and Councils of Elders ruling over the towns and outposts dotted through the landscape. Kourna places high value on military diligence and order, and direct descendents of Warmarshal Turai Ossa serve as leaders. Vabbi is described as a plutocracy, with princes serving on the Grand Forum of Vabbi. It presents an open feel of democracy, but behind the scenes everyone knows the merchants make the rules.
Serving as defenders of all three provinces are the Order of Sunspears. They are autonomous, answering only to the marshals who lead them. While some claim they are the chosen of the gods, the Sunspears serve a practical purpose: to "defend the nation against all threats, whether martial, mystical, or supernatural".
