Free Republic of Aciria

In Acirien history, the Free Republic of Aciria (Acirien: République Libre d'Acirie) was founded on 2 July 1615 with the Declaration of the Free Republic. This not only declared the Free Republic, but the independence of Aciria as a united nation for the first time in history. The Free Republic lasted until the declaration of the Grand Empire of Aciria on 7 July 1783 by Jean I. Despite lasting for nearly 200 years, the Free Republic is widely considered a failed state, due to the constant instability and the tumultuous nature of the People's Senate with the First Speaker constantly changing and factions in the senate walking out.

The period known as the Free Republic Era in Aciria is characterised by Acirien independence, the earliest formations of Acirien national identity and stagnant economic, cultural and scientific development, and eventually, the formation of the Grand Empire and the rise of power of the House of Dupois.

Declaration of the Free Republic
Once the schism raging over the continent eventually reached Aciria, the local governor, Silvain Delacroix drafted up both the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Free Republic by gathering support of the clergy and nobles by offering them a position in the coming People's Senate. Commoners required little convincing due to the promise of equal representation with both the nobles and clergy in the People's Senate alongside with stabilizing the region damaged by the schism both were enough reason to agree to the declaration of the Free Republic. On 2 July 1615 Delacroix declared both the independence and formation of the Free Republic of Aciria at the market square of Trosseurs.

Formation of the Free Republican Army
To follow up on the promise of stabilizing the region, Delacroix proposed the formation of the Free Republican Army. All parties in the senate agreed, named Marc-Antoine LaPerrieré as the first Marshal of Aciria and tasked him with the formation of the army. LaPerrieré proceeded to invite everyone with military background as officers into the army with the promise of land, and offering food, drink and shelter to commoners to be the backbone of the army. The barebones army was formed, with many soldiers severely lacking equipment. After catastrophic military campaigns, they eventually returned to Trosseurs with the nation stabilized. Disappointed with the results of the campaigns, the senate stripped LaPerrieré of his title and exiled him into modern day Grajnidar. Following the exile of LaPerrieré, the title of Marshal of Aciria was granted to Mathieu Guimond. Guimond was one of the commoners who joined with the promise of food, drink and shelter, but quickly rose through the ranks to become LaPerrierés right-hand man. He was ashamed of the state of the FRA and instituted the Guimond Doctrine, where incapable officers were severely punished by either demotion or even execution. Tactical prowess was valued over anything, with many commoners replacing the demoted nobles as officers. The doctrine also included relentless drills on both the officers and commoners. Guimond and his doctrine are credited as the reason why the FRA was able to emerge victorious in the coming Wars of Reclamation against the Loa.

Wars against the Loa
Around the period the Free Republic was declared, the Loa occupied the northwestern section of the Griffe peninsula, which was historically an important area inhabited by the Marins. Republican fervor high, the senate wanted to free Aciria of foreign influence and sent the Free Republican Army lead by Marshal of Aciria Guimond to drive the Loa out of Acirien lands and free the Marins under their occupation.