I thought I'd share the materials I have written so far on this:

QuoteNo civilization can last as long as our own with out recognizing the collective weight of history. Although our people have existed, indeed thrived for what seems time immemorial we are, in fact, only about ten thousand years removed from the anarchy and chaos that drove the creation of our great Republic. As students of history it is your duty to delve deep, like our forefathers did into the very earth itself, not just because it is truth, but because in truth lies beauty.

Thelric Truthseeker, Scholar and Headmaster of the Freeman's Academy

For ten thousand years the Dwarven Republic has existed, it's people thriving, indeed excelled in every endeavor it has undertaken. Unlike some of the  shorter lived races, and their propensity for violent, often chaotic change Dwarves have always been a reasonable people. Allying themselves with the Gnomes of Gnal'Bish, and the industrious Halflings of Terros the three central kingdoms in the Middle Kingdoms was able to establish stability, trade and prosperity for all. For ten millennia our people have labored, and today the Republic is as strong as it was on Founding Day!


The Free Republic of Thorin

10,000 years ago a great Dwarven king, Thorin the Honest, recognized that the Monarchy was in need of change. War, both economic and the real kind, was draining his coffers and his peoples-truly a saddening waste. It was Thorin who formed the Council of Peers, wise men from every field of study and called the Council Conclave in which our great Republic was founded. Although this work was arduous, and took years the great king persevered, and in the year 1092 the Free Republic was born.

Political Structure

To this day the Republic remains largely unchanged. Two kings rule, one elected by popular vote, the other hereditary  descended directly from Thorin the Honest. Although the Kings are imbued with great powers, in the name of the people, they still must answer to the Council of Peers. Limited to five hundred members the Council is comprised of scholars, philosophers, leaders of great industries, warriors and commoners alike. Peers serve twenty year terms, and are selected by a combination of elections, quotas and recommendations from the Kings themselves. A full two hundred members of the Peers are comprised of non Dwarves-mostly Gnomes and Halflings-although with the recent election of three human Peers a decade ago the Council masterfully illustrates the beauty of the Republican system. Truly any individual motivated enough can become involved in the process.

The Current Kings are King Naden, a member of the great trading house Nadean (Who specialize in the production of river boats, and other vessels.), who was elected fifty years ago and his counter part King Rurik the Just, who has wisely ruled for three hundred years now. His eldest son, Prince Gleb-a riverboat Captain of no small repute-will succeed his father upon his death, continuing an unbroken dynasty that has lasted for 10,000 years.

Economics

The Republic relies heavily upon the river boat trade it so deftly controls. Dwarven ships plow the waters of countless rivers bearing goods of all sorts, often facing dire weather, grave danger and more to deliver the goods our Republic relies upon. Rice from Or'run, Wheat and Barley from Terros, machinery from Gnal'Bish, meat from Norn, art and cloth from Theilios, fruits and cheeses from Vro, lumber and stone from Beign, wines from Avron, and of course who would leave out the vast assortment of precious gems and gold that the Afrus seem to have in endless supply! Indeed anything can be found in the grand bazaars of the Republic, from anywhere.

The Republic currency is strong and widely circulated due to it's stability and of course it's sheer beauty. The basic unit of currency in Middle Kingdoms is the Golden Hammer, a finely crafted golden coin embossed with the Hammer of Thorin the just on one side, and the All Father's Mountain on the other side. The Silver Talon, the Copper Cog, and the rare and widely sought after Platinum Crown make Dwarven currency one of the most functional and easiest to use.

Military Might and Foreign Relations

The Republican Guards is an all volunteer force, that is capable of projecting the Republic's might far beyond it's borders if needed to protect the peoples interests. Currently the Republic maintains garrisons in eight of the nine kingdoms, and an expeditionary force in the Afrus. (The Ork free state of Theilios does not maintain a garrison, but does allow Republican ships to dock and berth in their ports, as needed.)

The guard is divided into four internal components: the impressive Navy, expeditionary forces-which are often stationed in the other Kingdoms to help maintain stability, the Heartland Guard-who operate as a national law enforcement and tax collection agency, as well protecting the Kings, and the Peers, and finally the terrifying and dread inspiring Hammer Sworn, wielders of fearsome magics and Gnomish technologies.

The Republican Navy is massive, operating literally thousands of vessels ranging in size from small skiff's to war frigates, to the ever impressive Dreadnoughts! Dwarven sailors have plied the Middle Kingdoms waters for ten thousand plus years, so it is little wonder that they are amongst the best skilled and proudest freemen. Most volunteers serve for ten, twenty or thirty years, although a significant portion of the Navy's core personnel serve for a lifetime. Pay is excellent, and the work is demanding which means the Navy attracts the best and brightest.

The Expeditionary Forces that help maintain stability outside the Heartland truly have a difficult job: projecting the Republic's power, thereby protecting it's interests, but also as cultural representatives it is their duty to bring Dwarven culture to the rest of the Middle Kingdoms. Currently the largest expeditionary Force is stationed in the beleaguered land of Norn, aiding the besieged King, Othos. Smaller forces operate in Beign, aiding in the defense of the realm by hunting wild Orcs and other creatures. Three Expeditionary Forces are currently operating in The Afrus.

The Heartland Guard is a well organized force of sheriff's and tax collectors who serve the Republic, enforcing the Code, the body of law that governs all citizens and tax payers, as well as nonresidents of the Republic, and of course collecting taxes.

The Hammer Sworn are the Kings personal force, and they serve at their whim and desire, in all areas in which the Crown has an interest.

QuoteRise! Rise and clutch your kinsman by their forearm. Shake them vigorously for you are truly free!

Melios, Free Woman and Orc.

Few can truly know the cost of freedom, as far too few are truly free. Here on Theilios we have a saying "A man is only as free as he makes himself." Do you then seek a discount on your freedoms from Dwarven merchants? Do you trust Gnomish innovations to supplement what your own two eyes could tell you? I tell you now and here that freedom isn't bartered, or found in the cargo holds of dwarven frigates. Freedom is earned by those courageous enough to take it, to face down tyranny in all it's forms.

Politics

Theilios is governed by the Senate, 100 men and women who are elected to govern the island in the name of the people. Elections are held once every three years, and a full third of the Senate is up for election at any given time. This means there are elections almost yearly. Any Orc who is of age can run for a position in the Senate, although in practice it is rare to see a young Senator.

Theilion politics are volatile, often filled with violence, and even the occasional death. Taxation is often a subject of great controversy, attracting the citizenry at large to the often explosive debates. (Admittedly some come simply to place bets or instigate fights...)

Military Might and Foreign Relations

Theilion men and women are required to serve for three years in either the Navy or the Army. Currently the Theilion Army numbers ten thousand shields, while the Navy can muster an impressive number of ships of varying tonnage. Comprised entirely of Orcs the Theilion Military is incredibly well disciplined, and is one of the most feared military forces in all the world.

The island of Theilios itself is protected by a series of natural cliff walls, and strategically placed fortresses that equipped with fearsome war machines, making the island itself nearly impenetrable in a time of war. Although the Theilions lack the fire power of the Dwarven Navy their island's natural defensive terrain makes them a fearsome force on their home turf.

Theilios maintains diplomatic relations with the Republic, and each of the seven other Kingdoms, although these relations could be dexcribed as strained at best. Theilios is antagonistic towards the Republic itself, but their self declared neutrality in all affairs outside their island has allowed them to maintain an uneasy but consistent relationship with the Dwarves.

The Theilion's consider the roving tribal bands of Orcs to be little more than savage animals, and have no official ties to the three major Tribes.

Economics

Theilios exports large quantities of wool, mutton, and cheese, as well as olives, almonds and perhaps most importantly Art. Theilion society considers art to be of the highest importance, and even the worst artists live a life that is relatively provided for compared to the average citizen of the Middle Kingdoms.

Art and politics are the domain of every Theilion. Public debates are considered a national event, and often attract large audiences, and rage for days at a time. every aspect of Theilion life is covered in these debates by powerful orators of every race.

The Theilion art trade is brisk, as well as trade in cloth of all sorts. Theilion weavers are amongst the Middle Kingdoms best. Theilion ports also serve as bases for a variety of mercenary companies, and guilds of other natures. Indeed Theiolion cities are thriving meccas of trade, and goods from all ends of the Middle Kingdoms can be found here.

QuoteKnow this, by decree of the Regent each great house shall provide a suitable hostage before the midsummers festival. Any failure to provide an appropriately placed hostage will result in dire consequences!

Royal Decree by Regent Thay'Los IronEyes.

Once a proud land of proud men, Norn has fallen upon particularly rough times. With their King lying on his death bed, the slow death burning his body from the inside out it was with a heavy heart that Regent Thay'Los IronEyes ascended to power. With the Kings youngest sons dead in a tragic boating accident, and his oldest accused of attempted regicide the land has fallen on dire times. Luckily with the backing of the Dwarven republic's might the Regent will restore this magnificent land to her previous stature amongst the Middle Kingdoms!

Government and Politics

Traditionally ruled by a King who is traditionally appointed by the Clergy of the Nornic Church from the heads of theGreat Houses. For the last three hundred years Kings have been appointed from the Great House of Morgan. It was with great disbelief when the King's Regent, Thay'Los IronEyes, appointed himself King with the backing of the Free Republic, and it's legions.

Currently the Kingdom itself has become an armed camp, with each of the Great Houses retaining the services of one or more companies of mercenaries, as well as recalling their own retainers to arms. A surge in the levels of Dwarven troops has been a widely unpopular move despite reassurances from the Regent that this is only a temporary situation.

The most vocal critic of the Regent is Grant Morgan of the House of Morgan, a blue blooded Knight who is the nephew of the King.

Military Might and Foreign Relations

The Norn have traditionally eschewed Naval might for land power, but the King's recent illness has caused no end of disarray for the Generals who normally run the Army. The Regent has fractured the Army over the King's illness and the Churches demands that the invalid King be deposed, and a new King be anointed.

Traditionally Norn has had cold relations with the Free Republic, and it's Allies but since the ascent of the Regent the Norn have made several overtures towards closer ties. This has met with some resistance from the various Great Houses. The Norn, like the Avron, have traditionally had hostile relations with the Theilions.

QuoteFew could understand the depths to which the Elven people have sunk to in order to protect the world at large. A war rages. A secret war, a silent war that rages under their very eyes, under the tips of their noses. A war of darkness.

Know this then, that the path of the Elf is solitude. The loneliness of duty. The quiet disparity of honor.

Anonymous Elf

Once generations ago the Avron were amongst the most powerful of the Middle Kingdoms inhabitants, their war vessels the most powerful, their soldiers the deadliest, their cities the largest. But even a mountain can be worn down to a grain of sand by the trickling stream of time. And now the Avron are but a shadow of the former glory years.

With no known central authority to speak for the Elves of this nation the Republic has assumed temporary control of the Eastern portions of the Avron, but as there is little in Avron to rate a serious presence of the Republic's Legions only one Legion operates in Avron, and mostly as security for the lumber industry.


Although the one time capital of the Elven people, Aeremar still stands, and even serves as a center for learning and some limited trade in elven goods, there is no centralized authority there anymore.

QuoteWhen the Gods weep, Man dies.

Vro Religious Edict

Repent sinners for the end is near. This could perhaps be the national motto of Vro, a land of wealth and riches that has since fallen into the Tyranny of religious holy war. It is said that each of the gods have sent their personal representatives to Vro to cast the unbelievers out of this Holy Land. Even the state of constant war fare and the inquisitions, surely this is true.

Cools. This is exactly the sort of stuff I wanted in my homebrew thread.

I have a lot more, I've written up basics for each country and nation state, and a lot on climatology and etc...

How do the parts you've posted already, especially the high level stuff about economics and politics, actually affect the kinds of stories you tell in the world? Like, are they just there for the PCs to say things like "I learnt to be a first level fighter in the Theilion guard!" or do they shape stories ("The King of Thorin needs iron! And only you can get it!") or are they just there for colour?

Good work - thanks for sharing.

Maps. Must. Have. Maps.