The state of Daxwell was a halfling republic in the Trollsbay.
Founding[]
The republic dates back from the 17th century, being founded after the pro-democracy Lowtower Uprising in Thílvis. Some Towerfoot, mostly among the rural population, felt that they were no longer represented by their ruling class and decided to found their own republic instead. Following a farmer by the name of Alvar Daxwell, they travelled up the Boek river until they reached a human town, established on the site where the Boek ruinborn of the western Trollsbay did their last stand.
With the halflings being much more numerous, they quickly absorbed the small human community into the town of Rimsby, and proclaimed a republic named after their founder, the state of Daxwell.
Struggle for independence[]
The proclamation of Daxwell's independence wasn't received well in the Great Tower, which offered them to reintegrate Thílvis as an autonomous part of the country two weeks later. The offer was rejected, but Thílvisan tax collectors came to collect their dues nonetheless; Daxwellian settlers forcefully kicked them out and several diplomatic incidents took place in the following years.
As Thílvis threatened military force, Daxwell received military aid from the Lorentish colony of Núr Ionnidar, sent through the neighboring republic of Spoorland, which was established at the same time as Daxwell. The Spoorlanders also pledged to provide their unconditionnal support to form a common front against the Thílvisans. After several skirmishes, it was clear the new republics would stay independent save for an actual invasion, and Thílvis did not want to risk Lorentish intervention. The independence of Daxwell was thus secured.
Towerfoot-Lorentish conflicts[]
Daxwell became a battlefield between Thílvisan and Lorentish influence as both tried to bring it into their sphere, although not to the same degree as in Spoorland. This allowed the republic to maintain its independence by threading the line between the two for about a century.
However, this ended as open conflict resulted in the partition of Spoorland between Lorent and Thílvis. Without any foreign support and surrounded by Thílvis, the republic of Daxwell quickly fell under their control. It was accepted as a member of the Trollsbay Concord under Thílvisan sponsorship, although many members expressed doubts about what Daxwell could bring to the confederation.
Rumors[]
With the capital of Daxwell having been established on the site of the Sakti massacre, also known as the last stand of the Boek, some people claim that the republic was founded on a cursed land and was cursed in return.