Nations Name: United Vanjanan Empire Flag:[img=http://i.imgur.com/jRzS4uo.jpg] Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy Describe the System: Leadership of the UVE is passed down to the oldest child of the dead monarch, no matter their gender. The nation's leader is referred to as a "Jade", as the throne in the palace is made out of jade (earning it the name "Jade Throne"). Working with the Jade is the Common People's Representative House (More often referred to as the "Representative House". The Representative House has less power than the Jade, but is able to vote for or against the Jade's decrees and extend such voting periods in the hopes the the Jade will see their reasoning. However, the Jade reserves the right to veto any law passed by the Representative House two times, after those two times the law cannot be voted on until someone involved (Either the monarch or a representative) is replaced by a successor. Location on Map Desired: The inside bit of the eastern peninsula. You know, the continent’s right armpit. Capital: Kwedolobhakalle (See map) Important Settlements: Stadvguld (Also see map) Storabryggor (Map) Håkanstad (You know the drill) Ragnhildstad (Gee, I wonder?) Description: Cities in the United Vanjanan Empire are huge metropolises, fueled by the immense wealth brought in by trade. They have an ingenious sewage system, instead of dumping chamber pots out into the streets, houses in the city are connected to pipes that run above the roads. Chamberpots are dumped into those pipes through openings outside of windows, and the wastewater is carried down to a collection point where it is left to evaporate. This tones down the horrid smell present in the cities of other nations, and keeps human waste off the streets. To complement this, there are dedicated street sanitation teams in all major cities that clean up the horse waste that once seemed like pavement. The United Vanjanan Empire also has a highly developed cobblestone road system for the transport of goods. In Vanjana, the four-point star is considered a symbol of hope and good luck, explaining their flag and national anthem (titled: "Look up at the Four-Pointed Star"). Jade (the rock) is also important to the culture, signifying perseverance despite the situation and the ability to do good no matter the consequences. Women and men are considered completely equal, and tolerance is a core value in Vanjana. The believe in strength through quality and they believe quality comes from diversity, thus it is a popular immigration target. In contrast to other nations, women are allowed to join the military and there are many decorated female leaders. Different religions sprawl all over the UVE, but the largest is known as "Anhängare av Stjärna Frö" (after the title of their leader). It’s holy book is known as the “Ord stjärnorna”. The most famous lines from it are "Thus, our forefathers were sent forth from their homeland, to fight the Cadzigrara wherever they may dwell." and "Those pure in heart need not heed our call, for they will naturally find their way back to the halls of the Yagdasradich." Anhängare av Stjärna Frö believes in two forces: Yagdasradich and Cadzigrara. Interestingly, neither are supernatural. Both are believed to be simply groups of extremely powerful mortals. The Yagdasradich are the "Good" force, standing for equality, liberty, justice, and understanding. The Cadzigrara are the "Evil" force, standing for oppression and the destruction of all who do not follow their path. The Yagdasradich and Cadzigrara are said to be locked in an eternal war not unlike those waged in the world of Edoniras. However, the words of many a Stjärna Frö over the years describe the battles waged in this war as "Astounding in scale", with each battle being said to be as long and as large as the largest wars ever fought on Edoniras. Despite the popularity of the religion, many consider them to be a bunch of crackpots and people who just want something to believe in. Interestingly, the Anhängare av Stjärna Frö harbor no hard feelings toward those who believe they are wrong. In fact, anyone who is pure of heart is considered a descendant of the Yagdasradich soldiers, regardless of belief or actual family history. Though the UVE tries to not show favoritism to any religion, Anhängare av Stjärna Frö beliefs have slowly crept into everyday life. Gender equality? Anhängare av Stjärna Frö belief. Four pointed star? Home of the Yagdasradich. However, nobody really realizes this, and the Anhängare av Stjärna Frö have never actively tried to push their beliefs on anyone not willing to listen. There are multiple languages in the United Vanjanan Empire, but the most used is Vanjanani (Similar to Swedish). Ancient Vanjanani is used in the anthem, however, and most know at least those words. The currency is the Fyrapoängstjärnamynt (Often shortened to Frya). There are quarter Frya coins, half Frya coins, one Frya coins, two Frya coins, and four Frya coins. The coins are gold in the center, surrounded by wood. As the value rises, so does the size of the gold in the center and the wood surrounding it. They are made in such a way that the wood's buoyancy counteracts the weight of the gold to varying degrees, allowing merchants to drop coins given to them in water to determine their legitimacy. The capital of Vanjana is considered a jewel by Vanjanans. Ships come and go, all of them carrying goods in and out of the city. The buildings within are grandiose, even the poorest households can find elaborate decorations to put up, showing the Vanjanan love of art and beauty. The richer households are opulent mansions, covered in Jade sculptures and containing carpets dyed purple using the ancient, more expensive methods simply because it is possible. The palace itself is a wondrous building, boasting everything the mansions do, but more of it. The Vanjanans have a love of opulence, fueling their highly competitive economy. Important Characters: Jade Sigfrid Halvar High Admiral Ellinor Marianne General Jörgen Ingolf Traits: Trading Hub: Your country is a nation of traders and merchants, many coins pass through the fingers of your citizens every day, especially through your own after taxes. -3 Strong Industry: Your craftsmen and labourers are good quality and hardworking making some of your nations goods very reliable, sometimes fetching a high price from a market. -2 Free market: Your economy is not controlled by the state, it can fluctuate completely freely. This means that it can rise incredibly quickly making you very rich, however you are vulnerable to recessions and collapses. -1 Small Army: Your nation maintains a relatively small number of troops, when fielded in battle against another nation your forces are almost always outnumbered. +2 Outdated Army: Your men carry weapons not even your grandfather remembers, muskets misfire more than usual and your training deals with tactics not used in many years. +2 Empire: Your lands are made up of conquered peoples and are vast. -4 Ambitious Generals: Your generals all want a piece of glory. Sometimes even going to backstabbing each other and arriving to another’s aid ‘late’. +1 Never been out of the village: Your men have almost all never been outside their own borders. Other countries lands and environments are almost alien, especially those on another continent. They will suffer from not being able to deal with weather and being unable to forage as well. +1 Army: 15,000 Regulars 20,000 Recruits 10,000 Arquebusiers Navy: 2 Frigates 5 Barques 5 Brigs 7 Galleys GDP: 50,000,000,000 ($) Stability: Slightly Stable