[img]http://i.imgur.com/t4VAFXg.png[/img] [b][u]Nation Name:[/u][/b] Cascadia [b][u]Government Type:[/u][/b] Constitutional Monarchy [b][u]Head(s) of Government:[/u][/b] [hider=His Majesty Joseph Mannerheim The First] [img]http://i.imgur.com/J6eMCYO.jpg[/img] Inheriting the throne at the age of thirty one King Joseph has reigned for twenty two years, and a successful reign it has been. Building upon the popular image of his father before him Joseph was quickly noted as a charismatic leader and soon became beloved by his people, a state of affairs that has allowed him massive influence in the affairs of parliament. Reigniting nationalistic sentiment Joseph has presided over a period of national expansion and militarism that in large part is owed directly to his influence. Arrogant, but not undeservedly so Joseph is an audacious and boisterous man that tends to direct whatever conversation he enters.[/hider] [hider=Prime Minister Matthew Schmidt] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Cx1dIci.jpg[/img] Elected five years ago shortly after the invasion of the Hawaiian Federation Matthew Schmidt is a royal loyalist to the core, and it was under the pretense of empowering the monarchy that his party was elected in the first place. Granting the King renewed command of the armed forces and relegating the civilian government to foreign policy and domestic law Schmidt’s reforms have been cheered by most, but seen as deeply concerning to a quiet few.[/hider] [b][u]Persons of Importance:[/u][/b] [hider=Defence Minister Tristan Bishop] [img]http://i.imgur.com/JwtKhFr.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Prince Alexander Mannerheim] [img]http://i.imgur.com/S8iPC5e.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Princess Katherine Mannerheim] [img]http://i.imgur.com/IyVLmuJ.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Viceroy General Luke Burgess] [img]http://i.imgur.com/BQkNVCl.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Arianne Winters] [img]http://i.imgur.com/G2N3eY9.jpg[/img][/hider] [b][u]Race(s):[/u][/b] Human [b][u]Population:[/u][/b] Large, mostly centered on the two great cities of the west coast. [b][u]Culture and Religion:[/u][/b] Unequivocally the successor state to the Cascadian Empire, modern Cascadia is a nation where ancestral tradition and modern innovation seem to be in constant conflict. A prime example of this is the strange dissonance between the Cascadian value of democracy and the highly stratified society that upholds it. Organizing individuals into four groups modern Cascadia has remodeled and reinstituted the very earliest of Vanverian customs, the system of citizenry. Within this system there are four distinct tiers, the highest of these being that of the Citizen. It is Citizen's alone that are granted both the right to vote, and the right to full legal protection as human beings. Composed of males born to other Citizens, those of lower status who have elevated themselves through military service, and women who have elevated themselves through military service, it is Citizens that make up the majority of the population. One rung lower stand the Non-Citizens, individuals that while unable to vote still enjoy full legal protection. Primarily made up of Cascadian born women this social class also comprises foreigners, immigrants, and freed slaves. Which resultantly puts the second lowest class as that of the Slave. Enjoying neither the right to vote nor any legal protection as anything but property slaves are usually only found in service of the wealthy. Seen as human but unworthy slaves are either born to their position or are forced into it as a means of legal punishment. While they can be freed, most slave lineages have been in service for generations and will likely continue to be for many more to come. The lowest class of individual as decreed by the system of citizenry are all those cursed enough to be born abhuman, or in Cascadian parlance, subhuman. These individuals enjoy no vote, no rights, and lack even the basic title of human. Historically this class was formed to refer to the barbarous Grogar, but as more subhumans emerged they were summarily added to it. Often exterminated or used for grueling menial labour, subhumans are universally treated with the greatest contempt and disregard. Outside of the class system Cascadia functions as a free market state with minimal oversight and enormous inequality wherein the wealthy are almost always members of the nobility. What does exist in the way of government intervention is usually aimed at workplace safety, and as a result it is said one may work themselves to death but so long as they don't cause an accident doing so theirs will be an unremarkable passing. [b][u]Pre-Cataclyism Technology:[/u][/b] Stumbled upon by the Cascadian military in the nations early days the vast Rocky Mountain Warning System, while inoperable in all but the fewest sections, has proved an invaluable asset. Providing a technological base for the study of advanced radar the RMWS has permitted Cascadia to equip their aircraft and military with early warning systems far exceeding those of most nations. [b][u]History:[/u][/b] Like much of the world the west coast of North America was all but annihilated in the Great Cataclysm, struggling for centuries afterwards to establish even the most meager sense of order. Enveloped by the Age of Darkness the few tribes that rose to prominence in the region were invariably hounded by Grogar war bands and weakened by infighting until their disintegration. Even as the first true kingdoms of the east rose to prominence and the Age of Restoration began it seemed the land of the setting sun was damned to an eternity of struggle. It was not until five hundred years after Armageddon that the west began to see the light of civilization once more. Emerging from the shadow four great city-states rose to prominence: Vanver, Setle, Sanfra, and Losan. Varying widely in ideology and culture these city states would carve out their own respective territories before eventually, inevitably, coming into conflict. The most heated of these wars for dominance would be between the perilously close states of Vanver and Setle, whose simple proximity fated them to become bitter rivals. Precious little territory would change hands even as the autocratic Vanverians and democratic Setleites bled each other brutally with each conflict, but they continued in their futile wars nonetheless. When the stalemate did break it would not be by virtue of one sides superior ideals, nor would it be on account of their grand strategy. In the end a simple quirk of fate changed history as a flood decimated Setle’s crops and left the city unable to resist the Vanverian armies that descending upon it less than a year later. With the great enemy subjugated and vast swaths of fertile land under her command Vanver would grow immensely as it launched wide reaching campaigns against the fractious tribes of the region. Booming in population and claiming ever more territory to settle the city state became something greater, holding all the Pacific Northwest under its thumb. Not content with his already vast lands some six hundred years ago the ruler of Vanver declared his domain an Empire, and all the west coast his right. Within fifty years Sanfra would burn and be forced to kneel with Losan peacefully capitulating as it stood isolated and weakened by its own wars against the Grogar. This vast nation would come to be known as Cascadia, a name taken from ancient documents and used to legitimize a realm which had never before existed. For two hundred years the Cascadian Empire would rule before a quirk of fate not unlike that which had created it brought it to ruin. In the American plains the Grogar bands had not been idle and in revenge for the Empires massacre of their kin a great army of the beasts launched an invasion just as Cascadia fell into a succession crises. It took ten years for the empire to collapse, but when it did there was not a city that went unpillaged. In the ashes a number of kingdoms grew across the west, all speaking a single language and sharing a faith as legacy of Vanver’s ancient influence. What is known as modern Cascadia was one of these, and for the next few centuries it did little but war with its neighbours over long forgotten claims in a vain attempt to rebuild its dominion. So destructive and unpopular were these repeated conflicts that before long the kingdom found itself in the grips of a rebellion that would usher in a constitution and forever limit the authority of the monarch. In the last sixty years however Cascadia has gone back to its old ways with the expansion of the northern territories cementing the previous kings popularity and the recent annexation of Hawaii setting the tone for a new age of colonial expansion. Even more so the recent election of a Royalist party has empowered the Monarchy once more, and as of three years ago the King of Cascadia is also the head of her military. On the Homefront the influx of human refugees from the plains has engorged the population and many imagine it is only a matter of time before California shakes under the boots of marching men eager to claim a new home for them and their families. [b][u]Military:[/u][/b] [hider=Ground Forces] [hider=HT-55] [img]http://i.imgur.com/A0Tzqn8.jpg[/img] The mainstay of the Cascadian armoured core the HT-55 sports thick sloping armour and a formidable 125mm cannon along with multiple large machine guns. Maneuverable enough for a large tank the HT-55 is well liked by the military, but nevertheless an aging design. Hefty to the point crossing all but reinforced bridges is an untenable proposition and distressingly slow it’s no wonder the venerable tank is being, albeit very slowly, phased out.[/hider] [hider=HT-100] [img]http://i.imgur.com/049xoLo.jpg[/img] The new face of the Cascadian armoured core the HT-100 is a vehicle quite unlike its predecessor. Toting an upgraded and far higher velocity 125mm gun the HT-100 was built for long to mid range engagement in support of infantry and focuses nearly all its armour at the front. While this selective protection makes the tank significantly lighter and faster than the HT-55 it also risks serious damage from ambushes in urban areas.[/hider] [hider=MT-31] [img]http://i.imgur.com/CYwcSj4.jpg[/img] Designed alongside the HT-55 the lighter MT-31 was designed as an 'escort tank' to protect the its heavier counterpart. Armed with a lighter 100mm gun and mediocre armour little was expected of the 31. In combat however the MT-31's speed proved so useful that the tanks would often be preferred by field commanders, an opinion that directly influenced the decision to limit the HT-100's armour to the front as to preserve the new vehicles mobility. [/hider] [hider=AC-22] [img]http://img04.deviantart.net/bd3d/i/2014/031/e/d/auroch_by_jflaxman-d74hcb4.jpg[/img] A trackless vehicle the main personnel carrier of Cascadia is well armoured against all but anti tank weapons and is respectably mobile if not somewhat limited in its ability to traverse rough.[/hider] [hider=Ar-22] [img]http://pre11.deviantart.net/da92/th/pre/f/2011/189/d/a/spgs_by_pyrosity-d3lf9eo.jpg[/img] A conversion of the AC-22 the Artillery model fits a large gun on the chassis for long range support than can quickly reposition as combat necessitates it.[/hider] [hider=Jungle Infantry] [img]http://i.imgur.com/EX0JJXS.jpg[/img] Jungle infantry are the newer troops of the Cascadian army whose outfit and load outs designed explicitly for campaigns in the pacific like the Hawaiian war. Carrying the standard issue IMP or intermediate machine pistol firing a 6x35mm round Jungle infantry are notable for having significantly less equipment, trading convenience for comfort and flexibility. [/hider] [hider=Forest Infantry] [img]http://i.imgur.com/rTJ9N1J.jpg[/img] The traditional troops of the Cascadian military Forest Infantry have their equipment tailor made for the forest heavy environments of the Cascadian nation. Carrying the standard issue IMP or intermediate machine pistol firing a 6x35mm round Forest infantry have a load out including folding shovels and other potentially useful tools.[/hider] [hider=Heavy Infantry] [img]http://img02.deviantart.net/e7e9/i/2014/006/6/d/1_6_14_speedpaint_by_opravdu-d713zfy.jpg[/img] Armoured more effectively than the majority of soldiers and carrying the huge SAAR or semi-automatic assault rifle chambered in the bear stopping high velocity 6x60mm round these troops are the strongest and most effective Cascadia has. Trained to combat the most daunting of Grogar and even NAU power armour if needed Heavy Infantry are men that push the boundaries of what humans can accomplish, and as a result are also some of the most handsomely paid in the army.[/hider][/hider] [hider=Air Forces] [hider=FI-42] [img]http://i.imgur.com/RF3w13b.jpg[/img] The Fighter Interceptor 42 has been the mainstay of the Cascadian air force for years. Manoeuvrable, fast, and flexible the 42 remains capable to the modern day even as it's age begins to show with many if not most aircraft matching or outperforming it. [/hider] [hider=FI-48] [img]http://img06.deviantart.net/87f7/i/2015/128/5/5/saab_35d_draken__dragon__by_aanker-d79tpmr.png[/img] Successor to the FI-42 the FI-48 is a significantly more modern design. Utilizing hard points to carry basic guided missiles while retaining four guns the 48 is more than adequately armed. Beyond this a more efficient and powerful engine allows it performance surpassing it's predecessor in every way. [/hider] [hider=B-28] [img]http://orig00.deviantart.net/f305/f/2011/158/6/6/horten_h_xviii_by_tr4br-d3i9hg6.jpg[/img] The main long range bomber used by Cascadia the B-28 is a flying wing equipped with cannon turrets and loaded with a vast amount of ordinance.[/hider] [hider=B-26] [img]http://pre09.deviantart.net/1eaa/th/pre/f/2012/090/2/b/into_the_night_by_itifonhom-d4uic1o.jpg[/img] Designed as a smaller and more agile version of the B-28 the 26 has proved enormously successful. Carrying guns to defend itself as well as attack other aircraft while not compromising on bomb capacity the 26 is the close support aircraft of Cascadia. [/hider] [hider=AiRo-4] [img]http://img10.deviantart.net/b4c3/i/2008/156/4/c/cutting_the_skies_french_style_by_oberth.jpg[/img] Highlighting Cascadia's trouble in helicopter development the Air Rotor 4 is a fairly primitive machine totally outclassed by its more advanced NAU counterparts. Lightly armed and used mostly for scouting or medical airlift the Airo-4, even if basic, is widely used for it's utility.[/hider] [hider=Airman] [img]http://i.imgur.com/tfQE4mK.jpg[/img] Wearing an oxygen mask for high altitude engagement the pilots of Cascadia are famed for their rigorous treaining.[/hider][/hider] [hider=Sea Forces] [hider=Grizzly Class Battlecruiser] [img] http://img09.deviantart.net/3bfd/i/2011/364/1/4/big_gunz_blazing_by_u_joe-d4kn0fb.jpg[/img] The largest direct combatant ship in the Cascadian navy the Grizzly encapsulates Cascadian naval doctrine well. Not so large as proper battleships fielded by other powers, nor as well armed, the Grizzly makes up for its deficiencies by being simple and more important, cheap. While the class is no longer built the existing Grizzlies have all been upgraded to modern standard with new missile systems.[/hider] [hider= Grey Wolf Class Carrier] [img] http://i.imgur.com/dJHOtY5.png[/img] Smaller and seemingly less capable than the supercarriers emerging across the world, many would be surprised to learn the Grey Wolf class is a new design. Of course, those individuals would have be unfamiliar with the Cascadian navy. The Grey Wolf is, like all Cascadian ships, simply built to be easier to manufacture. The underlying logic of this is that were a ship to be lost, the navy would retain more capability. As for the Grey Wolf itself, the class possesses few of its own defenses and ostensibly relies on an escort. That said, under combat conditions the carriers are known to be extremely quick in deploying aircraft.[/hider] [hider=Cougar Class Cruiser] [img]http://orig11.deviantart.net/a8d7/f/2014/038/2/b/atago_by_guntama-d75h03u.jpg[/img] The Cougar class is perhaps the mainstay of the Cascadian navy. Not a design new or old existing Cougars have been upgraded while new vessels continue to roll out of yards. Responsible for anti-air defense above surface combat the Cougar is the primary escort class of the navy.[/hider] [hider=Lynx Class Light Cruiser] [img]http://img07.deviantart.net/d64a/i/2011/353/5/c/yahagi_by_u_joe-d4jjeeu.jpg[/img] A design only marginally newer than the Grizzly the Lynx is a ship out of style, but one whose role is far from gone. Dedicated to anti-submarine warfare but capable at surface combat the Lynx is a ship that seems to be upgraded every decade rather than replaced.[/hider] [hider=SSV-888] [img]http://i.imgur.com/LC6QCd1.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=AMT-343] [img]http://i.imgur.com/SuHoUK0.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=CFI-33] [img]http://pre00.deviantart.net/ca59/th/pre/f/2015/262/a/2/huckebein_by_itifonhom-d9a3sai.jpg[/img] The Cascadian navy’s choice fighter, the Carrier Fighter Interceptor 33 was developed independently from the FI-48. A small and light aircraft the 33 is purpose built for short take off and easy storage, allowing many to fit onto the smaller carriers fielded by Cascadia. [/hider] [/hider]