[hider=The United Republics] Basic Information: Name of Nation: The United Republics of Greater Alkadion or the United Alkan Republics Capital: The City of Dastria Head of State: Head of Government: Currency: The Republican Appunti (Banknote) Quarssa Dastriana & Pessa la Mare (Coins, 25 Quarssa = 1 Pessa, 10 Pessa = 1 Appunti) Calendar System: Year 1 Dastrian Count = Year 1352 PA Year 563 D.C. = Year 1914 PA 4 Quarters: Q1, Undame (January-March) Q2, Duandame (April-June) Q3, Triandame (July-September) Q4, Quarandame (October-December) [Q5], 5 Days for La Fiera Territory: The United Republics claim all areas once occupied by the Confederated Cities on the Dastrian Sea, from the old Listran Cities all the way to Ravelia. The United Republics are so-named for the four constituent nations – the Serene Republic of Dastria, the Union of Listra-Alkadion, the Confederated Cities, and the Greater Northern Territories. Points of Interest: The Serene Republic of Dastria The City of Dastria, Calia Island to the southwest, the Glass Islands to the northeast Dastria is the beating heart of the Republics, center of all its trade and administrative activities. To its southwest is the Island of Calia, where the Treaty of Calia Island was signed. Calia is also home to the headquarters of the National Integrated Command of the Carabinieri, the main military force of the Republics. It also serves as home to the Western Home Fleet, guarding the entrance to Dastria from those who would harm it. To the northeast are the Glass Islands of Casta and Castina. These islands are the center of the Republics’ industrial capacity. These islands are also used by the banks as storehouses for the vast wealth they have collected. The Union of Listra-Alkadion The City of Listra, the City of New Alkadion to the north Listra is the United Republics’ second-most important city, once home to a kingdom rivalling Dastria in dominance over the Dastrian Sea, the city now stands as its partner in protecting and promoting trade. The City of New Alkadion is a minor city to the north of Listra, once the mythical Shining City of Alkadion, home to the Cults of the Old Gods. The old city was destroyed in a calamity known simply as the Sundering. The Confederated Cities The Confederated City of Sazalla and the Anyuevan Cities Sazalla is a major trade and military port of the Confederation. An age ago, this was where the legendary explorer Edante Cancolo settled with his Fleet of Forty. Today, it is an important stop on westbound journeys as tolls are paid here for passage through the Cancelli Islands to the southwest. The Cities of Anyueva are Centro Anyueva, and Sallassa. Though often overshadowed by the industrialized cities of the east, and the great financial centers of the northern frontiers, Centro Anyueva is still the yet-to-be-harnessed hearts of a once-great Anyueva, brimming with people and potential. The general indifference of the Dastrians to their Anyuevan territories rapidly disappeared in the aftermath of the discovery and exploitation of valuable resources in the area. That initial sense of optimism faded with the First Anyuevan Revolt; however, and quickly gave way to horrific ethnocultural repression and military occupation. Wealthy Dastrian businessmen, in an effort to avoid the unstable settled areas of Anyueva, have endeavored to create a new titan in the east - the planned city of Sallassa. Similar projects popped up nearby, sponsored by the Dastrian government to only shelter Dastrian-Anyueva creoles in an effort to control and reshape the archipelago to their wishes. The Greater Northern Territories The Cities of Ravelia, Nuovo Volstran, and Norde Ravelia was once a far-flung trading port of the Confederation. Compared to most cities in the Confederation, Ravelia was small and its surrounding areas were very sparsely populated. Furthermore, there are very few native Dastrian humans in the city, being unsuited to the harsh northern climate. The city holds power over northern trade routes to the New World, serving as a major supply stop. When the Republican Junta emerged late during the civil war; however, mass migration of old Dastrian elites came to Ravelia, and caused the city to swell with newfound wealth and workers. When the Junta took full control of Dastria, Ravelia rapidly took its place as the commercial and financial center of the new Republic, as well as center for a resistance to the military regime. When the civil strife moved from Dastria to Volstran, the city once more opened itself to refugees as Voldyuki seeking to escape the unstable superstate moved into the city. Some remained in Ravelia to participate in commerce and trade, others moved further north, to where no Dastrians were used to living, and created the industrial and ecological powerhouse that is now Nuovo Volstran. Yet more moved further north, to what is now Norde. There, they formed the Lupavski Company, legendary winter soldiers and later, the local defense force for the Greater Northern Territories. Demographics: The Republics’ territories are populated by two dominant species - humans, and squid-human hybrids known as the Ikalman. The humans of the Republics’ heartlands are formally known as the “Alkan” after the Shining City of Old Alkadion. It is said that the Alkan originated from Alkadion and spread out in the aftermath of the Sundering. They are generally of lean builds, tan, brown-eyed and black of hair. They are slightly shorter than the average human, but also more nimble. Many Alkans refer to their ethnicities by their home city, though there are few physiological differences between them. The Ikalman are squid-like humans (or humanoid squids) that are considered a separate biological species from humans, being unable to bear live offspring with them in all but a few rare cases. There are two important non-human minorities present in the Republic; however. The first of which are the Drowned Listrans. The Drowned Listrans maintain small populations clinging to the Glass Islands and the ruins of their once-proud city near Listra. Small numbers of deranged Drowned Listrans still wander the eastern fringes of the inland sea, occasionally attacking fishermen and merchants. The third non-human minority are Golden Men of the Candari Wastes. The Golden Men are an enigmatic people who migrated from beyond the desert wastes of the north into the south until they reached the north coast of the Dastrian Sea. In the aftermath of the wars of the 19th Century PA, several ethnic groups were brought into the fold. These include the Anyueva and their innumerable former subjects, and the Huitecoya and other indigenous groups in the New World. In Anyueva, two major ethnicities dominate as far as the Dastrian elite are concerned - the Creolo/a, and the Anyuevo/a, representing the Dastrian-ized colonial elite and the traditional native cultures of the area before the Dastrian occupation. The former are dominated by what were once the Sevanjan group - the Posdalist rulers of the Imperpulau, and are heavily intertwined economically, socially, politically, and culturally with the Dastrian mainlanders. In the New World, the Republics are represented by the Tuonare, or what were once the Huitecoya peoples. In the aftermath of the Anyuevan Wars, the Huitecoya and their lands were placed under Dastrian control, under whom they still live as a colony to this day. Government: The Republics as a whole are a semi-parliamentary federal republic. The overall head of state for all the republics is the Presidion of the United Republics (styled “His/Her Excellence”). They are elected by the College of Electors consisting of representatives sent from all four republics (each republic sending 5 deputies), who represent the results of universal popular elections. They are elected for a term lasting 6 years, with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms for any one President. There is also a Secundus who serves as a backup to the Supreme Consul in the event of his incapacitation. Traditionally, the Secundus of the United Republics also serves as Executive Secretary to the Supreme Consul. The Head of Government of the Republics is the Grand Chancellor. They and their cabinet are appointed by the President from the ruling party or coalition in the lower chambers of the national legislature - the Chamber of Deputies. The legislative branch of the Republics is known as the United Republican Congress with two houses- the Chamber of Deputies being the lower and the Chamber of Elders being the upper. The Chamber of Deputies is composed of a varying number of members and each deputy is elected for three-year terms, with no term limits. The government is selected from among the elected deputies. The Chamber of Elders is composed of 52 unelected members who sit for life. 40 of these seats are known as the Elder Titles, belonging to members of the old Dastrian oligarchy. 12 are composed of members who sit for 12 years and are appointed by the Supreme Consul, with 3 taken from each Republic. The Elders generally sit as a ceremonial chamber, with most significant legislative activity taking place in the lower Chamber of Deputies. As of the current year, one large party dominates Dastrian politics - the Federation Liberal Party or the “Partito Liberale della Federassione” (PLF). Ever since the fall of the Republican Foundation Party or the “Partito Repubblicana della Fondatori“ (PRF) 12 years after the United Republics’ founding, the party has consistently held onto power election after election. The Federalist Wing (“Antonii”) of the PLF is the dominant faction, espousing ideals of moderately high taxes, interventionist capitalism, protectionism, heavy militarism, and the decentralization of the republics. Another significant wing is the Liberal Wing (“Marcini”), espousing further decentralization of the republic, the dissolution of the Chamber of Elders, equal rights for all, and social welfare funding. In the shadows; however, another wing is beginning to fester - the National Wing (“Novo Fondatori”), a wing promoting the centralization of the republic under a Dastrian nationalist government. The PLF is opposed by a broad coalition of parties known as the “General Opposition'' ever since its formation in 541. Dominance in the coalition frequently changes hands between the pro-central government Central Party (“Partito Centrale”, PC), the socialist Social Unity Party (“Partito di Unita Sociale”, PUS), the populist Common Strength Party (“Partito della Forza Comune”, PFC), and the moderate Republican Institution Party (“Partito della Istitussioni Repubblicane”, PIR). Their reputation is that of a disorganized group of parties only existing to oppose the government. Their popularity has steadily been declining after the Hanged Coalition of 559 DE when they gained an opportunity to form a government, only to collapse within a month. The resulting political fallout also caused the fracturing and final collapse of the PRF, with the remaining members forming the Republican Institution Party. History: There are many places that the Confederation’s history could start - the founding of Dastria, the Uprisings of 1 Undame 103, the Treaty of Calia Island, the Voyage of Cancolo, The Civil War of 479 or the Dastrian Catastrophe of 499. This history; however, will be comprehensive. To be comprehensive, this history must go far to the east of the Dastrian Strait. The Beginning This history begins where the Shining City of Alkadion ends. For whatever reason, around 700 years ago, Alkadion collapsed in the Sundering and dispersed the Alkan People all throughout what would become the Dastrian Sea. One group settled nearby, founding the City of Listra. Another group settled far to the west, beyond the great seas of sand and into the gates between two halves of the world. There was founded the City of Dastria. The two cities grew and prospered, taking advantage of their positions in shipping lanes, becoming naval powers all the while. Rival naval powers. After a series of wars, the City of Dastria was occupied and placed under the rule of the Listran Kings. For decades, the Dastrians toiled under their new monarchs until a revolt drove the Listrans from Dastria. The leader of the revolt was declared the First Premier of Dastria, and from then on the Dastrians foreswore monarchy, pledging to never be subject to any kings or foreign powers again. This year was declared the first year of the Dastrian Era, 1 DE (1352 PA). The Listran War In the subsequent Listran War, the City of Listra was sacked and its naval empire was shattered. The City of Dastria fully dominated the area over the next century. Then, in 1 Undame (Month 1) of 103, popular uprisings in Dastria, and the restored city of Listra created a common Citizens’ Assembly. By 106, the Citizens’ Assembly seized control of both cities, effectively uniting them. All other polities in the Dastrian Sea joined soon after and by 181, the Confederated Cities of the Dastrian Sea was organized by the Treaty of Calia Island. In the chaos of the new nation’s birth; however, Luchmairisch raiders attacked and occupied several islands once held by Old Listra, making them some of the first colonies of their nascent colonial Empire. This single move would begin centuries of confrontation between the Luchmairisch and the Dastrians on the high seas The Early Confederation For a time from 103 to 313, the Freemen’s Chamber was able to exercise authority equal, if not superior to the Titled Chamber. The Premier-Elect originally held the powers now given to the Grand Chancellor and the Freemen were able to strike down laws passed by the Titled. This; however, came to a head in 314, when war broke out between the Freemen and the Titled. For 13 bloody years, war raged across the Dastrian Sea. Then, in 327 peace was signed, restoring the status quo. The Freemen’s political power only declined after this; however. One prominent Freeman, Edante Cancolo, fled Dastria along with several prominent Freemen to found colonies in the west and escape the turmoil in the cities in 330. This mission led to an era of expansion for Dastria and, while the Freemen were busy finding new lands, the Titled slowly seized power. Prominent Freemen families, too busy in the race for colonies, earned the ire of their fellows. In 377, the Freemen’s Chamber voted to conduct a military expedition against the Elves of Eidolon. Preparations were immediately set into motion. In the following year; however, several prominent Freemen funding the expedition were assassinated. With the Freemen in a panic, they attempted to redirect the backlash of the assassination toward the Titled Citizens. When they attempted to arrest them in 379; however, the Titled resisted and a civil war broke out as the Titled retreated to Listra. Four years later in 383, the Titled marched troops into Dastria and proclaimed one of their own Grand Chancellor. The Freemen surrendered, their rights to assemble and elect the Premier intact. The Reign of the Titled and the Sixth Century In 420, the first Grand Chancellor died and another was elected, securing the reign of the Titled. Peace and expansion persisted until the year 499, when a crystal vein to the northwest of Dastria was over-exploited and rebounded, triggering the Dastrian Catastrophe. An earthquake and the ensuing fires and tsunami ravaged the western half of the city. In the end, thousands were killed and the nation still feels the wounds of its past. With Listra possessing the only major crystal resource in the Confederation, the Citizens’ Assembly was finally forced to incorporate Listra as a National Territory of Dastria in exchange for their crystal supplies. The early 6th Century DE was a period marked by unprecedented prosperity for the Confederation, all the while also being an era of massive social upheaval that threatened to tear the nation asunder. The era began with the election of Arrigo Cancolo, and Marcio d’Casta to the seats of Premier-Elect and Grand Chancellor, respectively. The pair unexpectedly formed a partnership that would influence Dastrian politics for the next two decades. Their collaboration would inevitably result in the return of the Freemen to political significance and the rise of the Premier-Elect. This partnership; however, undermined the already-strained relations between Listra and Dastria, as both were Dastrians and represented a political union between Dastrian Freemen and Titled against the encroachment of the eastern cities. The Luchmairisch Wars Their first course of action was to push the Naval Reforms of 495, a series of sweeping reforms to Dastrian Navy, making it more meritocratic and abolishing limitations on Freemen and Ikalman promotion. The Eastern Fleet, heavily integrated with the Listran aristocracy, refused to implement these reforms in spite of repeated orders from the College of Admiralty. Any attempt to put these reforms into force; however, was abruptly halted by the outbreak of war between the Luchmairisch, and the Dastrian-allied Bright Tower. The Navy quickly attacked the Luchmairisch outposts in the eastern Dastrian Sea but was repulsed with each approach, while the Bright Tower was forced to hold out amid the Luchmarisch landing. When the outposts were at last taken, the Bright Tower had been forced to retreat from their capital, and defeat appeared to only be a matter of time despite support from the Dual Monarchy. Meanwhile, in the west, amid the rising prominence of the Anyuevan Empire, Lasagnon Rebels funded by the Dastrian Government rose up against their overlord, the Kingdom of Eisengard. The Dastrian military was forced to move to their aid, with much of the Western Fleet being shifted from the Luchmairisch front to the Mare Reale, but not before fighting a climactic naval battle against the eastern invaders. The Battle of the Vilsine Straits resulted in a hard-fought Dastrian victory. The Admiralty; however was unable to capitalize on this victory due to the care taken to preserve the Western Fleet for war against Eisengard. Meanwhile, the Freemen and Titled of Dastria celebrated with a feast dedicated to the Sea Saint while Eisengard merchant ships fleeing the Dastrian Sea were halted and investigated in the Dastrian Canal. Amid this celebration; however, several Eisengard ships abruptly burst into flames all over the harbors of the city, taking the lives of hundreds as the fires spread into the feasting city. The damage caused by the explosions rendered the Dastrian Canal unusable for several days, time which Eisengard was able to effectively leverage by seizing vital Lasagnon fortresses while the Colonial Armada was hurriedly moved into position to blockade them. When the canal was finally cleared, and the Western Fleet sallied out of the Dastrian Sea, much of the Lasagnon had already been subjugated. A single major allied city - Cavitas, remained. In the east, large numbers of troops were finally ferried across to assist in the liberation of the Bright Tower. Codaigh and Owcan troops were able to slowly gain ground against the Luchmairisch invaders, with the help of the Dastrian blockade. All was going well until the Luchmairisch navy, weakened but not completely destroyed, made a mad rush to land troops in the vulnerable Dual Monarchy. The ensuing Battle of the Luchmairisch Channel resulted in the Eastern Fleet’s defeat despite suffering relatively minor losses. The Luchmairisch Invasion of the Dual Monarchy; however, was at least delayed. A new front in the east opened. The Burned Order, a Luchmairisch ally, had finally mustered its troops and began marching west, into the Listran Territories. The Carabinieri were pushed back at every engagement, and New Alkadion desperately asked for Leoni reinforcements from the other fleets. None came. Fortunately, the Order’s advance also stalled due to logistical issues and they were forced to halt at the last fortress guarding the city of New Alkadion, putting it to a disorganized siege. In 504, the First Landing at Cavitas was finally attempted. Leoni troops left the safety of their ships, landing on the beach a few miles from the city. Here, intense fighting began between the besieging forces and the marines. The Leoni, usually intended for quick amphibious strikes against naval facilities, were crushed by the well-trained and well-equipped Eisengard troops. The Lasagnon attempted a sortie to aid their allies, but failed. On the three days of that battle, the Leoni were completely defeated in what is widely recognized as a one-sided bloodbath. After those three days, the remaining Leoni that hadn’t dispersed into the wilderness or had been killed marched back to their ships. The Leoni, once feared as an impossibly fast raiding force against which no shore facility had any chance, had been shattered. Their numbers in the Home Armada were severely reduced, and the College of the Admiralty was forced to consider new options to supplement their land forces. The Western Fleet itself was severely damaged by Eisengard artillery fire. The Western and Inland Admirals’ resignation was demanded and received by the Premier-Elect the next day, cementing his office’s power over the navy. The Eastern Fleet; however, grew emboldened in its defiance, taking their counterparts’ defeat as a sign of their own superiority. The next year, in 505, another invasion was attempted with Carabinieri divisions in lieu of the Leoni. They suffered several hundred losses; however, before a force led by Captain Isabella Alkadano reached the city. This was only accomplished after the heavy bombardment of the surrounding area by naval artillery. In the aftermath of the victory, and with the observation of the rising power of the Carabinieri, members of the Western faction of the Titled began discussing the restoration of the Freemen’s political power. Several Carabinieri units, including the newly promoted Comandante Alkadano’s 13th Dastrian Light Infantry were then moved east to the front against the Burned Order. Only a few months after arriving in 506, they repelled the Order at the Battle of New Alkadion. The success of the Carabinieri convinced Dastrian leadership to consider the creation of a formal land force. Thus, the “Army of the Confederation” was founded out of the units present. Despite her substantial contributions to the defense of her own home city, Comandante Isabella Alkadiano was passed over during the selection of a commander for the new army. Instead, a Listran Officer - Comandante Michel Luminare of the 1st Eastern Guard Battalion was promoted. This contributed to her growing disdain for Listra despite most of the army politically favoring the Eastern Faction. The Western Faction took advantage of the victory, and during the victory celebrations, concluded a vote to restore the Premier-Elect’s powers at the expense of the Grand Chancellor. The decision was promulgated as enraged Listran representatives left the chamber. A few moons after, on the last day of La Fiera, elements of the Eastern Fleet, originally assumed to be fighting the Luchmairisch, destroyed the remnants of the Home Armada stationed at New Alkadion. With that, the Dastrian Civil War began. The Eastern Fleet then sailed west to Dastria, beginning their Westward Campaign as the year came to an end. Listra declared itself the “defender of the Confederation and its ideals”, arguing that the unilateral rescinding of their Titled’s authority without their consultation stood against the collegiate nature of all the cities in the Confederation. The next year in 507, the Glass Islands of Casta and Castina were besieged. The Eastern Fleet completely blockaded the island and landed their Leoni troops to bring the island under their control. The inhabitants of the islands; however, put up a fierce fight and were able to severely delay the advance, holding the Eastern Fleet in place for three months. This valuable time was used to recruit and arm more troops, to fortify the Dastrian city and canal, and to evacuate government officials and important artifacts including the Crown of the Sea Saint. All the while, in Calia, plans were drawn up for a revolutionary warship clad in iron armor instead of wood and powered at man’s whim instead of the wind’s. Meanwhile, in New Alkadion, the Army of the Confederation lay unused, the Western Faction having been their primary sponsors. Rumors abounded that the army was bound to be disbanded and its remnants folded into the aristocratic Leoni. In response to these, Comandante Alkadano and several Dastrian units defected in the Mutiny of Baluarte de Capitan Antonia, dubbing themselves “The Grand Army of the Republic”. Future historians would regard this as the rebirth of the Dastrian military and the formal birth of the Dastrian Republic. The Grand Army marched west, leaving New Alkadion and beginning the Long March. Republican troops would find themselves being ambushed by local Carabinieri units, Leoni, and Golden Men. In spite of these; however, they marched on under the leadership of the newly self-appointed Generalissimo Alkadano. The Long March took them through several kilometers of marshy terrain, and the Candari Wastes. One in seven of the 30,000 defectors died along the way. Five months after their initial departure, they found themselves trapped between the sea and the Army of the Confederation. Fortunately, days before, they were able to make contact with defecting elements of the Eastern Fleet which were able to resupply them before the battle began. The Battle of the Candari Wastes between the 25,000 Republicans, reinforced by 750 defecting Leoni and the combined forces of the Army of the Confederation, the rebelling Golden Men, and Listran Carabinieri numbering 45,000 ended in a narrow Republican victory, guaranteeing the Army of the Republic’s survival. The Army of the Republic arrived to a heroes’ welcome in Dastria a month before the conclusion of the Siege of the Glass Isles while the Army of the Confederation was dissolved and folded into the Carabinieri. By the time the Eastern Fleet was ready to move again, they found makeshift fortresses had sprung up on the coastline, every inch of coastline bristling with cannon bores, forcing them to slowly advance westward, taking one fort at a time. The Dastrian Canal itself was finally closed as the Listrans made their final approach. The Dastrian Battles would last for two gruelling months before the last fortress - the Torre degli Antichi, finally surrendered. By this time; however, every Carabinieri unit in the city, along with thousands of nationalist volunteers had been equipped and rigorously drilled by the Army of the Republic. At the head of all the city’s defenses was Generalissimo Isabella Alkadano. Overall, facing the Eastern Fleet with its 5,000 skilled Leoni, and 45,000 hastily recruited Carabinieri - 20,000 of which were on land outside the city’s northern walls, was a Republican Army 45,000 strong. The ensuing battle was fought along the outside of the isthmus before Listran ships were able to push further inland and reached the canal which they used to land troops inside the walls. A chain deployed in front of the canal was of little help as Drowned Listrans chewed through the cable. In the canal; however, they found themselves trapped in a kill-zone by several cannons and well-trained riflemen. Concentrated artillery, skillful use of rifles, and urban warfare ensured no Listran troops could gain the slightest foothold into the city. After weeks of fighting, under the cover of night on Triandame 19 of 507, the Listrans withdrew from the city, having suffered 35,000 losses including most of the Eastern Leoni. The Eastern Fleet itself had almost all its constituent ships captured or sunk. The remainder surrendered in a later ambush by Republican light craft. The collateral damage; however, was immense. The Canal had been battered, with fragments of buildings and ships littering its interior, and several powder caches on the piers had been detonated. The city experienced several fires that were only stopped by artificial firebreaks. Amid this; however, the Generalissimo delivered a speech from the High Chancery and under pressure from the victorious and resurgent Freeman military, the government on Calia Island declared the establishment of the Republic of Dastria on Quarandame 1, 507. Elections were to be held in Duandame 1, 510. For the moment, the Republic was to be run by the Cancolo Government. Meanwhile, the Army of the Republic elected from among themselves the High Command of the Republic - effectively a separate institution from, albeit subservient to, the national government. The HCR consisted of several of Alkadano’s trusted aides, with her serving merely as Generalissimo, Field Commander, of the armies. It is useful to note that at this period, the nascent Republic of Dastria was fundamentally composed of two institutions - the growing Army of the Republic led by Generalissimo Alkadano and a clique of her trusted subordinates (which institutionally was technically older than the republic itself), and the civilian government of the Confederation now formally led by the Freemen through the Premier-Elect, but with significant influence left over from the Titled. Institutionally, the Dastrian Republic was little different from the old Confederation, but the military was becoming an active force in the utter destruction of the old institution. This dynamic would come to dominate the newborn nation in the coming years. Amid this victory; however, was a new coming storm. Their war with the Posdalist Eisengard attracted the attention of the rising Posdal superpower - Anyueva. They had already vanquished their long-time Quat’i enemies and put the Posdalist minority Morrish into power in the region. They turned their gaze to the east. In Duandame 508, the Cavitas campaign was resumed after it had stalled for several months. The Lasagnon resistance and the reinforcing Dastrians had adapted hit-and-run strategies to ensure the Eisengard could do no more effective campaigning. At the start of the Battle of Dastria; however, the supply lines which had kept the resistance alive were cut off by the meager Eisengard fleet which was by then capable of dispatching the weakened Dastrian ships sent to guard them. Thus, in 508, the government planned to end the war in the west quickly by sending a large batch of reinforcements under Alkadano’s personal command while the Listrans were recovering from their heavy losses the year prior. There was still one major concern; however - the lack of a proper fleet. In an attempt at a naval engagement between the weakened Home Armada and the Eisengard at full strength off the island of Onnaberg, the Home Armada found itself outmatched by the more maneuverable steam-powered Eisengard ships of the Iron Fleet. In Triandame the answer to the new Iron Fleet was a ship with an iron hull, explosive shot, and steam engines. The first Dastrian ironclad, the DRS Evangelista was launched on 19 Triandame. It, with the rest of the Home Armada, smashed through the wooden hulls of the Iron Fleet with ease and ended the blockade. The supply lines were restored and the newly-organized 35,000-strong Army of Dastria was landed on the beaches of Cavitas. The Lasagnon Revolt entered a new phase as the new professional Dastrian Army landed. The new army would face a bloody new phase of conventional warfare where they and the new Republican military establishment would learn to wage true, modern war. The “new military establishment” had become intrinsically integrated into Dastria as the Premier-Elect formally appointed Alkadano to the rank of “Suprema” and Freemen found the army to be a new path to social advancement. The Titled; however, grew increasingly worried by the military’s growing power and some began emigrating to Sazalla under the pretense of fleeing the wars. Meanwhile, two more ironclads which had begun construction before the Battle of Dastria were released - the DRS Difensore, and the DRS Giudice. The new government would then proceed to order the construction of dozens of ironclads. In the meantime; however, the economy and financial system of the new Republic began to collapse. Wars and blockades had caused trade to be severely strained, and the massive losses incurred in personnel and equipment were draining the government treasury. Massive social unrest ensued, but the coming elections of 510 were presented as a promise of hope. In an effort to keep the government afloat, the Cancolo Government issued the Seditious Properties Decree, authorizing the seizure of properties from Listrans in Dastrian territories. The Societa Mercantile’s Dastrian Offices were raided, and suspected collaborators’ properties were also seized. To the east, the Listrans arranged a peace treaty with the Luchmairisch after several raids on their easternmost holdings ended in disaster for the defenders. In exchange for secure passage into the eastern seas, Listra was guaranteed enough time to muster their forces and march on Dastria in what is now known as the March to the West. With what remained of their navy close by, the Carabinieri (swelled with volunteers), elements of the Leoni and the Forza, and the Golden Men, marched on Dastrian territory. The March to the West Economy: Military: The Armed Forces of the United Republics, formally known as the United Forces of the Republics (Forze Unite delle Repubbliche, FUR) is generally divided into three service branches - The Grand Army of the Republics (La Grande Armata delle Repubbliche, GAR), The Navy of the Republics (La Marina Militare delle Repubbliche, MMR), and The Integrated Republican Guards (La Guardie Repubblicane Integrate, GRI) The Grand Army of the Republics: The Grand Army of the Republics is the primary land-based service branch of the United Republics. It possesses a rich tradition as the inheritors of the legacy of the Generalissima Isabella Alkadano, or as she is known in the army - La Fondatrice. Compared to the Carabinieri of the old Confederation, the Army is far better equipped, better funded, better trained, and more centralized. Furthermore, the army also serves as an actual armed force instead of as a gendarme. Doctrine-wise, the Grand Army tends to favor massed assault and superior firepower tactics, supplemented by the GRI and the MMR to provide specialized services such as amphibious operations, rapid strikes, and the like. Organization The highest unit of organization in the GAR is the Grand Army (designated A02-XX) led by a Grand Marshall (designated C05-NN). The designation of “Grand Army” is only used in wartime; however, and Grand Armies are dissolved in peacetime. The largest Grand Army fielded was five armies (at the time ~500,000 soldiers) large during the Anyuevan Wars. The highest unit of organization in practice is the Army (designated A01-XX) led by a Field Marshall (designated C04-XX). Armies are usually made up of ten to fifteen Corps. Beneath the Army is the Corps (designated U03-XX-YY, where XX is the Army designation and YY is the Corps designation) led by a Corps Marshall (designated C03-XX-YY). Corps are usually made up of six to eight Divisions. Beneath the Corps is the Division (designated U02-YY-DD, where DD is the Division designation) led by a Division Commander (designated C02-XX-YY). Divisions are usually made up of three to five Regiments. Divisions vary in composition depending on their role, and are the lowest level at which units of differing types mix. Beneath the Division is the Regiment (designated U01-DD-RR, where RR is the regiment designation) led by a Field Commander (designated C01-DD-RR). Regiments (Infantry Regiments in particular) are composed of two hundred and fifty to five hundred individual soldiers. Notable Engagements The Mutiny of Baluarte de Capitan Antonia The Battle of the Candari Wastes The Battle of the Dastrian Canal Unit Composition and Notes Infantry The Dastrian Infantry are considered the mainstay of all Dastrian land forces, making up the majority of all deployed soldiers. They are armed with the di Vetro Mk5 (52mm), or the Calia 567 (55mm), and carry light arms. The Infantry are divided into three groups by tradition - Light, Line, and Grenadiers. Over the years; however, these distinctions have lost usefulness. In contemporary Dastria, these names are simply carried on from the original units. Cavalry The Dastrian Cavalry are a fading component of the armies, and are only used as scouts, flanking, or for other high-vulnerability actions requiring rapid movement. They carry di Vetro Carabina Mk3 (50mm) and cavalry sabers as secondary weapons. Artillery Artillery are a vital component of the Dastrian military, providing heavy firepower from fixed positions. Artillery divisions are generally armed with 5 field guns per regiment, adding up to around 25 pieces per division. Engineers Engineers are soldiers designated to design, construct and repair field fortifications. They also serve secondary specialist roles such as serving as headquarter staff, or manning heavy machinery and weapons. Corps Roster and Composition by Number of Divisions Designation INF CAV ART ENG TOT (IN ,000s) First Army 26 16 27 11 200 01-01 04 02 03 01 25 01-02 04 02 03 01 25 01-03 04 02 03 01 25 01-04 04 02 03 01 25 01-05 02 03 04 01 25 01-06 02 03 04 01 25 01-07 02 00 03 00 12.5 01-08 02 00 03 00 12.5 01-09 02 00 03 00 12.5 01-10 00 00 00 05 12.5 Second Army 26 08 35 07 200 02-01 04 02 03 01 25 02-02 04 02 03 01 25 02-03 04 02 03 01 25 02-04 04 02 03 01 25 02-05 02 00 03 01 25 02-06 02 00 07 01 25 02-07 02 00 03 00 12.5 02-08 02 00 03 00 12.5 02-09 02 00 03 00 12.5 02-10 00 00 04 01 12.5 Third Army 43 00 30 27 250 03-01 04 00 03 03 25 03-02 04 00 03 03 25 03-03 04 00 03 03 25 03-04 04 00 03 03 25 03-05 05 00 03 02 25 03-06 05 00 03 02 25 03-07 05 00 03 02 25 03-08 05 00 03 02 25 03-09 05 00 03 02 25 03-10 02 00 03 05 25 Fourth Army 43 00 30 27 250 04-01 04 00 03 03 25 04-02 04 00 03 03 25 04-03 04 00 03 03 25 04-04 04 00 03 03 25 04-05 05 00 03 02 25 04-06 05 00 03 02 25 04-07 05 00 03 02 25 04-08 05 00 03 02 25 04-09 05 00 03 02 25 04-10 02 00 03 05 25 Fifth Army 26 08 35 07 200 05-01 04 02 03 01 25 05-02 04 02 03 01 25 05-03 04 02 03 01 25 05-04 04 02 03 01 25 05-05 02 00 03 01 25 05-06 02 00 07 01 25 05-07 02 00 03 00 12.5 05-08 02 00 03 00 12.5 05-09 02 00 03 00 12.5 05-10 00 00 04 01 12.5 Sixth Army 43 00 30 27 250 06-01 04 00 03 03 25 06-02 04 00 03 03 25 06-03 04 00 03 03 25 06-04 04 00 03 03 25 06-05 05 00 03 02 25 06-06 05 00 03 02 25 06-07 05 00 03 02 25 06-08 05 00 03 02 25 06-09 05 00 03 02 25 06-10 02 00 03 05 25 Seventh Army 26 08 35 07 200 07-01 04 02 03 01 25 07-02 04 02 03 01 25 07-03 04 02 03 01 25 07-04 04 02 03 01 25 07-05 02 00 03 01 25 07-06 02 00 07 01 25 07-07 02 00 03 00 12.5 07-08 02 00 03 00 12.5 07-09 02 00 03 00 12.5 07 -10 00 00 04 01 12.5 The Navy of the Republics: Organization The highest unit of organization in the Navy is the Continental Armada (F03-XX), led by a Grand Admiral (designated N03-XX). In contrast to Grand Armies, Continental Armadas are always organized even in peacetime, but in reality smaller units act independently as escorts, or in patrol duties. Two Continental Armadas currently exist, the Confederate Armada (F03-01), and the Great Northern Armada (F03-02). These two are composed of two and three constituent Republican Fleets, respectively. Beneath the Continental Armadas are the Republican Fleets (F02-YY), led by an Admiral (designated N02-YY). Fleets are generally accepted to contain at least three flotillas. Beneath the Republican Fleets are the Flotillas (F01-ZZ), led by a Vice Admiral (designated N01-ZZ). Beneath these are the ad hoc Detachments, led by designated Detach Officers. These units are formed on the fly, led by a single flagship for specific missions. Detachments are the largest units expected to act semi-independently of their main body. Notable Engagements Present Situation Full Roster (to Division Level) The Integrated Republican Guards: Organization Administration Notable Engagements Present Situation Full Roster (to Division Level) Culture and Society: Religion: The Dastrian state religion, as mandated by the Treaty of Calia Island, is the Cult of the Sea-Saint Marcinea, Successor of the Old Gods, Patron of the Waves and Wind, Protector of Dastria, and, as of 391 DE, its Sole Primarch. Worship is centered around the eponymous Sea-Saint Marcinea, regarded as the successor of the Gods of Salt and Sea. According to state doctrine, Marcinea controls the sea and wind currents upon which the Dastrian state relies. Worship entails mass prayers in local temples, the largest and most central of which being the True Mausoleum of the Sea-Saint in Dastria. Marcinea is regarded to exist in three inseparable forms - the Evangelist, the Defender, and the Adjudicator, each representing the three values of unity, valor, and justice. Marcio the Evangelist is said to represent the unity of Dastrian ideals throughout the Confederation, spreading the word of their religion and ideals throughout all their holdings, and all the world. The Evangelist is the patron of the sailors braving the wind and tide to connect the natio. Marcia the Defender represents the nation’s unwavering solidarity to protect its lands. Marcia is the patron of the Leoni del Mare, protectors of the confederation. Marci the Adjudicator is the protector of fairness and justice in the Confederation. Marci is an enigma, working in long, complex schemes spanning decades but ultimately bringing justice. The Adjudicator is patron of merchants and bankers, but also of the common people. In all its schemes, the Adjudicator will always favor the Citizens of the Confederation in the end. The Carabinieri take the Adjudicator as their patron, as protectors of order and justice in the myriad cities of Dastria. The Sea-Saint is also regarded as father and protector of the Ikalman. According to legend, the first Ikalman were born as the product of the human Sea-Saint and the child of a Sea God in the form of a squid. The children born were considered affronts to nature, and an offense to the Sea Gods. The Sea-Saint was cast from the heavens, his mate slain, and their children banished from the waves but cursed to be forever drawn to it. Historically, the cult itself was an offshoot of the many polytheistic cults of the Alkadian Empire. After its fall, most of the cults relocated their headquarters to Listra. The Dastrians; however, united themselves around the minor cult of the Savior on the Seas, Marci. The cult; however, was apparently crushed during the Fall of Dastria, when Listran troops looted the old temple to Marci and returned sacred relics to a Listran temple in an attempt to establish religious dependence. The citizens of Dastria; however, kept the cult very much alive, using it as a symbol in the build-up toward the last Listran War. Soon, the resurgent cult and the Dastrian independence movement were synonymous as cries of “Return the Sea-Saint!” resounded throughout the Listran Hegemony. The Last Listran War resulted in the return of Marci’s relics, and the elevation of the Savior Marci to Sea-Saint Marcia of Dastria. The Listran temples were subsequently looted and utterly destroyed, as the Sea-Saint had apparently made its superiority above all the old gods clear. Traits: The Dastrian Canal A tiny 15km stretch of land once separated the Dastrian Sea and the west. After many years and many used-up crystals, the City of Dastria linked two halves of the world by the wind and waves. The Dastrians have taken full advantage of their position since, imposing tolls on all those who would enter the canal and providing services and trade to weary travellers. Allows ships to pass through the Dastrian Isthmus. Provides economic bonuses to anyone who holds the City of Dastria. Characters: Grand Admiral Luigi Campion of the Confederate Fleet (N03-01) An aging demented relic of some past time? A brainless, spineless buffoon controlling the most powerful institution in the republics? Or a hidden genius biding his time, waiting for the moment to make a single move that could change the world? Admiral Campion is none of those things, and all of them at once. Though a seasoned theorist and practitioner of naval strategy, he feels above such simple things like the Dreadnought Revolution. For him, no matter what changes, as long as you have more guns shelling the enemy, you win. There is one thing he believes in; however, that Dastria must rule supreme. The only reason he has not retired is because he knows something still threatens his homeland. “There is no future for this world but that where Dastria dictates it.” Corps Marshall Aurelio Isabel Marci of the First Corps of the First Army (C04-01-01) “I have seen war. I have seen what it has cost. No Dastrian deserves to live in the dark. Not knowing what it costs to keep their empire, our empire, alive. Dastria will stand supreme, but our people must know the price of supremacy” Antonio Lugarve, Member of the Chamber of Deputies for the Confederated Cities (PLF-Marcini) “Liberal capitalism, that is what makes our republic great. And yet we the home of freedom actively deny that joy from those we arrogantly call subjects. If the United Republics are to stand, they must live up to their name - to be United, and to be Republics.” Michelle Cosima d’Casta, Matriarch of House d’Casta, Titled Governor of Il Vetro, Member of the Chamber of Elders for the Title of Il Vetro (PLF-Novo Fondatori) “My ancestors, my Dastrian ancestors, worked hard to build this empire upon which the sun never sets. I and my colleagues will endeavor to keep it that way - great, productive, and Dastrian. The Dastrians built this nation, and only we can keep it together by force of our arms” Carlo del Astavia, Founder of Frutti Internazionali Co. (Frutti Internazionali Co.) “My thoughts are simple - I worked for it, I keep it. A man is the product of his labors, and his labors alone. Thereby it is through self-interest that a common good is achieved. A common good in the interest of the one, and of the all. It is a simple truth, yet some require great convincing to accept it.” Lucania Mirtosov Giovannovnu Mariovna (Unione di Pane e Rose) “I hear the call of my homeland, and see suffering brought by the machinery of state. I watch the burgeoning of my newfound shelter, and see suffering brought by the machinery of egoistic interest. They call each other demons, and they are both right.” [/hider]