[hider=Federal Republic of Fenice --- WIP]
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/541678674768953385/542786772187349002/Fenice_flag_pd2.png[/img][h2]Federal Republic of Fenice[/h2][/center]

[b]Name:[/b] Republicca Federale di Fenice (also just Fenice)
[b]Common Deonym:[/b] Fenizian
[b]Capital:[/b] Viroviacco
[b]Government:[/b] Federal Republic
[b]Dominant Species:[/b] Solgenio/Solgenia/Solgeniti ("Sun-born", usually referred as the Sun Elves)
[b]Dominant Faith:[/b] Dionism
[b]Population:[/b] ~ 32,000,000 (mainland population only)

[center][h3]Summary of Nation:[/h3][/center]
Fenice is a confederation of numerous smaller states sharing the same cultural roots yet existing as separate entities for long centuries.
[center][h3]History:[/h3][/center]
    [b]Origins:[/b]
Millennia ago in the distant elvish empire of Ylleria the realm experienced its golden ages. Around the same time people experienced visions of a phoenix warning Yllerians to stop their decadence or face destruction. While some heeded the warning, it made little difference for the mighty empire. Over the decades a small cult calling themselves the Phoenix Order founded in secret. Upon the instructions of the mysterious phoenix they began preparations for a long journey across the sea. The mass exodus didn't go unopposed by the Empire but heavens favored the faithful and they managed to escape. Not long after a major magical catastrophe ravaged through Ylleria, leading to the empire's rapid collapse.

Sailing to the new continent the settlers founded the shrine-city of Fenice, consecrated for the mysterious Phoenix. A new faith under the name Dionism was founded and the prophet kings of Fenice ruled justly in peace for centuries. Yet the kings grew decadent and blind to the Phoenix's teachings. An uprising lead by a female seer said to be the mortal incarnation of the Phoenix toppled the corrupt kings and established Holy League of Fenice. Just referred as the Archpriestess she did not stop at the country borders. Missionaries were sent to the corners of the world and when other nations rejected Dionism this lead to bloody crusades. Fenice became a warmongering country under the Archpriestess' thumb. Arguably these times were the golden ages of Fenice, the true height of their power. Yet the increasingly oppressive and disagreeable Dionist clergy met popular resistance by the people. Around the same time a coalition of nations launched a counterattack. 

The Archpriestess fell but not before she detonated all magic at her disposal, reducing the once wondrous city of Fenice to a glowing crater. The Holy League collapsed and Fenice broken up into a myriad of successor states. Merchant republics arose, fighting each other for power while their strategic position allowed them to dominate trade. Fenizian city states were briefly the center of the world's culture and their craftsmanship were well known. Yet over the centuries they slowly became nothing more than a dimly shining crown jewel for ambitious rulers to hold.

    [b]Pre-War:[/b] 
Yet the world was steadily changing. The weaves of magic began to fade, a new age of reason was approaching. Kingdoms collapsed, empires split and new ideologies arose. While the locals always thought of each other as Fenizians the idea of a single united government of all Fenice seemed like a distant dream. This didn't stop them from trying, though. They recognized to succeed they needed allies so they asked a nation bent on changing the status quo, the Alfheiches Reiyk. Receiving weapons, officers and political support the Fenizian states rose up against their Aelbanian oppressors and after years of brutal war they emerged victorious in 1855. The once divided states confederated into the Republic of Fenice with the rich Viroviacco as its capital. In spite of the glorious success Fenice was struggling economically. Their radical nature made them politically isolated from most of the world with the Reiyk as their only true ally. Yet Fenice had no shortage of skilled craftsmen, financial experts and entrepreneurs. 

Living off on crushing debt they invested all the borrowed money from Alfheichen into various reforms. The Federal Republic of Fenice soon became a tax haven for rising corporate magnates or people who wanted to hide their wealth. The Phoenix Vaults of Fenice became known world-wide. Meanwhile industrial reforms which supported the adoption of new technology. Though small in size the Fenizian industry specialized in fields with high added value. Mechanics and precision manufacturing were the most prominent. Fenizian gunsmiths and clockmakers were well-known for centuries and Fenice had no shortage of skilled laborers who previously worked in other countries. Over the time Fenice became one of the richest countries (especially per capita). So much so that they began to spread their influence and joined the "colony game". The colonial empire of Fenice is still growing to this day.

    [b]Outbreak of War:[/b] 
Being the Reiyk's historical ally Fenice was supportive of the war. They did this not just out of their obligations as friends but also with the hopes of snatching some of Aelban's colonies and getting ahead in the new world order. Fenice never expected an outright invasion of the Aelbani mainland and as the war went on they saw more and more reasons to worry about their supposed ally. In 1938 Fenice suspended their shipments to the Reiyk after the Isildir Conflict which involved the Reiyk invading a small Fenizian colony and seizing its reserves of oil. Though the incident was relatively free of bloodshed the Reiyk still committed an act of war against its supposed ally. The ensuring diplomatic debacle resulted in Fenice distancing themselves from the Reiyk. Though unrelated to the war starting from late 1937 Fenice was also engaged in another conflict. For decades they were interested in the material riches of Tadeese. The kingdom was fairly undeveloped by modern standards, although their people were famed on the continent for their warrior culture. What the Fenizian leadership saw as an easy victory turned into a drawn out conflict. While the Fenizian forces seemed dominant they struggle to progress with the country's occupation.

[center][h3]Pressing Issues:[/h3][/center]With the collapse of the Fenizian-Alfheichen alliance the country is desperately gearing up against a potential Reiyk invasion. At the same time the public has mixed opinions on the Reiyk with a significant minority believing Fenice betrayed their friends and now they are risking war with what is undoubtedly the strongest power in the world. Yet at the same time arms manufacturers rejoice as they found new opportunities to sell their stockpiles of weaponry to groups they previously were prohibited to approach. Including the majority of their old customers who previously suspended relations. The history is uncertain for Fenice yet there's a strange optimism permeating the people, overriding the paranoia. It's almost as if a weight was lifted off them.

Of course there's also the elephant in the room, the colonies of Fenice. As relatively recent acquisitions their hold over the faraway realms is shaking. Revolts are a constant worry while the potential of the Reiyk invasion to quickly take them seems fairly real. Fenizian navy was modest to begin with and the worry of a Reiyk attack against mainland and dealing with their many holdings are stretching their logistical capabilities significantly. There is also the issue of Tadeese. The war drains a not insignificant amount of resources, causes issues with foreign relations yet it just doesn't seem to end. While recalling troops and agreeing on a peace seems prudent at the same time doing so may equal political suicide. So the war with the hopelessly outclassed Tadeese people keeps slogging on.

[center][h3]Notable Strengths:[/h3][/center]Fenice is a very wealthy nation for its size and while their industry isn't the most powerful they excel in the production of elaborate goods. They have a large base of skilled laborers who can work on precision machinery, engines and small arms. The Phoenix Legion is an all-volunteer military force which compromises the bulk of the Fenizian military with conscripts only held in reserve. This means Fenice has a relatively small but skilled military with many of the veterans having 30+ years of military experience while elvish physiology means they are just as physically fit they were as recruits if not more. Fenizian elite marksmen are some of the most hardcore shooters with sky-high standards and immense reputation. Fenice is also some of the developed militaries with still sizeable cavalry forces. While this seems backwards the veteran cavalry in fact was responsible for numerous triumphant moments lately. The large number of veteran sailors also means they are true daredevils on the seas. Fenizian-made warships tend to be speedy and handle very nicely. Fenice also has a borderline obsession with aircraft which makes them invest in their production to a disproportionate degree. Fenizian pilots are talented and available in significant numbers.

[center][h3]Notable Weaknesses:[/h3][/center]Fenice may be rich but still a small country with fairly modest industry. They are also rather resource starved on their own and depend on trade to break even. This includes anything from food down to raw resources. While colonial holdings help to alleviate this issue Fenice still prefers to acquire their resources off the market where they can access better quality and often for more reasonable price.

Fenice also possesses a relatively small military even to its population size. Their historical reliance on volunteers means they don't have mass armies to the same degree as others nor they are very enamored with the idea. Using conscripts means they'd have to sacrifice valuable workforce so they'd rather avoid that. On the other hand this not only limits their army size but also makes Fenice fairly sensitive to loses. Veterans who may be better utilized as instructors can and will die on the battlefield and replacing them is practically impossible.

The Phoenix Legion is known for their veterans and marksmen yet when it comes to armor they are at a very odd place. Fenice developed advanced one-crew tankettes which may save on personnel but it comes at their effectiveness. They also lack heavy and especially siege artillery. The Phoenix Fleet is a respectable force for its size but compared to a major power their ships are closer to the light side. Fenice has difficulty to produce capital vessel hulls so they chiefly import them and then retrofit these vessels accordingly. Fenice also lacks the fuel to have their capital fleet moving around too much. As for their airforce the Phoenix Skyguard is stocked with impressive plane models, albeit many of them are on the expensive side. Also they lack strategic bombers with their large planes only used for transport and paradrop roles. Production of planes is generally the bottleneck slowing the expansion of the Fenizian air force rather than pilots to fly them.

[center][h3]National Priorities:[/h3][/center]
[list]
[*] The Economy: External Trade
[*] The Economy: Internal Trade
[*] The Navy
[*] The Army
[*] Technology
[*] Diplomacy
[*] The Common People
[*] The Upper Classes
[*] Industry
[*] Resource Extraction
[*] Espionage and Intelligence
[*] Religion
[*] Agriculture
[*] Cultural Issues



[/list]

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