In the early years, the royal house ruled with absolute authority and could take possession of anything they wanted at a whim. After a revolution which led to the deposition of Thonjolf the First of Elyr, replaced with his rather young daughter Minette who was forced into signing "Carta iura Gentium" (Charter of Rights) which introduced a parliament and reduced the power of the Monarchy.
The Monarchy calls the parliament to assembly every 2 months where they convene and discuss current affairs; laws, taxes, international relations, etc. Emergency parliaments can be called, and decisions made even without full attendance in times of crisis. While officially the parliament is elected into their positions, and the reigning Monarch should listen to the will of the people, they are permitted to veto a decision if they believe with absolute certainty it is not in the best interest of the Kingdom.
Head(s) of Government: Bree the Second of Elyr. Viewed as a fair ruler by her people, she was the woman responsible for permitting refugees from other nations asylum when needed. To foreign delegates she is a kind and gracious host. Whilst appearing as a kind older lady (which she is in droves), she possesses a mean streak seen only by those who cross her. Her rule over the previous 40 years has had many ups and downs, but overall she is much more successful and has advanced her country so much more than many of her predecessors. The main controversy surrounding her rule was her decision to elect a Magi as her húsceorl (personal bodyguard), leading some to believing her decisions forward of that event are being clouded or influenced by *something* of magical origin.
Exports: Stone Wood (and things made of, including furniture and rifle stocks) Raw Ores and Refined Metals Small arms (to Allies) Sea products (fish, seaweed, salt, etc) Native herbs/ poultices/ medicines made of.
Industries: Advanced small arms manufacture. Simple MoW production Small quarrying facilities Construction Forestry (large industry) Small mining & refining facilities Education Moderate Medicine production facilities
Unique Technologies (the more exotic or interesting stuff your nation uses or has come up with): Unique Chrome-alloy lined rifle barrels – the use of non-corrosive materials allow for a rifle to stay cleaner and more accurate for longer without heavy maintenance, especially in warmer, more humid conditions where rust forms more easily. Allows use of different types of ammunition that would cause the barrels of other weapons to deteriorate quickly.
Dragonfire – Specially designed and hand loaded cartidges with small explosive charges, some types of rifle and pistol ammunition have the ability to combust to metal-melting temperature on contact. Allows for higher penetration of mechanised vehicles and airships/planes, and devastating, potentially life ending injuries to those standing too close.
Primary Species: Human, couple Elven fortresses that mainly keep to themselves, and anyone who crosses into their borders and wishes to reside.
Population: ~35,000,000 Human Citizens, with an unknown number of Elven neighbours (estimated at only a few thousand).
The provinces of Endrea, Lutra and Yespium, the 3 states that form the mainland of Elyr, share very similar cultures, developed together through the last 900 years and along side each other before that. Generally a kind people who seek to help those in need when they can, sometimes even at the expense of themselves. Even enemy combatants would be rescued from the battlefield, healed and treated well until the end of the conflict. Architecture varies a little from province to province, with the majority of Endrean and Lutrian dwellings being well decorated, and framed with beautiful lengths of timber, whilst the dwellings of those of Yespium are well built and study - being built either out of quarried stone or burrowed directly into the mountain side itself; it is for this security that the current seat of Elyr is housed within the Yespium province.
Rorik, the province which encompasses the two islands to the east, is rather unlike the rest of Elyr. Rorik has been slow to embrace new technologies, preferring to rely on traditional 'tried and true' methods of survival and as such no industry existed on the islands until very recently; tea plantations, fish farms and (recently) algae refining being the only industries that exist. These islands are home to fierce and proud people, willing to drop everything for the protection of the nation. Unlike the rest of the country however, they worship a seperate set of deities and their shamans burn offerings as an act of worship. Even in death, they burn the dead on funeral pyres as offerings for the gods so that their relatives can meet and serve their creators. These people have a natural affinity for the ocean, willing to serve the the nation as merchants and seafarers in the name of Elyr. Architecture here is limited, mainly relying on natural resources such as trees to built simple huts.
Elyr possesses temples to many different Gods, and permits any form of worship within its borders due to the amount of refugees within seeking political asylum (such as Magi from anti-magic states).
The native religion however is the belief in the "Tritheism of the Bodies", a belief of three deities creating the universe named Nithos, Ather, and Othea.
Othea sacrificed her body and consciousness, forming the world. She is the Mother of all who walk upon her, and Goddess of the world and families.
Nithos too gave up a solid, corporeal form all together, forming the gaseous sun in the sky. Out of love for his sister, he watches over her during the day, keeping her warm and allowing life to thrive. He is the God of love, light and life itself.
Ather on the other hand waited, and watched his siblings in the coming years. He saw creatures come and go, always seeming so fleeting, he enjoyed watching the world at peace, but was saddened with the parting of every creature beneath his eye and his tears formed the oceans. Like his sister, he gave up his body, but wished to remain to watch life progress. He became known as the Night Watchman, the Harbinger of the Night, and for each child of his he sees pass on, he invites them to join him and lights a star in their name. He is viewed as the God of the Afterlife, and the Seas.
Location/Territories: Southern area of eastern landmass, with two small islands off the south east of the mainland. Split into four provinces, each has it's own specialised are to which it has been suited to over the years. The westernmost province, spanning the plains, focuses on arable growth, with the city there focusing it's resources on export and import through their ports. The eastern province deals with the political aspect of the nation, hosting delegates of other nations and acting as the house where the parliament is held. In the north lies a city on the mouth of the river which engages in trade with their northern allies. The Imperial Academy, lying due north of the Imperial city itself. Limited quarrying, mining and refining facilities found here, along with smaller factories on the outskirts. The central province is the seat of the forestry at Elyr's heart, along with an important source of food hunted and sold by those in the Elven fortresses. The Islands' province lies to the south east, on the opposite wide of the mountain range. Mainly independent from the rest of the nation, they grow exotic herbs, spices and tea for export. Climate: Temperate mainland with two subtropical islands.
The military of Elyr focuses primarily on small units tactics, deterrence over defence, and the concept of 'Bitzkrieg' due to the limited military strength of the nation and the disastrous economic impact of a prolonged conflict. In aid of the concept of a quick campaign, the Kingdom has a small amount if allies, sympathisers and spies spread across various nations - their watchful eyes tracking the movements of threats.
In peace time, there are very few actual soldiers, just enough to keep watch upon the northern border and defend political officials (both domestic and visiting foreign delegates). Because of this, Elyr relies largely on a big reservist force, however prolonged conflict would have damaging effects to the economy due to amount of citizens pulled from their normal jobs and into military service. When war does come, the country reacts swiftly and aims to remove the threat quick and effectively; through well thought out operations and superior infantry attacks.
On the offensive the main aims are to strike fast, taken strategic targets sequentially without stopping and allowing enemy forces to plan and reinforce the next position in the 'line of fire'. On the defensive however they rely on knowledge of their home turf, and make use of guerrilla tactics to overwhelm and confuse enemy combatants, scaremongering to weaken then enemy moral.
Weapon wise Elyr has in its possession a collection of small arms, ranging from select fire pistol-carbines and rifles, accurate light machine capable of extended fire, and a series of anti-tank rifles. With the vast majority of these weapons designed ‘in-house', repairs and replacements are quick to reach the frontlines where they are needed, and with most using proprietary cartridges it makes it difficult for invading forces to use Elyrish weaponry again them.
Light machine guns are rarely seen upon the frontlines, reserved mainly for defensive positions and encampments. Fulfilling the role of of sustained fire on the frontlines are normal infantry rifles constructed with more dense and thicker metal barrels and extended magazines to allow for extended periods of fire.
Positioned in strategic areas around the country, many casemates containing artillery pieces also line the mountains and hills surrounding the capital city, maintained and kept well stocked with replies in order to be able to respond to threats. These however are mostly imported, however often adapted and rechambered for ammunition easily available for the Elyrish to produce. Along with this Elyr imports all but the most basic of aircraft and vehicles from other nations, with poorly designed and built MoW's forming the majority of their armoured cavalry and airforce.
Whilst mainly serving in auxiliary roles such as field doctors and nurses, there are a fair number of mages who are willing to take to the front lines and fight offensively with their brothers, and combat medics to accompany them onto the battlefield. Unlike some nearby nations, Elry has made an effort to incorporate magical talents into their military, each unit trained slightly differently according to the skills of their magi-in-arms.
Magic Prevalence/Usage: Magic is a fairly common day to day occurrence in Elyr, with an estimated 9% of it's native population having access some sort of magical potential. Magisters are required to be enrolled into the Imperial Academy of Magical Arts to be taught control of their abilities (in order to protect themselves and those around them from harm), and encouraged into fields befitting their skills/ that most benefit Elyr.
The Imperial Academy is sited in the Eastern province, a stones throw north from the capital city which lies nestled in the foot of the mountain range. A beautiful stone building, with magnificent coloured glass stands alone in the forest, with large grounds mostly cleared of trees within its walls. Built with magically reinforced stone, it can withstand all but the most explosive catastrophe, and is the safest place in the country, if not the continent, for a young mage to learn self control, and be taught the necessary skills in order to get through life.
Post education, students are encouraged to join professions to help the advancement of Elyr, such as medicine, research or the military; however they are not forced into a life they don't wish to live amd are permitted to return home if they wish once they have completed their training.
Over 900 years ago, Elyr lied as four seperate states, each with varying degrees of economic success and military strength. None however, could match the strength of Endrea, the westernmost province of modern day Elyr, led by King Talsnnir. Over a series of campaigns, drawn out over 4 years of conquest, the forces of Endrea conquered the southern portion of the continent, from the eastern shores of Endrea itself to the western shores of the Isles of th Rorik people. With each piece of land he gained control of he forced the lords either pledging their allegiances to him, or be replaced and be given the opportunity to run.
Despite growing on in years, the king still saw fit to wage war upon nearby nations, soon turning his eyes northward, towards the nation of [redacted] and their rich arable land; arable land being something much needed during to the denser forests that then existed. Talsnnir himself met his fate on the battlefield, fighting for the country he fought hard to create and maintain; his last breath spent on a prayer to Ather for a safe journey to the stars. With no King the offensive was deserted, soldiers returning to their homes, leaving the Queen and the King's son to sign a peace treaty, commonly referred to as the 'Treaty of the Lands', which agreed that [redacted] would not invade the Kingdom of Elyr in exchange for some of the little arable land that Elyr had in the north, and control of the northern bank of the Grey Beck.
It was this defeat, and realisation of Elyr's natural disadvantage in the way of infantry numbers that the Crown later created an official military force for Elyr relying on career soldiers rather than whatever militia could be whipped up in the moment, and as such allowed the country to truly train and prepare for warfare, mainly utilising what came to be known as small unit tactics and 'lightning war'.
1349, Treaties of the Arbori' was signed as a pact between the Crown and the Elven strongholds. It acted both as a mutual defense agreement, from both internal and external threats, and the beginnings of trade relations between the isolated city states and Elyr.
Years turned over, monarchs died (or killed) and were replaced. In the year 1476 Thonjolf the 1st of Elyr was overthrown by the peasantry (with some disguised support from disgruntled nobles) after a bout of poor decisions which led to a series of deaths, monetary loss and high taxation rates. The peasants managed to get to the King, depose (and later, dispose) of him and replace him with his young daughter Minnette who officially acted as head of state, but effectively had her decisions controlled by other 'more experienced' lords and forced to sign the "Charter of Rights" which restricted the Monarchy's power and forced them to have a panel of the elected to act as advisors.
When the age of industrialisation came however, Elyr was rather behind economically. After putting down a civil war, few men were in fit state to work in factories, and the Crown in even less of a state to finance the advancement of the narion. So to begin with it started small; a factory here, a factory there, slowly growing up the infrastructure as and when it was afforded. A high priority remained on the production of weapons and equipment of war, as the Crown was paranoid of being colonised or invaded.
1840, the Crown realised the growing issue of 'magi related incidents', forming the Imperial Academy of Magical Arts in order to combat and control this growing danger. Mandatory for all magi-in-residence to attend, it taught self discipline and control to the students; fostering an atmosphere of nurturing and giving the students the ability to grow in both magical prowess and in themselves.
When the 'Fire Mountain' erupted, the state was unprepared to deal with the aftermath. With many seasons of crops failing, combined with the small amount of arable land actually available, Queen Bree the Second of Elyr entered into emergency agreements with the Elves for the 'import' of fresh meats for her people and requested research done into alternative food sources and found that sea algae and sea weed could be refined using age old methods from the Rorik tribals to form nutritious and filling meals.
Nation Relations (Can be as simple as a brief two line summary for your neighbors): Neutral trade partners with the Hastor, with held tongues over their treatment of none-religious Magi. (Vicker)
Imports of weaponry from the Republic of Acrad, in exchange for exports of fish, construction materials, and sea algae; trades facilitated by Anglonia-Eirein who protect the trade routes. (Roby, Jolt)
This seems kinda interesting! Never tried this type of roleplay before (contrary to what it appears, am a previous member returning from a six month hiatus as college got busy), but sure am interested to give it a go. Whilst I spend a couple days putting together a 'character' sheet, could I possibly reserve the small islands to the south east of the Eastern continent, the mountains to the west of it, the forested area and a small amount of plains to allow for a small amount of arable farming please?
