Anyone in the Mediterranean area interested in controlling pieces of that island off the coast of Africa, have a sort of East/West Germany situation, if not, that's ok, probably may make an NPC or leave it open for a short while for a potential player.
I would of claimed it, but didn't want to go crazy with the land area, but you can split it between two people if you like or have an independent polity.
On the subject of WMD's, its worth noting that their intent, after all, is never to be used. If anyone cares to indulge in a variant of Cold War type roleplay in this setting, after all, without the threat of mutually assured destruction, that type of roleplay of brinksmanship becomes near impossible.
I mean.. There could be pre-cataclysm WMD's out there of varying types, but no doubt difficult to use and most likely known to be far more devastating that even saying you possess one would invite a mass invasion, so you'd be in a position of having a few neutron bombs or something but absolutely no delivery method.
I expect its most likely that the only WMD's of note that were not expended or have been developed would be biological considering thats how RL history went. Having Nuclear Power, of course, doesn't mean we have Nuclear weapons, perhaps a simple technological leap wasn't made.
GOVERNMENT TYPE The Union operates, on a base level, on the principles of a multi-party Marxist-Leninist Socialist Republic. These individual republics are drawn together into a "State of Union" where the "Federal" and far more powerful organs of government, typically dominated by the largest worker's party, perform most higher level functions such as foreign policy, defence, infrastructure and large scale social programs. The Head of State is known as the Archon, who sits at the head of the Concordia - a body made up of elected representatives of the syndicates and worker's parties, while the secondary and more numerous forms of government are undertaken in the Forum of the Republic's, effectively a parliamentary system allotted by voting subdivisions per republic. The Tertiary forms of government are local governments who organise and in turn administrate low-key matters and their smaller sub-divisions under a degree of control from the central bureaucracy.
The Union constitutes 13 Republics; Hellas, Makedonia, Thracia, Ionia, Pontus, Cappadocia, Armenia, Alania, Bosphora, Phoinike, Iudea, Syria and Seleucia.
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT Archon Athanasios Eliades
RACE(S) Idealised Hellenics as an "elite", plenty of average humans and whatever little other groups there are out there.
POPULATION Extrapolating on a basis of using real world data Post-WW2 and fluffing it a little for that right kind of feel, I'll put 93.5 Million down here.
CULTURE & RELIGION The Cataclysm and its ensuing changes lead to bloody wars of conquest in the area that became home to the UHSR. The primary "winner" in these areas were considered "Hellenic's" or offshoots of the minor genetic variation that had arisen out of Greece. With a myriad of states having a small elite claiming to hail from a storied region, even if some stories were lost, began a cultural revival, bringing near lost and and even more ancient stories of Hellenic Civilization to the fore. The Greek Pantheon enjoyed a resurgence. The ensuing creation of the UHSR unified these variants of a cultural thread, and although relegating the Pantheon once again, largely, to history, there is a strong theme of Hellenic Civilization, rather than race, being so ancient as to be indestructible even through an end of the world. Such cultural ideas backed up by a grass roots revolution has seen a relatively strong culture willing to fit into the confines of the socialist system, and willing to act as somewhat of a caretaker of other, less fortunate groups and civilizations that come to rest within the Union.
PRE-CATACLYSM TECHNOLOGY Despite their long time at peace, both the Greek and Turkish Republic long shared an enmity for each other. In the new age of technology, many defensive weapons emplacements were built. While many fell to disrepair or sabotage, a few do remain and are carefully tended to by Preservation Corps of the People's Army. The UHSR also possesses a small number of pre-cataclysm machines designed for mining, potentially deep beyond the current abilities of typical modern means, however, the UHSR lacks the data for a suitable site or the vast supply of radioactives to power them.
HISTORY When the European Union fell to ash and the world continued to slide into ruin, the racial offshoot, largely wealthy and influential, at one point amusingly labelled "Hellenics" for their pursuit of the ancient greek idea's of beauty and form, became a dominant political force - and being not quite human, more adept at living in a world that had quickly begun to fall apart. The new racial elite quickly came to power in Greece with promises of salvation, and individual groups also waged their own private wars in the near east, bringing the shaky Turkish state to its knees and spreading as far as Syria and Iraq. The slow decline took decades but ultimately ended when technology became a memory or a tool of archival, locked away and presided over by the same elite who had failed to preserve.
The New Hellenic cultural revival that came after the centuries of bloodshed and a reclamation of history and technology is regarded as somewhat of a renaissance, at least by the Hellenic States. Despite everything, however, Hellenic rule was far from the salvation promised, and a world where their old wealth now mattered little combined with dissent both amongst the elite and the people resulted in a bloody series of civil wars that ended with the foundation of the Socialist Republic of Hellas, followed by Thrakia and Ionia, and consequently the foundation of the Union. Concerns turned from warfare to domestic stability and appropriating the now tried and tested Techno-Green policies of Franco-Iberia.
In the years since, The Union of Hellenic Socialist Republics has sought to unify the new pan-hellenic culture and safeguard less fortunate groups whilst pursuing a near-communist internal agenda, though largely without the ensuing terror. Hellenic intervention in Iraq and the Caucasus brought peace to the embattled regions and in turn brought socialism to the fires of the Levant. With Territorial expansion largely secondary, a re-evaluation and re-codification of "Hellenic Culture" was brought to the fore, bringing together all the wonders of the old world with the newly integrated cultures and forming a dialectic around which the Union's noveau Marxist-Leninist ideals could truly work, ultimately forming a doctrine of essentially holding that Hellenic Civilization empowered the worker and an empowered worker had no limits. The deft marriage of a dominant culture, and one that was even an undercurrent in elements of many others, with a socialist dialectic that would not end up in conflict with itself largely began to resolve issues in the Union, allowing both the government to function effectively and spread a new sense of worth and belonging in the populace.
As such, the Union has become an odd hybrid of "idealised" Hellenic civilization fused with a strong central state complimented by a varied and protected populace, all backed up by the agenda of the people having ownership over all possible, with a growing syndicate tradition all but ensuring most notable industries are state or people owned. Despite the associations with a growing terror and the suppression of thought and expression, the fusion of these factors and the plethora of political parties has lead to a balance of state, people and culture, though at the cost of some freedoms and the marginality of some groups.
MILITARY The Army of the Union is comprised of two branches and its subdivisions, that is, the Citizens Army, itself subdivided between the Proletarian Guard, The Citizen's Air Corps and the larger Citizen's Army itself, As well as The Citizen's Navy.
The Citizen's Army is the lion's share of military capacity in the UHSR, and is made up of any willing to serve, with a caveat allowing conscription during times of emergency or war. Consequently, there is a tradition of serving for one year in a military capacity, though enough exclusions apply to prevent such matters becoming a concern for civil disobedience. As such, the Citizen's Army is largely made up of trained career soldiers, and would form the core element of any times of conscription. They are as such, trained soldiers built with a sense towards civil duty, protection of the revolution and guardianship of hellenic civilization. The Proletarian Guard are an advancement of this, though largely considered "elite" and consequently better trained and better armed. The Proletarian Guard as such also tends to control all "special divisions" in the armed forces for better control. The Citizen's Air Corps, as it's name implies, controls and deploys all aerial assets under the greater instruction of the Citizen's Army or Proletarian Guard.
The Citizens Marine is the smaller aspect of the Armed Forces of the Union. Most of its concern is in coastal security and as such, brown water operations rather than blue water, with many of its ships suited to operating in coastal waters or the Mediterranean. The Citizen's Marine does however possess blue water capability and a number of larger ships built as part of its defensive and power projection evaluations.
OTHER The UHSR comprises Greece a sliver of Albania, Much of Bulgaria, Some of Romania, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Some of Caucausian Russia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, a slice of Jordan and Israel.
Nation sheet wise: changed Franco-Iberia from being covertly allied to the NAU to the USHR instead, seeing as it would make much more sense for the the Franco-Iberian political system to seek to maintain secrecy of this sort of union rather than with another, similarly democratic state whose real-life parallels practically modeled their governments after each other.
Not entirely sure EXACTLY what that means, but go for it.
On the subject, largely closed, of the history - its obviously hugely paraphrased. I imagined, and it has been established at least, an initial slow decline, the bloody period that i touched upon that was significantly longer than written, of course, and the re-emergence. Making a lot of largely irrelevant events that don't add much other than just because seemed largely silly.
House Speciality: House Amrothan has always styled itself first amongst the banner lords, greatest of the "horse lords", since such a notion could hold weight. It has thus found its purpose in rearing, training and charging their vast troop, team, harras and herd's of varied horse breeds across the eponymous "triangle plain". From the faithful farmyard helper to the rare Adelpferd prized highly in equestrian circles, all can be found or purchased from the Amrothan.
House Ancestral Artifact: The "Einhorn" is a "lance" that is often coupled with a kite shield, though no uncommon qualities are ascribed to the latter. The Einhorn is a seemingly traditional, older style wooden lance inlaid with silver strands that has been passed down by the Bannerlord from generation to generation, rumoured to be able split any shield, topple any creature and, consequently, assure the success of any charge, it is always carried into battle by the Bannerlord. Largely unwieldy on foot, the lance also seemingly looses some of its lustre when wielded upon the ground.
Important Members:
Bannerlord Lothar Amrothan, Age 41 - One of the Bannerlord's whom has not seen the saddle as a necessary duty to rule, Lothar has maintained a rugged handsomeness that comes about from a life spent half in the saddle and half in the intrigues of court. Regarded as a just ruler, if sometimes harsh, but fair, in judgement, Lothar has maintained a realm in a manner that even detractors would be hard pressed to describe as anything other than competent, if at times uninspired.
Prince Reimar Amrothan, Age 20 - The heir apparent to the Bannerlord, Prince Reimar has come into his own as an accomplished rider and near equal of his father. While, at the very least, having an aptitude for leadership, his concerns seem to be about getting as far away from the affairs of life at court as possible for as long as possible.
Princess Adelheid Valian (née Amrothan), Age 18 - he most recent scion to fully come of age, Adelheid is the eldest daughter of Lothar and by far the most beautiful, though none of the Bannerlord's daughters could be called any less than pleasant. Adelheid, unlike her brother Reimar, revels in the affairs of court and matters of intrigue. Somewhat headstrong but not brash, Lothar was inclined to defer to his daughters wishes regarding her future, but marriage waited for no noblewoman of high standing.
Princess Charlotte Amrothan, Age 16 - Charlotte is the second daughter of the Bannerlord and is described as "pretty but plain" by most. She has come to be known as an amateur scholar in the halls of Reiterburg, perusing the collections of Amrothan history and snippets of genealogy and other facets of world history with a great curiosity. Nevertheless, like all Amrothan, she is at worst a competent rider.
Leopold, Elise, Rosaline (6) - The triplets that were born to Lothar and --- were the final, and arguably greatest gift bestowed by Lyriel to the next growing generation of the direct line of Amrothan nobles. Although a testing and dangerous birth, all were ultimately born without difficulty, and although still young and defining themselves, all three share a great bond with each other and an almost greater curiosity.
Siegfried Amrothan N/A
Yvonne von Ostermarz (44) Wife of Lothar and member of the Ostermarz nobility, the marriage between Lothar and Yvonne ended a brewing rivalry between the new money nobility growing in the east and the old nobility of the west with Amrothan caught between. The Marriage, whilst one of politics, blossomed into one of love and mutual respect, with Yvonne coming to be a competent member of Amrothan court and a voice of reason in the east.
Dieter Amrothan (32) The youngest brother of Lothar Amrothan, Dieter became the representative of Amrothan to the Prime Estates in the capital, having proved some measure of competency in the courts of Reitenburg and guild halls of Flusstadt. Loyal to the bonds of family and a firm grip of Dreibene values he has consequently proved able in the affairs of the Prime Estate, at least as Dreiben judges them. His time away from the Prime Estate is largely spent socialising and forging partnerships in the necessary duties of capital poltical life as well as assisting Amrothan and Dreibene merchants and dignitaries. A handsome man of fiery red hair and the ruggedness of an experienced rider, the fact that Dieter has not yet married is a question largely avoided by House Amrothan.
Nation/Realms Name:The Kingdom of Dreiben
Flag:
House Motto:"Forever Onward"
Region on map: Sea Green (East)
Race name: Dreibene
Racial appearance: The Dreibene are generally a light-skinned people, predominantly light in hair colour with a distinct section of the western population known for red and blonde hair predominantly, while lighter shades of brown prevail elsewhere. While a varied people, both in height and build, Green eyes are dominant amongst the Dreibene.
Racial traits: The Dreibene are known for their strong bonds with their horses, and to own any beast of burden or companionship is almost a primal obsession among many circles. Dreibene who show an aptitude will consequently often take the Druidic path, while by and large most Dreibene can be considered somewhat wild by other standards, they are immensely loyal to those with whom bonds are forged.
Capital: The Capital of Dreiben rests in the riverside Reiterburg, nestled in the foothills of western Dreiben. The largest city in western Dreiben and the second largest Dreibene city after Flusstadt, Reiterburg is a city of wood and stone seemingly built with its streets more concerned with horse-drawn traffic than any other. Reiterburg consequently radiates outwards in wide open streets around the central stables, Spire of Rhiannon and Einhorn Castle, seat of the Amrothan House, before its walls meet the floodplains and more difficult hilly terrain.
Culture: The Triangle Plain has birthed and preserved an equestrian culture since before the time of the Empire, though surely never one as unified as the present. It has been a place of veneration of the working beast, as well as the noble steed, and its various historical nations where predicated on a love of the horse and a respect for the druidic arts. Consequently, the Driebene have been at times nomadic, but always returning to the safe places that have now become the stalwart cities of modern Dreiben.
Bonds are important to Dreibene culture, promised by agreement long negotiated, forged from marriage or created between horse and rider over time, all carry significant weight in society. While Dreibene may sometimes abrogate agreements - particularly where they feel they have been mislead, Dreibene will judicially adhere to the word of an agreement, and can always be relied upon to satisfy the demands of blood bonds no matter how inconsequential. Dreibene consider bonds as they see them as different to oaths and simple loyalty, though a bond will cement both. This is a subtlety that is sometimes lost elsewhere.
Sometimes wild, yet decidedly loyal, the Dreibene are not simply horse-folk, with a seasoned history of study and institutions based upon such knowledge in as many fields as one would find elsewhere in the Empire, though the true heart of the Dreibene lay in livestock, the food to feed them and themselves, and the horse.
Type of Government: Drieben was once a myriad of realms ruled by the Bannerlords, brought to heel under a electoral system by the Bannerlord of House Amrothan many a time ago. While the electoral system for the purpose of ruling Drieben was largely abolished under the Imperial System - and the realm is ruled as a typical feudal system - elements of the electoral systems persist in village life and in general dealings between the nobility and associations that represent the cities, guilds and grand stables.
Influence and relations:
WIP
Military The Dreiben military is, as most, based on the raising of levies and marshalling of nobility as needed. Nonetheless, a strong equestrian tradition dominates and a reasonable standing retinue of Bannerguard, primarily cavalry, is maintained by House Amrothan and paid for by the personal profits of Amrothan stables.
Unit demographics: Totals Heavy Cavalry: 2,000 Light Cavalry: 4,000 Heavy Infantry: 1,000 Light Infantry: 1,250 Ranged Infantry: 1,500
Standing Heavy Cavalry: 425 Light Cavalry: 515 Varied Infantrymen including archers, but predominantly light infantry: 290
Landscape: Dreiben is dominated by the vast plains that make up the dominant terrain of the realm. Dotted with small villages, the occasional rolling hills and ever graced by herds of livestock and horses, the plains make up the majority of Dreiben and are sheltered by a number of rivers that ensure the land remains suitable for small scale farming and grazing.
In the west, the mountains and foothills give way to some of Dreiben's great settlements and its major interior river system, whilst in the east, the largest city and greatest area of agricultural activity is found amongst the Ostenmarz and its two river systems and its small forests and hill ranges.
Wildlife: Dreiben is home to largely domesticated animals or wild breeding stock, with the occasional migratory herd's or unique visiting wildlife. Of note is the Adelpferd, a horse breed unique to the western foothills of Dreiben that is generally stronger, a degree smarter and more suited to greater bonds with its riders than even the most valued traditional breeds.
Economy: The Dreiben economy is based on three aspects, the extraction of mineral wealth from the west, to varying degrees of success, on agricultural produce, largely serving to meet domestic need for food and animal feed, and primarily upon its husbandry. Dreiben consequently invests much of its economic activity in the other aspects internally, providing large quantities of edible livestock, animals suited to work such as draught horses and oxen, and luxury and military needs such as with its varied horse breeds.
Religion: The various traditions of times long past were decidedly of the primal path in Dreibene, there was, and always has been, a respect and tradition of veneration of the deity that would became known as Lyriel, though despite no direct attachment to the beasts upon which so much rested, that which was necessary for them to survive was very much in her influence. The presence of Rhiannon, a uniquely Dreibene deity, is largely presented as a white horse under the guidance of Lyriel, though in times past Rhiannon was a very much individual and dominant theistic presence.
With a recognised tradition that was not too much of an unknown and somewhat recognised, if not particularly codified religious sphere centred around Lyriel, the various conflicts and theistic re-evaluations that ordered most of the faith around Kemmeth caused only minor issues in Dreiben. Nevertheless, The people of Dreiben were, after all, "wild" even in their adherence to faith, but had forged a bond common enough in trying times to forego any such issues ever becoming a pressing problem. Nonetheless, the common folk of Dreibene take a relaxed approach to their faith and put a greater emphasis on their interpretation of Lyriel than any other of the gods and consequently tend to be far more lenient to minor theological transgressions. A history of live and let live pervades, and it is rare to see "heresy" that does not border on the overt, politically damaging or murderous attract too much undue attention.
As such, the adherence to matters of religion is largely an individual decision, primarily centring around Lyriel and, Kemmeth. The importance of bonds put some emphasis on Helistar upon his more widespread introduction from Xandrian origins, but has always remained somewhat of minor importance comparatively.
History:
Prior to "Unification", the plains were home to several varying Dreibene realms of varying degrees of centralization, having ended nomadic traditions some time before. House Amrothan would ultimately win several military and diplomatic successes and unite Dreiben under an electoral monarchy. House Amrothan will ultimately fall out of rulership several times, particularly as unification approaches and differing ideals present themselves.
Dreiben, despite the great odds, resists unification for some time, but is ultimately defeated. House Amrothan remains one of the few viable houses in Dreiben and ultimately comes to rule Dreiben once more. With a weak nobility the electoral system is disestablished, and House Amrothan become vassals of the growing Empire.
Dreiben did things and stuff happened. This was The Great Drathii War.
Strengths:
Equestrian Tradition: With a strong equestrian tradition, it is easy and somewhat more economical, particularly with widespread training and lesser, but noticeable horse ownership, to recruit cavalry, particularly of the light variety, from the populace at large. Such traditions also feed a greater availability of heavy cavalry and skill amongst the nobility.
Another Beastial Bond: Maintaining a tradition of raising working animals and livestock has endeared the stalwart dog in the hearts of the Amrothan and Dreibene at large. Many families will have at least one canine companion, whether it is utilized in herding or other working capacities or as a simple companion. Dogs also form a component of Dreibene cavalry formations both military and luxry, making up part of a shock element or standard hunt, while Shepherds have come to breed some of the most loyal and hard working dogs to be found anywhere.
Weaknesses:
Everyone A Cavalryman: With its predisposition towards preparing for a life on horseback, it can be difficult to find men of good quality who are willing to serve out of the saddle. Consequently, recruitment suffers in other fields.
A Demand for Animal Feed: While possessing a not inconsequential agricultural sector and exporting some agricultural goods not suited for it, the vast livestock and husbandry sector demands a great deal of base animal feed. A tradition of not skimping on such matters further drives demand for good quality feed.
Export:
Tin & Copper: Tin and Copper are the predominant ores extracted from Dreiben's mines, and as such, are far more than could ever be used at home.
Silver: Silver is extracted in reasonable quantities from the western foothills and mountains, and much finds itself exported to satisfy demand elsewhere in the empire.
Horses & Working Animals: Working animals and horses are always in demand from many different avenues of society, Dreiben has these in abundance, and some of its prized horses go for a small fortune abroad.
Livestock: For purposes of breeding or consumption, Dreiben exports a great number of livestock to other realms, particularly those without any large livestock sector or husbandry tradition of their own.
Import:
Iron: While Dreiben produces a reasonable quantity of ores, it does not satisfy demand for iron. As such, the smithies and armourers and other industries that make use of such ores must import.
Luxury Goods: While the Bannerlord's and assorted nobility traditionally abstain from ostentatious dining and decoration, there is still an appetite for such things and in particular a growing one amongst the growing merchant and other middle elements of society reinforced by Imperial cultural standards. The best luxuries that are not equine, of course, are ones from abroad.
Agricultural Goods: A demand for varied foods and in particular, a need to satisfy the demands for animal feed continue to grow, as such, Dreiben imports far more of these than it exports.
Lumber: Dreiben lacks any area of vast forest, largely reserved to a few small areas or copses built to break up the plains and provide windbreaks, as such, it must import a reasonable quantity of lumber from elsewhere.
GOVERNMENT TYPE The Union operates, on a base level, on the principles of a multi-party Marxist-Leninist Socialist Republic. These individual republics are drawn together into a "State of Union" where the "Federal" and far more powerful organs of government, typically dominated by the largest worker's party, perform most higher level functions such as foreign policy, defence, infrastructure and large scale social programs. The Head of State is known as the Archon, who sits at the head of the Concordia - a body made up of elected representatives of the syndicates and worker's parties, while the secondary and more numerous forms of government are undertaken in the Forum of the Republic's, effectively a parliamentary system allotted by voting subdivisions per republic. The Tertiary forms of government are local governments who organise and in turn administrate low-key matters and their smaller sub-divisions under a degree of control from the central bureaucracy.
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT Archon Athanasios Eliades
RACE(S) Idealised Hellenics as an "elite", plenty of average humans and whatever little other groups there are out there.
POPULATION Extrapolating on a basis of using real world data Post-WW2 and fluffing it a little for that right kind of feel, I'll put 93.5 Million down here.
CULTURE & RELIGION The Cataclysm and its ensuing changes lead to bloody wars of conquest in the area that became home to the UHSR. The primary "winner" in these areas were considered "Hellenic's" or offshoots of the minor genetic variation that had arisen out of Greece. With a myriad of states having a small elite claiming to hail from a storied region, even if some stories were lost, began a cultural revival, bringing near lost and and even more ancient stories of Hellenic Civilization to the fore. The Greek Pantheon enjoyed a resurgence. The ensuing creation of the UHSR unified these variants of a cultural thread, and although relegating the Pantheon once again, largely, to history, there is a strong theme of Hellenic Civilization, rather than race, being so ancient as to be indestructible even through an end of the world. Such cultural ideas backed up by a grass roots revolution has seen a relatively strong culture willing to fit into the confines of the socialist system, and willing to act as somewhat of a caretaker of other, less fortunate groups and civilizations that come to rest within the Union.
PRE-CATACLYSM TECHNOLOGY Despite their long time at peace, both the Greek and Turkish Republic long shared an enmity for each other. In the new age of technology, many defensive weapons emplacements were built. While many fell to disrepair or sabotage, a few do remain and are carefully tended to by Preservation Corps of the People's Army. The UHSR also possesses a small number of pre-cataclysm machines designed for mining, potentially deep beyond the current abilities of typical modern means, however, the UHSR lacks the data for a suitable site or the vast supply of radioactives to power them.
HISTORY When the European Union fell to ash and the world continued to slide into ruin, the racial offshoot, largely wealthy and influential, at one point amusingly labelled "Hellenics" for their pursuit of the ancient greek idea's of beauty and form, became a dominant political force - and being not quite human, more adept at living in a world that had quickly begun to fall apart. The new racial elite quickly came to power in Greece with promises of salvation, and individual groups also waged their own private wars in the near east, bringing the shaky Turkish state to its knees and spreading as far as Syria and Iraq. The New Hellenic cultural revival that came after the bloodshed is regarded as somewhat of a renaissance, at least by the Hellenic States. Despite everything, however, Hellenic rule was far from the salvation promised, and a world where their old wealth now mattered little combined with dissent both amongst the elite and the people resulted in a bloody series of civil wars that ended with the foundation of the Socialist Republic of Hellas, followed by Thrakia and Ionia, and consequently the foundation of the Union. Concerns turned from warfare to domestic stability and appropriating the now tried and tested Techno-Green policies of Franco-Iberia.
In the years since, The Union of Hellenic Socialist Republics has sought to unify the new pan-hellenic culture and safeguard less fortunate groups whilst pursuing a near-communist internal agenda, though largely without the ensuing terror. Hellenic intervention in Iraq and the Caucasus brought peace to the embattled regions and in turn brought socialism to the fires of the Levant. With Territorial expansion largely secondary, a re-evaluation and re-codification of "Hellenic Culture" was brought to the fore, bringing together all the wonders of the old world with the newly integrated cultures and forming a dialectic around which the Union's noveau Marxist-Leninist ideals could truly work, ultimately forming a doctrine of essentially holding that Hellenic Civilization empowered the worker and an empowered worker had no limits. The deft marriage of a dominant culture, and one that was even an undercurrent in elements of many others, with a socialist dialectic that would not end up in conflict with itself largely began to resolve issues in the Union, allowing both the government to function effectively and spread a new sense of worth and belonging in the populace.
As such, the Union has become an odd hybrid of "idealised" Hellenic civilization fused with a strong central state complimented by a varied and protected populace, all backed up by the agenda of the people having ownership over all possible, with a growing syndicate tradition all but ensuring most notable industries are state or people owned. Despite the associations with a growing terror and the suppression of thought and expression, the fusion of these factors and the plethora of political parties has lead to a balance of state, people and culture, though at the cost of some freedoms and the marginality of some groups.
MILITARY The Army of the Union is comprised of two branches and its subdivisions, that is, the Citizens Army, itself subdivided between the Proletarian Guard, The Citizen's Air Corps and the larger Citizen's Army itself, As well as The Citizen's Navy.
The Citizen's Army is the lion's share of military capacity in the UHSR, and is made up of any willing to serve, with a caveat allowing conscription during times of emergency or war. Consequently, there is a tradition of serving for one year in a military capacity, though enough exclusions apply to prevent such matters becoming a concern for civil disobedience. As such, the Citizen's Army is largely made up of trained career soldiers, and would form the core element of any times of conscription. They are as such, trained soldiers built with a sense towards civil duty, protection of the revolution and guardianship of hellenic civilization. The Proletarian Guard are an advancement of this, though largely considered "elite" and consequently better trained and better armed. The Proletarian Guard as such also tends to control all "special divisions" in the armed forces for better control. The Citizen's Air Corps, as it's name implies, controls and deploys all aerial assets under the greater instruction of the Citizen's Army or Proletarian Guard.
The Citizens Navy is the smaller aspect of the Armed Forces of the Union. Most of its concern is in coastal security and as such, brown water operations rather than blue water, with many of its ships suited to operating in coastal waters or the Mediterranean. The Citizen's Navy does however possess blue water capability and a number of larger ships built as part of its defensive and power projection evaluations.
OTHER The UHSR comprises Greece a sliver of Albania, Much of Bulgaria, Some of Romania, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel.
Lord Regent, The Lord Regent oversees all common affairs both small and great in the name of the Phoenix Throne, and serves as the main administer or advisor when needed. Second only to the man or woman who sits on the Phoenix Throne itself. Acting as the right hand of the King offers much authority, influence, and raw political power. Only the most trustworthy are given this position, and for good reason.
The Seeker of Secrets, The eye and ears of the crown, the Seeker of Secrets, or more commonly simply called the 'Seeker' by most, oversees the 'Crowns Eyes' an expansive network of spies encompassing from the lowest house servant to the mightiest baron. Their knowledge often obtained by bribes, blackmail, or outright threats, few are fool enough to lie to an Eye of the Crown. Though the High Lords of the Greater Houses are above their authority. When the King wishes to know anything, he turns to his Seeker, and it is the business of the Seeker to always have an answer.
Lord Marshal and First Sword, perhaps the second most powerful position in the realm working for the Throne behind the Lord Regent for The Lord Marshal commands the Royal Phoenix demesnes, which are largely made up of levies pulled from across the Great Realm, every house must give an account of their full might, and a sizable portion of this is taken to serve the crown directly. Aside from organizing the standing army and navy, The First Sword is named so for often leading these very forces in battle directly in the name of the Phoenix Throne. It is a highly prestigious position to be sure, but aside from his duties on and off the battlefield, the Lord Marshal councils his lord in all things martial.
Master of Coin, Perhaps the least glamorous of the council seats, but yet still among the most important, it is the Master of Coin who oversees the kingdom's coffers and is chiefly occupied with the finances of the realm. In addition to finances, the Master of Coin is also the chief diplomat of the realm and is expected to be the face of peace representing the Phoenix Throne to the outside world. It is he who must balance the ledges keeping the realm afloat and out of debt if he can manage it.
Arch Dawnbringer, if the Seeker is the ears and eyes of the Throne, the Lord Regent the right hand and the Marshal the strong arm with the Master of Coin his purse. The Arch Dawnbringer and Chaplain serves as the soul. The unwise might think the Arch Chaplin has little in the ways of power or influence if the current King is more secular than god fearing. Such men could not be more wrong, for the Arch Dawnbringer is the head of the church of Kammeth, the official religion of the realm, and holds the hearts, minds, and faith of the people, for he is seen as the mouthpiece of Kammeth himself. The relationship of the state and the church has always been a tenuous one at best, largely due to the fact that the Arch Dawnbringer often times has as much if not 'more' power than the crown if the masses truly favor him.
In one of the many libraries that graced the capital, there was no doubt that the Imperium Union library of the west wing of the grand palace was the most decorated. Fattened with tomes of yore and new contemporaries, the smell of both old paper and fresh ink polluted the quiet lanes of the great multitude of rooms. It truly was a labyrinth of knowledge both lost on the shelves and open in the hands of curious patrons.
In between two towering bookcases that stretched far down a tiled lane there were numerous chairs and tables for those with a thirst for a good book. They were plain when compared the gilded fashion of the rest of the library, but comfortable and blessed with feather cushions.
On one such chair sat Charlotte, the second daughter and third child of Lothar Amrothan. She had taken the time that morning, given her desire to visit the palace’s own places of knowledge, to adequately restrain her somewhat awry light, brown hair, while choosing clothing that while perhaps not the norm of a typical princess, a blouse and trouser combination that was, while simple, clearly made of materials and spartanly adorned with finery far beyond the financial means of anyone not of noble standing. Nevertheless, it let her be less noticeable, even if the Bannerguard that was sworn to follow her throughout the capital gave the game away sometimes. That was a concern that she did not have to consider in the Palace, at least. Free to roam the library, she had found some hefty tome relating to the history of Ignis. She had considered it a worthy read, though she was sure much of its earlier contents had long since been outright copied in a few of the less notable or reputable books she had read in her sixteen years in the world, but it was well written, something anyone could respect, with insights yet gleaned from its myriad pages.
As her eyes scanned the rust colored lettering of the archaic book, a soft whisper between the patrons sitting idly behind her at a separate desk intercepted her focus. The perpetrators were seemingly careful in their words, attempting to keep their voices between themselves as they thumbed idly through books of their own.
“Outright suspicious if you ask me.” One of the men answered a hushed statement, his voice a dull breeze and barely audible.
“It makes sense though, I mean when you really think about Jakinius, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.” The other offered quietly.
At first, a glimmer of annoyance swept across Charlotte’s face. The kind that anyone who has attempted to read in silence, uninterrupted, would understand. It took only a moment however for Charlotte to understand the words, though hardly unthinkable or far from topical, they seemed to be off, somehow. Falling into the practised style of reading but more accurately, eavesdropping, she listened.
“What are the guard doing about it?” One asked.
“I think they are on edge, but playing a wait and see. That’s what I would do.”
“Terrible times, can’t trust anyone anymore.”
“Well as I said, give a man an army and let him do what he wants with it; of course eventually he would get it in his mind that he can just take his father’s title, no questions asked.” one huffed quietly
“But to march an army?”
“I don’t know, I simply don’t know.” One of the men closed his book with a soft slap and stood up, “well I best be off.”
“Sure enough,” the other replied, his voice breaking the hushed tone of secrecy for casual banter. “I’ll be here most of the day if you find anymore freetime.”
Charlotte frowned, wondering just what exactly the two voices had discussed. Whispers of a coup? She didn’t know Jakinius, but that seemed extreme, particularly when everything was still so uncertain. Perhaps that was the cause. Perhaps it was just the idle gossiping of the nobility. She considered taking a peek to see if the remaining member of the party would be recognisable, but it would also risk revealing that she had been close enough to overhear them. Discretion was key, no doubt her sister would say, so she erred towards caution.
She closed the tome she had now lost interest in, rising quietly but with at least an outward appearance of being casual, returning it to where she had found it. She should say something to her father, yet she considered what good it would do, perhaps it would be best to wait. Maybe she could yet find out more. She let out a small, quietened sigh. The Capital was not quite as fun as she was hoping it would be.
Rumors are now spreading between city guards and idle low class and high class of a potential issue arising.
I'm just a guy from the good old United Kingdom with a penchant for sci fi and general fantasy in a nation based roleplaying scope.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">I'm just a guy from the good old United Kingdom with a penchant for sci fi and general fantasy in a nation based roleplaying scope.<br></div>
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