Current
This site's like Old Broadway...I'm seeing a young man sittin' in an old man's bar, waitin' for his turn to die.
11 mos ago
I would sooner face outright phobia again than be given a half-hearted apology by the same systems which did nothing in the face of injustice and to now seek to make profit from our suffering.
1
like
11 mos ago
I will never celebrate Pride Month for being stabbed in the leg and shot in the neck while it is sponsored by Chase. I will never mistake complacency for forgiveness nor acceptance.
1
like
11 mos ago
Pride Month is celebrate by those who have never struggled. Those of us who have - those who have been harassed, assulted, detained and debased - have no such pride in it. There is only ire and spite.
1
like
11 mos ago
So sorry if I'm not enthused. It's just that there's nothing to be happy about now, and people just buy rainbow stuff from the same corps who need us kept down to sell them in the first place.
2
likes
Bio
“There was a time when I was master of the universe. As I was staying ageless and motionless before my computer, flying untouched over human frenzy, cities rose and crumbled under my thumb, tiny people ran hurriedly to their death on the roads I had built and time flew at my command.
Then it all stopped, and I had to become one of those running specks. They call it 'life.'”
Yuravia is a semi-nomadic tribal alliance united by common language and culture, nestled in a realm with an equally diverse array of climates. From the thick woodlands of the Southwest to the hills of the North, and the great alps of the south, the great diversity too perpetuates a wide variety of dialects within Yuravia.
Known for a fierce affinity for trade and war, Yuravia has long existed as something of a thorn in Arkron's side, owing to their disperse nature as well as significant cultural differences. As it stands, Yuravia has long held their eyes upon the renegotiation of the tribute system. The prospect of a fully unified Yuravia is a terrifying one, and with the news of the Arkronian Epidemic, fears run rampant that the Wolves of the East smell blood in the water...
The side your nation was on during the 3th rebellion:
In the Third Rebellion, the tribes of Yuravia sided with The Rebels for a variety of reasons. The primary factor is the overwhelming feeling that direct vasselage to the Arkronian Crown was, at best, needless and at worst, actively degrading to their relationship. Arkron was a continent away and had few bearings on the day-to-day affairs of Yuravia, and when coupled with their levvying of tribute as well as their restrictions on maritime technology, this has long stipulated a sensation of inequality between the states, to where the duty of tribute is referred to as, Zo Taxe Inézale, or "The Unequal Tax".
Population / Races:
Endemic to Yuravia, Ascarians are a hardy folk. Ascarians are identifiable from the other races of men through their pointed ears, typically extending to a length of approximately 14 centimeters. Derivative from their nomadic ancestry, Acsarians typically possess a more tightly-built frame, typically amassing tone over raw mass as they make the most of every muscle. They are also noted for their complex set of pupils, Ascarians are gifted with very keen eyesight, able to discern objects with much greater clarity at extreme distances. Most Ascarains possess skin tones that range from snowy pale to rich redwood, though for those with mixed ancestry, it is possible for them to possess a skin tone that is much more bluish or dark than usual. Though gifted with long lifespans - with many a healthy Ascarian recorded to have reached 300 years - it's more typical that an Ascarian first die to disease, violence, or health complications before reaching so prime an age. On average, an Ascarian will stand at approximately 180cm, with deviations being based more heavily on ancestry as opposed to sexual dimorphism.
Though a majority of the population is Ascarian, there exist sizable portions of other races within Yuravia as well; Part of this stemmed as early on, as the Pre-Arkon practice of absorbing and assimilating vanquished tribes was common throughout much of Yuravia. Their children would be raised with the cultural values of their Ascarian takers, and would eventually become fully-fledged tribesmen. Thus, the term "Yuravian" refers to all inhabitants of the domain who practice the same indigenous culture; "Ascarian" is specifically reserved as a racial term.
Culture / Society:
The ambulatory nature of the Yuravian has changed very little since the arrival of the Arkronians. An overwhelming majority of its populus continues to live semi-nomadically, in which they stay in settlements or buildings for perhaps a few weeks or a month at a time, then continue to move onwards with the changing of the winds. Many locations are, as a result, attributed with extreme population flux, whereas a town will be a bustling beacon of activity one week and in the next will find itself barren. This love for travel (Yuravian: "Amostea D' Marćer", lit. "Love of Walking") is deeply rooted in Yuravian common belief, such that the act of walking and moving with "new airs" is essential to the maintenance of one's mind, body, and spirit; A sedentary life is told to become like a still pond, in which refuse and mold grows within it, until the waters are irreparably plagued. Such volksgeist pervades near every aspect of Yuravian society, from its economy to its infrastructure.
Accordingly, Yuravians are intrepid merchants and avid explorers. Found in virtually every corner of Mycoria, Yuravian traders are as ubiquitous as they are keen. An initial impression of a Yuravian will harken to one their fondness for jewelry, for gilded rings and argent piercings adorn their ears, lips, noses, and fingers with the regularity of fields of flowers in spring. Their natural ambulant drive urges Yuravians to see all corners of the Earth, and accordingly bring many of those baubles back with them on the return home.
True to this spirit, horses are of principal import to Yuravia, not only culturally, but economically and socially. Every Yuravian can be expected to own a handful of horses on their own, of which they serve as incredibly versatile companions; Horses in Yuravia are swift enough for riding, sturdy enough for pulling moderate loads, and provide vital milk which is regularly consumed throughout Yuravia.
Yuravian society has a profound respect for skill; Honorifics are referred to via one's abilities or accomplishments rather than any hereditary title. Yuravian folklore likens the development of crafts as absolutely essential to life, apropos the branches of a tree soon bearing fruit, which will feed its world and spread forth another seed of life. The most noteworthy extension of such skills branch toward a love of all things martial, and so it is that martial prowess is among the most respected of traits to be found in Yuravia. Famously so. To such a great degree does there exist an affinity for the martial is that, when paired with its history, is there an immediate image of a Yuravian that it has become the spitting image of the nation's people itself. Such claims to belligerence are purported to such heights that the common image of Yuravia is that of a perpetual state of warfare.
Another depth to Yuravia's vox populae lay in its affinity for the humanities. A deep love for storytelling is common throughout Yuravia, for the effects of song and dance upon Yuravian society at large cannot be overstated; So greatly are tales and performances exalted that the dancer and the chronicler receive the same prestige as the warrior and the chieftain. The most famed exhibits of these feats are in the form of the Povéstï, a traveling troupe similar in some ways to a circus. Each Povéstï can be seen as a combination of a circus and an opera. Consisting of several performers and an accompanying orchestra, the Povéstï travels from land to land, sharing and collecting famed tales and legends of old, set on reenacting the grandest of acts throughout folklore.
Families in Yuravian culture subscribe to very few conventional models typical - and in many ways, required - of a usual society. Yuravians form very large, intertwined families via a system of conjoined marriage. Persons typically take multiple spouses, each with children of their own, who in turn have their own spouses independently. Therein, it is entirely possible to be "married by association" or "half-married" depending on position within that particular family. There exists no hereditary inheritance system on the basis of age or bloodline, and upon a parent's passing, any items in their possession are distributed via their wishes as dictated in their diće, or will. Accordingly, there is no position of "Head of Family" or "Patriarch", owed to Yuravia's strongly-ingrained belief of skill serving as the basis of one's person, not birthright.
Religion:
Shamans known as Dricérin tend to the spiritual needs of Yuravia. Chiefly among their duties was that of divination, as it was commonly perceived that communication with the deceased would reveal insights, prophecies, or simply words of wisdom. Principally, they are the most inclined with any and all magical elements, and largely serve as the greatest body of thurmaturgical knowledge within Yuravia.
Yuravian Folk Religion consists of a large body of spirits and Patron Saints, known by a veritable assortment of names depending on region and dialect. As such, the direction of patronage is more commonly addressed in terms of their domain rather than their name proper, as the prevailing belief is that the peoples of the world worship the same Gods under different names. There exist no permanent structures of worship surrounding Yuravian Folk Religion, such as churches or shrines, though several chants and incantations exist for the purposes of practice.
History:
The exact origins of the Ascarians remain shrouded in myth and mystery, with many such records being lost to conflict or having simply died out as historiography evolved. With a long history of nomadic propensity, it is widely believed among anthropologists that the Ascarian's ancestors migrated extensively, as artifacts and Ascarian arrowheads can be found in all locations of the continent.
Prior to the arrival of the Arkronians, conflict between neighboring tribes was widespread, but limited in scale due to the extremely simplistic structure of each tribe making more organized attempts at warfare difficult at best and impractical at worst. It was, however, universal practice for the vanquished tribe to be integrated into the victor, thus substantially increasing the size and power of each tribe with each successive victory. If one tribe grew extremely powerful, however, common alliances between tribes would arise as a means of containment as an ensurance that no one tribe would come to dominate all the others.
Just prior to the arrival of the Arkronians, it was at the height of a particular campaign where the tribal alliances could be convened for what was, according to verbal accounts, the first time in centuries. Following a fateful battle upon the northern plains, the first Gardinâ in several hundred years was assembled, wherein the chieftains appointed the current Čaptâin, a woman named Aurielin, to become the first Čévdinčévi, as a great chieftain and ruler of all Yuravia.
Relations between the Arkronians were, at first, lukewarm, but when it became clear that the desires of the Men Across the Sea and the Men of the Kureathian Range would clash, the call to arms rang across all Yuravia. Aurelin waged many campaigns against the Arkronians to great success; She knew very well that while the Arkronians could quite easily beat them at sea, on land, they would be comparatively slow on the draw, and thus, she devised many clever faked retreats, baits, and supply strikes, even earning the nickname, Çanglêroza Rein, or "The Bloody Queen".
Their momentum, however great, would not last forever; Soon after, the famed Aurelin was fatefully found comatose in her bed, and despite the best efforts of her medičes, she would soon succumb to poison. Nobody concretely knew who the perpetrator was. Paranoia and a sense of betrayal ran rampart throughout the Yuravians, each clan and family convinced another had something to do with her sudden death. Yet, no matter the cause, the writing was on the wall: With no clear successor in place, it would only be a matter of time before the Arkronians could regroup, and with it, bring forth a force to bear much better-organized than they could scramble up. The disorganized Yuravians soon sought peace, one by one submitting beneath treaty and codex.
Aurelin had become a hero, sanctified as one to make the world tremble. So great is her influence that her legacy prevails throughout all Yuravia, beckoning to all who train in the incandescent image of One to Make the Seas Tremble. Yuravia has far from forgotten their history of inequality beneath the Sea, and like the mighty Sea Serpent, the hearts of its people know that, one day, it will part the seas themselves as it rises from the depths.
That day may soon be upon us.
Government:
Yuravia is organized around a confederated system, with much of its power being dispersed throughout its varied participating tribes. Nationally, they are governed through an Tribal Council called the Gardinâ, an assembly of designated representatives of each and every tribe, known as Tênuars. In truth, the Gardinâ holds little sway over the daily workings of affairs in Yuravia, and it is up to the responsibility of each Tênuar to affirm the agreements made at each congregation to their respective chieftains. Failure to adhere to dictums made in the Gardinâ widely varied based upon their severity; If there were no consequences to their neglect, or if the legislature in question was extremely minor, it is customary for the offending tribe to give compensation to other tribes. In more severe cases, however, the response is universally swift: War.
In times of great importance - or, more commonly, when tribes are united together during war - a singular leader is elected through the Gardinâ to serve as the de jure ruler of Yuravia. This ruler is known as a Čévdinčévi, or a "Chief of Chieftains". The meeting and subsequent election of the Čévdinčévi must be approved by consensus and not simply a majority vote, meaning delegation can last for quite some time before a leader is finally chosen...or not.
Economy:
Yuravia lacks complex systems of bureaucracy or guilds because, simply, there is no need for them. The majority of Yuravians continue to practice a system of self-sustenance to pair with their semi-nomadic lifestyles, and as a result, agriculture has a tendency to be limited in scale, although animal husbandry is quite popular. Trade is quite vibrant due to their culture of wanderlust, and goods from Yuravia can be found all over Mycoria.
Military:
With a highly mobile culture and a long-held affinity for the martial, the hordes and armies of Yuravia make for a fierce fighting force. Possessing a wide body of knowledge in the art of war, Yuravian warriors are swift, cunning veterans of several campaigns. Children often learn how to use at least one weapon from a young age; Typically, these include the bow (Yuravian: Arča), the saber (Yuravian: Çabre), or a chained set of hammerheads which are thrown, similar to a bolo (Yuravian: Čevrotïe). It is virtually unheard of for a Yuravian not to have access to horses, though in many cases, warriors dismount in the face of difficult terrain.
Warriors can be divided into two distinct camps, depending on professionalism. The first of which are known as Katiora, who dedicated professional to the martial arts roughly equivocal to a man-at-arms. Katiora regularly travel throughout the continent in service to others, acting as mercenaries in exchange for payment and experience. In times of tribal warfare, or when the convening of the Gardinâ for an appointment, it is expected that Katiora return home for attendance. Each Katiora is well armed and armored, acquiring their own equipment throughout campaigns, which is typically either purchased with their payment or scavenged from vanquished foes. Particularly famed Katiora prove their mastery at tournaments, where, if victorious, may earn the title Mâitru, or "Master". These veterans are expected to take up responsibilities in leading Yuravian armies, in addition to providing tutelage to younger Katiora, ensuring that their knowledge gained through their times is never lost to the ages.
In addition, an unprofessional title of warriors exist, known as Taçinara. Somewhere between conscripts and volunteers, Taçinara are called upon by Chieftans or Katiora during calls to arms. Despite their unprofessional status as soldiers, Taçinara are of vital import to a Yuravian force, for each Taçinara are expected to lend their expertise in their other trades in the war effort, such as medicine, construction, or chronicling. In calls to arms, the leader of the force, known as the Čaptâin, issues a need for men-at-arms, where each server is promised a share of the battlefield spoils. Often, an experienced or well-connected Čaptâin will first acquire arms and armor for each respective Taçinara force, who, in turn, will likely own light weapons of their own.
As a Yuravian force will often acquire additional arms along their warpath, a veritable assortment of weapons will be in the hands of their newfound masters. Yet, of every weapon in their employ, none is more important than the bow. Of compound make, the Yuravian bow is ubiquitous throughout the military, for swarms of arrows fired from fast-moving targets regularly soften up their opponents before a decisive charge is called. A weapon indigenous to Yuravia is known as the Bombe Din Feu, an incendiary device ignited via spark or torch with ceramic composition. Slung from rope either in singles or conjoined pairs, on contact with its unsuspecting foe, they are coated in a noxious burning tar, liberally peppering their foes in incendiary and engulfing their nearby allies in an acrid smoke. Such tools are employed as a means to break up infantry formations at close range before or during a charge.
@Milkman The responsibilities of foreign relations was handled through an appointee of the Gardinâ, which was usually only done on a need-be basis. Typically, this would be a merchant from the same tribe or clan as the designated tribe responsible for tribute toward the Arkronian crown, or if this message was extremely important, a tribal chieftain. If Arkron requested diplomatic action from Yuravia, a courier could be dispatched to a Tênuar who in turn would call for the meeting of a Gardinâ.
Also, the death of Aurielin is less THE BETRAYAL! and more The Betrayal[Citation Needed]. While everyone were all clearly aware that the cause of Aurielin's death was via poisoning, it remains to be known how this was done, by whom, or for what reason. It's more of a great mystery with multiple theories than something that is clear-cut. Because of this, there is a much greater emphasis in Yuravian Historiography on the aftermath and fallout of her death than her death itself.
Yuravia is a semi-nomadic tribal alliance united by common language and culture, nestled in a realm with an equally diverse array of climates. From the thick woodlands of the Southwest to the hills of the North, and the great alps of the south, the great diversity too perpetuates a wide variety of dialects within Yuravia.
Known for a fierce affinity for trade and war, Yuravia has long existed as something of a thorn in Arkron's side, owing to their disperse nature as well as significant cultural differences. As it stands, Yuravia has long held their eyes upon the renegotiation of the tribute system. The prospect of a fully unified Yuravia is a terrifying one, and with the news of the Arkronian Epidemic, fears run rampant that the Wolves of the West smell blood in the water...
The side your nation was on during the 3th rebellion:
In the Third Rebellion, the tribes of Yuravia sided with The Rebels for a variety of reasons. The primary factor is the overwhelming feeling that direct vasselage to the Arkronian Crown was, at best, needless and at worst, actively degrading to their relationship. Arkron was a continent away and had few bearings on the day-to-day affairs of Yuravia, and when coupled with their levvying of tribute as well as their restrictions on maritime technology, this has long stipulated a sensation of inequality between the states, to where the duty of tribute is referred to as, Zo Taxe Inézale, or "The Unequal Tax".
Population / Races:
Endemic to Yuravia, Ascarians are a hardy folk. Ascarians are identifiable from the other races of men through their pointed ears, typically extending to a length of approximately 14 centimeters. Derivative from their nomadic ancestry, Acsarians typically possess a more tightly-built frame, typically amassing tone over raw mass as they make the most of every muscle. They are also noted for their complex set of pupils, Ascarians are gifted with very keen eyesight, able to discern objects with much greater clarity at extreme distances. Most Ascarains possess skin tones that range from snowy pale to rich redwood, though for those with mixed ancestry, it is possible for them to possess a skin tone that is much more bluish or dark than usual. Though gifted with long lifespans - with many a healthy Ascarian recorded to have reached 300 years - it's more typical that an Ascarian first die to disease, violence, or health complications before reaching so prime an age. On average, an Ascarian will stand at approximately 180cm, with deviations being based more heavily on ancestry as opposed to sexual dimorphism.
Though a majority of the population is Ascarian, there exist sizable portions of other races within Yuravia as well; Part of this stemmed as early on, as the Pre-Arkon practice of absorbing and assimilating vanquished tribes was common throughout much of Yuravia. Their children would be raised with the cultural values of their Ascarian takers, and would eventually become fully-fledged tribesmen. Thus, the term "Yuravian" refers to all inhabitants of the domain who practice the same indigenous culture; "Ascarian" is specifically reserved as a racial term.
Culture / Society:
The ambulatory nature of the Yuravian has changed very little since the arrival of the Arkronians. An overwhelming majority of its populus continues to live semi-nomadically, in which they stay in settlements or buildings for perhaps a few weeks or a month at a time, then continue to move onwards with the changing of the winds. Many locations are, as a result, attributed with extreme population flux, whereas a town will be a bustling beacon of activity one week and in the next will find itself barren. This love for travel (Yuravian: "Amostea D' Marćer", lit. "Love of Walking") is deeply rooted in Yuravian common belief, such that the act of walking and moving with "new airs" is essential to the maintenance of one's mind, body, and spirit; A sedentary life is told to become like a still pond, in which refuse and mold grows within it, until the waters are irreparably plagued. Such volksgeist pervades near every aspect of Yuravian society, from its economy to its infrastructure.
Accordingly, Yuravians are intrepid merchants and avid explorers. Found in virtually every corner of Mycoria, Yuravian traders are as ubiquitous as they are keen. An initial impression of a Yuravian will harken to one their fondness for jewelry, for gilded rings and argent piercings adorn their ears, lips, noses, and fingers with the regularity of fields of flowers in spring. Their natural ambulant drive urges Yuravians to see all corners of the Earth, and accordingly bring many of those baubles back with them on the return home.
True to this spirit, horses are of principal import to Yuravia, not only culturally, but economically and socially. Every Yuravian can be expected to own a handful of horses on their own, of which they serve as incredibly versatile companions; Horses in Yuravia are swift enough for riding, sturdy enough for pulling moderate loads, and provide vital milk which is regularly consumed throughout Yuravia.
Yuravian society has a profound respect for skill; Honorifics are referred to via one's abilities or accomplishments rather than any hereditary title. Yuravian folklore likens the development of crafts as absolutely essential to life, apropos the branches of a tree soon bearing fruit, which will feed its world and spread forth another seed of life. The most noteworthy extension of such skills branch toward a love of all things martial, and so it is that martial prowess is among the most respected of traits to be found in Yuravia. Famously so. To such a great degree does there exist an affinity for the martial is that, when paired with its history, is there an immediate image of a Yuravian that it has become the spitting image of the nation's people itself. Such claims to belligerence are purported to such heights that the common image of Yuravia is that of a perpetual state of warfare.
Another depth to Yuravia's vox populae lay in its affinity for the humanities. A deep love for storytelling is common throughout Yuravia, for the effects of song and dance upon Yuravian society at large cannot be overstated; So greatly are tales and performances exalted that the dancer and the chronicler receive the same prestige as the warrior and the chieftain. The most famed exhibits of these feats are in the form of the Povéstï, a traveling troupe similar in some ways to a circus. Each Povéstï can be seen as a combination of a circus and an opera. Consisting of several performers and an accompanying orchestra, the Povéstï travels from land to land, sharing and collecting famed tales and legends of old, set on reenacting the grandest of acts throughout folklore.
Families in Yuravian culture subscribe to very few conventional models typical - and in many ways, required - of a usual society. Yuravians form very large, intertwined families via a system of conjoined marriage. Persons typically take multiple spouses, each with children of their own, who in turn have their own spouses independently. Therein, it is entirely possible to be "married by association" or "half-married" depending on position within that particular family. There exists no hereditary inheritance system on the basis of age or bloodline, and upon a parent's passing, any items in their possession are distributed via their wishes as dictated in their diće, or will. Accordingly, there is no position of "Head of Family" or "Patriarch", owed to Yuravia's strongly-ingrained belief of skill serving as the basis of one's person, not birthright.
Religion:
Shamans known as Dricérin tend to the spiritual needs of Yuravia. Chiefly among their duties was that of divination, as it was commonly perceived that communication with the deceased would reveal insights, prophecies, or simply words of wisdom. Principally, they are the most inclined with any and all magical elements, and largely serve as the greatest body of thurmaturgical knowledge within Yuravia.
Yuravian Folk Religion consists of a large body of spirits and Patron Saints, known by a veritable assortment of names depending on region and dialect. As such, the direction of patronage is more commonly addressed in terms of their domain rather than their name proper, as the prevailing belief is that the peoples of the world worship the same Gods under different names. There exist no permanent structures of worship surrounding Yuravian Folk Religion, such as churches or shrines, though several chants and incantations exist for the purposes of practice.
History:
The exact origins of the Ascarians remain shrouded in myth and mystery, with many such records being lost to conflict or having simply died out as historiography evolved. With a long history of nomadic propensity, it is widely believed among anthropologists that the Ascarian's ancestors migrated extensively, as artifacts and Ascarian arrowheads can be found in all locations of the continent.
Prior to the arrival of the Arkronians, conflict between neighboring tribes was widespread, but limited in scale due to the extremely simplistic structure of each tribe making more organized attempts at warfare difficult at best and impractical at worst. It was, however, universal practice for the vanquished tribe to be integrated into the victor, thus substantially increasing the size and power of each tribe with each successive victory. If one tribe grew extremely powerful, however, common alliances between tribes would arise as a means of containment as an ensurance that no one tribe would come to dominate all the others.
Just prior to the arrival of the Arkronians, it was at the height of a particular campaign where the tribal alliances could be convened for what was, according to verbal accounts, the first time in centuries. Following a fateful battle upon the northern plains, the first Gardinâ in several hundred years was assembled, wherein the chieftains appointed the current Čaptâin, a woman named Aurielin, to become the first Čévdinčévi, as a great chieftain and ruler of all Yuravia.
Relations between the Arkronians were, at first, lukewarm, but when it became clear that the desires of the Men Across the Sea and the Men of the Kureathian Range would clash, the call to arms rang across all Yuravia. Aurelin waged many campaigns against the Arkronians to great success; She knew very well that while the Arkronians could quite easily beat them at sea, on land, they would be comparatively slow on the draw, and thus, she devised many clever faked retreats, baits, and supply strikes, even earning the nickname, Çanglêroza Rein, or "The Bloody Queen".
Their momentum, however great, would not last forever; Soon after, the famed Aurelin was fatefully found comatose in her bed, and despite the best efforts of her medičes, she would soon succumb to poison. Nobody concretely knew who the perpetrator was. Paranoia and a sense of betrayal ran rampart throughout the Yuravians, each clan and family convinced another had something to do with her sudden death. Yet, no matter the cause, the writing was on the wall: With no clear successor in place, it would only be a matter of time before the Arkronians could regroup, and with it, bring forth a force to bear much better-organized than they could scramble up. The disorganized Yuravians soon sought peace, one by one submitting beneath treaty and codex.
Aurelin had become a hero, sanctified as one to make the world tremble. So great is her influence that her legacy prevails throughout all Yuravia, beckoning to all who train in the incandescent image of One to Make the Seas Tremble. Yuravia has far from forgotten their history of inequality beneath the Sea, and like the mighty Sea Serpent, the hearts of its people know that, one day, it will part the seas themselves as it rises from the depths.
That day may soon be upon us.
Government:
Yuravia is organized around a confederated system, with much of its power being dispersed throughout its varied participating tribes. Nationally, they are governed through an Tribal Council called the Gardinâ, an assembly of designated representatives of each and every tribe, known as Tênuars. In truth, the Gardinâ holds little sway over the daily workings of affairs in Yuravia, and it is up to the responsibility of each Tênuar to affirm the agreements made at each congregation to their respective chieftains. Failure to adhere to dictums made in the Gardinâ widely varied based upon their severity; If there were no consequences to their neglect, or if the legislature in question was extremely minor, it is customary for the offending tribe to give compensation to other tribes. In more severe cases, however, the response is universally swift: War.
In times of great importance - or, more commonly, when tribes are united together during war - a singular leader is elected through the Gardinâ to serve as the de jure ruler of Yuravia. This ruler is known as a Čévdinčévi, or a "Chief of Chieftains". The meeting and subsequent election of the Čévdinčévi must be approved by consensus and not simply a majority vote, meaning delegation can last for quite some time before a leader is finally chosen...or not.
Economy:
Yuravia lacks complex systems of bureaucracy or guilds because, simply, there is no need for them. The majority of Yuravians continue to practice a system of self-sustenance to pair with their semi-nomadic lifestyles, and as a result, agriculture has a tendency to be limited in scale, although animal husbandry is quite popular. Trade is quite vibrant due to their culture of wanderlust, and goods from Yuravia can be found all over Mycoria.
Military:
With a highly mobile culture and a long-held affinity for the martial, the hordes and armies of Yuravia make for a fierce fighting force. Possessing a wide body of knowledge in the art of war, Yuravian warriors are swift, cunning veterans of several campaigns. Children often learn how to use at least one weapon from a young age; Typically, these include the bow (Yuravian: Arča), the saber (Yuravian: Çabre), or a chained set of hammerheads which are thrown, similar to a bolo (Yuravian: Čevrotïe). It is virtually unheard of for a Yuravian not to have access to horses, though in many cases, warriors dismount in the face of difficult terrain.
Warriors can be divided into two distinct camps, depending on professionalism. The first of which are known as Katiora, who dedicated professional to the martial arts roughly equivocal to a man-at-arms. Katiora regularly travel throughout the continent in service to others, acting as mercenaries in exchange for payment and experience. In times of tribal warfare, or when the convening of the Gardinâ for an appointment, it is expected that Katiora return home for attendance. Each Katiora is well armed and armored, acquiring their own equipment throughout campaigns, which is typically either purchased with their payment or scavenged from vanquished foes. Particularly famed Katiora prove their mastery at tournaments, where, if victorious, may earn the title Mâitru, or "Master". These veterans are expected to take up responsibilities in leading Yuravian armies, in addition to providing tutelage to younger Katiora, ensuring that their knowledge gained through their times is never lost to the ages.
In addition, an unprofessional title of warriors exist, known as Taçinara. Somewhere between conscripts and volunteers, Taçinara are called upon by Chieftans or Katiora during calls to arms. Despite their unprofessional status as soldiers, Taçinara are of vital import to a Yuravian force, for each Taçinara are expected to lend their expertise in their other trades in the war effort, such as medicine, construction, or chronicling. In calls to arms, the leader of the force, known as the Čaptâin, issues a need for men-at-arms, where each server is promised a share of the battlefield spoils. Often, an experienced or well-connected Čaptâin will first acquire arms and armor for each respective Taçinara force, who, in turn, will likely own light weapons of their own.
As a Yuravian force will often acquire additional arms along their warpath, a veritable assortment of weapons will be in the hands of their newfound masters. Yet, of every weapon in their employ, none is more important than the bow. Of compound make, the Yuravian bow is ubiquitous throughout the military, for swarms of arrows fired from fast-moving targets regularly soften up their opponents before a decisive charge is called. A weapon indigenous to Yuravia is known as the Bombe Din Feu, an incendiary device ignited via spark or torch with ceramic composition. Slung from rope either in singles or conjoined pairs, on contact with its unsuspecting foe, they are coated in a noxious burning tar, liberally peppering their foes in incendiary and engulfing their nearby allies in an acrid smoke. Such tools are employed as a means to break up infantry formations at close range before or during a charge.
|Country Size:| 3,449,603 Square Kilometers |Cities:| Self-explanatory, I hope. Important cities, basically. |Natural Resources:| The Republics within the Federation are vast and many, and the immense variety of climates and terrains within Vilturia produce a wide range of resources for the harvest. From the rubber plantations of Vatn to the lush fields of Oran where sorghum grows like weeds, Vilturia has made plentiful use of its varied landscapes. With no shortage of metals nor lumber, the internal market of Viltura's construction resources has been able to keep up with the demanding needs of the Ministry of Industry; After all, to produce more requires to build more, and the wheels of progress cannot halt.
Unlike many of its neighbors, Vilturia possesses only adequate deposits of oil; A far cry from the Dominion to the north or Geisel to the southwest, Vilturia's oil reserves are remain both within difficult lands, beneath scores of porous rock which collapses easily, and do not nearly reach the immense depths that the Dominion boasts about. Widespread expansion of the most prominent oil deposits in Macha and Helia would be an invasive and costly procedure, to say little of the ruination of its surrounding lands which rely greatly on pasture-based agriculture. As such, what would otherwise be the most prominent deposits in all of the Union remain exploited only to a fraction of their potential.
In turn, Vilturia has taken upon itself to do its best with alternate sources of energy: The rich volcanic ranges along the Skadtin Mountains which span across much of the country provide ready sources of geothermal electricity, and the wide-reaching development projects of the First Ten Year Plan have steadily led to a series of dams and reservoirs, which in turn provide much of what was once undeveloped countryside into new industrial cities with electricity and water. To accommodate for the pressed supply of oil, a linked urbanization initiative was undertaken, instead incentivizing citizens to use mass transit options. Urban rail lines, walking, and cycling are all the most numerous means of transport; Almost no citizens who reside within urban spaces own automobiles, and only agricultural laborers on them for the sake of their work. A majority of Vilturian gasoline is synthetically produced or refined; E-50 (50% petrol, 50% ethanol) and E-100 gasoline are the most frequently-utilized fuels, and Vilturia's immense agricultural yields have ensured that - no matter what - a steady source of cheap, plant mass-based fuel will always be ready.
Helians: Helians are the native inhabitants of the Helia marches; A rich and fertile land accompanied by wide rivers, cavernous valleys, and beauteous gorges. Hardy, fair-complected, and typically with pale platinum or white hair, even the most humble of Helians can boast of a resilience to the elements. The average Helian is portrayed as a cynical, hard-nosed one - and perhaps a bit gruff in tandem - yet will always speak politely and softly. While they may seem cold on the surface, such sentiments only show due to the cultural value of stoicism the Helians have expressed: An unbemused, stoic face shows a great amount of discipline, and self-control is only the first expression towards respect when making an impression. Statistically, all Helian-descended peoples are counted as being Helian, the most notable subgroup of which include Estewaldians, which in recent years have made a rapid influx in Vilturia's population as swathes of Landsmanner peasants flee the drudgery of Coraxian servitude in search of opportunity inside of Vilturia.
Oranian: Known in Eilíftir times as tribal hill-folk, the denizens of Oran are a far-flung ancestor of the ancient Geisel peoples. Academics agree that Oranians are broadly under the Geisel-Helian ethnic tree, yet the exact relationship they have between any one particular ethnic group remains a hotly-contested question. Most Oranian peoples have black or dark brown hair, light complexion, and are generally not the tallest of peoples.
Machanese: The peoples of Macha were historically a seminomadic, seafaring peoples who braved the treacherous Sølvi Bay and Northern Sea. Distant relatives of the Zengravi ethnic group, they were typically thought to have been an ethnic isolate until recent discoveries had linked the two, given the differences in language between Zengravi and Machanese peoples. As of such, they bear many outward similarities to many Zengravi peoples, the most notable being their more deep-set, pointed eyes, though they differ in many others; Machanese peoples will almost always possess reddish hair with amber or even crimson eyes to match, and take on a more fair, pinkish complexion. In spite of their cold surroundings, the Machanese are known to be a warm and welcoming people, with strongly valuing hospitality and giving to others in times of need.
Ilestrians: The mountainous folk of Central Vilturia, Ilestrians are slender (some might say "gaunt") people
Vatnians: Linguistic and cultural ancestors of the seafaring Sairish and Manticorian peoples, Vatnians were a historically seafaring people who had settled along much of the southern coasts of modern Vilturia, where their relatives still reside. Bright eyes - fitting of their maritime heritage - are the telltale feature of the Vatnian, which pierce through their reddish hair and equally burgundy complexion.
Sumetzi: The Sumetzi peoples of the Southwest are of the Dinnen ethnic family, related to the peoples who dwell within the Conclaves. With Umber or Deep Bronze skin tones, Sumetzi peoples are perhaps odd in that they have a likelihood to possess blonde hair complexions. Most find the Sumetzi to be curious by nature; Certainly inquisitive, Sumetzian culture is famously loquacious. A common joke goes that a Sumetzi cannot answer a question with an answer: Only another question.
|Government:| Officially, the Union of Vilturia regards itself as a Unitary Multi-Party Federative Socialist Republic. Unlike their socialist or social-democratic brothers, the Union is opposed to a liberal concept of democratic government: They believe that a strong Vanguard of the most class-conscious people can best run society like the mild leadership of a conductor of an orchestra, and appropriately have taken it upon themselves to ensure that any counter-revolutionary elements in the post-revolutionary Vilturian society have no say in the affairs of the government. Instead, a selection of approved political parties are allowed to organize and engage in elections, themselves preferred to be organized on a municipal basis.
|Ruler:| The Revolutionary Union Congress acts as the primary legislative and executive party of the Vilturian Union. It is composed of elected officials, first from the six Federative Republics of the Union, then from each individual district within (itself based upon population). |Volksgeist:| Revolution is not simply a one-time event. It is a continuous process by which the wheels of history must churn, and for such wheels of history to turn as they do, the revolution - by its very namesake - must turn as well.
Socialism, in turn, is not merely a means of governance or economics. |Religion:| Following the Revolution of 1911, officially the Vilturian Union has adopted an atheistic state policy, and as such actively decries religion as illegitimate.
|History:|
Give me something meaty to work with here.
|Armed Forces:|
|Vilturian Revolutionary Army:| Forged in the fires of the Eilíftirian Civil War, the modern VRA traces its ancestry back to the hardened guerilla fighters of the Eilíft Peasant's and Worker's Red Army. In bloody ideological struggle the foundations of the VRA were forged, and has since tirelessly marched forwards into the present. Transformed from their humble beginnings as a simple peasant militia, the VRA has come far from its scattered beginnings, and now stands as the sword and shield of the Worker's Revolution.
M/1896 Revolver: First produced in Eilíft Ljós, this revolver was once the standard sidearm of Vilturian military forces. As befitting for a revolver, the M/1896 is a rugged piece of equipment. With a top-break cylinder and firing in double-action, the M/1896 remains an ergonomic and functional sidearm.
M/23 Pistol: The first native pistol of Vilturia, the M/23 is a crisp-firing, semi-automatic pistol, introduced to address concerns over the M/1896's limited cylinder capacity and relatively slow loading speed. Rechambered for a new automatic pistol cartridge - the 7.7x25mm Kara round - the M/23 has generally been regarded as a fine sidearm.
A machine pistol variant also exists - the M/23-AP. With a heavier barrel, ribbed slide vents, and a folding front grip, the M/23-AP is normally given to tank and vehicle crews in need of an automatic defense weapon. It is typically also seen with 16-round magazines and a full-wood shoulder stock, attached to the pistol grip.
M/19(u) Rifle: The M/19(u) is a license-produced copy of the Belzarovian IR-19. Noteworthy differences between the two include a "swivel"-styled safety located just ahead of the trigger, a feeding lip atop the ejection port to accomodate loading via 5 or 10-round stripper clips, redesigned hood-and-post styled iron sights, and a difference in banding processes to accommodate for the differences between Belzarovian and Vilturian lumber. As a result, the M/19 tends to have a lighter complexion than its native counterpart.
M/27 Rifle: Following army inspections during the post-revolutionary period, the army inspectorate noticed a distinct correlation between volume of fire and combat effectiveness. When combined with the rapidly aging arsenal of the IRA, this created a drive to create a thoroughly "modern" service rifle. Taking light inspiration from the Estewaldian SK-18, the M/27 is a semi-automatic battle rifle, utilzing Belzarovian 7.92x54mm ammunition in 5, 10, or even 30-round MK/21 detachable box magazines. While thoroughly modern in its design, the M/27 has only recently entered full production, and as such, only Class A units have been fully issued with the M/27, with the remainder of troops either having a mix between the M/27 and the M/19(u) or only having the older M/19(u).
MP/14 S2 Submachine Gun: Based on one of the very first submachine gun designs, the MP/14 was originally conceived in the midst of the Revolution of 1911 by Loyalist forces. The S2 iteration is an effort by Vilturia to modernize its old design, reworked to utilize a tubular buffer tube and a modified magwell design to improve feeding reliability. The MP/14 S2 is known to be a simple, yet effective submachine gun.
MP/24 Submachine Gun: Manufactured and designed by the Saki Machinery & Design Works (Saki Industrianlæg, abv. SI), the MP/24 is an open-bolt submachine gun with remarkable durability and excellent control-ability even when fired full-auto, thanks to an innovative floating firing pin. It is chambered for 7.7x25mm Kara ammunition, and furthermore is typically assigned with 35-round curved magazines. Alternatively, it can use 60-round drum magazines, but these have fallen out of widespread use due to reliability concerns, as well as their annoying tendency to "rattle" during long marches.
HG/15(u) Shotgun: A modification of the Belzarovian Vantash shotgun, the HG/15 has been rechambered to use Vilturian standard 12-gauge, 3 1/2 inch shotshells. Aside from a different bore size and an adjusted bayonet lug to accommodate for the Vilturian M/1917, the two are practically identical to one another.
MK/21 Machine Gun: During the onset of the 1911 Revolution, there was an increasing demand asking for a support weapon with the mobility of being transported and operated by just one man. The MK/21 emerged as the most standout model of this desire. Featuring its long-stroke gas piston operation and top-mounted feeding mechanism, the MK/21 is an outstandingly quality firearm.
MK/30 Machine Gun: Although far from a poor design, one of the key issues most troops had with the earlier MK/21 was the magazine-fed nature of the weapon reducing its sustained fire capabilities. As a means to address these concerns, the MK/30 is intended to be an upgrade to the earlier MK/31. With the capacity to use both a bipod and a tripod with portability of just one man, the MK/30 is a general-purpose machinegun that is rapidly gaining good marks among troops in the field.
TMK/2: The TMK/2 is the VRA's standard heavy machinegun. Typically firing either 7.92mm Belzarovian or 13.5x101mm Rive rounds, the TMK/2 is an air-cooled machinegun with an average cyclic rate of about 700 RPM.
APG/29 Anti-Tank Rifle: From the basis of the earlier M/1919 Antipansargevær, the VRA quickly realized the importance of infantry-deployable anti-armor equipment. Largely heralded as a direct improvement to its more primitive cousin, the APG/29 is a magazine-fed antitank weapon, meant to be fired in crews of two, accompanying a spotter and an operator. Reworked to utilize new 13.5x101mm "Lansiär" incendiary rounds, the APG/29 can punch through armor, igniting its aluminum and tungsten sabot upon the immense impact velocity of hitting hard armor plates. The result is a weapon devastating to the crew within, as molten-hot shards of burning metal ricochet within the vehicle's quarters.
F1 Raketstyr 82mm: A simple stick-and-tube mechanism, the F1 propels 82mm rockets from a reusable, muzzle-loaded tube. Its simplicity, ease of use, and light weight compared to the AGP/29 give it much-coveted status among the troops. Capable of firing flak, antitank, and antipersonnel rockets, the F1 is a versatile piece of equipment that can be tailored for almost any situation.
M/28 Hand Grenade: A simple fragmentation grenade in a classic "handle" style. Possesses a "pull-cord" style design and is normally issued with a 4-second timed fuse, although variants for instantaneous (intended to be used for tripwire traps) and up to 12-second fuses exist.
Atg/30 Antitank Grenade: This is a primitive, hand-thrown grenade with a shaped "lancer" head, intended to crack open thick armor and field fortifications. Typically, it requires either a very brave or a very desperate soldier to use against an approaching tank or mech.
Moli: The affectionate nickname of this device, the "Moli" came into widespread prevalence throughout the IRA following revisions to the Vilturian Manual of Arms during the 1925 Army Reforms. Originally conceived as a means for the average infantryman to have a ready means of disabling enemy vehicles even when faced with a shortage of materials, the Moli is a makeshift incendiary grenade, lit by a primitive fuse.
22mm M/7 Geværgranåte: One of the more recent changes to the Vilturian Tables of Organization and Equipment was the addition of a dedicated Grenadier to all Rifle Squads, replacing one of the riflemen. Able to be mounted onto either the M/19(u) or the M/27, the M/7 is a simple launching mechanism, intended to allow the average unit a bit more squad-based firepower. The standard 22mm fragmentation rifle grenade offers enhanced range against traditionally thrown grenades. Antitank and smoke grenades also exist, but tend to be issued on a situational basis.
T/30: A half-track troop transport, the T-30 is one of Vilturia's newest attempts to fully update and mechanize its army. Unlike previous army trucks, the T-30 is armored to provide some modicum of protection against infantry fire, and is capable of carrying a squad of 10 into battle.
KV/18: One of the first armored vehicles ever created by the Vilturian Armed Forces, the Kampvagn 18 was designed in the immediate aftermath of the Revolution of 1911. Seeing increasing necessity for mechanization - as the actions of improvised armored cars and trains had proved their viability - Vilturia had rushed the KV/18 out to production. In contemporary times, the design is considered somewhat dated; It's multi-turreted layout has shown to reduce ammunition capacity for each weapon and makes for a rather cramped crew space. However, the KV/18 is built upon a solid chassis and a reliable transmission, and has since paved the way for further armor improvements.
LKV/25: As the cavalry tank of the VRA, the Letkampvagn 25 is designed with an unusual suspension chassis which allows it to easily traverse almost any kind of terrain. The relatively light weight, combined with its 47mm cannon, make it an effective tank for exploiting breakthroughs to their fullest potential.
TKV/24: A titan of a tank, the Tungkampvagn 24 serves the role of the breakthrough tank in VRA service, and is intended to smash through enemy strongpoints and fortifications with the support of its accompanying infantry. Boasting 100mm of angled frontal armor as well as a 76mm main gun, the TKV/24's capabilities are nothing short of impressive.
LKV/30: The most recent design from the famous Markian Technical Institute, the Letkampvagn 30 is an attempt to hybridize the best aspects of faster, lighter "cavalry" tanks and the heavier, better armored "breakthrough" tanks into one effective platform.
PKV/27 "Puma" When they were initially presented with combat walkers, the board of the VRN were initially very skeptical about the viability of mechs, citing the slower speed of an ambulatory gait as opposed to that of wheeled or tracked vehicles, in addition to the higher profile of an upright walker being a much larger target without the armor to compensate. As such, experimentation with combat mechs was only briefly done with things like the Projekt 1918, before unimpressive field tests and poor troop reports had the project cancelled in 1920 and had the concept of a front-line combat walker considered to be a dead end. With the reformation of the Alpiner Corps in 1923, several reports indicated that mountain troops requested a more mobile weapons platform for fire support, as mountain guns had to be manually towed either by horse or motorcycle.
1x Mortarman - Private armed with 8cm M/5 Mortar and 1 M/23 Pistol / M/1896 Revovler.
2x Ammunition Bearers - Private armed with 1 M/19(u) / M/27 Rifle or 1 MP/24 / MP/14 S2 Submachine Gun.
For M/19(u) Rifle:
40 rounds (ready) - 4x clips (10 rd) held in front vest pouches
30 rounds (reserve) - 3x clips (10 rd) held in front belt pouches
70 rounds (extra) - 7x clips (10 rd) held in rear belt pouches
For M/27 Rifle:
60 rounds (ready) - 3x magazines (10 rd) held in front vest pouches
40 rounds (reserve) - 2x magazines (10 rd) held in front belt pouches
40 rounds (extra) - 2x magazines (10 rd) held in rear belt pouches
For MP/14 S2 and MP/24 Submachine Guns:1
120 rounds (in gun) - 2x drum magazine (60 rd) held in rear belt drum pouch
170 rounds (ready) - 5x magazine (35 rd) held in front vest pouches
1) The Vilturian Manual of Arms states that submachine gunners are to enter all engagements with the drum magazine initially loaded, and to reload using the box magazines in combat. In practice, this clause tends to be ignored.
For MK/21 Machine Gun:
30 rounds (in gun) - 1x magazine (30 rd) loaded in gun
150 rounds (ready) - 5x magazine (30 rd) held in front vest pouches
For MK/30 Machine Gun:
80 rounds (in gun) - 1x ammunition belt (80 rd) loaded in gun
240 rounds (ready) - 3x ammunition belt (80 rd) held in front vest pouches, carried by ammunition bearers
For Grenades:
3x M/28 Hand Grenades (in pouch) or;
2x Atg/30 Antitank Grenades (in pouch)
|Class A|
Class A units (Vilturian: Klasse A) are those ranked by the General Army Inspectorate (Vilturian: Allmänna Hærinspektorat, Abv. AHI) as the most properly trained and staffed units within the VRA. As special standards are required to meet Class A certification that go above and beyond the general guidelines for army inspections, Class A units are generally considered to be, "The cream of the crop" of the VRA, and as such typically receive advanced funding from the Ministry of Defense. All special units - including mountaineer, marine, and airborne units - are of Class A rank, as are a number of particularly distinguished divisions.
|Class B|
Class B (Vilturian: Klasse Be) units refer to all standing military units which have been ranked by the AHI to meet the general army standards for front-line combat, yet do not meet the qualifications to be classified as a Class A unit.
|Class K|
Class K (Vilturian: Klasse Ka) is the mark given to combat units which do not meet military qualifications for front-line action, but are still in well enough shape to engage in limited operations. Such shortcomings can be a result of a lack of proper equipment, shortage of qualified personnel, limited tactical-operational organizational capacity, or poor performance. Many reserve divisions are given this qualification in peacetime, as many "on paper" reserve infantry divisions are clearly not mobilized during peacetime, and as such would only rise in categorization during war.
|Class D|
Class D (Vilturian: Klasse Da) denotes that a particular unit is in need of reorganization or restructuring. During wartime, Class D units would likely be ones that have suffered particularly bad losses of manpower or materiel, and unless they are also a specialized unit, they will likely be merged with another Class D unit to bring a unit back up to strength. However, in peacetime, this mark typically suggests that the group in question is simply awaiting resupply.
|Class S|
Class S (Vilturian: Klasse Es) is a special qualification that is given to units that are not directly handled by the VRA, and instead operate under the command of another organization. As a result, Class S units do not typically receive direct funding or assignment from the AHI, but instead will be organized and equipped to the regulations of their handler. The wide range of the Class S ranking also means that the average capabilities of Class S units varies greatly: Some Class S units are simple, irregular civil defense groups formed along border towns, while others are highly elite partisan groups organized under the authority of SIGA. (Vilturian: Särskiel Ifterretnings Gruppe Avingdren)
Infantry Divisions:
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Infanteri Afördeling"
Example: "12te Grønfæltske Infanteri Afördeling"
Reserve Infantry Divisions:
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Sikkerhetskopi Infanteri Afördeling"
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Kavælri Afördeling"
Example: "2st Fjällströmske Kavælri Afördeling"
Mechanized / Armored Infantry Divisions:
Division Number + Armored Corps Signifier Code + "Pansaretinfanteri Afördeling"
Example: "7de KVIO Pansaretinfanteri Afördeling"
Armor / Tank Divisions:
Division Number + Armored Corps Signifier Code + "Pansar Afördeling"
Example: "23je JKO Pansar Afördeling"
Mountaineer Divisions:
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Alpinjægar Afördeling"
Example: "1st Skadtinske Alpinjægar Afördeling"
Marine Divisions:
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Sjøjægar Afördeling"
Example: "4de Mädsenske Sjøjægar Afördeling"
Airborne / Paratrooper Divisions:
Division Number + Division Headquarters + "Falskärmsjægar Afördeling"
Example: "6te Kitäske Falskärmsjægar Afördeling"
|Vilturian Revolutionary Navy:| For much of Vilturia's history, the Navy received the lion's share of the defense budget. Considering the raw naval potential of neighboring Sairish Empire to be one of their largest threats - the still-young Vilturian Union still reeling from civil war - the choice for the Navy's prioritization in turn was spurred by a scare within the population at large that opportunists within the Empire's Expansionist Party would push for quick land grabs during the revolutionary period. At the conclusion of the First People's Congress, it was soon after decided that a serious effort at naval buildup would be necessary to deter any would-be powers. Outlined in the First Ten Year Plan, the priority of the VRN would be to:
Establish a surface fleet that was capable of defending the Union's vast coastline.
Create a naval force that was - at bare minimum - capable of withstanding an assault effort from Geisel or the Sairish Empire.
Have a fleet capable of power projection across the Southern and Eastern Oceans.
With the conclusion of the First Ten Year Plan in 1925, budget reallotments - as well as the creation of the Vilturian Revolutionary Air Force - largely signaled the conclusion of Vilturia's period of naval buildup. The resulting conclusion heralded the VRN's status as one of the most impressive naval forces in the world; A novel fleet, unrestrained by past doctrine or tonnage. Yet as it stood, the Vilturian Navy faced a crossroad of design philosophy: Some proponents of the school of power projection suggested the development of an aircraft-carrier focused battlefleet, supplanted by cruiser and destroyer screens that could easily strike well above their weight while having an operational range that surpassed any naval gun known. Others insisted on a more traditional-styled battleship focused fleet, in which the VRN would be engaged in a tonnage race with the Sairish Empire's mightiest vessels. As of 1930, the former's design philosophy has edged over the latter's, as the Union has pushed the majority of their efforts into their carrier fleets. All this said, the VRN remains nothing short of thoroughly impressive.
S2-Class Submarine: At their inception, the S2-class of submarines were themselves an upgrade of the Eilíftir-era Fjord class. Although they were accordingly upgraded with contemporary parts - and as such possess modern engines and propellers - their armament is still distinctly decades behind the norm, and are most commonly used for coastal defense or for training crewmen.
S3-Class Submarine: It was soon discovered that simply making improvements to the venerable Fjord-class would not suffice, and in 1920 a new series of submarines were laid down. The S3-class were Vilturia's first "true" homegrown blue water submarine designs. Possessing twin two-shaft diesel-electric engines and armed with 6 torpedo tubes, the S3 class are a versatile, swift vessel that have proven incredibly promising for convoy raiding in both blue and green water operations.
Skál-Class Torpedo Boat: An Eilíftir-era design, the Skál class of torpedo boats have widely been relegated to green-water use in recent years. Though perhaps impressive for their time, the years have not been kind to the then-contemporary design of their engines and rotor outputs, and as such, many Skál-class boats remain much more sluggish than their modern counterparts. However, their armament of torpedo tubes is nothing short of admirable, and for this reason the capable armament of these torpedo boats have prevented them from being scrapped altogether.
Räpija-Class Destroyer: One of the most common vessels in service, the Räpija-class of destroyers was designed in 1922 with the sole intent of being the "backbone of the fleet". True to its design, the Räpija-class of destroyers are capable of a mind-boggling assortment of loadouts.
Halebård-Class Light Cruiser:
Krigsværd-Class Light Cruiser: Known outside of Vilturia as the "Claymore", the Krigsværd-class is an impressively-outfitted blue water patrol vessel. Armed with M/1926 "Helstrjyk" torpedoes - magnetically-charged, hydrodynamic torpedoes propelled by a novel oxidizing aerosol - the Krigsværd has shown outstanding results in naval exercises. The Krigsværd punches well above its weight, and accordingly has immense verisimilitude. Most newer Krigsværd-class cruisers have been outfitted with an ablative "scale" armor plating, improving their durability in direct naval engagements.
Jestät-Class Heavy Cruiser: When the Vilturian Federation first came into being after the Revolution of 1911, they were quickly confronted with a pressing problem: As the Eilíftir loyalists had scuttled a majority of their naval ships to avert their capture, the few capital ships the Revolutionary forces could capture were rapidly aging. To confront these issues, it was decided in the first outlining of the VRN that there would be a twofold solution to this problem: The Jestät-Class of heavy cruisers, and the Minä-Class of battleships. Designed as a stopgap between lighter screening vessels and true ships-of-the-line, the Jestät-class has nevertheless proven to be a rapidly adaptable heavy cruiser design.
Lofi-Class Heavy Cruiser: The most modern of the heavy cruisers in the VRN's service, the Lofi-class was designed with the sole intent of providing an adaptable chassis upon which a long lifespan of variants could be concocted. Displacing just over 13,000 long tons, the Lofi-class has proven to be an adaptable ship design - and although time has not yet passed to see if it will live up to the legacy of the Jestät-class - it has nevertheless shown incredible promise...and has some very big shoes to fill.
Karina-Class Escort Carrier: As the prominence of airpower in warfare became increasingly more clear, it was obvious to the VRN that they would inevitably be required to have a capable escort ship with the capacity to support both the main battlefleet as well as supporting air fleets. To address this, the Karina-class of escort carriers are the smaller cousins to the Kotka and Ørn classes of proper carriers, and is intended to guard the main flanks of screen group from submarines, forwards, and light airgroups. As a result of its smaller constitution, the Karina-class are much more nimble compared to a full-grown carrier, but it also possesses a smaller flight deck.
Takka-Class Battlecruiser:
Sjáva-Class Dreadnought:
Minä-Class Battleship:
Freja-Class Superheavy Battleship:
Kotka-Class Carrier: At the onset of the VRN's birth, the newfound navy was set with a distinct problem: As experiences in naval warfare had shown, the role of heavy dreadnoughts had become increasingly challenged by the rising potency of air power. The viability of airfare in naval warfare confirmed to the higher-ups within the VRN that they should shed tradition in favor of a fully modernized naval force. However, naval strategy is built strategy, and the young Federation had not yet the time to indulge fully in a completely modern navy. In response, the Kotka-class was a hastily-created concoction to fit the VRN's experimental needs. As it is, it is a conversion of ocean liners to accommodate a flight deck and a few rudimentary flight control towers.
Ørn-Class Carrier: With the success of the Kotka-class proven in naval exercises, the VRN further authorized the creation of a "true" aircraft carrier. First laid down in 1925, the Ørn-class boasts notable improvements to the previous Kotka-class conversions. Without the limitations imposed upon the nature of being conversions, the Ørn-class boasts a number of improvements upon its predecessor, of which include an enlarged flight deck and under-deck, additional lifters, an enlarged control tower, and an enhanced radio relay for improved sortie efficiency.
|Vilturian Revolutionary Air Force:| After the onset of the Revolution of 1911, the Revolutionary Army was swift to notice the ever-more increasing importance of air power on the modern battlefield. Initially organized as a subdivision of the Vilturian Revolutionary Army, eventually the subdivision itself grew too large to be considered such for much longer, and was reorganized into the Vilturian Revolutionary Air Force in 1921.
TIK Cyklon Produced by Titänia Industrielle Köretage (Abv. TIK), the Cyklon primarily serves as a light reconnaissance plane, and only has passable offensive capabilities. With a long operational range and a modified diesel engine, the Cyklon is also famously quiet.
I'm game. Though I have to ask; What are the limits on the delegation of power that is typical of a tributary state? As in, what actions are allowed to be taken just by the state proper, and which ones require the expressed consent of the Arkronains?
Judging by the apparent reaction of the small crowd assembled at her suggestion, Maxi engaged a smile toward the group. Visibly rather excited in regards to the supposition, she, too, began her steady march toward the Mess Hall, looking over the group. Paloma and Rosie's sheer exuberance meshed with Austin's awkward supposition forced a grin out of her, any onlooker who knew her well knowing full well that she was keenly observing Austin, evaluating when and what to strike. How he sluggishly trailed along with everyone else, to how he constantly bemused their boundless energy, all of which only made Maxi chuckle. Yori, Maxi knew, was just the prickly type. Hard to get ones hands around, but once the outer shell is gone, there is but a pleasant interior in which one may finally bask their fingers in. At least, Maxi had assumed this was the case, for she had the secret hope within her that Yori wasn't just Killjoy Boy all along. Austin? Well, he was just green, and there wasn't much of any manner of practical solution for greenness than old-fashioned experience. The way she figured, Austin would be singing a whole different tune after his first few weeks in the Corps, a jolly brother in this merry little band. As for Victoria...
...well, there was no satisfying Victoria. One could bring down the sky for her, and she would likely shrug at the gesture and suggest you find better people to please.
"Ah, cheer up!" she turned, addressing the "concerns" of Yori and Victoria both with a slight grin, "There's been a lot of talk about swapping out the rations after all the field reports."
As one approached the rather unceremonious entrance to the Mess Hall, adjacent to the door was the daily chalkboard upon which the daily chow was scribbled. Just after, everyone knew, would be the receiving window upon which requests and trays would be distributed. Moving closer, the faint, flickering light of the base above flashed into fullness, illuminating the darkness of the black chalkboard in a yellowish light. And the menu would be...
Maxi smiled, placing her hands on her hips and turning back to the small crowd with clear glee. Truth be told, she was waiting for Rosie or Paloma to explode all over Yori and maybe drown him in some optimistic, sugary sweetness. Perhaps it wouldn't make his morning, hour, minute, or even second, but perhaps Yori and Victoria might show something aside from omnipresent glumness.
"See? They're giving us rations so good even Vincenzo's cooking can't screw it up!" Maxi laughed, shamelessly opening the doors with both hands as if unveiling some grand display.
"Another word like that, and ya' gonna' be eating week-old salt-and-bread for the rest of ya' time here."
For four in the morning, Vincenzo was, as perhaps expected for an army cook, less than excited to need to prepare so early in the morning. His sullen, baggy eyes traced around his sockets not dissimilar to a raccoon's marks, lazily plucking a lit cigarette into his mouth while he took a long drag.
"Vincenzo? Wasn't your shift over at 22-hundred?"
"Quartermaster told me i'm on double time now." he addressed, the acidity in his remark clear that their decision came at his expense, "I'm off at 5 today."
"Ah...Anyway, what's in Vinny's Surprise?"
"It's a surprise."
"Oooh~...I like surprises." she taunted. Her face etched a, "Try me"-grin that stretched from eye to eye, cheek to cheek. Unenthused, Vinny unceremoniously crouched below the counter, grunting a bit as he went down.
As he came back up, he plopped a red meal tray, atop it a giant bowl of some combination of beans and meat in a thick, dark broth, the contents splattering unto the countertop as he dropped it. Maxi's grin evaporated into consternation, her brow sharpening as she inspected the "breakfast" up for service.
"Wait...Vinny, this is just last night's dinner!" she gently prodded a finger into it. The deepening of her frown on an already displeased demeanor suggested the meal was heated to a lukewarm temperature, at best.
"Sur-prise."
The lieutenant glanced back slowly at Yori, Paloma, Vicky, and Rosie. Her unamused face told it all: "Whatever you do, don't get the Surprise."
"Senators being problematic, congress pondering your position, the Europan Council questioning your involvement within the alliance and if you're just helping me overthrow governmental power through militaristic gain. I see nothing different from any other period in history."
"Regardless of if you see it that way or not, we are facing quite the conundrum and we have nothing to show for it yet."
"So what do you want me to do?"
Shifting in his chair, the cane wielding chancellor brushed his goatee methodically, pressing one leg over the other. With a sigh the man turned his eyes to the Europan map in the west end of the General's quarters. Standing with the assistance of his cane the middle aged man approached the frontline and studied it quietly. Every inch of the shifting borders ingrained itself into his mind. He tapped upon the proposed destination for the operating base of Black Echo, ushering the General to his location.
"We need something to show for our efforts. We need intelligence."
"We also need Echo Black to press for advantages. I have a grand strategy in mind that will work brilliantly."
"Tell me more."
"With requisitions and funding. we will pressure the Imperials into an attack. We will purposefully lose our position until we can fish them into our net."
"And pray tell, what will Echo Black do against the divisions they will find themselves up against?"
"Their goal will be the command center that will be left lightly guarded as we begin our counter assault."
"Are you absolutely certain they will simply leave the command center unguarded? Headquarters are a foundation of the army, are they not?"
"What is more important than a headquarters is understanding your enemy. Spies have brought me information that tells me what I already knew. General Rangz is my opponent. He's a very aggressive man. I am preparing everything for this strategy. He will use armor as soon as we stall and that is when we will hold him down. As we speak my defenses and traps are being build prematurely. Once the command center is down... well... I'll let you read the rest in the newspaper."
"How do you intend to take lots of ground when you give it up?"
"I intend- to bleed them."
"You cannot be serious."
"Chancellor, we are soldiers. Regardless of morality, war is fought with manpower. If I can get them to lose a large swathe of men then we will be in a position to not only go on the offensive but pressure their other armies."
"Well... all things considered I believe the idea is brilliant, but I do hope this does not come back to harm us. Remember that the council will judge us on all accounts."
"Yes, but currently the council is afraid. I'm sure you can understand that a decisive victory that appeared to be a decisive loss that turned out to be actually in control..."
"Will strengthen their confidence and in turn provide more support to our organization's efficiency."
"More men..."
"More funding..."
With a nod the Chancellor traversed the refined floor, the tap of his boots ending abruptly as he slipped into the cushioning of the guest chair before the officer's desk. Ducasse was still pondering the situation at hand and found herself staring into space. There was much yet left to do and where to begin was the question. The pieces were set but where to begin? Thankfully, experience told her something rather valuable.
With the chancellor busy with his own thoughts on the situation, she moved to her chair, softly pressing herself into her own pedestal and loomed over the lives which laid before her. Her own personal project had come to fruition and with war on her mind she had to decide how to spend those precious drops of blood. She would never meet many of them. Some would even go home before she could ever come to examine the losses themselves.
"So, General, where are they now?"
"Now?"
"Alright boys, let's pack it up! Let's go! Let's go! General Ducasse wants us at the point at soon as possible!"
With a bold shout the command to march and ride was given. By the fireteams did the convoy move with a designated driver to each. Two fire teams to a supply truck, a fire team to a car, infantry to march alongside them on the way. Scouts lead the way.
"Come on gentlemen! Let's get a move on!" The brazen red hair shot, again, waving about his arms with yellow eyes piercing into a recruit or two.
"Give it a rest, Hamlock. We're not your subordinates."
"What of it Clover? You're as green as they come. I have experience!" The private insisted, nearly prodding the woman's curly dark green hair before her hand wafted it away.
"You're not a bright one are ye? Get in the fockin' convoy ye sorry bastard. Te think I'm going to be relying on you to relay information..."
"What's so wrong with that?"
"Be Janey! Ye can't honestly tell me yer not gonna sit there wavin' knob in hand over the first order that pee brain of yers can muster?"
"If you're going to insult a man speak the proper-"
"Both of you cut the chatter. Come on, we've a war to fight." As the sergeant entered the supply truck the two calmed their arguments, sitting upright within the vehicle as it began to move. Boasting a confirmation they were on their way. "Ugh... I can't believe we get to march alongside the tank instead of sitting on it."
"Well, Sandra, we could always play cards to get it off your mind."
"With a trickster like you? No. No, I'd much rather shower in mud."
"Hey! I don't bite! I just like playing games."
"Yeah...I'm sure you do, creep."
"Alright, alright. Listen, how about this, I'll carry you for a bit and then when we're almost there you carry me on your back. How does that sound?"
"Uh- no. Not at all. Besides- it's not proper for regulation dimwit."
"Like riding on a tank when you're supposed to be marching to keep an eye on things? Leave it to the navy to take it easy."
"Yeah, I'm sure you army mutts pride yourself on licking glue and eating bugs."
"O-ho! A little bite on you."
"Sandra and Antonio, cut the bullshit. If we get deducted because of your behavior I will make your military careers hell. Do you understand? It's bad enough I have to listen to 'Sir Winston Hamlock' spout his lines about his high class escapades with servants of the ball. I don't want to hear you two talk loudly about how you plan to be fucking."
"We hear you, Uyless. Don't worry your Vinland head about any of this. After all, it's not your land you have to worry about is it?"
"Kiss my ass, Tony."
"It's beautiful isn't it?"
"Hm?"
"The landscape... It's... so green. It's lush everywhere. It's so odd to experience a land so warm and free of the snow."
"Oh yeah, you're from the north, aren't you, Eija?"
"Yes, sir. Field medic, at your service."
"I heard your mother was an incredible servicewoman. Saved a lot of lives I bet."
"She still has the letters of thanks. I hope I can make her proud like she did so many others."
"Well, I'm sure. My name is Yhobi, by the way."
"Yhobi? Well I think that's a fantastic name."
"Thank you, would you like some chocolate?"
"I would love some!" Heads were held high with the sounds of soldiers talking and marching. Where these men and women would end up was a matter of time, though there was no doubt in Ducasse's mind that they would be successful. They had to be. Given special permissions to operate as a highly valued asset tied to her word and reputation was nothing to scoff at and it certainly wasn't something that she intended to fail on delivering for. That's why she chose two very special lieutenants to the operation.
Maxi Höfler was an interesting choice. Even among her own officers a question would be raised over the order. "Make Maxi a core lieutenant for Echo Black?" It made no sense to a number of them. It ran by as another decision by another head boss that didn't know what they were doing in the slightest. Yet, like all of those in high management positions, she made the decisions and they had to follow them to the letter if they wanted to maintain their positions and grace. Ducasse simply saw it as an obvious choice. She was a misunderstood soldier. Not the most professional or even methodical in the typical sense, but pragmatic in her own mind. She would shoot out of bed with a bolt and understood what needed to be done. If there was a need for a bridge she was the type to simply make one instead of waiting for another. What lieutenant wouldn't be serviceable for such a high strung operation given the nature? Choices always went beyond that but that alone was always enough to make a questioning officer simply leave it be. Maxi is an elite, that much is clear. Besides, the general was no stranger to days of chaos.
Then there was Pyry Kyllo. He was perfect for the position in her mind. Records indicated survival with all limited resources upon encirclement being not nearly enough to last a week even with rationing and yet the man crawled his way through hell and caused strides of destruction where he went. Commando Elite and a fine one at that. Some could ask, "What makes a special operations team efficient?" Many meanings to the question, of course, but Ducasse knew what they asked. The question of how one who could survive for such a long time unaided and unseen for long periods with an entire squad with him... well... the answer was very easily given. Survival. It doesn't matter how much you give a soldier if they die immediately. It doesn't matter how elite the soldier if the common grunt can cut them off and finish them with ease. No, there was only one thing that officer needed to be able to do when the chips were down and the lines were cut. No further argument needed.
"I will be arriving later today. I take it you and Lt. Höfler will have everything ready when I come for inspection?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. I will speak with you more then."
"And our mission?"
"Proceed as ordered."
"Yes, sir."
"Hopefully the lack of snow won't bother you much."
"I'll learn to live with it."
"As always. Now go meet with the others. Dismissed."
It was 4 in the morning, but Maxi looked and felt about as awake as she could have been at any other time of day. Rude awakenings were more or less par the course for the Rangers, and if this upcoming mission was half as important as the upper echelons had said it was, then Echo Black needed nothing short of perfect display. Even Maxi’s hair was done, neatly brushed and even sporting a cute red-and-white bow.
“...and last on the list, regulations...”
Maxi cast a wide grin across Squad C, quickly making eye contact with everyone as she scanned the crowd, left to right. The Lieutenant cracked a chuckle, then softly shook her head.
“Alright, look: I don’t think I need to beat anyone’s head over it, but just...don’t be an idiot. Alright, yeah, we can all have fun and chat, but the bigwigs are all on-site today and tomorrow, so we need to look and act the part. If you can’t act the part, then pretend the part the best you can.”
She took a few steps sideways, then returned her cocky, smiling gaze to the left of the room, starting off her mental checklist.
“That means; Rosie, no sprinting around base...Vicky, don’t break anything…”
Maxi’s eyes darted across each and every person she called out, exchanging with them a sly smirk, as if to say she didn’t really expect them to - or rather, would not be surprised if they did not - heed her advice.
“...and Yori, try to be less...grim. Lighten up, jeez~!” she chortled. Soon after, she returned to the center of the room, and stood tall. Her hand swiftly reached the top of her head, standing pridefully as she gestured the room to salute.
“Atten-shun!” She hailed, gesturing upright, “Squad C! Dis-missed!”
Maxi swiftly signaled, exhaling as quickly as her form relaxed.
“Now..”
She sighed quickly, glancing over with a half-tired smile.
@Letter Bee I would say you should expect dark moments, but all in all? The tone should be fairly neutral, all things considered. It should hit all the highs and lows to accompany a rightful band of brothers and sisters on their journey throughout the Second Europan War, and with it, you shouldn't expect an omnipresent feeling of darkness.
[h2]“There was a time when I was master of the universe. As I was staying ageless and motionless before my computer, flying untouched over human frenzy, cities rose and crumbled under my thumb, tiny people ran hurriedly to their death on the roads I had built and time flew at my command.
Then it all stopped, and I had to become one of those running specks. They call it 'life.'”[/h2]
[right][sub][i]Nicolas Combrexelle[/i][/sub][/right]
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><div class="bb-h2">“There was a time when I was master of the universe. As I was staying ageless and motionless before my computer, flying untouched over human frenzy, cities rose and crumbled under my thumb, tiny people ran hurriedly to their death on the roads I had built and time flew at my command.<br><br>Then it all stopped, and I had to become one of those running specks. They call it 'life.'”</div><br><div class="bb-right"><sub><span class="bb-i">Nicolas Combrexelle</span></sub></div></div>
