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The Coalition Of Nations

After hundreds of years of death, chaos and war the nations of the world of Wintreath banded together to try and create a new and unprecedented organization. An organization with the goal to try and create new understandings between nations, to try and create friendships and set aside old rivalries. Hopefully, a new Century will mean a New Day for Wintreath.

Located on Unitis Island, a 2 square mile piece of land in the middle of the largest sea on the planet. With state of the art communications equipment to allow almost instantaneous communications with their home nations. Sovereignty on the island is a tricky issue, while the Coalition Security Force will stop any crimes on the island for prosecution the nation that the accused comes from will take custody and prosecute. The Coalition exists to try and bridge understanding but it cannot violate the sovereignty of nations.

The current administration of the Coalition is as follows:
Speaker Of Nations Kurt Hesse
Kurt Hesse is an experienced and cunning politician. The man called the 'architect of the coalition' he is most responsible for the creation of the Organization. Now as the Speaker Of Nations he is the man who needs to ensure that its mission is followed.

The National Union Of Gralend

Population: 201,330,401
Capital: New Haven City

The Region of Gralend has always been a unstable and war torn one. The rich, genteel and urban Southern region has always ruled the region, especially over the more rural, blue-collar Northern region. The Gralich Kingdom was an autocratic and imperialist state, generally disliked by neighbors. However, after years of oppression, the North finally declared independence a short 15 years ago. So began the Gralich Civil War.

6 years later, it was stalemate. Two and a half million Gralenders lay dead on the fields of the Hollow Lands, the peninsula that connects North to South. Twelve million had been maimed, injured or otherwise driven insane after years of combat. Hope was non existent in both North and South but the political leaders of both Nations refused to concede defeat. Even after all the blood, both sides demanded more still. A planned offensive to end the war was crafted by both sides. Coincidentally, the battles were planned for the same week. In the span of 4 weeks, half a million men lay dead. It was the straw that broke the camels back.

On both sides anti-war dissidents existed, Syndicalists, Communalists, Imperialists, Republicans. When another movement came to be, no one payed attention at first. The Ultranationalist Front was a small, unimportant voice in a larger sea of unrest. But as the years drew on and the bloodbath continued, more and more came under the spell of the Front and it's charismatic leader, Former Grand Marshal Wallace Wilkie.

He promised many things. Peace. Prosperity. Unity. Order. He advocated a martial style of government, a more Authoritarian slant. In the broken bodies and shattered minds of veterans, come home from the bloody fields of the Hollow Lands, he found willing and able members. Cast aside by the government and nation they had sacrificed their limbs, their minds and their friends for, the promise of greatness enthralled them. When the promised offensives came and brought not victory but blood the Ultranationalists seized their chance.

The coup was over in less than a day. With so many former soldiers and the best both nations had fighting and dying at the front the governments of North and Southern Gralend stood no chance. The Ultranationalists had seized both nations. Next came the consolidation of power.

The purges were brutal. Bloody. Tens of  Thousands were killed, 'Enemies of the Revolution”. After years fighting and killing follow Gralenders the Grand Marshal decided that nothing would divide the people ever again. Not a North-South divide, not class, not ideology. The people would be united. And they would be united under him.

Government

Gralend is a single party state that emphasizes Ultranationalism, Corporatism and Militarism. The Government owns all business in the country and slave labour is commonplace.

Crimes against the Government and the Ultranationalist Front are punished either with Death or internment in a National Work Redemption Camp. Conditions are brutal and many never survive their punishment.

Racism, differing political ideologies and other forms of 'divisive thought and action' are also punished with Death or Interment. Public executions of 'Traitors' is commonplace. A pervasive feeling of fear and terror grips the Gralich Peninsula.

Head Of State And Government:
The Grand Marshal, Supreme Leader and Grand Protector of The Greater Gralich People Wallace Wilkie.

Before he was the Grand Marshal General Wallace Wilkie was an unremarkable military officer in the Royal Gralich Army. Born in the North, when the war broke out he remained loyal to the Southern Government and had initial success against the Northern rebels but after a speech criticizing the Royal Government he was fired. That, however, gave him the freedom to focus on politics and, eventually, to launch his revolution. Now, he holds the dual position of Head of State and Government. A proud and boastful man, he typically spends his days either in Government meetings or giving bombastic speeches with standing ovations.

Minister Of Economic Planning and Future Growth of The Greater Gralich People Henry Reijman

Former Minister of Trade for the Gralich Kingdom Henry Reijman was a late convert to the Ultranationalist Front and suspicions about his true loyalty are, for now, quiet but ever present. He is, however, a fantastic Economic Minister responsible for the growth of the Gralich Economy and rise in living standards for all Gralenders. His success, however, is built on the back of slave labour and he is more than willing to continue exploiting them.

Minister of National Salvation and Interior Security and Glorious Leader of the Valk Patrol Roman Van Vossok

If Wallace Wilkie is the spirit of the Revolution then Roman Van Vossok is the bogeyman. As Minister of National Salvation and Interior Security he is responsible for the purges that plague the land. His Valk Patrol (born from the Old Gralich word for Unity. Old Gralich as a language has been dead for 300 years) terrorizes the population, typically acting above the law. They detain anyone they want for whatever reason and, as the ones who run the work camps, typically make inconvenient people disappear. Even Wallace Wilkie is concerned by the power and brutality of Van Vossok. However, his hold on powers remains strong.

Minister of Military Affairs and Conquest Jacob Pyre

Formerly a leader in the Northern Independence Movement Jacob Pyre has since become loyal to the Ultranationalist cause. No greater believer in the cause exists in government, his zeal exceeding that of Wilkie himself. While his abilities as a General and Military Minister leave a lot to be desired (indeed, his performance with the Northern Rebels during the Civil War was abysmal)  his continued public popularity in North Gralend and zealous loyalty to the Ultranationalist cause ensure his continued employment.

Military

The greatest problem facing the Gralich Military was population. After being decimated during the Civil War something was needed to increase the population size. Roman Van Vossok had a solution.

A horrifying solution.

The Children of age below 4, Children to young to remember their parents, were taken to be raised by the Valk Patrol to be soldiers. When that was insufficient, another idea was hatched.

The families of those traitors were also arrested. The men were used as chattel slaves, worked in industrial factories and mines until they died. The women had a darker fate. They were to be used as broodmothers, kept in a drug fueled haze and either artificially inseminated or raped. They are bred endlessly until they either become infertile or die. And when infertility comes, execution follows.

This was repeated with more and more women being arrested and deemed 'traitors', assigned to become 'Gestation Units' and breed as much as they could.

Simultaneously, things like contraception and abortion were banned. Any woman who became pregnant and did not want to care for the child was 'encouraged' to hand the child over to the Valk Patrol.

The end result was close to three million children in the hands of the Valk Patrol. All being raised to be obedient, capable and ruthless soldiers. When they come of age in a few years, Gralend will have one of the largest armies in the world.

The current Gralich National Army, however, is not so lucky. The typical Gralich Soldier is armed with a GAR-98 rifle, a reliable if somewhat outdated rifle in 7.62 calibre. Body armour will stop smaller rounds and shrapnel but not full power bullets.

They use outdated 900 RGA(Royal Gralich Armory) Type-86 Tanks, while outdated they are not useless and are being phased out in favor of the GNA Type 2000 Main Battle Tank. 1500 RGA Type-84 Armored Personnel Carrier's are also still in service.

With about 400,000 Regular Soldiers the Gralich National Army is not incapable. They also have access to around 2,500,000 in militia's, paramilitary groups and police units though their capabilities are questionable. The Valk Patrol also have around 200,000 members with about 150,000 in active service roles. The main weakness of the Gralich National Army is doctrine. Most Generals are either political lackeys or unimaginative thinkers.

The Gralich Air Force does not exist. Instead, the usage of planes are split between the Army and Navy. The Army Air Division has around 1,500 GNA Type-92 Fighters, capable fighters in their own right, and 300 GNA Type-93 CAS Plane. They also use several types of helicopter with the main assault helicopter being the Type-88 Attack Helicopter with about 350 in service. The Gralich Naval Air Division has around 200 modified Type-92's for Naval Service.

The Navy is, unlike the Army, not as damaged to war. The North never had much in the way of a Naval presence and as such the Royal Gralich Navy never actually lost a ship. However, the double eged sword is that as such the Navy has been largely neglected. It is in as much the same shape now that it was in during the Civil War.

With about 50 Support Ships of all types the logistics of the Navy is secure. They have 15 Submarines, 20 Frigates, 10 Destroyers, 1 Cruiser and 1 Aircraft Carrier. The only addition to the fleet since the Civil War was a vanity project, the Heavy Cruiser GNN Fatherland.

Most of the Navy Admiralty are holdovers from the Royalist period. The Valk Patrol are especially concerned about any potential royalist sympathies in the National Navy.

Army Strengths
High Morale
Experience

Army Weaknesses
Manpower shortages
Outdated equipment
High command incompetence

Air Divisions Strength
Tactical experience
Integrated Leadership

Air Divisions Weaknesses
Outdated Equipment
Strategic inability

Navy Strengths
Capable Leadership
Adequate numbers

Naval Weaknesses
Potential Royalist Sympathies
Government Neglect
Outdated Equipment

Culture

The population lives in constant fear. The Valk Patrol terrorizes the population regularly, dragging 'dissidents' and 'traitors' off to never be seen again with regularity. All aspects of the economy are run and owned by the Government. All political movements, unions, and parties are banned. The only party is the Ultranationalist Front.

However, a large segment of the population, mainly former veterans, are almost universally in favor of the Ultranationalists. Wider public support ebbs and flows but through a mixture of populist economics and terror most of the population supports the current government or are so terrified they dare not act against them.

Women are encouraged to start families but are not required to. Gay rights, oddly enough, are high with homosexual relations accepted by society, especially by the Valk Patrol. Racist, sexist and bigoted offenses are criminalized and severely punished by the government as 'divisive action and thought”.

The Government has also embarked on a beautification program, rebuilding neighborhoods and infrastructure, enhancing the living conditions of the Nation and attempting to cut back on environmental pollution.

The darker side of this is when the Government in general and Van Vossok started to 'beautify' the population. The infirm and terminal patients were the first to die. Most were quietly poisoned but some were public hanged as a message. Next were the mentally ill and physically crippled. However, when Van Vossok attempted to cleanse the infirm veterans of the war Grand Marshal Wilkie stepped in and overrode Van Vossok, stopping the 'population cleansing'. However, if Van Vossok ever gets more control over the Government, such measures are sure to start again.

Economically, Gralend is dependent on slave labour. Most of the 'free' population of Gralend either work in Government, Police, Military or Agricultural jobs. Most menial labour, mining, manufacturing and construction are done by the Valk Patrol and their slave labour camps.

A program where anyone who cannot find employment in Gralend within one year will be automatically drafted into the army is currently being implemented to combat rising unemployment in Gralend.

The Empire Of Kodoro

Population: 131,135,430
Capital: Ayanovaya

The Empire of Kodoro is an old and proud nation. Having expanded from nothing to full dominion over the Kodoro isles in less than 5 years, the history of this Empire is a violent and bloody one. The nation is organized on militaristic and autocratic lines and is largely regarded as a royal dictatorship. A seemingly benevolent one but a dictatorship none the less.

However, recently, the Empire has hit a point of stagnation. While most of the military and aristocracy relive old Imperial Glories the people at large are beginning to protest the current state of things. Communalist, Democratic, even strong men along the lines of the Ultranationalists of Gralend are rousing the people against the Government. The response has so far been to try and crack down on dissent but this seems to be fueling the unrest more then crushing it.

The Empire itself is located on a series of 3 Islands, Haihana, Jardona and Kareliso. They also have 2 Colonial Territories and 5 Protectorates. Located only 255 nautical miles from the Gralich Peninsula, Kodoro and Gralend have historically had....tense relations. The overthrow of the Gralich Monarchy and rise of the Ultranationalists have only worsened the divide.

Government

Head Of State
Emperor and Autocrat of the Kodoro People Taishi Ayano, Regal Name Payano II

The Emperor himself. The Head of State of Kodoro, Empror Payano II is an old and respected man. He made his name in the Military, partaking in the 3rd pacification of Madaya where he distinguished himself. When his only male cousin died unexpectedly in a plane crash 10 years ago, due to the Agnitic only inheritance laws, he became the Crown Prince, a role he never wanted or expected. Two years later, he was Emperor. In that role he has tried to ensure better living conditions for his people and even attempted some small form of democratization. However, most of his initiatives become stalled by the Lord Regent's machinations and his own weak willed nature, leading many to wonder how much power the Emperor really wields in Government.

Head of Government
Lord Regent of the Empire of Kodoro Tojit Kelso

Former Grand Admiral of the Fleet Tojit Kelso became Lord Regent 12 years ago and has held the position longer than most due to his ruthless machinations. Even his enemies say his political maneuvering is masterful as they curse his name. While he is a capable politician his polices, especially his insistence on denying democracy and strict anti-labour stances has made his name reviled among the people. However, short of a full scale revolution, his position continues to be secure as he leads the country and he sees fit.

Grand Chairman of the Council of The Military Admiral Nakaga Tollio

Head of the Military Admiral Nakaga Tollio is a friend and confidant to Tojit Kelso, having got his position over more experienced staff due to his loyalty to Kelso. However, many believe he has been promoted beyond his capabilities and plenty of evidence seems to support this conclusion. While a competent Admiral and tactical thinker his strategic competency seems to be lacking and as Grand Chairman he has neglected the Army and Air Force to focus almost exclusively on the Navy. While many are furious at this he defends his opinions by pointing out that as an island nation a strong Navy is incredibly important. Whether or not his Navy centric approach will potentially backfire remains to be seen.

Minister without Portfolio Princess Sakura Tomasi

The one and only woman in Government and older sister to the Emperor, Princess Sakura Tomasi is a popular and moderate voice in government. While she technically has no Portfilio, she de facto runs the Treasury and Economic matters for the Government. While she has enjoys popularity among the population she does not enjoy the same popularity within the Government and with Tojit Kelso particularly. Serveral attempts to remove her have been made by Kelso, all rebuffed by an uncharacteristic show of strength from the Emperor. For now, she continues to be a stabilizing figure in an unpopular government.

Minister for Internal Security Grand Duke of Jardona Takino Primorskaya

Grand Duke Primorskaya is the man in charge of Internal Security and, as such, is the man who orders the brutal extra judicial killings and actions of the Imperial State Secret Police. His suppression of dissidents within the Empire, particularly Nationalists from the Colonial Provinces, has been moderately successful so far. However, as the man in charge of investigating dangerous elements in the Empire, one dangerous figure has gone unnoticed by the Government: Himself. While most of the Government were disgusted by and condemned the Ultranationalists of Gralend, Takino was drawn in. Now he fully believes in an Imperial version of Ultranationalism and quietly hopes to one day implement his vision for the Empire.

Military

The Imperial Kodoro Army has a proud and noble tradition with many past glories and victories to look at. With such a glorious past, the perception in the Empire is that the Army is one of the most capable and feared in the world.

The reality is very different. While efforts to ensure the equipment and technology used by the army is the most up to date it could be the Army is seriously deficient in effective Leadership and Experience. While most soldiers are equipped with reliable weaponry the doctrines used by the Generals leading these armies are, at best, incredibly outdated. With 600,000 Active Servicemen armed with modern PMA-21 rifles, 1000 Artemis-class tanks but only 100 Armored Personnel Carriers due to many generals thinking that APC's are unnecessary for static warfare the Imperial Army is not small but definitely inexperienced, not having fought anything more than small scale colonial uprisings for years.

The Imperial Kodoro Air Force has much the same problem as the Army, while modern equipment is commonplace the Air Force is inexperienced and Doctrines outdated. They have never faced a real enemy beyond bombing Nationalist militias in the colonies.

But with 2000 Shining Beacon-class Fighters. 200 Endless Hellfire-class CAS planes and 70 Furious Vengence-class Strategic Bombers it is no pushover either.

The Strongest asset the Empire has the the Imperial Kodoro Navy. With state of the art ships and equipment and having engaged in 4 War Games in the last 2 years the Imperial Navy is not inexperienced. They do, however, have a problem. While the Empire is large industrially they have never been the strongest and as such replacing the larger ships may be a costly and time consuming endeavor.

However, with 8 modern Aircraft Carriers, 10 Cruisers, 40 Destroyers, 75 Frigates, 40 Submarines and over 100 support ships it is not a small or unformidable force.

The main weakness facing the Imperial Military, however, is still its oldest. Industrially, they have never been very strong. With relatively few factories replacing material losses in a war of attrition may be more than the Empire can handle.

Army Strengths
Large military
Modern Equipment

Army Weaknesses
Outdated doctrine
Incompetent, nepotistic Leadership
Government Neglect
Industrial Weakness

Air Force Strengths
Modern Equipment

Air Force Weaknesses
Industrial Weakness
Government Neglect
Outdated Doctrine

Navy Strength
Modern Equipment
Sizable Fleet
Modern Doctrine
Experience

Navy Weakness
Industrial weakness

Culture

Culturally the people of Kodoro are very conservative, especially with regards to women. Most women do not work and are typically expected to stay at home as house wives. Women who do not marry by the age of 25 are seen by society as aberrations and are social pariahs. Less than 3% of women in Kodoro are employed outside of family interests. Homosexuality is also illegal in the Empire who see it as 'deviant' behavior.

The state church, Kodoroism, worships the Emperor as a living god and teaches that his word is divine. The population are mostly Kordoroites with non-religious people discriminated against. Bi-weekly church attendance for all citizens is mandatory, regardless if they are Kodoroites or not. Apostasy is not illegal but mob violence against 'unholy' people occasionally breaks out and the Government turns a blind eye to such actions.

Most of the population are indoctrinated from birth into belief of the superiority of the Kodoro people and the divinity of the Emperor and most of the adult population fervently believe that. Politically, the right to vote has not been given to the people with only members of the military having the right to vote and officers having more votes given to them based on rank. Most of the population accepts this state of affairs but dissent is slowly increasing in the Empire.

The men in society are heavily militarized from young with military discipline and even drill being taught in school. Mandatory conscription for 2 years into the Military mean that fresh bodies are always available. However, given the generally prudishness of Kodoro society birth rates are increasingly low in the Empire.

Socialist Federal Republic Of Yagristan

Population: 27,302,490
Capital: Lonon

The Socialist Federal Republic of Yagristan was born not from violence but peaceful revolution. Formerly the Kingdom Of Yagristan this ethnically diverse and mixed nation was born after the conquest by the Kingdom of Surramarine across the region unified it under one banner. However, there are 4 ethnic people in the Nation, the Surramarine, the Croaton, the Alvarian and the Bozzanian.

Unrest was high in the old Kingdom. Efforts by the King to unite the people failed, especially with concerns that the Surramarine were embarking on a campaign to create a 'Greater Surramarine' by displacing or exterminating the other ethnicities rampant among the population. About 4 years ago, when the last King was assassinated by Croaton independence fighters leaving no heir the Kingdom fell after protests broke out that threatened to tear the county apart. The new Government attempted to form into a Federal Republic but when the first elections were held the Socialist Political Union of Yagristan, aka SPUY, was elected with a very different view for the Country.

Less than a month after the election the Party, led by former professor Leon Tsaritsyn, a Croaton, banned all other political parties and exiled their leaders. Election were allowed to continue but with no opposition, a move to 'unify the people'. At the same time businesses were all seized by the Government and attempts to create a socialist nation are underway to varying degrees of success.

However, independence movements are still growing and the Central Government is attempting to solidify rule directly from the capital city, Lonon. The Local Governments are attempting to fight this centralization but efforts are still proceeding to fully centralize the nation. Meanwhile, partisans and freedom fighters attempt a guerrilla war against the Government to almost no success.

Government

Head Of State
President of the Republic Stannislaw Matankov

President Matankov is a popular if not respected man. The position of President, however, is largely ceremonial with no real power. A Surramarine, Matankov was given the position of President by the SPUY to attempt to pacify the Surramarine, especially independence agitators. However, Matankov and his milquetoast mannerism mean that the Presidency is a largely powerless position with Matankov unable to exercise any power at all. In fact, the only constitutional power he has left is the power to appoint someone to replace the Chairman in the event of the Chairman's death.

Head Of Government
Chairman of the SPUY and of the Central Committee Leon Tsaritsyn

The man with all the power in Yagristan Leon Tsaritsyn is a charismatic and bold idealouge. It was through his vision and personal charm that the SPUY managed to dominate the first election. A man who fervently believes in creating a utopia he will stop at nothing to try and implement his vision for Yagristan, regardless of the cost.

Minister for Internal Security and Truth Nadia Tripimorovik

Nadia Tripimorovik, an ethnic Alvarian, was an odd choice for this Ministry. Before politics she was a school teacher and is remarkably popular with the people. In the party she was known as a moderate and a pacifist, advocating for a more peaceful transition to a new system of Government. Most suspect she was given this job to try and quell fears about totalitarianism. However, how much power and influence she really wields in the Ministry is debatable with Tsaritsyn's cronies able to run the Ministry against her wishes.

Minister for Economic Re-Organization Adriana Jakobsky

Adriana Jakobsky was one of the most notorious members of the SPUY before the elections. As leader of the party treasury she exercised full control over all aspects of the party. Since most members got their income from the party all that opposed her or angered her were met with retaliation or expulsion from the party. As a Minister she has continued with this authoritarian control over the population, attempting to solidify control over all economic aspects of the country under her Ministry.

Minister for Defense of the Nation and Revolution Kresimir Gordonovsky

Kresimir Gordonovsky was a Colonel, the highest ranking member of the Yagristan Military who publicly supported the SPUY. He was rewarded with a Government position for his loyalty. However, he is an uninspired military leader and his competence as a Minister has been called into question several times. However, his public loyalty to the Party has saved him so far. However, as a military man he has advocated several times for a more militaristic form of Socialism to be implemented in the Republic. Weather or not this will lead to his fall from grace remains to be seen.

Military

The Yagristani People's Army has been largely decimated by the peaceful revolution. Many of the old generals and high command have been removed from all positions of power, replaced by loyal party functionaries. This has left the army with inexperienced and incompetence leadership. Ethnic tensions also plague the armed forces.

However, the Military, with over 1,100,000 men, is no pushover, especially with the formation of 'People's Militias” forming across the country. The industrial power of Yagristan also means that production of arms and munitions is easy for the state. The state owned armories manufacture YR-12 rifles, a somewhat old but not ineffective weapon. Around 1500 YT-3 tanks are in service with no APCs.

The Yagristani Air Force was only created 2 years ago, replacing the Army Air Corps. As such, they are a relatively limited force with a relatively small number of aircraft. The focus of the air force is to be a mostly defensive force and, as such, they have around 400 YF-1 fighters but no bomber force of any kind. However, to compliment the air force static anti-air positions are dotted around the nation to provide additional air-cover.

The Yagristani Navy is even worse off, with only one small coastline. As such, the navy gets no attention from the government. A small coastal defense force of 4 Corvette-class ships are all the navy currently possesses, with no plans for expansion. However, the small coastline is heavily fortified with a contingent of 5000 men defending the position.

Army Strengths
Numerical advantage
High industrial capacity
Militias

Army Weaknesses
Ethnic Tensions
Leadership deficiencies

Air Force Strengths
Defensive focus
High ground-to-air support
High industrial capacity

Air Force Weaknesses
Lack of Bomber Force
Offensive inability

Navy Strengths
Small fortified coastline

Navy Weaknesses
Small fleet
Inexperience
Government Neglect

Culture

With 4 distinct ethnicities the culture of Yagristan varies wildly between regions. The Surramarine people are rather religious and conservative with a history of Jingoism. The Croaton are more libertine with, historically, more focus on freedom and pacifism than the rest of the Nation. The Alvarians are deeply religious but most of the people belong to a different church than the Surramarine and they tend to be more social minded than the Surramarine people. Finally, the Bozzanian people are somewhat religious but not very much so, somewhat liberal but not as much as the Croaton and while somewhat militaristic not nearly as much as the Surramarine people.

The New Government is trying to stamp out all religions in the country, referring to them as the 'blinders of the masses'. While the Government has not banned the churches yet there is fear that they will. The New Government is also tearing down mansions and luxury estates all across the nation, deeming them to be 'built on the backs of the poor'. While this has been popular, no plans have been made yet to replacing them with more housing.

Revolutionary Guard, local militias and even just roaming mobs harass any people who look well off, beatings and robberies of the 'fat cats' is rampant with local police turning a blind eye to the violence. So far, it has not escalated any further but with the Government fanning such tensions how much longer that will be the case is unclear.

Property seizures have started, beginning with farms and large plots of land. Attempts to collectivize agriculture are currently underway with many people being taken to farm the new land. Critics worry that the yield will be dangerously insufficient for the whole country this way but so far such concerns have been ignored by the Government.

Republic Of Arcadia

Population: 10,320,222
Capital: Virginius

The Republic of Arcadia is a relatively stable and peaceful representative democracy in the region. The Government is a unicameral Parliament with a Ceremonial President as head of state. The people of Arcadia are ethnically homogenous Arcadians and the nation is prosperous. The main export is energy with the countries state of the art nuclear power plants and hydro-electric dams making more than enough energy for the people's needs. Agriculture is the second most profitable venture with acres of fertile soil across the country.

Historically, the nation was ruled by local aristocracy and nobles. When the idea of a Kingdom was proposed the people rejected that and a Republic was proclaimed. With such proud democratic traditions the people are unlikely to turn to totalitarian extremism.

The people of Arcadia are a hardy sort. The southern region is more temperate and fertile with the northern region more cold and mountainous. Fishing and Mining are the main industries in the north.
Environmentally the country remains relatively unpolluted with regulations to prevent habitat loss and environment damage.

Public trust in the Government is high and efficiency is golden in the Parliament. Politically, the people are quite libertine and socially conscious. A welfare state is in place and the rights of the people are respected and enforced by Government.

Government

Head Of State
President Howard McDale

Howard McDale is a popular and charming man. Previously the Mayor of the capital city, Virginius, he was an effective and diligent politician, earning the trust of his constituents. When potential for higher office was offered, he rejected and remained Mayor for 25 years. When a 'Draft McDale For President' movement started during the last Presidential election he payed it no heed, not intending to leave his city. When he won the Presidency despite not even campaigning for the position he nearly turned down to honor. Now, as a largely powerless and ceremonial figure head he is a popular and respected unifying figure but pines for the days when he was Mayor.

Head Of Government
Prime Minister Tony O'Brien

Leader of the Market Liberal Party and current Prime Minister Tony O'Brien is a dull and boring man but also a hardworking and capable man. While not the most charismatic politician his record in public service, a record without scandal spanning 20 years has endeared him to the public. In this session of Government he leads a coalition with the party historically in opposition, the Social Liberal Party. This has been rather unorthodox but so far the coalition is holding.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Commerce James General

When James General became leader of the Social Liberal Party he never expected to lead a coalition with his opposite across the aisle. In the last election, however, both parties failed to secure a majority with the Market Liberals securing a slight majority in seats. As such, he had no choice to join hands with the MLP. Now, he leads the economic ministry as well as being the largely symbolic Deputy Prime Minister. While governing with the Market Liberals has been surprising it has, so far, been effective.

Minister for Defense Doyle McDonnell

Doyle McDonnell, a Market Liberal, has a rather curious history in politics. When he was first elected 15 years ago he was a Social Liberal. However, disagreements about defense policies and the economy led to him crossing the aisle 4 years ago to the Market Liberals. While this should have led to the end of his career as a politician he survived the election and was rewarded with the position of Minister of Defense.

Minister for The Interior Mary Hyde

Mary Hyde, a Social Liberal, led to more environmentally minded wing of the party and is seen as the face of the environmental movement in politics. While she is also responsible for interior security she largely ignores that aspect of her position.

Military

The Arcadian Army is, to be blunt, incredibly small. While they only have 10000 people and only 4000 Active Servicemen in the army currently they try to make up for this by having one of the most professional and elite forces they can be. Training is rigid and the Army is widely regarded as fierce and effective fighters.

Armed with modified GAR-98 rifles bought from Gralend and 50 Artemis-class tanks bought from Kodoro the main focus of the army is defensive. Fortifications have been built in the northern mountains. The main doctrine for the army is to pull back and defend the mountains until help can arrive.

The Air Force does not exist. The Arcadians do not have any planes at all. However anti-air missle batteries are kept and fortified around the country.

The Arcadian Navy also does not exist. Instead the Arcadian Coast Guard is responsible for defending the waters around Arcadia. They have 10 Coast Guard Cutters, small ships armed with machine guns. Against a hostile navy they stand no chance.

Army Strengths
Highly Professional Force
Highly Defensible Fortifications

Army Weaknesses
Small Numbers
Long Training Times
Small Officer Corps

Air Force Does Not Exist

Navy Does Not Exist

Culture

Culturally, the people of Arcadia are quite liberal. LGBT rights are all legal in the country, women's equality is legally enforced and rights like privacy and free speech are protected by the government. However, the population is also remarkably xenophobic and foreigners are looked down upon in public. Immigration is strictly controlled and even discouraged.

Prosperity is high in Arcadia with welfare programs to try and alleviate poverty. The government does not heavily regulate business and industry unless the environment is involved. Economic freedom in Arcadia high and small businesses are common.

Politically, the two main parties are the Social Liberal and Market Liberal Parties. The Social Liberals are more strictly environmentalist and believe in more business subsidization while the Market Liberals believe in a more free market and less subsidization.

Kingdom Of Arctium (Gerrick)

Population: 15,000,000
Capital City: Frostock

Once a great empire spanning several thousand miles across, the Kingdom of Arctium has been whittled away over the centuries to now consist of only its landlocked mountainous heartland region. The ancient capital city of Frostock is the only major city in the country; its metropolitan area contains about a third of the total population of Arctium. The rest of the population live in small cities and quaint rural towns.

The current dynasty has gone unbroken for hundreds of years, though several adoptions in the royal family have made it clear to the people that the nation is more important than blood. The people have historically viewed the King as a paternal figure for the nation and so put great trust in him, even still to this day.

The Senate is the sole chamber of the partially-elected legislature. Senators serve for life (or until they resign, and some are often pressured to do so). While citizens elect candidates, the King (or High Prefect if the King delegates the responsibility to him) chooses from them whom to confirm as senators (there have been some elections where no senators at all were confirmed, especially when the Senate has grown particularly large). Between the King and Senate, there is high confidence in the government from the people.

Government

Head of State
King Atlas IX

Head of Government
High Prefect Publion Varas

Head Tribune Flavium Mundens

Representative to Coalition
Legate Juniens Taciton

Military

With a history of wars of both conquest and defense, military service is highly ingrained in the Arctian people. At age 14, children are entered into military secondary schools that are as much about instilling discipline and national values as they are education. After graduating at age 18, citizens are conscripted into the military for 5 years, though they may serve in the reserves while they attend university. While many reenter civilian life after their service is ended, those who carry on enter more specialized fields and leadership positions.

The military is highly democratic with elections for higher-ranked positions every two years voted by active and reserve members of the military. Except for the highest position of Tribune, most are not politicized. Three Tribunes are elected every four years, and one is selected by the King to serve as Head Tribune, the most senior member of the military, who is second only to the King himself.

Navy Does Not Exist

Culture

Though civic duty is very important in Arctian culture, most citizens living outside Frostock are more concerned with issues affecting their city or town than national politics. A conservative people, rural Arctians are fiercely loyal to the King and keep to themselves when they can. The more liberal and diverse residents of Frostock put their faith in the Senate and are often at odds with rural folk, who they may refer to as "provincials" or "provs", a derogatory term meant to imply that they are not true Arctians, even though percentage-wise they are more ethnically Arctian.

Religion is common, particularly ancestor worship and the Royal Cult, the worship of kings from the past who they believe have become gods.

Leeward Islands(Almonaster)

Leeward Isles.

Population : 10,491,077 (1998 census)
Capital City : None - Each regional gathering hosts the high gathering in turn.
Head of government : None - The host gathering provides the chair for that session.
Representative to Coalition : Hiefana Umatan


Overview : An isolated island nation which has accepted a wide range of immigrants throughout its history, the Leeward Isles have always relied on their geographic isolation rather than developing a strong military. They have been claimed several times by imperial powers, but there has been no concerted effort to impose governance, and the claims have lapsed over time.

Government : Although clearly a nation, there is very little that is recognizably a state. Society is ordered as a hierarchy of gatherings, with the smallest units generally comprising 70-125 individuals, and the higher tiers each hosting 40-50 lower level gatherings. There are 4 such layers from the individual to the nation. Gatherings are seen as having a coordinating rather than a governance role.

There is no centralized law-enforcement, with disputes resolved within the lowest-level gathering which represents all involved.

Geography : There are 4 main islands and many smaller inhabited islands which make up the Leeward group. There are no large cities, with the main urban areas being towns of around 60,000 inhabitants.


Military : negligible. There is a small coastguard service which primarily provides maritime assistance.

Culture : The island tradition reveres the giver, rather than the accumulator. There is a strong community feeling coupled with willingness to accept diversity.

Legends tell of a man who would be king. His attempt to unify the islands under autocratic rule, and the atrocities committed in his name have left a deep and abiding suspicion of central control. Subsequent experience with foreign claims have reinforced this attitude.

Society is organized into a hierarchy of gatherings. Each gathering provides for its own members, and individuals are free to change gathering to any other which will have them. In return, everyone is expected to spend a small proportion of their time on community tasks. This service is seen as an essential part of life, and cannot be delegated.

Great emphasis is placed on reaching consensus wherever possible - majority imposition is seen as an undesirable second-best. In most cases a decision is deferred if the way forward is unclear. Outsiders usually find gathering politics to be interminably dull and filled with endless minutiae.

In general, there is no authority structure - members of a gathering are free to accept or reject the common advice. Nonetheless, most participants will adhere to the consensus as a matter of practicality. Where there are serious disagreements, the gatherings may re-structure to allow individuals to associate with those who share their views.

Economics : Business is run by sole traders, partnerships or co-operatives. There is no equivalent to the corporation or limited-liability company. All participants in a joint venture share responsibility. Where a project is too large for a single co-op, higher level co-ops may be organized on a similar pattern to the gathering structure.

There are banks, but these provide loans and advice rather than directly investing in a co-op. The dictum is that labour hires capital rather than the other way around.

Individuals pay a proportion of each transaction to their gathering, and the gatherings in turn contribute to the higher level gatherings. The central funds are primarily used for infrastructure projects and disaster relief.

Religion : Traditional worship centres around the goddess Taneaka, who is an embodiment of the sea. There are a rich variety of local festivals and minor deities, but most people now regard this as a cultural binding rather than a deeply spiritual matter.