The Rise of the Hastfradic League

Raum Kalta read the report. A bunch of useless speculation and some definite bright-eyed optimism. The facts though pointed at a far less agreeable outcome. Already twelve billion florents had bled out of the Strasbaergan economy, and more would be lost every day. The old man's death had been the cause. He had brought the nation into the modern age by his stubbornness and sheer force-of-will. No one could replace him. Raum had at least hoped the foreign investors would wait to see what happened before pulling out. That was not the case.

He had been Prime Minister for less than six weeks and he was already facing a catastrophe. The loss of wealth and the jobs that went with it would be enough to set off the powder keg that this nation had been before his predecessor had taken over. Raum could agree that Raenard Algmastat had been a far better politician than he could ever be.

The one shining bright spot in all this mess was the three thousand Esplandian troops sitting in Sarjuleg after the attack on parliament last year. King Sherwin would help keep the peace, if nothing else, but would he join in on a war if it came to that?

Despite guarantees from his friends to the south, Raum didn't think the king would interfere in Strasbaerg politics unless he gained something huge from it. An idea was beginning to form. Walken-Strasbaerg had tried to remain independent but it just wasn't viable anymore.

Hastenfrachta to the north had long attempted to grab up their territory, but it was to the south that most Strasbaergans felt a greater connection to. Many claimed ancestry from Esplandians who had fled from Syrixian occupation and they had on many occasions helped quell unrest. Now was the time to proposition the king for protectorate status, the only move that would let them keep their autonomy and possibly get the country out of the hole it was sinking in.

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Raum Kalta Urges Walken-Strasbaerg to Vote in Favor of Protectorate Status
Karthied Herald, 18 December, 2016

Raum Kalta and his Strasbaerg for Esplandia party continues to promote Esplandian Protectorate status for the former Grand-Duchy as food shortages continue to hamper economic growth. Protectorate status will allow the Esplandian government to take control of the economy until such a time as the free market can handle itself again. Leaders in Esplandia have given their support for the bill which only awaits a yes vote in Walken-Strasbaerg.

Opposition comes from the Socialist party which has lead demonstrations throughout the nation, calling the notion of protectorate status selling out independence nothing short of treason. Raum Kalta was quick to point out that voting yes would still give Walken-Strasbaerg self determination, and help rebuild the crashing economy. As a protectorate there would also be many benefits including protections on liberty, land ownership, and right of assembly as granted by the crown. The vote takes place within the week.

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(OOC Thread)

King Sherwin greeted the special envoy from the Republic of the Dalkaegns, Esplandia's southern neighbor, at the gates to Rathbaerg Castle. It was an informal meeting so that they didn't have to meet in Karthied, but what they needed to discuss was of the utmost importance to the region.

'Greetings Prime Minister Ostraeveg,' the king said clasping his counterpart in a firm handshake. 'I'm glad to welcome you into my home, humble though it's not.'

The Prime Minister laughed. 'How do you not get lost within this place?' He asked, admiring the complex of walls and towers.

'I have on many occasions.' He then lead his guest up the grand stairs and into the lower keep where a meeting place with food and refreshments had been laid out. The King's Council was present with the exception of the High Chancellor who was too ill to travel. The king introduces them all and then the Prime Minister introduced the members of his cabinet who were able to make the trip on such short notice. Pleasantries were exchanged and then they took their seats.

'This meating as you are all aware is about the economic mess that is the former Grand Duchy Walken-Strasbaerg.' The King said. 'Just taking control of their economy is going to cost the Kingdom millions of Crown Florents, let alone the long task of rebuilding their losses. That means we'll need investors.'

The Prime Minister understood what was being asked of him. He was to try to convince corporations within the Dalkaegns to bring their industries to Walken-Strasbaerg, to create jobs, and to invest in a project that wouldn't turn a profit for years, maybe even decades. No small feat, which meant he needed certain guarantees. He layer them out to the Esplandian King, his three terms that had to be met.

First that the Republic of the Dalkaegns would be guarenteed first right of investment within any area of the Strasbaergen economy, secondly that Dalkaegn corporations would be protected from frivolous lawsuits by upset locals, and third that Esplandia not stand in the way of a possible alliance with the Principality of Saegsbaerg.

The King agreed to all three terms after getting unanimous agreement from his councilors. In fact he was happy to hear that greater cooperation in the area was happening outside of Esplandia, as until recently Alstenbek had been attempting to stir up trouble between the nations. Long had the Nationalist Party in Esplandia been pushing for greater cooperation amongst Hastfradic nations, and Sherwin expressed his desire for that to one day come about.

'Maybe this is the beginning of the groundwork necessary for that to happen,' Sherwin said as they moved on to hammering out the details. The Prime Minister expressed his own agreement.

The vote in Walken-Strasbaerg was passed. The duchy would become a protectorate of Esplandia. By weeks end Esplandian convoys were arriving with food and aid packages to the hungry population.

Whatever opposition there might have been to the vote was quieted by full bellies and medicine for the sick. Days after the vote work permits were being issued for Strasbaerg citizens to work in factories and offices in Aernavaegn, Vestrugatlecht, and Valdaegn. While visas would still be required over the next few months, it was a step towards integration.

The Landesgrad passed a bill giving government funds to corporations that were willing to invest in the failing nation. For the time being things to the north of Esplandia would be stable. But to the south, tensions were heating up.

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An emergency meeting was called in Karthied between the leaders of the Hastfradic nations over the issue developing along Dalkaegns border with Leningrad.

Recently the communist country had built a wall along the entirety of the border, a feat which had only amused the Dalkanese. Yet other events had raised suspicions when aircraft off the coasts had been detected. They were military aircraft, and despite any assurances from Leningrad of their scientific nature, the leaders of Dalkaegn did not believe it for a second. Other nations had reported the same things and it was decided the best course of action was to be cautious and prepared.

Talks had began about forming a pact for mutual defense and cooperation should there be the possibility of an imminent attack. There was a great deal of leaders there that felt that the communists to the south posed a severe threat. To maintain the peace and prosperity of the region and increase mutual strength, it was proposed that a united league be formed amongst them.

There was a certain sentiment spreading throughout the Vestrugat which had been growing for sometime but had risen to the forefront now with a certain international vote as well as the recent aggressive actions of USSV Leningrad. Forty years ago the nationalists had pushed for unification of all Hastfrads into a single sovereign entity, but it had been shot down as a more progressive and liberal mindset came to power. But now there was fear that an international cabal would attempt to enforce their own agendas and ideals on other nations of the North Pacific, which was a direct threat to Esplandia and the other Hastfradic nations that looked towards their sister nation to lead the way.

Esplandians had fought and died a number of times to assert their independence from foreign control, first against the Kianese and then against the Syrixians. It was ingrained in their psyche to oppose any force that would attempt to repress their national sovereignty, real or imagined. While not all Hastfradic nations suffered this same zeitgeist, it was hard to not share the sentiment with their more successful neighbor.

The future now felt unsure. King Sherwin had been true to his word when during his coronation speech he had promised to bring greater cooperation between Esplandia and the rest of the north. Their membership in the Trillium Accord had brought many rewards, which Esplandia had eagerly shared with her neighbors. But uncertainty had allowed the nationalists to return to prominence with them grabbing up seats in local elections and gaining the majority in the Huskanter Court.

Esplandian troops were being deployed south to the border wall between Dalkaegn and the USSVL as not only a show of force, but as a precaution against what was perceived as a very possible threat.

There had already been one meeting between Hastfradic leaders over the issue of the wall and now another had been held, this time in the city of Amfirth in Dalkaegn between the Republic and the three kingdoms of Esplandia, Hastenfrachta, and Alstenbek over the possibility of forming a defensive pact against an incursion in the south.

Weath intelligence officers were alerted to a recent deployment of Esplandia on their border. News of this quickly reached President Livingston, who was briefed on the developing situation in Esplandia. He promptly began to mobilize troops accordingly. He didn't know why Esplandia had dispatched troops, but he didn't trust the nation of Leningrad, and came to the conclusion that the Esplandians were probably justified in their deployment of troops. Nevertheless he sent an inquiry to the Esplanian government requesting to know why they had mobilized troops in a seemingly hostile nature, and asked if Weath could asist in any way.