Factbook of the Federation of the Vestrugat

Esplandia

Esplandia

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Welcome to the Federation of the Vestrugat​
The Vestrugat, jewel of the western isles, is a multi-ethnic region steeped in rich history and cultures. Located on the edge of the world, the region has still been part of numerous empires, the Kian and Syrixian Empires, and has become a melting pot for culture and ideas. Visitors will find a wealth of sights to see, new and old, from museums and concert halls, to grand castles and ancient battlefields, to river cruises and bustling marketplaces. For those who like the old, visit Taeberus and the towering Cathedral of Saint Avalus. For a more modern taste the capital city of Karthied boasts some of the finest arts and theater experiences from across Eras. And for the more adventurous, Jenova offers the oldest and largest open air market in the nation as well as some of the best dining to be found anywhere, a product of cultural and ethnic mixing. And that’s only in Esplandia, with many other exciting locations throughout the Vestrugat.

Whether you're visiting the Federation for business, education, or pleasure, come experience what Esplandia and the Vestrugat has to offer and see why many consider it one of the best travel destinations in Eras.
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Latest News
20th of September, 2019: Protests against Sherwin's enthronement rock Alstenbek. Violence erupts in Nalgorhaem and the city is put under martial law.

5th of August, 2019: The Federation restores the title of Raektdev, naming Sherwin as emperor of the Imperial Federation of the Vestrugat and heir of Braegga the Bear.

24th of June, 2019: Sherwin successfully mediates a peace deal. ending the conflict. Greater Lotheland reunifies with Lothel-Dutia.

12th of June, 2019: Raenhald II is killed in a car accident. King Sherwin steps in to prevent a full scale war and offers to mediate a peace deal.

8th of June, 2019: Duchess Gaerta of Greater Lotheland abdicates in favor of her nephew, Grand Duke Edwin of Lothel-Dutia, and demands Hastenfrakta recognizes their independence. This leads to a crisis as Raenhald II mobilizes troops.

6th of June, 2019: Raum Kolta becomes the High Chancellor of the Federation.

13th of May, 2019: An anti-Esplandian protest turned violent in the streets of Nalgorhaem over frustrations with the planned integration of the two nation’s legislator.

28th of April, 2019: Leaders of the Aernish freedom fighters organization The Sons of Kaerwent are arrested across Vestrugatia in connection to an attempted terrorist attack in Karthied.

2nd of April, 2019: To rectify an illegal land grab during the Talamnic War, a deal is struck wherein Esplandia-Alstenbek will remove its naval base and then return the Soltenfrith corridor to Saegsen by 2035.

9th of March, 2019: The Treaty of Karthied is signed, ending the Civil War in @mcmasterdonia.

21st of February, 2019: A two hundred year schism in the Aelostian Church is mended as Avalustians and Teidastians mutually recognize each other. The Augur of Kaenland is restored with their new seat at Eborum.

27th of January, 2019: Prince Irwin marries Elaena Jorvikhaer during a ceremony at Taeberus.

5th of January, 2019: The Matriarch of Lotheland, Duchess Gaerta auf Kraeg-Anegburn, turns 91.

10th of December, 2018: The Federation Landesgrad votes in favor of increasing the military’s size and budget.

3rd of December, 2018: King Sherwin has a minor heart attack as Landesgrad military vote approaches.

22nd of September, 2018: Gaston auf Volget gives an impassioned speech about increasing the military and calls Sherwin his Raektdev.

28th of August, 2018: KASAE successfully launched their first manned spaceflight in a three day orbit around Eras. Karl Estreksen was accompanied by two Ceretian astronauts as the first Vestrugatten in space.

12th of July, 2018: Prince Irwin bids farewell to the Royal Esplandian Navy as he officially takes up duties as the Duke of Valdaegn. He also announces his engagement to Elaena Jorvikhaer.

7th of June, 2018: KASAE bombs the moon as part of a project to discover what the moon is made up of.

13th of May, 2018: The Constitution of the Federation of the Vestrugat is adopted.

30th of April, 2018: The Federation adopts a new flag to better represent all the peoples of the Vestrugat.
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19th of April, 2018: The Hastfradic League is dissolved and officially replaced by the Federation of the Vestrugat.

12th of March, 2018: An official charter for the Aernish free state is ratified creating the Commonwealth of Aerndreffed. The union of Walken-Strasberg is abolished and its northern province of Walkenland is annexed by Austalgotha, Strasberg becomes a province of Esplandia, and Ulveraernholm is incorporated into the newly formed nation of Aerndreffed.

7th of March, 2018: The creation of the Aernish free state calls into question the use of the term ‘Hastfradic’ League with many debating its lack of inclusiveness.

3rd of March, 2018: Sherwin V of Esplandia is crowned King Sherwin I of Alstenbek.

12th of February, 2018: The Hastfradic League Votes in Favor of the creation of an Aernish Free State.

19th of January, 2018: During the celebration of the Night of the Bells, the Royal Family of Alstenbek is killed in a terrorist attack be Aernish dissadents. King Sigurt dies shortly after of a heart attack, likely brought on by his advanced age and the loss of his son and grandsons.

3rd of December, 2017: Members of the Aernish community are arrested in Alstenbek with alleged ties to terrorist group Son’s of Kaerwent.

22nd of November, 2017: A proposed bill by King Sherwin to create an Aernish free state is shot down by the Hastfradic League with the leading opposition of the proposal, King Sigurt IX, calling it ill conceived. Aernish protests erupt in eastern Alstenbek.

17th of September, 2017: King Sherwin names Raum Kolta as new Royal Chancellor of the Kingdom of Esplandia, replacing Raemond Montagmar.

24th of August, 2017: Raemond Montagmar steps down as Royal Chancellor of Esplandia due to health reasons. The Landesgrad is temporary disbanded until Sherwin names a replacement.

15th of June, 2017: KASAE had a successful launch of Esplandia's first intelligence satellite as the space agency moves toward its goal of a joint Ceretan/Esplandian space station by 2030.

12th of May, 2017: Esplandia launches its first manned spacecraft into orbit as part of its new joint space initiative with the other nations of the Hastfradic League.

4th of April, 2017: Walken-Strasberg elects Gisard Valliksen as Chancellor, the first elected chancellor since the violence of the previous year.

25th of March, 2017: King Sherwin steps down from Interim Chancellor following the successful elections for the leader of the league. Victory went to Klaus auf Hettenberg of Dalkaegn for position of Grettermand Kanslor (High Chancellor).

28th of February, 2017: Sigurt IX threatens to withdrawal from the League when a voting seat is offered to the Aernish.

27th of January, 2017: The Hastfradic League is offically ratified into existence by the ten nations that make up the Vestrugat. King Sherwin is to sit as interim chancellor until elections can be held within the next few months.

22nd of December, 2016: The three Crowns of the Vestrugat, as well as the leaders of The Dalkaegns and the Jenovak Cities, meet in Amsfirth to discuss the situation in Walken-Strasberg and to lay the groundwork for a Hastfradic League.

5th of November, 2016: Former Dalkaegn President, Klaus auf Hettenberg, backs Esplandian control over Walken-Strasberg as tensions in the Vestrugat rise.

13th of October, 2016: An Emergency vote in Walken-Strasberg allows the Kingdom of Esplandia to annex the former duchy as a crown protectorate in order to avoid further riots. Once again, Esplandian military forces cross the border to enforce the peace.

21st of September, 2016: Kermen Sigurtsen is arrested by the nationalists following a week long standoff. Kermen surrenders after the Walken-Strasberg military pledge their support to the nationalists. Raum Kolta is appointed as temporary Chancellor.

9th of September, 2016: Nationalist supporters and socialist militias clash in the streets of Sarjuleg. Esplandia withdraws their forces from the area to avoid escalating the conflict.

23rd of August, 2016: Socialist militants storm the Parliament of Walken-Strasberg and ousts Prime Minister Algmastat. Kermen Sigurtsen is appointed as the new PM.

2nd of August, 2016: Hastenfrakta issues a recall of all military and diplomatic personnel in Walken-Strasberg, and warns all Hastenfraktan citizens to leave immediately as the threat of conflict looms.

29th of July, 2016: Prime Minister Algmastat suspends parliament and declares martial law. Socialist leaders meet in Pelag and soon after publicly demand the resignation of the Prime Minister.

27th of July, 2016: An attack on the Walken-Strasberg Parliamentary Hall leaves sixty five dead, mostly members of the Nationalist Party. An official statement claims socialist dissadents were behind the attack, but socialist leaders claim the attack was carried out on the orders of Prime Minister Raenard Algmastat to drum up support for limiting left-wing influence.

12th of July, 2016: The King’s elder brother, Edwin, passes away at the age of 69.

7th of July, 2016: Esplandia becomes a founding member of the Trillium Accord after the King and the Landesgrad officially ratified the charter.

14th of June, 2016: King Sherwin celebrated his 64th birthday, holding a private party at Rathberg Castle.

25th of February, 2016: Duke Alwyn Skywing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is to travel to Sion to discuss a possible alliance between between [nation=short]Ceretis[/nation], [nation=short]Kannex[/nation], and [nation=short]Esplandia[/nation].

12th of February, 2016: A religious artifact known as the Spear of Avalus is returned to the Church in Taeberus.

9th of February, 2016: Following an attack on the presidential estate in Sarjuleg, the capital of Walken-Strasberg, King Sherwin has agreed to use military forces to help suppress a possible revolt.

28th of December, 2015: King Sherwin orders six thousand troops to Walken-Strasberg as a protective measure against socialist demonstrators.

11th of December, 2015: Esplandia to import foreign cheeses for first time in two decades after the Landesgrad lifts a long standing ban on cheese imports.

15th of November, 2015: Esplandian destroyer RES Saegeren is damaged navigating through the Draunedgast Channel and requires extensive repairs.

25th of October, 2015: A memorial garden was opened in Karthied in honor of the late Queen Katharin II which will be opened to the public within the month.

30th of August, 2015: King Sherwin is nicknamed the Grettermand Fadder of the Esplandish people by the Karthied Herald. The nickname soon sticks.
OOC: Work in progress. Please do not post in here with questions or comments
 
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Federation of the Vestrugat​

Vestrugatten: Vederraegtum auf tur Vestrugat
Aernish: Deffrswyn et Vestyrgytt
Skaltic Brolg: Vlándi vi et Pléndigot
Syrixian: दक्शवसि संघ (Dakshavasi Sangh)

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Flag of the Federation

Motto: ‘Through Unity, Victory’​


Population: 92.9 Million

Capital: Karthied
Largest City: Taeberus

Official Language: Vestrugatten
Recognized Languages: Mercanti, Syrixian, Aernish, Skaltic Brolg, Gotheli Vestrugatten

Demonym: Vestrugatten, Vestrugattic

State Religion: Aelostianism

Government: Constitutional Parliamentary Federation
Leaders:
High Chancellor Klaus auf Hettenberg

Members:
The Kingdom of Esplandia-Alstenbek
The Kingdom of Hastenfrakta
The Principality of Saegsen
The Grand Duchy of Meregwuold
The Grand Duchy of Lothel-Dutia
The Republic of Austalgotha
The Republic of the Dalkaegns
The Commonwealth of Aerndreffed
The Republics of Free Jenovak Cities

Legislature: Vederraegtum Landesgrad
- Upper: The Wosardegmetten Court
- Lower: The Landhedder Court

Establishment:
- The Hastfradic League (January 27, 2017)
- The Federation (April 19th, 2018)

Land Area: 489,036 km²

Elevation
Highest Point: 4275 m
Lowest Point: -7 m

Currency: The Crown Florent

Drives on the: Right

Calling Code: +22

Internet TLD: .esp, .lan, .ael
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The Vestrugat


The Vestrugat, officially the Federation of the Vestrugat, but more commonly called Vestrugatia, is a Constitutional Federation located on Eras on the continent of Icenian. The Vestrugat is bordered to the south by Myriaf and the Roaring Sea to the east. The Vestrugat covers roughly 489,036 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 92.9 Million people. Vestrugatia is a multi-ethnic complex of territories that came together into a single entity under the Federation of the Vestrugat. The federation consists of 12 constituent territories (4 of which are free cities), with most being ruled by royal families. The federation includes three kingdoms, a principality, two grand duchies, three republics, and one commonwealth. The Kingdom of Esplandia contains the majority of the federation’s population and territory, and it's administrative role and military might give it dominance over the rest of the league. Esplandia is also currently in a personal union with Alstenbek, with their king ruling over both kingdoms making them the undisputed masters of the Federation.

Vestrugatia boasts a powerhouse economy based on information technology and pharmaceutical imports and exports while still maintaining strong mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. The Federation has a good sized and well funded military. The nations of the Vestrugat have been involved in a number of regional wars, most recently the Talamnic War, but have come together with a new sense of unity and brotherhood. The Kingdom of Esplandia is the only nuclear power within the Federation, developing the bomb in the 1960's, but has never had to use atomic weapons in war. The Federation is a founding member of the Trillium Compact, and is also a member of the Pan-Gotic Union.
Etymology

The name Vestrugat comes from Vestru meaning West, and the suffix -gat which denotes a dominion or possession. The Skalts called the land Validérgo, a word which likely means the 'Blessed Land' and from which the modern day province of Valdaegn in Esplandia got its name. An older more archaic name for the region, specifically the coastal areas, is Vldlun, which comes from the Skaltic language and has the dual meaning of 'valley' and 'bay', referring to the geography of the Eastern Vestrugat.

There is no standard way to refer to a citizen of Vestrugatia, but Vestrugatter is used informally to refer to a citizen of the entire Federation. This may lead to a polite correction from the people there who view themselves as having a separate national identity. 'Vestrugatish', coined by the nationalist movement in the early 80's, has recently began to gather favor and is now primarily used to refer to the collective people's of the Federation and their territories.
 
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Environment and Geography

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Landscape and Rivers
Geographically Vestrugatia includes nearly the entirety of the eastern coast of Icenia. The Federation stretches from the Roaring Sea to the interior continental highlands and around the northern bays of the Drastol Channel, and is located just north of the Myriaf Peninsula.

The capital city of Karthied sits on the shores of Lake Erde, which empties into the Clearwater River, the lifeline of central Esplandia, allowing trade between the heartland and the ports of Jenova. The Clearwater is the longest river flowing through Esplandia, but the longest river in the Vestrugat is the Soljegvatter which flows south from the central lakes into the Drastol Sea.

The Halkonkreg Mountains divide the region into two distinct geographic and environmental sub-regions. The geological composition of these mountains includes, among others, sandstone, granite, limestone, iron, copper, and also coal. The landscape of the Halkonkregs is high peaks in mountainous areas, which drops steeply into rocky highlands indented by the fertile valleys of the region's rivers. The highest point is located in Esplandia is at 4275 meters, called Mount Hygref located in Gothelif Province.

The Vestrugat heartland is to the west of the mountains, consisting of the Aernish Basin and and the Grand Lakes. To the east of the mountains lies the coastlands which are generally heavily wooded and fertile, with large swaths of farmland; the 'bread basket' of the Vestrugat.

Climate
Vestrugatia has a temperate maritime climate with mild temperatures that rarely plunge below freezing. The weather is damp relatively frequently and changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly in the central highlands, while July is normally the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, but sees high winds from the north and west during March and April.

Important influences on the climate of the Vestrugat are its proximity to the Roaring Sea, the Halkonkreg Mountains, its more southern latitude, and the warming of the sea by warm southern currents. Rainfall is higher in the east, and coastlands receive more rain than anywhere else in the region. The central and western areas tend to drier and more humid weather.

Environment
The Vestrugat remains at large an environmentally diverse land with dense deciduous and coniferous forests and sweeping grasslands. While the majority of Vestrugatters live in rural areas, a great deal of land remains wild, especially in the eastern and western highlands. Vestrugatia is well known for its breathtaking vistas, its gorgeous waterfalls, and ancient Kianese road network. River cruises on the Klaervatter and Soljegvatter Rivers are a popular activity in the summer, due to the relatively gentle flows and the pristine wooded waterway.

The Federation has also passed a number of progressive environmental laws to lower pollution and erosion. Though the region has a number of dams, an environmental committee has been formed to discusses the impact of current and future damming of waterways on the environment. Fishing and hunting is highly regulated to preserve sustainable populations.

Traditional and modern farming practices have been implemented to increase crop yields to in turn reduce the amount of tilled land needed for growing crops, increasing wildlife habitats. Extensive irrigation systems and terrace farming have doubled Vestrugatia’s crop yields. The Federation has a ban on GMO's, but has through other techniques been able to improve agricultural output.
Population

The Vestrugat has a diverse population of 92.9 million people who can trace their ancestry to various native tribes, conquerors, or immigrants from a multitude of nations.

Hastfrad-Gots make up 49.5% of the Federation’s population, by far the largest ethnicity in the Vestrugat. Ethnic Aernish make up the second largest group at 17% of the total population of the Federation with Syrixians coming in third at 11%. The Jenovak peoples make up 9%, followed by the Skalts at 6% (mostly located in the Dalkaegns or northern Hastenfrakta). Ceretians, the Federation’s closest ally, make up a total of 2.5%, with 1.3% of the population coming from nations that make up the Trillium Compact. Non-Hastfradic Gots (Gojans, Andrennians, Gotmarkers, etc) make up 1.7% with 2% being labeled under ‘other’.

59% of all Vestrugatters can claim ancestry from the Aernish orSkalts, the two most numerous pre-Esplandian tribes. 72% can trace their ancestry to the various nationalities of Hastfrads. 27% claim ancestory from somewhere within the Kianese Empire, especially in Esplandia and the Dalkaegns.

A quarter of Vestrugatters have partial Syrixian ancestry, most notably the Gent's of Kaltor. Following the reunification, over 10 million Syrixian descendants call the Vestrugat home, forming Syrixian Towns in many of the region’s eastern cities, with the largest one being located in Jenova.
 
Language

Vestrugatten (ve'stru?,gat'ten) is a Goto-Erasian language and belongs to the Western Gotic group of Gotic languages. In fact it is the only surviving example of Western Gotic left on the planet and has no close linguistic relatives. The language is also known as Hastfratic (hast.fra.tek) or the language of the Hastfrads (a Vestrugatten word meaning vagabond or exile), an ethnic group in the Icenian Isles, of whom most Vestrugatten speakers are descended. The language was imported to the region in the seventh century following the Hastfradic conquest of the Vestrugat. Vestrugatten became the dominant language of the region, even replacing Mercanti which was widely spoken by the Kianese speaking rulers of the Empire of Kian.

Vestrugatten has developed independently of other Gotic languages over the course of more than a 2700 year separation following the West Gotic migration out of the north. Vestrugatten relies on a simple case system, auxiliary verbs, and word order for the expression of complex tenses, aspect and mood, as well as passive constructions, interrogatives and negation. Different accents are distinguished only by phonological and phonetic differences among speakers, whereas dialects also display grammatical and lexical differences.

The language has adopted a great deal of terms and complex syntactical constructions adopted from its long shared history with Mercanti and the native languages of the region, setting it apart from other Gotic languages.
Economy

Vestrugatia’s economy is a complex system that tries to balance free market interests over goods and services with a centrally planned system that decides which companies are allowed to compete in a given area and how much of the market they can hold. It would be easy to call it something like a Planned Market Economy, but that description would be too simplistic and inherently misleading. The state argues that it has an inherent interest in promoting the economy, and it sets about doing this by making decisions based on what is considered best for the Federation, or its regional divisions. While things like transportation, infrastructure, utilities, and emergency services are completely state controlled, very little else is.

The state supports entrepreneurialism and innovation with grants and beneficial policies, but limits the number of startup businesses of similar types in a region. This is to prevent over saturation while still promoting competition. Each business or corporation is able to set their own prices within reason, and have complete freedom of choice in employment and termination. As long as a company operates within the limitations set by the government they can handle their own affairs without intervention.

Vestrugatia is dominated by its own domestic companies, but foreign corporations are allowed to operate within their borders, as long as the government deems their operations are not detrimental to domestic businesses. Foreign corporations are also required to follow the same strict guidelines and rules set forth by the state as domestic businesses, with a few other limitations.

Foreign corporations operating inside the Federation cannot buy or sale property or assets without government approval. Should a company cease operations inside the Vestrugat, the government has the right of first refusal on buying up all assets. The Federation’s government is also the only entity that any foreign corporation can sell real estate assets to. The state rationalizes that by having this much control over foreign corporations they can prevent those corporations from pushing the interests of their home nations within Vestrugatia.

The state also has final say over what can be imported into the country, though over the last twenty years many of these regulations have been relaxed, and only bans on certain pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and most firearms remain. Vestrugatia maintains a skilled labor force, a high level of innovation, and medium to low levels of corruption through a progressive policy of education. All Vestrugatter youths are required to attend fully funded schools, attend a two year university or trade school, and then serve a two year mandatory state service in either the military or any qualifying civil program.

Service Industries make up the largest percentage of the nation’s gross domestic product, with telecommunications and information technology following after. Vestrugatia is also one of Eras’s biggest exporters of raw materials like Tungsten, Iron, and Copper. Despite having a wealthy and powerful elite nobility, wealth in the Vestrugat is evenly distributed between the lower and middle classes, with the vast majority of Vestrugatters being able to live comfortably on their incomes. However the upper 5% of the population controls the majority of the wealth.
 
Military

The Vestrugat Armed Forces form the military of the Federation of the Vestrugat, tasked with defence of the nations which make up the Federation, their territories and dependencies, as well as promoting the Federation’s wider interests, supporting international peacekeeping efforts, and providing humanitarian aid. The branches of the Armed Forces are: the Vestrugat Navy, a blue-water navy with a fleet of 146 commissioned ships; the Vestrugat Army, the Federation’s principal land warfare branch; the Vestrugat Air Force, a technologically sophisticated air force with a diverse operational fleet consisting of both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft; and the Huskavrls, a highly specialised light infantry force proficient in multiple schools of combat.
Manpower
Total Population: 92,936,804
Available Manpower: 60,000,000
Fit for Service: 48,885,000
Reaching Military Age Annually: 2,175,000
Active Frontline Personnel: 249,350
Active Reserve Personnel: 101,150
Paramilitary: 65,500
Percent of Population Total: .45%
Percent of Population Active: .34%

Nukes
Nuclear Warheads Ready to Launch: 27
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The Commander-in-chief of the Vestrugat Armed Forces is the High Chancellor, however members of the armed forces swear allegiance only to the Federation and not necessarily its leader, due to the multinational situation of the league. However the Landesgrad maintains the armed forces during times of peace with the passing of quinquennial armed forces acts. The armed forces are managed by the Defense Council of the Ministry of Defense, headed by the Warden General.

The Kingdom of Esplandia tested its first nuclear weapons under Operation Violrang in 1952, becoming one of the first nations in the world to achieve the status of a nuclear power. As of 2015, Esplandia remains a recognised nuclear power, with a total of 27 nuclear warheads ready to launch. Of those, no more than 16 are deployed on naval vessels. Its nuclear deterrence system is based on Trident missiles on board ballistic missile submarines. The rest of the Federation’s members do not posses nuclear weapons of their own and must rely on Esplandia's arsenal for deterrence.
Navy

The Vestrugat Navy is a technologically sophisticated naval force, and as of April 2015 consists of 146 commissioned ships. Command of deployable assets is exercised by the Fleet Commander of the Navy.
Naval Power
Total Naval Strength: 146
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Amphibious Warfare Vessel: 1
Frigates: 12
Destroyers: 19
Corvettes: 11
Submarines: 32
Coastal Defense Craft: 58
Mine Warfare: 11
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The Surface Fleet consists of aircraft carriers, amphibious warfare ships, destroyers, frigates, patrol vessels, mine-countermeasure vessels, and other miscellaneous vessels. The Surface Fleet is structured around a single eastern fleet and two smaller southern and western fleets since 1871. The recently built Alpha-Wolf destroyers are technologically advanced air-defence destroyers. The Navy is currently building two additional Queen Katharin class aircraft carriers, capable of embarking an air-group of multi-role fighters, which will finish completion in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

A submarine service has existed within the Navy for more than 100 years. The Submarine Service's eleven Vanguard-class nuclear-powered submarines carry Trident II ballistic missiles, forming the Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. The service possessed a combined fleet of diesel-electric and nuclear-powered submarines until the early 1990s. Following the Modernization of the Armed Forces Act, the Warden class diesel-electric submarines were withdrawn and the attack submarine flotilla is now exclusively nuclear-powered. Seven Avalus class nuclear-powered attack submarines have been ordered, with nine completed, one on sea trials, and four under construction. The Avalus class are the most advanced and largest fleet submarines ever built for the Navy, and will maintain the Federation’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet capabilities for decades to come.
Vestrugat Army

The Vestrugat Army is made up of the Regular Army and the Army Reserve. The army has a single command structure based at Eborum and is known as "Army Headquarters". Deployable combat formations consist of five divisions (1st Infantry, 2nd Armoured, 3rd Overlander, 4th Mountain, and 5th Mechanized) and eight brigades. Within the League, operational and non-deployable units are administered by ten regionally defined "regenerative" divisions and the Crown Guard.
Land Systems
Tanks: 408
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 5,869
Self Propelled Guns: 154
Towed Artillery: 275
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems: 50
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The Army has 50 battalions (36 regular and 14 territorial) of regular and territorial infantry, organised into 17 regiments. The majority of infantry regiments contains multiple regular and territorial battalions. Modern infantry have diverse capabilities and this is reflected in the varied roles assigned to them. There are four operational roles that infantry battalions can fulfil: air assault, armoured infantry, mechanised infantry, and light role infantry.

Regiments and battalions e.g.: the Parachute Regiment, exist within every corps of the Army, functioning as administrative or tactical formations. Armoured regiments are equivalent to an infantry battalion. There are 6 armoured regiments within the regular army, of which two are designated as "Armoured" and four as "Vanguard Reconnaissance". With the exception of the Household Cavalry, armoured regiments and their Territorial counterparts are grouped under the Federation Armoured Corps. Arms and support units are also formed into similar collectives organised around specific purposes, such as the Corps of Engineers, Army Air Corps and Army Medical Corps.

Huskavrls
The Huskavrls are the Kingdom of Esplandia's elite troops. Consisting of a single manoeuvre brigade (3rd Commando) and various independent units, the Huskavrls specialize in amphibious, arctic, and mountain warfare, as well as covert reconnaissance and urban warfare. The 1st Division Riflemen are headquartered out of Kadaevfen, while the 2nd Division Infiltrators are headquartered in Karthied. While the King of Esplandia retains full authority over the Huskavrls, they have been rolled into the Vestrugat Army as a special branch and answers to the Federation’s Minister of Defense during Federation operations.
Vestrugat Air Force

The Air Force has a large operational fleet that fulfils various roles, consisting of both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Frontline aircraft are controlled by Air Command, which is organised into three groups defined by function: 1st Group (Air Combat), 2nd Group (Air Support) and 10th Group (training aircraft and ground facilities). In addition 3rd Expeditionary Air Group directs formations over the Federation. Deployable formations consist of Expeditionary Air Wings and squadrons—the basic unit of the Air Force.
Airpower
Total Aircraft: 676
Fighters/Interceptors: 169
Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 169
Transport Aircraft: 345
Trainer Aircraft: 51
Helicopters: 359
Attack Helicopters: 44
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The Air Force operates multi-role and single-role fighters, reconnaissance and patrol aircraft, tankers, transports, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and various types of training aircraft. Ground units are also maintained by the Air Force, most prominently the VAF Police and the Federation Air Force Regiment (FAF Regt). The Hastfradic Air Force Regiment essentially functions as the local ground defence force of the VAF. Roled principally as ground defence for VAF facilities, the regiment contains nine regular squadrons, supported by five squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force Regiment.
Civilian agencies of the Ministry of Defense

The Vestrugat Armed Forces are supported by civilian agencies owned by the Ministry of Defense. Although they are civilian, they play a vital role in supporting Armed Forces operations, and in certain circumstances are under military discipline.

Vestrugat Fleet Auxiliary
The 13 ships of the Vestrugat Fleet Auxiliary (VFA) primarily serve to replenish Navy warships at sea, and also augment the Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities through its three Riverhead-class landing ship dock vessels. It is manned by 1,850 civilian personnel and is funded and run by the Ministry of Defense.

Hydrographic Office
The Hydrographic Office is an organisation within the Federation government responsible for providing navigational and other hydrographic information for national, civil and defence requirements. The Hydrographic Office is located in Halsen an vi Sundra, Hastenfrakta on Admiralty Way and has a workforce of approximately 1000 staff.
Military Doctrine

The Federation’s military doctrine is informed by its small size and lack of military numbers in comparison to other nations on Eras. To compensate, the Federation relies on deterrence, including through its nuclear weapons arsenal. The Federation tries to overcome its quantitative disadvantage by staying qualitatively superior through its own military research programs as well as by buying the latest technologies from their allies. Military doctrine is based on a strategy of defense and noninterventionist policies where keeping the nation out of costly foreign wars leaves the nation the ability to quickly react to foreign threats and project an air of quiet readiness. The Federation maintains a heightened state of readiness, advanced early warning systems, and a robust military intelligence capability to ensure attackers cannot take advantage of the Federation’s lack of strategic strength and numbers.
Logistical
Labor Force: 44,790,000
Merchant Marine Strength: 427
Major Ports and Terminals: 27
Roadway Coverage: 527,892 km
Railway Coverage: 122,007 km
Serviceable Airports: 150

Geography
Square Land Area: 489,036 km2
Coastline: 2288 km
Shared Border: 3536 km
Waterways: 12,501 km
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Early warning and speedy victory is also desired because the Vestrugat Armed Forces rely heavily on reservists during major wars; and lengthy mobilization of reservists is costly to the economy. Federation doctrine is written with the assumption that the Federation should be largely self-sufficient in its war-fighting, without nearby allies to assist.

This doctrine carries over into all of the Federation’s military branches. The Navy focuses heavily on its submarine fleet, which makes up the largest part of its defensive and offensive capabilities. The Air Force likewise relies on fast and manuverable fighters and interceptors to make up the bulk of their air fleet.

The ground forces of the Federation’s Armed Forces are likewise meant to be more mobile, and will usually focus more on lightning surgical strikes. Preferred targets will generally be military positions, communications infrastructure, power stations, as well as roads and bridges to keep their enemy from being able to efficiently wage war. Should a conflict drag on, the next focus would be to destroy the economy of the enemy nation as well as to reduce their ability to manufacture war materials, and then bring their food production to a halt if necessary.
 
Vederraegtum Landesgrad

Leaders
High Chancellor:
Klaus auf Hettenberg
Vice-Chancellor:
Monti Prushten
King of Esplandia-Alstenbek:
King Sherwin V
King of Hastenfrakta:
King Reinhald II or Queen Esmeralda
Prince of Saegsen:
Prince Albrekt III
Grand Duke of Meregwuold:
Edwin Sigurdsen
Grand Duke of Lothel-Dutia:
Gaston auf Volget
Grand Vizier of Austalgotha:
Algon Chopra
Prime Minster of the Dalkaegns:
Peter Ostraveg
President of the Commonwealth of Aerndreffed:
Caerwynn Raedermann
Grand Mayor of the Republics of Jenovak Free Cities:
Alfred Tavreksen​
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The Federation of the Vestrugat has a parliamentary government based on the Landesgrad (Land Warden) System, a bicameral hierarchical system that is unique to the Vestrugat. The parliament of the federation meets in Blaegfyurd Palace in Karthied and has two houses, or courts: a lower elected Landhedder Court, and a higher Wosardegmetten Court which is made up of the special electors, generally chosen from the landed nobility, or elected by one of the republics ruling bodies. All bills which pass must be given Royal Assent by the King of Esplandia, who serves as a Warden of the Court, before becoming law; a ceremonial formality only and they can't refuse assent to a passed law.

The position of High Chancellor, the league's head of government, is elected by popular vote while the vice chancellor is elected in the upper court. The Landhedder Court is the representational body of the people of the Federation. It is chaired by the High Chancellor, and meets regularly, traditionally on the first and last day of each month. The Landesgrad originally served the purpose of providing a forum within which the nobility could negotiate trade agreements, create alliances, discuss political matters, or formalize due processes. It was also meant to unify the nobility against threats from within and without. The Landesgrad of today serves the same basic role as a parliament.

Motions are passed by a majority vote, and the Wosardegmetten is responsible for ratifying and enforcing laws. Voting in the Wosardegmetten is based on a rated system, with higher ranking electors holding more votes. Votes are based off an electors highest title only, lower titles do not garner increased voting power (which is often why electors pass on lower titles to their heirs when they reach a certain age, thus increasing the number of available votes). The Crown monarchs have the highest voting seats in the council with seven for each of the Kingdoms . The Prince of Saegsen has six votes, while the Grand Dukes have five votes each. Austalgotha and the Dalkaegns have three votes each, while Aerndreffed has two. The Jenovak free cities also have two votes each, except for Slacia-Askantar which has one. There are also twelve special elector dukes who have one vote each as well.

Members of the Landhedder court are elected by district and most laws are drawn up here. Any federation citizen, regardless of nationality or race, can be elected to the Lower Court. The upper and lower courts are divided between the electors (upper) and the direct representatives (lower) elected by citizens in regional elections. Resolutions are passed by majority vote in both houses. Laws in the lower house do not need Royal Assent but must come before the Upper Court for final review before being either rejected, ratified, or expanded on to become national law. Rejected laws are returned to the lower court for further discussion or outright rejection. The High Chancellor has limited veto power and must have the support of all three crowns.

The first Landesgrad was created by Godric 'the Great' of Esplandia as a way to gain the full support of the nobility and get them involved in the daily governance of the kingdom. Over time more rights and responsibilities have fallen on the Landesgrad and it remains an effective and important part of the nation’s governance.

Federation Cabinet Ministries

Cabinet Ministers​
Office of the High Chancellor
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Office of the Warden General (Minister of Defense)
Ministry of Federation Affairs (interior)
Ministry of Civil Order and Protection
Ministry of the Treasury
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Labor
Ministry of Communication
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Ministry of Health, Science, and Education
Ministry of Culture and Religion
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The High Chancellor is elected by the federal parliament (Landesgrad) after being proposed by the Electors. However, the Landesgrad is free to disregard the Electoral proposals, in which case the Landesgrad must within 14 days elect another individual, which the parties in the Landesgrad can now propose themselves. Following the election, the Chancellor appoints his/her cabinet ministers, On taking office the Chancellor and ministers swear an oath in front of the parliament.

The whole cabinet's tenure is linked to the High Chancellor's tenure: The Chancellor's (and the cabinet's) term automatically ends when a new High Chancellor is elected, or if he/she is replaced by a constructive vote of no confidence, resigns or dies. Nevertheless, apart from the case of a constructive vote of no confidence, which by nature instantly invests a new Chancellor (and a new cabinet), the Chancellor and his or her ministers stay in office as an acting cabinet on until the Landesgrad has elected a new Chancellor and they've taken the oath of office.

The High Chancellor is responsible for guiding the cabinet and deciding its political direction. According to the principle of departmentalization, the cabinet ministers are free to carry out their duties independently within the boundaries set by the Chancellor's political directives. The Chancellor may at any time dismiss a minister or appoint a new minister. The Chancellor also decides the scope of each minister's duties and can at his own discretion nominate ministers heading a department and so called ministers for special affairs without an own department. The Chancellor's freedom to shape his cabinet is only limited by some constitutional provisions: the Wosardegmetten has to appoint a Warden General, a Minister of Trade and Economic Development, and a Minister of Justice, as the constitution invests these ministers with some special powers: The Warden General is commander-in-chief during peacetime (only in wartime does the Chancellor becomes supreme commander), the Minister of Trade and Economic Development may veto decisions by the Federal Trade Office and the Minister of Justice appoints and dismisses the Federal Prosecutor General. If two ministers disagree on a particular point, the cabinet resolves the conflict by a majority vote or the Chancellor decides the case himself. This often depends on the Chancellor's governing style.

The Chancellor has to appoint one of the cabinet ministers as Vice-Chancellor, who may deputize for the Chancellor in his or her absence. If the Chancellor dies or is unwilling or unable to act as Chancellor after the end of his or her term, until a new Chancellor has been elected, the Vice Chancellor becomes Acting Chancellor until the election of a new Chancellor, who than has to form a new government. The Chancellor is in charge of the government's administrative affairs, which are usually delegated to the Minister of Federation Affairs.
Social Feudalism

Social Fuedalism as an ideology mixes social policies like universal healthcare and affordable education with an elite noble ruling class who vie for power through a system of political alliances to pass, block, or repeal laws. Political parties are either rare or ineffective due to the nature of shifting power and loyalty among the ruling class.

Social Feudalism seeks to balance progressive social policies, representation for the masses, and elective democracy with the traditional values of nobility, aristocracy, and monarchy. Among the issues claimed to be associated with the ideology of Social Feudalism are nationalism and national pride, education and healthcare, oligarchy, and traditionalism.

Issues that are are at the forefront of Social Feudalism in contemporary society are class stratification, economics, protectionism, and common welfare. Social Feudalism incorporates the classical liberal view of minimal government intervention in the economy, according to which individuals should be free to participate in the market and generate wealth without government interference as long as the nation’s integrity is not compromised. For some Social Feudalist nation’s, this is seen as a viable reason for the government to intervene in the economy when it’s considered to be in the best interest of the nation as a whole.

Individual liberty and self-determinism are considered sacrosanct, but individuals cannot be thoroughly depended on to act responsibly in other spheres of life, therefore social feudalists believe that a strong state is necessary to ensure law and order and social institutions are needed to nurture a sense of duty and responsibility to the nation. It is a political position which also supports civil liberties along with strong conservative positions on crime and punishment, religion, economics, and social authority. They seek to preserve a range of institutions such as monarchy, religion, parliamentary government, and property rights, with the aim of emphasizing social stability and continuity.

Klaus Aldrinsen, a veteran of the Talamnic War, lost his family and their lands to the communists. He was an Alstenbeker but after the war ended he emigrated to Esplandia and got involved in politics. He supported the monarchs since they had saved the Vestrugat in the war, but was also a supporter of social policies which helped the lower and middle classes. He founded Social Feudalism in 1949, an ideology which balanced progressive policies and fair treatment with that of a hereditary elite nobility. He claimed that creating a system where everyone was taken care of (healthcare, education, employment, etc) mixed with strong leadership that kept tradition and promoted culture, would create a strong nation that people would be proud to be a part of.
 
Aelostianism

Aelostianism is a monotheistic religion based on the worship of Aela, also known as Aldurath Evenul. Aelostianism is unique in that it believes that its god, Aela, was not the creator of the world, but was instead the creator of the beings that were responsible for the worlds creation. These creators, spiritual beings called the Elendur and Argaetha (also known as the Children of Aela's Thought), created the world as an imperfect vision of Aor, the heavenly realm of Aela, and now embody the spirits of the world in an almost animistic relationship. The Elendur and Argaetha are generally depicted as animals or anthropomorphized objects.

Adherents of Aelostianism are called Aelostians. The religion in its current form originated within the Vestrugat sometime in the 7th century following the Hastfradic conquest, though an older and more paganistic version was followed by the Hastfrads before their arrival. Aelostianism has some similarities to other Gotic-Pagan religions, but its differences remain drastic and far removed from any other in the world. The religion become prominent after the fracturing of the Hastfradic Empire during the Decarchy period.

Aelostianism is divided into two major branches: Avalustism and Teidastism following the 7th Century teachings of the Conqueror-Priestess Avalus or the 18th Century reformationist Bishop Rollo Teid, respectively. There are also a number of other apostasies and heresies.

Aelostian theology is expressed in Divine Tenets gathered from a number of written scripture called the Edjaddas. The Edjaddas are a mix of religious scripture, history, and saga. The tenets profess belief that Aela is the divine protector of the world, and that one day he will return to judge the living and the dead based on the merit of their deeds and the purity of their souls. The tenets further act as a set of religious rules that followers must adhere to in order to be judged worthy of Aela upon his return.

Below Aela are six Erujakir, or sanctified warriors. The six Erujakir represent a different virtue and are seen as protectors of mankind. It is forbidden to worship the Erujakir, but there can be found many altars to the six where offerings are left by the devout found around the region.
Erujakir

The Erujakir are six women who were chosen by Aela to serve as his personal messengers and holy warriors. They appear throughout the Edjaddas, and are often tasked with aiding the Hastfradic heroes, with Avalus being the last to be chosen. Avalus’ life is well known and chronicled in the seventh Edjadda.

Each Erujakir represents a specific virtue that they are said to have demonstrated or exemplified during their mortal lives. Avalus embodies Diligence, Braeja embodies Courage, Bresengurt embodies Justice, Raedenfael embodies Temperance, Sarifa embodies Kindness, and Sigraena embodies Patience.

The modern image of the Erujakir is of strong, elegant, and noble maidens guiding the dead to Aeor and giving protection and guidance to the righteous. The Edjaddas however also shows them as brutal warriors, cunning leaders, and powerful matriarchs. The Aelostian church does not gloss over these facts, instead teaching that righteousness is not gained through perfect behavior but through continuous adherence to the tenets and honest pursuit of good.

The Edjaddas

There are a total of seven Edjaddas written over a period of ten thousand years. The first Edjadda dates back to the 3rd century BC and was written in the far north, while the ninth and last was written in the 8th or 9th Centuries sometime after the death of Braegga 'the Bear'.

The first Edjadda, or the Anulama, chronicles the birth of the Elendur and Argaetha, their creation of the world, and its early history until the first men arrived.

The second Edjadda, the Vyulima, tells of the origins of man, chronicling their dealings with the Elendur and Argaetha, as well as the fall of the Elder Race and the First War.

The third Edjadda, the Lorjama, is a collection of poetry, songs, and laws. It is the basis of Hastfradic culture and foretells the time when Aela will claim the world as his own.

The fourth Edjadda, the Jalvegga, was written during the wanderings of the Hastfrads, and tells the tale of the mariner Heorulth and his twelve journeys throughout Eras and the Void.

The fifth, the Kyuraedda, is an in depth treatise of the Tenets of Aela.

The sixth Edjadda, or the Aglorra, tells of the conquests and victories of Braegga 'the Bear'. While being the last chronologically, the sixth Edjadda was written before the seventh sometime during the lifetime of Braegga himself.

The last Edjadda, the Avaluma, tells the story of Avalus and her deeds. It was written at some point around the year 827.

The Teid Reformations

Rollo Teid was an Esplandian knight in service to King Heinrik 'the Lion'. He was wounded during the wars in the west and remained in Nalgorhaem for ten years following the conflict, and then afterwards traveled the world. He returned to Esplandia in 1761. Teid preached that man was born without the divine like animals were. He claimed all men could obtain divinity only through righteous deed and the search of knowledge.

It's likely his teachings would never have spread if not for the death of Heinrik 'the Lion' and the subsequent civil war over the throne. When Irwin II gained the throne he was far too busy restoring the eastern kingdom to his realm to worry about the Reformationists.

Teidastism took root and eventually became the dominant form of Aelostianism in Esplandia, causing a break with the other Hastfradic nations which would take a century to heal.

The Aelostian Church

The head of the Vestrugatic Church is the Allfather (or Allmatron if female), and regional heads are called the High Almoners. The office of Allfather is elected by the regional High Almoners, while the office of the High Almoners is selected from among the bishops or archbishops of their respective regions. All positions within the church can be held by men or women, with little difference in authority between the two sexes.

Esplandia does not have a High Almoner. The highest religious authority in the kingdom is the Archbishop of Taeberus, who otherwise performs all the tasks of a High Almoner.

At the Almoners tower in Dolgeleth, where all the Almoners gather on the solstices, the seat of the High Almoner of Esplandia remains vacant, draped in a black cloth to signify its loss to the true faith.
 
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