Moorland

Kingdom of Moorland
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Thou shall not trample thee
Anthem:
Map versions
Capital	Newcastle-Upon-Eastmoor
Largest city	Newcastle-upon-Eastmoor, Threlkeld, Raveness
Official language(s)	East Moorlandic, Brittanic, Hurmu Norse
Official religion(s)	Church of the Holy Lance
Demonym	Moorlander
- Adjective	Moorland, Moorlandic
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
- King	Alpin MacMartin
- Prime Minister	Lord Robin
- Legislature	Pairlament
Establishment	1718
Area
Population	c. 875,000
Currency	Redoubt Crown (RDC)
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT+9
Mains electricity
Driving side	left
Track gauge
National website	moorland.gov
National forum
National animal
National food	Venison stew
National drink	Moorlander Ale
National tree
Abbreviation	KML

The Kingdom of Moorland, or simply Moorland, is a small state located in northeastern Keltia, bounded on the north by Mercury and in the south by Ostland. It considers itself to be a cultural successor to the Kingdom of Nova England, though it does not claim direct descent from the royal line of Josephus I. Although culturally and linguistically similar, it is not to be confused with the Hurmudan District of Moorland to the south.

History

Moorland was originally a region of Nova England, though the kingdom is only a recent development, having been declared in 1718. Following the Nova English diaspora, and the departure of the royal family to the South Sea Islands, those who remained behind found themselves at the mercy of various hostile tribes. New populations moved in from the west, especially the Norse. Bassarids had also begun to enter the area, moving north from Haifa. While the Warring Islands were secured by the benevolent forces of the Benacian Union, the mainland was not so fortunate. Although the Norse were not openly hostile to the locals, they nonetheless subjugated them during the formation of Ostland. Hurmu, in an attempt to bring peace and stability to the region, established its own presence in the form of the District of Moorland to the south. But the corridor to the north, outside of Ostland's control and south of Mercury, controlled by the Clans of Moorland, refused to be brought to heel and resisted all attempts at colonization. Over time the Clans, facing continued external pressure, united under Chief MacMartin to form the Kingdom of Moorland.

In X.1718, the kingdom officially petitioned the Raspur Pact for accession to the alliance, seeking military aid in routing the continued incursions of the Confederacy of the Dispossessed. By the end of the year the members of the Raspur Pact had unanimously approved Moorland's entrance to the alliance at the same time as its membership within the Micronational Cartography Society was approved, formally bringing the kingdom onto the international stage.

By early 1719 Moorland's intelligence arm had gathered enough evidence of Bassarid influence in Ostland to publish The Dispossession of King Nikolaus, a dossier secret documents providing evidence that the Confederacy of the Dispossessed had secretly assassinated the King of Ostland, along with most of his officials and family, and replaced them with imposters. Following these revelations Moorland officially declared war on Ostland and invaded with the commencement of Operation Lefthand Punch. Following the capture of the poster King Nikolaus and his extradition to the Raspur Pact Joint Command, Moorland withdrew MAF units to within the boundaries of the former National Redoubt territory - essentially from Port Neil east and north. Moorland currently occupies this territory, which has a majority Nova English-Moorlander population. King MacMartin and the Witan have not yet recognized Ostland's self-appointed monarch, Lord Protector Eisenmann, whose relationship to the former royal family is questionable at best given documents obtained during Operation Phantom indicating the line had been extinguished by the Bassarids. Thus for the time being Moorland will remain in occupation of the northeast quadrant until such time as terms can be negotiated and the authenticity of Ostland's new government verified by independent and unbiased sources.

Following a series of intense negotiations, Moorland and Ostland eventually signed the Treaty of Port Moorland in 15.XII.1720. As per the terms of the treaty, the city of Port Moorland was ceded to the kingdom as reparations for the war. In return, King MacMartin officially recognized the government of Otto Eisenmann. The two have since begun working together to repair relations between the two kingdoms and root out any remaining influences from the Confederacy of the Dispossessed. The incorporation of Port Moorland into Moorland was seen as a significant victory, as it granted both an important commercial port and is viewed as an significant cultural heritage site.

Geography

Moorland occupies a narrow band of territory running west from the border with Mercury and a small 12km stretch of oceanfront that comprises the kingdom's only sea access. The climate is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable. It has mild winters, but cooler, wetter summers. Winters average 6 °C (43 °F), with summer averaging 18 °C (64 °F). In prehistoric times the entire region was covered by ice sheets, and as such has been greatly affected by glaciation. The scars of retreating glaciers resulted in the many hills and lochs now present across the country. As the name would suggest, many moors also exist as a result of bogs left behind in low-lying areas carved out by the glacial retreat.

The country is divided into three regions: East Moorland, stretching from the coast to Newcastle-Upon-Eastmoor. West Moorland, from just west of Newcastle-Upon-Eastmoor to near Borova. And Nevermoor, which extends ambiguously into the western frontier. Following the signing of a treaty with Hurmu, the District of Moorland was annexed to the kingdom as a fourth region.

Economy

The currency of Moorland is the Redoubt Crown (MOS: RDC) which is derived from the former currency circulated by Nova England, the National Redoubt Denarii. As a relatively new currency that lacks widespread circulation in the global economy, it is pegged to the Mercurian Crown for stability.

Government and politics

Moorland is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary royal family who acts as head-of-state and a freely elected Prime Minister who acts as head-of-government. King Alpin MacMartin is the current head-of-state (as of 1718 AN). Moorland has a parliamentary government with the Witan forming the legislative body. All bills passed are given Royal Assent before becoming law. Elected representatives within the Witan are known as ‘Members of Witan’ (MoW), with the head of the Witan being known as the Witan Chief. The position of Witan Chief is the head of the Moorlander government and is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that hold the majority of seats within the Witan. Following an election the candidate for Witan Chief has their appointment confirmed by the monarch.

Demographics

Ethnic Demographics of Moorland (As of 1718 AN)

Group	Total Population
Total Population	850,000
Moorlandic	500,000
Nova English	150,000
Brettish	90,000
Mercurian	50,000
Norse	45,000
Hurmudan	15,000

Culture

Moorlandic language and culture is the result of successive generations of Nova English culture fusing with an influx of neighboring cultures from either surrounding countries, such as Mercury and New Brittania, and those of integrated cultures, such as Norse, Hurmudan and to a lesser extent the Calbain. While Nova English and New Brittanic were used by the upper castes of society, the interbreeding of neighboring language groups resulted in a rural and more vulgar language developing in the form of the East Moorland Dialect. This dialect surpassed Nova English in common usage when Nova England collapsed and most of the elite fled the country.

A staunchly independent people noted for making their homes amongst the harsh highland terrain of northeastern Keltia, they have developed a strong clan-based hierarchy that centers around interlinked families known as the Clans of Moorland.

Religion

Like Nova England before it, most Moorlanders are adherents of the Church of the Holy Lance. Sizable populations do still adhere to other faiths. The second-largest faith group belongs to the Church of St. George. The third-largest faith group exists mostly within rural and isolate pockets, and those are adherents to the old pagan faiths.

Sports

Moorlanders engage in a wide variety of sports, including rugby and golf. But one of the most popular events is the annual Moorland Games, wherein a number of traditional athletic events are held, such as the caber toss. These games highlight Moorlandic culture and are very popular gatherings, attracting thousands of spectators.

Cuisine

Moorlandic cuisine revolves around plates utilizing local game, reflecting the harsh climate and scarcity of food available. Venison stew remains an ever-popular dish; although venison is also prepared in many other ways, such as jerky. Other dishes include sheepshead, haggis, pheasant, potatoes and turnips - all reflecting the need to utilize every scrap of food during the harsh winter months. Most dishes are accompanied by the acclaimed Moorlander Ale, a rich, dark brown stout.

Defence

With the collapse of the Nova English National Redoubt and Faedertellus, the people of Moorland found themselves defenseless against hostiles. Thankfully many reservists from the People's Militia were still residing in the area and helped organize a new, local defence force. Like during the events of the Great Disaster and Evacuation, the People's Militia became a lifeline for protecting local communities. As power became centralised under King MacMartin, the various militias gradually coalesced into the present Moorland Armed Forces. The MAF is, in turn, directed by the Ministry of Defence.