Ostland
| The Kingdom of Ostland Ostreich | |||
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| Motto: Reinheit uber Alles Purity Above All | |||
| Anthem: Blumelein | |||
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| Map versions | |||
| Capital | Reichsborg | ||
| Largest city | Großehafen | ||
| Official language(s) | Ostische | ||
| Official religion(s) | Normark Pagan | ||
| Demonym | Ostlander | ||
| - Adjective | Ostlandic | ||
| Government | Absolute monarchy | ||
| - King of Ostland | Nikolaus VI | ||
| - Chancellor | Helmut Weld | ||
| - Legislature | Reichstinge(Hereditary) Landstinge(Lower hereditary) Wolkstinge(Popular vote) | ||
| Establishment | |||
| Area | |||
| Population | |||
| Active population | 1 | ||
| Currency | Mark | ||
| Calendar | Norton calendar | ||
| Time zone(s) | |||
| Mains electricity | 120/240 V - 60 Hz | ||
| Driving side | Right | ||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | |||
| National forum | none | ||
| National animal | Ostlandic Deer specifically the stag | ||
| National food | Sauerkraut and Reichsborg-style Schweinswurst | ||
| National drink | Beer | ||
| National tree | Eisenkiefer | ||
| Abbreviation | |||
Ostland, officially The Kingdom of Ostland (Ostlandic: Ostreich), is a nation located on the continent of Keltia. A hereditary monarchy, it is ruled by Nikolaus VI, a distant cousin of the Einhorn clan of Normark. The people of Ostland are believed to be descended from the ancient races of Normark and Cerulea of whom had fled the Durge many thousands of years ago. Today, they are regarded as a first-world state, having an exceptionally high living standard. Industry, especially the defense industry, is one of the mainstays of their GDP. Considered more peace-oriented than their Norse cousins, they enjoy absolute neutrality with all nations, however they maintain staunch human supremacy policies - a concept known as "Gelassenheit" (serenity) and "Reinheit durch Neutralität" (purity through neutrality). It is known for its complicated system of nobility and government - subjects which many foreigners find difficulty in following due to the intricacies of those systems.
Prehistoric Origins
It is believed by many scholars and genetic researchers alike that the origins of the Ostlandic people descend from the ancient Norse. Verbal and written lore of the wiking peoples of Normark and Ostland describe many clans and their kin migrating eastward, crossing the Strait of Haifa into easternmost Keltia. The capitol of Ostland, Reichsborg, is regarded as the oldest settlement in the country, with archeologists finding remnants of dwellings dating well over 3,500 years old. Linguistically, the divergence from Norse to Ostlandic has been attributed to the proximity of the Nova English and Brittanic peoples. As well as natural evolution, it is considered by some linguists that Ostlanders are indeed Norse in origin, but should be considered a racial offshoot given their origins, linguistic heritage and organic struggles.
Settlement
Settlement of what is now modern day Ostland was done by eastward-traveling Norsemen, of whom the royal family traces their lineage back to a brother, Valdemar (Waaldemir as written in Ostlandic) of an ancient King of Normark, presumably having fled the Durge.
Climate
Ostland has a variety of climates including everything from temperate forests, boreal plains and subarctic mountains. Being so diverse, Ostland enjoys a variety of seasons and climates, which lend to a thriving tourist industry. While the mountains of Ostland are no match for those found in Normark, the industry standard of luxury at ski resorts is much higher. Having a relatively diverse climate, Ostland also enjoys a thriving agricultural industry.
| Region | Climate Classification |
|---|---|
| Eastern Coast (north) | Dfc primarily |
| Eastern Coast (southern most) | Dfb progressing inland to Dfa |
| South Central | Ranges between Cwa and Cfa |
| North Central | Dwc and Dfd depending on elevation |
Economy
Ostland has a modern economy, with diversified sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and mining. Manufacturing, however, does dominate the economy, especially in the chemical, refining and defense sectors with roughly 27% of the populace being employed by manufacturing companies in some capacity. The remaining sectors include a thriving service, retail and tourist industry. Großehafen is the largest port and financial headquarters of the nation, with nearly two-thirds of all domestic commercial entities being headquartered there. This comes from an obscure law stating that only companies given royal charter may be headquartered in the capitol city of Reichsborg. The vast majority of both imports and exports to and from the nation pass through Großehafen.
Military Industrial Complex
Although maintaining a strict policy of neutrality with other nations (aside from support of NHP), Ostland has a thriving defense industry. Two of the top five companies in the nation, Durchdenwald Waffenfabrik AB and Eisenspieß GmbH, are armament and defense equipment manufacturers. It is believed that through a strong defense industry and ties with defense customers, that the national policy of Gelassenheit can be maintained, with defense related items being the second largest export of the country.
Currency
The currency system in Ostland is a matter of enormous contention amongst both the populace and those traveling from abroad. Ostland utilizes the Mark as its currency, and is divided into a complex fractional system using divisions of twelfths, the Thaler. The single Mark itself is pegged to approximately one half gram of Ostland-mined, 99.999 fine gold by KöniglicheBank KV, the royally chartered bank.
| Currency Division | Is Equal To | And Takes |
|---|---|---|
| Gulden* | 500 Marks | - |
| Thaler | 1/2 of 1 Mark | 2 to make 1 Mark |
| Groschen | 1/12 of a Thaler | 24 to make 1 Mark |
| Pfennige | 1/16 of a Groschen | 384 to make 1 Mark |
| kreuzer | 1/3 of a Pfennige | 1,152 to make 1 Mark |
*- very rare and usually only used by KöniglicheBank, its branches and for transactions with commoner chartered banks. Is equivalent to 250 grams of reserved gold.
Despite the outward complexity of the very ancient currency system, it often escapes foreigners that the average family passenger car costs roughly 600 to 700 Marks (per 1710 manufacturer recommended retail price). As a result of this system, it is considered a rite of passage for young Ostlandic men to be given an heirloom coin purse or geldbörse, as minted coins are more common than paper money and given that the use bank cards have not yet taken a strong hold among the populace. It is considered incredibly rude to count out change for a purchase, as one is expected to have the correct amount in hand at that time.
Government & Politics
Ostland is both a hereditary monarchy and a parliamentary democracy at the same time. While the King exercises absolute authority, the Reichstinge has authority on the day-to-day business of the nation. The Reichstinge is presided over by the Chancellor. The monarchy only intervenes when the Reichstinge feels it is needed or the monarchy itself feels there is a need for intervention. The entirety of the legislature consists of three houses, the Reichstinge, the Landstinge and the Wolkstinge. The general principal being that the Wolkstinge is the direct representative of the people of the Kingdom, where as the upper Reichstinge and the lower Landstinge comprise of the ruling nobility of whom exercise their authority as granted by the monarchy. The complexity of the legislature of Ostland is often subject to some satire, both domestically and abroad.
The King
The King of Ostland (Ostlandic: König von Ostland) is the reigning monarch of Ostland and, by law, it is an absolute monarchy. However, in practice, through orders and precedents set through history, the monarch often reserves their use of absolute authority for emergencies after the forming of the legislatures of today by King Oskar IV. A hereditary title and position, only the male offspring of the Royal Family - members of the Eisenwald-am-Silberstrom family - may become the King. The Eisenwald-am-Silberstrom family is traced back to the legendary Valdemar, a brother of an ancient King of Normark. Valdemar himself is considered the first King of Ostland, with all King's to date being able to trace their lineage back to him. Historically, the King has been the political and spiritual leader of the country, making lese-majeste a very serious crime in the nation. Even in times of feudal turmoil and strife, all people of the nation have eventually looked to the King to provide guidance or even a total solution.
The King resides in Eisenwald Castle, the official residence of the Royal Family of Ostland and the primary members of the Eisenwald-am-Silberstrom family. The estate on which the castle is built has historically been the capitol of Ostland since the times of Valdemar, where it is believed he first settled.
The Chancellor
The Chancellor (Ostlandic: Reichskalzer), officially The Chancellor of the Kingdom of Ostland (Ostlandic: Reichskanzler der Ostreich), presides over the highest legislature of the kingdom, the Reichstinge. All bills, resolutions, acts of law and warrants must be signed by the Chancellor in the presence of the monarch, before the monarch themself may consider signing it into Crown Law. In addition to this, he also ceremonially presides over the Landstinge's second round of voting for proposals as a representative of the Monarchy.
The Chancellor is generally addressed as His Excellency and serves at the leisure of the monarchy. With few exceptions, the Chancellor is usually a member of the Reichstinge. Aside from his duties as head of the Reichstinge, he is also the primary advisor of the King, counseling him in all matters relating to the nobility and the people.
The Legislature
The legislature of the Kingdom consists of three different bodies, the Reichstinge, the Landstinge (itself divided into two houses) and the Wolkstinge. While Crown Law prohibits any fiefdom from enacting laws which contravene it, the purpose of the legislative bodies is to allow the populace to show the King that there is an overwhelming majority in favor of an addition or change to Crown Laws.
Reichstinge
The Reichstinge is the upper legislative body of the nation. There, the Elder Nobility (Alteradel) of the nation meet to discuss Crown Law and submit final proposals to the Chancellor to bring before the monarchy. They operate by a simple majority with one vote per member, despite any of the numerous landed and non-landed titles they may hold.
Landstinge
The Landstinge is the lower hereditary house of the legislative body of the kingdom, consisting the lower nobility - the Niederer Adel. Consisting of two houses made up of the two different classes of the lesser nobility, the landed and letters-patent nobility . The High Parliament (Höherparlament) consists of all lesser landed nobility while the Parliament of Noble Names (Parlament der Edelsnamen) consists of lesser nobles granted such status by letters patent. Each one operates by a simple majority. However, the Landstinge uses an unusual system whereby members of the Landstinge, as a whole, reconvene and then must cast another vote as to whether or not to send the proposal to the Reichstinge, utilizing a simple majority of all comprising members.
Wolkstinge
The Wolkstinge is the non-noble house of the legislature of whose membership is not hereditary and made up of subjects of the Kingdom. This includes elected officials for all regions of the country. Members of the Wolkstinge are elected by popular vote and represent districts based upon the more numerous regions of the Landstinge. Many consider this house of the legislature nothing more than a rubber stamp given to corporations by the government.
Nobility of Ostland
The noble class of Ostmark is an incredibly complex structure of familial houses and land-gifting. The gist of the pseudo-feudal system of governance is, however, that all tribute - known as Ehre - must be paid to the King. The next consideration is the age of the nobility. The Reichstinge is made up of the oldest noble houses in the country, holding the most land and power - they must, however, pay the most in tribute to the King. The feudal system is a multilayered political and financial structure of which few, except those of whom are a part of it, can navigate.
Elder Nobility
The Elder Nobility (Alteradel) are the eldest and most powerful landed nobles of the Kingdom. Many stem back from the very settlement of the nation, although some are newer.
They posses any of the following titles, reigning over the corresponding territory or territories.
| Title (English) | Title (Ostlandic) | Territory (English) | Territory (Ostlandic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince (Non-royal) | Fürst | Principality | Fürstentum |
| Archduke | Erzhertzog | Arch Duchy | Erzherzogtum |
| Grand Duke | Großherzog | Grand Duchy | Großherzogtum |
| Duke | Herzog | Duchy | Herzogtum |
Many, however, also possess titles of the lesser nobility, as they also hold those lands and their associated titles.
Lesser Nobility
The lesser nobility, Niederer Adel, of the Kingdom make up the bulk of the nobility of the Kingdom, with not all holding lands. Landed lesser nobles are known as Lehenadel, while non-landed nobles are instead members of families granted noble status or single individuals granted noble status by letters patent - known as Briefadel.
| Title (English) | Title (Ostlandic) | Territory (English) | Territory (Ostlandic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count-Palatine | Pfalzgraf | County | Pfalzgrafschaft |
| Baron-Palatine | Pfalzgroßherr | Barony | Großherrschaft |
| Landgrave | Landgraf | Landgravate | Landgrafschaft |
| Margrave | Markgraf | Margravate | Markgrafschaft |
| Altgrave | Altgraf | Altgravate | Altgrafschaft |
| Earl | Jarl | Earldom | Jarlschaft |
| Burgrave | Burggraf | Burgravate (A single castle and associated
estate) |
Burggrafschaft |
| Count | Graf | (non-landed) | (non-landed) |
| Baron | Großherr | (non-landed) | (non-landed) |
| Lord | Herr | (non-landed) | (non-landed) |
| Knight | Ritter | (non-landed) | (non-landed) |
| Noble | Edler | (non-landed, non-hereditary) | (non-landed, non-hereditary) |
System of Tribute
The system of tribute, known as Ehre, is the financial backbone of the feudal system. It is, however, independent of various systems of taxation implemented by the royal government - most notably commercial entities and various other forms of income taxation. It works much like any other collection system would - all nobles are given the duty of collecting all levied taxes, duties, fines and fees as they so establish by their own local laws as well as those levied by the royal government. An established percentage of local duties et cetera goes to their superior noble or, if they they are independent, directly to the Monarchy. In return, they are allowed to keep the remaining percentage for use within their realm, including for their own personal benefit.
Military
The King's Reserve
The Nature Preserve of King Ferdinand I (Naturschutzgebiet von König Ferdinand I or NSG Ferdinand I), popularly known as The King's Reserve, is a territory of largely uninhabited land in the south-eastern coastal region that has been designated as a nature preservation area by the monarchy. Hunting, fishing and camping sports are popular throughout the realm, however, it was the intention of Ferdinand I that there be a large area of land, by which the word of the monarchy, cannot be used for anything else. As such, within this reserved land there are no cities, villages or other permanent congregations of civilization - providing the populace with a truly untouched region of Micras with which to exercise outdoor activities and sports. It is within this region that all laws regarding flora and fauna are suspended and considered the sole property of the monarchy. With proper permits, subjects of the Kingdom may enjoy a natural preserve of land untouched by civilization to engage in hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities.
The reserve taken care of by the KNSG or Königlichesamt der Naturschutzgebiet (lit. Royal Office of the Nature Preserve), which manages everything to do with NSG Ferdinand I. The KNSG even has an armed police unit, the Naturpolizei - ensuring adherence to applicable laws of the reserve and prevention of illicit activities in the remote region. Poaching of rare species and illegal trophy hunting have previously been a serious problem before the inception of the Naturpolizei. Traditionally, the office is a special division of the government directly answering to the King, much like a ministry.
Public Service in Ostland
Public service is mandatory in Ostland, be it either through military service, the Wehrmacht, or civil service, the Arbeitskorps. Colloquially it is called edleziel or noble purpose. Minimum service terms apply, requiring a term of service of at least four years with either one, beginning approximately one month after the eighteenth birthday for all subjects. Even the children of nobility and royalty are not exempt, with terms actually increased from the standard of four years for subjects to eight years for nobility - the reason being that the nation's nobility must be dutiful. For subjects of the Kingdom, two months after their twenty-first birthday (with mitigating circumstances allowed), are discharged from public service. It is only at this time that centers of higher learning such as technical schools and universities will accept a student.
Arbeitskorps
The Arbeitsgilde was founded by Nikolas VI's great-grandfather, Ferdinand I. The purpose of the organization was to be an alternative to the mandatory military service as it was found that there was a declining number of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the workforce. Most, after their mandatory military service, were either entering universities or going into unskilled labor jobs. Less than fifteen-percent of the available workforce were entering into the skill trades. A poll, lasting 2 years, revealed that many thought their military service ill-equipped them to enter into skilled trades unless their job in the military was, in fact, translatable into a civilian skilled trade. The situation was also exacerbated by the fact that those with minor to moderate physical disabilities had the potential to go beyond performing unskilled labor, but found themselves nearly unable to get into trade schools and universities without direct government intervention - a difficult task. .This created an infrastructure crisis - as there was a plethora of unskilled laborers and engineering personnel, but no skilled trade workers - for which Ferdinand I issued a Royal Charter for the Arbeitsgilde, the predecessor to the Arbeitskorps.
Over a period of four years, anyone of whom had chosen to serve in the Arbeitsgilde goes from performing unskilled labor for their first year. After that first year they are required to choose through a wide range of medium-skilled labor trades, of which they will receive extensive training for - all while helping improve and build upon the infrastructure of the nation. Through the training they received during their service, they could then choose to go on to technical schools to learn a new trade or acquire additional credentials for their existing ones. Within the first four years, the number of working skilled trade-workers saw an increase of nearly eight-hundred percent. There was, however, quite the backlash from the military community as it severely diminished the number of incoming personnel. Given the option, many people chose the Arbeitsgilde over the Wehrmacht due to the increased possibility of higher-wage paying jobs. It was during this time that the Wehrmacht saw their numbers dwindle to an almost inadequate number, prompting the stop-gap measure of increased funding into research and development for the military. Many generals felt that if they had reduced numbers, they should be bolstered by superior equipment.
It took Ferdinand I's successor, Bernd II, to reorganize and repurpose the Arbeitsgilde into the modern-day Arbeitskorps. Many of the same practices were left intact, with the exception that all subjects electing the Arbeitskorps will also be cross-trained as basic military recruits for the first 120 days of their service. All Arbeitskorps personnel also serve in reserve units of the Wehrmacht one weekend per month and one month per year in drill, with exception given to those with qualifying disabilities. This new policy change, as well as the name being changed to Arbeitskorps, helped stabilize the military's personnel and retention. With the new cross-training plan in place, many people elected to volunteer for military service after their mandatory four years. With various advertisement campaigns, public service choices also began to even out between the two options. Today, roughly equal numbers of people go into each public service with a slight lean in favor of the Wehrmacht.
