Gran Verionia

Confederated States of Gran Verionia Estados Confederados de Gran Verionia اتحاد الدول فيريوني Atihaddadawwal Alverioniqo Alakhbar Geconfedereerde Staten van Groot-Verionië
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: "Libertas"
Anthem: Verion Hymn
Map versions
Capital	Valarion (administrative capital)
Largest city	Sarhat, Puerto Arcadio, Pizano, Santa Ana, Al-Qalea
Official language(s)	Common lingua franca, Martino, Toroshi, Soufi, Batavian
Official religion(s)	Path of the Star, Catologism (both Liberadosan and Reformed), Animism
Demonym	Verionian
Adjective	Verionian
Government	Confederation of Autonomous States
• Supreme Director	Godolphin Viqh
• President of the Council of Government	Regina Verion
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Legislature	Grand Council of Verionian States
Establishment	1675 (as Verionian Empire) 1682 (as Confederated States of Gran Verionia)
Area
Population	69,720,000 estimate, actual population varies due to the presence of various nomadic tribes
Currency	Salidash, Cruz
Abbreviation	VER
Driving side
Time zone(s)	CMT+8 Valarion
National animal	Orycteropus Giganticus
National drink	Red Wine

Gran Verionia, officially the Confederated States of Gran Verionia (Martino: Estados Confederados de Gran Verionia) is a transcontinental sovereign nation on Micras. The largest territory of Gran Verionia is located in South-East Keltia, while the confederation also has territory in Benacia and Apollonia. Emerging from the Verionian Empire, in 1682 Gran Verionia was established as a confederation of five autonomous states which united as a result of discussions between state leaders at the Round Table of Valarion, which saw increased co-operation. The Articles of Confederation, signed on X. Alboradames 1682, established the nation as a merger of the Verionian States of South Keltia and the Republics of Kasterburg and Los Liberados. The Confederation further of the Keltian States of Aracataca, Cajamarca, Isabella, Souf, State of Granada, State of Torosh, and Valentia. In addition, Gran Verionia has two special territories which are the Free City of Chryste and the Capital Territory of Valarion.

Political Divisions

Gran Verionia is a federation of a number of diverse political units. There are two autonomous Republics, seven states and two special territories. The leadership in Valarion had always been relatively weak, and this was one of the issues that was addressed before the unification of 1682. It was established that the States would retain autonomy over all issues, but would co-ordinate their foreign and military policy. All member States in addition subscribe to the Eight Articles of the Round Table of Valarion, which can be enforced by the Confederate leadership. The States of Gran Verionia elect representatives to the Grand Council, which is the legislative body of the confederation.

Coat of Arms	State	Type	Capital	Population	Head of State	Photo	Notes
	Kasterburg Republic	Republic	Kasterburg	2.220.300	Magistrate Reginald de Montfort		Member following independence from Batavia, joined the Union of 1682.
	Republic of Los Liberados	Republic	Puerto Arcadio	7,170,000	President Rodrigo Calderón Mendéz		Joined the Union of 1682.
	State of Aracataca	State	Macondo	2,100,000	Governor José Arcadio Bermúdez Diéz		State established following the Northern Expansion
	State of Cajamarca	State	Xalapa	8,300,000	Governor Maria Vargas Martín		State established following the Northern Expansion
	State of Isabella	State	Talisco	21,700,000	Governor Alejandro de San Pedro y Mendoza		State established following the Northern Expansion
	State of Granada	State	Granada	520,000	Nawid de Leon Al-Chebab		State established following the Northern Expansion
	State of Souf	State	Cham-al-Souf	8,300,000	Governor Godolphin Viqh		Governor Viqh serves as current Supreme Director, as well as Washar
	State of the Federated Tribes of Torosh	State	Sarhat	11,000,000	Governor and High Sha'ikh Juma Al-Dara		Core member of the Verionian Empire
	State of Valentia	State	Pizano	25,600,000	Governor Fernando del Asturia y Vallejo		Joined the Empire in 1680, currently the largest state of Gran Verionia
	Free City of Chryste	Special Territory	Chryste	4,587,000	Vicereine Jana Al-Basani		Possession retained from the former Verionist Republic in Benacia.
	Capital Territory of Valarion	Special Territory	Valarion	1,100,000	Princess Regina Verion		Seat of the Confederal Government

Republics

Kasterburg Republic

For the full article, see Kasterburg

The Kasterburg Republic (Batavian: Kasterburger Republiek) is a republic on the continent of Benacia which was founded in 1655 by Shirithian colonists, largely of Batavian origin. Since its conception as a nation, it has expanded significantly. The Kasterburg Republic is one of the nations of Inner-Benacia and borders Batavia and the United Governorates. The coastline of the Benacian Sea forms the southern border of the Republic. In 1669, Kasterburg joined the Batavian Confederation. Until 1680, Kasterburg was an autonomous republic in association with the Kingdom of Batavia.

Republic of Los Liberados

For the full article, see Los Liberados

Los Liberados, officially the Republic of Los Liberados (Martino: República de Los Liberados, literally: Republic of those who are Liberated), is an island state in the North Raynor Sea. Having been a dependency under the territorial jurisdiction of the Kasterburg Republic and the daily administration of the Iron Company, Los Liberados became an independent nation in 1669 AN following a peaceful national revolution known as the liberación under the leadership of its first president, Jacobo Castrigo Álvarez.

Mercantile Realm of Souf

Originating as a federation of trade cities around the strait of Souf, the Mercantile Realm of Souf is one of the richest parts of the Empire. The Realm enjoys a moderate climate and as such has been able to develop in one of the most populated parts of the state. The Mercantile Realm of Souf was among the earliest supporters of the House of Verion, due to the presence of the Iron Company in the area. Together with the Imperial City of Valarion, it constitues the Verionian heartland.

Capital of the Mercantile Realm is the Free Port of Al-Qalea. The city is a home of merchants, shipbuilders and the Verionian navy. It was granted the status of Free Port as a privilege by the Rashdir of Souf, after the Qalean navy rescued the merchants of Souf after the collapse of the Gerenian empire. In the turmoil that followed, the Qalean navy acted as a protection against potential imperialist invaders, such as the Palliscians. The Free Port of Al-Qalea is generally loyal to the Verionian leadership, under which it continues to enjoy its special privileges.

In the East of the Mercantile Realm lies the island of Qrouh. The island is the main source of wealth for the merchants of Souf because of its goldmines and its abundance of other precious metals.

Federated Tribes of Torosh

The Submission of Torosh

A large part of Gran Verionia is covered by the Roqq desert. This desert is inhabited by tribes, most of which are nomadic, although several have become more attached to a specific part of the desert. The realm of Torosh is a loose federation of states, nomadic tribes, semi-autonomous city-states, and the seperate tribes have far-reaching autonomy. In 1675, shortly after the official establishment of the Empire, the tribes, who had for centuries met at the city of Torosh for an annual gathering, declared their loyalty to the Elu Verion. In exchange for the loyalty of the tribes, Elu Miqah Verion granted the tribes a special status, and allowed them to govern themselves to a large extent.

The nominal capital city of Torosh, the Ancient Walled City of Sarhat, functions as a bridge between the desert realms and the seaports of the Empire.

State of Valentia

For the full article, see State of Valentia

The State of Valentia became part of the Verionian Empire in 1680 AN. The Kingdom has a mainly Martino population, a legacy from the Alexandrian and Victorian times. The Kingdom occupies the Western part of South Keltia, and its strategic location makes it a hub for sea travel and shipping. To the east of Valentia is the island of Keraq. Until the Union of 1682, Keraq was an independent territory. It was the furthest away from the main Verionian dominions. As such, it developed the status of an outlier and a somewhat rebellious place. Trade was important for the Keraqi, and the isolationist policies of the Verionian leadership immediately after the establishment of the Empire in 1675 impoverished the elites of Keraq. For that reason, a strong movement for independence emerged on the island. In 1681, the leadership of the then Verionian Empire lifted the policies of isolation and allowed free trade once again following a decision of the Round Table of Valarion. The announcement did not attain the desired result and instead triggered a secessionist declaration from the Keraqi leaders. The Iron Fleet, having regrouped following the ceasefire that had been reached in the Verionian-Raspur War, attacked Keraq. The Iron Fleet was backed by the Governor of Valentia, and the Keraqi surrendered after just one week of rebellion. As of that moment, Keraq became part of the Valentian Kingdom.

Free City of Chryste

For the full article, see Chryste

The Free City of Chryste, also known historically as Chryse, is a city-state on the Benacia continent that is one of the two special territories of Gran Verionia. Chryste rose to prominence when the Iron Company established its headquarters in the early 17th century. As a free city in Shireroth, the city became one of the wealthiest urban areas of Benacia. Following the Kalirion Fracture, Chryste became the capital of the Verionist Republic. The city was transferred to Batavia in 1676 AN, and after two years was established as an autonomous city in the Frankish Empire. The transfer of sovereignty upset the Raspur-dominated order on the Benacian continent, and was one of the triggers of the Second Amokolian War. Following the war, the city gained its independence as the Free City of Chryste. Following the Union of the Verionian nations, Chryste became a special territory with large autonomy.

Capital Territory of Valarion

The Capital Territory of Valarion is an ancient Free City, and one of the oldest in Gran Verionia. Constructed in the early Interlandian days, the city is home to more than a million people. The island of Valarion on which the city is located was ruled by the Prince of Valarion until the establishment of the Empire, and the title is still ceremonially conferred upon the President of the Council of Government. Valarion houses the Citadel, and all the government buildings, including the Marble Palace, which houses the Grand Council of Verionian States. The Black Temple, one of the holy sites of the Path of the Star, is also located in Valarion.

Geography and Climate

Climate Map of the Verionian Empire

  Hot Desert Climate

  Hot Semi-Arid Climate

  Hot-summer Mediterranean Climate

  Warm-summer Mediterranean Climate

  Tropical Savanna Climate

Gran Verionia is, aside from its holdings in Benacia, located in South East Keltia. The Empire covers a large area on the Keltian mainland, as well as a group of islands in close proximity. Roughly two-thirds of the nation is covered by desert. The largest desert of the country is known as the Roqq desert, or Central desert. As a result of its climate, the Empire is significantly less centralised than the governmental authorities would like it to be. The deserts are mainly inhabited by nomadic tribes and the descentants of hopeful colonists.

The capital city of Gran Verionia, Sarhat, is located on the edge of the Roqq desert. As temperatures in the summer can reach up to 50 degrees celsius, the government resides in the Southern city of Valarion, which has a much more temperate climate. The majority of the population lives in the Southern part of the Empire, mainly on the islands or on the Strait of Souf.

Geographically, the Empire can be described as diverse. In its deserts and plains, to the Qairu mountain range, the landscape is rocky, sandy and robust. In the South, the milder climate allows for vegetation, some agriculture but also semi-tropical savannas which in the rainy season colour brightly with various kinds of flowers.

Politics

Head of State

For the full article, see Supreme Director of the Confederated States of Gran Verionia

The head of state of Gran Verionia is the Supreme Director. The office was established in 1682, following the incapacitation of the Elu of the Verionian States, Miqah Verion, who suffered a stroke. Since the office of Elu was tied to the House of Verion, the immediate successor would be Regina Verion, who also served as President of the Council of Government. The Grand Council of Verionian States, not willing to consolidate all power in the hands of one person, created the office of Supreme Director to replace the position of Elu. Miqah Verion remained the head of state of Gran Verionia, but three days later, Washar Godolphin Viqh was appointed as acting Supreme Director, and retained the office following the death of Miqah Verion in IV.1682. The position of Supreme Director, although on paper not different from that of Elu, was in practice significantly more powerful because it carried the support of the Grand Council. Unlike the hereditary appointment of the position of Elu, the Director was elected by the Grand Council.

The powers of the Supreme Director are limited, but the position carries considerable weight. The Supreme Director is the final executive on matters of foreign policy and some military affairs, which are considered competences of the confederal government. In addition, the Supreme Director is tasked with upholding the principles of the Eight Point plan and protect and strengthen the Union of Verionist States.

Government

The Council of Government of Gran Verionia is tasked with the governance of the nation on the confederal level. The Cabinet has executive authority the confederal competences. The President of the Council of Government serves as the Head of Government, and is elected by the Grand Council of Verionian States. Regina Verion was elected the President of the Council of Government in 1682, making her effectively the most influential politician in the nation.

Grand Council of Verionian States

For the full article, see Grand Council of Verionian States

The Grand Council of Verionian States is the legislature of Gran Verionia. It is a unicameral body that convenes in the Marble Palace in Valarion. Members of the Grand Council are elected or appointed in their representative states. Seats are distributed according to population of the Verionian States. The Grand Council has the power of legislation, but this legislation, either through acts or resolutions, have no binding power. Acts may have binding power when they receive the support of a 2/3rd majority of the Verionian States, and the promulgation of the Elu. Resolutions never have binding power, but are recommendations that may or may not be implemented by the governments of the States.

Since the members of the Grand Council are appointed in their own States, there are no confederation-wide elections or political parties that contest these. Even the method of appointment differs widely throughout the States. Four States hold elections for their Grand Council seats, these are Chryste, Kasterburg, Los Liberados and the Mercantile Realm of Souf. The two largest States, the State of Valentia and the Federated Tribes of Torosh, have their representatives directly appointed by respectively the Governor and the High Sha'ikh. In addition, the Princess of Valarion also appoints the five representatives of the Capital Territory directly.

Although there is no centralised system of appointment, the representatives of the States do align themselves in parliamentary groups. There are four groups that make up the current Grand Council. These groups are, in order of membership, the Verionian Unionist Coalition, the Coalition for Tradition and Values, the Group for Democracy and the Coalition for the Regions.

Groups in the Grand Council of Verionian States

	Group	Seats	Ideology	Member groups
	Verionian Unionist Coalition	189	Verionian Unionism	Delegación de Valentia (125) Verionist Union (23) Partido de Liberación Nacional (19) Association of Merchants (17) Princely Delegation (5)
	Coalition for Tradition and Values	91	Conservatism, Religious interest	Al-Wafd (55) Hizbusoufi (24) Kasterburger Volksbond (5) Partido Conservador (4) Nationalist Coalition of Benacia (2) Partido Fascista Republicano (1)
	Group for Democracy	17	Democracy, Liberalism	Cambio Democratico (14) Syndicalist Front (2) Progressieve Alliantie (1)
	Coalition for the Regions	3	Regionalism	Sovereign Keraqi Front (1) Acción Popular de Timaro (1) Elsenari and Lunatic Union (1)

Foreign Relations

Upon the establishment of the confederation, the constituent States were involved in the Verionian-Raspur War, which by then had reached a ceasefire. As such, relations with the Raspur nations were bad from the onset. However, at the Round Table, a decision was made to strive towards normalisation of relations between the Pact and the Verionist alliance. The Eight Point plan was not only established as a commitment for the members of the Union, but also as a blueprint for a new international order that would not be dominated by power blocks but rather by increased cooperation.

Eight Pillars of Foundation

The number eight plays a significant role in the spiritual and political life in Gran Verionia. Derived from a more obscure interpretation of the Star of Verion, the Empire rests on eight pillars that uphold the realm, and underpin the legal system and the laws of the Empire. The ideology behind the Eight Pillars of Foundation is mainly lifted from classical Verionism, but also from the cultures and religions of the indigenous people of the Roqq desert, and ancient myths that have survived the ages. As the Eight Pillars are part of the same Star, a symbol for life itself, they refer to each other as an ever-turning wheel of time.

First Pillar: Good People give a Good Path

The first pillar is the foundation of the governing structure of Gran Verionia. Upon arrival from Benacia, this pillar was immediately invoked by the Verionian elite in order to justify their rule over the empire. Whereas the Benacian Verionians numbered only around a thousand, they constitute the core of the government of the Empire. Started in the late 1660s by Miqah Verion, the establishment of a central authority over the fragmented Empire has always been a project rooted in Verionian principles. The Pillars of Foundation stress that some good people in key positions need to be in charge in order to steer the ship of state in the right direction. In the case of the Verionian Empire, the House of Verion is the embodiment of this "good people" principle, as they are the direct descendents of the first Elu, and as such Children of the Light (the literal translation of the name Verion from old Elw is Son of the Light). According to this first pillar, the ruling elite should provide a good path, the laws of the Empire.

Second Pillar: A Good Path gives Wisdom

As the laws of the state are given by a chosen elite, this collection of rule should be "enlightened". As such, the laws of the Empire constitute the good path, which the citizens of the Empire may follow. When they follow the path, and obey the rules that are given by the Government, then they will be lead to wisdom, in a peaceful, orderly and harmonious society.

Fifth Pillar: Divine Isolation gives a Stable Nation

The policy of Gran Verionia is isolation from the outside world. Although international trade is conducted, and crucial in many respects to the prosperity of the Empire, it is only conducted through the Port of Keraq, which is the only part of the Empire in which non-nationals are allowed to enter. Although the Verionian Empire shares land borders with the Palliscian Dependency of Tanah-Baru, it does not have any trade relations with this nation. This isolation is reinforced by the belief of the locals that the Palliscians are a cursed people, due to their highly disfigured appearance. Even long before the arrival of the Verions to the Empire, the nomadic tribes of the Roqq desert refused to trade with the Palliscians upon their arrival, as their local folklore and myths has long warned for the appearance of the Children of the Underworld, a cursed race that would bring sure destruction to all who enter into contact with them. The land borders with Tanah-Baruh are naturally protected by the Western Ridge, a high mountain range. The small eastern possessions of the Palliscians lie within the Great Salt Desert, the dryest and most unwelcoming part of the Empire. Even though, local militias patrol the area near the borders and will not hesitate to shoot anything that moves.