Gran Verionia
| Confederated States of Gran Verionia Estados Confederados de Gran Verionia (Martino) اتحاد الدول فيريوني (Toroshi) Geconfedereerde Staten van Groot-Verionië (Batavian) | |||
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| Motto: "Libertas" "Freedom" | |||
| Anthem: "Himno Nacional de Gran Verionia" ("National Anthem of Gran Verionia") | |||
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| Map versions | 16.5.8 - current | ||
| Capital | Valarion (administrative capital) | ||
| Largest city | Talisco | ||
| Official language(s) | Martino (national language) Toroshi, Batavian (regional languages) | ||
| Official religion(s) | Path of the Star, Catologism | ||
| Demonym | Verionian | ||
| Adjective | Verionian | ||
| Government | Confederational Republic | ||
| • Supreme Director | Geraldo Marquéz Torrés | ||
| • President of the Council of Government | Regina Verion | ||
| • Lord Chief Justice | Raúl Esimeiro dos Santos | ||
| Legislature | Congress of the Confederated States of Gran Verionia | ||
| Establishment | 1675 (as Verionian Empire) 1682 (as Confederated States of Gran Verionia) | ||
| Area | 7,132,608 km2 | ||
| Population | 119,338,700 (estimate, actual population varies due to the presence of various nomadic tribes) | ||
| Currency | Cruz | ||
| Abbreviation | VER | ||
| Driving side | right | ||
| 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. Gran Verionia borders Batavia, the Unified Governorates of Benacia and Ransenar in Benacia, as well as Craitland, Passio-Corum, Palesmenia and Wechua on the Keltian continent.
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. Following a rapid expansion of territory and population, Gran Verionia established itself as one of the largest states on Micras.
As a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state, Gran Verionia is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with its rich cultural heritage reflecting influences by various indigenous civilizations, most notably the Guano and Valencianos and the tribes of the East, immigration due to Iron Company-dominated trade and the legacy of traditional Benacian civilisation. Being a Confederation, Gran Verionia has no single core. Its largest cultural, economic and political centres can be found in the cities of Cham-el-Souf, Chryste, Kasterburg, Pizano, Puerto Arcadio, Sarhat, Talisco, the capital Valarion and Veracruz.
Gran Verionia has extensive international relations with other nations with cultural roots in Batavia, former Iron Company-allied states as well as regional partnerships. Its relationship with the Raspur nations has improved following a peace agreement that ended the Verionian-Raspur War.
Etymology
The name Verionia is derived from the House of Verion, a noble house that originated in Elwynn and which gained prominence in 16th century Shireroth, with members holding high office including that of Prince of Elwynn, Queen of Goldshire and Kaiser. Following the Kalirion Fracture, the House became alligned with a succession of vulture states known as Verionist Benacia. Following an epidemic outbreak and economic devastation, this state fell apart. The Free City of Chryste, the previous capital of Verionist Benacia, is the sole remnant of this state. Several prominent members of the House of Verion moved to South East Keltia, where they consolidated the local states and cities into a semi-unified state known as the Verionian Empire. Following the Union of 1682 and expansion to the North, the nation became known as Gran (Greater) Verionia.
History
Early History
The earliest recording human presence in the current territory of Gran Verionia dates around the year 200 AN. It is thought that during this period, nomadic tribes occupied Keltia and established settlements around the Strait of Souf. These peoples are the presumed ancestors of the Toroshi and Soufi people. Although not much is known about these early cultures, they were most likely to live as nomadic hunter-gatherer bands.
A centralised state formed only in the 15th century when the nation known as Madland occupied South Keltia. It is from this period that the origins of the Martino population of Gran Verionia lies. The cultures of Charlotta and Mayo, who succeeded Madland and continued to dominate the South Keltian region can be seen as the cultural and spiritual predecessors of the Gran Verionian cultural idea. In 1520, Charlotta fell and the Alexandrian Empire spread to the Captive Sea and San Pedro. In 1529, The Toroshi and Soufi tribes of the South East were subjugated following the Interlandian conquest that established the Republic of Interland in South-East Keltia. In 1531, Mexhico emerged as a multi-cultural nation that saw a mix of the Martino people with indigenous tribes. In this period, the Guano People emerge as the "Guanajuato". Meanwhile, Alexandria expanded to the Keltian mainland and absorbed much of the existing Martino culture. In 1558, the Kingdom of Valentia was founded in the stead of Mexhico. Here lies the origin of the Valenciano people and the later Gran Verionian constituent state of Valentia. Valentia was annexed by Alexandria in 1582. In the meantime Tiana was founded in South Eastern Keltia, occupying part of the land of the Toroshi.
The early 16th century saw the subsequent collapse of Tiana, Interland and Alexandria which left South Keltia unoccupied. In the vacuum that was caused by the collapse of the centralised governments that had previously maintained the unity of the various population groups, several regional wars broke out. The Toroshi tribes of the Green united shortly after. Gerenia maintained a colonial presence in Southern Keltia until the 1663 uprising of the Soufi and establishment of the Mercantile Realm of Souf. The tribal states of the Toroshi and the Soufi took many different forms. Some of the richest were the city-states such as Cham-al-Souf, Sarhat, Port Xerna and Valarion. These states and cities frequently became each other's competitors and inter-tribal conflict was a common occurance.
Benacia saw a much less eventful unfolding of events. The continent was occupied by the Empire of Benacia until 1443 when Shireroth was founded and dominated the Eastern part of the continent. The Kingdom of Batavia, in West Benacia, was established in 1513 until its collapse in the early 16th century. From its ruins, the Kasterburg Republic was formed as a cultural successor in 1655, which continues to be a part of Gran Verionia as an autonomous republic until this day.
Verionian Empire
The Kalirion Fracture greatly upset the power dynamics in Benacia. Following the downfall of the Shirithian nation, and the power vacuum that was left after the death of Kaiser Ayreon IV, the city of Shirekeep remained under the tight control of its Prefect, Titus Morvayne, deeming the time ripe for increasing his power, Morvayne had himself elected Kaiser by the Landsraad. Although the City Guard, as well as the Apollonian Guard, supported his claim, he was unable to convince the leadership of the Palatini Corps. This saw Shirekeep being thrown into disarray, with the Imperial Forces located in the Keep containing the Verionists who controlled the largest part of the city. Within the year that followed, Kaiser Verion's supporters left the city. Verion himself moved to the Skyla Islands together with the largest group of his supporters, where he continued his claim on the Imperial Mango Throne.
The Verionist Republic claimed to be the official successor state of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, but holding effective territorial control only over the Skyla Islands. The nation was established following the Kalirion Fracture which lead to the break up of the Shirithian state. In the chaotic period that followed, the former Prefect of Shirekeep, Titus Morvayne, ascended to the Imperial Throne as Kaiser Verion II, in a contested Landsraad election. Verion II left Shirekeep after a stand-off with Shirekeep Garrison loyal to the designated Kaiseress Salome. The Verionist supporters left for the Skyla Islands, former summer residence of the Kaisers, where they established the Imperial Verionist Republic. Although initially met with opposition from the Regency, the Verionists showed their pragmatic side and brokered a deal that saw their sovereignty over Greater Elsenar, Skyla and later Crisco recognised. Following the return of Titus Morvayne to Shirekeep, and his renunciation of the Mango throne, the Verionist Republic threw its support behind Kaiseress Salome.
Enduring conflict with Ransenar characterised the Verionist state on Benacia. When Ransenar alligned itself with the Raspur Pact, the Verionist forces on the continent found themselves in a struggle for power. The Verionist political organisations in Elwynn were banned. The Great Disaster of 1675 marked the end of the Verionist Republic, in addition, several prominent Verionists and their allies died when Nakalma flight 731 crashed in the same year. Regina Verion moved, with a handful of supporters, to Keltia where her uncle Miqah had been rallying the sovereign tribes of South East Keltia and proclaimed the Verionian Empire. Not long after, several Martino-speaking parts of Keltia alligned themselves with the Verionians. Hostility between the Verionians and the Raspur nation continued to linger and reached a high point with the Verionian-Raspur War.
A large part of the new Verionian lands are 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 State of Torosh emerged a loose federation of states, nomadic tribes, semi-autonomous city-states, and the separate tribes, due to their often remote location and the harsh landscape 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 put them in charge of their own government.
Union of 1682
Northern Expansion
Geography and Climate
Gran Verionia has a diverse climate. Because of its transcontinental nature, many different climate zones cover the lands of the Confederated States.
In South East Keltia, the States of Granada, Souf and Torosh are largely covered by by desert. The largest desert of the country is known as the Roqq desert, or Central desert. As a result of its climate, these States are 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. From 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.
One of the largest cities 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 opted to move from Sarhat, which was the capital from 1675 until 1680, to the Southern city of Valarion, which has a much more temperate climate. The majority of the population of the South Keltian states live in the South, mainly on the islands or on the Strait of Souf.
The State of Valentia, also in South Keltia but seperated from the desert of Roqq, has a milder but still largely dry climate. Along the coast, a warm sea climate makes for more mild surroundings, and it is here where the large cities are located and the majority of the population lives.
The Northern States of Gran Verionia have a humid, tropical and subtropical climate. A large part of the provinces is covered by rainforests and these areas have a lot of vegetation. The hot and humid climate does not make life easy, but along the coast the climate is milder. In the inlands, however, significant populations still reside. The Republic of Los Liberados also has a tropical, humid climate, as does the Valentian exclave of Puerto Habana.
The Benacian holdings of Gran Verionia have a mild, temperate sea climate. Chryste has a warmer climate than Kasterburg, which is largely covered by plains.
Government and Politics
Executive
For the full articles, see Supreme Director of the Confederated States of Gran Verionia and Council of Government 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.
The Supreme Director appoints 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.
Legislature
For the full article, see Congress of the Confederated States of Gran Verionia
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.
Politics
For the full article, see Political Factions of Gran Verionia
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.
The political culture of the central government is strongly paternalistic. This has its foundations in Verionism, but also in the specific view on government that developed following the arrival of the Verionians in 1675. Upon arrival from Benacia, the principle of guided governance was used by Verionian elite in order to justify their rule over the fractured lands. Strong centralisation, a core principle of Verionism, was necessary to consolidate the city states and tribes of South Keltia. Whereas the Benacian Verionians numbered only around a few hundred, they constitute the core of the government of the newly formed Empire. The establishment of a central authority over the fragmented Empire has always been a project rooted in Verionian principles. The principle of guided governance 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 was the embodiment of this "good people" principle, as they were 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). The ruling elite should provide a good path in the laws of the nation. As the laws of the state are given by a chosen elite, this collection of rule should be "enlightened".
This principle of government proved initially successful in consolidating power, but also led to extreme tensions in the nation. Especially in the State of Souf, where the Hizbusoufi movement emerged to challenge central leadership. The island of Keraq also rebelled in 1680 and was defeated by the pro-Verionian State of Valentia. Although the principle of guided governance has been abolished since 1680, there still exist a strong paternalistic and often authoritarian tendency among the members of the ruling elite.
Foreign Relations
Until 1680, the country had a policy of isolation from the outside known as Splendid Isolation. This policy was based on the principles of Miqah Verion. Although international trade continued to be conducted, and crucial in many respects to the prosperity of the nation, it was only conducted through the Port of Keraq, which was the only part of the Empire in which non-nationals are allowed to enter. In 1680, following a severe decline in the wealth of the South Keltian states, this policy was reversed. Economic liberalisation and reciprocital trade was one of the main pillars of the Eight Point Plan of the Round Table of Valarion. After the Union of 1682, Gran Verionia greatly extended its trade relations with other states.
Although Gran Verionia shares long land borders with the Palliscian Dependency of Tanah-Baru, it has only very limited trade relations with this nation. This is reinforced by the old believe from the South Keltian people that the Palliscians are a cursed people, due to their highly disfigured appearance. Even long before the arrival of the Verionians 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.
Gran Verionia borders the Wechua nation to the North, and has limited relations with this country. The relationship with countries alligned with the Raspur Pact is strained due to the Verionian-Raspur War. 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. In 1681, a cease fire was agreed and since then, the warring parties have been negotiating a peace. Under the leadership of Godolphin Viqh, significant steps have been taken towards a peace settlement and a wide-ranging treaty to move beyond hostility.
Administrative 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 | Area in km2 | Local Leader | Photo | Notes |
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Kasterburg Republic | Republic | Kasterburg | 2.220.300 | 288.700 km2 | Magistrate Reginald de Montfort |  |
Member following independence from Batavia, joined the Union of 1682. |
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Republic of Los Liberados | Republic | Puerto Arcadio | 7,170,000 | 118.080 km2 | President Rodrigo Calderón Mendéz |  |
Joined the Union of 1682. |
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State of Aracataca | State | Macondo | 12,100,000 | 409.000 km2 | Governor José Arcadio Bermúdez Díez |  |
State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Cajamarca | State | Xalapa | 8,511,400 | 379.300 km2 | Governor Maria Vargas Martín |  |
State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Cobán | State | Santa Paula del Río | 3,580,000 | TBD | Governor TBD | [[File:|60px]] | State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Cuzcatán | State | Apizolaya | 2,942,000 | TBD | Governor TBD | [[File:|60px]] | State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Granada | State | Granada | 4,520,000 | 398.200 km2 | Governor Nawid de Leon Al-Chebab |  |
State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Isabella | State | Talisco | 21,700,000 | 251.100 km2 | Governor Alejandro de San Pedro y Mendoza |  |
State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Río de Mayo | State | Las Aguas | 7,220,000 | TBD | Governor TBD | [[File:|60px]] | State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Santa Carlota | State | Al-Santos | 1,204,000 | TBD | Governor TBD | [[File:|60px]] | State established following the Northern Expansion |
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State of Souf | State | Cham-al-Souf | 8,300,000 | 273.600 km2 | Governor Godolphin Viqh |  |
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State of the Federated Tribes of Torosh | State | Sarhat | 11,000,000 | 529.520 km2 | Governor and High Sha'ikh Juma Al-Dara |  |
Core member of the Verionian Empire |
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State of Valentia | State | Pizano | 25,600,000 | 449.240 km2 | Governor Fernando del Asturia y Vallejo |  |
Joined the Empire in 1680, currently the largest state of Gran Verionia |
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Free City of Chryste | Special Territory | Chryste | 4,587,000 | 4.780 km2 | Governor Isor Verion |  |
Possession retained from the former Verionist Republic in Benacia. |
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Capital Territory of Valarion | Special Territory | Valarion | 1,100,000 | 3.210 km2 | Princess Regina Verion |  |
Seat of the Confederal Government |
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State of Zacatecoluca | State | El Triunfo | 10,390,000 | TBD | Governor TBD | [[File:|60px]] | State established following the Northern Expansion |
Demographics
Population groups
Gran Verionia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation. The large majority of Verionians are of mixed ethnicity. The largest groups in self-reported ancestry are the Guano, a mixed group of Valenciano and indigenous peoples that originated in the Guanajuato region of the ancient nation of Mexhico with 37.4%, the Valenciano, with 19.8%, and the Soufi, with 11%.
- Martino
- Valenciano
- Liberadosan
- San Martino
- Originarios
- Guano
- Timaro
- Quscu
- Aljanub Alsharqi
- Toroshi
- Soufi
- Keraqi
- Benacian
- Batavian
- Goldshirithian
- Other
- Interlandian
- Hoennese
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