Kasterburg

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Kasterburg Republic
Flag of Kasterburg
Flag
Coat of Arms of Kasterburg
Coat of Arms
Motto: Heft op een Baniere, op eene Hoogen Berch
Anthem: Awake, the Voice calls to Us
Location of Kasterburg
Map versions {{{mapversions}}}
Capital Kasterburg
Largest city Litkov, Feldkirche, Nieuw Ingelheim
Official language(s) Batavian, Common Tongue, local dialects
Official religion(s) Reformed Catologian Church
Demonym Kasterburger
  Adjective Kasterburgish
Government Autocratic Republic
 • Magistrate Reginald de Montfort
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 • {{{headoflegislature2title}}} {{{headoflegislature2}}}
Legislature Consistory
Establishment 1655
Area 52,880 km2
Population 2.117.700
Currency Thaler
Abbreviation KAS
Driving side
Time zone(s)
National animal Tyrannocricetus aliger
National drink Smoked Beer

The Kasterburg Republic (Batavian: Kasterburger Republiek) is a country on the continent of Benacia which was founded by Shirithian colonists to the green, largely of Batavian origin.

Outline

The political and geographical centre of the Republic lies at the city of Kasterburg, a walled city located on a solitary mountain, approximately 900 meters above sea level. From the city, the goverment of the Republic exercises its control over the barren steppes below, albeit with limited success. Aside from the mountain, the Republic of Kasterburg is almost entirely made up of flatlands and steppes, populated by nomadic tribes or settlers.

The southern border of the Republic is the shore of the Benacian sea, almost entirely dominated by cliffs except for a few natural harbours, around which Republican settlements have grown. The Republic has a harsh and unwelcoming climate, which makes it difficult to sustain agriculture, intensive farming, made possible by an ingenious irrigation system, can only be found in the proximity of the capital city.

The Kasterburger settlers of the inland steppes are used to the rough climate

As if the weather didn't provide enough challenge, the steppes are also terrorised by flocks of Tee-al, who come to the lowlands in order to mate and breed, causing havoc among the population.

History

The ancient Batavian city of Kasterburg (formerly Caesterburgh) became the primary settlement of Poroly (Porolia) during the period of Minarborian occupation known as the Jollification of the Kossars, in which time Kasterburg, along with Kolmenitzkiy, was ruled by the Shophate of Siyachia, a quasi-autonomous fief of the Minarborian Empire under the dictatorship of Zemphirius Karymov.

The terrain around Kasterburg is noted for its flat topography, except for the mountain range on which the city of Kasterburg is situated, becoming somewhat arid and steppe-like toward the continental interior, where Kossars reverted back to a primordial pastoralism, complementing their tendency towards warlordism, fratricide, and the light shrugging off of distant central authorities.

Kasterburgers, in contrast to their overly Yehudi neighbours, have been noted for retaining some of their ancestral Batavian stolidness, a certain level-headness that was forever in danger of shading over into the prosaic.

At the time of the collapse of the Empire of Minarboria, the Kasterburg Garrison consisted of four battalions of professional soldiers, sixteen companies of Kossar levies, one SAM missile battery, and four Whirdlebirb flights, alongside a throng of armed partisan groups allied with the Western United Shrubagogue, a tolerated deviant sect of Minarborealism. Unfortunately the looting, the internecine fighting, and the western spread of the dreaded Tee-al, scattered this meaningful accumulation of military hardware to the four winds. Much of that which survived wound up in the possession of the Kossar brigands who would go on separately to occupy Kolmenitzkiy and found Kalgachia in the mountain fastness of Oktavyan.

Magistrate Reginald de Montfort organised the largest Batavian migration

The subsequent history of the city is obscured by the darkness of the times in which many, if not most, of those who did not flee to sanctuary in Kalgachia or Shireroth subsequently perished in misery and squalor, pursued to their deaths by merciless brigands or else ensnared by the mutated biota that was the Deep Singer legacy to the world. The gradual repopulation of Kasterburg appears to have been driven by a steady eastwards drift of Batavian refugees and migrants fleeing the occupation, first Elwynnese then direct Imperial, of Batavia and the grinding, endless, war with Jingdao. The largest group of Batavian settlers left the Shirithian borders under the leadership of Reginald de Montfort. The party crossed the steppes and rebuilt the deserted city of Kasterburg, where they proclaimed the foundation of the Kasterburg Republic, with de Montfort becoming Magistrate, or head of state. In the years that followed, the Republicans gradually expanded their influence over the plains, although the local population in the Southern regions of the country has a high degree of autonomy. Efforts by the Republican government to centralise the country have not been as succesful as intended, but did result in the establishment of a transportation route from the city of Kasterburg to the coastal settlement of Nieuw Ingelheim.

The settlers under leadership of de Montfort entering Kasterburg Castle, which would become the centre of the Republic

From 1655 to 1658, the Kasterburger borders have expanded significantly to the North and the East so that Kasterburg now closes the Benacian coast gap between West and East Shireroth. The northern expansion into the green has resulted in solonisation of southern Porolia.

Relations with neighbouring countries

To the outside world, little was heard from the settlement until, in 1655, unverified reports were received by the Shirithian intelligence services that a pair of adventurers, Batavian in origin, had established a self-declared republic in the region.

In the dying days of 1656 a joint Imperial-ESB expedition was dispatched into the green to investigate and make contact. This expedition however turned around in terror at it's first sight of a Tee-al. The survivors were gunned down as they tried to cross the border back into Imperial territory. A second attempt was made in early 1657.

The Garden of Kalgachia, although only neighbouring Kasterburg through the green waste, did not offer an immediate public response to the proclamation of the Republic but quiet contacts were established via KDF cossacks operating near the Kasterburg frontier.

In 1657, the Kasterburg government established a mission to the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, and engaged in diplomatic contact with Kalgachia. Kasterburg also applied for membership of the Micras Treaty Organisation and ratified the MTO charter, as well as the Law of the Seas.

Government

See for the current legislature: First Consistory

Kasterburg is a republic, but not a democracy. The nation is governed by the Magistrate (Magistraat), who as head of state embodies both the executive, legislative and judicial branch. The Magistrate is aided by an appointed legislature, consisting of the most prominent members of Kasterburgish society, which is called the Consistory (Consistorium). The country, as an autocratic republic, does not have the possibility for political parties to contest offices. However, political factions do exist within Kasterburg.

Membership card of the Kasterburger Volksbond

The largest political organisation is the Kasterburger Volksbond (Kasterburger People's Union), which is alligned with the ruling government. For many public positions, for instance in education, government or the military, membership of the KVB is required. Organisations that actively oppose the government are not officially banned but actively discouraged. Registered political organisations other than the KVB are the Women's Front, Unified Worker's Action, Shirithian Solidarity Society, Mercantile Interest First and the youth branch of the Volksarmee, the Patriotic Youth Rally.

The influence of the Magistrate in the country relies heavily on infrastructure. The area surrounding Kasterburg city, which houses around half of the population of the republic, as well as its largest farms and industry, is firmly under control of the government. A guarded road, connecting the capital with the coastal settlement of Nieuw Ingelheim serves as a means to transport military personel and control trade. The inland steppes, as well as the barren plains near the coast and Northern forests, are generally self-sufficient and independent. Almost exclusively made up of settlers, they remain loyal to the government in Kasterburg. Largest source of disarray are the Laqi, who at best tolerate the official rule, and steppe raiders, a semi-criminal horde that uses the wilderness to hide. The main goal of the government is to advance influence throughout the Benacian inland.

New laws and decrees are published in the Kasterburger Staatsblad upon their adoption by the Consistory and promulgation by the Magistrate.

Administrative Divisions

The Republic is devided into four provinces, or Gouwen, for administrative purposes. The Gouwen have little self determination due to the centralised nature of the Republic's government. Every Gouw has a council of Aldermen tasked with the daily governance.

The four Gouwen are, in alphabetical order:

  • Horne Provincial Coat of Arms.png Hoorne
  • Kasterburg Provincial Coat of Arms.png Kasterburg
  • Ostesia Provincial Coat of Arms.png Ostesia
  • Porolia Provincial Coat of Arms.png Porolia

Demographics

Although Kasterburg is a multi-ethnic nation, it can hardly be characterised as a pluralistic society. The dominant culture is a distinct mix between Batavian heritage and Shirithian militarism. Kasterburg public life is dominated by ethnic Batavians, and critics define the Kasterburger society as racist and narrow-minded. The perception of non-Shirithian foreigners is often hostile, degrading or insulting. In general, a fine and extensive ranking system exists with regards to the hierarchy of different ethnicities. Although only rarely expressed by public officials, this hierarchy is omnipresent and obvious to any observant visitor.

Batavians are on top of the ethnic pyramid, followed by the Shirithians. Due to inbreeding during the period of Shirithian occupation, many Batavians closely observe the purity of the Batavian line. The level of pureness of the blood often determines the social standing of a family. Shirithians are acknowledged as equal, and will find no problem when applying for a job.

A second tier of ethnicity is reserved for the descendants of the Ashkenatzi and Kalgachian immigrants. They are both admired and envied for their historic connection with the Kasterburg lands. The profoundly different cultural and religious mindset of the Ashkenatzi however, makes them also subject to suspicion. Kalgachians are also often treated with suspicion due to their religious practices and the fact that most Kasterburgers know next to nothing about the nation of Kalgachia. Aside from these common prejudices, these peoples are accepted as belonging to the Kasterburger society, although they are rarely found occupying positions of power and influence.

Another story is the perception of Laqi and Jingdaoese. These peoples are considered enemies of the Kasterburger people. Due to their different racial treats, they are an easy target for the xenophobic minded Kasterburgers. The fact that Laqi bandits are active in Southern Kasterburg,

The Kasterburg government strongly promotes expressions of Batavian heritage

and the Batavians have had a difficult relationship with the Jing nation does complicate their position. Members of these two ethnic groups are highly overrepresented in Kasterburger prisons, and sometimes victims of lynching or vigilante courts.

The fourth and last tier is occupied by the Nezeni, the only group that is officially regarded as "non-citizen". The blue skin and magical connection is highly bewildering and offensive to the Kasterburger citizens. The Kasterburger government is accused of persecuting Nezeni by housing them in internment camps, forcing them to do heavy labour. Unsubtantiated rumours that Nezeni are put to work in the government's nuclear and biological facilities are also common. The solidification of the Republic has lead many Nezeni to flee the country, and their number is drastically reduced over the last years.

Ethnic groups in the Kasterburg Republic (1657 AN)
Ethnicity Population Size Percentage
Batavian 421.500 75.6%
Shirithian 71.300 12.7%
Laqi 26.100 4.7 %
Kalgachian 19.500 3.5%
Ashkenatzi 13.200 2.4%
Nezeni 4.500 0.8%
Other (primarily Jingdaoese) 1.400 0.3%
Total 557.500 100%
Ethnic groups in the Kasterburg Republic (1658 AN)
Ethnicity Population Size Percentage
Batavian 1.478.100 69.8%
Shirithian (including Mishalanski) 354.700 16.7%
Ashkenatzi 173.100 8.2%
Laqi 48.300 2.3 %
Kalgachian 42.400 1.9%
Lywaller 12.200 0.6%
Nezeni 5.500 0.3%
Other (primarily Jingdaoese) 3.400 0.2%
Total 2.117.700 100%

Military

For the main article: Kasterburger Defence Forces.

The security of the young Republic is safeguarded by three seperate institutions, each under the direct supervision of the Magistrate. The Volksarmee (People's Army), the armed forces, is the largest of these. Tasked with Border control, safeguarding Kasterburger settlements and operating as a standing army in case of war, it is the primary defense force of the nation. The Beschutting (Roughly translated as Guarding) is the national office for state security, as well as the department of intelligence.

Standard uniforms for the Kasterburger armed forces

This office is of paramount importance, considering the fact that Kasterburg is bordered by larger countries such as Shireroth, Jingdao and Kalgachia and as such has to find a crucial diplomatic balance. The final institution is the Landswacht, the national police force that is mostly confined to the city of Kasterburg and surrounding area.

To secure its existence in a dangerous and politically complicated part of the world, the Republic of Kasterburg has begun production of so-called weapons of mass destruction. Details of the weapon programme, called "Zwaard der Wrake" (Sword of Revenge) are unknown and classified, but the programme is rumoured to contain both the development of biological weaponry, as well as establishing a nuclear capacity.

In addition to national security forces, Kasterburg has welcomed support from Kalgachia to counter the threat posed by the Tee-Al.

Culture

See also National symbols of Kasterburg.

Benacian Horror is the latest blockbuster of Kasterburger origin

Kasterburg has been strongly affected by external cultural influences, most notably those originated in Batavia. In the years following the development of the Republic as an independent nation, there has been more synthesis between the dominant Batavian culture and the indigenous cultures of the Azkhenatzi and even Laqi.

Kasterburg city houses the National Museum and the Jodocus van Haltna University, showing permanent exhibition on the cultural and natural history of the Republic, as well as conservation of Batavian cultural heritage.

Famous historical sites in the country are, aside from Kasterburg castle, the old city of Feldkirche, the Settler's Monument and the Old Sjoel, one of the few original Azkhenatzi buildings left in Porolia.

Cinema

For the main article: Cinema of Kasterburg

Kasterburg is home to a surprisingly innovative cinema scene. Biggest production company is Lost Mind Productions, which is well known for its low-budget horror films, which are by far the most popular movies in the Republic. Some of the most internationally well-received actors and directors come from Kasterburg, such as directors Peter Backson and Marcus Brühl, and actors Rath Basilbone, Greta Orlando and Zelda Maria Copernicus.

Some movies that have gained international acclaim are Breakfast for One, The Castle of the Giant Falcon, The Battle for Litkov and the recent thriller Benacian Horror.

Although popular, Kasterburger movies are often the subject of controversy due to its portrayal of ethnic stereotypes, violence and thinly veiled propaganda.

Religion

For the main article: Reformed Catologian Church

The official state religion of Kasterburg is the Reformed Catologian Church, a distinct brand of Catologism that originated in Batavia. Central to the Reformed Catologian religion is the belief in Cato as the one God, in which five different aspects are present, depicted as gods (with a non-capital letter). Reformed Catologism is strongly dogmatic and determinist, with an important role of fate, called Schicksal. Drinking of sacred beer is also an important sacrament in the Church.

Sports

Sports in Kasterburg are regulated by the Nationale Vereniging voor Lichaamsoefening (National Union for Physical Exercise). The NVLO organises mass sports events, school gymnastics and various sports organisations. Two sporting organisations under the NVLO mantle have profesional leagues: The Kasterburger Boxing Competition and the Kasterburger Footbal League. The NVLO is also responsible for the national football team and the Kasterburger delegation to the Micras Games.