Rozow

The Kingdom of Rozow (Rozowian: Rozao) is a theocratic kingdom situated in Southern Abexilas, around the south-western part of the continent of Rozakkora. It stands as a regional power in the south-central of the Abexilas, primarily on the continent of Rozakko'ra with influence in Halinn.
== History ==
=== Ancient History ===
In the ancient past, a vast empire called the Seraşian Empire ruled what would comprise the Kingdom of Rozow and its vassals. The empire collapsed due to failed integration of the empire's peripheries and natural factors like climate change, fragmenting into smaller states within the empire's former territories.
=== Tribal Era ===
At this point, the Zolask Basin was still populated by fantastical races who form kingdoms within it, such as Dralia, where the Age of the Tyrant under Constantin Dracillia began centuries before the Rozowian Migrations.
Numerous foreign tribes migrated to the Zolask Basin from its east in what would be dubbed as The Rozowian Migrations. This migration upended the demographics of the basin, especially in the eastern and northern part of Southwestern Rozakkora. Fantastical races indigenous to the region were displaced from most of the basin, except for the Great Dralian Plains in its west, where they took refuge and built settlements.
=== Feudal Era ===
The numerous, diverse tribes that occupied the basin would fight each other for land in what was known as the Rozowian Subjugation Wars, which saw sedentary tribes forming fiefdoms, nomadic tribes being trampled by civilization, and the consolidation of wealth and power by the feudal lords, each fighting the other for land, resources, and security, all until the rise of Świtnica centuries later.
==== Rozowian Spring ====
The urban centers of the various mercantile republics of the Zolask Basin would see revolts for better working conditions by laborers of said cities. Its rulers cracked down hard on the revolts, which lead to labor guilds being formed to oppose the mercantile upper class. Several of these labor guilds supplanted them, with the heads of these guilds consolidating their positions as the new feudal lords of their respective states.
==== Colonization of Belmara ====
Centuries of civil war and the instability brought by the Rozowian Spring weakened the various states of the Zolask Basin, leaving it open for recent migrants from outside Abexilas to settle in one of its regions, free from the states' interference. One such group of migrants, now called Solasbergians, built the city of Belmara near the old trading center of the ancient Seraşian Empire. 
==== Rise of Świtnica ====
One night during a full moon at the highest peak of the Zolask mountains, the prophet Jakub Basiak was treated to a divine revelation by the Goddess Zorja. She said unto him that the land of Rozow is sacred as it was the first piece of the world she created, and that as residents of the land, it is the duty of every Rozowian to defend and protect the land to their dying breaths. He was offered a vision that should they fail to set aside their squabbles, their cherished land would be destroyed. Zorja commanded him to end the constant warring of the Rozowian peoples and the further desecration of the land. 
Jakub Basiak traveled all over the Zolask Basin to preach this message to unite the various tribes of the Zolask Basin. This message proved to be very popular among commoners of the area, who grew tired of wars, and merchants, who spread the message everywhere they went. The feudal lords of the Basin began seeing the message as a threat to their rules.
One notable conversion to Świtnica was that of Erickson Rozmus, the King of Szadura, who began to turn the city into the center for the religion. The neighboring feudal lords, threatened by the birth of a Świtnican Kingdom and fearing revolt from their converted citizens, launched an offensive towards Szadura through a siege. Local garrisons and mercenaries defended Szadura from waves of soldiers fighting under the anti-Świtnican coalition. Most of the demoralized and weakened soldiers of the coalition converted to Świtnica themselves, causing mass desertion from the armies of the Coalition. Szadura emerged victorious from the battle. Neighboring cities would eventually adopt the religion to avoid future rebellions.
The prophet then began his mission to unite Rozow under the banner of a single king. Erickson Rozmus absorbed neighboring fiefdoms of the Zolask Basin, adopted Świtnica as his state's official religion, and declared the formation of the Kingdom of Rozow, with Jakub Basiak crowning him as the King of Rozow. Erickson gained support from Dralia following the coup d'état conducted by Vladimir Dracillia against his father, the tyrannical Constantin Dracillia. This formation was opposed by several fiefdoms and clans of the Zolask Basin, seeing its rise as a threat to their authorities and way of life. Thus, a coalition of Anti-Royalist rebels was formed, led by Otokar Zaraska of the Zaraska Clan, a powerful and militaristic clan based in eastern Rozow who worked as mercenaries 
==== Rozowian Wars of Unification ====
Erickson Rozmus rallied his people to destroy all enemies of peace in the Zolask Basin, declaring a holy war for the unification of Rozow. The war saw famines in the newly formed kingdom due to raids on Rozowian farms by the Zaraska Clan, leaving many citizen to starve to death. Meanwhile, the Colony of Belmara expanded southward and westward.
The kingdom recovered quickly from the famine, benefiting from opening up their region for passing merchants to trade within its borders, guarateeing their security in its borders, and from opening up relations with Belmara, which opened the Kingdom of Rozow to maritime trade in the Pheonix Bay through the newly built Port of Belmara. This recovery, paired with the loyalty of Rozow's citizens to their religion and their king, gave Rozow the advantage over Zaraska's forces, which are less centralized and depended on raiding to supply them. 
The wars culminated in the Battle of Zwiv, where Rozow emerged victorious over Zaraska's forces. Jakub Basiak passed away the morning after the land of Rozow was unified and at peace at last, completing the mission the Goddess set him on.
==== Rozowian Reconstruction ====
The reconstruction of the Kingdom since the end of the war had not been easy, as most important farms in Rozow had been destroyed and Eastern Rozow, where most battles took place during the Wars of Unification, had been ravaged by war. These led to famines across the kingdom, which necessitated major reforms in the kingdom, now known as the Rozowian Summer.
==== Rozowian Summer ====
This era saw major reforms enacted by King Erickson Rozmus, such as:
* The abolition of serfdom in favor of professional farmers, which was opposed by members of the noble class
* Seizure of the commons and their transformation into private farms used to generate profit, which would grow fertile during harvests
* Creation of a unified, professional military to replace levies and mercenaries with trained soldiers loyal to the faith of Świtnica
* Enactment of laws aimed to ease contracts with non-unionized businesses, circumventing guilds
Erickson also began talks with the heads of the colony of Belmara, Raphael MacOmhan and Diamond van Hoeven, on integrating with the Kingdom of Rozow, granting them land to their north and the southern part of the Hallowed Peaks.
==== Rozowian Hot Flash ====
The fundamental changes to Rozowian society was followed by dissatisfaction from all Rozowians, leading to rebellions being started by citizens of Rozow from all backgrounds, from the nobility in the upper classes to the commoners in the lower classes.
Some nobles of Rozow rebelled due to the abolition of serfdom. They hired mercenaries and raised levies made up mostly of farmers to fight for the preservation of serfdom. These rebellions were quashed as the professional Rozowian Army proved to be far superior in combat than the forces of rebelling fiefdoms.
Though the abolition of serfdom was popular among commoners, some who worked in the commons during the Feudal Era protested their seizing. This led to riots against the Rozowian Army, who seized the commons with force.
Guilds also protested against the Crown, seeing them as favoring the non-unionized businesses far more than them, and demanded equal status with such businesses. These demands would be ignored by the Crown, and the Army began to protect the businesses' assets from riots that could happen.
With the supression of rebellions by the Rozowian Army, the Crown maintained control over their territories and the Rozowian Army held militaristic hegemony over the Zolask Basin. The nobility stopped rebelling against the Crown and commoners and merchants maintained loyalty to the Crown. The Rozowian identity coalesced around the religion of Świtnica, the Rozowian language, and loyalty to the Crown.
=== Voyager's Era ===
==== Expansions of Rozow ====
Rozow, now a stable kingdom with a powerful military, began to expand its influence to three neighboring states, annexing them and turning them into the provinces of Solasberg, Dralia, and Brood on the .
The talks of integration of the colony of Belmara into the Kingdom of Rozow culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Belmara, signed by Erickson Rozmus, Raphael MacOmhan, and Diamond van Hoeven. Rozow would annex Belmara into the kingdom, and in exchange, Belmara would be granted the lands to its north and the southern part of the Hallowed Peaks to its east and Erickson would officiate the forming of the province of Solasberg and its first Parliament.
Dralia, now under the rule of Madalina Dracillia, and the Swarm to the kingdom's east, now called the Brood, were also integrated peacefully into the Kingdom of Rozow.
==== Ascension of Katarzyna Rozmus ====
Erickson Rozmus abdicated his throne to his daughter, Katarzyna Rozmus. As one of her decrees, she appointed Veronika Zaraska, who became the recent head of the Zaraska Clan, as the Grand Marshal of the Rozowian Army. Veronika Zaraska pledged loyalty to the Crown and the Świtnica faith, denouncing her clan's rebellious past.
She expanded Rozow's sphere of influence in neighboring states, such as the Kingdom of the Azure Coast on the , the Commonwealth of Sylvas on the , the Duchy of Seray on the , and the Realm of Taurëmár on the .
== Government ==
=== Monarch of Rozow ===
The Kingdom of Rozow is an absolute monarchy, ruled by a King or Queen descended from the Rozmus dynasty. The Monarch of Rozow has absolute authority over the territories of the kingdom and their governance, including the towns and provinces within the kingdom, and its vassals. 
Current Monarch of Rozow: Queen Katarzyna Rozmus (Stella)
=== Central Government of Rozow ===
The Monarch of Rozow delegates their duties to the Central Government of Rozow, whose members are promoted by the Crown based on loyalty to the kingdom and merit in specific fields, such as military, logistics, local governance, and diplomacy. These positions can be created, granted, and dismissed at will by the Monarch.
==== Royal Steward ====
The Royal Steward of Rozow acts the kingdom's "Head of Government" who answers directly to the Crown. They ensure a smooth operation of the kingdom, as well as assist ministers, mediate disputes, and guarantee growth and development in Rozow. They ensure the Crown and the Central Government's aspirations are carried out effectively.
Current Royal Steward: Syavii
==== Grand Marshal ====
The Grand Marshal is the leader of the Rozowian Royal Armed Forces. Their jobs are to prepare the kingdom and its vassals against outside invasions, decide promotions within the military, promote activity within the Armed Forces, and lead soldiers in the event of a war.
Current Grand Marshal: Veronika Zaraska (Zofia)
==== Chancellor ====
The Chancellor oversees and conducts high level diplomacy on behalf of Rozow. The Chancellor has the special privilege to speak for Rozow, directly to other nation leaders and diplomats. 
To assist with lower level diplomacy, they appoint a Vice Chancellor, who manages a team of ambassadors and responds to diplomatic requests by other nations, and ambassadors.
Current Chancellor: Freya Telge (Monwhopper)
Current Vice Chancellor: Sayori
==== Minister of State Affairs ====
The Minster of State Affairs' job is to aid all members of government any way the Monarch and Ministers see fit. They also keeps track of other government members tasks in order to make sure they are fulfilling their tasks properly.
Current Minister of State Affairs: Mr. Unfortunate
==== Minister of Logistics ====
The Minister of Logistics is responsible for providing and manufacturing the resources needed to fulfill the government's needs. To achieve this, the Minister of Logistics has a team under them to support them. 
During peacetime the Minister is expected build the military's stockpile and during times of war, they take a more involved role to make sure everything runs smoothly according to the nation's needs.
Current Minister of Logistics: Sleepybread_
==== Crown Treasurer ====
The Crown Treasurer's role in Rozow is to advise the Crown on finances, including but not limited to, generating revenue for the kingdom. The Treasurer also decides on allocating budgets from the kingdom's treasury made by Barons and Ministers. This is why the Crown Treasurer has greater access to the royal funds then any other ministerial positions in the Central Government.
Current Crown Treasurer: TheEman233
==== Minister of Special Events ====
The Special Events Minister's job is to plan and host national events, promote engagement and a sense of unity and community in the kingdom. Due to this they have may request central resources for events.
Current Minister of Special Events: Loqket
==== Head Architect ====
The Head Architect's responsibility is to assist the building of cities in the kingdom, expand national infrastructure, and support land development within Rozow. Their other important responsibility is to oversee and manage the Architects' Guild of Rozow, made for the purpose of giving advice to aspiring builders within the kingdom and birthing a generation of skilled builders.
Current Head Architect: Tilee
==== Lords ====
Lords are the caretakers and stewards of provinces within Rozow. In exchange for pledging loyalty to the crown, Lords are allotted lands of the kingdom to oversee, manage, and develop.
Current Lords:
* Ferdiadh, Ravenna Samhradh of the Willows (Lord of Solasberg)
* Mr. Unfortunate (Lord of Dralia)
==== Advisors ====
Advisors are positions granted specifically by the Monarch to either retired minsters or especially trusted citizens. Advisors have no true authority within the government, and are there to advise the Central Government on pressing matters and relevant skill sets.
Current Advisors:
* Erickson Rozmus
* Fawkes
* Esteladios Heart Devourer (thearbitorlife)
* Madalina Dracillia (garrigoyle)
== Demographics ==
=== Rozowians ===
Rozowians are the dominant ethnic group in the Kingdom of Rozow, with history of settlement in the Zolask Basin stretching back centuries, when various foreign tribes from the east migrated to south-western Rozakkora, displacing the native fantastical races to the plains of Dralia.
Rozowian tribes in the past were very diverse in their lifestyle and ideas, culminating in the division of south-western Rozakkora into fiefdoms, clans, and mercantile republics which lasted for centuries until the rise of the religion of Świtnica, founded on the words of the prophet Jakub Basiak. Świtnica has been Rozow's sole official religion since the end of the Rozow Unification Wars.
Rozowians are pragmatic and but adaptable if need be, almost always seeking practical solutions to challenges. Their culture values both tradition and "values", seeking to embrace modernization while preserving the core values that have shaped their identity and lead to their unification. The blend of old and new while staying efficient and pragmatic is reflected in their architecture, social structures, approach to diplomacy, and governance.
Rozowian society is organized hierarchically, with the monarch at the top of a system of honorary nobility and then commoners. Opportunities for advancement and social mobility exist as there is levels of local governance and titles are all granted at will of the monarch. Most commoners climb through service to the crown, contributions to the kingdom's economy, and/or participation in the military.
=== Dralians ===
The demographics of Dralia is very diverse, due to it being a refuge for native fantastical races of south-western Rozakkora after their displacement by migrating pre-Rozowian foreign tribes. Some groups of people that reside in Dralia are the Blighted and Beastfolk.
=== Solasbergians ===
Solasbergians comprise two main ethnicities: Statenlanders and Earrachians, both of whom migrated from Eldham to Abexilas to build the colony of Belmara in Southeastern Halinn just before a large comet made impact on both Rathnir and Eldham. 
Solasberg was founded by Solasbergians as a union between two peoples of Eldham, and the language of Solasprak was developed as a common tongue to facilitate state building and identity formation in their new colony.
Most Solasbergians, mostly of Earrachian background, embrace the religion of Madacuain, a religion originating from the isles of Earrach in Eldham, with its monastery built on top of Rozow's part of the Hallowed Peaks.