Ertcof

The Archduchy of Ertcof is an agrarian satyr nation, native to Abexilas and located on the Cathelet subcontinent of Cathramis. It borders Leyenbourg to the south, Jarazeh and Hodege to the north and lastly Zharisnya to the west. To the east lay the shores of the Conquerors' Sea. The nation is also in proximity to the sister nations of Cakhtlan, Hodege, Cortland and the dwarvish Vamayruu.
==Government==
The Archduchy of Ertcof is ruled by the Valentinus dynasty, currently under rule of its house's head Klymön Valentinus, advised by the Pahil, the council. Most of the population being peasants, they are mostly uninvolved in politics.
Internally, the archduchy is divided into the three provinces of Eyaapkot, Voly and Cofhan, which each have administrative capitals. Eyaapkot is the province containing the national capital, Erterde, the estate of Valentinus and the farming village of Yömpakaf. The province of Voly is centered around the city of Saahankana and encompasses Ecyl. The provincial capital of Cofhan, which is located in the south-east of the nation, is Cofdo. Said province also contains the settlement of Erthoot, and borders the Arkstadt ruins.
=== Foreign Policy ===
Generally, the Archduchy of Ertcof prefers to remain neutral in most affairs, refusing most alliances as well as coalitions and leagues in an attempt to remain independent and generally have good relations with all parties. Ertcof's primary goal within its foreign policy is the establishment of trade routes between it and neighboring nations within Cathelet in order to grow it's population while also keeping it's population happy through a state owned company known as the "ECMR", or Ertcofi Raw Materials Company. Generally this company has served as a means for local farmers to sell their goods abroad and make money to sustain their livelihoods.
==History ==
===Before Settlement===
Long ago before the creation of Ertcof and the establishment of her realm, the Ertcofi were people of Cahkt origin whom lived amongst the mountainous state of Cahktlan. These satyr were naturally taller than the Cahkt group, and were generally stronger in most aspects. Overtime, this group of satyrs grew tired of being ruled by a Cahkt king while also being unable to support their own lives. The Ertcofi fled the mountains of Cahktlan, traveling east in hope for a better future.
=== Settlement ===
The Ertcofi ventured through lands now known as Zharisnya & Hodege, before arriving in the eastern tundra of the Continent. This region was forested primarily with spruce and old spruce areas, as well as a major birch forest which was extremely dense and atop the Fjord that split the two regions. The Ertcofi struggled at first in this new land, failing to farm and live peacefully due to the harsh environment. Over time, the goddess of Harvest observed the Ertcofi's plight and created a plan to assist them. Erte descended from the heavens to gift the Ertcofi her blessing, the blessing of Harvest. With this, she taught the settlers how to farm in the extremely cold and harsh environments. Over time, the Ertcofi idolized her, rewarding her with statues and offerings from their harvests. Erte observed and over time decided upon a gift to the Ertcofi for their devotion to her, a simple but everlasting gift of a fruit: Grapes. The Ertcofi, astonished by this gift, named it after their Goddess leading to the local name of "Ert" for grapes, as well as "Ertcof" for Vineyards.
===Unification===
Despite a unified effort to leave Cahktlan, the group of Ertcofi separated amongst the lands and created settlements of their own which they sprouted from, including settlements such as Cofdo & Saahankana. These settlements generally were independent/separate from Erterde for most of their existence living in a mixture of peace from the farming life style and fear from the widespan bandit threats as well as neighboring settlement threats. Overtime, this reached a head leading to the formation of a Mercenary army to defend the lands of Erte and her people. This mercenary army was the first of its kind in the region, with it over time being called the (To Be Determined). This army gave the Ertcofi a sense of unity in the battle for independence as well as protection of their lifestyle, which was never seen or developed before then. Overtime, this led to the Ertcofi settlements & Duchies becoming more united, eventually being combined into the Archduchy of Ertcof. With this unification and creation of a Greater entity, the goddess Erte descended from the heavens with a message to the Ertcofi. It was decided by her, that the Duke of this Archduchy would be chosen by her and her will alone. With this, she designated (To Be Determined) as the Archduke and leader of the Ertcofi people till death or worst.
=== Rise of the Archon ===
After Unification, Ertcof would live generally peacefully and would expand for a number of decades, growing in size and population. Despite this, the Archduchy would experience a noticeable decline in artisan and local produced goods, with most being outsourced from neighboring nations as the people became disinterested in their lives and so stopped working. Noticing this decline, Klymön Valentinus began looking for a way to amend this and restore Ertcof's original growth. He found his answer in the myth of "Democracy" that had been floating around the region for decades by then. Using aspects of the idea, Klymön created a form of government in which an "Archon" would be elected by the people to help keep the nation ran effectively. The Archon would be limited to interior work, with the Archduke remaining the most powerful in the end. Generally, this is called a "Constitutional Monachy" by others, however the constitution barely has any affect upon the Archduke's powers.
=== The work of Archons ===
With the Archon's rise to power, few laws and programs were implemented. These laws and programs included the expansion of the Ertcofi economy as well as the growth of cities including Saahnkana and Erthoot. While the Archons had done great work in Ertcof, it was minimal at best and was generally considered to be pointless. The Archon role within Ertcof would remain for a few months, however after the Archduke's daughter vanished the role was discontinued indefinitely leading to the return to a monarchist government with minimal democratic influences.
=== The rise of the Möykhot Khosulium ===
While Ertcof was decently cemented within Cathelet, over time the Archduchy began to suffer from a decline in population as well as shortages in labor and city building. With this decline, Ertcof sought allies as well as alternatives to fix this decline. Ertcof eventually found a solution, with the help of Cakhtlan they formed the Möykhot Khosulium with Archduke Klymön Valentinus as well as Khosul Samelin Alkhart becoming the Khosuls of the new kingdom. The territories of this kingdom primarily included Ertcof and Cakhtlan, both of which became provinces within the Khosulium but remained ever-more powerful within the government and general build of the Kingdom.
=== Möykhoti integrations ===
With the Möykhot Khosulium's creation, the two kingdoms witness a minor increase in activity amongst the population. However, this increase was not enough to sustain the nation through the hardships that had begun to form with Tandong, whom had by then formed the Holy Order of Tanderium. With Tanderium pressure to annex the entire kingdom, the Möykhoti people began to seek integration into larger nations. These nations mainly included the Republic of Arkania as well as the Republic of Amandia, however they eventually ended up joining and staying in the Republic of Aerius. These integrations were not enough to protect them though, as the Tanderium still attempt to pressure Möykhot and subsequently Aerikas into simply surrendering the territories to the Tanderium. The Möykhoti continue to fight the pressure, with a war drawing ever closer on the horizon between the Tanderium and the Möykhoti people.
==Economy==
The nation relies heavily on agriculture, exporting produce such as Grapes, Wheat, Pumpkins and so on. The nation also produces various artisan goods such as arts and weaponry and/or armor, with different goods being produced and introduced as history goes on. Generally, goods within Ertcof are most commonly sold through the ECMR, a government owned trade company introduced to help fluctuate trade and the need to sell/buy in order to create a working economy for the Archduchy. 
=== Discontinuation of the ECMR ===
With the decline in Ertcofi growth, the ECMR failed to reach its goals of creating an environment in which the people could sell their goods leading to the eventual discontinuation of the ECMR.
==Culture==
===Agriculture===
===Religion===
Ertcof, like most satyr nations within Cathramis, mostly believe in the Seneschals of Ponnoil. The populace highly reveres the farming goddess Erte, who is said to have blessed the Ertcofi with the ability of agriculture and the Grape plant. It is also believed that Erte is the first Archduke of Ertcof, forming the Archduchy and setting it on a path of growth for future generations to come.
==Geography==
Ertcof shares international borders with Leyenbourg, Hodege and Tandong. Generally, Ertcof is a temperate-cold climate with large spruce forests as well as a major birch forest to the west. Ertcof's capital of Erterde is seperated almost entirely from the rest of Ertcof via the Fjord that cuts through the continent up to the mountain range in the North. With this mountain range, there is also a small land bridge connecting Erterde to the rest of her controlled lands.