Iverda County

> "Iverda the defiant, Iverda the strong, forever we march in the Countess' throng. Through war and peace we serve her cause for no exception is found in the clause; now toil and pray as Derakryss will say, Iverda is free and so it will stay."
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 - Excerpt from Iverda the beautiful

## History

**Founding of Iverda (-788 to -721 NAC)** In wake of the War of Seven and the triumph of Imperial authority, the new Empire was in dire need of a southern bulwark to combat T'van piracy and alien threats which took advantage of the postwar instability. Looking amongst his own military cabinet for a suitable leader of men, Erdyn Falfenburg was hand selected from among his admiralty as a man of upstanding virtue and effective leadership. Distinguishing himself during the Battle of Kings, Falfenburg played a key role in the Empires victory and was one of many admirals that led Imperial detachments during the engagement; unlike his peers however, Falfenburg was exceptionally adaptive and able to score decisive victories despite his lack of well armed vessels. Upon hearing that he was selected for this expedition, Erdyn fell into despair as he originally perceived it as a death sentence for some supposed slight or poor function of his duties, however his fears were availed once he learned how much support was thrown behind his assignment. Granted a sizable fleet and civilian vessels to establish his own colony, Falfenburgs demeanor shifted to one of gratitude as he sets forth from the Empire in -791 NAC and began his four year expedition into the south.
Charting the star systems they came across and their various worlds, Falfenburg observed several candidates for his new capital before deciding upon Iverda in -788 NAC. Landing his civilian populace upon the planet, he joined them so as to oversee the colonies success personally and became known for his consideration; him having taken a vested interest in his peoples well being and their treatment by his administrators. Communicating his success back to the God-Emperor, Falfenburg was rewarded with the position of God-Count and his territory became known as Iverda County.

For the remainder of his reign, Falfenburg continued to govern Iverda and appointed a seasoned subordinate to the position of admiral in his stead. Engaging pirates and securing the south in his latter years, the God-Count accomplished his assigned duties and passed away peacefully in -721 NAC. Leaving behind a hardy people who had been spared from the horrors of the postwar colonies, Iverda became a bastion of freedom within the early Empire and a desirable destination for any seeking independence from Imperial oversight. Waning in his later year both in faith and loyalty, Falfenburg helped foster this burgeoning culture and became a renown figure in both Iverdan and Imperial history. Passing the torch onto his first son named Rydel, the County expanded in the decades following his sons ascent and became further involved in the ever developing realm of Imperial politics.

**Rydel Expansionism (-721 to -628 NAC)** Ruling peacefully and with his fathers same wisdom, Rydel was a man of numbers who excelled at the intricate lawmaking and taxation of the county. Wishing to expand his realm beyond Iverda, the God-Count used the Cestian Revival as an opportunity to bring in new citizens and granted generous tax breaks to Imperial companies willing to establish themselves within the county. Funding corporate and religious colonists, Rydel expanded the county from one world to four and increased his realms population by nearly forty percent in only a decade. Earning a favorable reputation among the nobility for his success, Rydel took advantage of royal ties to broaden his trade relations and build his county around an unmet demand for food. While steady in supply, the Empire didn't have a dedicated breadbasket to feed its populace, most of the lost colonies and Imperial subjects having specialized into industrial or military concerns. Food unlike industry and military production was not as profitable, but it was reliable and perfect for an underdeveloped region such as Iverda.

Funding the construction of farms and plantations across the County, Rydel made sure to meet all fields of the food market with both exotic and staple foods being viable crops on the realms diverse worlds. Allowing the usage of slave labor to help speed this process along, the county transformed over a sixty year period into the Imperial breadbasket. Still possessing a standing military, Iverda moved away from its militaristic history and instead embraced a peaceful rustic identity as an essential part of the greater Empire.

**Great Trial (-628 to -461 NAC)** Following its period of expansionism, Rydel diversified Iverdas economy and made it into one of the most prosperous realms in early Imperial history. Maintaining its duty as the southern bulwark, the County continued to loyally serve the Empire if somewhat stubbornly, it desiring a greater sum of power within the Empire despite its size. Seen as lesser on both the administrative and political scene for its status as a County, Rydel petitioned God-Emperor Tyvius II for greater recognition and received it on the terms that Iverda would provide a duchies level of tribute to maintain its new status. A controversial decision at the time, this recognition would come to work against the Iverdans in -628 NAC when the Empires foreign vassals formed a coalition against the God-Emperor and attempted to break his nation apart. Declaring war and invading from the south, the Southern Pact of Gadal began to pillage Imperial lands and burn everything they could to weaken the Empire. Iverda was no exception and many of their young men were drafted into Imperial levies and militias to fight off the invaders, leading to many frontier worlds becoming devastated and unable to recover with their youth off at war. Eventually the situation devolved to the point where the God-Count was unable to pay his monthly tribute and was berated publicly by Tyvius II and had his county stripped of its heightened status. Slighted by this public dress down, Rydel refused to give his men to the God-Emperor and used them to defend his own worlds.

Such an act of disrespect wasn't commonplace at this time in Imperial history and so Tyvius II reacted violently in response, him doing the unthinkable and storming the God-Counts palace before seizing him for treason. Brandishing Rydel as a traitor publicly, the God-Count was given a show trial in which he refused to admit his guilt. Found guilty on all accounts with desertion added on for his pulling back of Iverdan forces, he was publicly hanged like a commoner and his assets seized by the Imperial family. Disgracing House Fafenburg, the county was left leaderless as its population became outraged with the God-Emperors decision. Having to institute a regency until Rydels son had come of age, the new administration proved to be less effective in its duties and simply maintained the status quo, granting Tyvius II the troops he demanded and handling the consequences.

The war persisted until -615 NAC with Tyvius II killing the Southern Pact of Gadals main leader in a duel; the war officially ending a year later with a conditional peace. While the Empire had survived, it was devastated by the war and began to slowly recovery with Tyvius II's varied policies and laws. Exempting Iverda from aid out of spite, the county atrophied and built an increasing debt tax which only worsened as the Iverdan Coin inflated. The Great Trials effects applied to the entire Empire, but Iverda suffered the longest recovery and remained victimized by constant foreign raids. Losing its status as the Empires breadbasket, the County sunk into obscurity until God-Count Ervel in -461 NAC announced an end to Iverdas debt. Stabilizing its currency at last over years of fluctuation, the nation regained a semblance of its prosperity and partook in the Empires politics once again.

**Decline and rise of Hedonism (-461 NAC - 28 NAC)** After restoring itself to a state of prestige, the County entered another crisis in regards to job security. With an influx of constant slaves from the surrounding Imperial subjects, genuine peasants would find themselves replaced by a more cheap alternative that worked endlessly without regulations. This resulted in many becoming freemen which took to the forests and wildlands to survive while others took to more unsavory fields of work to feed their families, crime slowly rising over time and drug usage across the county.
-305 NAC marked the birth of the present God-Countess Derakryss, her being born with great celebration and joy throughout the nation. Witty and intelligent, she was a prodigy that took to unladylike hobbies such as hunting or leather making in her early years. Being an only child, she ascended to the throne at age 14 following her fathers death as the only female ruler in the counties history and its youngest as well. Choosing to dedicate herself to Hashik, Derakryss became the incarnation of the huntress Goddess and followed her tenets faithfully for around 80 years before finding herself infuriated with the state of the Empires decay. Having attempted several reforms and made little effort with turning the nation around or kicking out the heavy dependence on slaves, Derakryss entered a deep depression as she felt powerless to change her nations course.

Every state had its cross to bear and Iverdas was drug usage and a lack of opportunity which drove many citizens away and left behind a majority peasant populace too poor to leave and too uneducated to operate higher end jobs. The county transformed into a rump state in less than 30 years and Derakryss was witness to this and felt helpless throughout the ordeal. Taking to the bottle, she would become a drunkard and eventually be barred from the Imperial capital for her poor behavior and increasingly hedonistic ways. Leaving her Chamber of Saints to handle the counties affairs, Derakryss began to seclude herself within the counties palace and invite suitors to lavish parties she began to throw for her own amusement. Iverdas Chamber of Saints with all of the pressure placed upon them would increasingly become corrupt and dependent on Imperial bailouts to keep the counties economy afloat. The entire government became functional only to the point of keeping the status quo, the counties decay only worsening along with Derakryss' degenerate tendencies as she found herself entertained with only increasingly more drastic and extravagant balls and acts.

By 28 NAC, the county had lost its autonomy and become an increasingly Imperial controlled land with little input from the Iverdans. In the midst of a religious divide after Derakryss had declared herself the incarnation of Velvixa back in 18 NAC; Iverda appeared to be on the verge of collapse and recieved little assistance in staving off this fate. That was until the Kingdom of Zoscia discovered the county and kidnapped the God-Countess with Sajenki operatives. Unintentionally throwing the county into disarray, martial law was soon after established under Magistrate Ernelis' command and a diplomatic crisis ensued over the issue. Leading inevitably to the Hallow War, Iverda became the catalyst for the Cestian Empires final conflict.

**Hallow War (28 NAC - 31 NAC)**
Iverda during the early years of the war was the primary battleground between the Kingdom of Zoscia and the Cestian Empire which fought over its four worlds. Hosting a sizable number of state troops and naval fleets, Iverdas lack of industry hindered the Cestian war effort and its ability to repair damaged vessels close to the front line. Ground forces dealt with the opposite in regards to logistics as they had ample supplies from the agricultural sectors and could host more troops upon Iverdas worlds. Taking a defensive stance under the military administration of Magistrate Erneli, the County focused all of its efforts on the war and stood its ground while inflicting the highest number of casualties it could.

After the siege of Cecin, the Saldonis Regime was propped up by the Coronans and split national loyalties among the populace with democratic supporters flocking to the new governments banner. Dividing Iverda between the Cecin and Iverdan Regimes, paramilitary forces began cropping up on the frontier worlds to enforce order as Saldonis focused his professional forces on maintaining order upon his capital; banditry became rampant and the conquered worlds became dependent on Zoscian support to keep their economies afloat. The battle of Iverda devastated the capital world after nearly a month of fighting and bombardments which destroyed the planets infrastructure and economy. Making a final stand within the Iverdan Palace, Magistrate Ernelis' committed suicide to avoid capture and unofficially ended military governance over the county.

After the battle of Iverda, Saldonis' supporters called for unification of the county and found their requests falling upon deaf ears as Zoscia further enforced the counties divide with an Iverdan administration under the puppeted Derakryss. This stance distanced the Saldonis administration from their suzerain which drew plans against them after uncovering evidence of war crimes committed by his fledgling regime. Utilizing terror tactics and mass executions for enemies of Cecin, Saldons had lost control of radical elements within his government and sometimes even funded their crimes discreetly to deal with opponents while saving face. Sajenki agents were dispatched to apprehend Cecins government and commenced in raids without prior warning upon various Saldonis supporters. Capturing the majority of officials with ease, the remainder fled to the outer worlds and began a losing guerilla war which eventually splintered into postwar terrorist and bandit groups.

Holding a trial for Saldonis' cabinet and officials, the majority were found guilt of war crimes and executed by firing squad while Saldonis and several others were found innocent and interned at a Cestian prison camp for the remainder of the war; a later court date being scheduled for them after the wars conclusion. Integrating the Cecin territories back into the county proper, Derakryss once more reigned uncontested within her own lands and found herself on a tight leash with her new Coronan suzerains. The remainder of the war for Iverda was primarily reconstruction and keeping the peace, Zoscia granting the Countess funding to rebuild her country and overseeing its proper usage for civilians and repairs. Several riots broke out across Coronan occupied worlds during the later half of the war and Iverda numbered among them, in response, Coronan soldiers were sent to quell rioters and suppress them non-lethally. Preventing looting and only allowing peaceful protests, the rapid response of officers helped prevent a revolution from rising up and further devastating the planets.

At the Hallow Wars conclusion, Iverda was the second prosperous region of Cestia and one of the least devastated as further conflict and uprisings broke out within the other Imperial territories. Stable and hosting a significant number of refugees from other territories, Iveradas frontier worlds developed to be more prosperous than their prewar counterparts as power became more equalized between the counties worlds; the capital lagging behind economically and yet still hosting the majority of the counties industry and businesses. Derakryss became more active among her populace and tales of her decadence began to subside as Sajenki officials accompanied her to public gatherings and worked to restore her image among the populace. While still retaining her devotion to Velvixa, the Countess' efforts to mend the religious divide and live a more modest life helped bring her people together and prepare for the coming years of reconstruction.

**Coronan Administration (31 NAC - Present)**      Inducted as the first province of ZOZ, Iverda has maintained a heavy Coronan presence as officials work to understand Cestian culture and reform the government. Hosting garrisons of Zoscian soldiers, Iverda is considered by many to be partially integrated into the Kingdom and even hosts a new administration staffed by Coronans to help steer the nation directly. Forming the Diet of Iverda to operate as a democratic institution of elected officials which can pass and overturn laws, it takes inspiration from Zoscias own form of government with a strong monarch that can be overruled by a coalition of religious and democratic officials. Empowering the Diet and staffing it with primarily Coronans and newly elected Cestians, the Chamber of Saints has seen its power weakened and diverted to the newly formed Diet; the Saints abilities curbed to only an advisory role to the monarch which can overrule or help pass laws proposed by the Diet or monarch.
Forbidding missionaries of The Light and Coronan settlers, Iverda has taken a protective stance towards its populace and plans to empower it gradually through electing new members to the Diet and slowly phasing out Coronan officials. Building up a standing peacekeeping force, Cestians are beginning to fill the garrisons as Coronans return to their homes; the Countess' cooperation with the Council of Twelve allowing for a peaceful transition of power back to a self-governing state. The councils decision to take this approach has allowed for the populaces unrest to subside and even nurture loyalty in some cases as Iverda remains the only region directly funded by both the Kingdom and ZOZ.

The frontier worlds still suffer from Saldonis terrorists and banditry, however the creation of a democratic Diet and the ever increasing presence of peacekeeping forces has helped dwindle their influence. Preparations for Saldonis' second trial have caused a stir upon some of these outer worlds such as Cecin which anticipate his verdict under the Countess' new administration. Making preparations for the historical and potentially volatile trial, Iverda predicts potential backlash after Saldonis is found guilty or innocent; the county wishing to avoid another revolt that could ravage the nation.

## Culture and Society

While not the best reflection of the Old Empire, Iverda does hold some similarities with their kinsmen primarily in the way of governance and religion. Considered by many to be the more backwards and rustic cousin of the greater imperial territories, Iverda is a nation of strong willed and passionate peoples which value freedom and their traditions above all else.

Living on the frontier of the Empire, Iverda never obtained the same commodities as the core Imperial populace did which is a blessing and a curse in multiple ways. Lacking a reliance on Imperial goods, the county has retained its independence and local way of life, however it has also fallen behind technologically and has a largely uneducated populace dependent on scripture and the Countess' words for the majority of their wordly knowledge. Trade jobs as a result have become the cornerstone of Iverdas economy and the works of art and craftsmanship coming from the county are the best within the provinces; infact the God-Emperors personal blacksmiths and artists primarily originate from Iverda. This lack of connection with the Empire has also translated into the more simple wear of the Iverdan people and rejection of cybernetics, Iverda being possibly the only Imperial territory which outright banned it.

Life in the county is also a lot less refined or orderly compared to the Imperial worlds, people live off the land more often than not and arm themselves thanks to loose regulations on firearms. Central authority while existing is very much so reliant on state troops to keep the peace on its border worlds, the vast agriculture based county being somewhat underdeveloped and frontier worlds being left to their own devices at the cost of any innovation or real output aside produce. Such a free form environment has of course also led to a more accepting populace, one that is less discriminatory and welcoming to outsiders as long as they do their part. Traditions also long lost within the Empire have survived the ages on several of these disconnected worlds, such as the burning of the Yashsuk which is a giant animal made of straw that is set afire every new years as a mass religious and social event to ask the Gods for bountiful harvests. Cestian scholars based in Iverda have taken to studying these backwards worlds to record and document the old ways of their people, a once forgotten history being unearthed once more.

More communal in nature compared to the old Empire, Iverda holds strongly to a belief in honoring ones vows and assisting your own. While outsiders are welcomed, one must always remember their origins and honor those which have brought them to where they are now; a sort of ancestor worship that has remained prevalent for centuries. This has led to Iverdans being a very tight knit and respectable people that while lacking education, make up for it in their exceptional skills elsewhere and value of community over selfish desires.

## Religion

Steadfast in their belief in the Celestial Cult, the people of Iverda are avid worshipers of the grand God-Emperor of the Empire and the various minor deities that are below him. Favoring their God-Countess above all, Derakryss is given unwavering praise and worship by her people despite the reputation she posses.

Believing in forty Gods all together, it is said that only a finite amount can walk amongst the living at one time as avatars. These living Gods in question are the various rulers within the old Cestian Empire who are all specific Gods; the only exception being the God Emperor who is eternally present from one generation to the next upon the Imperial throne. In the case of Iverda in particular, their Countess is considered the avatar of the huntress God named Hashik and so she is predominantly worshiped over the rest within the County. With said worship also comes a way of life specific to that deity which is considered holy, huntsmen in Iverdas case are considered representatives of Hashiks will and are currently exalted above other professions.

Hashik of all the Gods is considered by many to be the most humble and so worship of her is usually done moreso privately or out on the hunt. Yearly the celebration of the Hunt is done all across the County in honor of their Countess, it being the only exception to this humble rule and one of the few occasions Hashiks worshipers can truly express their devotion and love for her. Being a week long festival, it involves ancient dance ceremonies once performed in the tribes across Cestia and involves little alcohol as one must be of sober on the prowl. Children are primarily taught the tenets of their goddess during this ordeal, traditional congregations not being held by Hashik devotees as the forest is considered their chapel. Valuing honor, integrity, bowmenship and community above all else, she is the near perfect Goddess for such a rustic people and it shows in their fervent love of her.

Currently Hashiks worship is being called into question though as the God-Countess has made the controversial choice of changing her Deity. While there isn't anything forbidding such a course of action, it certainly is having a damning effect among the general populace and the Chamber of Saints which have yet to recognize her newfound faith. Having forsaken Hashik in favor of Velvixa, the Countess has created a religious divide within her county considering Velvixa is nearly the antithesis of everything the huntress stands for. Currently she is considered an avatar of Hashik that has been led astray to keep the peace, but only the God-Emperor can make the final decision on such a matter. Beginning to suffer religious feuds as people draw lines and loyalties between the Countess and God-Emperor, county is suffering from religious violence between the two sides.

Velvixa in contrast to Hashik is a vain Goddess and her worship is done in a more public affair with lust and secrets being her strong suit. While not inherently evil, her promotion of Lust is mainly seen as negative in the old Empire since it means the over consumption of specific desires; whereas secrets can at least be warped to mean honoring others by keeping their personal information out of the public eye. Nicknamed the party Goddess by many, Velvixa is certainly a God of peace and revelry whereas Hashik is a God of war and discipline; both benefit the county and yet also divide it at the same time.

## Government

Taking inspiration from the Kingdom of Zoscia during reconstruction, the county of Iverada is a Constitutional Monarchy with both a weak religious and strong democratic branch of government. Assigning most government positions personally, the Countess leaves the election of Diet members to her populace which has an education requirement of literacy and the passage of mandatory education programs to vote.

* God-Countess
* Chamber of Saints
* Diet of Iverda

Monarch of fair Iverada and its people, the God-Countess is the sole ruler of the county and a once unmatched role which was reformed following Derakryss' return from Zoscia. Restricting the absolute power of the Monarch to a constitution, the God-Countess has taken on a more ceremonial and religious role for her people as a figure of authority, but one numbering among three that now held sway over the people. Considered the de facto ruler nonetheless, the position is hereditary in nature and legitimacy passes to the oldest child above their siblings; heirless monarchs resulting in a national election for the royal families replacement which is usually a military or distinguished official.

Able to pass or reject laws, the God-Countess can be opposed by a coalition of the Chamber Saints and Diets if both gain a majority against her and a coronation must be commenced for the successor before they have any political power. The Chamber of Saints is in charge of the new monarchs coronation and in the event that they refuse, the Diet is capable or the God-Emperor if both parties refuse.

Preserving their position from the previous administration, the Chamber of Saints has remained relatively untouched by the Coronan invasion and has maintained most of its power base. Having been stripped of the ability to propose laws, it is now delegated to an advisory role that can approve or veto laws proposed by the God-Countess and Diet. Tasked with religious concerns within the county and giving the heir a coronation after the monarchs passing, the Chamber remains a respected if not politically weaker entity within the Iverdan government. Made up of six handpicked devoted servants of the God-Countess, all initiates into the Chamber are chosen by the remaining members; the Monarch and Diet choosing the initiates if all Chamber seats are vacant.

Tasked with carrying out ceremonies in their holy monarchs honor, usually opinionated and morally righteous individuals ascend to the position of Saint and maintain it for the rest of their lives.

Made up of democratically elected officials from all inhabited worlds within the county, the Diet of Iverda is made up of two representatives from every planet with the capital world able to have an additional two. Tasked with lawmaking and keeping the other two branches in checking, representatives are allowed to serve two eight year terms and are allowed to oppose the monarchs lawmaking if they get a majority of Diet and Saint representatives. Considered the strongest of the three, the Diet can enact emergency powers with the Monarch or Saints approval and can invoke the Azure plan if both other branches work to overturn their power base. Signaling the military to launch a coup, the Azure plan is a last resort measure to preserve the democratic system if the Monarch and Saints conspire against them.

Requiring a certain level of education to become a representative, political parties exist to help advertise up and coming politicians and align the interests of similar minds. National court cases which reach the highest courts end with the Diet and all lower court levels are primarily managed by a separate court administration that works underneath them.

**Government:** *Upholding of Democratic values and reconstruction of Iverda*
**Taxation:** *Regressive taxation mixed with progressive*
**Spending:** *National and Military expansion*
**Debt:** *Utilize Coronan subsidies and loans for rapid reconstruction*
**Military:** *Peacekeeping Forces*
**Economy:** *Market Economy*
**Trade:** *Laissez-faire*
**Foreign:** *Recognizes the God-Emperor, Loyal to Zoscia*

**Details:** Created by the first Cestian representatives to be elected to the Diet, National Unity is a pro-democratic political party which wants to uphold the status quo between the ruling Monarch and the Diets elevated. Utilizing Zoscian subsidies and loans liberally, National Unity wishes to rapidly rebuild the nation and create a standing peacekeeping force so as to restore law and order to the Counties various worlds. Relying upon their economic strength in the postwar environment, they wish to use trade influence and economic gain to build up their nation following reconstruction and establish a powerful presence in Cestian trade. | ***Royalist Party (2/10)***

**Government:** *Monarchist dominance and reconstruction of Iverda*
**Taxation:** *Regressive*
**Spending:** *National, Military and Corporate expansion*
**Debt:** *Utilize Cestian loans primarily for reconstruction*
**Military:** *Moderate Standing Army*
**Economy:** *Market Economy*
**Trade:** *Laissez-faire, Trade Bloc*
**Foreign:** *Recognizes the God-Emperor, Neutral to Zoscia*

**Government:** *Reconstruction and Reformation Effort*
**Taxation:** *Regressive taxation mixed with progressive*
**Spending:** *National and Military expansion*
**Debt:** *Utilize Zoscian subsidies and minimize debt*
**Military:** *Peacekeeping Forces*
**Economy:** *Mixed*
**Trade:** *Laissez-faire*
**Foreign:** *Devoted to Zoscia, phase out Coronan officials*

## Territory

Iverda County has four habitable planets within its borders and is known to settle mineral rich asteroids for mining. Focused on reconstruction and taming the restless frontier worlds, vigilantism has become commonplace on less civilized worlds and has complicated efforts for authorities to hunt down terrorist groups.

*♕ Reigning Countess*
*Destroyed infrastructure*
*Moralistic Outlook*
*Prosperous farmlands*
*Soldanis stronghold*
*Betrayed by Zoscia*
*Heavy Reliance on Slaves*
*Refuses anti-slave laws*
*Nearly in open rebellion*

*Rampant Crime*
*Underdeveloped planet*
*Refugee Crisis*