Fallen Empire of Gertonia

The **Fallen Empire of Gertonia** (established June 03, 2022) was a successor state of the Holy Gertonian Empire and led by its absolute ruler, Kaiser Jeremy. Its former lands were located in north-central Nieden and bordered the Simulami Empire to the east and south and the Soleannan Imperium to the west. However, its last remnants were dissolved into the newly formed Kingdom of Creed.

## Demographic data

### Population

25 (Based on the population of each town. The official population is suspected to be much lower)

## Historical data

### Founders

ZenoHUN, former Gertonian High Council members

## History and Establishment

Before the establishment of the Fallen Empire, Gertonia was a deflating state, with the nation experiencing an extreme decline in activity. The remaining active Gertonian High Council members held multiple discussions as to what should happen next, and it was decided that a change in government was necessary. They presented their ideas to Jeremy and ZenoHUN, hoped for an outcome that would change Gertonia's dire state. However, due to the fact that these changes would've removed Jeremy from power, the council members were banished and took what little active population that was left with them. This, of course, caused even more decline. The census that took place before the Fallen Empire was established showed barely any of Gertonia left, and Zeno decided that another change was needed. He gathered both the remaining council and some who had previously been banished and presented the Treaty of Galitz, which put an end to a large Gertonian state. Everyone who was gathered signed the treaty, and thus the Gertonia they all knew was no more. Most of the territory was directly annexed by Simulami, while a smaller portion of it was given to the newly established Confederacy of Fredonia, which was made an autonomous vassal of Simulami in return for 330k.

### Dissolution of the Fallen Empire

Many months after the establishment of Fallen Gertonia, Kaiser Jeremy proved that he no longer cared for leading and reviving his nation. Valendaesu and ZenoHUN had talks for days, and eventually decided to forcefully dissolve Gertonia. In its place, a new nation would be established. With the remaining Gertonian territory, as well as former Gertonian land and the former Duchy of Escania from the dissolved Kingdom of Vasterien, the Kingdom of Creed would be established as a vassal of Simulami on October 11th 2022.

## Government

### Government Structure

The Fallen Empire of Gertonia had 3 main positions in the government.

**Emperor:** The Emperor was the head of the nation whose main duties were declaring war to protect the nation or its allies, and overseeing all diplomacy conducted with other nations rather than having assigned diplomats.

**Grand Imperial Council/High Council:** The Grand Imperial Council, mostly referred to as the "High Council", was the body directly below the Emperor. They were made up of mostly town leaders and other nobility, and have powers that nobody but the Emperor had. They were tasked with growing their towns and starting local projects, examples being infrastructure projects or building up local militias in the case of war. Towards the end of the Holy Gertonian Empire, the powers that this rank had were too obsolete to prevent the nations' decline.

**Lower Imperial Council:** Primarily made up of local figures that serve as below town leaders, this rank had little to no real power when it came to the overall nation. The lower council rarely spearheaded any projects or operations during the Holy Gertonian Empire, and was only useful in the case of making local laws in towns.

### Civilian Positions

The positions given amongst civilians were only useful when it came to the local military and establishing order. Other titles were only given as a reward for loyalty to the throne.

**Loyalist:** The Loyalist title was given to those who were most loyal to Jeremy before the decline.

**Gertonian Peace Keepers:** The Gertonian Peace Keepers were those who establish order throughout Gertonia through means of military. Many were in charge of local militias and were responsible for training and supplying them.

## Culture

Throughout its entire history, Gertonia was renowned for having no formal culture.

## Religion

Gertonia's law of religious freedom made it the only nation in Nieden with this freedom. Although it once had a very large Soleannen majority, it was snuffed out due to constant anti-Imperium and anti-Escharian propaganda. There was also a state-sponsored religion known as 'Carlism', but this was never built upon and never played a big part within the nation.