Free City of Romau

Attention: This page is out of date!This article is for an earlier version of this nation. Our Wizards are at work updating it, but some information is incomplete or outdated. Want to speed things up? Visit us on Discord and volunteer to help out!

## Free City of Romau

### Population:

2.23M

The **City of Romau** has for the longest time been an area of political neutrality. As one of the Imperial Free Cities, Romau enjoys greater amounts of economic freedom and military protection than other vassals of the  Griffonian Empire. This has caused the city to also become quite dependent on the Empire, however, and its political structure might not survive any further troubles in the Empire, their main investor and protector. Dark times loom over the Empire, and its fate could very well become the fate of small, little Romau.

## Lore

### Outpost of an Empire

In the days long before the Empire in Griffenheim, the Kingdoms in Aquileia and Wingbardy, or even the great land of Equestria proper; the  Arantigan Empire stood. The history of Romau begins with the Empire of Arantigos in 600 BLB and his conquests, Romau originated as a great fortress city built by Arantigos himself on the banks of the great river.

### The Empire Collapses

After his death, his empire decayed and collapsed as his successors fought. One of these successor states was the newly independent state of Romau. When Arantigos died a Senate was called, and the people of Romau elected Kaeso Tatian as dictator for life to ensure safety for the city.

A great general in his own regard, Kaeso moved out and claimed large swaths of the northernmost parts of the Arantigan Empire. When he died, his adopted son Manus Tatian attempted to seize power and continue the dynasty but was executed by the Senate. In this time Romau lost most of its land, and now only consisted of the regions of Rima, Falconia, and Thurwingen. Romau would not achieve the height it had under Kaeso ever again, for almost a millennium and a half Romau would experience gains and losses, but it would maintain its independence always, keeping its civilization and unique warrior culture.

### The Romau Legion

The first real challenge to Romaun independence would come in the form of the  Katernii Kingdom, who attempted to invade into Romaun lands in 559 ALB. Once more a great general rose to protect Romau, this time in the form of Nipian Pola was a militarist and true believer in the cult of Arantigos-Boreas, believing Arantigos himself guided his spear. Possibly it did, for he threw back the Katernii in a brutal struggle.

Eventually, he would march on the city with his personal guard called the "Romau Legion" to attempt to declare himself "God King of Romau". The Senate responded by ordering the Legion to arrest him and arrange his execution, which a pouch of gold ensured. Pola was dead, but the damage he caused had left its mark.

Romau had become a militarist Republic, its independence guarded by the Legion. For one hundred and fifty years Romau would continue this cycle, with politicians and generals attempting to use real and fake crises to try to seize power, but it always ended the same; with the Romau Legion being used, and their head on the ground, separate from their body.

### Submission to Grover I

In the year 704 ALB things began to look up for Romau once more. A booming textile industry bolstered the civilian economy and Romau weaponsmiths and mercenaries became highly sought after. Citizens began to speak of a new, Romaun Empire.

These hopes were dashed with the arrival of  Grover I. Romau would be one of Grover I's conquests - even Romau could not stand up to the power of the *Idol of Boreas*.

In desperation, the Senate did what they said they would never do again. They appointed a general named Vibius Salvetor the *Dictator of Romau*. Vivius launched into a flurry of action, mobilizing the Romau legion and waging a fighting retreat against Grover until from within the walls of Romau he was forced to endure a great siege. When he knew the battle was lost Vibius offered to negotiate with Grover. He offered Romau as a loyal vassal state if Grover would keep their land intact, inflict no harm on their people, and let Romau remain autonomous.

Grover accepted but added two conditions, Vibius would give up his head, and grant him the service of the Romau legion. Vibius would oblige as long as none in Romau would have to see his dead body. And so Romau was part of the Empire, and the Legion served the Emperors always.

This agreement would lead to Romau's first era of true prosperity since the times of Kaeso Tatian, and the Empire was very popular in the city. This loyalty reaped its rewards in 728 when the University of Romau was founded as one of the first great homes of learning in the Empire. But the same could not be said for the man who technically controlled the city. When Grover left, he sought a royal puppet. He found this in Succius Pola, an incompetent, disgraced descendant of Nipian Pola. Yet Succius did his job for the emperor, and the Senate handled the administration smoothly.

### Grover II's 'Bloody Peace'

In 785 ALB Grover I was succeeded by Grover II, a far more aggressive and violent Kaiser. And Succius was succeeded Antonius Pola, a griffon just competent enough for his ambition to cause trouble.

Whilst Grover II was fighting an Aquileian revolt, Antonius dissolved the Senate and seized power.

The Senate escaped, alerting Grover II of the betrayal. Furious, Grover ordered the Romau Legion to take the city. Pretending to defect to Antonius, the Legion tricked and killed Antonious, taking the city and arresting his supporters.

But when Grover arrived at this city, he was not pleased; he expected to stand before a pile of rubble on which he could build a statue and new Romau to his liking. This anger manifested as the Imperial army descended on Romau and destroyed the walls and looted the city, the Legion held the city center but could do nothing to stop the sack.

After this tragedy, Grover II dissolved the Legion and forced upon the city the "Verdammter Frieden”, The Bloody Peace, gifting it generous funds to rebuild itself, but limiting it to be a city and a city alone. 90% of Romau's land was handed to neighboring Imperial Vassals ( Feathisia,  Griefenmarschen, and  Yale), and its autonomy was curtailed along with its ability to raise an army. In a stroke of good fortune, the Archon of Eyr took a genuine interest in the city and relocated there and began to direct and assist in the rebuilding of the city. Over the centuries, Romau was rebuilt and returned to its former glory

### The Riots

Grover IV death in 970 ALB destabilised the Empire, and discontent plagued the streets of Romau. Things truly began to spiral when a noble on the Regency Council withheld food supplies when he did not receive what he wanted in a contract in Griffenheim. Since Romau relied on the Empire for aid, and the unrest had caused the neglect of food reserves to the city; Romau began to starve.

Famine turned to strikes, and strikes turned to rioting. The City Council passed the “Rüstungsakt”, the Armaments act, raising for the first time in 200 years, a Romaun “Army”. A small poorly trained army led by an eager Archon attempts to disperse the strikers. When they failed to disperse, the unit broke discipline, firing on the protesters and killing 43.

The harsh repression sows a seed of doubt in the people of Romau, anti-Archonism and anti-Council tendencies gradually evolve into Socialist thinking and Republican ideas. When the food returned the immediate threat passed, and a strained calm returned to Romau. But as a result of this, citizens began to carry weapons in the streets, a constant reminder of the wounds inflicted on the city.

### Rise and Fall of the Republic

8 years later the Emperor was overthrown and the  Griffonian Republic was declared. Inspired by Kermaskai's actions in the Imperial Capital, Romauns arrested the city council and proclaimed the "People's Legion of Romau", forming revolutionary militias, actions that were not received well by many. The Archon fled, as did many other dissidents still loyal to the Empire, uniting with Imperial military forces to form “Legionärskohorte Großgriffonien” Legionnaire cohort Großgriffonien. Marching on the city, with the assistance of modern Imperial artillery, Romau was retaken.

Eager to pursue the fleeing members of the Griffonian Republic, the army left the city before it could be fully secured. Not only did the army fail to intercept the fleeing revolutionaries, but their absence from Romau allowed revolutionaries to flee or hide and regather their strength for some future day of revolution.

What resulted - the Year of the Five Senators, in which Senator after Senator was cut down by the people, the Senate, or their own Empire. The one who emerged was Jules Michel Ravioli, who has led the country capably since the 970s as part of the Wingbardian Golden Generation of immigrants.

Since then Romau's growth has stagnated, the uncertainty of Imperial rule in 1007 has caused disorder in the city. And the possibility of another new order to rise.

## Starting Situation

As a city state not much is expected of Romau but it is surprisingly well off. The city itself has a large core population of 2.23M with further cores on Rima, Thurwingen, and Falconia and a modest industry of 2 military and 6 civilian factories . Its status as a **Free Imperial City** give benefits to its economy and the city can be easily turned into a fortress. The main problem is the low war support the City of Romau start off with making it difficult to change conscription and economy laws.

### Threats and Opportunities

**Griffonian Empire** -The City of Romau starts as a vassal of the Empire and will break free once either the northern or southern states secede from the Empire. The Empire is the largest threat to Romau as they will eventually try to reclaim Romau.

If the Archon became the regent of the Griffonian Empire then the Empire will go to war with Romau at the same time they try to absorb the rest of the southern vassals which happens along the end of 1009.

If the Duchess became the regent of the Griffonian Empire then Romau is given enough time to wage the border wars for Rima, Thurwingen, and Falconia but will be facing a stronger Empire. Romau has the option of joining The Holy League led by Angriver and fight with them against the Empire.

If Archon Erion XII wins the battle of Romau and Archon Eros VII is the regent of the Empire then Romau will become a vassal of the Empire.

## National Focus

**Establish the Romau Air Force** is the air tree. It is fairly typical with a choice between fighter or bomber research bonus. Notably the last focus **Jet Technology Experiments** gives a generous 75% research bonus for jet/rocket technology and **Fighter Focus** will give 50 early fighters.

**Establish a Romauan Army** is the army tree. It gives standard research bonus with a choice between Grand Battleplan and Superior Firepower land doctrines. The Grand Battleplan path, based on the **Legionaires**, is mostly focused on bonuses to knightly units and infantry units, and in The Citizen Army path, conscription bonuses are given as the Romau army becomes more mainstream and organized.

### Politics Tree

**Chaos and Disorder** is the political tree. It is locked until either the northern or southern states of the Griffonian Empire secede. **The Battle for Romau** will give an event determining who wins. Either the Romau Council manages to stay in power or either the Communists, Republicans, or the Archon take power.

#### Communists and Post-Unification

If the **Communists** take over, they will implement broad syndicalist reforms - worker's self management, the Romau Congress of Trade Unions, and anti-clerical policies will all be pursued. The Communists are not without allies - they can ally with Anarchist Angriver and Communist Strawberry, although normally, they will face the threat of the Empire alone.

Should they take Griffenheim, Ehrhardt's syndicalists will call for a Congress between him and Angriver anarchist Willie Scherler, who promises an end to Ehrhardt's urbanization and anti-clerical politics. Ehrhardt, on the other hand, stresses an end to the corrupt religious hierarchy and urban, orthodox syndicalism.

#### Republicans and Post-Unification

If the **Republicans** take over, many of their policies will be moderate versions of the Communist ones. A democratic congress, Kemerskaian welfare, and a secular Romau will all be pursued as Archon Erion is driven out and the values of 978 are put in place. The Republicans, like the Communists, do have alliance choices - Bluhm in Angriver and the democrats in Katerin and Greifenmarschen will be loyal allies.

### Industrial Tree

**Industrial Modernisation** is the industry tree. **The Romau Tram System** is the main path and develops the city of Romau itself. Notably, **Romauan Steelworks** adds 14 steel in Romau. The final focuses will change Romau's development level to that of a modern society, its science base to a developed science base, and fix **Archonate Dominated Education** depending on the political path while also giving a research slot.

**The Rima Railroad** sub branch is only available if the states of RIma and Turwingen are owned by Romau. This short path focuses on adding resources to those states. The last focus **Mass Resource Extraction** gives +10% to resource gain efficiency and synthetic oil.

The **Falconia Roads** sub-branch requires the state of Falconia to be owned by Romau. This short path focuses on developing Falconia. Notably **Weinfelder** will give 0.15 daily political power gain and 5% monthly population.

## Technology

* **Support Equipment**
* **Mountain Infantry I**
* **Engineer Company I**
* **Recon Company I**
* **Artillery I**
* **Basic Depth Charges**
* **990 Cruiser**
* **Basic Torpedo**
* **Naval Gunnery**
* **Transport Ship**
 * **None**
* **We Can Fly?!**

## Politics

### National Spirits

* Consumer Goods Factories: **-2.0%**
* Daily Supremacy Support: **+0.02**

     **Imperial Free City** | * Recruitable Population Factor: **-25%**
* Construction Speed: **+5.0%**
* Production Efficiency Cap: **+10.0%**
* Factory Output: **+10.0%**

     **Archonate Dominated Education** | * Daily Political Power Gain: **+0.15**
* Research Speed: **-30.00%**

 The Eyrite Archonate is still a dominant force when it comes to education in Romau, being both the patrons and founders of many of its institutions of higher learning.
While this has brought plenty of prestige to Romau itself in recent times the education system has found itself outdated and unable to keep up with modern times and curriculum.

### Leaders

Romau Stadtrat / Herzland Nationalliberale Partei
Born in 935 ALB to a Wingbardian immigrant and a Romau noblegriff, Jules Ravioli is perhaps one of the oldest world leaders on the Griffonian continent. For his 72 years of his life, 49 of those have been spent in the Romau councils and senate, under independent political alignment. Ravioli was a senator during the ascension of Grover V, the Republican Revolution, and the Springtime of Nations during the 980s. Ravioli has run for Senator of all Romau numerous times, but it was not until 992 ALB that he finally achieved the position he had worked so hard to achieve.
991 ALB marked the climax of Romauan political conflicts, with 5 Senators coming to power during that year - 3 were assassinated, 1 was murdered by unionists during a particulary violent riot, and another committed suicide. In January of 992, Ravioli was unanimously elected by the Senate, except for one griffon who voted for Roland Ehrhardt and was assassinated the next day. Like his 5 predecessors, Ravioli was expected to die, but instead, he thrived, and Romau has again regained its position as one of the richest and most prosperous cities in Griffonia.
However, with Ravioli growing older and older, and Emperor Grover V growing even more sickly, it is likely major political turmoil could occur once again in Romau.
Will Ravioli be able to brave the storm? Or will he fall, along with the Council, the Senate, and Romauan tradition?

Romau Zweig der Nationalen Republikanischen
Gabriella di Karthin was born in 974, the illegitimate daughter of a Wingbardian noble who never revealed himself to her, and for that, she was given the surname of shame - "di Karthin". She was of Karthin, not of any noble house, and while her unknown father arranged for her to have a fairly prosperous upbringing, she still felt the stain of illegitimacy and the eyes of judging griffons on her at all times.
Looking to make a name for herself, Gabriella traveled to one of the fastest-growing cities in Griffonia, Romau. There, she quickly rose in power, and while she still wore her Wingbardian jewels, she became a Romauan in heart. Beloved by the commonfolk for her beauty and sympathy for the common griffon, she became a Senator, and soon decided to bear the banner of the National Republican Party.
Although the senate was originally hostile to her republicanism, they soon realized that having a republican in the Senate would do wonders for common perception of the what the commoners called the "corrupt council", and allowed her to join their ranks with open arms.
By 1007, Gabriella had become one of the most influential and popular senators, and while for now, she still obeys the democratic process, if ever there was to be a Republican revolution in Romau, it is likely she would join their banner - perhaps even lead them.

Romau Gewerkschaften / Herzland Syndicalist Union
Ehrhardt was born in 961, in a position very similiar to most Romauans - while the senate spent lavishly and fought amongst themselves, he grew up in relative poverty. His slum's position close to a sprawling temple of Eyr fueled his religious animosity, and when they continually drove back demanding charity, he began to doubt the Gods' grace entirely. His mother and father both participated in the labour movement, and Roland soon joined them in a craftworker's union at the age of 16. He rose the ranks of the union, rising from worker to organizer, and when the Republican revolution began, he joined his fellow workers in a mass general strike.
Although the Romauan revolution, and inevitably, the Republican revolution itself, failed, Ehrhardt continued organizing, eventually outranking his own parents and becoming the appointed representative of his union in 997.
Ehrhardt petitioned the council numerous times for rights, and when they refused, he organized strike after strike until his workers got what they wanted. His childhood animosity toward the Eyrians culminated in a violent anti-religious campaign, and Ehrhardt and thousands of other workers participated in burnings of Romau temples in protest of the corrupt Archon, Erion.
Now Ehrhardt is leader of all trade unions in Romau, and his animosity towards the Eyrians and the Council has reached a boiling point.

Eyrisches Archontum / Kaiserpartei
All this has made Erion rather unpopular among the nobility and the clergy, who see him as a threat and a lunatic. The hatred is mutual, as Erion often rants about the corruption of the nobles of Griffonia and the senators of Romau, and the incompetence and lack of zealotry of the priesthood. Many commoners are swayed by his fiery and passionate speeches, especially among the lower classes. Erion’s control of education contributes to this as young students are indoctrinated and turned into faithful servants of Eyr.
While Erion is power-hungry, none can deny he is a devout Eyrite as well. His parents, poor industrial workers in Romau, were very religious and conservative, and sent all their children to a temple school. There, the eyes of their youngest child, Lorenz Whitefeather, were opened and he became a faithful servant of Eyr, the goddess of fertility and family. After becoming an Archon, Lorenz chose the archonal name of Erion. Even to this day, Erion sends money to his old parents, and preaches the importance of traditional values.
Erion has a tenuous relationship with his fellow Archons of the Borean and Arcturian temples. As Eros is one of the most influential griffons in Heartlands, Erion always seeks to impress him and earn his favour, so Eros would entrust him with more power. Eros sees through his act, however, but sees him as a useful if dangerous pawn. Proteus on the other claw openly distrusts and dislikes Erion, and Erion despises him in return for his lack of piety and neglect of clerical duty. The two only work together because they must.
Now that Erion has secured his control of Romau like he always desired, he is determined to support Eros and gain rewards from him in return. However, the time might come when Erion will have outlived his usefulness to the Archon of Boreas...

### Staff and Designers

**Political Advisors**

**Tank Designer**

* Armour Reliability: **+5%**

**Ship Designer**

**Aircraft Designer**

* Fighter Agility: **+10%**
* Fighter Max Speed: **+10%**
* Carrier Fighter Agility: **+10%**
* Carrier Fighter Max Speed: **+10%**
 Medium Air Company
* Heavy Fighter Reliability: **+20%**
* Tactical Bomber Reliability: **+20%**
* Scout Planes Reliability: **+20%**
 Heavy Air Company
* Strategic Bomber Strategic Bombing: **+10%**
 Naval Air Company
* Naval Bomber Range: **+10%**
* Naval Bomber Naval Attack: **+10%**
* CV Naval Bomber Range: **+10%**
* CV Naval Bomber Naval Attack: **+10%**
* Carrier Fighter Range: **+10%**
* Carrier Fighter Agility: **+10%**
* CAS Fighter Range: **+10%**
* CAS Fighter Agility: **+10%**

**Materiel Designer**

 Small Arms Company
 Artillery Company

**Industrial Concern**

**Theorist**

* Army Experience Gain: **+0.05** daily
 Wigberta Brightquill
* Air Experience Gain: **+0.05** daily
 Adelbert Mooncrest
* Naval Experience Gain: **+0.05** daily

**Chief of Army**

* AI Modifier: Focus on Defence: **+15.0%**
 Adelhelm Mountainquill
* AI Modifier: Focus on Offense: **+15.0%**
 Willem Jerenhaus
 Frederika Brightwing

**Chief of Navy**

 Verena Nightquill

**Chief of Airforce**

* Air superiority Defence: **+3.0%**
* Air superiority Agility: **+3.0%**
 Dysis Roseclaw
* Bomber Defence: **+2.0%**
* Bomber Agility: **+2.0%**
* Strategic Bombing: **+5.0%**
 Pontos Moonfeather

**Military High Command**

## Economy

### Laws and Development

  Volunteer Only

* Recruitable Population: **1.50%**

* Construction Speed: **+10.00%**
* Research Speed: **+5.00%**
* Factory Output: **+10.00%**
* Dockyard Output: **+10.00%**
* Resources to Market: **+50%**
* Civilian intelligence to others: **+20.0%**
* Navy intelligence to others: **+10.0%**

* Industrial Research Speed: **+3%**
* Electronics Research Speed: **+2%**
* Consumer Goods Factories: **35.0%**
* Military to Civilian Factory conversion cost: **+30.00%**
* Civilian to Military Factory conversion cost: **+30.00%**
* Fuel Gain per Oil: **-40.00%**
* Fuel Capacity: **-25.00%**
* **Infrastructure** construction speed: **+10.00%**
* **Military Factory** construction speed: **-30.00%**
* **Civilian Factory** construction speed: **-30.00%**
 Scientific Development
  Substantial Science Base

* Daily Political Power Gain: **+0.10**
* Research Speed: **-30.00%**

* Resource Gain Efficiency: **-10.00%**
* Construction Speed: **-10.00%**
* Research Speed: **-10.00%**
* Factory Output: **-10.00%**
* Dockyard Output: **-10.00%**

 Poverty
  Negligible Poverty

* No penalties

* Uses Griffon Racial Tree

### Industry and Resources

Factories

Resources*\**
 0